We discuss S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl and its early reviews, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and the nominees for The Game Awards 2024.

Show Dot Points

• Stalker 2 has a long development history.
• The game is set in a war-torn country.
• Review codes can impact public perception.
• Day one patches can change the game's reception.
• The game is designed to challenge players.
• Survival elements are basic but effective.
• No fast travel makes exploration challenging.
• Game Awards nominations reflect industry trends.
• Marketing campaigns can influence game success. The best Sims strategy game includes titles like Frostpunk 2.
• Innovation inaccessibility is often vague in nominations.
• The definition of RPGs is debated among the hosts.
• Prince of Persia is a highly anticipated title.
• The content creators nominated are not widely recognized.
• Indie games are gaining traction in the industry.
• Community support nominations raise questions about the criteria.
• Games for Impact highlights the narrative importance of gaming.
• The best adaptation category aims to bridge games and media.
• Audio design and art direction are crucial yet often overlooked. Game Awards nominations can be controversial and subjective.
• The definition of 'Game of the Year' varies among gamers.
• Cultural impact plays a significant role in game nominations.
• Predictions for Game Awards winners can be speculative.
• Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 offers a diverse campaign experience.
• The new movement system in Call of Duty enhances gameplay.
• DLCs and expansions raise questions about eligibility for awards.
• Multiplayer experiences in games can vary widely.
• The hosts express differing opinions on game nominations.
• Game Pass availability influences player engagement with titles.

Hosts: Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo

Arcade Couch Credits:

• Music by: Dylan Blight
• Art by: Cherie Henriques
• Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration

All Episodes:

• https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

• http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

The Game Award Nominations are set to be announced this week but one Game of The Year nominee has been hinted at with clarification about what is eligible for the category. Ciaran and Ashley discuss how they feel about Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree potentially being up for Game of The Year. Plus Dylan shares his thoughts on LEGO Horizon Adventures.

Hosts: Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil

Episode Timecodes 00:00:00 - Hello 00:00:18 - Is Ciaran an Xbox? 00:07:52 - Dylan’s LEGO Horizon Adventures Review 00:19:31 - The Game Awards Expansion Clarification 00:32:18 - The Game Award Nomination Predictions 00:44:18 - Breaking Down Phil Spencer’s Bloomberg Interview 01:00:40 - Overwatch Classic Coming to Overwatch II 01:08:56 - Goodbye

Reviews LEGO Horizon Adventures Review: https://explosionnetwork.com/lego-horizon-adventures-review-lacking-the-lego-soul-for-this-adventure/

Resources Eurogamer - Phil Spencer says no "red lines" over any Xbox game coming to Nintendo or PlayStation

Press-Start - Overwatch: Classic Will Bring The Original Heroes And Maps Back To The Game

Push Square - The Game Awards Confirms DLC, Remasters Can Win Game of the Year Days Prior To Nominations Reveal

Arcade Couch Credits: Music by: Dylan Blight Art by: Cherie Henriques All Episodes: https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/ Support Us: http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

We've all been playing Dragon Age: The Veilguard and discuss the gameplay, story, favourite companions, class and race choices and more.

Dylan also discusses his final thoughts on Life is Strange: Double Exposure after finishing the game, and he and Ciaran discuss Wizard of the Coast's commitment to cross-over sets in Magic: The Gathering.

Show Dot Points

• The character creation system in Dragon Age is highly praised for its depth and integration into the story.
• Combat mechanics improve significantly with increased difficulty settings, enhancing the tactical experience.
• The story of Dragon Age: The Veil Guard is considered less engaging compared to previous titles in the series.
• Multiplayer gaming experiences are often hindered by a lack of friends who play the same games.
• Character relationships and choices play a crucial role in the gameplay experience, affecting party dynamics.
• The game features a mix of linear and open-world elements, providing a balance of exploration and structure.
• Players appreciate the variety of companions and their unique skills, though some feel less connected to them than in previous games.
• The pacing of the game's early hours is criticized for being disjointed and lacking clear direction.
• The quest design could benefit from clearer indicators of difficulty and expectations for players.
• Overall, the game is rated as a solid experience, with room for improvement in storytelling and character engagement. Parrying activates powerful abilities like Necrotic Blades.
• Character customization is crucial for player engagement.
• The game design reflects its origins as a multiplayer co-op.
• Quest management encourages story progression without distractions.
• The absence of DLC allows focus on future projects like Mass Effect.
• Armour customization adds depth to character personalization.
• Merchant interactions are tied to reputation systems.
• Trophy systems can hinder player experience and freedom.
• Baldur's Gate 3 sets a high standard for RPGs.
• Gameplay mechanics can lead to player frustration. Woke culture in gaming reviews can skew perceptions.
• Life is Strange has both strong and weak elements.
• Character development is more important than power in games.
• Magic: The Gathering is shifting towards IP collaborations.
• Crossovers are challenging the uniqueness of gaming IPs.
• Players are divided on the impact of woke culture in games.
• The latest Life is Strange game has mixed reviews.
• Magic: The Gathering's collaborations may dilute its original lore.
• Pokémon TCG continues to evolve with new sets and events.
• The gaming community is adapting to rapid changes in-game content.

Hosts: Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo

Arcade Couch Credits:

• Music by: Dylan Blight
• Art by: Cherie Henriques
• Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration

All Episodes:

• https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

• http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

Dylan and Ciaran discuss their time playing the first two chapters of Life is Strange: Double Exposure.

They also discuss their time with the recently released Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket, which everyone seems to be playing right now.

Show Dot Points

• The hosts express nostalgia for the original 'Life is Strange' series.
• The 'Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket' mechanics are simplified for a broader audience.
• Players are experiencing a mix of enjoyment and frustration with the battling system in 'Pokemon'.
• The importance of character interactions and emotional storytelling in games is highlighted.
• The hosts discuss the impact of early access on game releases.
• Gamers have a strong sense of community, as reflected in their discussions.
• The hosts emphasize the need for a ranked mode in Pokemon to enhance competitive play. To encourage engagement, players should receive XP for losing.
• The Wonder Picks feature enhances the excitement of card selection.
• Different booster packs contain unique cards, affecting strategy.
• Farfetch'd is currently an overpowered card in the game.
• The game mechanics differ from traditional trading card games, making it more accessible.
• The card collection aspect is a significant draw for players.
• Community engagement through liking binders can enhance the experience.
• The need for a dark mode in the game interface is emphasized.
• Upcoming game releases are varied and cater to different audiences.
• Personal preferences in gaming can influence engagement and enjoyment.

Hosts: Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo

Arcade Couch Credits:

• Music by: Dylan Blight
• Art by: Cherie Henriques
• Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration

All Episodes:

• https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

• http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

Into the second week of Metaphor: ReFantazio and Dylan discuss with Ciaran the major early differences between the latest game from Atlus and the Persona series.

Show Dot Points

• The gaming news cycle is slow during this time of year.
• Legacy of Kain is getting a remaster with significant updates.
• Beyond Good and Evil 2 has a new creative director after years of development.
• Star Citizen's development raises ethical concerns about funding and release.
• Game mechanics in new titles can significantly impact player experience.
• Remasters can breathe new life into classic games.
• Ubisoft's recent struggles reflect broader industry challenges.
• Player engagement and community feedback are crucial for game development.
• The importance of balancing ambition with realistic development timelines.
• Narrative elements in games can sometimes be confusing for players. Persona games are known for their cutscene-heavy narratives.
• The pacing of Persona games can be slow to start.
• Game sales can lead to significant consequences for development teams.
• High-quality games can still fail commercially due to marketing decisions.
• Nintendo's online playtest program is shrouded in secrecy.
• The gaming community is eager for new Nintendo announcements.
• The infrastructure of Nintendo's online services is often criticized.
• Developers face increasing pressure to ensure commercial success.
• The future of game development is uncertain amid changing market dynamics.
• Speculation about upcoming Nintendo Directs and game releases is rampant.

Hosts: Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo

Resources

• Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered enhancements include map, compass, and more | Eurogamer.net
• Beyond Good & Evil 2 still in development, now with new creative director | Eurogamer.net
• Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown team disbands following low sales - Explosion Network
• 'Switch Online Playtest Program' details leak - Explosion Network

Arcade Couch Credits:

• Music by: Dylan Blight
• Art by: Cherie Henriques
• Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration

All Episodes:

• https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

• http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

It's the first show back from PAX, and Ciaran has dove right into playing Metaphor: ReFantazio.

Show Dot Points

• 'Never' is a beautiful game with a touching story.
• The Xbox Partner Showcase featured exciting new titles.
• Metaphor: Refantasio offers a unique gaming experience.
• The Pokemon hacking incident raises concerns about security.
• Nintendo's future consoles may not be backwards compatible.
• Game development should focus on maximizing console capabilities.

Hosts: Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo

Resources

• Massive Future Pokemon Leaks Have Hit The Internet As Game Freak Confirms It Was Hacked
• Xbox Partner Showcase - October 2024: All the trailers and news - Explosion Network
• Neva Review - A bittersweet, beautiful journey - Explosion Network

Arcade Couch Credits:

• Music by: Dylan Blight
• Art by: Cherie Henriques
• Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration

All Episodes:

• https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

• http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

Dylan, Ashley and Ciaran discuss their time at PAX AUS 2024 and highlight some of their favourite games on the show floor.

Hosts: Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo

Arcade Couch Credits:

• Music by: Dylan Blight
• Art by: Cherie Henriques
• Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration

All Episodes:

• https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

• http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

In the lead-up to PAX AUS 2024, we discuss the Indie Showcase games, the nominees of the AGDA's and more.

Show Dot Points

• Daylight savings sparks a humorous debate among the hosts.
• PAX is a major highlight, with excitement building for the event.
• The Australian Game Developer Awards nominees showcase local talent.
• Game reviews highlight the quality and creativity of new releases.
• Indie games are gaining recognition and importance in the gaming landscape.
• Metaphor: ReFantasio offers a unique blend of fantasy and persona-like gameplay.
• The card shop simulator game provides a fun and engaging experience.
• The hosts express their enthusiasm for upcoming game releases.
• Community engagement at PAX is a key focus for the hosts.
• The conversation reflects a deep passion for gaming and its culture.

Hosts: Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo

Resources

• Australian Game Developer Awards finalists are led by Conscript, Diets & Deities and Kill Knight - Explosion Network
• Koalaty Critics: The Legend Of Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom - Australian Review Roundup - Explosion Network
• PAX AUS features its largest ever tabletop area in 2024 - Explosion Network
• PAX AUS 2024 Indie Showcase Digital & Tabletop Games - Explosion Network

Arcade Couch Credits:

• Music by: Dylan Blight
• Art by: Cherie Henriques
• Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration

All Episodes:

• https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

• http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion