Branching Out

Episode 19 - Jack & Casie [feat. shoutscion]

This week, in a move I couldn't have planned better, I'm talking about Inventory Action RPG Jack & Casie with its developer, shoutscion [https://twitter.com/shoutscion]. The game's not quite out yet, but I've gotten hours of entertainment out of the demo [https://shoutscion.itch.io/jack-and-casie-kickstarter-version], already. We talk about the REAL origins of Jack & Casie, the newly-released armor prototype, and hard choices designers make regarding balance, tutorials, and fun.   We also talk about the Super Best Friends a fair bit in this episode, which was recorded about five days in advance of their announcing the closing of their channel. I consider it a very appropriate sending off of them, talking about some of our favorite jokes and our history as fans of them. The channel was a significant part of my daily routine, and I'm glad I had this last opportunity to talk about them and have fun with a fellow long-time fan before the news hit.   Show Notes: * shout's tumblr [http://shoutscion.tumblr.com/], where he blogs about game development * Attache Case HD [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5J3_IApDFHA]  * Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead [http://en.cataclysmdda.com/]  * Elite Beat Agents [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDvI4rofOZs]  * Solatorobo [https://youtu.be/Iu5FI8_u1aQ?t=236]  * Combat Mecha Zabungle [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFtxRRi3ewI]  * God Hand [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyfbtSyX3mc]  * If you want more gaming information, check us out on the web at starfox64.com [http://starfox64.com/]  * Star Fox 64 Promo [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBF3X3ZaS2Q]

Episode 18 - Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals [feat. Matsu]

I'm back, baby!  😎🚬 This week it's yet another flawed, yet interesting SNES JRPG, and it's with Matsu [https://twitter.com/WldMts]! The game has a classically mythological story, with characters and plot beats that are actually fairly uncommon in games, even by modern standards. In the episode, we talk about presequels, roguelike elements, and having sex with swords. Show Notes: * The Super Duper Deluxe Gamercast, featuring Matsu [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVGMao4i2iw]  * We played using a fan patch of Lufia [https://www.romhacking.net/hacks/4129/]. It was a little weird to patch, so Matsu has graciously provided directions here [http://wildmatsu.xyz/filedump/frue.txt]. A reference for which item names were changed can be found here [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1i2oHkHMkVqevX_3WzzgaInTcN_QTw7os33Nt4RDAvvQ/edit?usp=sharing], which can be useful if you're following a walkthrough. * The Stairway to Heaven progression [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrdBw1Y667s]

Episode 17 - Magic: The Gathering [feat. Kevin Cole]

This week, I try a game that's been vaguely within my radar, but I never had the chutzpah to actually learn: Magic: The Gathering. With me is Kevin Cole [https://twitter.com/realkevincole], who's been playing the game in physical form for 17 years. In this episode, we compare notes on the difference between physical and digital card games (I only tried Magic via MTG Arena), talk briefly about Garfield's newest game Keyforge, and why Black should be a good guy.   I'm going to take a brief hiatus and be back in two weeks to talk with Matsu again about Lufia II, so look forward to that!   Show Notes: * Kevin Cole's Tabletop RPG Podcast: Pretend Friends [https://twitter.com/Pretend_Friends/status/933454391511830529]  * Magic: The Gathering: Arena [https://magic.wizards.com/en/mtgarena]

Episode 16 - Earthbound (Part 3 FINAL) [feat. soban]

This week, we finish off Earthbound with the soban. We wrap up the two side sanctuaries, then head straight into Deep Darkness, and on to the finale! We talk about mushroom hunting, DRM, and abortions! soban didn't have a social media presence to plug, so check out Lawsplaining the Interwebs [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbkjX3E0IhuUfPzL0FjSPaw] by Nick Rekieta [https://twitter.com/NickRekieta], instead!   Next time around, look forward to Magic: The Gathering, with Kevin Cole [https://twitter.com/RealKevinCole]!

Episode 15 - Final Fantasy XV [feat. Moose]

In the very 15th episode, we talk about the very 15th Final Fantasy! I'm joined by Moose, who is also a seasoned Final Fantasy veteran, and we talk about how this game falls short of expectations in entirely avoidable ways. We fail to talk about the alliteration, the only puzzle in the entire game, or the soundtrack.   Show Notes: * Final Fantasy XV was a mediocre disappointment [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8lvAq_yp_w]  * Stella [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABiDhd-9gO4]