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Episode 253 Everyone has a game or two that they turn to when times are tough, a familiar experience that you can return to time and time again to relieve stress. Today, we talk about our personal "comfort games" and how they perk us up when we're feeling down. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Crimson Desert, Kerbal Space Program 2). This episode was recorded in April 2026. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase. Chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn Or email us at [email protected] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/369MuzfFy8RB6vFULVY7Zy?si=26cb1639927c4cc8 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastGametalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastgametalk Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podcastgametalk Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/podcastgametalk.bsky.social Timestamps: 0:00 - Opening Banter 11:22 - Comfort Gaming 48:11 - Crimson Desert 54:10 - Kerbal Space Program 2

Episode 252 As video game enthusiasts, a lot of the time we can't stop playing games. However, as functional adults, there are stretches of time when video games lose their luster, and other interests and obligations occupy our time. Today, we talk about these so called "gaming droughts" and how we navigate them. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Monster Hunter Wilds, Crimson Desert, Silent Hill f). This episode was recorded in April 2026. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase. Chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn Or email us at [email protected] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/369MuzfFy8RB6vFULVY7Zy?si=26cb1639927c4cc8 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastGametalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastgametalk Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podcastgametalk Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/podcastgametalk.bsky.social Timestamps: 0:00 - Opening Banter 5:29 - Gaming Droughts 26:13 - Monster Hunter Wilds 31:58 - Crimson Desert 44:41 - Silent Hill f

Episode 251 Open World games, once a rare treat, have now saturated the gaming landscape - some people can't get enough, and some feel they have overstayed their welcome. Today, we discuss how we feel about the open world genre, and explore "modern" open world design and how we feel it improves the genre. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Crimson Desert, Pokémon Scarlet, Battlefield 6, Slay The Spire 2). This episode was recorded in April 2026. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase. Chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn Or email us at [email protected] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/369MuzfFy8RB6vFULVY7Zy?si=26cb1639927c4cc8 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastGametalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastgametalk Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podcastgametalk Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/podcastgametalk.bsky.social Timestamps: 0:00 - Opening Banter 3:26 - Thoughts On Open Worlds 30:21 - "Modern" Open World Design 51:10 - Crimson Desert 1:06:47 - Pokémon Scarlet 1:13:30 - Battlefield 6 1:18:40 - Slay The Spire 2

Episode 250 AI (in the video game space and otherwise) continues to be shoved down our throats. With the rise of AI journalism and the much-maligned DLSS 5, where is the games industry currently with AI and will this pushback amount to anything? Today, we talk about AI in gaming as it stands right now and give our take on DLSS 5. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Timberborn, Pokémon Scarlet, Pokémon Legends Arceus, From Glory To Goo). This episode was recorded in March 2026. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase. Chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn Or email us at [email protected] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/369MuzfFy8RB6vFULVY7Zy?si=26cb1639927c4cc8 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastGametalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastgametalk Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podcastgametalk Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/podcastgametalk.bsky.social Timestamps: 0:00 - Opening Banter 5:19 - AI Journalism 18:17 - DLSS 5 36:02 - Timberborn 41:10 - Pokémon Scarlet 46:38 - Pokémon Legends Arceus 53:06 - From Glory To Goo

Episode 249 Today, we talk about two games we're absolutely enamored with - Resident Evil Requiem and Pokémon Pokopia. For Resident Evil, we talk about our playthrough in both spoiler-free and spoilery contexts. Then, we discuss how we're enjoying the undeniable charm of Pokopia. This episode was recorded in March 2026. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase. Chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn Or email us at [email protected] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/369MuzfFy8RB6vFULVY7Zy?si=26cb1639927c4cc8 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastGametalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastgametalk Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podcastgametalk Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/podcastgametalk.bsky.social Timestamps: 0:00 - Resident Evil Requiem Spoiler-Free Thoughts 19:48 - Resident Evil Requiem Spoiler Discussion 42:42 - Pokémon Pokopia

Episode 248 We at Gametalk (more accurately 2/3 of us) are massive fans of Monster Hunter, and today we have an opportunity to gush about the series. We talk about the current state of Monster Hunter Wilds, and more specifically predict what we'll see in Master Rank. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Resident Evil Village, Super Mario Sunshine). This episode was recorded in February 2026. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase. Chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn Or email us at [email protected] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/369MuzfFy8RB6vFULVY7Zy?si=26cb1639927c4cc8 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastGametalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastgametalk Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podcastgametalk Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/podcastgametalk.bsky.social Timestamps: 0:00 - Opening Banter 5:31 - Predicting Master Rank for Monster Hunter Wilds 36:35 - Monster Hunter Wilds Performance Improvements 43:34 - Games We're Playing 47:16 - Resident Evil Village 59:59 - Super Mario Sunshine

Episode 247 Massive news has dropped on multiple fronts! In a frustrating move, Sony has closed Bluepoint Games in another seemingly misguided sacrifice on the altar of live service. When will it be enough, and are they finally turning the PlayStation faithful away? And on the other side, Microsoft has ousted the existing Xbox leadership. Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond are gone, and Asha Sharma is now in charge of Xbox. We discuss how this critical turning point could affect the future of Xbox. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Resident Evil 4, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, Mewgenics). This episode was recorded in February 2026. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase. Chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn Or email us at [email protected] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/369MuzfFy8RB6vFULVY7Zy?si=26cb1639927c4cc8 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastGametalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastgametalk Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podcastgametalk Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/podcastgametalk.bsky.social Timestamps: 0:00 - Opening Banter 4:00 - Sony Kills Bluepoint 32:02 - Xbox Leadership Shakeup 1:00:04 - Resident Evil 4 1:09:14 - Resident Evil 7: Biohazard 1:22:26 - Mewgenics

Episode 246 Recently, Bloomberg's Jason Schreier put out an article called "Video Games Need to Be Cheaper to Buy". Today, we talk about his article and points where we agree and disagree, and discuss the broader landscape of video game pricing in 2026. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (God of War Sons of Sparta, Resident Evil 2). This episode was recorded in February 2026. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase. Chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn Or email us at [email protected] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/369MuzfFy8RB6vFULVY7Zy?si=26cb1639927c4cc8 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastGametalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastgametalk Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podcastgametalk Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/podcastgametalk.bsky.social Timestamps: 0:00 - Opening Banter 9:39 - Are Video Games Too Expensive? 47:59 - God of War Sons of Sparta 1:01:38 - Resident Evil 2

Episode 245 PlayStation's most recent State of Play paints a strong picture for game releases in 2026. Not only do we have quality games coming, it seems like Konami is back and firing on all cylinders! In addition, Xbox brought out the big guns with Fable and Forza 6, and Nintendo showed an impressive variety of third party games coming to Switch 2. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Monster Hunter Wilds). This episode was recorded in February 2026. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase. Chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn Or email us at [email protected] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/369MuzfFy8RB6vFULVY7Zy?si=26cb1639927c4cc8 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastGametalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastgametalk Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podcastgametalk Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/podcastgametalk.bsky.social Timestamps: 0:00 - Opening Banter 9:18 - PlayStation State of Play 49:39 - Konami's Comeback 1:08:12 - Nintendo Partner Direct 1:13:58 - Xbox Developer Direct 1:26:40 - Monster Hunter Wilds

Episode 244 The Nintendo Wii, regardless of how a lot of enthusiasts feel about the direction of Nintendo at the time, was a hugely influential and successful console that shaped the trajectory of the industry in the late 2000s/early 2010s. Today, we take a look back and each go through our top 5 Wii games. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Cairn, Hitman: World of Assassination). This episode was recorded in February 2026. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase. Chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn Or email us at [email protected] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/369MuzfFy8RB6vFULVY7Zy?si=26cb1639927c4cc8 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastGametalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastgametalk Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podcastgametalk Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/podcastgametalk.bsky.social Timestamps: 0:00 - Opening Banter 12:56 - Remembering the Nintendo Wii 20:11 - Honorable Mentions 31:52 - Number 5 37:26 - Number 4 50:03 - Number 3 1:07:20 - Number 2 1:19:24 - Number 1 1:39:54 - Cairn 1:46:16 - Hitman: World of Assassination

Episode 243 Ubisoft has announced several cancellations and a complete company-wide restructuring amid cratering stock prices and dwindling mindshare. Is this move the life-saving measure the company needs, or a final death-knell separating the company into digestible chunks for potential buyers? Today, we dissect the current state of Ubisoft and offer our thoughts on their numerous IP. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined, Persona 3: Reload). This episode was recorded in January 2026. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase. Chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn Or email us at [email protected] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/369MuzfFy8RB6vFULVY7Zy?si=26cb1639927c4cc8 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastGametalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastgametalk Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podcastgametalk Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/podcastgametalk.bsky.social Timestamps: 0:00 - Opening Banter 13:33 - Ubisoft Production Issues 19:41 - Ubisoft's Restructuring and IP Discussion 56:28 - Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined 1:07:29 - Persona 3: Reload and Persona Live 2026: Awakenings

Episode 242 2026 is looking to be an eventful year - between increasing hardware prices, the upcoming Steam hardware, and the ever-looming GTA VI, there's something to consider for just about everybody! Today, we take stock of the games industry in early 2026 and make some predictions for how the year will go. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Palworld, Monster Hunter Portable 3rd, Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak). This episode was recorded in January 2026. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase. Chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn Or email us at [email protected] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/369MuzfFy8RB6vFULVY7Zy?si=26cb1639927c4cc8 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastGametalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastgametalk Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podcastgametalk Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/podcastgametalk.bsky.social Timestamps: 0:00 - Opening Banter 6:41 - Hardware Inflation 16:21 - Increasing Domination of Free to Play Games 24:03 - VR's Dwindling Mindshare 35:10 - Nintendo's 2026 45:05 - Xbox's 2026 54:44 - PlayStation's 2026, GTAVI, and Other Upcoming Games 1:11:22 - Palworld 1:24:53 - Monster Hunter Portable 3rd 1:32:36 - Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak

Episode 241 In late 2025, Netflix announced that they were purchasing Warner Bros Discovery for 80 billion dollars. Though the story of the purchase is ongoing with fresh drama unfolding even still, it looks likely that Netflix will end up acquiring WB - and most interestingly to us, their game studios. Today we discuss how this purchase could shift the gaming and streaming landscape. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Hitman: World of Assassination, Palworld, Monster Hunter). This episode was recorded in January 2026. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase. Chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn Or email us at [email protected] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/369MuzfFy8RB6vFULVY7Zy?si=26cb1639927c4cc8 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastGametalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastgametalk Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podcastgametalk Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/podcastgametalk.bsky.social Timestamps: 0:00 - Opening Banter 15:37 - Netflix Purchases Warner Bros Discovery 25:57 - Movie Theater Tangent 36:42 - Speculating on a Netflix Game Pass Competitor 44:36 - Thoughts on the "Streaming Wars" 57:39 - Hitman: World of Assassination 1:07:40 - Palworld 1:18:04 - Monster Hunter

Episode 240 2026 is here and with it, some potentially dire news for video game hardware. As the RAM situation continues to deteriorate, the stage is set for massively increased gaming hardware prices. Today, we discuss the ramifications of the inflated RAM prices on PC and console hardware, and predict how the situation will unfold in the short and long term. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Monster Hunter Rise, Donkey Kong Bananza, Void Stranger). This episode was recorded in January 2026. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase. Chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn Or email us at [email protected] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/369MuzfFy8RB6vFULVY7Zy?si=26cb1639927c4cc8 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastGametalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastgametalk Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podcastgametalk Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/podcastgametalk.bsky.social Timestamps: 0:00 - Opening Banter 8:16 - Impacts of Inflated RAM Price 30:08 - AI Discussion 46:12 - Short and Long Term Effects of RAM Inflation 54:28 - Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice 1:03:13 - Monster Hunter Rise 1:23:13 - Donkey Kong Bananza 1:35:20 - Void Stranger

Episode 239 2025 has truly been an exceptional year for video games. As the year comes to a close, we pit our top 16 games of 2025 against each other in a bracket to determine Gametalk's Game of the Year! To follow along, please check out the YouTube release for this episode. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Neon White, Monster Hunter Wilds). This episode was recorded in December 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase. Chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn Or email us at [email protected] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/369MuzfFy8RB6vFULVY7Zy?si=26cb1639927c4cc8 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastGametalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastgametalk Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podcastgametalk Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/podcastgametalk.bsky.social Timestamps: 0:00 - Opening Banter 1:49 - Top 16 47:51 - Quarterfinals 1:04:45 - Semifinals 1:13:25 - Finals and Gametalk's Game of the Year 2025 1:24:04 - Neon White 1:30:41 - Monster Hunter Wilds