Advertise on podcast: The PlayStation Effect

Welcome back, guardians. Destiny is back, Bungie is sorry, and we're going to talk about it. Plus, we'll discuss the huge changes happening at XBOX — including Halo going to Activision and Obsidian moving to Bethesda as they develop the next Fallout. Also, a new Game of the Year contender is here... and it's CONTROL Resonant. Timestamps: 00:01:00 – Control Resonant 00:08:46 – Bungie's comeback 00:19:21 – Major XBOX studio changes

Put on your tinfoil hats. It's time to make some bold and brutally honest predictions about PlayStation — from first-party announcements to the PS6. Plus, we will also give our spoiler-free reviews of Marvel's Wolverine, The Blood of Dawnwalker, and the controversial Resident Evil movie. Timestamps: 00:01:02 – Marvel's Wolverine review 00:07:51 – The Blood of Dawnwalker review 00:09:29 – Resident Evil movie review 00:11:39 – Bold PlayStation predictions

When it rains, it pours. From bad Wolverine reviews to Sony screwing over Hideo Kojima and lying about it, we will give our brutally honest reactions to the latest controversies surrounding PlayStation. Plus, we'll reveal our thoughts on the two-part Nintendo Direct to discuss how Sony's competition is stacking up. Timestamps: 00:01:04 – Sony screwed Hideo Kojima 00:12:12 – Wolverine reviews are brutal 00:20:08 – Zelda Direct reactions 00:28:11 – Nintendo Direct reactions

That sure was... something. Our State of Play reactions are here, and fair warning: we are going to be brutally honest about the showcase — from Marvel's Wolverine to the strange absence of Intergalactic. Plus, we'll give our full impressions of The Blood of Dawnwalker and Onimusha: Way of the Sword. Are they GOTY contenders? Timestamps: 00:00:54 – The Blood of Dawnwalker 00:06:43 – Onimusha: Way of the Sword 00:11:13 – State of Play reactions

It finally happened. Grand Theft Auto VI showed up on Netflix, so it's time to reveal our raw reactions about the gameplay... and the negative criticism on social media. Plus, we'll discuss Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection, Vol. 2 and all the big trailers and announcements from Gamescom. Timestamps: 00:00:54 – MGS Master Collection Vol. 2 00:06:49 – GTA VI showcase reactions 00:20:04 – Gamescom showcase reactions

Oof. This isn't good. Horizon 3 isn't in development, Horizon Hunters Gathering is on life support, and another round of PlayStation backlash has begun. Tune in for our honest reactions to Sony's latest situation. Plus, we'll discuss Phantom Blade Zero's State of Play and the ongoing leaks of Grand Theft Auto VI. Timestamps: 00:01:04 – Horizon is in serious trouble 00:14:57 – Phantom Blade Zero State of Play 00:22:43 – GTA VI leak reactions

Tough times. After the physical disc scandal, morale has never been worse for PlayStation, so it's time to help the community get through it. Plus, we'll discuss the backlash about Marvel's Wolverine, the shocking sales numbers for Marvel Tokon, and why no one's talking about Ghost of Yotei's upcoming expansion. Timestamps: 00:01:07 – Don't sleep on Mortal Shell II 00:03:31 – A Nintendo-skeptic gets a Switch 2 00:07:07 – Marvel's Wolverine backlash 00:14:34 – Marvel Tokon's shocking sales data 00:17:45 – Ghost of Yotei's expansion = crickets? 00:21:09 – An intervention for PlayStation fans

A new State of Play is coming! But, will it be enough to quiet the backlash about ending physical discs? Let's discuss. Plus, we'll go back through PlayStation's history to reveal which games are overrated, underrated, or fairly rated on MetaCritic — from Uncharted's most beloved spinoff to the controversial Killzone 2. Timestamps: 00:00:56 – Beast of Reincarnation 00:06:51 - Gears of War: E-Day Beta 00:14:44 – State of Play expectations 00:22:32 – Overrated/underrated PlayStation games

Progress report time! We're giving PlayStation a mid-year grade. From their first-party lineup to their biggest headlines, we'll break down PlayStation's year so far. Plus, we'll give our raw reactions to Sony's CFO doubling down on ending physical discs in 2028. What should the community do about it? We'll share our thoughts. Timestamps: 00:01:01 – What we are playing (007, Halo, Mortal Shell II) 00:17:01 – Sony doubles down on ending physical discs 00:29:13 – PlayStation's mid-year review

Hi, Chief. Halo has finally arrived on PlayStation... but does any of this feel right? We'll discuss how this impacts XBOX, PlayStation, and longtime Halo fans. Plus, God of War Laufey got a release date, but where's the hype? And better yet, is this enough to turn around PlayStation's negative reputation? Timestamps: 00:01:06 – Trying Gamefly in 2026 00:04:46 – Resident Evil movie backlash 00:13:57 – The impact of Halo on PlayStation 00:33:52 – Where's the God of War Laufey hype?

It's getting ugly. Sony isn't backing down from the death of physical discs — instead choosing to flood social media with bots praising their digital-only future. We'll unpack this new low for PlayStation with our unfiltered takes. Then, we'll reflect on happier times and share our personal Mt. Rushmores for all things PlayStation. Timestamps: 00:00:56 – The physical disc scandal just got worse 00:15:00 – Mt. Rushmore of PlayStation hardware 00:23:17 – Mt. Rushmore of first-party franchises 00:30:54 – Mt. Rushmore of protagonists 00:38:20 – Mt. Rushmore of villains

It's about to get spicy. We compiled some your hottest takes about PlayStation to decide whether you're right, wrong, or clinically insane. Plus, we'll share our honest thoughts on Assassin's Creed: Black Flag Resynced. Is this remake the shot in the arm that Assassin's Creed needed? Timestamps: 00:01:05 – Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced 00:10:16 – Dungeon Crawler Carl 00:12:54 – Your wildest takes about PlayStation 00:22:13 – Your hot takes about Sony's first-party games

Sony has done the unthinkable. Physical discs are officially dying, and PlayStation fans have gone nuclear. So, it's time to give our brutally honest reactions to this shocking news. Then, we'll discuss Asha Sharma's XBOX reset — the layoffs, studio spinoffs, and strategic shifts that are shaping XBOX going forward. Timestamps: 00:01:12 – Sony kills physical discs 00:33:05 – XBOX's layoffs and studio spinoffs

It's time for our mid-year GOTY conversation! We'll reveal our top 5 games of 2026... so far. But, what's a year in gaming without disappointments? So, that's why we'll also reveal which games let us down the most in 2026. Plus, PlayStation apparently isn't anywhere near done making live service games — so we'll try to unpack why they haven't learned their lesson. Timestamps: 00:01:29 – Sony's live service strategy isn't dead 00:15:55 – Game of the year (so far) 00:36:01 – Biggest disappointments 00:41:03 – Most anticipated games left in 2026

Press X to pay respects. XBOX is planning to close down several studios as part of their brand reset, so we'll break down exactly what's happening and why. Plus, the Steam Machine's price has been revealed... and it's not pretty. We'll reveal our brutally honest reactions to Valve's new console and if PlayStation should be worried. Timestamps: 00:01:11 – Steam Machine price reactions 00:13:49 – XBOX studio closures 00:41:45 – Is PlayStation killing Bungie?