Bastards of Gaming with Xizor and SynthR

We thought building a robot was going to give the show a much needed shot in the arm; we couldn’t have been more wrong. The world lost one of the greatest minds in gaming with SynthR’s freak accident, but I know he wouldn’t want the show to end because of his untimely demise. I’ve done my best to keep the show’s spirit alive by recording this latest episode with my robot companion and murder suspect, X1, against my better judgment. So please bear with me as I find my footing this week.This episode, I decided to keep the topic light and fun with gaming secrets and Easter eggs. It was tough to get through alone, but I could feel SynthR’s spirit giving me the strength to see it through. I talk about secrets you might not have known about in games like Halo, GTA, Diablo, Red Dead Redemption and lots more.Topic of the Week[07:49] Our favourite Secrets and Easter Eggs in GamingWhat We’re Playing[49:19] Strange Brigade, Remnant: From the Ashes, Tetris Effect, Control, Generation Zero, Gears Pop!, EricaQ&A[01:12:35]

You don't want to miss this episode. An epic Final Fantasy 7 rap battle. A robot co-host. SynthR is rushed to the hospital by ambulance. Oh, and our topic on gaming's biggest tragedies like Sega going under, the 90s Super Mario movie, GamerGate, PSN Outage and lots more.Topic of the Week [07:43] Greatest Tragedies in Gaming History: GamerGate, No Man's Sky, Peter Molyneux, Sega going under, Super Mario movie, Kojima leaving Konami, PSN Outage, Red Ring of Death[01:58:15] The Downfall of SynthRWhat We're Playing[1:59:50] Hob, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3, The Way Remastered, ContradictionQ&A[02:07:48] What do you guys think about Sony finally purchasing Insomniac?

None of us want to hear you cry over the difficulty of the game you're playing. Git gud, bro. Sink or swim. The Bastards are the elite and have no time for your baby frolics.This week, The Bastards bring on Xizor's good friend and ex-Gamestop ally NotHollowed to talk about difficulty in games, how much challenge is enough, the punishing "masocore" genre and whether or not all games should be accessible to everyone.But first, SynthR brings you the scoop on how the Bastards podcast landed on a smutty tabloid site and then vents his frustration over the resurfacing accusations that video games are a major cause for mass shootings. Gun violence is horrific and unnecessary, but distracting people with a straw man argument is absolutely despicable.Speaking of guns and video games, The Bastards fired up the latest co-op shooter Wolfenstein: Youngblood which ended up being a colossal disappointment. All this and more detailed later in the show.Rant[04:21] Mass shootings are not a product of video gamesTopic of the Week[16:26] Difficulty, Challenge and Accessibility with guest NotHollowedWhat We're Playing This Week[01:11:30] Wolfenstein: Youngblood, Monster Hunter, Hunt: Showdown, Wolfenstein: Cyberpilot, DriveClub VR, Wipeout VR, DayZ, Hob, Battlefield V, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3, Dark Souls 3Questions and Answers[01:55:06] What do you think of Gamestop's business transformation strategy?[02:01:21] Are you guys into the speed running scene or watch Games Done Quick?[02:06:14] What are the differences in Canadian and American consumerism?

There was a time back in the 90s when first person shooters were considered too real, gory and graphic. These games were rotting the minds of children the world over as they mowed down Nazis and chainsawed Hell’s army. Fast forward 25 years and we’re reaching the threshold of blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. But with all the advances in technology, some things don’t always change as much as they seem to.This week, The Bastards take a look at some of the best first person shooters and the ways they’ve innovated, often building off tried and true mechanics, while others have sadly stayed the same. Graphics, gore, story telling, multiplayer, and more are discussed!Later in the show, Xizor raves about Rime and his time with Gears 5 technical test, Angry Birds VR and OnRush.Topic of the Week[04:32] The State of First Person ShootersWhat We're Playing[01:02:29] Rime, Virginia, Gears 5 Technical Test, Angry Birds VR, OnRushQuestions and Answers[01:18:09] What games have you spent the most amount of time playing?[01:22:08] Why do you put random music in the background of the podcast?[01:23:25] Why should we trust your opinion when you're willing to take money for crappy games?[01:27:47] What embarrassing gaming habits do you have?

Every gamer's backlog is enormous and things keep getting worse year after year. How do you even decide what to play and when? Maybe you missed a game in previous years that you would have loved. Don't fret. The Bastards are going to start taking trips back to the past detailing the best and worst games of each year.This week, the podcast is filled with titles of yesteryear. From the amazing new God of War to Spiderman and the floppiest of flops like Fallout 76 and Metal Gear Survive. Hilariously enough, most of the best games from 2018 come with Microsoft's Game Pass. Score!Later in the show, the Bastards have been playing some of their backlog and talk about What Remains of Edith Finch, Ori and the Blind Forest, Dragon Quest 11 and Borderlands 2 with newly updated 4k textures.Topic of the Week[08:59] Best and Worst Games of 2018What We're Playing[01:18:39] What Remains of Edith Finch, Ori and the Blind Forest, Dragon Quest 11, Borderlands 2Questions and Answers[01:30:19] Would you like to work in the games industry full time?[01:37:15] Are you going to get the Ubisoft game subscription service?[01:44:32] What happens when Xizor cuts out during the podcast?[01:46:49] Can you shape ground beef into a tube so it fits in a hot dog bun?

Ever since Mad Max made wild car chases and weapon-strapped vehicle designs a part of mainstream culture, people have clamoured to get behind the wheel of their very own four-wheeled instrument of destruction. Neither of The Bastards could afford or engineer such a fine automobile, so they settled for acting out their high octane fantasies in video games instead. This week, Xizor and SynthR walk through the history of vehicular combat games and it roots, with inspiration dating back to 1956. They talk about their favourite games of all time like Vigilante 8, Rogue Trip, Blur, Wipeout, Mario Kart and, of course, the beloved Twisted Metal franchise.Later in the show, Xizor reports on his hilarious adventure in the tone-deaf and often offensive beat-em-up Shaq-Fu: A Legend Reborn, and SynthR gives his seal of approval for Ni No Kuni 2 and explains why he loves the rebirth and amazing writing in the Wolfenstein series by Bethesda.Topic of the Week[09:05] Aural History of Vehicular Combat Games like Twisted Metal and Vigilante 8What We’re Playing this Week[01:42:21] Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom[01:46:40] Mortal Kombat 10[01:50:07] Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus[01:56:55] Shaq-Fu: A Legend RebornQuestions and Answers[02:06:13] If you could wipe one game from your mind and play it again fresh what would it be?[02:09:53] Have you ever cried while playing a game and if not have you ever come close?[02:12:59] What are your favorite TV shows of all time?

Everyone has amazing memories tied to video games. Whether it's opening a console on Christmas morning or enjoying a game with all your best friends on the couch. This week, The Bastards invite long-time friend Roadie onto the podcast to talk about some of their favourite gaming memories. Not returning Goldeneye to Blockbuster; 16-player Halo lan parties, midnight releases, and tons more!Xizor talks about his voice acting gig he picked up from Team6 Studios and later, Crash Team Racing Nitro Refueled, World War Z and My Friend Pedro all get hot takes.Topic of the Week[08:27] Memories of Gaming Past with special guest RoadieWhat We're Playing This Week[01:22:20] Crash Team Racing Nitro Refueled, World War Z, My Friend PedroQ&A[01:34:58] What’s your favorite way to enjoy a game? [01:41:47] What do you think was the best year for video games?[01:47:33] What video game franchise do you think have fallen the farthest from grace? 

You can start a new life in any game world of your choosing. Which would it be? This week, The Bastards talk about living a normal, albeit bizarre life in different types of game worlds such as Fallout, the Mario Universe, Mass Effect, Borderlands, Deus Ex Universe, JRPGs and lots more.Later in the show, Xizor talks about the 501 games he played in the past week. Games like The Witness, Ori and the Blind Forest, Void Bastards, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, Road Rage and Alice: Madness Returns.Topic of the Week[07:53] Best Gaming Worlds to Live InWhat We're Playing[01:10:55] The Witness, Ori and the Blind Forest, Void Bastards, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, Road Rage and Alice: Madness Returns, JourneyQ&A[01:34:40] Did the FF7 Remake footage make you cum? Did it matter that Sony wasn't at E3 this year?

E3 2019 has come and gone not with a bang, but a whimper. Trailer after trailer, the Bastards did their best to remain enthusiastic during this year's pitiful showing. Is E3 a relic of the past or do we expect too much from this annual event? Standouts included Cyberpunk 2077, Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Baldur's Gate 3 and a Zelda: Breath of the Wild sequel. The rest is a big, old bowl of shredded "meh". Tune in to hear the ups and many downs from this year's event.E3 2019 Coverage[06:27] Google Stadia Conference[15:28] Microsoft Conference[52:31] Bethesda Conference[01:01:50] Devolver, PC and Ubisoft Conferences[01:26:42] Square-Enix and Nintendo Conferences

Everywhere you look people are outraged. Opinions are being pushed as fact to fuel an agenda. Everyone holds a pitchfork at the ready to attack all who oppose them or make even the slightest of offensive remarks. Long gone are the days where you can read news without it being covered with controversy. This is the world we now live in and the gaming industry is no exception.This week, The Bastards pull recent examples of poor gaming journalism to give you a taste of the insanity that happens on a daily basis. Final Fantasy 7's Barret Wallace gets attacked for his voice. A song in Super Smash Brothers Ultimate makes the news because people hear an insensitive word without actually having official lyrics to back up the claim. The co-founder of Polygon is upset that Rage 2 heavily uses enemies with cleft lips because he also shares this facial feature. Maybe this episode will make the news for being insensitive about people being sensitive about insensitive things! Yowie wowie, our brains hurt...[05:02] D-Roid Rage Advertisement[08:03] Topic of the Week: The Unfortunate State of Games JournalismQ and A[01:24:49] What are your predictions for E3 next week?[01:40:05] What are you favorite arcade games of all time? 

There is no shortage of outrage these days, but some things really are outrageous. In this week's topic, The Bastards sit on their proverbial front porch to hem and haw over the absolute worst things ruining video games and the industry as a whole. Egregious business practices, uninspired game development, free to play games, and lots more.They also discuss the new Death Stranding trailer, the new Mortal Kombat movie that was announced, the Final Fantasy 7 remake trailer drop and Ghost Recon Breakpoint.Later in the show, The Bastards finally disagree on something again! Rage 2 gets sent to Valhalla with a critical review you won’t want to miss. SynthR finally beats Spider-man and Xizor finds some more games to play with his lady-friend.Finally, the show ends on a low note as they discuss whether or not they’ve wasted their time playing video games for decades. News[04:11] Final Fantasy 7 Remake Trailer, Mortal Kombat Movie, Ghost Recon Breakpoint, Death Stranding TrailerTopic of the Week[23:31] The Worst Things Happening Right Now In GamingWhat We’re Playing This Week[01:34:25] Rage 2[01:56:17] Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime, Dynamite Fishing World GamesQ&A[02:06:34] Do you regret the time spent playing video games?[02:21:13] Why didn’t you mention more fast food restaurants?

Has this ever happened to you? "You are the worst fan of this podcast ever! You should stab your computer with a butcher knife, throw your phone into the toilet and choke down your tears over a bucket of onion rings." Even though it kind of sounds delicious, combating toxicity has been a major issue for game developers for nearly a decade. This week, the Bastards, joined by professional wrestler Griff Hellfire, talk about the measures being put in place to root out toxic behaviour and discuss why people behave like animals online when it would be much more productive to get along.Later in the show, Xizor talks about his time Mortal Kombat 11, Days Gone and his return to Assassin's Creed Odyssey.This week's Q&As run a bit long as Xizor and SynthR talk about the best and worst video game controllers, and their favourite fast food chains in Canada and the US.Topic of the Week[10:41] Toxicity in Gaming with Griff HellfireWhat We're Playing[01:18:49] Mortal Kombat 11[01:24:06] Days Gone and AC OdysseyQ&A[01:27:47] What is the best and worst video game controller?[01:33:08] Rank your favourite fast food restaurants.

Good cop or bad cop? How much do you follow your moral compass in games? The Bastards detail how they approach morality in games and how the choices you make are often illusions with little consequence.Later in the show Xizor discusses his time with the newest zombie killer, Days Gone, and SynthR picks up the latest Spider-man for a web slinging good time.Topic of the Week[04:26] Choice and Morality in GamesWhat We're Playing[51:08] Days GoneQuestions and Answers[01:06:24] What movies would make the best video games and vice versa?[01:16:55] John Marston or Arthur Morgan?[01:19:01] What are your favourite breakfast cereals?

We're back at it again bringing you Immortan Joe levels of mediocre gaming talk. Psych! Just playing, dawg! We've got more shine and chrome than a War Boy. This week, the Bastards discuss if the player needs to identify with a game or whether it needs to be relatable in order for it to be truly enjoyed. We jump into some social issues surrounding it and why we think gamers are just being selfish.Playstation 5 news dropped this week to everyone's surprise. We run through the announcement and banter back and forth as to whether we're even ready for the next generation of consoles.Xizor's been gaming away and discusses Sekiro, Darksiders 3, and Insurgency: Sandstorm, while SynthR lags behind with a great dungeon crawler, Operencia: The Stolen Sun, and talks about a recent trip down memory lane with his long-time friend, Jubei Kakarot.Q&A this week gets the boys laughing as they talk about some of their funniest gaming moments and, because this is still a thing, they sound off on chicken wings, sauces and dips.News[06:47] Playstation 5 AnnouncementTopic of the Week[21:26] Do you have to identify or relate to a game to enjoy it?What We're Playing This Week[01:00:30] Division 2[01:05:17] Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice[01:09:09] Darksiders 3[01:11:15] Operencia: The Stolen Sun and Mutant Year Zero[01:15:00] Retro game day with Jubei[01:23:17] Insurgency: SandstormQ&A[01:27:10] What is the funniest thing you’ve ever seen in a video game?[01:39:11] What is your favourite chicken wing flavor and do you prefer ranch or blue cheese? 

Google enters the gaming fray with Stadia! Will their streaming platform change the gaming landscape or just be another failed experiment? The Bastards discuss their hopes, dreams and concerns surrounding Stadia and how it could spark innovation.Later in the show, Xizor and SynthR talk about the Shadow of the Colossus PS4 remaster and revisit The Division 2 after having more time with it. In the Q&A section, they talk about whether gaming music is best as it was originally sequenced or do remixes/remasters create something even better?Topic of the Week[05:11] Stadia and Video Game Streaming as a Service, TwitchWhat We're Playing This Week[40:27] Shadow of the Colossus, The Division 2Q&A[01:08:48] What video game music is best, the original or remixed versions?[01:15:59] Favourite condiments and the ultimate sandwich

We're old bastards - I think that much has been established. And with great age, comes great responsibility and, unfortunately, less time to sit around and game all day. In this episode, the oldest of the Three Amigos, Magnum, joins the Bastards to talk about how life just isn't the same with money problems, kids, marriage and life just being life.Later in the show, the Bastards give an in-depth analysis of the latest hotness, Division 2. Topic of the Week[05:47] How Have Your Gaming Habits Changed Over Time?What We're Playing This Week[45:42] Division 2Q&A[01:22:50] Sardines and Triscuits

Get ready for another banging episode as the Bastards finish the second half of their mega Video Game Music Appreciation topic. This week they explore SynthR's favourite music genre, Electronica, Brian flexes his musical muscle discussing Industrial music, and they finish out the show gushing over RPGs, retro hits and creative soundtracks.Later in the show, Xizor gives his impressions on Devil May Cry 5 and Ape out. The Bastards also discuss the future of gaming technology and whether or not eggplant is a chicken substitute because people love hearing us fight each other over disgusting food choices.Topic of the Week: Video Game Music Appreciation (Part 2)Electronica[04:28] Wipeout XL[10:42] Ridge Racer Revolution[13:22] Mortal Kombat[17:17] Furi[19:35] Command and Conquer[23:26] Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver[27:47] Domina[30:50] FTL: Faster Than Light[33:15] TetrisphereIndustrial[34:41] DMC: Devil May Cry[40:16] Airmech[44:28] Quake[47:25] LoadedRPGs[50:02] Final Fantasy Series[52:50] Final Fantasy 7[58:29] Final Fantasy 10[59:06] Final Fantasy 6[01:01:51] Overworld Themes: Chrono Cross, FF7[01:06:31] Diablo 2[01:10:10] Diablo 3[01:11:28] Torchlight[01:13:11] World of Warcraft[01:16:02] Mass Effect SeriesRetro Games[01:24:15] Shining Force Series[01:26:58] Streets of Rage 2 -3[01:31:35] Mutant League Football[01:35:45] Gunstar HeroesCreative and Original Soundtracks[01:38:50] Pit People[01:41:16] Assassin's Creed Black Flag Sea Shanties[01:44:56] Jet Set Radio[01:47:58] Hotline Miami[01:48:50] Katamari Series (Damacy) [01:52:25] What We're Playing This WeekDevil May Cry 5, Ape Out [01:58:51] Q&AWhere do we go technologically next gen?Is eggplant a substitute for chicken?

Great music can make or break a game and all that awesome music has been crammed into the next two podcasts! This week, special guest Brian Evol joins the show to talk about favourite orchestrated soundtracks, atmospheric tracks, most innovative uses of music, licensed soundtracks and 25 minutes of Xizor rambling about how his music is superior to everyone else's. Come for the banter, but stay for the amazing music weaved into the podcast!Later in the show, SynthR yaks about Crackdown 3 yet again for some reason and Xizor rips into the disappointment that is Anthem. Another war breaks out during the Q&A segment over yet another food question. Why are people always sending food questions? Stop!Topic of the Week: Video Game Music Appreciation (Part 1)[08:59] Doom (2016)[23:59] Twisted Metal Black[27:25] Guacamelee[30:18] Shadow of the Colossus[31:34] Total Annihilation[33:35] God of War (2018)[36:12] The Witcher 3[40:50] Journey[45:49] Dead Cells[48:12] Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 3[49:34] Final Fantasy IX[53:51] Halo 2 / Halo ODST[58:40] Destiny 1 and 2[01:04:29] Killing Floor 2[01:14:08] Transistor[01:19:20] Eve Online[01:25:37] Elite Dangerous[01:29:18] Licensed Game SoundtracksWhat We're Playing This Week[01:43:11] Anthem, Crackdown 3Q&A[02:12:19] What's your favourite gaming peripheral?[02:20:33] Do you like onion and peanut butter sandwiches? [02:33:56] Episode outtakes

Hot off the pizza of last week's episode, Xizor and SynthR bury the pineapple so they can get on with their miserable friendship and discuss gaming turn offs. They touch on game length, having a huuuuuge backlog, the girth of their gamer scores, turning the lights off so they don't have to see each other's face and the console they're most likely to sleep with. No! This ain't no PG gaming show!The Bastards also put the heat on the Ayatollah of Crackdown-a-rolla, Crackdown 3 and the newly released Metro Exodus. As a thank you to all our Snows who make it to the end of the podcast, we've left a little Easter egg for you.Topic of the Week [06:22] What turns you off from playing, purchasing or completing a video gameWhat We're Playing This Week[46:19] Crackdown 3[59:15] Apex Legends Update[01:00:40] Metro ExodusQ&As[01:11:17] Microsoft Calling for Platform Unification[01:16:09] Is Microsoft Game Pass Worth it?[01:26:40] Which console would you bone????Easter Egg???

This week, Xizor and SynthR discuss the new hottness, Apex Legends, the Division 2 beta, and why they're disappointed with Rockstar's upcoming changes to Red Dead Online.For the Topic of the Week, they discuss weird quirks, handicaps and awkward ways they play games, which leads to some hilarious findings and suggestions.Finally in a new segment, The Bastards answer some burning questions like which Mortal Kombat character they would be and a question about pizza that nearly ruins their friendship.ChaptersNews:[03:20] Red Dead Redemption 2 Online - New Content in July, Griefing, Weapon Tweaks[20:30] Most Anticipated Titles of 2019Games We’re Playing:[01:00:30] Guacamelee 2[01:05:19] Division 2 Beta[01:10:35] Wargroove[01:12:55] Apex LegendsTopic of the Week:[01:34:50] Weird quirks, self-imposed handicaps, awkward ways you play games[02:34:08] Q&A