Chapter Select

In this inaugural test season of Chapter Select, Max and Logan dig into Naughty Dog's post-apocalyptic series The Last of Us. Weeks before the release of the sequel, Logan and Max replayed the PS3's swan song to explore how it aged and explore its impact on the video game industry in the past seven years. Download a transcript of this episode here. The Last of Us Developer - Naughty Dog Platform - PS3 and PS4 (and PS5?) Release Date - June 14, 2013 on PS3 and July 29, 2014 on PS4 Creative Director - Neil Druckmann Game Director - Bruce Straley Composer - Gustavo Santaolalla Metacritic - 95/100 Links Millennial Gaming Speak  The Last of Us Wins Game of the Decade  Soundtrack Music Spotify YouTube Arriving in Pittsburgh Max’s Wild Tie in Factions Multiplayer  Jak X: Combat Racing in Left Behind Uncharted 4 Spoilercast Episode Cover Art by Nick Gindraux This episode was originally recorded on June 11, 2020. Max’s Twitter Logan’s Twitter

In this inaugural test season of Chapter Select, Max and Logan dig into Naughty Dog's post-apocalyptic series The Last of Us. Hot off the heels of its release in 2020, we sink our teeth into Naughty Dog's divisive sequel. Did PlayStation's top team capture earn the "Part II" in the title? How does The Last of Us Part II affect the legacy of the first game? Download a transcript of this episode here. The Last of Us Part II Developer - Naughty Dog Platform - PS4 Release Date - June 19, 2020 Director - Neil Druckmann Narrative Lead - Halley Gross Game Directors - Kurt Margenau and Anthony Newman Composers - Gustavo Santaolalla and Mac Quayle Metacritic - 93/100 Links Uncharted 4 Spoilercast The History of The Last of Us Part II’s Development Soundtrack Music Spotify YouTube Episode Cover Art by Sebastian Gromann This episode was originally recorded on June 23, 2020. Max’s Twitter Logan’s Twitter

Season 1 is all about Paper Mario! Dusting off their Wii U consoles (?) Max and Logan play and dissect the paper-inspired RPG that started it all. Is Paper Mario really all it’s crafted up to be or is it a soggy mâché of a game? Download a transcript of this episode here.   Paper Mario   Developer - Intelligent Systems Platform - Nintendo 64 Release Date - August 11, 2000 (Japan) and February 5, 2001 Producers - Shigeru Miyamoto and Kenji Miki Game Directors - Ryota Kawade, Toshitaka Muramatsu, Takahiro Ogi, and Hironobu Suzuki Composer - Yuka Tsujiyoko Metacritic - 93/100 Links Paper Mario Wiki Li'L Sparky Paper Mario Prices Soundtrack YouTube Episode Cover Art by Max Roberts This episode was originally recorded on February 10, 2021. Max’s Twitter Logan’s Twitter

20 Years after the series started, Paper Mario: The Origami King was quickly revealed and then released in Summer 2020. Max and Logan examine the creases and folds that lead to Paper Mario being represented on the Nintendo Switch in this way. Has much really changed from the N64 game? Download a transcript of this episode here. Paper Mario: The Origami King Developer - Intelligent Systems Platform - Nintendo Switch Release Date - July 17, 2020 Producers - Kensuke Tanabe, Atsushi Ikuno Game Director - Masahiko Nagaya Composers - Yoshito Sekigawa, Shoh Murakami, Yoshiaki Kimura, Hiroki Morishita, and Fumihiro Isobe Metacritic - 80/100 Links Paper Mario: The Origami King Wiki Soundtrack YouTube The Promised Tweet Line Them Up! A Paper Mario: The Origami King Concert Mario & Luigi RPG Developer AlphaDream Has Gone Bankrupt Episode Cover Art by Max Roberts This episode was originally recorded on March 24, 2021. Max’s Twitter Logan’s Twitter

It feels like it has been 1,000 years since Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door came out for the Nintendo GameCube; mostly because there hasn’t been a game like it since. Max, Logan, and special guest Scott White return to the seedy town of Rogueport to see if The Thousand-Year Door is a grand, epic stage production or a sloppy side show in the series. Download a transcript of this episode here. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Developer - Intelligent Systems Platform - Nintendo GameCube Release Date - July 22, 2004 in Japan, October 11, 2004 in North America Producers - Shigeru Miyamoto and Ryouichi Kitanishi Game Director - Ryota Kawade Composers - Yoshito Sekigawa, Yuka Tsujiyoko, and Saki Kasuga Metacritic - 87/100 Links Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Wiki Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door Prices Soundtrack YouTube Paper Mario's Happy Lucky Lottery is Rigged Paper Mario Color Splash Developer Interview with GameXplain Paper Mario's Development Team Lays it All Out RPG University Episode 29 - Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door with David Brevik Episode Cover Art by Max Roberts This episode was originally recorded on May 5, 2021. Max’s Twitter Logan’s Twitter Scott's Twitter

The Wii U wasn’t really making a splash back in 2016. Max, Logan, and special guest Tomas Franzese bust out their decks of cards and paint palettes to examine if Paper Mario’s HD debut is one of the Wii U’s lost masterpieces. Can a fresh coat of paint hide the cracks of Paper Mario’s Wii U adventure? Download a transcript of this episode here. Paper Mario: Color Splash Developer - Intelligent Systems Platform - Wii U Release Date - October 7, 2016 in North America, October 13, 2016 in Japan Producers - Satoru Iwata and Tatsumi Kimishima Game Directors - Naohiko Aoyama and Taro Kudo Composers - Fumihiro Isobe Metacritic - 76/100 Links Paper Mario: Color Splash wiki Rockstar’s Game Design is Outdated Soundtrack YouTube Chapter Select, S1E2 - Paper Mario: The Origami King Episode Cover Art by Max Roberts This episode was originally recorded on June 30, 2021. Max’s Twitter Logan’s Twitter Tomas' Twitter Inverse

In a wholly unique adventure, Super Paper Mario takes our 2D super star and brings him into a 3D world. Max, Logan, and special guest Ricky Frech boot up SWOON.EXE and see if the wiles of Super Paper Mario can truly charm them. How does this one-off puzzle platformer fit into the collage that is Paper Mario? Download a transcript of this episode here. Super Paper Mario Developer - Intelligent Systems Platform - Wii Release Date - April 9, 2007 in North America, April 19, 2007 in Japan Producers - Kensuke Tanabe and Ryoichi Kitanishi Game Directors - Ryota Kawade Composers - Naoko Mitome, Chika Sekigawa, and Yasuhisa Baba Metacritic - 85/100 Links Super Paper Mario wiki Ricky's Paper Mario: The Origami King Review Soundtrack YouTube Paper Mario series sales Episode Cover Art by Max Roberts This episode was originally recorded on July 21, 2021. Max’s Twitter Logan’s Twitter Ricky's Twitter

The Season 1 finale has our hosts play through the Paper Mario game that changed everything. Max and Logan peel back the sticky layers of the Nintendo 3DS exclusive Paper Mario: Sticker Star to get a grasp on the influence of Shigeru Miyamoto. How has this portable game defined the franchise for the last decade? Download a transcript of this episode here. Paper Mario: Sticker Star Developer - Intelligent Systems Platform - Nintendo 3DS Release Date - November 11, 2012 in North America, December 6, 2012 in Japan Producers - Kensuke Tanabe, Toshiyuki Nakamura, and Shinya Takahashi Game Directors - Naohiko Aoyama and Taro Kudo Composers - There were 11 Composers Metacritic - 75/100 Links Paper Mario: Sticker Star wiki Iwata Asks - Paper Mario: Sticker Star Soundtrack YouTube Dinosaur Planet Turns into Star Fox Adventures When Miyamoto First Played Zelda: Breath of the Wild, He Wouldn't Stop Climbing Trees Episode Cover Art by Max Roberts This episode was originally recorded on August 4, 2021. Max’s Twitter Logan’s Twitter

I am excited to announce that the focus of Chapter Select Season 2 is the God of War series. First appearing on the PlayStation 2 in 2005, God of War, Kratos, and the Blades of Chaos are still a proud titan within the PlayStation Studios catalog. God of War has arguably never been more relevant with the ninth game on the horizon with God of War: Ragnarok for PS4 and PS5, thanks to the series' legendary relaunch in 2018.  RSS Feed – Apple Podcasts – Spotify – YouTube – Overcast – Pocket Casts – Castro – Amazon YouTube Season 2 Teaser Episode 1: God of War (PlayStation 2), releasing on October 13, 2021. Episode 2: God of War: Ascension (PlayStation 3), releasing on October 27, 2021. Episode 3: God of War II (PlayStation 2), releasing on November 10, 2021. Episode 4: God of War: Ghost of Sparta (PlayStation Portable), releasing on November 24, 2021. Episode 5: God of War: Chains of Olympus (PlayStation Portable), releasing on December 8, 2021. Episode 6: God of War III (PlayStation 3) releasing on December 22, 2021. Episode 7: God of War (2018) (PlayStation 4) releasing on January 5, 2022. I hope you are as excited for Season 2: God of War as I am. The first two episodes will be launching next Wedesday, with new episodes following in a fortnightly manner. Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts!  RSS Feed – Apple Podcasts – Spotify – YouTube – Overcast – Pocket Casts – Castro – Amazon Season Art Statue Photo by Simone Pellegrini on Unsplash and designed by Max Roberts

Season 2 sets a course through the myth of ancient Greece with God of War. Max Roberts and Logan Moore travel back to the original God of War, not to be confused with 2018's God of War. Has Kratos changed all that much since 2005? Does the quest for vengeance hold up? You can download a copy of this episode's transcript here. God of War Developer - Sony Santa Monica Studio Platform - PlayStation 2 (Remaster released on PlayStation 3 and PS Vita) Release Date - March 22, 2005 (Nov. 17, 2009 on PS3, May 6, 2014 on Vita) Game Director - David Jaffe Producer - Shannon Studstill Combat Designers - Derek Daniels, Richard Foge, Eric Williams, David Jaffe, and Todd Papy Composers - Gerard Marino, Mike Reagan, Ron Fish, Winifred Phillips, Winnie Waldron, Cris Velasco, and Marcello De Francisci Metacritic - 94/100 Links God of War - Wikipedia God of War Game Directors Live God of War: Ragnarok Reveal Trailer Soundtrack YouTube This episode was originally recorded on September 25, 2021. Max’s Twitter Logan’s Twitter Researcher, Editor, and Producer - Max Roberts Hosted by Logan Moore & Max Roberts Season Art Statue Photo by Simone Pellegrini on Unsplash and designed by Max Roberts Episode Cover Art Coals Photo by SHOT on Unsplash and designed by Max Roberts

The God of War franchise enters the proverbial Colosseum with its multiplayer debut. God of War: Ascension was one of the PlayStation 3’s swan songs and it could have been the same for Kratos. Max Roberts and Logan Moore go back in time to 2013 to try and figure out what happened to the Ghost of Sparta. You can download a copy of this episode's transcript here. God of War: Ascension Developer - Sony Santa Monica Studio Platform - PlayStation 3 Release Date - March 12, 2013 Game Director - Todd Papy Producer - Whitney Wade Combat Designers - Jason McDonald Composers - Tyler Bates Metacritic - 80/100 Links God of War: Ascension Wikipedia Max's God of War: Ascension Preview Uncharted and The Last of Us Server Shutdown Notice The Marvel Symphonic Universe - Every Frame a Painting Soundtrack Music Spotify YouTube God of War III Framerate Comparison - Digital Foundry God of War: Ascension Fandom Wiki This episode was originally recorded on October 13, 2021. Max’s Twitter Logan’s Twitter Researcher, Editor, and Producer – Max Roberts Hosted by Logan Moore & Max Roberts Season Art Statue Photo by Simone Pellegrini on Unsplash and designed by Max Roberts Episode Cover Art Soldiers photo by Jaime Spaniol on Unsplash and designed by Max Roberts

With a new director at the helm, God of War II helped end the PS2 on a high note with the promise of an epic conclusion on Sony’s brand new PS3. Special guest Grant Huff joins Max and Logan to find the edge of the world and challenge fate itself. You can download a copy of this episode's transcript here. God of War II Developer - Sony Santa Monica Studio Platform - PlayStation 2 (Remaster released on PS3 and PS Vita) Release Date - March 13, 2007 (Nov. 17, 2009 on PS3, May 6, 2014 on Vita) Game Director - Cory Barlog Producer - Steve Caterson Combat Designers - Eric Williams, Derek Daniels, Jason McDonald, Adam Puhl Composers - Gerard Marino, Ron Fish, Mike Reagan, Cris Velasco Metacritic - 93/100 Links God of War II Wikipedia Soundtrack YouTube This episode was originally recorded on October 26, 2021. Max’s Twitter Logan’s Twitter Grant's Twitter Researcher, Editor, and Producer – Max Roberts Hosted by Logan Moore & Max Roberts Special Guest was Grant Huff Season Art Statue Photo by Simone Pellegrini on Unsplash and designed by Max Roberts Episode Cover Art Soldiers photo by Luigi Boccardo on Unsplash and designed by Max Roberts

For the first time in the series, Kratos is on a journey for salvation rather than vengeance. Released just eight months after God of War III, the Marked Warrior returned to the PlayStation Portable in grand fashion. Max and Logan sink the city of Atlantis to find out if Kratos can save his family before he seeks revenge. You can download a copy of this episode's transcript here. God of War: Ghost of Sparta Developer - Ready at Dawn Studios Platform - PlayStation Portable (Remaster released on PS3) Release Date - November 2, 2010 (Sept. 11, 2011 on PS3) Game Director - Dana Jan (Game Director) and Ru Weerasuriya (Creative Director) Producer - Marc Turndorf Combat Designers - Derek Mulder Composers - Gerard Marino and Mike Reagan Writer - Cory Barlog Consultant - Eric Williams Metacritic - 86/100 Links God of War: Ghost of Sparta Wikipedia Eric Williams' Résumé Soundtrack YouTube Cory's Anniversary Twitter Thread This episode was originally recorded on November 2, 2021. Max’s Twitter Logan’s Twitter Researcher, Editor, and Producer – Max Roberts Hosted by Logan Moore & Max Roberts Season Art Statue Photo by Simone Pellegrini on Unsplash and designed by Max Roberts Episode Cover Art Water designed by Max Roberts

We head back to Ready at Dawn’s original attempt at putting the power of Olympus on the PSP. Developed alongside God of War II, Kratos’ first prequel feels more like a traditional sequel. Max and Logan decide whether or not putting God of War on the go was a killer idea or just beating a dead centaur. You can download a copy of this episode's transcript here. God of War: Chains of Olympus Developer - Ready at Dawn Studios Platform - PlayStation Portable (Remaster released on PS3) Release Date - March 4, 2008 (Sept. 11, 2011 on PS3) Game Director - Ru Weerasuriya Producer - Marc Turndorf Combat Designers - Philip Nowell Composers - Gerard Marino Writer - David Jaffe, Cory Barlog, Marianne Krawczyk, Ru Weerasoria, and Marc Turndorf Consultant - Eric Williams Metacritic - 91/100 Links God of War: Chains of Olympus Wikipedia God of War Timeline Soundtrack YouTube This episode was originally recorded on November 15, 2021. Max’s Twitter Logan’s Twitter Researcher, Editor, and Producer – Max Roberts Hosted by Logan Moore & Max Roberts Season Art Statue Photo by Simone Pellegrini on Unsplash and designed by Max Roberts Episode Cover Art Fields by Ales Krivec on Unsplash, designed by Max Roberts

The end of the Greek Pantheon is finally here. Kratos brings Mt. Olympus crumbling down as he extracts his revenge on his father, Zeus. Max and Logan rip through Sony Santa Monica’s version of Greece one final time to discuss where Kratos’ journey has taken him and see where he was left before entering the realm of Midgard. You can download a copy of this episode's transcript here. God of War III Developer - Sony Santa Monica Studio Platform - PlayStation 3 (Remastered for PS4) Release Date - March 16, 2010 (July 14, 2015 for PS4) Game Director - Stig Asmussen Producer - Steve Caterson Combat Designers - Adam Puhl Composers - Gerard Marino, Ron Fish, Mike Reagan, Cris Velasco, and Jeff Rona Metacritic - 92/100 Links God of War III Wikipedia God of War III E3 2009 Reveal X Play God of War III episode Millennial Gaming Speak Episode 8: HD Remasters and Bye Bye PT Timestamp John Hight Interview God of War III Remastered Announcement Trailer PlayStation E3 2016 Press Conference Soundtrack Music Spotify YouTube Millennial Gaming Speak – Episode 12: Falling for Fallout 4 Timestamp This episode was originally recorded on November 24, 2021. Max’s Twitter Logan’s Twitter Researcher, Editor, and Producer – Max Roberts Hosted by Logan Moore & Max Roberts Season Art Statue Photo by Simone Pellegrini on Unsplash and designed by Max Roberts Episode Cover Art Fields by Cooper Baumgartner on Unsplash, designed by Max Roberts

The Season 2 finale takes our hero Kratos to an entirely new realm. After nearly 15 years, Sony Santa Monica Studio attempted to prove both the God of War franchise and the studio itself could change. Max and Logan examine this pivotal title to find out if change is for the better. You can download a copy of this episode's transcript here. God of War Developer - Sony Santa Monica Studio Platform - PlayStation 4 (and PC) Release Date - April 20, 2018 (Jan. 14, 2022 for PC) Game Director - Cory Barlog Producers - Yumi Yang and Kenneth T. Roy (Directors of Product Development) Brian Westergaard, Elizabeth Dahm Wang, Sean Llewellyn, Chad Cox, and Eric Fong Combat Designers - Derek Daniels (Design Director) and Jason McDonald (Gameplay Design Lead) Composers - Bear McCreary Metacritic - 94/100 Links God of War (2018) Wikipedia Logan's God of War (PC) Review PlayStation E3 2016 Press Conference Millennial Gaming Speak – E3 2016: Sony Conference Breakdown Max’s 2018 Game of the Year Logan’s 2018 Game of the Year Raising Kratos Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman (non-affiliate) Untangling God of War by Javed Sterritt (Good Blood) Soundtrack Music Spotify YouTube The Spielberg Oner by Tony Zhou and Taylor Ramos (Every Frame a Painting) [Explicit Language] This episode was originally recorded on December 20, 2021. Max’s Twitter Logan’s Twitter Researcher, Editor, and Producer – Max Roberts Hosted by Logan Moore & Max Roberts Season Art Statue Photo by Simone Pellegrini on Unsplash and designed by Max Roberts Episode Cover Art Boat by Wes Grant on Unsplash, designed by Max Roberts

The hype for God of War: Ragnarök is immense. With the release date officially announced for November 9, 2022, we have decided to share this special episode of Season 2 – God of War. Fresh off beating the 2018 game for the season, Max and Logan dive into their predictions and theories for the sequel. Originally recorded in December 2021, we hope you enjoy this time capsule of speculation and excitement for Ragnarök. You can download a copy of this episode's transcript here. God of War: Ragnarök Developer - Sony Santa Monica Studio Platform - PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 Release Date - November 9, 2022 Links God of War: Ragnarök Wikipedia Teaser Trailer God of War: Ragnarök PlayStation Showcase 2021 Reveal Trailer This episode was originally recorded on December 20, 2021. @ChapterSelect Max’s Twitter @Max Roberts143 Logan’s Twitter @MooreMan12 Researcher, Editor, and Producer – Max Roberts Hosted by Logan Moore & Max Roberts Season Art Statue Photo by Simone Pellegrini on Unsplash and designed by Max Roberts Episode Cover Art Forest by Neil Rosenstech on Unsplash, designed by Max Roberts

Ragnarök has arrived. After replaying every God of War game, Max and Logan finally sat down to talk about the conclusion to the Norse pantheon. Can Kratos challenge fate once again or is Ragnarök truly the end for the Spartan? You can download a copy of this episode's transcript here. God of War: Ragnarök Developer - Sony Santa Monica Studio Platform - PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 Release Date - November 9, 2022 Game Director - Eric Williams Producers - Elizabeth Dahm Wang (Senior Staff Producer) Combat Designers - Mihir Sheth and Denny Yeh Composers - Bear McCreary Metacritic - 94/100 Links God of War: Ragnarök Wikipedia Chapter Select Season 2 – God of War Logan's God of War: Ragnarök Review God of War TV Show Announced Eric Williams Interview with The Washington Post The Lost Pages Podcast for God of War (2018), The Forging of Leviathan Timestamp for Brok's First Death Eric Williams on Kratos' Weapons, Podcast Beyond Episode 777 Soundtrack Music Spotify YouTube This episode was originally recorded on December 15, 2022. Max’s Twitter Logan’s Twitter Researcher, Editor, and Producer – Max Roberts Hosted by Logan Moore & Max Roberts Season Art Statue Photo by Simone Pellegrini on Unsplash and designed by Max Roberts Episode Cover Art Boat by Paxson Woelber on Unsplash, designed by Max Roberts

Ragnarök has arrived. After replaying every God of War game, Max and Logan finally sat down to talk about the conclusion to the Norse pantheon. Can Kratos challenge fate once again or is Ragnarök truly the end for the Spartan? On Super Chapter Select: Max and Logan enter The Last of Us zone before the premiere of HBO's adaptation.  God of War: Ragnarök Developer - Sony Santa Monica Studio Platform - PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 Release Date - November 9, 2022 Game Director - Eric Williams Producers - Elizabeth Dahm Wang (Senior Staff Producer) Combat Designers - Mihir Sheth and Denny Yeh Composers - Bear McCreary Metacritic - 94/100 Links God of War: Ragnarök Wikipedia Chapter Select Season 2 – God of War Logan's God of War: Ragnarök Review God of War TV Show Announced Eric Williams Interview with The Washington Post The Lost Pages Podcast for God of War (2018), The Forging of Leviathan Timestamp for Brok's First Death Eric Williams on Kratos' Weapons, Podcast Beyond Episode 777 Soundtrack Music Spotify YouTube This episode was originally recorded on December 15, 2022. Max’s Twitter Logan’s Twitter Researcher, Editor, and Producer – Max Roberts Hosted by Logan Moore & Max Roberts Season Art Statue Photo by Simone Pellegrini on Unsplash and designed by Max Roberts Episode Cover Art Boat by Paxson Woelber on Unsplash, designed by Max Roberts

Welcome to Chapter Select Season Three-ie! Logan and I are thrilled to be exploring the Banjo-Kazooie series for the third season of Chapter Select. It’s been a long time coming, but it is still a shorter turn around than a proper Banjo-Tooie sequel. You can download a copy of this episode's transcript here. RSS Feed – Overcast – Apple Podcasts – Spotify – YouTube Here is the Season 3 video teaser! As for this season’s slate of episodes, here is the order we have for Season 3: Episode 1 – Banjo-Kazooie (Nintendo 64), releasing on May 18, 2022. Episode 2 – Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts (Xbox 360), releasing on June 1, 2022. Episode 3 – Banjo-Tooie (Nintendo 64), releasing on June 15, 2022. Episode 4 – Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge (Gameboy Advance), releasing on June 29, 2022. I hope you are as excited for Season 3: Banjo-Kazooie as I am. The first episode will be launching next Wednesday, with new episodes following in a fortnightly manner. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts!  RSS Feed – Apple Podcasts – Spotify – YouTube – Overcast – Pocket Casts – Castro Font by Oakland Elliff. Art designed by Max Roberts.