Stealth Boom Boom | A Stealth Video Games Podcast

After years of being a support studio on Pixar games, and dabbling in new technology like the Kinect and HoloLens, French developer Asobo Studio got to work on the game that would be their breakout hit. We're going back to 2019 to take a look at a stealthy, puzzly action-adventure game. We're talking A Plague Tale: Innocence.On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we take a look at the big The Last of Us vibes this game was giving off pre-release. We also talk about why Sean Bean is in one of the trailers, the fact they employed kids to voice the characters, and the fact this game is not completely based on fact.In our review, you'll hear some chat on no frills stealth that some think is fine, some think is boring, but everyone thinks works; a tension that never lessens; curated scenarios that don't allow for a ton of experimentation; flinging rocks, sneakily, at the heads of The Inquisition guards with your sling; the glorious filth bag rats that are sometimes your enemy, sometimes your friend, sometimes something that can change a physical space, and just how good they are; spiders in Uncharted 3; trying to aim a headshot while an enemy is rushing you; upgrading your equipment vs being an alchemist; Naughty Dog-style chase sequences; the mental lightbulb being separate to the physical graft in puzzles; Ghost Recon: Rodrik; the ludicrous BioShock-esque final boss that fires rat tornados at you and might be called Life Benevolent; the relationship of Hugo and Amicia de Rune; 'Allo 'Allo! accents; you only understand child characters after you have a real child or something; a manky and swanky score; incredbile environments (plus a Ghost of a Tale shout out); and a celebration of AA. After all that, we take you through what some of the critics were saying about the game around the time it came out, and then we give you our final verdicts on whether A Plague Tale: Innocence is a Pass, a Play, or an Espionage Explosion.For those who would like to play along at home, we'll be discussing, reviewing and dissecting Watch Dogs on the next episode of Stealth Boom Boom.IMPORTANT LINKS TO THINGS🎧 Subscribe to Stealth Boom Boom🐦Stealth Boom Boom on Twitter📸 Stealth Boom Boom on Instagram🎵 Stealth Boom Boom on Tiktok🌤️ Stealth Boom Boom on Bluesky Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Being done with Syphon Filter, and having some successes with a Resistance spinoff and an Uncharted spinoff, Bend Studio got to work on Sony's next big PlayStation exclusive. We're going back to 2019 to take a look at an open-world action-adventure game. We're talking Days Gone.On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we take a look at how folks at the studio just could get people to understand that this definitely isn't a zombie game, but how they also had to fight zombie fatigue in potential customers. We also discuss – in a rare move for us – some post-launch Days Gone news and some of the comments made by people who worked on the game.In our review, you'll hear some chat on more on-screen stealth indicators than anticipated (that are often irrelevant because they just repeat information you can get elsewhere); avoiding revving your engine; sneaking around enemies that may or may not see you; throwing rocks; a rigid and dull system when up against humans vs a more tense time when up against the Freakers at checkpoints; eavesdropping on very long NERO conversations; a steady-handed sniper rifleman; an unused crossbow; the Chicago Chopper, as seen in The Mask; the splat when an axe meets brain; placing traps and planning your attack on the first horde, 30-ish hours in; the joy of going for a ride on the Drifter Bike; a ludicrous amount of petrol and motorcycle enthusiasts; surprises on the road; the beauty of Oregon; the jobs are very samey, but the currency makes sense; collecting ears for some reason; a gigantic bear; using Gabe Logan espionage to get into an encampment; the sheer length of the thing; delayed story resolutions; cringey dialogue; a wedding; Courtnee Draper as Sarah Whitaker; the Syphon Filter connection; walkie-talkie woes; and Lewis Capaldi.After all that, we take you through what some of the critics were saying about the game around the time it came out, and then we give you our final verdicts on whether Days Gone is a Pass, a Play, or an Espionage Explosion.For those who would like to play along at home, we'll be discussing, reviewing and dissecting A Plague Tale: Innocence on the next episode of Stealth Boom Boom.IMPORTANT LINKS TO THINGS🎧 Subscribe to Stealth Boom Boom🐦Stealth Boom Boom on Twitter📸 Stealth Boom Boom on Instagram🎵 Stealth Boom Boom on Tiktok🌤️ Stealth Boom Boom on Bluesky Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Square Enix Montreal were initially going to be making the next big PC and console game in the Hitman series, until they were put on mobile phone duty. A third of the team left because they were so gutted. And then the remainder created a 2014 turn-based puzzle game. We're talking Hitman Go.On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we take a look at the formation of the studio, and the board game idea was first prototyped. We also discuss the golden era of mobile games and whether we played them, as well as a nice physical model and whether or not this game might've grabbed a few Candy Crush or Words With Friends In our review, you'll hear some chat on enemies with different coloured jackets and narrow vision cones, giant potted plants to hide in, okay instafail because of a quick restart, translating the parts of big Hitman for small Hitman, they move only when you move (but can you make fewer moves), optional objectives and replayability, firing your sniper rifle at a statue (or getting a double-kill), the relief of killing a baddie (and then not hiding the body), perfect motion sensor air freshener-esque mood-setting music, Ave Maria, dummy items in levels, an Eyes Wide Shut get together, trap doors, walking escalators, character rich static scenes that prove divisive, the wealthy, and major problems with a mouse.After all that, we take you through what some of the critics were saying about the game around the time it came out, and then we give you our final verdicts on whether Hitman Go is a Pass, a Play, or an Espionage Explosion.For those who would like to play along at home, we'll be discussing, reviewing and dissecting Days Gone on the next episode of Stealth Boom Boom.IMPORTANT LINKS TO THINGS🎧 Subscribe to Stealth Boom Boom🐦Stealth Boom Boom on Twitter📸 Stealth Boom Boom on Instagram🎵 Stealth Boom Boom on Tiktok🌤️ Stealth Boom Boom on Bluesky Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After effectively creating the Soulsborne genre and having a wild amount of success with it, one of the most celebrated developers of the 21st century decided to tinker the formula once more. And, again, to great success. We're going back to 2019, to a stealth action game that picked up so many game of the year awards that particular year. We're talking Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we take a look at the early days of FromSoftware and how it took the studio close to two decades to achieve overnight success. We also discuss a YouTuber making the Loaded Axe and Loaded Umbrella in real life, as well as the link between this game and Tenchu. Of course, there's some chat on the differences between this game and Dark Souls / Bloodborne that were highlighted in pre-launch interviews... and there's some talk on the dreaded difficulty discourse that comes up around every From Software game launch.In our review, you'll hear some chat on the advantages of taking a stealthy approach and then giving a boss a Shinobi Deathblow, luring moronic enemies away from the herd, the sheer relief after you've stabbed an enemy and downed them, the frustratingly good peripheral vision of enemies, trying to pick off a group one-by-one, lobbing bits of pot off a wall, eating sweets to remain unseen, being a Sengoku Spider-Man with the grappling hook, The Last Samurai starring Tom Cruise, feel the rhythm to break the other guy's Posture (and the joy when that happens), nonstop trial-and-error, Perilous Attacks, breaking rhythm with the Mikiri Counter, the Nighjar's acrobatics and woo, dirty tactics with the Shinobi Prosthetic, Dragonrot and resurrection, the sheer amount of items and skill trees and menus, grinding for skill points, Genichiro Ashina (and then Genichiro, Way of Tomoe), the autumnal environs of Senpou Temple and immortality, a story that's out of time (and has cutscenes), micro narratives, and one nasty sword.After all that, we take you through what some of the critics were saying about the game around the time it came out, and then we give you our final verdicts on whether Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a Pass, a Play, or an Espionage Explosion.For those who would like to play along at home, we'll be discussing, reviewing and dissecting Hitman GO on the next episode of Stealth Boom Boom.IMPORTANT LINKS TO THINGS🎧 Subscribe to Stealth Boom Boom🐦Stealth Boom Boom on Twitter📸 Stealth Boom Boom on Instagram🎵 Stealth Boom Boom on Tiktok🌤️ Stealth Boom Boom on Bluesky Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Around 20 years ago, J.J. Abrams and Jennifer Garner came together to produce one of the most popular shows on TV for a number of years. What's the next logical step? Make a game based on it, of course. We're going back to 2004 to a stealth action game that based on a hit ABC TV programme. We're talking Alias.On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we take a look at the topsy-turvy history of Acclaim Entertainment. We also discuss a trailer that had quite a few live-action shots of the TV show in it, as well as a featurette that includes a celebrity being genuinely excited about the video game they're in.In our review, you'll hear some chat on crab walking and competency, mission-specific spy gadgets, semi-involved hacking puzzles, enhanced vision, some Hitman-like wardrobe changes (and the outrageous outfits), split screen moments, punching and kicking that has a bit to it but is ultimately very clunky, weapon degradation that is astoundingly represented via in-game visuals, Broom or Fist, museums and embassies, a story that takes place between episodes 19 and 20 or season 2, a drop of Milo Rambaldi's blood, some lost charm, and the truly awful Marshall Flinkman.After all that, we take you through what some of the critics were saying about the game around the time it came out, and then we give you our final verdicts on whether Alias is a Pass, a Play, or an Espionage Explosion.For those who would like to play along at home, we'll be discussing, reviewing and dissecting Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice on the next episode of Stealth Boom Boom.IMPORTANT LINKS TO THINGS🎧 Subscribe to Stealth Boom Boom🐦Stealth Boom Boom on Twitter📸 Stealth Boom Boom on Instagram🎵 Stealth Boom Boom on Tiktok🌤️ Stealth Boom Boom on Bluesky Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The game we're discussing today may have the most star-studded cast of any game we'll ever review: Mya, Shannon Elizabeth, Heidi Klum, Judi Dench, John Cleese, Willem Dafoe and Pierce Brosnan. We're going back to 2004 to an action-adventure game starring one of the world's most famous fictional agents. We're talking James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing.On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we look at the early days of Visceral Games (when they were still called EA Redwood Shores). We also discuss a teaser trailer that doesn't have Bond's voice and gives GoldenEye vibes, as well as some top celeb interviews about facial expressions and the size of controllers when in the hands of Richard Kiel.In our review, you'll hear some chat on the co-op campaign that Josh enjoyed 20 years ago, a decent amount of opportunities to employ serviceable stealth, how we see the character fitting in stealthy scenarios, the Q Spider and your modest assortment of gadgets, the Nano Suit and a draining battery, an INVISIBLE CAR (but can the enemies hear it?), solid cover shooting before the golden age of the third-person shooter, the safety of fine-tuning your aim behind a wall, difficulty spikes and trial-and-error set-pieces, the coolness of the rappel gun, trying to read the map while shooting missiles and breaking the speed limit in your Need for Speed car, optional Bond Moments, lobbing spanners at heads, Jaws what are you doing here, fireworks in Peru, flamethrowers attached to motorbike, absolute popcorn nonsense, nods to old movies, a checked out Brosnan, a poor supporting cast, a tingling Bond Sense, and where does Everything or Nothing by Mya rank on our list of THE GREATEST BOND SONGS EVER!?!?!?!After all that, we take you through what some of the critics were saying about the game around the time it came out, and then we give you our final verdicts on whether James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing is a Pass, a Play, or an Espionage Explosion.For those who would like to play along at home, we'll be discussing, reviewing and dissecting Alias on the next episode of Stealth Boom Boom.IMPORTANT LINKS TO THINGS🎧 Subscribe to Stealth Boom Boom🐦Stealth Boom Boom on Twitter📸 Stealth Boom Boom on Instagram🎵 Stealth Boom Boom on Tiktok🌤️ Stealth Boom Boom on Bluesky Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Five years ago, there was a little bit of buzz around a game that Square Enix was publishing. Some of the people involved in making it had worked on Dark Souls, Armored Core, Metal Gear Solid. But, then it came out, and people were not happy one bit. We're going back to 2019 to look at a stealth-action survival game that was a Front Mission spin-off. We're talking LEFT ALIVE.On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we look at how something resembling a bit of a dream team was brought together to make this game at developer Ilinx. We also discuss how Toshifumi Nabeshima was fielding questions about how hard the game was before it was even released, as well as that initial response from the general public.In our review, you'll hear some chat on the trouble with normal difficulty, the enemies' exceptional vision, the red laser sights of 100 guns pointing at you, Casual Mode and how it actually allows you to perform stealth takedowns, flying drones (that can move at speed on the ground), running away from soldiers that lose interest, uninteresting challenge, the question of whether enemies can hear you or not, stealth in an open warzone, the Enemy Sensor, CAN MAN, escorting survivors that will inevitably be seen and lead to your downfall, bullet sponge baddies with bulletproof heads, awful aiming, harmful (but not fatal) Molotovs, three different kinds of landmines and the overly-complicated crafting menus, the fun to be had in one of the few agile Wanzer mechs available to you, battering a guy from behind with a pipe as a treat, a solid and silly premise that is treated with far too much seriousness in its story, the dweeby twerpy dorky loser Mikhail, a loan company, pristine posters for World of Tanks, and CAUTION: THE ENEMY IS APPROACHING.After all that, we take you through what some of the critics were saying about the game around the time it came out, and then we give you our final verdicts on whether LEFT ALIVE is a Pass, a Play, or an Espionage Explosion.For those who would like to play along at home, we'll be discussing, reviewing and dissecting James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing on the next episode of Stealth Boom Boom.IMPORTANT LINKS TO THINGS🎧 Subscribe to Stealth Boom Boom🐦Stealth Boom Boom on Twitter📸 Stealth Boom Boom on Instagram🎵 Stealth Boom Boom on Tiktok🌤️ Stealth Boom Boom on Bluesky Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the late '90s, Sony was looking for an action espionage thriller. They were looking for their GoldenEye. So, they turned to the only studio they knew that could pull it off: the one that made Bubsy 3D. We're going back to 1999 to look at the first game in a long-running PlayStation exclusive series. We're talking Syphon Filter.On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we look at how the first iteration of this game was set 200 years in the future in a a post-apocalypse world. We also discuss how developer Eidetic (who would go onto become Bend Studio) were "making it up as [they] went along," as well as the TV advert that was very PlayStation.In our review, you'll hear some chat on the OPM 47 demo disc, the ambiguity of safe distances to enemies and the noise you make while crouching, Buzz Lightyear, a distinct lack of cover, a radar that doesn't stick to the rules, enemies that appear out of thin air, tank controls (but mostly strafing), a gymnast's somersault, a weighty secret agent, running through glass, awful first-person aiming, corner peeping, the importance of headshots and flak jacket-wearing baddies, gas grenades, the DANGER bar, a shotgun with range, setting guys on fire with the taser, the sense of achievement when you complete a big multi-objective mission (and how annoying it is to see "Objectives Incomplete" when you reach your goal), the deflation you feel when the game asks you to effectively repeat a level, hopping atop a train carriage, James Bond in a museum, a perfectly standard story that's delivered in a senselessly convoluted way, characters being disinterested in their own conversations, and a really big jump.After all that, the lads take you through what some of the critics were saying about the game around the time it came out, and then they give their final verdicts on whether Syphon Filter is a Pass, a Play, or an Espionage Explosion.For those who would like to play along at home, we'll be discussing, reviewing and dissecting LEFT ALIVE on the next episode of Stealth Boom Boom.IMPORTANT LINKS TO THINGS🎧 Subscribe to Stealth Boom Boom🐦Stealth Boom Boom on Twitter📸 Stealth Boom Boom on Instagram🎵 Stealth Boom Boom on Tiktok🌤️ Stealth Boom Boom on Bluesky Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does a podcast that looks at older stealth / stealthy videos games do after reviewing Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy on its last episode? It goes back 20 years to look at a stealth-action game from 2004 that is often compared to the aforementioned Psi-Ops! We're talking Second Sight!On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we look at the formation of developer Free Radical Design and how Redemption was going to be their first game before Timesplitters was even thought about. We also discuss the work of Death In Paradise's Jermain Julien on a behind-the-scenes feature, as well as what David Doak was saying publicly about the studio's number one competition.In our review, you'll hear some chat on enemies with awful peripheral vision, MGS touches like lockers and surveillance cameras, avoidance as an option, how two of us missed quite important in-game prompts, herky-jerky movement, decent and alright and grand stealth sections, optional Resident Evil camera, the Charm (and power) of invisibility, possessing lads, scoping out an area as a ghost fella, psi blasting in secret (?), the inability to simply throw while using Telekinesis, John Vattic being a machine with a gun in his hands, first-person flourishes, a peculiar sniper scope view, another asylum, a very unconvincing street gang, unnecessary training, a compelling twisty-turny sci-fi story, Nigel Thornberry, and toothless & fishy characters that some of us like.After all that, the lads take you through what some of the critics were saying about the game around the time it came out, and then they give their final verdicts on whether Second Sight is a Pass, a Play, or an Espionage Explosion.For those who would like to play along at home, we'll be discussing, reviewing and dissecting Syphon Filter on the next episode of Stealth Boom Boom.IMPORTANT LINKS TO THINGS🎧 Subscribe to Stealth Boom Boom🐦Stealth Boom Boom on Twitter📸 Stealth Boom Boom on Instagram🎵 Stealth Boom Boom on Tiktok🌤️ Stealth Boom Boom on Bluesky Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's time to do it again as we kick off Stealth Boom Boom season 2! According to our first game of 2024, your mind is the ultimate weapon. In fairness, that does make sense; if you're reading this, your brain is capable of big things (because you're an intelligent person who is about to listen to this podcast). We're going back 20 years to look at a cult classic third-person action-adventure game from 2004. We're talking Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy.On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we look at the storied history of Midway Games and how Metal Gear Solid inspired the team to begin development on ESPionage. We also discuss COLD and their rock n' roll banger With My Mind, as well as how the story of The Mindgate Conspiracy was quite similar to the story of an unreleased movie.In our review, you'll hear some chat on Far Cry-like perceptive enemies, a prompt to be mindful of your sound (even though it seems like it doesn't matter?), a silenced pistol that is absolutely pointless, training sections that imply the game will allow you to perform stealthy kills, mind controlling a guard and getting trigger happy. the lost oppportunity of first-person ghosting through doors in Remote View, a cover system that some of us missed, Pyrokinesis by Ronseal, the JOY of flinging lads against walls with Telekinesis, some really weightless and unsatisfying weapons (except for the sniper rifle), a three-headed devil dragon, the fact we're just living in a world of flying invisible alien squid crab spiders, psychic-armoured guards, a surprisingly boring story, characters who speak fluent exposition, AN EVIL TWIN SISTER, Nick Scryer being a video game man that says video game things, John Readsyourmind, mom's favourite, a Psi-Ops 2 tease, and the AA video game.After all that, the lads take you through what some of the critics were saying about the game around the time it came out, and then they give their final verdicts on whether Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy is a Pass, a Play, or an Espionage Explosion.For those who would like to play along at home, we'll be discussing, reviewing and dissecting Second Sight on the next episode of Stealth Boom Boom.IMPORTANT LINKS TO THINGS🎧 Subscribe to Stealth Boom Boom🐦Stealth Boom Boom on Twitter📸 Stealth Boom Boom on Instagram🎵 Stealth Boom Boom on Tiktok🌤️ Stealth Boom Boom on Bluesky Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Around this time of the year, other video games podcasts will be doing their game of the year pods and talking about games like Alan Wake 2, Baldur's Gate 3, Super Mario Bros Wonder, Spider-Man 2, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. NOT US! No, no, no. This is the culmination of the first year of Stealth Boom Boom. And that means this is the 1st Annual Stealth Boom Boom Awards – Game of the Year 2023. In other words... The Boomies!On this podcast you'll hear us discuss the 25 games we've reviewed on the podcast this year. Over the course of this mammoth 3+ hour episode, you will hear us organise that list of 25 games into a top 25. Firstly, we try and place games into our three groups – the Bottom 9, the Middle 8, and the Top 8. However, as you'll hear, something called TOMOTTOM quickly becomes integral to proceedings.Once we've placed games into their groups, we then order each individual group. And, ultimately, we end up determining Stealth Boom Boom’s game of the year for 2023.These descriptions are often full of episode talking points, but it feels spoilery to even suggest what we speak about on the pod. Instead, here is an alphabetised list of the 25 games up for discussion today:Among UsAssassin's CreedBasingstokeBatman: Arkham AsylumChicken RunCommandos: Behind Enemy LinesDARKDeus Ex: The FallFar CryForbidden Siren Ghost of a TaleGunpointManhuntMetal Gear SolidMonaco: What's Yours is MineOutlastPenumbra (Overture, Black Plague, Requiem)Remothered: Tormented FathersSly Cooper and the Thievius RaccoonusTenchu: Stealth AssassinsThe Last Of UsThief: The Dark ProjectTom Clancy's Splinter CellTomb RaiderXIIIWith all that said... please enjoy The Boomies 2023.... one more thing... a HUGE thank you to anyone that's listened to a single second of Stealth Boom Boom. It's an absolute pleasure to make this podcast and we're so thankful there are people who have made it part of their listening schedule. You folks are the best!Whether you're celebrating something this holiday season or not, Colm, Adam and Josh hope you have the loveliest time!For those who would like to play along at home, on the first episode of year two of Stealth Boom Boom, we'll be discussing, reviewing, dissecting... Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy.IMPORTANT LINKS TO THINGS🎧 Subscribe to Stealth Boom Boom🐦Stealth Boom Boom on Twitter📸 Stealth Boom Boom on Instagram🎵 Stealth Boom Boom on Tiktok🌤️ Stealth Boom Boom on Bluesky Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the summer of 2000, celebrated animation UK animation studio Aardman Animations released their first feature-length film in cinemas around the world. Chicken Run was a phenomenal success, becoming the highest-grossing stop-motion animation movie of all time. We're going back 23 years to look at the game based on that very movie. Yep. We're talking Chicken Run.On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we look at the Oliver Twins and their journey from bedroom developers to Blitz Games (the studio behind this particular movie tie-in). We also talk about the Game Boy Color version because why not, and how Chicken Run is the game that beat Colm's research methods.In our review you'll hear some chat on Metal Gear Solid But For Kids, the efficacy of confusing dogs with brussel sprouts, Harry Gregson-Williams, thieving from other games, the very odd choices made around the exceptionally awkward camera, losing quest-pivotal items when you're caughts, happy running around vibes, love for '00s style mini-games, disdain for '00s style mini-games, International Track & Field, the Bunty Eggs-Press, SPALL FACT, the realisation of Tweedy's Farm, an awful retelling of a great story, whether or not people might've played the game without seeing the movie, the little hits of joy when you play sequences that are only briefly mentioned in the film, Enter The Matrix, loading screens and the lovely-looking main menu. After all that, the lads take you through what some of the critics were saying about the game around the time it came out, and then they give their final verdicts on whether Chicken Run is a Pass, a Play, or an Espionage Explosion.For those who would like to play along at home, we'll be discussing, reviewing and dissecting every single game we've reviewed this year on the next episode of Stealth Boom Boom. Because the next episode of Stealth Boom Boom is going to be our Game of the Year 2023 episode, otherwise known as the inaugural edition of the Boomies!IMPORTANT LINKS TO THINGS🎧 Subscribe to Stealth Boom Boom🐦Stealth Boom Boom on Twitter📸 Stealth Boom Boom on Instagram🎵 Stealth Boom Boom on Tiktok🌤️ Stealth Boom Boom on Bluesky Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After discussing Tenchu: Stealth Assassins, Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines, and Metal Gear Solid, we are – for the final time in the first year of Stealth Boom Boom – returning to 1998, the Year of Stealth. We're going back 25 years to look at the first-person sneaker that influenced so many that came after. We're talking Thief: The Dark Project (... or Thief Gold...)On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we look at the origins of Looking Glass Studios and how they started making a 6D video game based on King Arthur before landing on the video game that is beloved by many today. We also talk about some ROCKING promo music and some classic '90s (friendly) mudslinging between LGS and id Software.In our review, you'll hear some chat on moving from shadow to shadow, dropping bodies in the dark, sneaky leans and sneaky walks, Tomb Raider 2, smooth acrobatics, a magical bow that shoots magical water and moss arrows, loud tiles and quiet carpets, enemies that both whistle AND sing, quite a few mentions of Splinter Cell, the horror soundtrack, differing opinions on sword-fighting, blackjack whacking, you and Garrett scribbling notes on your map, lookalike corridors, the Gold BONUS of the Thieves Guild, how changing difficulty also changes your objectives, the platforming and trippiness of The Sword, a cocky Garrett, the believability of The City (but also the monsters of The City), some very stylish cutscenes, and a thief that actually thieves.After all that, the lads take you through what some of the critics were saying about the game around the time it came out, and then they give their final verdicts on whether Thief: The Dark Project (... or Thief Gold...) is a Pass, a Play, or an Espionage Explosion.For those who would like to play along at home, we'll be discussing, reviewing and dissecting Chicken Run on the next episode of Stealth Boom Boom.IMPORTANT LINKS TO THINGS🎧 Subscribe to Stealth Boom Boom🐦Stealth Boom Boom on Twitter📸 Stealth Boom Boom on Instagram🎵 Stealth Boom Boom on Tiktok🌤️ Stealth Boom Boom on Bluesky Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

19 years after writer Jean Van Hamme and artist William Vance created a Belgian comic that revolved around a very strong and athletic amnesiac, Ubisoft decided to create a video game adaptation of it. We're going back to 2003 to look at a stealthy first-person shooter. We're talking XIII.On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we look at how the comic book's story and art compare to that of what Ubisoft Paris created (and how people thought the source material was "ugly" apparently). We also make note of how the leading man and woman – David Duchovny and EVE – were feeling about XIII before it came out.In our review, you'll hear some chat on Josh's fourteen copies of the game, an advert for our podcast on the XIII remake (coming 2029), TAP TAP TAP (and how style meets function with onomatopoeic SFX), surveillance camera pop-up panels, The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum, whacking brooms over the heads of others, the ludicrously overpowered crossbow, varied ammo drops, BAAOOM BAAOOM, the reward for a headshot, the return of Gun Pervert Wise, enemies popping up far away and up on high, secondary fire mode, a unique grappling hook, the rush of killing a guard in between them saying "ALERT" and them setting off the alarm, "YOU CAN FLY", a bank with some dynamite in it, the undercooked individual targets of The XX, a baggy middle, that late '60s / early '70s tone, the cliffhanger for XIII 2 (or XIV), mixed-up memories, and the curious performance of David Duchovny (and his album Hell or Highwater, available in all good record shops).After all that, the lads take you through what some of the critics were saying about the game around the time it came out, and then they give their final verdicts on whether XIII is a Pass, a Play, or an Espionage Explosion.For those who would like to play along at home, we'll be discussing, reviewing and dissecting Thief: The Dark Project on the next episode of Stealth Boom Boom.IMPORTANT LINKS TO THINGS🎧 Subscribe to Stealth Boom Boom🐦Stealth Boom Boom on Twitter📸 Stealth Boom Boom on Instagram🎵 Stealth Boom Boom on Tiktok🌤️ Stealth Boom Boom on Bluesky Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rockstar North was on a real high. They were coming off of the both the biggest game of 2001, Grand Theft Auto 3, AND the biggest game of 2002, Grand That Auto: Vice City. The series that saw you stealing cars and driving dangerously through pedestrian-filled streets had propelled them into video game superstardom. Then they decided to do something quite different. We're going back to 2003 to take a look at one of the most controversial video games of all time. We're talking about Manhunt.On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we look at how DMA Design became the biggest developer in the world (while also swearing loads in interviews like absolute mad lads). We also discuss New Zealand's history with the game, as well as how Manhunt was briefly connected to a murder story.In our review, you'll hear some chat on how the stealth is dependable to some and boring to others, James Earl Cash and his Splinter Cell love of shadows, battering walls with your fists to attract the attention of guards, the SOCOM PS2 headset, the comfort of the stealth loop, urban horror, the gruesome kill animations and their effect 20 years on, John Wick pencils, Red Dead Redemption 2 train tracks, swinging baseball bats like swords in Skyrim, a weightless protagonist, the power guns have when they're introduced, the bullet-fuelled carnage of the second half, David Fincher's bipigal Piggsy, an attempt at deconstructing violent video games, Brian Cox delivering dialogue with gusto, the shared GTA universe, Detroit, 00s edginess, The Warriors, John Carpenter, "hide you shit," and an ever-present beating heart.After all that, the lads take you through what some of the critics were saying about the game around the time it came out, and then they give their final verdicts on whether Manhunt is a Pass, a Play, or an Espionage Explosion.For those who would like to play along at home, we'll be discussing, reviewing and dissecting XIII on the next episode of Stealth Boom Boom.IMPORTANT LINKS TO THINGS🎧 Subscribe to Stealth Boom Boom🐦Stealth Boom Boom on Twitter📸 Stealth Boom Boom on Instagram🎵 Stealth Boom Boom on Tiktok🌤️ Stealth Boom Boom on Bluesky Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1999, Keiichiro Toyama and Team Silent created one of the most-celebrated horror video games of all time: Silent Hill. Almost every superlative you can think of was thrown at Harry Mason's jaunt around the foggy American town. A few years later, Toyama and others that worked on the Konami classic took their talents elsewhere and tried to do it all again. We're going back to 2003 to look at a PlayStation 2-exclusive horror game. We're talking about Forbidden Siren (or just Siren for some of you).On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we look at how developer Project Siren was keen to work on a horror game with more of a Japanese flavour, citing the J-horror boom as reason enough to give it a go. We also discuss how one TV ad for the game had to be cancelled after seven (7!) complaints, as well as how they pushed that Forbidden Siren was much more hardcore than other games of this ilk.In our review, you'll hear some chat on how Sightjacking is a very cool idea (and also how two of us think it doesn't work, and one of us thinks it does), darkness and fog, Commandos' mult-cam setup, orienteering, cautiously crouch-walking at the speed Solid Snake and Jack Carver move about on their bellies, the annoyance of ambiguity / the thrill of ambiguity, being aware of sound and light, awkwardly swinging a metal pipe, Shibito character models, mission objective 2, the Link Navigator, Butterfly Effect puzzles, the baffling Interaction List Menu system, a photo album that caught Josh's attention, ten characters that couldn't grab the attention of Adam, L.A. Noire, and classic lines of dialogue such as "I told you to wait in the car." After all that, the lads take you through what some of the critics were saying about the game around the time it came out, and then they give their final verdicts on whether Forbidden Siren is a Pass, a Play, or an Espionage Explosion.For those who would like to play along at home, we'll be discussing, reviewing and dissecting Manhunt on the next episode of Stealth Boom Boom.IMPORTANT LINKS TO THINGS🎧 Subscribe to Stealth Boom Boom🐦Stealth Boom Boom on Twitter📸 Stealth Boom Boom on Instagram🎵 Stealth Boom Boom on Tiktok🌤️ Stealth Boom Boom on Bluesky Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

During the mid-to-late 2000s, film fans were breaking down the doors of cinemas all over the world in order to see how new life had been given to the Batman. Around this time, the alter ego of Bruce Wayne had a similar renaissance in video games. We're going back to 2009 in order to look at the action-adventure game that became the measuring stick for future comic book games. We're talking Batman: Arkham Asylum.On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we look at how a young English developer named Rocksteady Studios was tasked with bringing the story of Batman writer Paul Dini to life. We also discuss how getting the cape right was so important to Brian and all his colleagues, as well as how a singer almost owned Eidos Interactive.In our review, you'll hear some chat on the sameyness of (most) Predator rooms – but also gargoyles with dynamite on them, how Detective Mode is OP, What's The Time Mr. Scarecrow, the rhythmic flow of punching and kicking baddies, the superhero launching himself at said baddies, glove-fixing, combo breakers, learning inverted takedowns on the job, Batman's gadgets that he left in the boot of his car, Metroidvania-ness in an open (space) world, setting up a crime scene without jurisdiction and scanning for Old Country tobacco, awful boss fights and a mohawked Joker, the beauty in the awful of Arkham Island, comic book characters in a comic book world, Christopher Nolan, Mark Hamill's menace and joy, the opening ten minutes, breaking the fourth wall, interview tapes, stellar easter eggs, and Commissioner Jim Gordon's COG-like physique.After all that, the lads take you through what some of the critics were saying about the game around the time it came out, and then they give their final verdicts on whether Batman: Arkham Asylum is a Pass, a Play, or an Espionage Explosion.For those who would like to play along at home, we'll be discussing, reviewing and dissecting Forbidden Siren on the next episode of Stealth Boom Boom.IMPORTANT LINKS TO THINGS🎧 Subscribe to Stealth Boom Boom🐦Stealth Boom Boom on Twitter📸 Stealth Boom Boom on Instagram🎵 Stealth Boom Boom on Tiktok🌤️ Stealth Boom Boom on Bluesky Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Before Gus Fring from Breaking Bad signed on, before you were doing some first-person platforming up a tower, and before your map was filled with icons, this series had you mowing down some angry monkeys, angry men, and angry monkey men. We're going back almost 20 years, to 2004, to look at a first-person shooter that spawned many sequels. We're talking Far Cry.On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we look at how X-Isle got the attention of Nvidia, many years before the dinosaur island became Far Cry. We also discuss how Crytek were always looking to mix action and stealth in the game, as well as some dream casting for the Uwe Boll film.In our review, you'll hear some chat on how to pronounce the name of the game, how you're noisier when dragging your belly on the ground, the excellent sight and hearing of every enemy, BIG ZOOM ENERGY, the stealth-o-meter, tagging guys via your binoculars, thermal goggles that make the Splinter Cell (and X-Files) noise, the MP5, the Trigens that can leap up into the air, the Trigens that can go invisible, the Trigens that are called fat boys, gun perviness, incredible headshots, punching PC monitors, overpowered baddies, bad stamina, a good-looking jungle, hang glider vs helicopter, poor pacing, the second half of Crytek games, and unintentional Duke Nukem.After all that, the lads take you through what some of the critics were saying about the game around the time it came out, and then they give their final verdicts on whether Far Cry is a Pass, a Play, or an Espionage Explosion.For those that would like to play along at home, we'll be reviewing Batman: Arkham Asylum on the next episode of Stealth Boom Boom.IMPORTANT LINKS TO THINGS🎧 Subscribe to Stealth Boom Boom🐦Stealth Boom Boom on Twitter📸 Stealth Boom Boom on Instagram🎵 Stealth Boom Boom on Tiktok🌤️ Stealth Boom Boom on Bluesky Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Around the early 2010s, there was a real boom in first-person horror-stealth and today we're looking at one of the most popular games in said genre. We're going back a decade, to 2013, to look at a video game that has since spawned two sequels – one of which only came out this year. We're talking Outlast.On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we talk about how developer Red Barrels was set up by three people who had some stealth pedigree, having previously worked on both Assassin's Creed and Splinter Cell. We also discuss how their game was inspired by Aphex Twin and Mirror's Edge, as well as how they saw the camcorder as a gun.In our review, you'll hear some chat on how the night vision camera both helps and terrifies, an asylum stuffed with batteries, a heartbeat that gets faster and faster, hiding in lockers, the thrill of being chased (and looking behind you while you're being chased), some differing opinions on the game's jump scares, staring competitions with NPCs, the fairly narrow path in Mount Massive, the name "Mount Massive", generators... just in general, running out of frustration, absolutely slamming doors, Robbie Williams in the Rock DJ video, little tiny robots, being really scared, not being scared anymore, MKUltra, an optional story, a hippo and a giraffe eating chocolate eclairs, and a line of dialogue about a cat.After all that, the lads take you through what some of the critics were saying about the game around the time it came out, and then they give their final verdicts on whether Outlast is a Pass, a Play, or an Espionage Explosion.For those that would like to play along at home, we'll be reviewing Far Cry on the next episode of Stealth Boom Boom.IMPORTANT LINKS TO THINGS🎧 Subscribe to Stealth Boom Boom🐦Stealth Boom Boom on Twitter📸 Stealth Boom Boom on Instagram🎵 Stealth Boom Boom on Tiktok🌤️ Stealth Boom Boom on Bluesky Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A quarter of a century ago, we got some real stealthy classics – some of which have already been covered on this very podcast. Today we're looking at the game from that year that introduced many to the fact that video games can also be a lot like movies. We're going back to 1998 to take a look at the third game in one of the genre's most beloved (and maligned) series. We're talking Metal Gear Solid.On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we talk about how director / producer / writer Hideo Kojima, who wanted to make films from a young age, broke into the games industry. We also discuss some of the very explosive, '90s ways this game was marketed. We chat about pre-launch press coverage too, which includes some Resident Evil and Lego mentions, a research trip to see a SWAT team, and some chat on the influence of Yoji Shinkawa.In our review, you'll hear some chat on the excellent Soliton Radar (and why it needs to be excellent, because the game has a fixed camera), fading footprints in the snow, chaff grenades, hiding in cardboard boxes, disappearing enemies, F.R.E.E. (full reactive eyes entertainment), Benny Hill, floopy-doop weapons, mostly great boss fights, Psycho Mantis reading your mind, that opening hour, how anti-war this war game is, Meryl's codec number on the back of case, the briefing tapes, the Yakuza / Like A Dragon games, some of the most verbose and melodramatic people ever, "press the select button," and the alert noise.After all that, the lads take you through what some of the critics were saying about the game around the time it came out, and then they give their final verdicts on whether Metal Gear Solid is a Pass, a Play, or an Espionage Explosion.For those that would like to play along at home, we'll be reviewing Outlast on the next episode of Stealth Boom Boom.IMPORTANT LINKS TO THINGS🎧 Subscribe to Stealth Boom Boom🐦Stealth Boom Boom on Twitter📸 Stealth Boom Boom on Instagram🎵 Stealth Boom Boom on Tiktok🌤️ Stealth Boom Boom on Bluesky Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.