The Stage Select

It’s a big week, as we’re joined by Friend of the Show (and star of Man Finds Tape!) John Gholson to talk about his new movie, being a hungry actor, and The Game Awards. Also other things!00:00 Musical theater11:08 John talks about the response to Man Finds Tape and the struggle of full-time acting40:57 Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair52:45 Catching up with John’s recent gaming, Dispatch01:09:44 Marvel Cosmic Invasion01:29:48 Final thoughts on Death Stranding 201:49:24 Ghost of Yotei02:02:55 Blade Runner, becoming a home owner02:14:33 Recapping The Game Awards 2025Please support John's next project, Terms and Conditions if you can! https://seedandspark.com/fund/terms-conditions#storyTheme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.comLogo and artwork by John GholsonAnnouncer: John GholsonJoin our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelectEmail: thestageselectpod@gmail.comCopyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

It's a secret to everybody!

As we begin to wind down the second season (and the holidays are upon us) we have fewer games to talk about. But this is still a fun episode, I think. Maybe. I don’t even know anymore. I’m tired, y’all.00:00 Thanksgiving14:41 Julian returns to Death Stranding 234:50 Justin returns to Cyberpunk 2077, Julian is done with Ball x Pit01:00:35 Judge My Mix01:41:44 Julian’s trek for mall Chinese food, Zootopia 202:02:08 Lord of the Rings and what it means to Julian02:11:16 Justin also watched movies (High Tension, The Others, Once Upon A Time in Hollywood, The Roses)Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.comLogo and artwork by John GholsonAnnouncer: John GholsonJoin our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelectEmail: thestageselectpod@gmail.comCopyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

Hello. This is Morgun, the stage manager for The Stage Select. Julian told me to write the show notes for this week’s episode, but I am not allowed on stage during the show, so I am not aware what they discussed. However, I would like to say that I am okay after they landed their spaceship on me. I am not sure how long I was unconscious, but Abramo told me that he didn’t get around to moving the ship until three days after they landed. Which makes me a little sad, but at least it’s better than living in the poison swamps…00:00 The McRib is BACK29:28 Julian’s final thoughts on Bloodlines 2, Dispatch01:11:06 Justin’s final thoughts on Dark Deity II01:40:54 Justin’s adventures in home searching01:50:34 The decisions made for Black Ops 7 are the worst possible; Demonschool02:13:59 Movie roundup (Keeper, Bugonia, Final Destination series, The Usual Suspects)02:31:26 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.comLogo and artwork by John GholsonAnnouncer: John GholsonJoin our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelectEmail: thestageselectpod@gmail.comCopyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

It’s another one of those weeks where we didn’t do much, but we go deep on Bloodlines 2, get into it about the increasingly terrible user experience of Xbox, AI art in Black Ops 7, and more!00:00 Going to bed at a decent hour for once, proving your identity15:06 Bloodlines 2 has sunk its fangs into Julian54:17 Dark Deity II, Justin’s final thoughts on Dispatch01:25:51 Justin’s big adult adventure01:40:01 The enshittification of Xbox continues; Julian’s theory on AI art used in Black Ops 702:06:24 Let’s go to space02:32:13 Justin’s movie roundup (Scream franchise, Final Destination franchise)02:45:21 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)See John Gholson as Carl in the play Noise/Complaint on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pP1ynRInd34&t=5sTheme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.comLogo and artwork by John GholsonAnnouncer: John GholsonJoin our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelectEmail: thestageselectpod@gmail.comCopyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

We’ve been slacking when it comes to addressing your comments, questions, and concerns, so we thought we’d kick this episode off with those. Then we have some closing thoughts on some games, some initial thoughts on some others, and quite a few movies to talk about!00:00 Doordash advice, what is wrong with Julian?10:36 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)01:05:09 Final thoughts on Keeper, Ball x Pit is a PROBLEM01:18:07 Justin’s final thoughts on Ghost of Yotei01:45:49 Justin’s initial thoughts on Dark Deity II02:13:47 Julian’s tale of woe in The Outer Worlds 2, first thoughts on Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 202:44:27 Julian’s movie roundup (Fuck My Son!, Talk to Me, Prey, Psycho Goreman)03:04:20 Justin’s movie roundup (finishing off Nightmare on Elm Street and Friday the 13th, Scream series)Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.comLogo and artwork by John GholsonAnnouncer: John GholsonJoin our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelectEmail: thestageselectpod@gmail.comCopyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

After the craziness of last week it was nice to return to normal. Or, whatever passes for “normal” at The Stage Select. Don’t worry, we’ll catch the Phantom of The Stage Select one day. Richard Harden, Private Detective, is on the case! Still!00:00 Friday the 13th is a weird franchise, announcements15:38 Justin’s final thoughts on Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 225:49 The Outer Worlds 257:34 Judge My Mix01:36:35 Who Wants to be a Millionaire, Ghost of Yotei, Dispatch02:02:28 Julian’s final thoughts on Dark Deity 2, Ball x Pit02:23:18 Thanking Patrons, movie roundup (The Crow 2024, Sinners in IMAX, Better Off Dead)See the trailer for Man Finds Tape, starring John Gholson! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN9gk6zpf7U&t=2sTheme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.comLogo and artwork by John GholsonAnnouncer: John GholsonJoin our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelectEmail: thestageselectpod@gmail.comTheme song lyrics:What could this possibly be?Seems a lot like a podcast…Wonder what specifically?Talkin’ bout video games,With your hosts, you’re in good hands.Not more of the same!Now we’ll jump right in,So expect the unexpected and more.  Now we’ll get groovin,’Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!There just might be some treasure in this chest,Having fun with our special guests,Time for Stage Select!Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

We already planned to have a good deal of nunsense this week, but things got out of hand in a big way. The Phantom of The Stage Select struck back in a big way, and he’s having nun of our shenanigans. Nuntheless, we persisted, with a good handful of games and movies to talk about. You’ll also want to be sure to listen to the very end, but keep it under your hat. Nun’s the word!00:00 Haunted dog, it’s weird living in a place for a long time41:15 Video games are weird, Justin’s final thoughts on Clair Obscur: Expedition 3301:08:02 Ledgerbound01:16:06 Vampire: the Masquerade Bloodlines 201:50:09 Keeper, Ninja Gaiden 402:04:44 Julian’s movie roundup (Good Boy, Good Fortune, Black Phone 2)02:17:21 Justin’s movie roundup (Jaws 2-4, Friday the 13th series, Nightmare on Elm Street series)                              Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.comLogo and artwork by John GholsonAnnouncer: John GholsonJoin our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelectEmail: thestageselectpod@gmail.comTheme song lyrics:What could this possibly be?Seems a lot like a podcast…Wonder what specifically?Talkin’ bout video games,With your hosts, you’re in good hands.Not more of the same!Now we’ll jump right in,So expect the unexpected and more.  Now we’ll get groovin,’Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!There just might be some treasure in this chest,Having fun with our special guests,Time for Stage Select!Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

Julian was on vacation last week, which means he finished a good amount of games and tried some new ones! We also hit up some movies and answer your questions. It’s a podcast where we talk about video games!00:00 The British national anthem, announcements15:17 Final thoughts on Hell is Us22:29 Thoughts on Silent Hill f after beating it the first time37:18 Dead Take44:42 Final thoughts on Hades II01:05:53 Dark Deity 201:16:48 Steam Next Fest (Mad King Redemption, Star Trek Voyager: Into the Unknown), struggling with Ghost of Yotei01:32:14 Donkey Kong Bananza01:38:43 A brief FF XIV update, movie talk (Halloween, I Know What You Did Last Summer 2025, Jaws, Black Phone, One Battle After Another, Fallout)02:30:50 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.comLogo and artwork by John GholsonAnnouncer: John GholsonJoin our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelectEmail: thestageselectpod@gmail.comTheme song lyrics:What could this possibly be?Seems a lot like a podcast…Wonder what specifically?Talkin’ bout video games,With your hosts, you’re in good hands.Not more of the same!Now we’ll jump right in,So expect the unexpected and more.  Now we’ll get groovin,’Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!There just might be some treasure in this chest,Having fun with our special guests,Time for Stage Select!Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

It’s a somber week here at The Stage Select, with some sad news and announcements to kick things off. But hopefully we still manage to entertain you with our usual brand of silly, and a decent handful of games to discuss. Next week should be jam-packed with Julian having a staycation to just binge a ton of games!00:00 Spike in Transformers had a rough life13:42 Some sad news and also a serious announcement30:26 Judge My Mix01:01:28 Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, Dark Deity 2, Absolum01:26:04 Blippo Plus01:46:27 Hell is Us should not be missed02:04:03 (Very) early impressions of Ghost of YoteiTheme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.comLogo and artwork by John GholsonAnnouncer: John GholsonJoin our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelectEmail: thestageselectpod@gmail.comTheme song lyrics:What could this possibly be?Seems a lot like a podcast… Wonder what specifically?Talkin’ bout video games,With your hosts, you’re in good hands.Not more of the same!Now we’ll jump right in,So expect the unexpected and more.  Now we’ll get groovin,’Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!There just might be some treasure in this chest,Having fun with our special guests,Time for Stage Select!Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions 

Man, can you believe we haven’t had Xavier Kreiger on since last year’s Game of the Year Deliberations? It’s been far too long, so we enjoy catching up with him and a ton of games. Plus, back by “popular” demand: Judge My Mix!00:00 Ouija: The New Beginning, announcements19:52 Catching up with Xavier, Digimon Story: Time Stranger47:44 Marvel Cosmic Invasion, Dark Deity 259:27 Donkey Kong Bananza, Lost Soul Aside, The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy01:16:45 Hades II01:41:07 Judge My Mix01:55:38 Julian’s final thoughts on Wanderstop, Hell is Us, Plague, Inc.02:15:25 Demon Slayer, thanking Patrons, The Void02:27:47 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)Pre-order The Well Red Mage’s SNES RPG book from BitmapBooks! https://www.bitmapbooks.com/products/the-definitive-book-of-snes-rpgs-vol-1Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.comLogo and artwork by John GholsonAnnouncer: John GholsonJoin our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelectEmail: thestageselectpod@gmail.comTheme song lyrics:What could this possibly be?Seems a lot like a podcast… Wonder what specifically?Talkin’ bout video games,With your hosts, you’re in good hands.Not more of the same!Now we’ll jump right in,So expect the unexpected and more.  Now we’ll get groovin,’Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!There just might be some treasure in this chest,Having fun with our special guests,Time for Stage Select!Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions 

Welcome back! After only having a couple games to talk about last week we have quite a bit this week, including the new Silent Hill, Hades II, and catching up on recent presentations by Sony, Nintendo, RGG, and more!00:00 Mad Max, Dorito flavor10:42 Final thoughts on Chrono Gear: Warden of Time, Wanderstop27:14 Gothic Remake, LISC43:55 Cyberpunk is real fun, isn’t it? Shinobi: Art of Vengeance (Justin’s turn)52:09 Hades II, Final Fantasy Tactics remaster woes01:18:37 The Void, Hell is Us, Silent Hill f01:40:51 Justin’s move round up (Jacob’s Ladder, every Mad Max movie)02:09:33 Catching up on recent gaming events (007: First Light, Nintendo Direct, Sony State of Play, TGS)02:42:14 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.comLogo and artwork by John GholsonAnnouncer: John GholsonJoin our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelectEmail: thestageselectpod@gmail.comTheme song lyrics:What could this possibly be?Seems a lot like a podcast… Wonder what specifically?Talkin’ bout video games,With your hosts, you’re in good hands.Not more of the same!Now we’ll jump right in,So expect the unexpected and more.  Now we’ll get groovin,’Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!There just might be some treasure in this chest,Having fun with our special guests,Time for Stage Select!Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions 

Somehow we only had two games to talk about but the show is still over 2 hours long. Listen, our yap game is strong; never underestimate it!00:00 They’re in a cube09:06 Judge my mix CD28:37 Final thoughts on Shinobi: Art of Vengeance39:04 Borderlands 401:14:29 Let Julian cook01:18:51 Abramo said he fixed it…01:46:20 Thanking patrons, The Long Walk, Dangerous Animals, From Dusk ‘til DawnListen to Julian talk about Chaos Legion on Games My Mom Found: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-7vjqg-1965335Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.comLogo and artwork by John GholsonAnnouncer: John GholsonJoin our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelectEmail: thestageselectpod@gmail.comCopyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

This week we’re joined once again by Westen from Big Nerd Gaming! Since the last time he was on he has debuted his own podcast, and you should check it out! We also had a lot of games to talk about, and a surprisingly large amount of movies, as well. But per Westen’s request: NO FUN.00:00 Introduction, The Big Nerd Gaming Podcast18:36 Hollowknight: Silksong36:41 Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream58:34 Quartet, Heading Out, closing thoughts on MGS Delta, Is This Seat Taken?01:27:50 Chrono Gear: Warden of Time01:42:45 Movie roundup (Ready or Not, Ghost Stories, Oddity, Late Night With the Devil, Prisoners, Weapons, The Crow 2024)02:05:08 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)Be sure to listen to the first episode of the Big Nerd Gaming Podcast! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXdPwHXoCLoThen go to the Big Nerd Gaming blog for more! https://bignerdgaming.com/     Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.comLogo and artwork by John GholsonAnnouncer: John GholsonJoin our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelectEmail: thestageselectpod@gmail.comCopyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

Welcome back! After last week’s…debacle, we had a ton of games to talk about. So strap in for lots of different titles, candy bar taste-testing, and much, much more!00:00 Bananas, hot dogs, gas station sushi16:43 Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater46:33 Trails of the Sky 1st Chapter Remake, Gears of War Reloaded01:04:46 Julian has a plan01:19:01 Justin’s final thoughts on Promise Mascot Agency, Expedition 33 check in01:31:45 Zagnut taste test, bad chips01:40:00 Fine, we’ll talk about the big Metroidvania game everyone’s been waiting for01:57:53 The Adventures of Elliott: The Millennium Tales, Quartet02:13:35 Justin’s movie roundup02:36:59 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.comLogo and artwork by John GholsonAnnouncer: John GholsonJoin our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelectEmail: thestageselectpod@gmail.comCopyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions 

Welcome to...well, quite honestly, an episode I'm not too proud of. That reason will become apparent when you get there, but before that it's a fun ride, and we salvage it as best we can to give the show some kind of resolution. We'll do better. 00:00 Introduction, Ohio festivals28:15 Edinburgh Fringe Fest49:33 Food in Scotland, sightseeing01:06:07 Promise Mascot Agency, final thoughts on Last Time I Saw You01:43:01 Intermission, what the hell happened?Everyone please watch The Lawn Con twice to let Mike know how much you appreciates him: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SSeu4r8uXwTheme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.comLogo and artwork by John GholsonAnnouncer: John GholsonJoin our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelectEmail: thestageselectpod@gmail.comCopyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

It’s another jam-packed edition of The Stage Select thisMweek with life updates, lots of video games and movies, Gamescom, and much, much more! 00:00 House hunting, The Stage Select Socialist Minute™, home maintenance 23:09 Julian hates PC gaming35:27 Some behind the scenes about making a podcast, finding something to play (The Alters, Last I Saw You, Wanderstop)48:35 Promise Mascot Agency01:01:39 Sword of the Sea01:14:24 Justin watched a ton of movies01:44:28 Gamescom and related events02:40:37 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.comLogo and artwork by John GholsonAnnouncer: John GholsonJoin our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelectEmail: thestageselectpod@gmail.comCopyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions 

This week we actually finished some video games! We also have Korean corndogs, rants about the movie pre-roll, and…can a god of all creation get depressed? Tune in and find out!00:00 Television, announcements20:18 H Mart, The Working Man36:02 Closing thoughts on Mafia: The Old Country01:05:48 Closing thoughts on Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound01:24:24 Madden Football 2601:56:19 Super Robot Wars Y02:04:12 Hell is Us02:15:50 Weapons02:27:51 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)Please consider donating to our Ko-Fi or taking advantageof our Patreon sale to help us get an ad on Giant Bomb! https://www.patreon.com/TheStageSelectPodcast                         https://ko-fi.com/thestageselectTheme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.comLogo and artwork by John GholsonAnnouncer: John GholsonJoin our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelectEmail: thestageselectpod@gmail.comCopyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions 

Welcome back! This week’s episode is what I like to call a potpourri show, because we’ve got a little bit of everything. Some old games, some new games. Old movies, new movies. Nacho Fries. Mattress toppers. You know, the things you expect from a video game variety show.00:00 Introduction, eating22:59 The Fantastic Four, Point Break32:23 Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, Starmaker Story50:38 Man of Medan, EA College Football 26, Expedition 3301:05:21 Mafia: The Old Country01:23:27 Heretic/Hexen collection01:36:32 The Naked Gun, Together01:49:32 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.comLogo and artwork by John GholsonAnnouncer: John GholsonJoin our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelectEmail: thestageselectpod@gmail.comCopyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions 

You’ll probably be wondering where the title of this week’s episode came from. Fortunately we had AddieXD back on for a lesson in delayed gratification. Enjoy!00:00 Today’s Special, time to kill all Jedi14:18 Julian’s new hobby(?), general ennui18:52 Power Chord, Steam wishlists27:23 Catching up with Addie35:58 Persona 4 Golden, Dead Take49:58 Final thoughts on House of Ashes, Death Stranding 201:08:02 Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, Alan Wake II and Remedy01:40:42 Cheese01:47:02 Game night, catching up on movies02:03:13 Addie’s great game round up02:48:12 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)Follow Addie! Twitter: https://twitter.com/Addiemantium Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/addiemantium.bsky.socialTheme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.comLogo and artwork by John GholsonAnnouncer: John GholsonJoin our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelectEmail: thestageselectpod@gmail.comCopyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions