The Stage Select

Welcome to episode 2 of The Julian Titus show, starring Julian Titus! Justin has moved on to home ownership and having a “relationship”, whatever that is, so it’s time once again for Julian to strike out on his own. Only this time, he’s not alone…*00:00 Introduction, and introducing the new partner to the podcast04:32 Final thoughts on Ghost of Yotei22:22 Things I wanted to get off my chest that I forgot on the season finale33:08 Anthem, Terminator 2D: No Fate48:35 Metroid Prime 4: Beyond*This is a bit. Last season I kept seeing people download the first one of these and I shudder to think that this could be your first taste of our podcast. Please, go listen to one of the numbered episodes first.Logo and artwork by 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’re still on break, but we’re keeping your feed packed with shows as we rest up for season 3! As I did last season, this is a look back at most of the bits and skits that ran on The Stage Select during season 2. Think of this as your behind the scenes/director’s commentary on how things went down, and the thought process behind some of the ads as well as the storylines for some of the characters. See you live, very soon!Special thanks to Mike Fallek: https://bigweasellilweasel.club/Special thanks to John Gholson: https://www.instagram.com/mistergholson/Special thanks to Giant Bomb: https://www.youtube.com/@GiantBombTheme 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 the final week of The Stage Select’s 2025 game of the year deliberations, and we continue by pairing a returning champion with a first-timer! Westen from Big Nerd Gaming is back to even the score now that he understands the game, and star of stage and screen John Gholson joins us for his first deliberations. This week there’s only one objective: create an ordered list of ten games and crown the 2025 game of the year for The Stage Select. Things get passionate! It’s a doozy! See you later in 2026 for season three!00:00 Introduction03:55 Nominations and first cuts42:46 Cutting continues!02:01:12 Final elimination to get ten games02:20:27 Ranking our top ten list and crowning The Stage Select’s 2025 game of the year!Be sure to check out Big Nerd Gaming for more of Westen! https://bignerdgaming.com/Watch Man Finds Tape, starring John Gholson, available now! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VexyLStKQAQTheme 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 week two of The Stage Select’s game of the year deliberations for 2025! We once again paired a veteran to the deliberations with a first-timer, as Xavier Kreiger joins Sixty X Celph to discuss the best returning game, crown the best ninja, and determine the best character in a completely reworked category. Enjoy!00:00 Introduction03:38 Best Returning Game47:27 Best Ninja01:02:00 The Ichiban Kasuga Award For Best CharacterTheme 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 week one of The Stage Select’s Game of the Year Deliberations for 2025! We’re joined by returning champion Mike Fallek as well as first-time deliberator Addie to go over the best game not released this year, the best porn game, and the best-looking game. Let’s go!00:00 Introduction04:05 Best Game Not Released in 202501:35:26 We Played it For the Story (Best Porn Game)02:17:58 Best Looking GameKeep up on Mike’s latest projects here: https://bigweasellilweasel.club/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

And that’s a wrap, folks! Well, after this season finale it is. Listen to us talk about the year in gaming that was 2025, a look towards next gen (whether we want it or not), and get into the nitty gritty about the state of the podcast. We’re off for six weeks but don’t fret; episodes will be releasing every week that we’re gone. See you in 2026, a totally real year that’s about to happen!00:00 Recording the end of season stuff is wild03:51 Xbox making every wrong move imaginable in 202535:35 Another phenomenal year if you play video games, another terrible year if you make or cover them53:17 Combating the doomsaying in video games01:17:35 AI is EVERYWHERE now, and we hate it01:41:44 Looking towards next gen: what we want vs what we expect02:07:41 The state of The Stage SelectTheme 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

Our penultimate episode of the season is a short one but a good one. We recorded this the day before recording the big final Game of the Year episode, so this week is light on games as we were focused on last minute prep and also had other things to record this week. Join us next week for our year in review as we bring season 2 to a close!00:00 Being a target for Agent 4715:52 Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, Silksong27:08 Unbeatable40:51 Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection58:34 Julian’s last-minute game of the year prep (Ghost of Yotei, revisiting Expedition 33)01:20:10 Justin’s movie roundup (Man Finds Tape, Die Hard, Fatal Attraction, Basic Instinct, The Resident, Die, My Love)01:42:44 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 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