The Easy Allies Podcast

Ep 449 - It's an Xbox-centered news week with Indiana Jones, South of Midnight, handhelds, exclusives, and IHOP. Plus, we share our thoughts on Dragon Quest III, LEGO Horizon, Mario & Luigi, and more. *LEGO Horizon Adventures Provided by PlayStation.* (0:00) - Intro (4:16) - Indiana Jones Gameplay Deep Dive (23:30) - South of Midnight Behind the Scenes (33:19) - This is An Xbox (49:25) - Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake Impressions (1:17:36) - LEGO Horizon Adventures Impressions (1:29:42) - A Word From Our Sponsors1:31:09 - Empire of the Ants Impressions (1:45:30) - Mario & Luigi: Brothership Impressions (1:59:07) - Metal Slug Tactics Impressions (2:13:38) - Also This Week (2:29:40) - L&R: Stress Relievers (2:35:35) - L&R: A New Path (2:45:23) - L&R: When to Announce? (2:53:21) - Bets (3:00:15) - Closing Go to https://www.shopify.com/allies for a one-dollar-per-month trial period to grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in.

Ep 448 - Nintendo's mid-year financials reveal much, including Switch 2 tidbits. Meanwhile, Take Two has some numbers of their own, and we chat about Slitterhead, TMNT: Mutant Mayhem, Sonic X Shadow, Atomic Picnic, and more. (0:00) - Intro (3:04) - Switch Successor Will Be Backwards Compatible (29:14) - Take Two Sells Private Division (41:23) - Slitterhead Impressions (53:30) - Atomic Picnic Impressions (1:02:23) - Sonic X Shadow Generations Impressions (1:23:53) - TMNT: Mutants Unleashed Impressions (1:32:32) - Also This Week (1:46:28) - L&R: "Intriguing" UI Choices (1:51:20) - L&R: Make the Unwanted Remake (1:58:30) - L&R Game: Define That Name (2:08:48) - Bets (2:13:16) - Closing

Ep 447 - Nintendo just shadow dropped their own music player. Concord won't be making a comeback, and we share our impressions of Dragon Age, the new Call of Duty, and the Vampire Survivors Castlevania expansion. (0:00) - Intro (5:10) - Nintendo Music Shadow Drop (32:34) - Sony Shuts Down Concord Studio (54:26) - Ubisoft's NFT Game (1:01:31) - Dragon Age: The Veilguard Impressions (1:29:32) - Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Impressions (1:46:40) - Vampire Survivors: Ode to Castlevania Impressions (1:59:16) - Alan Wake 2: The Lake House Impressions (2:02:43) - Top 10 Scary Sounds (2:15:41) - Also This Week (2:30:55) - L&R: Developers at Your School (2:32:44) - L&R: Road Trip Plans (2:36:40) - L&R: Only You Remember (2:42:57) - Bets (2:49:41) - Closing

Ep 446 - Prince of Persia is at the pinnacle of its genre, so of course, Ubisoft is disbanding the team that made it. Surgent Studios reveal a potential Tales of Kenzera sequel. The September sales report shows some juicy numbers, and we give our thoughts on the Alan Wake 2 DLC, Fear the Spotlight, and Wilmot Works It Out. (0:00) - Intro (3:28) - Prince of Persia Team Disbanded (26:44) - Next Kenzera Game Revealed, Pending Funding (31:22) - Alan Wake 2: The Lake House Impressions (36:07) - Fear the Spotlight Impressions (41:35) - A Word From Our Sponsors (43:16) - September Sales Report (1:08:17) - Wilmot Works It Out Impressions (1:13:56) - Also This Week (1:37:14) - L&R: Birthday Release Dates (1:41:47) - L&R Game: Door Your Babies (1:50:52) - L&R: Curbing Your Enthusiasm (1:57:39) - Bets (2:02:17) - Closing Go to https://www.shopify.com/allies for a one-dollar-per-month trial period to grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in.

Ep 445 - Xbox bookends their showcase with glimpses of the new Alan Wake 2 DLC and the multiplayer Control game. We get our hands on Khazan, Neva, RetroRealms, and more. Plus, it's time for the August sales report. (0:00) - Intro (3:31) - Xbox Partner Preview Highlights (42:37) - Sunderfolk Revealed (47:59) - August Sales Report (1:00:01) - The First Berserker: Khazan Preview (1:04:28) - Neva Impressions (1:13:20) - RetroRealms Impressions (1:20:18) - Nikoderiko Impressions (1:30:40) - Unknown 9: Awakening Impressions (1:37:24) - Also This Week (1:54:22) - L&R: Horror Cooking Class (2:02:57) - L&R Game: Game That Name (2:10:26) - L&R: Frightful Gaming Stories (2:18:14) - Bets (2:22:42) - Closing

Ep 444 - Fall is here, and it's time to talk about the many games coming out before the end of the year. Plus, the studio behind Halo gets an overhaul, Nintendo wants you to wake up, and we share our thoughts on Metaphor: ReFantazio, Phoenix Springs, and the new Diablo IV expansion. (0:00) - Intro (6:11) - October Game Preview (1:36:01) - November Game Preview (2:08:23) - December Game Preview (2:20:50) - A Word From Our Sponsors (2:22:35) - Metaphor: ReFantazio Impressions (2:55:42) - Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred Impressions (3:07:19) - Phoenix Springs Impressions (3:18:57) - Are You Waking Up for Alarmo? (3:28:38) - Big Changes for Halo (3:33:25) - Also This Week (3:43:07) - L&R: Inspirations for Games (3:47:47) - L&R: Never Remake This (3:58:29) - L&R: Confessions (4:04:49) - Bets (4:11:40) - Closing Go to https://www.shopify.com/allies for a one-dollar-per-month trial period to grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Games discussed in this episode: Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero Europa Metaphor ReFantazio Starship Troopers: Extermination Neva Nikoderiko: The Magical World MechWarrior 5: Clans A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead Super Mario Party Jamboree RetroRealms: Halloween and Ash VS Evil Dead Unknown 9: Awakening Wayfinder Amanda the Adventurer 2 Fear the Spotlight Kong: Survivor Instinct Wilmot Works It Out Card en Ciel Date Everything! Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven Shin chan: Shiro and the Coal Town Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Sonic X Shadow Generations Ys X: Nordics Fruitbus Sulfur (Early Access) Clock Tower: REWIND Life is Strange: Double Exposure Dragon Age: The Veilguard Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered [Redacted] Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered Planet Coaster 2 Empire of the Ants Mario & Luigi: Brothership Metro Awakening VR Slitterhead Antonblast In Sink Behemoth Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake LEGO Horizon Adventures Sorry, We’re CLOSED Path of Exile 2 Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 STALKER 2 On Your Tail Nine Sols (console) Fantasian Neo Dimension Marvel Rivals Indiana Jones and The Great Circle Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1-2 Remastered Monument Valley 3 Alien: Rogue Incursion

Ep 443 - Jason Schreier joins us to chat about his new book on the comprehensive history of Blizzard. There's a new studio from an unexpected collaboration. Plus we chat about Zelda, the Mortal Kombat expansion, Iron Meat, and more. (0:00) - Intro (2:33) - Get to Know Jason (17:05) - Jason's Book - Play Nice (1:07:56) - Iron Meat Impressions (1:17:31) - Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns Impressions (1:28:38) - Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Impressions (1:53:30) - Mario + Rabbids + Red Dead? (1:59:57) - AAA Avatar: The Last Airbender (2:06:14) - Also This Week (2:21:20) - L&R: Maps in Open World Sequels (2:30:40) - L&R: Disconnected Favorites (2:39:58) - L&R: Reporting Advice (2:42:21) - Bets (2:50:09) - Closing

Ep 442 - Ahead of Tokyo Game Show, we've gotten new showings from both PlayStation and Xbox, including the reveal of Ghost of Yotei. Plus, impressions of What the Car?, Shadows of Doubt, and an existential examination of Final Fantasy. (0:00) - Intro (3:37) - State of Play Highlights (41:04) - Xbox TGS Show Highlights (1:04:58) - Final Fantasy XVI PC / Identity (1:35:20) - What the Car? Impressions (1:44:02) - Shadows of Doubt Impressions (1:51:50) - A Word From Our Sponsors (1:53:24) - Top 10 Schools in Games (2:02:40) - Keylocker Impressions (2:07:04) - Go Mecha Ball Impressions (2:13:28) - Also This Week (2:41:30) - L&R: The Limits of Crossovers (2:46:24) - L&R: Original Hardware Necessary (2:58:13) - L&R: Where Should 2B Go Next? (3:01:57) - Bets (3:07:33) - Closing Go to https://www.shopify.com/allies for a one-dollar-per-month trial period to grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in.

Ep 441 - Nintendo is suing the makers of Palworld, EA thinks AI will make things epic, and the Life is Strange devs call in to chat with Huber. Plus, our thoughts on The Plucky Squire, UFO 50, Dead Rising, Frostpunk 2, and more! (0:00) - Intro (3:00) - Nintendo Sues Palworld Devs (23:44) - The Plucky Squire Impressions (35:14) - Splinter Cell Show on Netflix (36:35) - Life is Strange: Double Exposure Interview (57:18) - EA Doubles Down on AI (1:11:27) - UFO 50 Impressions (1:34:30) - Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster Impressions (1:49:23) - Frostpunk 2 Impressions (1:58:01) - Also This Week (2:19:29) - L&R: Real-Life Game Mechanics (2:25:35) - L&R: Astro Bot Identity (Spoilers) (2:40:19) - L&R: High-Priced Decisions (2:48:22) - Bets (2:53:16) - Closing

While I was at the Dragon Age preview event, EA also offered the chance to interview the Game's Director and Producer. I hadn't planned on doing a formal interview, but I put my phone on the table and recorded it anyways, thinking maybe I'd type up some highlights or something. Once I got home, the audio quality turned out to be a lot better than I expected. So we cleaned it up a little, and now you can listen to our Dragon Age chat, including thoughts on character customization, art style, combat, level design, and more. -Bloodworth Corinne Busche, Game Director Jen Cheverie, Producer

Ep 440 - The PS5 Pro is real, and it is expensive. I Am Your Beast rewards speed and style. Annapurna Interactive's staff just walked out on the company, and this week's game discussions include Yars Rising, Hollowbody, and more. (0:00) - Intro (2:21) - PlayStation 5 Pro Announced (41:57) - I Am Your Beast Impressions (52:57) - Annapurna Interactive Staff Resigns (1:06:57) - Castlevania: Dominus Collection Impressions (1:29:26) - Hollowbody Impressions (1:35:00) - A Word From Our Sponsors (1:36:41) - Yars Rising Impressions (1:48:22) - Mika and the Witch's Mountain Impressions (2:01:04) - Also This Week (2:20:08) - L&R: PS5 Pro Inquiries (2:30:42) - L&R: Dreamcast Memories (2:40:15) - L&R: Broader Audience Reactions (2:43:26) - Bets (2:49:50) - Closing

Ep 439 - Astro Bot is here, and it is absolutely incredible. Sony takes Concord offline, and Brandon Jones is back on the desk to talk more Star Wars Outlaws. *Astro Bot and Concord Provided by PlayStation (0:00) - Intro (4:37) - Astro Bot Impressions (26:08) - Concord Goes Offline (51:06) - Xbox, Check Your Emails! (1:02:11) - Zelda Gets a Sword! (1:14:41) - Top 10 In-Universe Musical Performances (1:26:44) - Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine 2 Impressions (1:36:59) - Star Wars Outlaws Runback (1:53:58) - Black Myth: Wukong Runback (2:02:46) - Also This Week (2:13:59) - L&R: Real-Life Game Mechanics (2:20:38) - L&R: Are Games Less Valuable? (2:31:27) - L&R: Best Backwards Compatability (2:37:44) - Bets (2:43:00) - Closing

Ep 438 - Huber is back from Germany, and we're ready to talk about Black Myth Wukong, Concord, Star Wars Outlaws, Visions of Mana, Bakeru, Nintendo Directs, and more! *Concord Provided by PlayStation (0:00) - Intro (1:55) - Huber's Trip to Gamescom (13:50) - Deathsprint 66 Preview (22:14) - Concord Bombed, But It's Good (57:06) - Nintendo Direct Double Feature (1:27:08) - July Sales Report (1:37:07) - Bakeru Impressions (1:51:09) - Star Wars Outlaws Impressions (2:05:29) - Visions of Mana Impressions (2:25:23) - Black Myth Wukong Impressions (2:36:26) - Also This Week (2:51:03) - L&R: German Food (2:59:21) - L&R: PS5 Pro? (3:04:48) - L&R Game: Franchise Duel (3:14:23) - Bets (3:20:12) - Closing

Ep 437 - Gamescom is in full swing, and Danny Peña from Gamertag Radio joins us to discuss all the big announcements from Germany as well as a sample of gamescom demos we got to play here in LA. (0:00) - Intro (3:16) - Get to Know Danny (11:52) - ONL Highlights - Indiana Jones on PS5 (21:22) - Secret Level TV Series (29:38) - Mafia: The Old Country (34:18) - Street Fighter 6 - Terry Bogard Gameplay (36:17) - Borderlands 4 (39:30) - Reanimal (40:57) - The First Berserker: Khazan (44:18) - Peter Molyneux's Masters of Albion (46:58) - Monster Hunter Wilds (53:18) - Dying Light: The Beast (56:28) - We Harvest Shadows (58:44) - Directive 8020 - Dark Pictures (1:00:29) - Batman: Arkham Shadow (1:03:55) - Opening Night Live Final Thoughts (1:06:56) - A Word From Our Sponsors (1:08:50) - Xbox Gamescom in LA (1:11:45) - Avowed Hands-On Preview (1:22:59) - Towerborne Hands-On Preview (1:27:54) - Little Nightmares 3 Hands-On Preview (1:34:21) - Atomfall Hands-On Preview (1:40:39) - Winter Burrow Hands-On Preview (1:44:42) - Funko Fusion Hands-On Preview (1:50:21) - Koira Hands-On Preview (1:54:56) - Also This Week (2:09:45) - L&R: Exploring Experimental Games (2:17:24) - L&R: Game Characters as Mascots (2:21:44) - L&R Game: Who Said It? (2:29:53) - Bets (2:35:57) - Closing Go to https://www.shopify.com/allies for a one-dollar-per-month trial period to grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in.

Ep 436 - The makers of Hi-Fi Rush are back in action thanks to an unlikely ally. Huber gets a closer look at the Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster. Some classic horror franchise are making an intriguing return, plus we check out Witchfire, Dustborn, and the upcoming Persona DLC. (0:00) - Intro (3:12) - Tango Gameworks Is Back! (10:20) - Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster Preview (23:51) - Persona 3 Reload: Episode Aigis - The Answer Preview (38:45) - Bakeru Announced for the West (44:04) - New Halloween and Evil Dead Games Announced (51:10) - Witchfire Update Impressions (1:00:11) - Dustborn Impressions (1:10:27) - Also This Week (1:20:07) - L&R: Complete Game Informer (1:26:47) - L&R: Olympic Contenders (1:33:15) - L&R: Nintendo Dealbreakers (1:43:47) - Bets (1:48:28) - Closing

Ep 435 - Huber is loving Cat Quest III, and we dial in Desmond Wong from The Gentlebros to chat about the game. Plus, there's a surprise new DOOM release, a lengthy Zelda trailer, lots of fun teases from THQ Nordic, the June sales report. And we say a heartfelt goodbye to Game Informer. (0:00) - Intro (3:07) - DOOM + DOOM II Surprise (10:22) - Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Hyrule Tour (22:27) - THQ Nordic Showcase Highlights (35:36) - Remembering Game Informer (57:39) - June Sales Report (1:12:23) - Volgarr the Viking II Impressions (1:26:42) - A Word From Our Sponsors (1:28:37) - Cat Quest III Impressions (1:36:33) - Cat Quest III Interview (2:08:34) - Creatures of Ava Impressions (2:20:12) - Also This Week (2:33:10) - L&R: Movie Tie-In Games (2:36:00) - L&R: Should Re-Releases Be Awarded? (2:40:51) - L&R: Single Player With a Group (2:44:01) - Bets (2:51:43) - Closing Go to https://www.shopify.com/allies for a one-dollar-per-month trial period to grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in.

Ep 434 - Riana Manuel-Peña joins us this week as we chat about Marvel Rivals, Thank Goodness, You're Here, the Bungie layoffs, T-1000 in Mortal Kombat, and much more. Plus, Don gives us a report on all the goodness he saw at California Extreme! (0:00) - Intro (3:14) - Get to Know Riana (12:13) - Marvel Rivals Impressions (23:20) - Bungie Layoffs (34:42) - Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns (44:23) - Thank Goodness, You're Here Impressions (54:51) - Don's Trip to California Extreme (1:19:15) - Visions of Mana Demo Impressions (1:30:02) - Horizon Forbidden West - Burning Shores Impressions (1:34:42) - Also This Week (1:52:04) - L&R: Addictive Games (1:58:32) - L&R: How Can Switch 2 Break the Cycle (2:10:20) - L&R: Most Played VS Favorite (2:14:02) - Bets (2:21:11) - Closing

Ep 433 - Heihachi Lives! This week we round up some of the biggest announcements from EVO and pour one out for Humble Games. Plus, impressions on Arranger, Flock, Gestalt, TennoCon, Concord, and more! (0:00) - Intro (1:42) - EVO Announcements Round-Up (17:35) - Humble Games Closure (27:22) - Arranger Impressions (34:17) - Gestalt: Steam & Cinder Impressions (49:24) - Flock Impressions (1:00:57) - A Word From Our Sponsors (1:02:47) - Isla's Trip to TennoCon (1:11:17) - Top 10 Dogs / Wolves (1:25:36) - Concord Beta Thoughts (1:43:04) - Also This Week (1:59:40) - L&R: Popping Off (2:02:07) - L&R: Walking Sims or Visual Novels? (2:04:51) - L&R: Games Where Dying is a Pleasure (2:08:54) - Bets (2:13:38) - Closing Go to https://www.shopify.com/allies for a one-dollar-per-month trial period to grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in.

Ep 432 - Everyone decided to release their games this week for some reason so we wade through the flood as best we can, with looks at Kunitsu-Gami, Bo, Flintlock, and NES World Championships. Plus, we now know what Emio is and only Damiani could have guessed. (0:00) - Intro (3:56) - What is Emio? (13:43) - Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap Announced (19:48) - Kunitsu-Gami Impressions (30:36) - Nintendo World Championships Impressions (51:40) - Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus Impressions (1:10:09) - Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn Impressions (1:19:23) - Bloodworth's Travel Backlog (1:36:32) - Also This Week (1:53:40) - L&R: Violence Against Almonds (1:59:43) - L&R: Getting the Codes (2:10:32) - L&R: Power Up Sprites (2:13:36) - Bets (2:21:21) - Closing

Ep 431 - After recent changes, Xbox Game Pass may no longer be such an incredible value. We also got a sneak peek at the big new update for The Outlast Trials, including it's newest freako. Plus, thoughts on Destiny 2: The Final Shape, Still Wakes The Deep, Blockbuster Inc, and the May Sales Report. (0:00) - Intro (3:56) - Xbox Takes Day One Games Out of Game Pass (18:36) - The Outlast Trials - New Update Preview (26:30) - Still Wakes the Deep Impressions (38:02) - May Sales Report (51:16) - A Word From Our Sponsors (53:16) - Blockbuster Inc Impressions (1:08:28) - Destiny 2: The Final Shape Impressions (1:20:40) - Also This Week (1:39:15) - L&R: Revisiting Old Favorites (1:43:13) - L&R: Speed Runs (1:50:36) - L&R Game: Anagram Names (2:03:19) - Bets (2:08:29) - Closing Go to https://www.shopify.com/allies for a one-dollar-per-month trial period to grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in.