The VGBees Podcast

It is that time of year! VGBees has awarded its official (well John and Niki's) Games of the Year 2024! We had two overlaps, so we cover eight total games and wow we had a blast revisiting the year's very best games.Not to spoil the surprise (stop reading if you don't want to know), but in alphabetical order we discuss:Astro BotBalatroCall of Duty: Black Ops 6Content WarningCrow CountryIndiana Jones and the Great CirclePath of Exile 2Thank Goodness You're Here!No HIVE QUESTIONS in this special episode, but you can always join and ask us questions every single week and we'll answer them on the show!

Niki and John go through a whirlwind of big games news this week, including the revelation that Woody Johnson is steering New York Jets personnel decisions with advice from his sons, Brick and Jack, derived from Madden 25 player stats. Also:the Charlotte Hornets Grinch a PS5 away from a childSony invests big in Kadokawa (FromSoftware's parent company)the Switch 2 is called Switch 2 (probably)As far as what we've been playing, well:Path of Exile 2Indiana Jones and the Great CircleMarvel RivalsAs always, we answer your HIVE QUESTIONS on the show and this week we went deep on why we're not convinced Indy's new adventure is a true immersive sim. Stay tuned this week for our first ever Hive Five Games of the Year podcast!

This week, Niki worked an entire human day within the span of two human days to work Gamespot/Giant Bomb's TGA coverage and lived (thrived!) to tell about it. John asks burning questions like "what was the deal with those long sandwiches Dan Ryckert was giving to people?"Then, they get into the meat of The Game Awards 2024, including:The Witcher 4Elden Ring NightreignVirtua FighterOnimusha: Way of the SwordOkami SequelProject: RobotIntergalactic: The Heretic ProphetAstro Bot winning Game of the Yearand much more!Also, what did giving the Game Changer Award to a (perfectly nice and helpful) business development director at Tencent say about the industry's current tenuous situation?We, of course, answer your HIVE QUESTIONS like we do every single week.

HARK! An early holiday gift from VGBees is upon us!We have reunited Nerium, Natalie Flores, and Michael Higham to unpack Dragon Age: The Veilguard in the style of acclaimed former Fanbyte podcast 99 Potions.Did we like it? Who are our favorite companions? Did Solas live up to the villain hype?If you like this bonus, know that in the future, we'll be putting big fancy bonus episodes like this behind The Hive, VGBees' premium subscription. Your support allows us to do many more of these! We'd love to do more of these!

This week, Niki calls in from the cartoon construction zone that is their house this week. That didn't stop Niki and John from talking about this week's video game news, including:Ubisoft studio closuresXDefiant's shutdownElden Ring follow-up not in developmentthe forbidden conversations we're hearing during Call of Duty matchesWe also talk about the stuff we're playing AND we answer so so so so many of your amazing Hive Questions, which had us planning a trip to Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

It's a Thanksgiving Week miracle! Niki and John recorded a podcast early in the week so they could take the rest of the week off! Wow! What foresight!Sure, there's some video game talk, but Niki also introduces the podcast to Car From Japan, the most important website of all time. Need a short truck? Need an old Lexus LS 400? This site has you covered.Also, we answer your burning HIVE QUESTIONS, including:What has to be in your Thanksgiving spread?Which games get you in the holiday spirit?Which games have you played many times and still return to?What's the "but doctor, I am Pagliacci" of video games?

This week, Niki presents John with a long dissection of Days Gone, not even remotely a new video game. Still, it is welcome information which it is a game both of them missed when it came out five years ago. Did you know the main character's name is Deacon St. John? Now you do! Also:S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of ChornobylCall of Duty: Black Ops 6YIIK: A Postmodern RPGStar Wars BattlefrontBattlefieldTitanfallApex LegendsWe also gave The Game Awards on this one! You're welcome, Geoff! As always, we answer your HIVE QUESTIONS and it took us directly to the heart of All Elite Wrestling this week.

This week, Niki is back and with them comes the revelation that Xbox has gone and found itself an official breakfast partner. That's right IHOP is the official breakfast partner of Xbox and Niki and John are going to bring you all the crucial details right here on this very podcast. In less vital news:Nintendo's desired damages from Pocket PairEverything is Xbox (according to Phil Spencer)BalatroStar Wars OutlawsCall of Duty: Black Ops 6Dragon Age: The VeilguardPokémon Trading Card Game PocketAnd of course, all of your burning HIVE QUESTIONS are answered!

This week, Niki is on vacation and John is left to his own devices. After planning a 99 Potions reunion to discuss Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the Election happened! Between the emotional fallout from that and other scheduling issues, we're delaying that for a couple weeks.So yeah! It's John, talking to you, dear listener, about video games.But also...the Election. If you're bummed about it and don't want to hear it, I understand. You can skip to the 24 minute mark to get past it and onto Strauss Zelnick, Take-Two CEO, being way too excited about the Election and the company's sale of Private Division.Also:Switch 2's backward compatibilityDragon Age: The VeilguardMetaphor: ReFantazioAstro BotMarvel SnapJohn also answers your burning Hive Questions. Be good to each other, everyone! See you next week.

This week, Niki and John explore the world of Champions Tactics: Grimoria Chornicles, an Ubisoft-published video game that wants you to shell out a preposterous amount of money on NFTs. Can you image a better time to be launching a game like this? Wow!Also, the dynamic duo discuss:the closure of Firewalk Studiosthe new Pokemon pack-opening gamethe Nintendo Music appCall of Duty: Black Ops 6Dragon Age: The VeilguardAnd much, much more. As always, your Hive Questions are answered, including John's admission of his worst ever Halloween costume. It's worse than you think!

This week, Niki and John could not for the life of them remember the names of the peak Covid Call of Duty games, so they leaned into it for content. Gotta find inspiration where you can these days. Frank Underwood also makes his return the show! VGBees only does big guests. Also:Hades 2 new updatesBalatroDave the DiverUFO 50Halo 2John enlists Niki to help him buy a new TV, which just depresses him. Why are TVs expensive?As always, we answer your burning Hive Questions, including one about whether VGBees is a pro Mario Party publication.

On this weeks' show, Niki and John go DEEP on the new NBA 2K25 DLC Gravity Ball. What does it mean for the franchise, its audience, and new players? Hope you like 50 minutes of exploring all of that!But that's not all! There was a big third party partner Xbox Showcase that was actually pretty good, including:Alan Wake II: The Lake HouseFBC FirebreakBlindfireCronos: The New DawnLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in HawaiiThere was a Pokemon leak, too! Busy week! And of course, we answer your burning Hive Questions.

Editor's note: this week's episode contains an incredulous collective unpacking of an explosive investigative report about Roblox which goes into the many ways the game is dangerous for children. While not going into graphic detail about what was found in the report, it's still a troubling look into the different ways Roblox and its ownership have put children in danger.This week, John & Niki are joined by none other than IGN's Michael Higham, VGBees' number one fan and supporter. Michael played all of Metaphor: ReFantazio and graced us with a deep dive on the game's vibes, story, mechanics, and much more. Seems like another banger in a year full of them. Also discussed:Roblox and the Hindenberg Research reportNintendo AlarmoStarfield: Shattered SpaceElder ScrollsPersonaWe also answer your burning Hive Questions, including "what is the video game equivalent of Aaron Rodgers getting Robert Saleh fired?"

This week, Niki goes deep on Starfield's DLC, Shattered Space. It's about the snake people, the most interesting part of the original Starfield. Does the DLC have the juice to get folks back into Todd's big space sandbox? Will John have a meltdown comparing the narrative depth and nuance of Tali's Pilgrimage quest in Mass Effect to what happens in Shattered Space? You'll simply have to listen to find out.The dynamic duo also answers your burning Hive Questions, covering ground including:naming pets after video game charactersworking on one game franchise for over a decadecomparing Randy Pitchford favorably to Neil Druckmann3D Mario games vs 2D Mario gamesthe Megalopolis video game of our dreamsthe best steward of a future AEW video gameand more!

This week, Niki and John discuss their favorites so far in the year's most astonishing release, UFO 50. What's your favorite from the collection? Also:Ghost of YoteiLegacy of Kain 1 & 2 RemasteredHell is UsOverwatchThe Legend of Zelda: Echoes of WisdomAs always, your burning questions from The Hive are addressed and answered!

Nintendo decided to sue Palworld this week so Niki and John would have something to really dig into. Thanks, Nintendo!!!!!!!Also this week:Switch 2 possibly leakedConcord's team is in limboshockingly positive Dragon Age: The Veilguard previewsthe PSX-styled PS5 fleetthe breadth of UFO 50Your Hive questions are also answered and the podcast got emotional over the loss of communal spaces and arcades!

This week, John breaks the news of Annapurna Interactive's staff resignation to Niki. They also break down the PlayStation 5 Pro reveal and talk about the 650 additional people laid off from Microsoft this week. As far as specific game chat:Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade ClassicsPaper Mario: The Thousand Year DoorI Am Your BeastSuper Mario OdysseyAstro BotFinal Fantasy VIIISoulcaliburPower StoneAs always, we answer questions straight from The Hive!

Niki has been blessed to have several days with Astro Bot and decided to tell John all about it, despite the fact that John can't play it for another few weeks. Tragedy. It sounds absolutely lovely and what a time for it, too. In addition to contemplating the overall state of games, the two discuss:ConcordMarvel SnapBalatroWe also answer your burning questions from The Hive and wow, y'all really asked some good ones this week!As always, you can join The Hive and ask us questions each and every week!

Niki and John have a good old fashioned "hey are we separating art from artist now" conversation they didn't plan for when tackling the receptions to Black Myth Wukong, Star Wars Outlaws, and the inevitable Assassin's Creed Shadows. In lighter fare, the two also discuss:Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door RemakeThe Legend of Heroes: Trails in the SkyAstro Botthe Double Dragon moviewho we'd put in Fortnite nextand much more!As always, we answer YOUR questions from The Hive! You can join The Hive right now and ask questions each and every week!

This week, Niki and John celebrate the return of Peter Molyneux to the world of games with his main stage appearance at Gamescom Opening Night Live. We were just talking about needing more weird guys in games, and wow we got our wish! Will his game ever come out? How much did he actually make on that NFT game he probably used to fund this new game? Will he be sued by Microsoft even though "Albion" is not a trademarked name? This and much more:Indiana Jones and the Great CircleCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 6Lynked: Banner of the SparkInZOIMasters of AlbionCivilization VIIBorderlands 4We also answer your Hive questions, like which celebrity should Hideo Kojima put in the next Death Stranding but is too scared to do so? Spoilers, there is one correct and immediately agreed-upon answer from your hosts!As always, you can join The Hive to get your burning questions answered on the show each and every week!