Unlockables: The Story of Video Games

How do you even approach a game hailed as the greatest RPG ever made? How do you begin to talk about something that's had a bar set for it that's so high, nothing could possible live up to the expectations? Well, like this I guess. I played Chrono Trigger for the first time for its 30th anniversary and what I discovered still managed to surprise me. This is the story of my first playthrough of Chrono Trigger. Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! (https://bsky.app/profile/unlockables.bsky.social) Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! (https://www.instagram.com/unlockablespod/) Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! (https://www.youtube.com/@theunlockables) Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! (https://patreon.com/unlockables?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink) The Unlockables is a video game podcast about people's stories and memories around the games that they play, as well as the story of the games themselves! The show consists of solo essay episodes, guest interviews, and collaborative episodes on some of the games that shaped us.

Clair Obscur Expedition 33 is a phenomenal game that sparks some incredible reflection on the themes of grief, family, and perseverance. But these conversations quickly got drowned out by Game of the Year hype and AAA Industry bashing. What should the conversation be around this game, and how can we guide the course of the conversation to a better place that allows this game to stand on its own. Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! (https://bsky.app/profile/unlockables.bsky.social) Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! (https://www.instagram.com/unlockablespod/) Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! (https://www.youtube.com/@theunlockables) Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! (https://patreon.com/unlockables?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink) The Unlockables is a video game podcast about people's stories and memories around the games that they play, as well as the story of the games themselves! The show consists of solo essay episodes, guest interviews, and collaborative episodes on some of the games that shaped us.

Compared to modern video games, Star Fox on the Super Nintendo looks rudimentary. One of the earliest examples of 3D on a Nintendo system, beneath this simplicity is a story of pushing against hardware limitations and fighting back against the advances of Sega. Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! (https://bsky.app/profile/unlockables.bsky.social) Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! (https://www.instagram.com/unlockablespod/) Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! (https://www.youtube.com/@theunlockables) Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! (https://patreon.com/unlockables?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink) Thank you to everyone who recorded their thoughts and contributed to this episode! Check out Tales From The Backlog! (https://www.patreon.com/realdavejackson) Check out Main Quest Podcast! (https://www.patreon.com/themainquest) Check out Retro Hangover! (https://linktr.ee/retrohangover?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=ede1ba9a-5f85-4295-b665-5b878b514708) The Unlockables is a video game podcast about people's stories and memories around the games that they play, as well as the story of the games themselves! The show consists of solo essay episodes, guest interviews, and collaborative episodes on some of the games that shaped us.

Any new entry in the Monster Hunter series is cause for celebration. With the smash hit Monster Hunter World, tons of new fans discovered the series for the first time. Now with a true successor to World, Capcom looks to continue Monster Hunter's momentum. But would the changes and concessions made in the pursuit of streamlining the experience cause Monster Hunter to lose a piece of its soul? Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! (https://bsky.app/profile/unlockables.bsky.social) Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! (https://www.instagram.com/unlockablespod/) Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! (https://www.youtube.com/@theunlockables) Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! (https://patreon.com/unlockables?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink) Thank you to everyone who recorded their thoughts and contributed to this episode! Check out Tales From The Backlog! (https://www.patreon.com/realdavejackson) Check out Main Quest Podcast! (https://www.patreon.com/themainquest) The Unlockables is a video game podcast about people's stories and memories around the games that they play, as well as the story of the games themselves! The show consists of solo essay episodes, guest interviews, and collaborative episodes on some of the games that shaped us.

The Guiding Keys min-series and the story of Kingdom Hearts comes to a close. For now. Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! (https://bsky.app/profile/unlockables.bsky.social) Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! (https://www.instagram.com/unlockablespod/) Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! (https://www.youtube.com/@theunlockables) Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! (https://patreon.com/unlockables?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink) The Unlockables is a video game podcast about people's stories and memories around the games that they play, as well as the story of the games themselves! The show consists of solo essay episodes, guest interviews, and collaborative episodes on some of the games that shaped us.

The final game in the Kingdom Hearts series (for now) and the final episode of Guiding Keys is Melody of Memory, a rhythm game that celebrates the incredible music of Kingdom Hearts. Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! (https://bsky.app/profile/unlockables.bsky.social) Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! (https://www.instagram.com/unlockablespod/) Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! (https://www.youtube.com/@theunlockables) Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! (https://patreon.com/unlockables?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink) The Unlockables is a video game podcast about people's stories and memories around the games that they play, as well as the story of the games themselves! The show consists of solo essay episodes, guest interviews, and collaborative episodes on some of the games that shaped us.

Our analysis of Kingdom Hearts Dark Road continues. As the plot with the upper classmen thickens, Xehanort finds himself on a road that will ultimately see him become the antagonist of the Kingdom Hearts series. Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! (https://bsky.app/profile/unlockables.bsky.social) Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! (https://www.instagram.com/unlockablespod/) Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! (https://www.youtube.com/@theunlockables) Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! (https://patreon.com/unlockables?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink) The Unlockables is a video game podcast about people's stories and memories around the games that they play, as well as the story of the games themselves! The show consists of solo essay episodes, guest interviews, and collaborative episodes on some of the games that shaped us.

We've reached the next game in the Kingdom Hearts series and the penultimate game in our Guiding Keys adventures. Dark Road follows the story of a Young Xehanort training to be a Keyblade Master. What truths will be revealed to us about the Seeker of Darkness. Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! (https://bsky.app/profile/unlockables.bsky.social) Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! (https://www.instagram.com/unlockablespod/) Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! (https://www.youtube.com/@theunlockables) Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! (https://patreon.com/unlockables?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink) The Unlockables is a video game podcast about people's stories and memories around the games that they play, as well as the story of the games themselves! The show consists of solo essay episodes, guest interviews, and collaborative episodes on some of the games that shaped us.

As 2024 comes to a close, I take some time to reflect on the games I played this year, as well as the State of the show going into 2025. Thank you all again for another incredible year! Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! (https://bsky.app/profile/unlockables.bsky.social) Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! (https://www.instagram.com/unlockablespod/) Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! (https://www.youtube.com/@theunlockables) Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! (https://patreon.com/unlockables?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink) The Unlockables is a video game podcast about people's stories and memories around the games that they play, as well as the story of the games themselves! The show consists of solo essay episodes, guest interviews, and collaborative episodes on some of the games that shaped us.

After wanting to play the Sly Cooper series for ages, I finally got some time to dive into the first game on the PS2. Luckily I had Unlockables community member Poppy the Masked Keaton to join me for this discussion! Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! (https://bsky.app/profile/unlockables.bsky.social) Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! (https://www.instagram.com/unlockablespod/) Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! (https://www.youtube.com/@theunlockables) Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! (https://patreon.com/unlockables?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink) The Unlockables is a video game podcast about people's stories and memories around the games that they play, as well as the story of the games themselves! The show consists of solo essay episodes, guest interviews, and collaborative episodes on some of the games that shaped us.

Adam from The Good, the Bad and the Backlog joins the show to discuss our experience doing a Pokémon Nuzlocke run for the first time. The rules we used for this Nuzlocke run are the base rules: one encounter per route, if a Pokémon faints you can't use it for the rest of the run, and you must nickname all Pokémon you catch. Check out The Good, the Bad and the Backlog! (https://linktr.ee/GoodBadBacklog?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=23ecd171-46cf-4da4-ab45-d2050f5a7ab2) Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! (https://bsky.app/profile/unlockables.bsky.social) Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! (https://www.instagram.com/unlockablespod/) Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! (https://www.youtube.com/@theunlockables) Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! (https://patreon.com/unlockables?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink) The Unlockables is a video game podcast about people's stories and memories around the games that they play, as well as the story of the games themselves! The show consists of solo essay episodes, guest interviews, and collaborative episodes on some of the games that shaped us.

Part 2 of our deep dive on Kingdom Hearts Union X where we discuss the aftermath of the Keyblade War, the fate of the Dandelions, and a crucial choice by our player character that changes the course of the series. Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! (https://bsky.app/profile/unlockables.bsky.social) Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! (https://www.instagram.com/unlockablespod/) Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! (https://www.youtube.com/@theunlockables) Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! (https://patreon.com/unlockables?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink) The Unlockables is a video game podcast about people's stories and memories around the games that they play, as well as the story of the games themselves! The show consists of solo essay episodes, guest interviews, and collaborative episodes on some of the games that shaped us.

Friend of the show and fellow Dad Mick Davis stopped by the Unlockables to talk about the classic PS1 tactical RPG Final Fantasy Tactics! Check out Mick Arcade! (https://linktr.ee/mickarcade?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=45507f3f-32b1-4d70-809e-2137e9efd9b5) Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! (https://bsky.app/profile/unlockables.bsky.social) Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! (https://www.instagram.com/unlockablespod/) Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! (https://www.youtube.com/@theunlockables) Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! (https://patreon.com/unlockables?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink) The Unlockables is a video game podcast about people's stories and memories around the games that they play, as well as the story of the games themselves! The show consists of solo essay episodes, guest interviews, and collaborative episodes on some of the games that shaped us.

At long last we've arrived at the finale for Kingdom Hearts 3. In this episode we discuss the ReMind DLC, the Secret Reports, and some final thoughts on Kingdom Hearts 3 as a whole. What secrets lie ahead in Kingdom Hearts 4? Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! (https://bsky.app/profile/unlockables.bsky.social) Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! (https://www.instagram.com/unlockablespod/) Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! (https://www.youtube.com/@theunlockables) Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! (https://patreon.com/unlockables?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink) The Unlockables is a video game podcast about people's stories and memories around the games that they play, as well as the story of the games themselves! The show consists of solo essay episodes, guest interviews, and collaborative episodes on some of the games that shaped us.

Today's episode is dedicated to the GLORY OF THE EMPEROR. Fellow Space Marines Nick and Will of Friday Night Gamecast stop by the Unlockables to break down the insanity that is Warhammer 40000 and the hit new game from Saber Interactive, Space Marine 2! Check out Friday Night Gamecast! (https://linktr.ee/FridayNightGamecast?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=7cb4c768-3505-43f9-8bbb-0a53cf3fdc39) Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! (https://bsky.app/profile/unlockables.bsky.social) Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! (https://www.instagram.com/unlockablespod/) Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! (https://www.youtube.com/@theunlockables) Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! (https://patreon.com/unlockables?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink) The Unlockables is a video game podcast about people's stories and memories around the games that they play, as well as the story of the games themselves! The show consists of solo essay episodes, guest interviews, and collaborative episodes on some of the games that shaped us.

The final confrontation with Xehanort and Organization XII is at hand, and our journey with the base game of Kingdom Hearts 3 comes to a close. Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! (https://bsky.app/profile/unlockables.bsky.social) Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! (https://www.instagram.com/unlockablespod/) Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! (https://www.youtube.com/@theunlockables) Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! (https://patreon.com/unlockables?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink) The Unlockables is a video game podcast about people's stories and memories around the games that they play, as well as the story of the games themselves! The show consists of solo essay episodes, guest interviews, and collaborative episodes on some of the games that shaped us.

On this episode of Unlockables, its time to LIVE AND LEARN. After foolishly beginning the Year of Shadow at the end of the story, I decided to right the wrongs by going back to the game where Shadow debuted; Sonic Adventure 2! Matt aka Stormageddon from "Fun" and Games Podcast and the Reignite Podcast stopped by the show to help me escape from the city. Check out all of Matt's projects! (https://linktr.ee/dj_stormagedddon?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=10bd7c53-616f-43b3-8445-fde789c6aa96) Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! (https://bsky.app/profile/unlockables.bsky.social) Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! (https://www.instagram.com/unlockablespod/) Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! (https://www.youtube.com/@theunlockables) Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! (https://patreon.com/unlockables?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink) The Unlockables is a video game podcast about people's stories and memories around the games that they play, as well as the story of the games themselves! The show consists of solo essay episodes, guest interviews, and collaborative episodes on some of the games that shaped us.

After finishing our adventures in the Disney Worlds, we begin racing towards the conclusion of Kingdom Hearts 3. The fate of Aqua and Ven hang in the balance as the long awaited confrontation with Master Xehanort finally begins. Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! (https://bsky.app/profile/unlockables.bsky.social) Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! (https://www.instagram.com/unlockablespod/) Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! (https://www.youtube.com/@theunlockables) Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! (https://patreon.com/unlockables?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink) The Unlockables is a video game podcast about people's stories and memories around the games that they play, as well as the story of the games themselves! The show consists of solo essay episodes, guest interviews, and collaborative episodes on some of the games that shaped us.

In the late 90s, the industry and gamers were looking forward to the future, and the future was 3D. But in the wake of the avalanche of 3D games there were some titles that got overlooked at the time. The Suikoden series on PS1 was good, but it just wasn't what people were looking for at the time. In recent years it's reputation has grown as not only one of the great RPGs of its time, but one of the greatest RPGs ever made. Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! (https://bsky.app/profile/unlockables.bsky.social) Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! (https://www.instagram.com/unlockablespod/) Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! (https://www.youtube.com/@theunlockables) Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! (https://patreon.com/unlockables?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink) The Unlockables is a video game podcast about people's stories and memories around the games that they play, as well as the story of the games themselves! The show consists of solo essay episodes, guest interviews, and collaborative episodes on some of the games that shaped us.

Our adventures in the Diseny Worlds continue in part 3 of Kingdom Hearts 3! Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! (https://bsky.app/profile/unlockables.bsky.social) Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! (https://www.instagram.com/unlockablespod/) Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! (https://www.youtube.com/@theunlockables) Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! (https://patreon.com/unlockables?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink) The Unlockables is a video game podcast about people's stories and memories around the games that they play, as well as the story of the games themselves! The show consists of solo essay episodes, guest interviews, and collaborative episodes on some of the games that shaped us.