Your Friendly Neighborhood Gamers

As fires fade and the world falls into ruin, developer FROMSOFTWARE and director Hidetaka Miyazaki continue their critically-acclaimed and genre-defining series with Dark Souls III. Fans and newcomers alike will get lost in the game's hallmark rewarding gameplay and immersive graphics. Now only embers remain…Dark Souls III is an action role-playing game developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows. The third and final entry in the Dark Souls series, it is played in a third-person perspective. The players have access to various weapons, armor, magic, and consumables that they can use to fight their enemies. Hidetaka Miyazaki, the creator of the series, returned to direct the game after handing the development duties of Dark Souls II to others.Dark Souls III was critically and commercially successful, with critics calling it a worthy and fitting conclusion to the series. It shipped over three million copies within its first two months and over 10 million by 2020. Two downloadable content (DLC) expansions, Ashes of Ariandel and The Ringed City, were also released.WEBSITE https://www.fngamers.com/DISCORD https://discord.gg/euhEYZxC58 TWITTERhttps://twitter.com/F_N_GamerzINSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/yourfriendlyneighborhoodgamers/YOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRgS_YRAM8_PlWNvxrjQshAFANTASY CRITIC LEAGUEhttps://www.fantasycritic.gSupport the show

Developed by FROM SOFTWARE, Dark Souls II is the highly anticipated sequel to the grueling 2011 breakout hit Dark Souls. The unique old-school action RPG experience captivated imaginations of gamers worldwide with incredible challenge and intense emotional reward.Dark Souls II brings the franchise’s renowned obscurity & gripping gameplay innovations to both single and multiplayer experiences.Join the dark journey and experience overwhelming enemy encounters, diabolical hazards, and the unrelenting challenge that only FROM SOFTWARE can deliver.Dark Souls II is a 2014 action role-playing game developed by FromSoftware. The second installment of the Dark Souls series, it was released for Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Taking place in the kingdom of Drangleic, the game features both player versus environment (PvE) and player versus player (PvP) gameplay. Dark Souls II was released in March 2014 after some initial delays, with the Windows version being released the following month.It was a critical and commercial success. A remastered version of the game, titled Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin, was released for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows in April 2015. It contains the original game and its downloadable content with upgraded graphics, expanded online multiplayer capacity, and various other changes. A sequel, Dark Souls III, was released in 2016.WEBSITE https://www.fngamers.com/DISCORD https://discord.gg/euhEYZxC58 TWITTERhttps://twitter.com/F_N_GamerzINSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/yourfriendlyneighborhoodgamers/YOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRgS_YRAM8_PlWNvxrjQshAFANTASY CRITIC LEAGUEhttps://www.fantasycritic.gSupport the show

Prepare for a new, despair-inducing world, with a vast, fully-explorable horizon and vertically-oriented landforms. Prepare for a new, mysterious story, centered around the world of Lodran, but most of all, prepare to die. You will face countless murderous traps, countless darkly grotesque mobs and several gargantuan, supremely powerful demons and dragon bosses. You must learn from death to persist through this unforgiving world. And you aren’t alone. Dark Souls allows the spirits of other players to show up in your world, so you can learn from their deaths and they can learn from yours. You can also summon players into your world to co-op adventure, or invade other's worlds to PVP battle. New to Dark Souls are Bonfires, which serve as checkpoints as you fight your way through this epic adventure. While rested at Bonfires, your health and magic replenish but at a cost, all mobs respawn.Beware: There is no place in Dark Souls that is truly safe. With days of game play and an even more punishing difficulty level, Dark Souls will be the most deeply challenging game you play this year.Can you live through a million deaths and earn your legacy?Dark Souls is a dark fantasy action role-playing game series developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. It began with the release of Dark Souls (2011) and has seen two sequels, Dark Souls II (2014) and Dark Souls III (2016). The series was created by Hidetaka Miyazaki and has received critical acclaim, with its high level of difficulty being among its most discussed aspects, and the first Dark Souls is often cited as one of the greatest games of all time. By 2023, the series had shipped over 35 million copies outside of Japan. Other FromSoftware games, including Demon's Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring, share several related concepts and led to the creation of the Soulslike subgenre.WEBSITE https://www.fngamers.com/DISCORD https://discord.gg/euhEYZxC58 TWITTERhttps://twitter.com/F_N_GamerzINSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/yourfriendlyneighborhoodgamers/YOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRgS_YRAM8_PlWNvxrjQshAFANTASY CRITIC LEAGUEhttps://www.fantasycritic.gSupport the show

On this episode of Your Friendly Neighborhood Gamers, Andrew and Dylan are joined by some very special guests in order to take things back to the days of Level Playing Field! Aubrey, Abi, and Delaney join the show to answer 35 video game questions while enjoying some adult beverages. Obviously chaos ensues, and obviously Andrew regrets it all when it's time to edit, but hopefully you, the listener enjoy the ride!  WEBSITE https://www.fngamers.com/DISCORD https://discord.gg/euhEYZxC58 TWITTERhttps://twitter.com/F_N_GamerzINSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/yourfriendlyneighborhoodgamers/YOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRgS_YRAM8_PlWNvxrjQshAFANTASY CRITIC LEAGUEhttps://www.fantasycritic.g Support the show

Join hosts Andrew Kimball and Dylan Wren on this episode of Your Friendly Neighborhood Gamers as they delve into the captivating realm of double A (AA) video games. As the industry experiences a shift in talent and a rise in mid-tier game development, our hosts explore the impact on the gaming landscape and the attention now given to these unique titles.From discussing the distinctions between double A and triple A games to sharing their personal experiences with discovering lesser-known gems, Andrew and Dylan unpack the allure and potential future of double A games. Listeners can expect insights into successful titles, the debate surrounding game classifications, and the rising appreciation for indie and double A games among gamers.WEBSITE https://www.fngamers.com/DISCORD https://discord.gg/euhEYZxC58 TWITTERhttps://twitter.com/F_N_GamerzINSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/yourfriendlyneighborhoodgamers/YOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRgS_YRAM8_PlWNvxrjQshAFANTASY CRITIC LEAGUEhttps://www.fantasycritic.gSupport the show

On this episode of the podcast, Andrew is joined by his new brother-in-law, Joe Sommer! They discuss the latest game in the 2D Mario series, Super Mario Bros. Wonder! Everything from the Wonder Flowers, to the playable characters, to the fresh art-style and personality of the game is talked about. At the end of the conversation they give their verdicts, is this game one of the all time greats, or can you skip it? Listen and find out!Be sure to stick around at the end of the episode to hear what Andrew's daughter thought about Super Mario Wonder! He recorded a 10 minute interview with her and they talk about Wonder and her thoughts on the Mario movie. TIMESTAMPSBowser Spoilers - 43:13Verdicts - 50:22Check out Joe's writing here - https://www.wowhead.com/news/a-look-back-at-frost-death-knight-in-dragonflight-and-war-within-wishlist-337351 WEBSITE https://www.fngamers.com/DISCORD https://discord.gg/euhEYZxC58 TWITTERhttps://twitter.com/F_N_GamerzINSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/yourfriendlyneighborhoodgamers/YOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRgS_YRAM8_PlWNvxrjQshAFANTASY CRITIC LEAGUEhttps://www.fantasycritic.g Support the show

In this episode of Your Friendly Neighborhood Gamers, hosts Dylan Wren and Andrew Kimball delve deep into the world of gaming subscriptions. The hosts explore the value of Xbox Gamepass and its potential impact on traditional game purchases. They also discuss the rising prices of games and the sustainability of such high costs for consumers, emphasizing the changing nature of game experiences and the impact on gamers' wallets.Throughout the episode, they share their own experiences and preferences for purchasing games, while also highlighting the influence of game subscription services on the gaming industry. They analyze the potential impact of subscriptions on game development and accessibility for indie studio games. The evolving landscape of digital content ownership and potential risks associated with digital purchases are also examined, along with concerns about the increasing cost of media consumption and the fragmentation of gaming subscriptions. Listeners are encouraged to vote with their wallets, avoid getting caught up in social media outrage, and consider the future implications of gaming subscriptions on the industry. WEBSITE https://www.fngamers.com/DISCORD https://discord.gg/euhEYZxC58 TWITTERhttps://twitter.com/F_N_GamerzINSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/yourfriendlyneighborhoodgamers/YOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRgS_YRAM8_PlWNvxrjQshAFANTASY CRITIC LEAGUEhttps://www.fantasycritic.gSupport the show

On this episode of the Neighborhood Watch, Andrew and Dylan break down the recent Xbox drama and the overreaction from the gaming community. Then, they dive into the list of games they've been playing recently. Andrew has been playing Super Smash Bros. Ultimate with his daughter while Dylan had been vibing in Sea of Thieves. They have also each been playing their preferred card games of choice, Magic the Gathering and Marvel Snap. And there is some chat about Skull and Bones and the intense marketing push behind a game no one seems interested in playing. We hope you enjoy listening!WEBSITE https://www.fngamers.com/DISCORD https://discord.gg/euhEYZxC58 TWITTERhttps://twitter.com/F_N_GamerzINSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/yourfriendlyneighborhoodgamers/YOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRgS_YRAM8_PlWNvxrjQshAFANTASY CRITIC LEAGUEhttps://www.fantasycritic.gSupport the show

On this episode of "Your Friendly Neighborhood Gamers," host Andrew Kimball dives into the world of Final Fantasy VII Remake with guest Caleb Van Nice. They dissect the challenges of translation in video games, delve into the visual and narrative elements of the game, and discuss the incredible and intricate combat system. Andrew and Caleb express excitement for this unique remake and share some constructive criticism for the future installments in the series. So please enjoy this conversation between our host and his guest as they embark on an insightful and engaging journey through the captivating realm of Final Fantasy VII Remake.Spoilers Start - 56:29Spoiler End/Verdict - 1:47:30WEBSITE https://www.fngamers.com/DISCORD https://discord.gg/euhEYZxC58 TWITTERhttps://twitter.com/F_N_GamerzINSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/yourfriendlyneighborhoodgamers/YOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRgS_YRAM8_PlWNvxrjQshAFANTASY CRITIC LEAGUEhttps://www.fantasycritic.gSupport the show

This week on the show, the FN Gamers are joined by the host of the Gamer Parents Podcast, Kevin! They discuss the rewards and challenges of podcasting and streaming while also taking care of their family responsibilities. Kevin shares the motivations behind his content and that at the end of the day, he enjoys doing something he loves with his wife and that's what really matters. The crew also discusses the world of videos games, diving into the upcoming games they are excited about, the phenomenon that is Palword, Kevin's favorite games of all time and more! The episode wraps up with Andrew hosting a game for Kevin and Dylan to compete in. Who comes out the victor? Listen and find out!Follow the Gamer Parents Podcast here -https://linktr.ee/gamer_parents_podcastFollow the FN Gamers here - WEBSITE https://www.fngamers.com/DISCORD https://discord.gg/euhEYZxC58 TWITTERhttps://twitter.com/F_N_GamerzINSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/yourfriendlyneighborhoodgamers/YOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRgS_YRAM8_PlWNvxrjQshAFANTASY CRITIC LEAGUEhttps://www.fantasycritic.gSupport the show

In this episode of Your Friendly Neighborhood Gamers, hosts Dylan Wren and Andrew Kimball delve into the world of music rhythm games with a focus on the iconic series, Rock Band. They explore the challenges and delights of finding high-quality instrument controllers, as well as the social dynamics of playing alongside friends and family. You can also expect to hear nostalgic tales from the hosts' personal experiences with Guitar Hero and Rock Band, along with insightful speculations about the future of music gaming in regard to Epic's acquisition of Harmonix. From discussing the physical wear and tear on plastic instrument controllers to the importance of couch co-op, the hosts guide listeners through an engaging conversation packed with enthusiasm and expertise. It's a must-listen for anyone passionate about gaming, music, and the power of rhythm to bring people together.Remember to tune in and share your favorite memories and thoughts on rock band and Guitar Hero games in the Friendly Neighborhood Discord! And don't forget to leave a rating or review to help spread the love for Your Friendly Neighborhood Gamers!WEBSITE https://www.fngamers.com/DISCORD https://discord.gg/euhEYZxC58 TWITTERhttps://twitter.com/F_N_GamerzINSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/yourfriendlyneighborhoodgamers/YOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRgS_YRAM8_PlWNvxrjQshAFANTASY CRITIC LEAGUEhttps://www.fantasycritic.gSupport the show

The neighborhood watch is back! On this episode Andrew and Dylan talk about a bunch of fun games they've been enjoying over the last month or so! Dylan gives some thoughts on Baldur's Gate 3 and how he'll probably never stop playing it. Andrew has been filling in the gaps of his Dragon Ball Z knowledge by playing through Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot and having a great time with it. Along with that, Andrew played and finished the rogue-like mode for God of War: Raknarok, called Valhalla. He talks about how it is a great experience for someone new to this genre. Dylan has been playing Factorio and talks about what he enjoys about that game. And both hosts have been playing Fortnite. The game has finally clicked for Andrew and he's been enjoying his time in the most popular game in the world!They also predict a Super Smash Bros. style fighting game eventually coming to Fortnite and Andrew wants it to happen right now...TIMESTAMPSMain Topic - 14:07Baldur's Gate 3 - 15:22DBZ Kakarot - 29:37GoW Valhalla - 38:03Magic the Gathering - 45:37Factorio - 49:58Fortnite - 56:56Assassin's Creed Odyssey - 1:19:26WEBSITE https://www.fngamers.com/DISCORD https://discord.gg/euhEYZxC58 TWITTERhttps://twitter.com/F_N_GamerzINSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/yourfriendlyneighborhoodgamers/YOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRgS_YRAM8_PlWNvxrjQshAFANTASY CRITIC LEAGUEhttps://www.fantasycritic.gSupport the show

Andrew and Dylan are joined by Eric and Phil from The Wait For It podcast and Stefan (Eric's brother) to talk about the results of the 2023 Fantasy Critic League and to draft for the 2024 league! Jay Davis of Super Bracket Bros is also part of the league this year but couldn't make it to the recording.It's looking like it's going to be an exciting year for Fantasy Critic in 2024! To keep up with the leagues' activity, join our Discord with the link below. Or use the Fantasy Critic link to view the league on the website.Wait For It info -  https://linktr.ee/waitforitpodcastSuper Bracket Bros info -  https://superbracketbros.buzzsprout.com/  WEBSITE https://www.fngamers.com/DISCORD https://discord.gg/euhEYZxC58 TWITTERhttps://twitter.com/F_N_GamerzINSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/yourfriendlyneighborhoodgamers/YOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRgS_YRAM8_PlWNvxrjQshAFANTASY CRITIC LEAGUEhttps://www.fantasycritic.gSupport the show

Last year Andrew and Dylan made predictions about things they thought would happen in 2023. Now it's time to look back and see who was correct! Whichever host got the most predictions correct gets to choose a game for the other to play. Once they have finished it, they will record an episode about it. Along with that, it's time to make predictions for 2024! Who has the craziest ideas about the upcoming year? Who is playing it safe? Listen to this episode to find out! And join our Discord server to let us know what your predictions are for 2024!WEBSITE https://www.fngamers.com/DISCORD https://discord.gg/euhEYZxC58 TWITTERhttps://twitter.com/F_N_GamerzINSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/yourfriendlyneighborhoodgamers/YOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRgS_YRAM8_PlWNvxrjQshAFANTASY CRITIC LEAGUEhttps://www.fantasycritic.gSupport the show

**Lies of P Spoilers** check the timestamps below.It's time once again for the annual FN Game Awards! Andrew and Dylan give out awards to the games they played this last year. Awards such as, best art-style, best villain, biggest letdown, and so many more! We hope everyone had a great holiday season and we appreciate you listening to the show!Time stamps for spoilersSpoilers for Lies of P - 30:03Spoilers for Lies of P end - 32:20WEBSITE https://www.fngamers.com/DISCORD https://discord.gg/euhEYZxC58 TWITTERhttps://twitter.com/F_N_GamerzINSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/yourfriendlyneighborhoodgamers/YOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRgS_YRAM8_PlWNvxrjQshAFANTASY CRITIC LEAGUEhttps://www.fantasycritic.gSupport the show

On this episode of the podcast Andrew and Dylan share their top 10 games of 2023! Along with that, they also go over the various "year in review" data from Nintendo, PlayStation, and Xbox. We hope you enjoy and we hope you also had a wonderful year of gaming in 2023!TIME STAMPSGOTY talk starts at 29:20WEBSITE https://www.fngamers.com/DISCORD https://discord.gg/euhEYZxC58 TWITTERhttps://twitter.com/F_N_GamerzINSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/yourfriendlyneighborhoodgamers/YOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRgS_YRAM8_PlWNvxrjQshAFANTASY CRITIC LEAGUEhttps://www.fantasycritic.g Support the show

It's time once again for the Super Bracket Bros, The Friendly Neighborhood Gamers, Game of Groans, and The Wait For It podcast to gather around a holiday topic and argue about it. This year the gang aims to find out what the best Christmas song of all time is. It goes about as well as you would expect...Check out the playlist of songs that were debated on the episodehttps://open.spotify.com/playlist/0Sz8l32L8fwmj4ffwjWqWu?si=a61a4a18821b4e70Follow all of the shows with the links belowhttps://superbracketbros.buzzsprout.com/https://www.gameofgroanspod.com/https://linktr.ee/waitforitpodcasthttps://www.fngamers.com/Support the show

Join Andrew and Dylan for a very special milestone episode as they take a look back over the past year and answer some questions from the community!WEBSITE https://www.fngamers.com/DISCORD https://discord.gg/euhEYZxC58 TWITTERhttps://twitter.com/F_N_GamerzINSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/yourfriendlyneighborhoodgamers/YOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRgS_YRAM8_PlWNvxrjQshAFANTASY CRITIC LEAGUEhttps://www.fantasycritic.gSupport the show

On this episode of Your Friendly Neighborhood Gamers Andrew and Dylan take a deep dive into Remnant 2. Remnant 2 is a third-person shooter action role-playing video game developed by Gunfire Games and published by Gearbox Publishing. A sequel to Remnant: From the Ashes, the game was released for PlayStation 5, Windows and Xbox Series X/S on July 25, 2023. Like its predecessor, Remnant 2 is a third-person shooter inspired by Soulslike video games. Players can wield up to two guns, alongside their melee weapon. And at the beginning of the game, players can select their character archetypes. While the first game features procedural generation by changing a level's layout and enemy spawn points, it has been significantly expanded in Remnant 2. According to Gunfire Games, enemy types, the aesthetic of a region, boss characters, non-playable characters and the game's storyline and quests are also randomly generated. Players can play through the entire game solo, though the game also supports a three-player cooperative multiplayer mode.The hosts break down what they thought about the gameplay loop and whether the procedural generation worked well or not. They also discuss the puzzles in this game and discuss if they added to the overall experience or not. They tackle the question of whether or not this game should be called a soulslike game or it there could be a better category for it to fit in. And lastly, they talk about their individual builds and how they approached the game as a far as weapons and gear. TIMESTAMPSVerdicts - 1:00:34WEBSITE https://www.fngamers.com/DISCORD https://discord.gg/euhEYZxC58 TWITTERhttps://twitter.com/F_N_GamerzINSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/yourfriendlyneighborhoodgamers/YOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRgS_YRAM8_PlWNvxrjQshAFANTASY CRITIC LEAGUEhttps://www.fantasycritic.gSupport the show

Welcome back to the neighborhood, on this episode Andrew and Dylan are talking about the 2023 Game Awards! The Game Awards is an annual awards ceremony honoring achievements in the video game industry. Established in 2014, the show is produced and hosted by game journalist Geoff Keighley, who worked on its predecessor, the Spike Video Game Awards, for over ten years. In addition to the awards, The Game Awards features premieres of upcoming games and new information on previously-announced titles.The bulk of this episode is dedicated to breaking down the winners of each category. But Andrew and Dylan also critique the structure of the show itself and how they think it could be improved moving forward. Along with that, they also talk about some of their favorite announcements from this year and discuss which ones they are most looking forward to. TIME STAMPSAward Winners start here - 13:09Announcements start here - 1:00:07Keep up with the FN Gamers hereWEBSITE https://www.fngamers.com/DISCORD https://discord.gg/euhEYZxC58 TWITTERhttps://twitter.com/F_N_GamerzINSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/yourfriendlyneighborhoodgamers/YOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRgS_YRAM8_PlWNvxrjQshAFANTASY CRITIC LEAGUEhttps://www.fantasycritic.gSupport the show