Friday Night Gamecast

I got Will back on to Remake the FNGC Review of the Dead Space Remake (Neil Druckmann is punching the air somewhere this very moment)! We have a ton of fun on this episode and take this opportunity to get deeply into the mechanical weeds of this game to break down what makes it so special and effective as a survival horror game. Plus we get the chance to make the case for Dead Space 2 Remake!Time Stamps:0:00 - Intro5:53 - Start of Dead Space Review (Billing & Credits)11:29 - Primary Gameplay Mechanics27:02 - I need  a weapon45:56 - The ghastly cast1:07:28 - Environments1:13:48 - Sound Design1:29:44 - NG+ additions1:34:50 - Making the case for Dead Space 2 Remake1:40:56 - OutroMusic by: Daniel Campolihttps://www.danielcampoli.com/portfolioIf you want to reach out to Nick and Will personally to engage with us about the show, follow us on any link here:https://linktr.ee/FridayNightGamecastSupport the Show.

It's the return of the FNGC squad and the boys are back and better than ever! For the debut of Season 3 we're jumping in hot to give our breaking Dragon's Dogma 2 impressions and a full blown review of our experience at Pax East 2024. Helldivers II and Persona 3 hot takes included jump in and don't miss out!Time Stamps:(0:00) - Intro(04:27) - Whatcha Playin?(11:04) - Dragon's Dogma 2 Impressions(29:42) - Pax East 24 Review(46:15) - Games Played at Pax!!(01:34:56) - OutroMusic by: Daniel Campolihttps://www.danielcampoli.com/portfolioIf you want to reach out to Nick and Will personally to engage with us about the show, follow us on any link here:https://linktr.ee/FridayNightGamecastSupport the Show.

What's up everybody! Long time no podcast :)This episode is going to be very similar to the last one that we put out where Will covered Mario Odyssey!. Its straight to the point in covering all things around Half-Life 2. The elements that I (Nick) enjoyed, my critiques and whether it held up for me in 2023. We're also going to provide a beat-by-beat breakdown of the plot/levels throughout the game and where my headspace was at in each moment. So I hope you all enjoy, and thanks so much for your patience and consideration!Music, Mix & Master by: Daniel Campolihttps://www.danielcampoli.com/portfolioIf you want to reach out to Nick and Will personally to engage with us about the show, follow us on any link here:https://linktr.ee/FridayNightGamecastSupport the Show.

Happy early Friday everybody! The Season 2 finale of FNGC is here for your listening pleasure. This was an incredibly fun episode to just have Will and myself in the booth and it's just kick back for a relaxing conversation about the best games of 2023. There's a extra section included here where I interview Will about the show and his thoughts on 2023 which is a "Hot Ones" styled interview but instead we're taste testing energy drinks! After nearly a month of doing remote recordings with featured guests, this felt great to sit back in person with Will to dig deep on what made this year so special. We will have one more episode releasing shortly after this and then go on a mild hiatus before jumping back in to do some great stuff for Season 3, so keep your eyes peeled!Time Stamps:(0:33) - Intro(03:10) - Houskeeping humblebrags(06:08) - Caffeine Ones Interview(25:32) - Whatcha Playin?(36:23) - 2023 Game of the Year Rankings!(01:29:01) - OutroMusic, Mix & Master by: Daniel Campolihttps://www.danielcampoli.com/portfolioIf you want to reach out to Nick and Will personally to engage with us about the show, follow us on any link here:https://linktr.ee/FridayNightGamecastSupport the Show.

The FINAL FNGC Review for the 2023 season is here folks and let me tell you, what an episode this is. This week we're joined by the incredible, itsGoohi, to discuss at length the merits and weaknesses of Spider-Man 2. Is it a game that left us happy with the franchise and excited for the 3rd entry? Is it something that managed to touch our hearts emotionally? Time to jump in here and find out! Enjoy everyone!You better follow itsGoohi at all her platforms below!!!https://linktr.ee/ItsGoohiYouTubeTwitterTime Stamps:(0:40) Intro(6:04) Spider-Man 2 Billing Notes(7:18) Story Setup(17:08) Overall Impressions & Ratings(24:44) Gameplay [Traversal, Skill Tree, Tips from Will, & Balancing Pete & Miles](01:00:05) Visuals & Bugs(01:16:03) Character Depcitions(01:32:24) Narrative/Spoilers [Surprises, Venom, MJ Discussion, Bosses, Platinum](02:23:33) OutroMusic composed by: John PaesanoMix & Master by: Daniel Campolihttps://www.danielcampoli.com/portfolioIf you want to reach out to Nick and Will personally to engage with us about the show, follow us on any link here:https://linktr.ee/FridayNightGamecastSupport the Show.

Happy Thanksgiving and the happiest of Black Fridays to you all! **Spoilers in this episode** This week we're joined by Kolby, Tyler and Jared to discuss the one and only, Tears of the Kingdom. Arguably one of the best Zelda games ever and in the upper echelon of 2023, Zelda has been a constant since it dropped earlier this May. In this show we jump in the deep end to discuss what makes this title special and why you deserve to continue your play-through. As previously mentioned at the top of the description, we're going full blown spoiler mode, it's almost impossible to avoid - so if you need to, play first and come back later. This is a great time to catch up and become well-informed for the GOTY conversations!Follow Kolby, Tyler and Jared at all the links below!Switch it Up:Twitter | Apple Podcasts | SpotifyPlay Along Podcast:https://www.playalongpod.com/ [Links within]Time Stamps:(0:58) - Intro(6:23) - Game Facts(7:33) - Hours Played(13:10) - Story Setup(17:43) - Great Sky Island & Tutorialization(40:54) - Vocal Performances(47:18) - Maps & Overworld(58:27) - Zonai Shrines(01:04:50) - Combat(01:28:36) - Regional Phenomena & Champions(01:46:53) - Side Quests/Content(01:58:47) - Bosses(02:06:23) - Narrative & Lore Discussion(03:16:17) - OutroMusic composed by: Manaka Kataoka, Maasa Miyoshi, Masato Ohashi, Tsukasa UsuiMix & Master by: Daniel Campolihttps://www.danielcampoli.com/portfolioIf you want to reach out to Nick and Will personally to engage with us about the show, follow us on any link here:https://linktr.ee/FridayNightGamecastSupport the Show.

Happy Friday Everyone! As we wind down this crazy GOTY season we're starting to put out our full-blown reviews on the outstanding experiences that we've had the chance to play so far this year. I'm joined by Jordan Moore of Complete Xbox to review Starfield! This fantastical, surreal and sometimes frustrating space adventure was really quite the experience from top to bottom and Jordan and I took our time to really get down to the heart of this wonderful game. Join us to prep for all the 2023 Game of the Year discussions!Please follow Jordan and check out his work below!TwitterComplete Xbox - Your Source for Everything XboxTime Stamps:(0:47) - Intro(01:53) - Introducing Jordan Moore(04:03) - Starfield Details Overview(05:08) - Hours Played(06:26) - Premise of Starfield(07:36) - Impressions & Ratings(11:14) - Will's Write-In(12:35) - Visuals & Presentation(18:45) - Gameplay Mechanics [Morality Systems, Companions, Economy, Combat, Outpost crafting, Surveys, UI & Encumbrance Philosophy](50:25) - Ship Building(57:22) - Sound Design & Score(01:03:10) - Enjoyable Side/Faction Quests(01:17:28) - Narrative Review(01:46:22) - Who is Starfield For?(01:51:22) - GOTY Conversation?(01:55:20) - OutroMusic composed by: Inon ZurMix & Master by: Daniel Campolihttps://www.danielcampoli.com/portfolioIf you want to reach out to Nick and Will personally to engage with us about the show, follow us on any link here:https://linktr.ee/FridayNightGamecastSupport the Show.

This week Will and Nick are being incredibly quiet this week on an incredibly quiet topic...PSYCH we're back and being loud and proud about our favorite silent protagonists in gaming. From traumatized super soldiers coping with the loss of their bunny rabbit, to spacefaring mercenaries who's only friends are the prey she hunts, to goofy lil Hylian manlets - we're breaking down the best quiet characters gaming has to offer. (Also Will is back to oust Nave from the throne of the FNGC Co-host seat!) Hope everyone is having a great November and has an even better weekend!Time Stamps:(0:36) - Intro(3:46) - Game Updates(19:56) - News Roundup [Remedy Game Reveals & Bungy Layoffs](34:15) - Main Topic(1:04:03) - OutroMix, Master & Music by: Daniel Campolihttps://www.danielcampoli.com/portfolioIf you want to reach out to Nick and Will personally to engage with us about the show, follow us on any link here:https://linktr.ee/FridayNightGamecastSupport the Show.

To wrap up spooky season, we have another FNGC Review for a serious goty contender in 2023: Resident Evil 4! This remake based on the original 2005 sequel from Capcom set the gaming world on fire in March of this year. The visuals, the polish and the dedication to the vision remain best in class and it is our privilege to review it for the show today! How does it stack up to the original and what does it mean for the franchise going forward? Jump in with our resident RE expert, Adam Bucceri, as we break down this game at length! Time Stamps:(00:25) - Intro(02:52) - Resident Evil 4 Fact Sheet(04:22) - History with RE4 and the RE Franchise(22:15) - How many Regenerators out of 10?(34:15) - Did Capcom capture the prestige of RE4 in RE4R?(43:07) - Gameplay(01:20:27) - Our favorite loadouts(01:30:53) - The Ashley Effect(01:45:26) - Character Design Updates & Voice Acting(01:56:34) - Music & Sound Design(02:04:02) - Boss Encounters(02:18:05) - Narrative (Spoilers Included)(02:58:42) - OutroPlease follow Adam and check out his work below!Enter the Survival HorrorHalf Tone TakesMusic composed by: Capcom Sound Team [Kota Suzuki & Nozomi Ohomoto]Mix & Master by: Daniel Campolihttps://www.danielcampoli.com/portfolioIf you want to reach out to Nick and Will personally to engage with us about the show, follow us on any link here:https://linktr.ee/FridayNightGamecastSupport the Show.

Welcome back for another episode continuing October's spooky content train for the Friday Night Gamecast!! This week I'm joined by the one and only Nave from Gaming Together Podcast to look further behind the veil into what makes the horror genre work so will in the Video Game world! Everything from analogous design elements shared in both film and video games, the relationship between film and gaming directorial aesthetics and which horror games pre-2008 paved the way for the industry - we got you covered. Enjoy!Time Stamps:(0:57) - Intro(4:47) - Gaming Together Plug(10:13) - Weekly Gaming Catchup(37:12) - News Updates: Starfield Sold Units!(52:35) - What Makes Horror Games WorkSeriously go and Follow Nave and Phillip and the Gaming Together Podcast at all the links here...Idk why you weren't following already!!https://linktr.ee/gamingtogetherMix, Master & Music by: Daniel Campolihttps://www.danielcampoli.com/portfolioIf you want to reach out to Nick and Will personally to engage with us about the show, follow us on any link here:https://linktr.ee/FridayNightGamecastSupport the Show.

Happy spooky season ya nerds! Will and I are back with just us as the dynamic duo to talk about some incredibly scary gaming experiences from this past year. We go a little farther back to dig in less immediate games that give us the spooky vibes. Lots of great discussion on Resident Evil, Dead Space, Callisto Protocol and even more lead us down the path to all things that go bump in the night! Time Stamps:(0:54) - Intro(3:44) - Game Updates(25:55) - Scary Corporate Acquisition News(28:37) - Scariest Gaming Experiences of 2023(1:03:50) - OutroMix, Master & Music by: Daniel Campolihttps://www.danielcampoli.com/portfolioIf you want to reach out to Nick and Will personally to engage with us about the show, follow us on any link here:https://linktr.ee/FridayNightGamecastSupport the Show.

This Friday Nick and Will are back and better than ever! This time we're joined by Nast3, Dandalf and Jono to explore the fascinating realm of game development and shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes: the game engines. From the pixelated landscapes of classic games to the breathtakingly realistic worlds of modern titles, we discuss the engines that power our most beloved gaming experiences.Please follow the Elder Trolls Gaming Podcast at the platforms below!https://linktr.ee/eldertrollspodcasthttps://www.youtube.com/@ElderTrollsGamingTime Stamps:(0:43) - Intro(04:15) - Elder Trolls Intro & Storytime(11:08) - Game Updates for the Week(43:29) - MK1 News Review(50:37) - Main Topic - Game Engine Roundup & Review(02:10:22) - OutroMix, Master & Music by: Daniel Campolihttps://www.danielcampoli.com/portfolioIf you want to reach out to Nick and Will personally to engage with us about the show, follow us on any link here:https://linktr.ee/FridayNightGamecastSupport the Show.

This week on the Friday Night Gamecast, join us on a captivating odyssey into the enchanting world of Final Fantasy 16. We are joined by a panel of esteemed guests: Kelvin and Rob from the Game Duo Podcast, Rick Firestone of Pixel Project Radio, and Eric Gess from The Unlockables podcast. Together, we embark on a quest to delve into every facet of this highly anticipated mainline entry from Square Enix. Where does it stack up against the all-star releases of 2023? How does it compare to the legacy titles in the FF franchise? Whether you're a dedicated Final Fantasy fan or a newcomer to the series, this episode promises a treasure trove of insights and revelations. Join us for a spirited discussion that celebrates the artistry and innovation behind one of the most anticipated video games of this generationTime Stamps:(0:32) - Intro(03:24) - Top Level Impressions & Ratings(20:20) - Visual Direction Overview(39:02) - Game of Thrones Comparison(43:42) - Music & Composition(57:58) - Level / Combat Design(01:20:37) - UX/UI Critiques(01:24:40) - Side Quest Problems / Boons(01:38:41) - Character Design and Standout Vocal Performances(01:50:45) - Comparison to FF Legacy(02:04:53) - Spoiler Break / Narrative Discussion(02:54)32) - OutroPlease follow our esteemed guests at the links below!The Game Duo Podcast - https://www.gamingduopod.com/Eric Gess / The Unlockables Podcast - https://linktr.ee/unlockablespodcastRick Firestone / Pixel Project Radio - https://linktr.ee/pixelprojectradioMusic composed by: Masayoshi SokenMix & Master by: Daniel Campolihttps://www.danielcampoli.com/portfolioIf you want to reach out to Nick and Will personally to engage with us about the show, follow us on any link here:https://linktr.ee/FridayNightGamecastSupport the Show.

This week Nick and Will are back at it again to address some of the biggest leaks that have hit modern gamers in recent history! Nick reveals his deepest darkest secrets being a Jane Austin fan, and William refuses to put anything greater than 7 hrs. into Starfield. Will Tears of the Kingdom ever completed and can Will go full star platinum in Mortal Kombat 1?? Hang out with us this Friday to find out!Time Stamps:(0:37) - Intro(5:35) - Game Updates! (Starfield [both of us], MK1, Coffee Talk Ep. 2, TOTK)(31:09) - News Updates (CMA Approval of MSFT/ABK Merger, Jim Ryan being dumb)(45:36) - Main topic - Biggest Gaming Leaks in History(1:17:47) - OutroMix, Master & Music by: Daniel Campolihttps://www.danielcampoli.com/portfolioIf you want to reach out to Nick and Will personally to engage with us about the show, follow us on any link here:https://linktr.ee/FridayNightGamecastSupport the Show.

Hi everyone! Nick here to present to you a rare audio essay on one of my favorite games of this year. Star Wars fan or not, I think you'll enjoy my thoughts on this incredible entry into the cannon. This may be a bit shorter but I'm curious to know if you all enjoyed this style of content. Let me know and we might be able to craft some for you wonderful weekend warriors in the future.Music by: Stephen Barton and Gordy HaabIf you want to reach out to Nick and Will personally to engage with us about the show, follow us on any link here:https://linktr.ee/FridayNightGamecast Support the Show.

Here is a question that has long tugged at the minds of both Will and I: Is there ever going to be a different developer that understands the formula/philosophy Fromsoftware puts into their video games? And will that developer make something that captures the spirit of the Fromsoft catelog and make their own original concept? This time around we're joined by returning cast member, Dave Jackson, to really break down what makes FROM special and who in the industry has made a serviceable experience in the Soulsborne genre. Join us and PRAISE THE SUN!!Time Stamps:(0:44) - Intro(2:53) - Tales from the Backlog Plug and Play(16:45) - Whatcha Playin Stranga?(48:01) - Main topic - Soulsborne DNA and Soulslikes that get it right and wrong(2:08:52) - OutroPlease follow and listen to Dave at all the links below!https://talesfromthebacklog.fireside.fm/https://x.com/tftblpod?s=21&t=aeUm4CKiD7KWuO6n9O7IpwMix, Master & Music by: Daniel Campolihttps://www.danielcampoli.com/portfolioIf you want to reach out to Nick and Will personally to engage with us about the show, follow us on any link here:https://linktr.ee/FridayNightGamecastSupport the Show.

Following the armistice reached after the 16-bit invasion from Season 1, Generals Nick and Will of the Friday Night Gamecast brokered a truce among all gaming nations to secure peace, freedom and justice for our new Empire. Little did we know this peace would remain short-lived as the hordes of retro gaming gremlins batter the gates of current day AAA gaming bastion, DEMANDING we discuss Gen 5 gaming at length. Thus we charge once more unto the breach to discuss our favorite game consoles and video game titles from the annals of the Playstation, N64, Sega Saturn, 3DO and Atari Jaguar pantheon. This episode is a major listener write in / mailbag grab ep and we included a ton of input from the community this go-around so we hope you enjoy! Happy Friday AND Happy Gaming!Time Stamps:(0:44) - Intro(4:07) - What are you playing, sir??? (Fallout 5, Dave the Diver, Jedi Survivor etc.)  (28:32) - Gen 5 Video Game & Consoles Discussion (46:37) - Listener/Community Write-Ins (1:51:59) - Outro Mix, Master & Music by: Daniel Campolihttps://www.danielcampoli.com/portfolioIf you want to reach out to Nick and Will personally to engage with us about the show, follow us on any link here:https://linktr.ee/FridayNightGamecastSupport the Show.

Okay okay okay I know what you're thinking, "Nice job on timing the release boys!" Well you know what, how about you just fu---.... Nah I'm just joshing you. I say it at the start of the main topic of the episode but we're treating this like more of a think piece of prospective thoughts on to be announced games or games that Will and I would both really like updates on. We hope you enjoy our thoughts for what we want for the rest of this year!As you all know we saw the Starfield live action trailer, Alan Wake 2 Showcase featuring The Dark Place, Diablo 4 S2 - Season of the Blood, BIG MK1 Character Announcement, Tekken 8 Release date revealed for 1/26/24, AC Mirage, Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty gameplay trailer, Sonic Superstars, Little Nightmares 3 Surprise! Black Myth: Wukong, Nightingale trailer, Crimson Desert huge gameplay trailer,  Armored Core 6 launch trailer, Fort Solis launch trailer, Zenless Zone Zero, and many more. We got some right and some wrong but this was an enjoyable show to watch from a games perspective even if it ran a wee bit longer than normal showcases.Time Stamps:(0:44) - Intro(5:43) - Whatcha Playin', Stranga heh heh(26:39) - Big Time News Updates!(43:29) - Gamescom ONL Predictions(1:18:48) - OutroMix, Master & Music by: Daniel Campolihttps://www.danielcampoli.com/portfolioIf you want to reach out to Nick and Will personally to engage with us about the show, follow us on any link here:https://linktr.ee/FridayNightGamecastSupport the Show.

Episode 40 of the Friday Night Gamecast has Nick and Will returning to a legacy show topic as a callback to Season 1! We're diving into 6 incredible voice actors (including one very timely voice of a famous Italian plumber) to highlight actual legends that've shared their immense talents with us in the gaming industry!Timestamps:(0:42) - Intro(1:23) - Nick vs. Will - Does game completion matter?(14:34) - Game Updates(30:42) - Legendary Voices in Gaming(1:14:31) - OutroMix, Master & Music by: Daniel Campolihttps://www.danielcampoli.com/portfolioIf you want to reach out to Nick and Will personally to engage with us about the show, follow us on any link here:https://linktr.ee/FridayNightGamecastSupport the Show.

Will and I had every intention to to make this a nice and concise episode talking about jut a nice light handful of mobile games...and the result is a 2 hour extravaganza of mobile awesomeness that we got to laud the pros and cons of. Action packed, dense episode that's a great listen for both casual and serious mobile gamers alike. As always, let us know which games we missed that you really love and make sure you keep gaming!!Main topic discussion includes overview of games like: Street Fighter Duel, Marvel Strike Force, Honkai Star Rail, Fallout Shelter, Candy Crush, Marvel Snap, Pokemon Go, Fire Emblem Heroes, Roach Race & many more!Timestamps:(00:36) - Intro(03:55) - Housekeeping(05:43) - Gaming Updates (Tears, FF16, Baldur's Gate 3, Exoprimal etc.)(23:25) - News Updates (RDR1 Port, Baldur's Gate 3 hype, New MK1 Trailer)(45:51) - FNGC Mobile Game Favorites(01:54:59) - OutroMix, Master & Music by: Daniel Campolihttps://www.danielcampoli.com/portfolioIf you want to reach out to Nick and Will personally to engage with us about the show, follow us on any link here:https://linktr.ee/FridayNightGamecastSupport the Show.