Explore every episode of the podcast All My Best Friends Are Digital

It's all dogs and blood this week, as Lyca and Blood Dungeon form the synthesis of Laika: Aged Through Blood. Also, mediocre Fire Emblem is still a great time. What We're Playing 01:04 Caitlin: Lyca (Syphono4, 2025) 11:31 Mark: Blood Dungeon (Messhof, 2026) 22:53 GOOF: Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance (GC, Intelligent Systems, 2005) How to tell apart all 596 Fire Emblem characters | Unraveled: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMVjPDqrkyg 41:04 Feature Game: Laika: Aged Through Blood (Brainwash Gang, 2023) SHOUT 1:01:40 Caitlin: Valheim 1.0 (Iron Gate AB) 1:02:26 Mark: Infinity: Hexadome tactics (Blindspot Games) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Not a whole lot of story going on in these games--Shadow Dancer is basically Ninja Magic and Dog, where Sektori is endless shapes. What We're Playing 01:02 Mark: Battlestar Galactica: Scattered Hopes (Alt Shift, 2026) 13:23 Caitlin: Everything is Crab (Odd Dreams Digital, 2026) 21:10 GOOF: Shadow Dancer (Genesis, Sega, 1989) 39:06 Feature Game: Sektori (Kimmo Lahtinen, 2025) SHOUT 56:11 Mark: NOIR BLOOM (HONKI Games) 57:19 Caitlin: The Legend of California (Kintsugiyama) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

All animals all the time! Super Monkey Ball 2 makes about as much sense as Beast of Reincarnation, which is kind of terrifying. What We're Playing 01:06 Mark: The Messenger (Sabotage Studio, 2018) 10:08 Caitlin: Big Walk (House House, 2026) 17:48 GOOF: Super Monkey Ball 2 (GC, Amusement Vision, 2002) 32:35 Feature Game: Beast of Reincarnation (Game Freak, 2026) SHOUT 54:04 Mark: Precinct IX (ZataForge Studio) 55:57 Bronwyn: Cat Me If You Can (Cosmic Stag Games) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A generic space shooter called Blazing Lazers and a unique historical RPG called The Thaumaturge briefly interrupt Caitlin's catching of them all. What We're Playing 01:05 Caitlin: Pokémon Pokopia Expansion Pass Part One: Bubbly Basin (Game Freak, 2026) 08:04 Mark: LUNARK (Canari Games, 2025) 19:34 GOOF: Blazing Lazers (TG-16, Compile, 1989) 32:35 Feature Game: The Thaumaturge (Fool's Theory, 2024) SHOUT 56:24 Caitlin: Forever Ago (Third Shift) 57:38 Mark: The Scramble Vice (Studio PICO & ESQUADRA) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We take a hard turn away from small, cute things (Patapon & Pokémon) to talk about GROSS TEENAGERS in Mixtape. What We're Playing 01:10 Caitlin: Pokémon Legends: ZA (Game Freak, 2025) 13:54 Mark: Screamer (Milestone S.r.l., 2026) 26:26 GOOF: Patapon (PSP, Pyramid, 2007) 37:38 Feature Game: Mixtape (Beethoven & Dinosaur, 2026) SHOUT 1:04:33 Caitlin: Pokopia Expansion Pass (Game Freak) 1:05:58 Mark: Neo Geo AES+ (Plaion & SNK) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tech Romancer passes its charisma check but flubs its dexterity check, and Esoteric Ebb wants you to make some death saves (just in case). What We're Playing 02:05 Mark: Death of a Wish (Melessthanthree, 2024) 13:26 Caitlin: Palworld (Pocketpair, 2026), and being boring 16:29 GOOF: Tech Romancer (DC, Capcom, 1998) 37:25 Feature Game: Cabernet (Party for Introverts, 2025) SHOUT 1:06:16 Mark: Appulse (Le Rado) 1:07:45 Caitlin: Shine On, My Little Sun (Forpixie Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We bring on the stupid this week, with arcade typing game (?!?) The Typing of the Dead and the train trick-based racing/post-apocalyptic tourism game (?!?) Denshattack! What We're Playing 03:44 Caitlin: Scarlet Deer Inn (Attu, 2026) 09:51 Mark: Max Savage (Tim Rachnor, 2026) 24:05 GOOF: The Typing of the Dead (Arcade/Dreamcast, WOW Entertainment, 1999) 36:26 Feature Game: Denshattack! (Undercoders, 2026) SHOUT 53:05 Caitlin: Away Team (Klei Entertainment) 54:37 Mark: Truxton Extreme (Tatsujin) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Everyone knows that the only two real genres are mechs and vampires, and we explore both this week with Drill Dozer and Cabernet. What We're Playing 00:56 Mark: Galak-Z: The Dimensional (17bit, 2015) 11:18 Caitln: Palworld (Pocketpair, 2026) 23:03 GOOF: Drill Dozer (GBA, Game Freak, 2005) 38:10 Feature Game: Cabernet (Party for Introverts, 2025) SHOUT 1:01:13 Mark: Fatekeeper (Paraglacial) 1:02:55 Caitlin: Capy Castaway (Kitten Cup Studios) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mark manages to stop talking about Guilty Gear long enough for the pair to discuss Replaced. What We're Playing 01:05 Caitln: Palworld (Pocketpair, 2026) 15:49 Mark: Rogue Flight (Truant Pixel, 2024) 23:03 GOOF: Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus (PS2, Arc System Works, 2009) 42:16 Feature Game: Replaced (Sad Cat Studios, 2026) SHOUT 1:13:27 Caitlin: Every Wednesday (Pixel Chest Storyworks) 1:17:22 Mark: Wild Blue Skies (Chuhei Labs & VITEI BACKROOM) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Flawed genius is the accidental theme of this week, with the delightful gibberish of LocoRoco and the incomprehensible strategy of Star Renegades. What We're Playing 01:00 Mark: Code RAPID (HitBreak) 15:27 Caitlin: The Séance of Blake Manor (Spooky Doorway, 2025) 25:14 GOOF: LocoRoco (PSP, Japan Studio, 2006) 42:16 Feature Game: Star Renegades (Massive Damage, 2020) SHOUT 1:12:52 Mark: Beitong Pangu 1:15:03 Caitlin: Valheim 1.0 (Iron Gate AB) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Note: even though we are discussing "Rise of the Sinistrals" and "Deathloop" we are not entering a goth phase. What We're Playing 01:07 Caitlin: Ravenswatch (Passtech Games, 2023) 05:52 Caitlin: Final Fantasy IX (Square, 2000) 13:58 Mark: Minishoot' Adventures (SoulGame Studio, 2024) 21:59 GOOF: Lufia 2: Rise of the Sinistals (SNES, Neverland, 1996) 38:22 Feature Game: Deathloop (Arkane Lyon, 2021) SHOUT 1:01:17 Caitlin: Fields of Mistria (NPC Studio) 1:02:00 Mark: The Takeover 2 (Pelikan13) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

WE ARE BACK and thirstier than ever! We debate issues of male beauty across Half-Minute Hero and Final Fantasy XVI--the former showing JRPGs distilled to their essence, the latter showing JRPGs evolved past recognition. What We're Playing 01:28 Mark: Sakura Wars--Saturn (Sega S2 R&D, 1996) 16:45 Caitlin: Abiotic Factor (Deep Field Games, 2025) 28:06 GOOF: Half-Minute Hero (Opus, 2009) 40:47 Feature Game: Artis Impact (Square Enix Creative Business Unit III, 2023) SHOUT 1:03:06 Mark: Virtua Fighter Crossroads (RGG Studio) 1:04:24 Caitlin: God of War Laufey (Santa Monica Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We look back on our collected experiences together, dear digital friends, as we crown our Game of the Year before an unfortunate (and hopefully brief) pause. What We're Playing 01:39 Caitlin: Miscellaneous catchup 02:38 Caitlin: Dogpile (Studio Folly, Toot Games, & Foot, 2025) 11:17 Mark: Terminator 2D: No Fate (Bitmap Bureau, 2025) Season 1 in Review Special Categories 18:34 Thanks for Introducing Me 33:04 SHOUTS that Panned Out 37:48 "I Didn't Think I Liked that Genre" 42:28 Our New Backlog 48:18 Our New Digital Best Friend 53:35 Host-Specific Categories 58:41 Biggest Disappointments 1:03:22 Biggest Pleasant Surprises 1:08:16 A GOAT that Holds Up 1:12:56 AMBFAD Shrugs 1:16:10 Game of the Year 2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One of Mark's obscure arcade favorites is Change Air Blade, a bizarre little shooter/fighter hybrid. Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is our latest narrative-focused diversion. Also, Caitlin has conquered Metaphor: ReFantazio! Let her achievement spur greater and greater successes. What We're Playing 00:53 Mark: Demonschool (Necrosoft Games, 2025) 13:34 Caitlin: Metaphor: ReFantazio (Studio Zero, 2024) 16:48 Caitlin: Guild Wars Reforged (ArenaNet, 2025) 25:07 GOOF: Change Air Blade (Sammy, 1999) 33:46 Feature Game: Lost Records: Bloom & Rage (Don't Nod Montréal, 2025) SHOUT 1:03:11 Mark: ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN (Grasshopper) 1:06:06 Caitlin: Human Fall Flat 2 (No Brakes Games) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who is a more grounded, realistic, fleshed-out character--Wario in WarioWare Gold, or any of the humans in Detroit: Become Human? What We're Playing 01:00 Caitlin: Fellowship (Chief Rebel, 2025) 12:58 Mark: Silent Hill 2 Remake (Bloober Team, 2025) 26:07 GOOF: WarioWare Gold (Intelligent Systems, 2018) 39:32 Feature Game: Detroit: Become Human (Quantic Dream, 2018) SHOUT 1:01:47 Caitlin: REPLACED (Sad Cat Studios) 1:02:47 Mark: Free Stars: Children of Infinity (Pistol Shrimp) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Caitlin's love/hate relationship continues with Silent Hill, and we talk about all kinds of shameful love in Persona 5. What We're Playing 00:51 Mark: Skybolt Zack (DEVS MUST DIE, 2019) 13:39 Caitlin: No, I'm Not a Human (Trioskaz, 2025) 20:51 GOOF: Silent Hill (Team Silent, 1999) 39:12 Feature Game: Persona 5 Royal (P-Studio, 2019) SHOUT 57:49 Mark: Persona 4 Revival (P-Studio) 58:49 Caitlin: My Card Is Better than Your Card (Utu Studios) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Another horror game, namely Clock Tower, for someone who claims not to like horror games, namely Caitlin. Then, Mark finally tries the cultural juggernaut that is The Witcher 3. What We're Playing 01:04 Caitlin: Quantum Witch (NikkiJay, 2025) 09:53 Mark: Neon Inferno (Zenovia Interactive, 2025) 21:35 GOOF: Clock Tower (Human Entertainment, 1995) 34:39 Feature Game: The Witcher 3 (CD Projekt Red, 2015) SHOUT 58:14 Caitlin: Guild Wars Reforged (ArenaNet) 59:13 Mark: Terminator 2D: No Fate (Bitmap Bureau) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're not really doing the fighting this week, we're mostly telling other people to do violence and/or die--both in Ogre Battle from the SNES and Dispatch. What We're Playing 01:11 Mark: Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones (Ubisoft, 2005) 13:25 Caitlin: My Little Puppy (Dreamotion Inc, 2025) 21:24 GOOF: Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen (Quest Corporation, 1993) 39:12 Feature Game: Dispatch (AdHoc Studio, 2025) SHOUT 59:02 Mark: Wolf Among Us 2 (Telltale) 1:01:38 Caitlin: Grimshire (Acute Owl Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We return to the Aliens franchise and the Nintendo DS with Infestation, where #squadgoals run smack into permadeath. Meanwhile, your power fantasies in The Outer Worlds 2 run smack into the reality of your character's incompetence. What We're Playing 00:52 Caitlin: R.E.P.O.: The Monster Update (semiwork, 2025) 09:32 Mark: BALL x PIT (Kenny Sun & Friends, 2025) 19:48 GOOF: Aliens: Infestation (Way Forward Technologies, 2011) 35:01 Feature Game: The Outer Worlds 2 (Obsidian Entertainment, 2025) SHOUT 59:06 Caitlin: Star Birds (Toukana Interactive) 1:00:22 Mark: Alabaster Dawn (Radical Fish) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mark remains in the iron grip of tactical RPGs, and so we revisit Vandal Hearts along with critical darling Keeper. What We're Playing 01:16 Mark: Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage (Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, 2025) 11:36 Caitlin: Sworn (Windwalk Games, 2025) 16:35 GOOF: Vagrant Story (Konami, 1996) 36:33 Feature Game: Keeper (Double Fine, 2025) SHOUT 48:14 Mark: MENACE (Overhype Studios) 49:12 Caitlin: Pokémon Pokopia (Omega Force) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With Caitlin's guidance, Mark is slowly going through the generically-titled nineties SNES titles--this time it's Trials of Mana. Absolum is also a pretty weak name. Can the games overshadow their unilluminating titles? ALL WILL BE REVEALED What We're Playing 01:09 Caitlin: Hidden Folks (Adriaan de Jongh & Sylvain Tegroeg, 1998) 07:27 Mark: Lost Eidolons: Veil of the Witch (Ocean Drive Studio, 2025) 19:09 GOOF: Trials of Mana (Square, 1995) 40:57 Feature Game: Absolum (Guard Crush Games & Supamules, 2025) SHOUT 1:02:20 Caitlin: Threads of Time (Riyo Games) 1:05:23 Mark: Dispatch (AdHoc Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The nineties are calling in a big way! Sonic, The Big Con, and Caitlin even manages to smuggle in an Evangelion reference. Radical. What We're Playing 00:53 Mark: Akane (Ludic Studios, 2018) 11:40 Caitlin: Phasmaphobia (Kinetic Games, 2020) 21:40 GOOF: Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (Sega Technical Institute, 1994) 40:14 Feature Game: The Big Con (Mighty Yell, 2021) SHOUT 1:01:21 Mark: MagicX One 35 (MagicX) 1:04:55 Caitlin: Final Sentence (Button Mash) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We get dynastic AF here, with multi-generational dynamics galore. We breed dragon killers with Dragon Valor and look to rescue our dear, grim, chthonic papa in Hades II. What We're Playing 02:03 Caitlin: Monster Hunter Wilds (Capcom, 2025) 11:12 Mark: Drift Survivor 2 (MEWSTURBO, 2025) 20:36 GOOF: Dragon Valor (Now Production, 1999) 36:20 Feature Game: Hades II (Supergiant, 2025) SHOUT 1:00:56 Caitlin: Dogpile (Studio Folly, Toot Games, & Foot) 1:02:10 Mark: AXERAS (Inverse Atelier) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's a Game Boy-heavy episode, including the popular fan translation of Japanese-only RPG Mother 3. We follow up with the game if "improvisational chaos" I Am Your Beast. (We apologize for Caitlin's poor audio in this episode) What We're Playing 01:44 Mark: Fire Emblem: Vision Quest (Pandan [Fan Hack], 2022) 10:41 Caitlin: LEGO Game Boy (LEGO, 2025) 17:59 GOOF: Mother 3 (Brownie Brown/HAL Laboratory, 2006) 43:17 Feature Game: I Am Your Beast (Strange Scaffold, 2024) SHOUT 58:54 Mark: Possessor(s) (Heart Machine) 59:51 Caitlin: Grave Seasons (Perfect Garbage) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Growing up can be hard, so we explore some coping mechanisms--Road Trip to the End of the World suggests conjuring an adorable anthropomorphic fish, whereas Deception III endorses trap-based murder. Options! What We're Playing 01:06 Caitlin: Loop Hero (Four Quarters, 2021) 10:15 Mark: Lost Eidolons (Ocean Drive Studio, 2022) 24:29 GOOF: Deception III: Dark Delusion (Tecmo, 1999) 41:26 Feature Game: Road Trip to the End of the World (Alex Lee and Shark & Pelican Games, 2025) SHOUT 56:31 Caitlin: Rabbit and Steel DLC (mino_dev) 57:22 Mark: Spirit X Strike (Maicha Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We, once again, have a shonen problem. Brave Fencer Musashi's abrasive overconfidence is in stark contrast to the cool professionalism of Aliens: Fireteam Elite. Stay frosty, people. What We're Playing 00:59 Mark: Metal Eden (Reikon Games, 2025) 12:06 Caitlin: Final Fantasy VI (Square, 1994) 21:59 GOOF: Brave Fencer Musashi (Square, 1998) 38:12 Feature Game: Aliens: Fireteam Elite (Cold Iron Studios, 2021) SHOUT 57:07 Mark: Hades II (Supergiant) 57:46 Caitlin: Cult of the Lamb: Woolhaven (Massive Monster) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How six years can change an industry--from local deathmatch FPS being all the rage (Perfect Dark), to online co-op third-person cover-hugging (Gears of War: Reloaded). What We're Playing 00:52 Mark: Marfusha: Sentinel Girls (hinyari9, 2021) 10:16 Caitlin: PEAK (Team PEAK, 2025) 20:15 GOOF: Perfect Dark (Rare, 2000) 39:27 Feature Game: Gears of War: Reloaded (The Coalition, 2025) SHOUT 1:03:22 Mark: Lost Eidolons: Veil of the Witch (Ocean Drive Studio) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Metroidvania is a very popular formula. We see how much has it changed in the twenty years between its formalization in Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and its indie apotheosis in Hollow Knight. What We're Playing 00:54 Caitlin: Coral Island (Stairway Games, 2023) 17:35 Mark: Mortal Sin (Nikita Todorovic, 2025) 27:05 GOOF: Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (Konami, 1997) 42:50 Feature Game: Hollow Knight (Team Cherry, 2017) SHOUT 1:00:49 Caitlin: Resident Evil: Requiem (Capcom) 1:02:04 Mark: Runa (Fennec) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pocky & Rocky scoffs at so-called difficult games like Soulslikes, and Artis Impact scoffs at the limitations of RPG Maker. What We're Playing 01:03 Caitlin: Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap (Robot Entertainment, 2025) 08:15 Mark: The Rogue Prince of Persia (Evil Empire, 2025) 18:31 GOOF: Pocky and Rocky (Natsume, 1992) 28:36 Feature Game: Artis Impact (Mas, 2025) SHOUT 53:03 Caitlin: Battlestar Galactica: Scattered Hopes (Alt Shift) 54:25 Mark: Valor Mortis (One More Level) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Minigames abound in the WarioWare series (featuring a drive-by discussion of the Mario Party games), and then we ponder the corporate dystopia that is video gaming in Citizen Sleeper. What We're Playing 00:58 Mark: Deadzone: Rogue (Prophecy Games, 2025) 11:34 Caitlin: Hidden Capybaras with Orange (Whimsical Universes, 2023) 17:00 GOOF: WarioWare: Twisted! (Nintendo SPD, 2004) 34:04 Feature Game: Citizen Sleeper (Jump Over the Age, 2022) SHOUT 57:19 Mark: Drift Survivor (MEWSTURBO) 59:57 Caitlin: Coral Island Multiplayer (Stairway Games) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We check out a classic strategy RPG series with Shining Force II, then hurry up and die with Elden Ring: Nightreign. What We're Playing 01:03 Caitlin: Cryptmaster (Paul Hart, Lee Williams, and Akupara Games, 2024) 07:12 Mark: Split Fiction (Hazelight Studios, 2025) 19:38 GOOF: Shining Force II (Sonic! Software Planning, 1993) 36:02 Feature Game: Elden Ring: Nightreign (FromSoftware, 2025) SHOUT 55:16 Caitlin: Once Upon a Katamari (RENGAME) 57:12 Mark: Spine (Nekki) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Vagrant Story is one of Mark's all-time favourite games, but is he ready to talk about Ashley Riot's butt? Can Caitlin cope with the madness that is JoJo? Or capybara feet? It's a whole lot. StarVaders allows us a break to focus entirely on the game of it. What We're Playing 01:29 Mark: JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Phantom Blood (Anchor, Inc, 2006) 16:05 Caitlin: Capybara Spa (Cozy Bee Games, 2022) 22:31 GOOF: Vagrant Story (Square, 2000) 48:30 Feature Game: StarVaders (Pengonauts, 2025) SHOUT 1:05:24 Mark: 8bitdo Pro 3 (8bitdo) 1:08:37 Caitlin: At Fate's End (Thunder Lotus) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The nineties were a rough place, as the writing of Parasite Eve reminds us. Is Jusant a corrective, given that it has no dialog at all? What We're Playing 01:07 Caitlin: The Ranch of Rivershine (Coze Bee Games, 2025) 11:39 Mark: Kunitsu-Gami: Otherworldly Ventures (Capcom, 2025) 21:28 GOOF: Parasite Eve (Square, 1998) 37:21 Feature Game: Jusant (Don't Nod, 2023) SHOUT 56:05 Caitlin: Artis Impact (Mas) 58:05 Mark: Terminator 2D: No Fate (Bitmap Bureau) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

All action and no real story with Street Fighter II Turbo, and then all story and no real action with 1000xRESIST. Each successful in their own way!  What We're Playing 01:11 Mark: Space Mercenary Defense Force (Tom Paradise, 2023) 10:53 Caitlin: Neva (Nomada Studio, 2025) 17:08 GOOF: Street Fighter II Turbo (Capcom, 1992) 35:04 Feature Game: 1000xRESIST (sunset visitor, 2024) SHOUT 52:01 Mark: Varlet (FURYU) 52:57 Caitlin: Kingmakers (Redemption Road) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why do we allow some games, even ones we enjoy, to drop off and go on the back burner? And why do some get picked up again and not others? It is mysterious, much like why designers continue to insert terrible "comic relief" characters in games like Okami. What We're Playing 01:03 Caitlin: Dead Letter Department (Belief Engine, 2025) 08:50 Mark: Suit for Hire (Godmode Interactive, 2025) 18:34 GOOF: Okami (Clover Studio, 2006) 44:13 Feature Topic: Dropping Off, Picking Up SHOUT 1:09:10 Caitlin: Dispatch (AdHoc Studio) 1:10:06 Mark: Enter the Gungeon Mobile (Dodgeroll) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

King Arthur's World makes us long for Lemmings, and does Nier: Automata peak in the first hour? Our suplexes are German and our fashion sense is questionable this week. What We're Playing 01:03 Mark: God Hand (Clover, 2006) 15:13 Caitlin: Date Everything! (Sassy Chap Games, 2025) 24:13 GOOF: King Arthur's World (Argonaut Software, 1992) 36:11 Feature Game: Nier: Automata (PlatinumGames, 2017) SHOUT 55:31 Mark: Persona 4 Revival (Atlus) 57:16 Caitlin: Haunted Paws (LazyFlock) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's protagonist vs. protagonist week here at AMBFAD, and we repeatedly ask--why can't we all just get along? First it's Spy vs. Spy, and then Jan vs. Jan in The Alters. What We're Playing 01:41 Caitlin: A Building Full of Cats 2 (Devcats, 2025) 08:45 Mark: Star Trek: The Next Generation (NES/GB, Imagineering, 1993) 20:25 GOOF: Spy vs. Spy (GBC, Kemco, 1999) 32:50 Feature Game: The Alters (11 Bit Studios, 2025) 35:26 Spoilers Begin 36:52 Spoilers End SHOUT 55:03 Caitlin: Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles (Square Enix) 56:46 Mark: Pragmata (Capcom) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We run, we gun, we laugh, and we cry with Azure Striker: Gunvolt, and then we overcome jank and feel the call to adventure with Oblivion: Remastered. What We're Playing 01:04 Mark: Bleed 2 (Ian Campbell, 2017) 10:33 Caitlin: Mario Kart World (Nintendo EPD, 2025) 23:28 GOOF: Azure Striker Gunvolt (Inti Creates, 2014) 39:27 Feature Game: The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion Remastered (Bethesda, 2025) SHOUT 58:18 Caitlin: Beast of Reincarnation (GAME FREAK) 59:26 Mark: Blighted (DrinkBox Studios) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We talk a bit about accessibility in gaming, which is sadly all too often left to modders rather than the developers themselves. The games on the agenda (super serious) are Metroid Prime and Monster Train 2. What We're Playing 01:19 Caitlin: R.E.P.O. (semiwork, 2025) 03:28 Caitlin: Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail (Square Enix, 2024) 07:00 Mark: Iron Meat (Retroware, 2024) 16:32 GOOF: Metroid Prime (Retro Studios, 2002) 35:12 Feature Game: Monster Train 2 (Shiny Shoe, 2025) SHOUT 53:18 Caitlin: The Expanse: Osiris Reborn (Owlcat Games) 54:10 Mark: Elden Ring: NIGHTREIGN patch (From Software) 55:34 Mark: Kunitsu-Gami: Otherworldly Venture (Capcom) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We look back to the 3DS and Fire Emblem: Awakening, and question how weak the sauce is in Doom: The Dark Ages. What We're Playing 01:00 Mark: Death Road to Canada (Rocketcat Games, 2016) 12:59 Caitlin: Path of Exile 2 (Grinding Gear Games, 2024) 24:31 GOOF: Fire Emblem: Awakening (Intelligent Systems, 2012) 47:34 Feature Game: Doom: The Dark Ages (id, 2025) SHOUT 1:08:08 Caitlin: Gold Gold Adventure Gold (Can Can Can a Man) 1:09:38 Mark: Fallen Fates (Hibernian Workshop) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We finish our spoiler-free discussion of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and Caitlin expresses the view that she was tricked into playing Flashback: The Quest for Identity. What We're Playing 01:30 Caitlin: Do No Harm (Darts Games, 2025) 10:30 Mark: Void War (Tundra, 2025) 21:44 GOOF: Flashback: The Quest for Identity (Delphine Software, 1992) 35:39 Feature Game: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Sandfall Interactive, 2025) SHOUT 1:05:47 Caitlin: DELTARUNE (tobyfox) 1:06:56 Mark: Elden Ring NIGHTREIGN (From Software) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's the end of the world in both the N64's Sin and Punishment and the new Clair Obscur, and there's lots of ennui to be had. What We're Playing 01:05 Mark: Power Stone 2 (Capcom, 2000) 12:27 Caitlin: Forever Skies (Far From Home, 2025) 17:36 GOOF: Sin & Punishment: Successor of the Earth (Treasure, 2000) 33:23 Feature Game: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Sandfall Interactive, 2025) SHOUT 1:05:06 Mark: Gears of War: Reloaded (The Coalition) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The N64 continues its redemption tour with F-Zero X, and South of Midnight is a strange mix of the novel and the derivative. What We're Playing 00:50 Caitlin: R.E.P.O. (semiwork, 2025) 11:55 Mark: Astral Ascent (Hibernian Workshop, 2023) 19:01 GOOF: F-Zero X (Nintendo EAD, 1998) 34:34 Feature Game: South of Midnight (Compulsion Games, 2025) SHOUT 1:00:23 Caitlin: Date Everything (Sassy Chap Games)  1:01:43 Mark: Ayaneo Pocket ACE (Ayaneo) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We navigate the twisting labyrinths of the human mind in Psychonauts, as well as the twisting labyrinths of the puzzling mansion(s) of Blue Prince. What We're Playing 01:27 Mark: It Takes Two (Hazelight, 2021) 13:03 Caitlin: R.E.P.O. (semiwork, 2025) 19:21 GOOF: Psychonauts (Double Fine Productions, 2005) 38:37 Feature Game: Blue Prince (Dogubomb, 2025) SHOUT 1:04:46 Caitlin and Mark: Malys (Summerfall Studios) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mark's alleged contrarian status is tested by the ambitious, legendary Chrono Trigger and the humble, overlooked Call of Juarez: Gunslinger. What We're Playing 01:04 Caitlin: LEGO Super Mario Nintendo Entertainment System (LEGO, 2020) 09:28 Mark: Lonestar (Math Tide, 2025) 18:13 GOOF: Chrono Trigger (Square, 1995) 38:08 Feature Game: Call of Juarez: Gunslinger (Techland, 2013) SHOUT 54:00 Caitlin: LUNAR Remastered Collection (GAME ARTS)  55:02 Mark: Oblivion Remastered (Bethesda) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nothing but sprites killing hordes of enemies this week, with Guardian Heroes and The Last Spell. Also hardware digressions with Saturn, RetroTink, and video switches. What We're Playing 02:00 Mark: Rogue Loops (Fubu Games, 2025) 06:30 Mark: Capcom vs. SNK 2 (Capcom, 2001) 12:12 Caitlin: Look Outside (Francis Coulombe, 2025) 20:48 GOOF: Guardian Heroes (Treasure, 1996) 38:51 Feature Game: The Last Spell (Ishtar, 2023) SHOUT 58:20 Caitlin: Scalable Video Switch 1:01:27 Mark: Revenge of the Savage Planet (Typhoon) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We solve murders at our patrons' behest in The Case of the Golden Idol, whereas WE INTERRUPT THESE EPISODE NOTES FOR DYNOWARZ Dynowarz: Destruction of Spondylus! Featuring the most bomb-ass box cover and stodgy gameplay, is Dynowarz one of the greatest games ever or one of the worst games ever? The answer: YES. What We're Playing 01:17 Caitlin: Final Fantasy IV (Square, 1991) 05:29 Caitlin: The Last Meadow (Discord, 2025) 09:55 Caitlin: 33 Immortals (Thunder Lotus Games) 13:40 Mark: Rogue Loops (Fubu Games, 2025) 22:32 GOOF: Dynowarz: Destruction of Spondylus (ACC, 1990) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynowarz:_Destruction_of_Spondylus#/media/File:Dynowarz_-_Destruction_of_Spondylus_(game_box_art).png 36:08 Feature Game: The Case of the Golden Idol (Color Gray Games, 2022) SHOUT 57:36 Caitlin (Shameless Hyping): Mario Kart World (Nintendo) 58:11 Mark (Serious Hesitation): Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves (SNK) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's all sci-fi this week! We've got all your bases covered--speculative crossovers (Split Fiction), anthropomorphic animals (Laika, Starfox 64), and psychological horror (Returnal)! Just stick your arm into the spiky alien machine. It'll probably be fine.  What We're Playing 00:57 Mark: Avowed (Obsidian, 2025) 02:15 Mark: Monster Hunter Rise (Capcom, 2021) 10:13 Mark: Laika: Aged Through Blood (Brainwash Gang, 2023) 16:11 Caitlin: Split Fiction (Hazelight Studios, 2025) 22:57 GOOF: Star Fox 64 (Nintendo EAD, 1997) 42:02 Feature Game: Returnal (Housemarque, 2021) SHOUT 1:07:41 Mark: Project Gemini (People Can Fly) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We keep things light, even though they could get grim with an NES game named after a dead baby (Astyanax) and some existential angst with The Friends of Ringo Ishikawa. What We're Playing 02:28 Caitlin: Final Fantasy IV (Obsidian, 2025) 09:23 Mark: Metal Bringer (ALPHAWING, 2025) 21:24 GOOF: Astyanax (Aicom, 1989) 36:38 Feature Game: The Friends of Ringo Ishikawa (yeo, 2018) Interview with the designer: https://www.theverge.com/2019/6/19/18691106/the-friends-of-ringo-ishikawa-review-interview-yeo SHOUT 56:31 Caitlin: Paralives (Alex Massé and team) 58:04 Mark: 33 Immortals (Thunder Lotus) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ecco the Dolphin is cute in Japan but swole in the US, much like the dramatic growth a mushroom provokes in Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Question: would Caitlin try to make Ecco into a hat? What We're Playing 01:06 Caitlin: Avowed (Obsidian, 2025) 02:53 Caitlin: Monster Hunter Wilds (Capcom, 2025) 11:10 Mark: Mullet MadJack (Hammer 95 Studios, 2024) 22:23 GOOF: Ecco the Dolphin (Appaloosa Interactive, 1992) Boris Vallejo's "macho" dolphin: https://www.borisjulie.com/product/ecco-the-dolphin/ Japan's "cute" dolphin: https://videogameartarchive.com/image/149804900443 38:42 Feature Game: Super Mario Bros. Wonder (Nintendo EPD, 2023) SHOUT 55:35 Caitlin: South of Midnight (Compulsion Games) 56:15 Mark: Absolum (Dotemu) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices