Video Games 2 the MAX – Details, episodes & analysis

Must Play Games are the rare title you'd encourage anyone to check out. A game that defines its generation, or perhaps even goes past that and could be classified as genre-defining or maybe even an all-timer? These are the sort of labels that Astrobot has garnered over the last week and Sean's been playing it. So he of course has some impressions. Does it live up to that crazy level of hype? Does it deserve all the accolades? Should you go out and buy it for your PlayStation 5 right now? (the answer is yes!)

Sony is all but set to reveal the PS5 Pro at a just-announced Tech presentation headed by Mark Cerny. Will all the rumors come true? Could the PS5 Pro actually be released without a disc drive too?

Plus, Marc's been playing more Star Wars Outlaws and Star Trucker, the PlayStation 2 receives a big honor in Japan, Amazon's Secret Level will still air the Concord episode, Destiny 2 may change its expansion strategy, Ubisoft keeps going in the wrong direction, and more!

You can also watch this episode in video form on the W2M Network Youtube Channel, please give us a like, comment on the episode, and give the channel a subscribe and follow as well: https://youtube.com/live/jBvfyG_J3cA

- If you prefer podcasts: Listen and give us a review on these platforms... -

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ag/podcast/video-games-2-the-max/id886092740
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wjd0u3xO7TdAm4gKRM44L
Amazon: https://www.audible.com/pd/Video-Games-2-the-MAX-Podcast/B08JJPTZTW
Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/video-games-2-the-max-181386
Podcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/?podId=2465904
IHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/53-video-games-2-the-m-28438312/

- Check out other W2M Network Shows -

Latest Otalku Cafe Episode (Anime): https://youtube.com/live/wZs74N1U5CM

Radulich in Broadcasting's The Crow (2024) Movie Review: https://youtube.com/live/Nmo2IJtumH8

Radulich in Broadcasting's Alien: Romulus Review: https://youtube.com/live/NAtG6SWRlqM

Radulich in Broadcasting's Borderlands Movie Review: https://www.youtube.com/live/dhrJklUTafY

- Follow on X (Twitter): -

Sean on Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/W2MSean
Marc on Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/HumanityPlague
W2M Network on Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/w2mnetwork

- Other Social Media -

Follow us on Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@w2mnetwork2
Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/aydMgvUN9d
Follow us on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/w2mnetwork
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/w2mnetwork/
Follow Us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/W2MNetwork

The fall release season is officially upon us as starting from last week up to December there's a steady stream of major video games releasing for everyone to discuss, preview, review, or whatever. Sean and Marc kick off the fall season with impressions of Visions of Mana, the first brand-new game to hit consoles in the series in nearly two decades. How does it stack up? Should you pick it up if you are a Mana fan? Do you have to play the others to play this one? Marc's also been playing Star Wars Outlaws and he has some major thoughts.

Also, the bad news cycle continues for Xbox as another game is being delayed due to issues with the company. Certification issues are causing problems for the developers of Enotria: The Last Song, and thus the Xbox version won't be released at launch until this is resolved. Meanwhile, according to various reports, Sony helped with funding the port of Black Myth Wukong for PlayStation 5, which may be why the Xbox version has been delayed. But at least it isn't all bad news, as Capcom did announce that the two recently announced Fighting Game Collections will be coming to Xbox after all.

Plus, Sony announced it will take Concord Offline on September 6, details on the PS5 Pro design, Sony raised the price of PS5 in Japan leading many to worry about it bleeding into the PS5 Pro price structure. Our favorite announcements from the Nintendo Indie World and Partner Showcase, Gamestop opening up Retro Stores, could we ever get another Dino Crisis game, and more!

You can also watch this episode in video form on the W2M Network Youtube Channel, please give us a like, comment on the episode, and give the channel a subscribe and follow as well: https://youtube.com/live/mfrLBMXYToM

- If you prefer podcasts: Listen and give us a review on these platforms... -

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ag/podcast/video-games-2-the-max/id886092740
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wjd0u3xO7TdAm4gKRM44L
Amazon: https://www.audible.com/pd/Video-Games-2-the-MAX-Podcast/B08JJPTZTW
Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/video-games-2-the-max-181386
Podcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/?podId=2465904
IHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/53-video-games-2-the-m-28438312/

- Check out other W2M Network Shows -

Latest Otalku Cafe Episode (Anime): https://youtube.com/live/xfDnxVS3tAg

Radulich in Broadcasting's The Crow (2024) Movie Review: https://youtube.com/live/Nmo2IJtumH8

Radulich in Broadcasting's Alien: Romulus Review: https://youtube.com/live/NAtG6SWRlqM

Radulich in Broadcasting's Borderlands Movie Review: https://www.youtube.com/live/dhrJklUTafY

- Follow on X (Twitter): -

Sean on Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/W2MSean
Marc on Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/HumanityPlague
W2M Network on Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/w2mnetwork

- Other Social Media -

Follow us on Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@w2mnetwork2
Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/aydMgvUN9d
Follow us on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/w2mnetwork
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/w2mnetwork/
Follow Us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/W2MNetwork

Apologies, we've been having issues with our feed, so this is why this is just now being posted. * This was originally recorded on 07/01/2024 *

It is yet another week in Video Games and the summer of Elden Ring continues as Marc has been playing more of the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. However, this week he's also been playing the Director's Cut version of another game he enjoyed very much, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance.

In other news, Nintendo has a stocking plan to stop the potential of resellers and bots from buying up preorders of the Switch 2. Will this actually work? Is most of this just inevitable at this point with the way technology is? Or do they have a point that there is no longer an inhibitor to ensuring enough Switch 2's to go around?

Also more of the usual gambit of stuff that's been the norm for gaming as more remakes have been announced or confirmed to be coming in the form of Dead Rising and an abundance of Assassin's Creed remakes. Not to mention, Ubisoft also added to the layoff tally as well. Xbox adds another device to its Cloud Gaming portfolio, One Piece Netflix Season 2 casting and release details, and more! On this episode of Video Games 2 the MAX.

You can also watch this episode in video form on the W2M Network Youtube Channel, please give us a like, comment on the episode, and give the channel a subscribe and follow as well: https://youtube.com/live/Ay9zpTa7qcQ

- If you prefer podcasts: Listen and give us a review on these platforms... -

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ag/podcast/video-games-2-the-max/id886092740
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wjd0u3xO7TdAm4gKRM44L
Amazon: https://www.audible.com/pd/Video-Games-2-the-MAX-Podcast/B08JJPTZTW
Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/video-games-2-the-max-181386
Podcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/?podId=2465904
IHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/53-video-games-2-the-m-28438312/

- Follow on X (Twitter): -

Sean on Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/W2MSean
Marc on Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/HumanityPlague
W2M Network on Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/w2mnetwork

- Other Social Media -

Follow us on Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@w2mnetwork2
Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/aydMgvUN9d
Follow us on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/w2mnetwork
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/w2mnetwork/
Follow Us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/W2MNetwork

Sony and Microsoft are in a now second week of the war of potshots and statements. Microsoft alleges Sony makes deals that effectively block big third-party games from appearing on Xbox Game Pass. While Microsoft proves just how unprofitable it would be to keep COD off Sony's platform. This will certainly have Sean, Marc, and Daniel in their feelings.

Game Delays continue as now Hogwarts Legacy is the next big game that moves its release date to 2023. Some other smaller games also have to take the hit and head into 2023 as well.

There are some major game-related events on the horizon with a recently announced Disney + Marvel showcase and Gamescom's Opening Night Live too.

All of this, plus Marc has some thoughts on PlayStation maybe having their own PC game launcher too.

You can also watch this episode on video through our Youtube channel, W2M Network. You can go subscribe and ring the bell there to get notified when there's a new episode: https://youtu.be/ERfrRGXl2Q4

Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/aydMgvUN9d

Visit Our Website: https://w2mnet.com/

Follow Us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/w2mnetwork

Sean Twitter: https://twitter.com/W2MSean

Marc Twitter: https://twitter.com/HumanityPlague

Follow us on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/w2mnetwork

Follow Us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/W2MNetwork

It is certainly a mixed bag of a week in gaming with yet another major third-party release seeing a delay, this time it is Marvel's Midnight Suns. While the EVO Live event possibly teased Tekken 8 and the first Fatal Fury game in 23 years. Plus, is Marvel doing too much content between their films and TV Shows?

Sean, Marc, and Daniel give their thoughts on that, plus Xbox may be rolling out a new feature for Cloud Gaming Soon, an Xbox Game Pass Family Plan is actually being tested, and Ubisoft is in the news again and it involves Tencent. Also, one of its games, Beyond Good & Evil 2, actually has good news for once.

Sean has more thoughts on Xenoblade Chronicles 3 as he approaches the 40-hour mark with the game and also finally gets to talk about all the announcements in the Pokemon Direct too.

You can also watch this episode on video through our Youtube channel, W2M Network. You can go subscribe and ring the bell there to get notified when there's a new episode: https://youtu.be/aFn3jJ8PqSI

Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/aydMgvUN9d

Visit Our Website: https://w2mnet.com/

Follow Us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/w2mnetwork

Sean Twitter: https://twitter.com/W2MSean

Marc Twitter: https://twitter.com/HumanityPlague

Follow us on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/w2mnetwork

Follow Us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/W2MNetwork

On our latest episode, so is Call of Duty "nothing special?" or is it "indescribable?" These are the statements put out by Microsoft and Sony concerning whether or not it would be ok for Call of Duty to be owned by Xbox.

Sean and Marc debate on who's right considering some other factors at play involving the franchise as well. Is it a good idea to have them skip a year? And is there really no way to have a COD competitor?

Warner Bros. Discovery has apparently shelved Batgirl and it may be due to monetary reasons. Why not just release it on HBO Max instead? And was there any interest in this film? Does it further the negative narrative about DC Films?

Also, it is finally here, Sean has initial impressions of Xenoblade Chronicles 3, the game he's been waiting for all year. Does it live up to the hype and all of the praise from critics? What about the story, the characters, and how is the battle system?

Plus, the duo have their say on the reports that Grand Theft Auto VI is set in Miami and will feature a Latina main character. Sean is obviously a lot more excited, but Marc has some concerns for sure.

The next Tomb Raider game's plot may have leaked, EVO is going to have a press conference type event called EVO Live, will there be some big announcements? Also, rumors are swelling about a huge D23 for Marvel Disney Plus shows. What are the guys excited about from the big slate?

You can also check out the podcast a little earlier by watching over on our Youtube Channel, W2M Network, by going here: https://youtu.be/rzGsdb2VoEk

Timestamps:

00:00:30 Intro & Housekeeping

Special Entertainment Topic

00:03:10 Batgirl Movie Canceled, Could HBO Max be canned too? And What Marvel stuff could be announced at D23 Expo 2022

What's in the Gaming News

00:32:30 Sony's Concerns Over Xbox Owning Call of Duty and Microsoft's response to it, Will the acquisition actually go through?

00:48:10 Grand Theft Auto VI Set in Miami And Feature a Latina Lead

00:59:15 PS Plus & Xbox Game Pass Games
01:05:30 Next Tomb Raider Game's Plot Possibly Leaked
01:09:40 Warhammer 40K Dark Tide Gets Delayed Again
01:12:35 EA Pays for Naming Rights for Spain's La Liga
01:13:55 Could Mortal Kombat 12 Be Announced at EVO Live 2022?
01:18:10 AEW Fight Forever Gets Some New Info

Games We Are Playing

01:20:45 Bloodborne & Remnant from the Ashes - (Marc)
01:25:50 Xenoblade Chronicles 3 - (Sean)

Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/aydMgvUN9d

Visit Our Website: https://w2mnet.com/

Follow Us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/w2mnetwork

Sean Twitter: https://twitter.com/W2MSean

Marc Twitter: https://twitter.com/HumanityPlague

Follow us on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/w2mnetwork

Follow Us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/W2MNetwork

This episode was originally recorded on July 27. Apologies for taking a little long to get it out to you all. We also do the podcast in video form on our Youtube channel and it gets out much quicker there: https://youtu.be/tpY5ZXpYmxo

On this episode, there's quite a lot going on between the KOTOR remake having major issues to Ubisoft continuing to have delays and cancelations.

VR also is a big fixture this week with Meta announcing a price hike and PSVR 2 getting another info drop as well.

SDCC just happened too. Sean and Marc discuss some of their favorite announcements from the big convention. Plus, there's also a Black Panther open-world game in the works too.

Sean's excitement for Xenoblade Chronicles 3 reaches a fever pitch as it's only a few days away. While Marc is playing Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak.

Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/aydMgvUN9d

Visit Our Website: https://w2mnet.com/

Follow Us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/w2mnetwork

Sean Twitter: https://twitter.com/W2MSean

Marc Twitter: https://twitter.com/HumanityPlague

Follow us on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/w2mnetwork

Follow Us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/W2MNetwork

This episode was originally recorded on July 20. Apologies for taking so long to get it out for audio listeners. We also do the podcast on our Youtube channel and it gets out much quicker there: https://youtu.be/rzGsdb2VoEk

On this episode, is a double dose of impressions from Sean regarding Stray and As Dusk Falls, two games currently on PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass respectively. Sean enjoys both games, one for being a great cat simulator, and the other for telling a terrific suspense tale with narrative game aspects.

In the news, Bayonetta 3 finally gets a release date, Sony finishes their acquisition of Bungie and then acquires Repeat.gg, as the guys discuss what PlayStation's strategy could be for making so many varied acquisitions in a short span of time. Plus, what are some Konami franchises that could use a revival?

Could Nintendo be doing more with CG in their games and maybe even push into TV series after buying a Japanese company Dynamo? What are some shows that work in this type of vein?

Marc has some thoughts on the decision to not make Final Fantasy XVI turn-based and how the young generation has something to do. He's also not to fond of what's going on with the Assassin's Creed franchise too.

Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/aydMgvUN9d

Visit Our Website: https://w2mnet.com/

Follow Us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/w2mnetwork

Sean Twitter: https://twitter.com/W2MSean

Marc Twitter: https://twitter.com/HumanityPlague

Follow us on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/w2mnetwork

Follow Us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/W2MNetwork

Sean, Marc, and Daniel discuss the announcement of Kirby's Dream Buffet, Sean has initial thoughts on Bright Memory Infinite, as he's reviewing the game.

Plus, God of War Ragnarok has a release date, Forspoken is Delayed Again, Supermassive Games getting acquired, Haven being fully acquired by Sony, should Last of Us Part 1 Remake cost $70, Rockstar confirming GTA 6 development is the priority, and much more.

Due to some news items involving Ubisoft and Assassin's Creed Liberation HD and Sony, the guys also debate the merits of buying physical media versus digital media, does it really make a difference at this point? And what is everyone's preference now?

You can watch the podcast in video form on the W2M Network Youtube Channel here:  https://youtu.be/i49QNAV9l_k

Timestamps:

Intro & Games We Are Playing -

(00:01:10) Fire Emblem: Three Hopes - Marc
(00:05:25) Bright Memory Infinite First Impressions - Sean
* A Digital Code was Provided For Review by the PR Company *

What’s in the News -

(00:10:45) Forspoken Delayed, God of War: Ragnarok Release Date, Skull & Bones Gameplay & Release Date Reveal
(00:20:05) Kirby’s Dream Buffet Announced
(00:25:20) Lollipop Chainsaw is Getting a Remake
(00:26:45) Ubisoft starts up the Physical vs Digital Debate Again
(00:39:10) Xbox Series Consoles Double Xbox One Sales in Japan

(00:45:45) Sony Completes Purchase of Haven Studios & SuperMassive Acquired By Nordisk. Could increased global Inflation cause fewer studios to be purchased and more companies selectively buy known IP instead?

(00:55:30) Should The Last of Us Part 1 Remake cost $70? Will there be a Last of Us Part 3?

(01:01:45) PlayStation 5 gets an official Third Party SSD Drive and Is Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Really Only on PS5 Because of its SSD?

(01:08:35) Grand Theft Auto IV and Red Dead Redemption Remasters shelved to focus on GTA 6.
(01:15:55) E3 is Back Thanks to ReedPop, Could it Succeed?
(01:19:10) Xbox 360 Games Ending Soon on Games For Gold
(01:23:10) Which do you think does better a Terminator game or a Robocop Game?
(01:29:00) Sean laments Kazuki Takahashi, Creator of Yu-Gi-Oh’s sad passing

(01:31:20) Ending: Upcoming Games & TV Talk

Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/aydMgvUN9d

Visit Our Website: https://w2mnet.com/

Follow Us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/w2mnetwork

Sean Twitter: https://twitter.com/W2MSean

Marc Twitter: https://twitter.com/HumanityPlague

Follow us on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/w2mnetwork

Follow Us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/W2MNetwork

Now that the first six months have passed in 2022 it serves as a great halfway point to examine how things have been up to this point in the gaming year. Sean, Marc, and Daniel give out their Best Games of 2022 So Far with each person dishing out their Top 5. You’d obviously expect major games such as Elden Ring and Horizon Forbidden West to be on there, but what surprises could be there for some games to check out this summer.

Sean also checked out some games this week, namely the newly released DLC Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course, the Live a Live Demo, and Neon White as well. Sean discusses why he absolutely loves Neon White. How the Live a Live Demo gets you hyped for the remaster’s release in a few weeks. Plus, Marc also has a lot more thoughts on Fire Emblem: Three Hopes as well.

In the news, Sucker Punch finally quells rumors of a new Sly Cooper or InFamous game, Nintendo opens up a monthly subscription warranty program for the Switch, HALO Infinite Co-op Campaign progression and why it is a good thing for more games.

There’s also discussion on gamer hate affecting both God of War Ragnarok and Return to Monkey Island. The death of the Intellivision Amico patent, could an NFT console actually happen? And what are some Nintendo franchises we’d like to see make a return?

You can also watch the show on the W2M Network Youtube channel here:

https://youtu.be/HQF7AdY9JX8

Timestamps:

(00:00:30) - Intro: 4th of July Celebrations
Games We Played -
(00:02:40) - Fire Emblem: Three Hopes - Marc
(00:09:40) - Marc completes his SNES Physical Collection
(00:12:45) - Neon White - Sean
(00:17:55) - Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course - Sean
(00:21:00) - Live a Live Demo & Card Shark Demo - Sean
What’s Going on in the News -
(00:23:50) - Nintendo Wide Care Launches in Japan - A Monthly Warranty Subscription
(00:29:30) - Nintendo Franchises We’d Like to See Get Sequels
(00:40:40) - Sucker Punch Definitively Says There Are NO Sly Cooper or InFamous games in development.
(00:45:00) - HALO Co-op Campaign Has Progress For All Players
(00:49:30) - Mary DeMarle joins Mass Effect 4 Writing Team
(00:55:10) - EA Knocks Singleplayer Games Going for a Twitter Trend
(00:58:30) - Ubisoft Ends Multiplayer Servers for Some Old Games
(01:00:50) - Blizzard Purchases Spellbreak Studio Proletariat
(01:04:00) - God of War Release Date Circus and Gamer Hate Towards Ron Gilbert and Sony Santa Monica Employees
(01:16:45) - The First NFT Game Console is a Scam and Intellivision Amico Patent Dead
(01:22:10) - Sony Files Patent That Includes Many PS3 Accessories
(01:25:50) - Good Klonoa Remaster Sales Could Lead to More For Series
Main Topic -
(01:28:30) - Top 5 Games of 2022 So Far
Ending -
(01:31:40) - Games Coming Out This Week & TV Show Talk

Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/aydMgvUN9d

Visit Our Website: https://w2mnet.com/

Follow Us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/w2mnetwork

Sean Twitter: https://twitter.com/W2MSean

Marc Twitter: https://twitter.com/HumanityPlague

Follow us on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/w2mnetwork

Follow Us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/W2MNetwork