To start this episode, The Pimp of the Internet gives us a bit of feedback on episode 87, where we debated the merits of reviewing in a vacuum.

We were going to continue our Seven Sins series this week, but then we realized that we’d played a ton of games over the week that deserved to be talked about, so we skipped the topic and just covered the games.

Before getting into the games, though, Jonathan announces some good news in the form of his grand victory in the Spooky Outhouse Frozen Synapse Tournament.  He took down long-time listener, Smerbev, in an epic series of games to take the title.

This also provides a good point to mention the attempts made to start a Way of the Game tournament.  Calvin the Canadian has graciously offered up a 1600 point Xbox Live card to the winner of the first tournament, but we need to figure out if there’s interest in such a tournament, and we could also use some input on how to run the tournament.  Hit up the forums or leave a comment if you have any thoughts on either subject.

Jonathan:

• Batman: Arkham City (finished)
• Bit.Trip Complete
• Child of Eden
• Driver San Francisco
• Saints Row 2 (finished)

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The Sins are back!  This week, it’s Sloth.

First, though, all three hosts have gotten varying amounts of playtime in on Batman: Arkham City.  They all agree the world is huge, the fighting is solid, and the story is compelling (if a little confusing).  There is some disagreement about Batman’s new methods of transportation, though.

In non-Batman news, Jonathan’s played some Dark Souls, but thinks it’s a bit too capricious and difficult to earn his $60.  He’s also finished Bastion, a game that, for the first time ever, made him really stop and think about the moral choices he had to make.

Alex has put some time in on the new Ace Combat, and he’s confused about the choices they’ve made.

Sam, meanwhile, has continued to feed his Dead Island addiction and has been expanding his phone-based, block-removal prowess with Unblock Me.

In the topic for the show, we discuss Slothful aspects of the industry.  3DRealms, Brink, Shadowrun, and World of Warcraft all get targeted.

We wrap up the show with a game of Casting Call.  Sam and Jonathan present their picks for the roles of Tifa, Cloud, and Sephiroth in the silver screen adaptation of Final Fantasy 7.

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Jonathan’s sick.  Sam’s leaving town.  Alex is in his own little world.  Should be a fun week!

First, an almost forgotten announcement: we own http://thewayofthegame.com/ now!  Maybe that’s exciting?

In terms of games, Jonathan’s finished El Shaddai.  No, it still doesn’t make any sense, and the gameplay is a bit samey, but it’s so damn pretty he just doesn’t care that much.  Knight’s Contract, on the other hand, isn’t special enough to overcome some really weird design choices.

Sam’s been obsessed with Dead Island.  Beating the hell out of zombies never fails to get old, apparently, although the game’s numerous glitches certainly do.  Also, New Game Plus gets some love in Bastion, as Sam takes the Kid on another trip through the Calamity.

Meanwhile, on another day, Alex and Jonathan give some mad love to Forza 4.  It is what Gran Turismo 5 should have been, namely fun.  So many options, so much fun, so pretty.  Alex has also been spending quite a bit of time with Metal Gear Ac!d, as well, and it’s scratching the itches that Forza can’t quite reach.

In our topic this week, we cover the sin of Envy.  Jonathan targets Konami’s E3 presentations, Sam accuses Quantam Theory of wanting to be another game, and Alex goes personal talking about Minecraft.

No game this week, but we’ll have a Casting Call next week.  Also next week, Sloth!  See you then!

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Yes, we talk about Catherine again.  No, we don’t spend a whole episode on it again.

Sam and Jonathan have both completed Catherine, one on each end of the spectrum.  Jonathan has started Eternal Sonata, though he’s not very far through it.  Sam has also been playing Bastion, and his love for the Narrator is complete.  Alex got his grubby mitts on El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron, and he compares it to a super model.

Then we get into headlines.

• GOP presidential candidate quoted Pokemon: The Movie 2000. Four times.
• MGS HD collection includes MGS3 ‘Subsistence’ worldwide, MGS1 code in Japan
• Class Action Lawsuit Filed for Xbox Live Subscription Double Billing
• XBLIG Title FortressCraft Sees $1.2 Million in Sales
• Fable: The Journey won’t have swords or guns due to lack of feedback

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We dare to let Sam host this week.  Will lightning strike twice?

Sam has picked up Dragon Age 2 DLC, but nobody cares about that because he’s also picked up Catherine, a game which Alex has already slobbered on about, and which all three hosts will slobber about for some time to come.  Sam also shares two disturbing, real-life stories related to Catherine.

Jonathan has also played some Catherine, but he’s able to break away from it long enough to talk about the (sort of) successful July AssBrodeo, and Microsoft’s Summer of Arcade promotion.  Bastion looks really cool; From Dust has promise, but the demo leaves him lacking; and Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet looks to push all the right buttons.  What’s a man with limited funds to do?!

Alex jumps in all over the place with the Catherine love, and also talks about NFL Head Coach 09.  Jonathan has had bad experiences with the Head Coach line, but the game scratches Alex’s football itch without the unnecessary football playing.

Finally, Alex starts off the next round of Name That Game!  There is much debate about consoles and timing, but Jonathan and Sam battle their way through.

Next week: more Catherine, and an NTG! that’s almost distressingly easy.

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Beware of Canadians bearing gifts. Longtime listener Calvin the Canadian finally joins us for a show and brings a present from the Great White North: a code for Frozen Synapse. Listen for details on how to win it, or just go here.

For once, we don’t talk right off the bat about how long its been since we’ve last podcasted. Instead, it’s motorcycle talk! Sam’s got a new ride, and he and Alex talk for a bit about the hobby, the machines and the necessity (or lack thereof) of loud pipes.

Sam’s got nothing as far as gaming goes, so Alex starts dishing out the Catherine love. It’s chock full of block manipulation, metaphors and ethical choices. Not only that, it gives Alex an excuse to use one of his favorite words, “phantasmagorical.”

Calvin reveals some Dynasty Warriors Gundam love, and that gets Sam hot under the collar. Cthulu Saves The World also comes up, as does Frozen Synapse.

Jonathan points out with pride that he finished LA Noire. Alex counters by saying anyone could finish LA Noire. This may be foreshadowing on their upcoming LA Noire review show. Aside from that, Jonathan’s been dabbling in a little Bastion and Islands of Wakfu. Sam just loves that title.

Then it’s off to the races with Calvin’s top ten list. There are a few surprises here, and the ignorance of the usual hosts when it comes to mega popular games is exposed once again. Still, there are a few oldies but goodies in his list. Finally, Jonathan wraps it up with a translation game. If you’re betting on the winner, here’s a hint: don’t bet on Alex winning. Or even scoring.

NOTE: THIS EPISODE IS EXPLICIT.

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