GOTY Awards 2024 | S1:E5

The long-awaited sequel to the critically acclaimed The Last of Us, Part II delivers an experience that no one could have anticipated. Subverting narrative expectations while polishing its survival gameplay to a tee, Naughty Dog Studio released a game that would go down in the annals of game history. Now being adapted into a live-action show on HBO, as well as having received a recent remaster featuring developer commentary, The Last of Us Part II’s legacy lives on. Join Sy and Gabriel as one revists the title, while the other gives their first impressions of this colossal title.

Nominated for Best Fighting Game, Best Independent Game, and Best Action Game at the 2022 Game Awards, Sloclap’s post-Absolver title delivers a combat experience that is unrelenting in its presentation. Sifu is the embodiment of “mastery through practice,” as the player follows a protagonist that dedicates their life and martial art to vengeance (and then redemption) against the man who killed their father. In this episode, Sy and Gabriel unpack Sifu’s brutally precise combat system and deep narrative parallels.

Directed by Takahisa Taura, lead game designer behind Nier: Automata, with supervision by Devil May Cry and Bayonetta series creator Hideki Kamiya, Astral Chain is an action-adventure title released on the Nintendo Switch in 2019. The gameplay features a host of powerful legions that the player can utilize as they navigate an inter-dimensional astral plane. As part of their second official game swap, listen in as Gabriel responds to Astral Chain’s design and Sy’s second game recommendation.

Hang on to your hats! The 16th main installment of the Final Fantasy series, Final Fantasy XVI underwent 8 years of development persevering through the challenges of COVID-19. Square Enix’s Creative Business Unit III takes a never-before seen approach to fantasy, releasing FFXVI as its first Final Fantasy game with a Mature ESRB rating and a dark fantasy narrative with adult themes. While FFXVI was met with generally favorable reviews, Sy and Gabriel attempt to unpack the lingering feeling of dissatisfaction FFXVI left them with. You’ll simply have to tune in for this wild ride of an episode . . .

A show jam packed with new titles; talented, perseverent developers; and the first annual Game Changer Award, the Game of the Year Awards 2024 was a strong celebration for 2024’s gaming achievements. With a record 154 million livestreams, more gamers and developers tuned into the awards than ever. Join Sy and Gabriel as they break down their highlights, recap great moments from the ceremony, and break down the controversy regarding DLC’s eligibility for candidacy at the Game of the Year Awards.

With bated breath did gaming communities wait for this beloved sequel to “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild,” and finally did it briefly hit shelves before fervently being stolen away by eager fans. However, one Zelda fan was left wanting with this long-awaited title… Join Sy as he attempts to validate Gabriel’s feelings while they explore the new and old of the world of “Tears of the Kingdom.”

“13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim” was released in 2019 (JP) and 2020 (Worldwide). Developed by Vanillaware and published by Atlus (developers of the “Persona” series), this game follows 13 students across various timelines as they find out that their destinies are inextricably linked. “13 Sentinels” provides a unique take on storytelling and narrative, one that Sy and Gabriel will be exploring.

The most recent and incredibly popular title by Daniel Mullins Games (creator of “The Hex” and “Pony Island”) was released in 2021 after the creator expanded the game from his 2018 Ludum Dare game jam project, “Sacrifices Must Be Made.” Released to great acclaim, this game blends together a wide variety of genres while telling a story that encroaches on reality. Join Sy and Gabriel as they break down this mammoth title in what is the first of many game swaps between them.

First impressions are important for video games! In this episode, Sy and Gabriel reminisce about memorable video game title screens and discuss what separates the good from the great.