Episode 222 : Kessen (PS2)

This week, we take on a patron request for another Koei strategy game, but this time it's on the PS2 and it's real time as opposed to turn-based.  In the past we haven't been a fan of Koei's historically accurate strategy games, but will this one change our mind? We also take on some of your questions, to include our thoughts on the Switch 2 post launch! Want to jump right to the game? Charge over to the 12:30 mark. Join us over on our Discord to discuss the podcast, video games, or really anything over at https://discord.gg/pb76x32uWY __________________________ If you would like additional bonus episodes of Retrovaniacs or to request a game we must cover, our Patreon is located here : https://www.patreon.com/user?u=21041333 If you enjoy this podcast, why not write a review wherever you download it from? It's easy, and helps people find us by accident. Find everything Retrovaniacs at http://www.retrovania.net Intro song is "8-Bitter" by Subtastics, and is used with permission, mainly because Jeremy P is in that band.

We have somehow lasted 10 years and we're still going strong!  And to celebrate, we're not going to dwell on our successes or mention our failures, but we're going to let you do that as we answer a ton of mail from you, our listeners. Thank you again for all your support and we hope to keep you entertained for many more years to come! Join us over on our Discord to discuss games, food, or really anything over at https://discord.gg/pb76x32uWY __________________________ If you would like additional bonus episodes of Retrovaniacs or to request a game we must cover, our Patreon is located here : https://www.patreon.com/user?u=21041333 If you enjoy this podcast, why not write a review wherever you download it from? It's easy, and helps people find us by accident. Find everything Retrovaniacs at http://www.retrovania.net Intro song is "8-Bitter" by Subtastics, and is used with permission, mainly because Jeremy P is in that band.

It's another patron request, sans Billy, as we take on Baldur's Gate : Dark Alliance for the PS2!  It was also released on the XBox, GameCube, and even the GBA, but we both played it on the PS2 for this episode.  This is a Diablo-style game, but based in the world of Dungeons and Dragons, and has a far more action-arcade style than the previous Baldur's Gate games had -- but is that good or bad? LateToGaming who picked this game for us to play can be found many places, but he recommended Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/latetogaming/ Want to jump right to the game?  Charge your shot for the 11:20 mark. Join us over on our Discord to discuss games, food, or really anything over at https://discord.gg/pb76x32uWY __________________________ If you would like additional bonus episodes of Retrovaniacs or to request a game we must cover, our Patreon is located here : https://www.patreon.com/user?u=21041333 If you enjoy this podcast, why not write a review wherever you download it from? It's easy, and helps people find us by accident. Find everything Retrovaniacs at http://www.retrovania.net Intro song is "8-Bitter" by Subtastics, and is used with permission, mainly because Jeremy P is in that band.

We're taking on another request, this time for Sega's 8-bit console.  We're looking at Spellcaster, a mash of a graphic adventure game and sidescrolling action sections, which is admittedly right in our wheelhouse.  Is this a forgotten gem, or best left forgotten?  We played it to let you know our thoughts. We also all have been playing the same current game, but not on purpose - and our patron Jason wanted to let everyone know about the Uncanny X-Cast, which you can find here : https://uncannyxcast.libsyn.com/ Want to jump right to the game?  Charge your shot for the 7:45 mark. Join us over on our Discord to discuss games, food, or really anything over at https://discord.gg/pb76x32uWY __________________________ If you would like additional bonus episodes of Retrovaniacs or to request a game we must cover, our Patreon is located here : https://www.patreon.com/user?u=21041333 If you enjoy this podcast, why not write a review wherever you download it from? It's easy, and helps people find us by accident. Find everything Retrovaniacs at http://www.retrovania.net Intro song is "8-Bitter" by Subtastics, and is used with permission, mainly because Jeremy P is in that band.

We're taking on an Enix title from Nintendo's 16-bit powerhouse, an action RPG game about evolution, as requested by Cody on our Patreon. Evolve your character from a fish up to a human, all while following a very specific "eat or be eaten" mindset, this is a unique title from the era for sure, but should you play it today?  We let you know our thoughts. And speaking of thoughts, I know we made some pretty bad Switch predictions before that system launched... and we are giving our thoughts on the Switch 2 this week before we get into the game.  I think this time we might share the opinions of many people out there, but go ahead and bookmark this one to run in our faces again. Want to jump right to the game?  Well switch on over to the 16:15 mark. Join us over on our Discord to discuss games, food, or really anything over at https://discord.gg/pb76x32uWY __________________________ If you would like additional bonus episodes of Retrovaniacs or to request a game we must cover, our Patreon is located here : https://www.patreon.com/user?u=21041333 If you enjoy this podcast, why not write a review wherever you download it from? It's easy, and helps people find us by accident. Find everything Retrovaniacs at http://www.retrovania.net Intro song is "8-Bitter" by Subtastics, and is used with permission, mainly because Jeremy P is in that band.

This time we're taking on another of your requests, Fear Effect for the Playstation! This game is a lot like Resident Evil, but with a more mature storyline and some cool cel-shaded graphics, but should you hunt this down to try it now?  We played it to let you know what we think about it! Want to jump right into the game?  Start at the 10:00 mark! Join us over on our Discord to discuss games, food, or really anything over at https://discord.gg/pb76x32uWY __________________________ If you would like additional bonus episodes of Retrovaniacs or to request a game we must cover, our Patreon is located here : https://www.patreon.com/user?u=21041333 If you enjoy this podcast, why not write a review wherever you download it from? It's easy, and helps people find us by accident. Find everything Retrovaniacs at http://www.retrovania.net Intro song is "8-Bitter" by Subtastics, and is used with permission, mainly because Jeremy P is in that band.  

This week we're doing something very different!  By Patron request, we're playing a classic SNES game, The Legend of Zelda : A Link to the Past, but we're playing it with a randomizer.  Items are moved around, meaning you'll tackle this game in a different order, with different weapons and items than you're used to, and it's a very different experience. Here's the directions we had : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82dogTS1KT4 (Not our video!) and then create your file over here : https://alttpr.com/en We discuss the game itself first, and then our experience with the randomizer, and then of course take on some listener mail. Join us over on our Discord to discuss games, food, or really anything over at https://discord.gg/pb76x32uWY __________________________ If you would like additional bonus episodes of Retrovaniacs or to request a game we must cover, our Patreon is located here : https://www.patreon.com/user?u=21041333 If you enjoy this podcast, why not write a review wherever you download it from? It's easy, and helps people find us by accident. Find everything Retrovaniacs at http://www.retrovania.net Intro song is "8-Bitter" by Subtastics, and is used with permission, mainly because Jeremy P is in that band.  

Another Patron request, we're looking at Cheetos' Mascot Chester Cheetah ("It ain't easy bein cheesy") and his 2nd 16-bit console game, Chester Cheetah : Wild Wild Quest. We followed Chester on a platform adventure game across the country in search of the map to Hip City, and made some new friends and enemies along the way. We also talked about boiled peanuts, game cheesing, and answered just a slightly late Valentine's Day question. Want to jump right into the game?  Start around the 9:00 mark! Join us over on our Discord to discuss games, food, or really anything over at https://discord.gg/pb76x32uWY __________________________ If you would like additional bonus episodes of Retrovaniacs or to request a game we must cover, our Patreon is located here : https://www.patreon.com/user?u=21041333 If you enjoy this podcast, why not write a review wherever you download it from? It's easy, and helps people find us by accident. Find everything Retrovaniacs at http://www.retrovania.net Intro song is "8-Bitter" by Subtastics, and is used with permission, mainly because Jeremy P is in that band.

This time we're taking on another Patron request - Werewolf: The Last Warrior for the NES!  This game is an action platformer where you play a werewolf- can that go wrong?  We play it and let you know! Want to read the comic that came with the game?  Check it out here : https://online.anyflip.com/nmmt/itdu/mobile/ Want to jump right into the game?  Start around the 8:00 mark! Join us over on our Discord to discuss games, food, or really anything over at https://discord.gg/pb76x32uWY __________________________ If you would like additional bonus episodes of Retrovaniacs or to request a game we must cover, our Patreon is located here : https://www.patreon.com/user?u=21041333 If you enjoy this podcast, why not write a review wherever you download it from? It's easy, and helps people find us by accident. Find everything Retrovaniacs at http://www.retrovania.net Intro song is "8-Bitter" by Subtastics, and is used with permission, mainly because Jeremy P is in that band.

We're taking on another Patron request, this time on Shadow Hearts for the PlayStation 2! This RPG is a bit different from most turn-based RPGs, in that everything you do has some specific timing involved, the setting is a little out of the ordinary, and your main character can turn into different demons during the game. Is this a game worth checking out today? We played through it to give you our thoughts! We also discuss our thoughts on the Switch 2 reveal, and attempt to stay current with our mailbag, answering questions about aliens, guitars, spam, and maybe even a game or two. Monster Hunter guitar discussed -- https://www.fender.com/en-US/electric-guitars/telecaster/monster-hunter-rathalos-telecaster-rosewood-fingerboard-rathalos-red/5602600899.html Want to jump right into the game?  Start around the 14:00 mark! Join us over on our Discord to discuss games, food, or really anything over at https://discord.gg/pb76x32uWY __________________________ If you would like additional bonus episodes of Retrovaniacs or to request a game we must cover, our Patreon is located here : https://www.patreon.com/user?u=21041333 If you enjoy this podcast, why not write a review wherever you download it from? It's easy, and helps people find us by accident. Find everything Retrovaniacs at http://www.retrovania.net Intro song is "8-Bitter" by Subtastics, and is used with permission, mainly because Jeremy P is in that band.