The Experience Points Podcast Jorge Albor, Scott Juster, Experience Points

The Wii U, one of the worst selling consoles of all time, is finally shutting down its servers and turning off the lights. Today on the podcast we poor one out for a console ahead of its time, a messy, imperfect, but maybe a little prescient attempt by Nintendo to transform the gaming landscape.
 
Show Notes:
- Music by Brad Sucks

I meant to publish the show earlier, but I thought I could squeeze in a few more hands of Balatro.  48 hours later, I realize two things: that was a mistake and I'm now starving to death.  This week, we dip into Balatro, make our stage debut with Princess Peach: Showtime!, and evaluate Red XIII's surreal attempt at acting like a human.  Now, just a few more hands and then I swear I'll go to sleep.

Everyone's favorite lovable stoners are coming to Call of Duty, about 50 years too late to be culturally relevant. This week on the podcast, we try to draw a line between interesting and relevant in-game partnerships and the pup-culture goop that is Content with a capital "C". Don't puff, puff, pass on this one!
 
Show Notes:
- "Everything is Content Now," by Patrick (H) Willems via YouTube
- Music by Brad Sucks

It's finally Spring again around these parts, which means it's time for one of our favorite annual rituals: the yearly Journey playthrough!  For whatever reason, Jorge and I both had cautionary tales of resource scarcity and environmental collapse on the brain (I blame Barrett and the rest of Avalanche) and it just goes to show that you can still get something new out of a game every time you play it.  Twelve years on and we're still finding new treasures in the desert.

We discuss why Final Fantasy VIII is actually awesome, how the remake is changing the legacy of the franchise, and what's up with the best (and worst) Final Fantasy games.
 
Show Notes:
- Music by Brad Sucks
- "Final Fantasy is the Best, Area Man Claims," via Polygon

Reports of us rejoining the lifestream have been greatly exaggerated.  We're back after being under the weather, but we return having played a bunch of new games.  We have Helldivers, Donkey Kong, and more, including 2024 gamiest-game contender Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.  While we're only a few hours into what will undoubtedly be an enormous game, there is plenty to talk and speculate about.  Grab a comfy cushion to soften this rickety old bench and join us!