The Burn | Gaming stuff. Blazing fast‪.‬ the Game Burning Cast

In this episode of THE BURN, hosts ⁠Aviv Icel Manoach⁠ and ⁠Yehuda Halfon⁠ travel back to Midgard to follow our favourite dad in God of War Ragnarök. On the news, more Warhammer 40K and a new Sims competitor making waves.

Original recording date - April 11, 2023.

Game of the Show: God of War Ragnarök

Published by Santa Monica Studio, MSRP $60, Buy the game.

In 2018 the God of War franchise got relaunched in Norse mythology. After we killed all(most?) of the Greek gods now we get to do it again but in the cold. We haven’t talked about the first game but there are some connections to the second one so here we go (yay spoilers for a 5-year-old game).

In the first game were playing Kratos in some kind of Nose country he has a kid Atreus and they go on a journey to the highest mountain in the realms to spread the ashes of Kratos’s late wife. While there we are hunted by some gods because we’ll bring Ragnarök to the lands. We kill three gods during the game, Modi and Magni & Baldur. This leads to their parents (Thor and Freya) seeking revenge against us in the second game.

In the second game God of War Ragnarök we are back in the same world but now we are trying to stop Ragnarök. If the first game was more about Kratos learning how to communicate with his son and filling his wife's last wish in this game everyone learns about redemption and trying to change their destiny. The whole forgiveness arcs of Thor and Freya are amazing. If in the first game Kratos always told Atreus to close his heart to the suffering of the world in this game Kratos finally understand that this is a gift and not something that needs to be changed.

In this game, we meet Odin, and we learn how much he’s afraid of losing and how far he’ll go just not to lose and to keep his power. I think that we can talk for hours about this game, but we only have 20 minutes, so do yourself a favour and play this game, it is that amazing.

On the news:


PC Game Pass has just launched in 40 new countries
Unlike The Sims, Life by You is absolutely pro-nudity
Retro-inspired shooter Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun blasts onto PC in May
EA debuts EA Sports FC branding

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You can subscribe to the podcast feed at ⁠theburn.live⁠, support our shows by visiting ⁠support.theburn.live⁠ and join our Discord community at ⁠discord.theburn.live⁠.

Our theme was created by ⁠@AnneDorko⁠ with vocals by ⁠@FishyTwitch⁠.

In this episode of THE BURN, hosts ⁠Aviv Icel Manoach⁠ and ⁠Yehuda Halfon⁠ check out Chained Echoes, a homage to old-school JRPGs with contemporary mechanics and a pixel art flair. And on the news, we discuss the new upcoming addition of Warhammer 40,000.

Original recording date - March 28, 2023.

Game of the Show: Chained Echoes

Published by Matthias Linda, MSRP $25, Buy the game.

A new (end of 2022) old school like J(like)RPG. The game takes place in Valandis where there is a long-lasting war. In the beginning hours of the game, we learn how the game works. Unlike other JRPGs there is no level-up in the game, you get skill points and can buy new skills and upgrade them. Part of the skills are active and others are passive.

During the game, many new characters join the group, but it feels tight and not just to make the group bigger. The story is very well written, but the most innovative thing in the game is the combat. Throughout the combat, there is a bar the as long as you keep your marker in the green you cause more damage and take less damage, but if you get to the red you suffer more damage, this could have been nicer if the combats themselves weren’t so much damage sponge.

If you loved the old JRPGs give it a go, the plot is nice and well-written, and the combat is new but still feels old school (unlike the new JRPGs that try to make everything new). It’s part of the GamePass so that’s always good, it’s not a long game, I don’t remember when was the last time I played a 40-50 hour JRPG.

On the news:

The 10th edition of Warhammer 40K has been announced. They will make it more streamlined, with many updated rules. The tactic will stay the same but it will be faster rounds. The rule book will be released in the summer, and all the army rules will be released for free at the same time:

10th Edition Warhammer 40,000 – Your Questions Answered! - Warhammer Community (warhammer-community.com)


Our friend Eran launch Caregiver on Kickstart.
Aviv is working on a tabletop RPG called Godflesh. You can follow the playtest on Twitter.

Creative Corner:


Our friend Eran launch Caregiver on Kickstart.
Aviv is working on a tabletop RPG called Godflesh. You can follow the playtest on Twitter.

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You can subscribe to the podcast feed at ⁠theburn.live⁠, support our shows by visiting ⁠support.theburn.live⁠ and join our Discord community at ⁠discord.theburn.live⁠.

Our theme was created by ⁠@AnneDorko⁠ with vocals by ⁠@FishyTwitch⁠.

In this episode of THE BURN, hosts ⁠Aviv Icel Manoach⁠ and ⁠Yehuda Halfon⁠ go to war against the abyss in Wrath of the Righteous, an excellent RPG that captures the feel of its tabletop origins. On the news, a major boon for indie developers with Epic opening up its game store for self-publishing. 

Original recording date - March 13, 2023.

Game of the Show: Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous

Published by Owlcat Games, MSRP $50, Buy the game (Humble partner link).

Wrath of the Righteous is the second CRPG from Owlcat, following Kingmaker, both take place in the Pathfinder campaign setting and follow the tabletop adventure paths of the same name.

In WotR, we play a part in the crusades around the area known as the Worldwound, a crack in the physical world into the Abyss, a realm of demons. Throughout the campaign, we help push back the forces of the Abyss and find the true intention behind the creation of the Worldwound.

Like its predecessor, the game uses the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game ruleset, including over 20 character classes and all that comes with them. It’s a very accurate representation of the tabletop game and one of WotR’s major hindrances: First, the game UI/UX does not do a good job of explaining the rules, when the player is allowed to do something, and how. Second, many decisions in the creation of the game that aims to imitate a tabletop campaign are just not good when transferred to the video game medium - that can be seen with the overworld travel and associated game mechanics.

But those weaknesses do not hurt the game much. The story is very well written and told. The combat system is intricate and involved. When you find the right challenge level for you, it feels amazing to win battles, figuring out how to make the mechanics work for you.

On the News:


The Mageseeker brings sick 2D action to the League Of Legends world next month
Epic launches self-publishing tools, calls out Valve again: 'Steam has created a real problem for the industry’

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You can subscribe to the podcast feed at ⁠theburn.live⁠, support our shows by visiting ⁠support.theburn.live⁠ and join our Discord community at ⁠discord.theburn.live⁠.

Our theme was created by ⁠@AnneDorko⁠ with vocals by ⁠@FishyTwitch⁠.

In this episode of THE BURN, hosts Aviv Icel Manoach and Yehuda Halfon fight a demonic invasion with beloved Marvel heroes in Midnight Suns and discuss game announcements such as the Elden Ring expansion, Final Fantasy 16 previews and early access launch of Kerbal Space Program 2. 

Original recording date - February 28, 2023.

Game of the Show: Marvel’s Midnight Suns
Published by Firaxis Games, MSRP $60, Buy the game (Humble partner link).

Midnight Sun is a strange beast. It’s a roleplaying game, a tactical turn-based strategy game, and a deck-building game, all at once. And it works! The good people at Firaxis said to themselves “what if we made Dragon Age, but with Marvel characters and the combat uses cards!”.

In the game, the world is under attack by Lilith, the mother of demons, and we play her resurrected child, destined to lead humanity in the battle against her. The Hunter is an original character made for this game and can be customised by the player. The rest of the crew is made of various Marvel comic characters, from the Avengers to Blade, some X-Men and others.

The titular “Midnight Suns” are mostly those characters with something to do with magic or the occult, like Magik, Nico and Ghost Rider. The variety of characters is decent, although some of the adaptations are not to my liking - specifically Iron Man and Doctor Strange.

Its combat system is exciting and captures well the comic book feel. It’s a tactical combat which uses a deck of cards for attacks, similar to games like Slay the Spire or Monster Train. Using regular attacks fills up the heroic meter for the entire party, which in turn allows you to use heroic ability cards. The game’s characters specialise in different areas of combat, such as single enemy attacks, crowd control, generating hero points, or environmental damage. Team composition becomes important.

What the game is lacking compared to its predecessors is its limited combat arenas, which are always just as big as the screen and unlike XCOM have no element of exploration; and the lack of verticality which could have fit very well with the superhero genre.

On the News:

Microsoft Signs 10-Year Contract To Bring Xbox Games To Nintendo Consoles
DLC for Elden Ring: Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Expansion Is Officially In Development - IGN
People get preview copies of FF16: Final Fantasy 16 hands-on preview: Square Enix’s FF16 is pure action - Polygon
Baldur’s Gate 3 digital deluxe upgrade is free as early access reward
KSP 2 - is in early access but not in a very good state: Kerbal Space Program 2 early access review: a catastrophic re-entry | Rock Paper Shotgun

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You can subscribe to the podcast feed at theburn.live, support our shows by visiting support.theburn.live and join our Discord community at discord.theburn.live.

Our theme was created by @AnneDorko with vocals by @FishyTwitch.

In this episode of THE BURN, hosts Aviv Icel Manoach and Yehuda Halfon discuss Jedi: Fallen Order, reminding us of everything we like about Star Wars. Microsoft comments on GamePass's sales in the litigation around the Activition-Blizzard merger, and EA's bids to create their new FIFA replacement.

Original recording date - February 7, 2023.

Game of the Show: Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
Published by Respawn Entertainment, MSRP $40, Buy the game.

Jedi: Fallen Order reminds me of everything I like about Star Wars, with contemporary graphics and gameplay that draws inspiration from classic Star Wars games like Dark Forces: Jedi Knight. I liked it so much that I immediately proceeded to play Titanfall 2 from the same developers when it first came out.

Dark Souls and especially Sekiro influence the game’s progression and combat system: Shadow Dies Twice, as combat relays heavily on timed parries and blocks. Enemy respawns after resting at a checkpoint, and you may lose your XP if you die.

However, the game does include multiple challenge settings, including a Story Mode. You can feel like a badass Jedi Knight, even if you’re not up to par with their parry mechanics.

But the sliding sections continue to be the worst part of the game. No, Aviv, the worst part is the puzzles.

On the News:

Double Fine PsychOdyssey is a 20+ hour series documenting the development of Psychonauts 2
Microsoft confirms Game Pass cannibalizes sales
EA ‘closing in’ on deal with Premier League

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You can subscribe to the podcast feed at theburn.live, support our shows by visiting support.theburn.live and join our Discord community at discord.theburn.live.

Our theme was created by @AnneDorko with vocals by @FishyTwitch.

In this episode of THE BURN, hosts Aviv Icel Manoach and Omer Timetwister Kaplan go back to their childhood with the new Ninja Turtles game! And on the news, we talk mods, remakes and why can't we have nice things.

Original recording date - June 20, 2022.

Game of the Show: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge
Published by Tribute Games, MSRP $25, Buy the game.

The name ‘tribute’ is so fitting to this company - they created a masterpiece of a game that honours the SNES version of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and puts a modernized twist on top of it. It’s a 4-10 hour experience depending on the difficulty setting but so worth it.

Maybe I’m a bit nostalgic since I played the SENS version so much


First of all, you can play as April which is amazing
The fighting mechanism has a lot of combos and moves you can make (as opposed to the limited amount of the SNES). You can hold, dodge, create air moves, and super moves, there is full support with your multi-directional controller.
There is player interaction, you can high-5 a person to transfer some health which feels super fun.
Multiplayer is awesome, you can jump into people’s games and they can (if you want) jump into yours
11/10 I paid $80 for it - no regrets!

On the News:

Ron Gilbert doesn’t want to talk about Return To Monkey Island anymore
A Fan is Making a Warcraft III Remake in the StarCraft II Engine
Battle royale Spellbreak shutting down after Blizzard buys studio
Persona 5 Royal is Coming to Nintendo Switch

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Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast, comment and leave your reviews on your preferred listening app, at theburn.live.

Our theme was created by @AnneDorko with vocals by @FishyTwitch.