Video Games 2 the MAX Sean Garmer

This week saw a quieter period for gaming with everyone still catching up on the deluge of games released in the last few weeks and also some showcases highlighting upcoming games too.

Marc has now been playing Stellar Blade and makes up for Sean not getting to make any progress in the game this week. With Marc having more familiarity with the Souls genre how does his opinion differ from Sean's last week? Is Stellar Blade a hit for him too?

Also, Square-Enix announced a massive loss due to content abandonment losses totaling $141 Million. What does this mean for the company? And what could be the canceled projects? Should Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest fans be worried?

Plus, 7-Eleven and Tetris, the ID @ Xbox showcase, shocking studio closures at Take-Two Interactive, and much more!

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Gaming season has arrived at the end of April and the guys have some games to talk about on this episode of Video Games 2 the MAX. Sean's been playing Stellar Blade Another Crab's Treasure, and Tales of Kenzera Zau, and Marc's been playing No Rest For the Wicked. Quite a bit of Souls on this show.

Also, Blizzard announced they will not have Blizzcon in 2024. Is this really a big deal? Or does it say something about not having really anything major to showcase?

Plus, Embracer Group spits into three, Xbox financial figures cause a meltdown, some info on potential Switch 2 joycons, and more games are being delisted.

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As we await the big game releases of next week, there are a few minor ones that have already made their way out to PC and Consoles. Sean's played Stop Motion narrative wonder Harold Halibut and the Final Fantasy XVI Rising Tide DLC. Does the Rising Tide serve as a seemingly fitting finale to FF16's content? Is Harold Halibut another indie darling that everyone should play?

There's quite a bit of video game adjacent and actual video game news to discuss, with Nintendo providing a brand new Indie World and Sean has a few favorites to be excited about. The Witcher series gets a final Season 5, Sonic 3's Shadow has its voice actor, Mike Ybarra wonders if we should be able to tip AAA game developers, and are Final Fantasy VII Rebirth sales being overblown?

Plus, Sean and Marc discuss more on the Fallout TV Show now that Sean has finished it. PC versions of PlayStation games will soon get trophies, Marc's been playing OuterWorlds and a lot more on this edition of Video Games 2 the MAX.

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* Apologies for the audio version coming out a little later than usual. Sean had some family matters to attend to. *

This week saw the premiere of the Fallout TV Series on Amazon Prime and Marc has binged through it all, while Sean has watched the first few episodes. So the duo discusses their impressions of the series that's already received the greenlight for a second season.

Also, this was a week of announcements, trailers, and lost possibilities. As the Star Wars Outlaws Story trailer released to much aplomb and wonder, but does it have the guys excited about what's to come when it releases on August 30?

The Triple iii Showcase also took place and both of us have some favorite games coming out of it. Then, there's the whole debacle with EA and if there was going to be a Dead Space 2 Remake or even a new Dead Space game. EA has put an end to that not happening. Is it the best move?

Plus, could we see less big-budget $70 games? EA Play goes up in price and more!

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We are now fully into April and as we wait for the big games coming at the end of the month, there are some demos out for some of them. So, Sean has some Stellar Blade Impressions to share on this episode. Along with that, he's also played two versions of the Saga: Emerald Beyond. As well as a beloved game that was released bout a month ago in Unicorn Overlord impressions too. Marc is also just enjoying more Granblue Fantasy Relink.

Some details have dropped on potential games for the June Xbox Showcase including a long-awaited Gears 6 reveal. Likewise, rumors abound that much like last year, Sony may opt to get ahead of the Summer Games Fest brouhaha and have a showcase in May. Xbox is also in the news for some others including making a games preservation team and Hellblade 2 being locked at 30 FPS.

Plus, according to an annual report from Newzoo most gamers are playing old games or recurring annual franchises. Does this say anything about the state of gaming? And does this paint a grim picture for how many new players are available for recent Live-Service games? The controversial Tekken 8 Fighter Pass, the status of the Knights of the Old Republic Remake, and more!

You can also watch this episode in video form on the W2M Network Youtube Channel, please give us a like, comment on the episode, and give the channel a subscribe and follow as well: https://youtube.com/live/3xHjN6GNOMA

The Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Spoilercast: https://youtube.com/live/CtmUkGAtNt4

Timestamps:

00:01:00: START

00:02:15: Housekeeping & Intro

------------- Games We Played ----------

00:06:50: Stellar Blade Demo (Sean)

00:12:35: Saga Emerald Beyond Demo (PS5 & Switch) (Sean)

00:19:20: Unicorn Overlord Demo (Sean)

----------- What's in the News -----------

00:22:15: Hellblade 2 will be locked to 30 FPS

00:26:25: Ninja Theory (Hellblade 2 Developer) Co-Founder Antoniades Left the Studio

00:28:00: Xbox has a Game Preservation Team, a possible Gears 6 reveal and Talking more about the state of Xbox

00:47:40: Potential announcements at May 2024 PlayStation Showcase

00:50:10: Newzoo's report of gaming habits in 2023 and Most Played Games

00:55:35: Multiversus Returning and What will Nintendo do with the next Smash Bros game

00:58:55: Tekken 8 Adds Fighter Pass and could they also add 3 vs. 3 Mode too?

01:05:40: Dragon Quest XII in Trouble? Square-Enix reassigns Top Producer

01:10:00: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth's Platinum issue will be patched soon

01:11:40: Could Square-Enix surprise us with DLC for FFVII Rebirth that isn't just Queen's Blood?

01:16:50: Knights of the Republic Remake is alive and well according to Sabre Interactive

01:19:40: Ubisoft and Relic Entertainment both have layoffs, The Crew 1 going to be delisted

01:26:05: Roku has patented a way to sell adds that can read what's connected to your HDMi is sitting idle

01:31:30: Apple will allow Emulators on the App Store

--------- The End ---------

01:35:00: Games Coming Out This Week!

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Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is so massive Sean had to bring in five guests to break down their thoughts on various parts of the game including The Ending and where we go from here into Part 3. So, if you didn't catch the title, there will be SPOILERS for the game on this special edition of Video Games 2 the MAX.

Sean is joined by the man who loves Bad Brackets Randy Isbelle and two members of The Outerhaven crew in SithScott and Andrew Agress (also, Andrew reviewed Rebirth for the Outerhaven.) Plus, you have freelance writers Hayes Madsen (he reviewed Rebirth for Inverse) and first-time guest Josh Broadwell (who reviewed Rebirth for Roger Ebert.)

So if you also have finished Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, join us in this all-encompassing, (positive and negative) discussion about the second part of the FFVII Remake Project.

-------- Guest Links -----

Randy's Bad Brackets: https://www.youtube.com/@BadBrackets

Scott's Stellar Blade Impressions: https://www.theouterhaven.net/2024/04/stellar-blade-demo-impressions/

Andrew's FFVII Rebirth Review: https://www.theouterhaven.net/2024/02/final-fantasy-vii-rebirth-review-the-pinnacle-of-a-journey/

Hayes's FFVII Rebirth Review: https://www.inverse.com/gaming/final-fantasy-7-rebirth-review

Hayes's FFVII Rebirth Ending Explained: https://www.inverse.com/gaming/ff-7-rebirth-ending-explained

Josh's FFVII Rebirth Review: https://www.rogerebert.com/video-games/final-fantasy-7-rebirth-video-game-review

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