State of the Save

Eric Suggs/Michael Cutts
  • 5.0 (16)
  • VIDEO GAMES
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

State of the Save is a book club for video games! In this podcast, hosts Eric and Michael sit down to play, talk through, and break apart the games that grab their attention. Each Installment focuses on a shared title, discussed over multiple episodes with spoiler-aware deep dives and changing perspectives as the playthrough continues. Expect thoughtful conversations, strong opinions, and genuine reactions while exploring classics, cult favorites, and modern standouts: perfect for gamers who love long-form discussion and finding their next favorite game. Podcast art by HayleeLeonardArt

  1. 3D AGO

    Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots - Part 2

    It was the best of games, it was the worst of games. The coolest reveals, and the lamest reveals. The best action, and the worst action. Metal Gear Solid 4 is a tale of two games. What parts do Eric and Michael love and which ones make them wince? FIND OUT! Timecodes: 0:00 - Intro/State of Play announcements 12:15 - Distant Worlds: Final Fantasy Concert 14:20- Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots - Act 3 57:25 - MGS4 Act 4 Follow @StateOfTheSave on Instagram and Bluesky for updates, and catch streams, clips, and highlights on YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok. Subscribe and leave a review—every rating helps more listeners discover the show. Music: Jungle Mood — Peyruis [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtu.be/AE4AWGTNa-A⁠⁠⁠⁠ Free Download / Stream: ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://alplus.io/JungleMood⁠⁠⁠⁠ Metro — Scandinavianz [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtu.be/NPKwINq8D_4⁠⁠⁠⁠ Free Download / Stream: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://alplus.io/metro⁠

    1h 31m

  2. JAN 20

    Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots - Part 1

    The GameClub format has returned! It's time that we wrapped up the Metal Gear saga with Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. This conversation covers the game's FIRST TWO ACTS! We briefly talk about the games we played over the Holiday break, with Michael talking about the flawed but ambitious Shadows of Doubt and the insane highs of completing Death Stranding 2: On The Beach. Eric also shares his time with Battlefield 6. Timecodes: 0:00 - Intro 2:00 - Death Stranding 2 3:45 - Shadows of Doubt 7:50 - Battlefield 6 9:45 - Metal Gear Solid Delta Snake Eater 11:05 - Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Follow @StateOfTheSave on Instagram and Bluesky for updates, and catch streams, clips, and highlights on YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok. Subscribe and leave a review—every rating helps more listeners discover the show. Music: Jungle Mood — Peyruis [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: ⁠⁠⁠https://youtu.be/AE4AWGTNa-A⁠⁠⁠ Free Download / Stream: ⁠⁠⁠http://alplus.io/JungleMood⁠⁠⁠ Metro — Scandinavianz [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: ⁠⁠⁠https://youtu.be/NPKwINq8D_4⁠⁠⁠ Free Download / Stream: ⁠⁠⁠https://alplus.io/metro

    1h 43m

  3. 12/23/2025

    2025 Holiday Special

    It's time for our End of the Year Holiday Special! Join State of the Save, as we break down our favorite games of 2025, our personal Game Awards highlights, and the game's we're looking forward to most next year. Also, our GameClub format returns in 2026! Join uas as we finish our multi-year long Metal Gear saga with Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots! Want to play along: Finish ACT 2 by the next episode! Follow @StateOfTheSave on Instagram and Bluesky for updates, and catch streams, clips, and highlights on YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok. Subscribe and leave a review—every rating helps more listeners discover the show. Music: Jungle Mood — Peyruis [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: ⁠⁠⁠https://youtu.be/AE4AWGTNa-A⁠⁠⁠ Free Download / Stream: ⁠⁠⁠http://alplus.io/JungleMood⁠⁠⁠ Metro — Scandinavianz [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: ⁠⁠⁠https://youtu.be/NPKwINq8D_4⁠⁠⁠ Free Download / Stream: ⁠⁠⁠https://alplus.io/metro

    1h 30m

  4. 12/04/2025

    Hulk (2003)/Alpha Protocol

    This week on State of the Save, Michael and Eric dive into two famously ambitious but undeniably flawed games: Hulk for the PlayStation 2 and Obsidian’s cult-favorite spy RPG Alpha Protocol. From chaotic superhero destruction to branching espionage gone off the rails, both titles spark a deeper conversation about what makes broken-but-bold games so fascinating. Michael also shares his time with Guilty Gear Strive, exploring its insane characters and bonkers style, along with the surprisingly deep Kirby Air Riders. Eric checks in with an update on his growing CloverPit addiction and how it’s shaping his week in gaming, and his return to Night City in Cyberpunk 2077. Looking ahead, our next episode will be our annual Holiday Special, where we break down our favorite games of the year and highlight the releases that defined our 2024 playlists. Then, starting in January, we’re bringing back the classic GameClub format for a full three-part deep dive into Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. Just like our earlier GameClub series, we’ll take the game section by section, analyzing story beats, gameplay systems, major themes, standout moments, and the legacy it left behind. Follow @StateOfTheSave on Instagram and Bluesky for updates, and catch streams, clips, and highlights on YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok. Subscribe and leave a review—every rating helps more listeners discover the show. Timecodes: 0:00 - Intro 4:02 - Guilty Gear Strive 15:03 - Kirby Air Riders 21:30 - Cyberpunk 2077 30:20 - CloverPit 37:47 - Hulk (2003) 1:00:33 - Alpha Protocol 1:23:40 - Game of the Year Show/METAL GEAR SOLID 4! Music: Jungle Mood — Peyruis [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: ⁠⁠⁠https://youtu.be/AE4AWGTNa-A⁠⁠⁠ Free Download / Stream: ⁠⁠⁠http://alplus.io/JungleMood⁠⁠⁠ Metro — Scandinavianz [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: ⁠⁠⁠https://youtu.be/NPKwINq8D_4⁠⁠⁠ Free Download / Stream: ⁠⁠⁠https://alplus.io/metro

    1h 28m

  5. 11/19/2025

    Halo 3: ODST/Return of the Obra Dinn

    In this episode of State of the Save, Michael finally plays Halo 3: ODST… but before he can even talk about the game, he drops a long-kept secret about his personal history with the Halo franchise that changes everything. Eric takes on Return of the Obra Dinn, the critically acclaimed investigative adventure from Lucas Pope. With its meticulous logic puzzles and unforgettable art style, it pulls him in like a gripping mystery novel he can’t put down. The guys also delve into the 2025 games they missed, along with the 2026 games worth looking forward to, the ways Call of Duty Black Ops 7 falls short, and Michael’s sudden obsession with Hypnospace Outlaw. To wrap it up, they trade picks for the next episode—two flawed but fascinatingly ambitious games from the PS2/Xbox 360 era. Follow @StateOfTheSave on Instagram and Bluesky for updates, and catch streams, clips, and highlights on YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok. Subscribe and leave a review to help more listeners discover the show! Timecodes: 0:00 - Intro 3:15 - Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 9:00 - 2025 Games as the year wraps up 19:30 - Final Fantasy XVI 21:20 - Hypnospace Outlaw 31:54 - Return of the Obra Dinn 55:10 - Halo 3: ODST 1:30:15- Michael's Pick for Eric 1:34:30 - Eric's Pick with Michael Music: Jungle Mood — Peyruis [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: ⁠⁠⁠https://youtu.be/AE4AWGTNa-A⁠⁠⁠ Free Download / Stream: ⁠⁠⁠http://alplus.io/JungleMood⁠⁠⁠ Metro — Scandinavianz [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: ⁠⁠⁠https://youtu.be/NPKwINq8D_4⁠⁠⁠ Free Download / Stream: ⁠⁠⁠https://alplus.io/metro

    1h 40m

  6. 11/05/2025

    Metal Gear Acid/Haunting: Starring Polterguy

    Michael and Eric return for another episode of State of the Save, diving deep into two wildly different retro experiences. Michael takes on Metal Gear Acid for PSP—a tactical, card-based spin on the Metal Gear Solid series with a plot twist no one will see coming. He also celebrates rolling credits on Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles and admits to falling into Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate thanks to some questionable impulse control. Meanwhile, Eric embraces the Halloween spirit with Haunting: Starring Polterguy, a Sega Genesis cult classic full of ghoulish humor and haunted hijinks. He also shares his thoughts on Ninja Gaiden 4, exploring how it stacks up to the series’ legendary past. To close out the episode, the duo trade picks once again—this time featuring a spooky ghost-ship mystery and a game from one of Eric’s favorite series. Follow @StateOfTheSave on Instagram and Bluesky for show updates. Watch full episodes, clips, and live playthroughs on YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review—every rating helps more gamers discover the show. Timecodes: 0:00 - Intro 3:03 - Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles 13:30 - Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate 16:55 - Ninja Gaiden 4 27:05 - Outer Wilds 2 looks interesting/Obsidian Games 35:22 - Mass Effect Andromeda 40:19 - Haunting: Starring Polterguy 58:30 - Metal Gear Acid 1:13:35 - Eric's Pick with Michael 1:23:28 - Michael's Pick for Eric Music: Jungle Mood — Peyruis [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: ⁠⁠⁠https://youtu.be/AE4AWGTNa-A⁠⁠⁠ Free Download / Stream: ⁠⁠⁠http://alplus.io/JungleMood⁠⁠⁠ Metro — Scandinavianz [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: ⁠⁠⁠https://youtu.be/NPKwINq8D_4⁠⁠⁠ Free Download / Stream: ⁠⁠⁠https://alplus.io/metro

    1h 31m

  7. 10/15/2025

    Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time/Lord of the Rings: The Third Age

    Eric and Michael revisit the golden PS2 era with two very different titles: Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, the groundbreaking Ubisoft action adventure, and The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age, EA’s cinematic RPG with, perhaps, too many ties to the legendary film trilogy. In this episode of State of the Save, the hosts explore what made these games unforgettable, from fluid parkour mechanics and movie-licensed storytelling to the signature early-2000s style that defined the generation. Eric shares his frustrations with Xbox’s new pricing model, while Michael returns to Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, reflecting on an unfinished journey from his youth. The episode also set up the next Game Trade, where Eric challenges Michael to test out a spin-off of one of his favorite series, and Michael introduces Eric to a spooky Sega Genesis game perfect for Halloween season. Follow @StateOfTheSave on Instagram and Bluesky for show updates. Watch streams, clips, and highlights on YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review—every rating helps us bring you more gaming podcasts, reviews, and retrospectives! Timecodes: 0:00 – Intro 1:45 – Xbox Game Pass Price Increase 15:55 – Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles 37:05 – Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time 49:50 – The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age 1:16:08 – Michael's Pick for Eric - A Spooky Sega Genesis Game 1:20:55 - Eric Bullies Michael into playing a spin-off Music: Jungle Mood — Peyruis [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtu.be/AE4AWGTNa-A ⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Download / Stream: ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://alplus.io/JungleMood⁠⁠⁠⁠ Metro — Scandinavianz [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtu.be/NPKwINq8D_4⁠⁠⁠⁠ Free Download / Stream: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://alplus.io/metro⁠

    1h 25m

  8. 10/01/2025

    Super Mario Galaxy/NFL Blitz 2001

    It’s game swap time on State of the Save! This week, Eric planet-hops his way through Super Mario Galaxy, while Michael battles against the AI in NFL Blitz 2001 to figure out how the classic football game cheats. In a fun twist, the guys swap unexpected picks—Eric hands Michael an RPG, and Michael drops Eric into a once-beloved franchise that’s due for a comeback. Along the way, they dive into nostalgic discussions about two iconic retro titles: The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and Halo 2. If you love classic Nintendo and Xbox games, quirky game swaps, and deep-cut gaming conversations, this episode has it all. Follow @StateOfTheSave on Instagram and Bluesky for show updates. Watch streams, clips, and highlights on YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review—every rating helps us bring you more gaming podcasts, reviews, and retrospectives! Timecodes: 0:00 – Intro 2:00 – The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker 11:35 – Halo 2 16:15 – Super Mario Galaxy 27:40 – Retro Game Talk 32:40 – Back to Mario Galaxy 35:30 – NFL Blitz 2001 50:25 – Michael’s pick for Eric 53:08 – Eric’s pick for Michael Music: Jungle Mood — Peyruis [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtu.be/AE4AWGTNa-A ⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Download / Stream: ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://alplus.io/JungleMood⁠⁠⁠⁠ Metro — Scandinavianz [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtu.be/NPKwINq8D_4⁠⁠⁠⁠ Free Download / Stream: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://alplus.io/metro⁠

    1h 4m
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5
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

State of the Save is a book club for video games! In this podcast, hosts Eric and Michael sit down to play, talk through, and break apart the games that grab their attention. Each Installment focuses on a shared title, discussed over multiple episodes with spoiler-aware deep dives and changing perspectives as the playthrough continues. Expect thoughtful conversations, strong opinions, and genuine reactions while exploring classics, cult favorites, and modern standouts: perfect for gamers who love long-form discussion and finding their next favorite game. Podcast art by HayleeLeonardArt

Information

  • Creator
    Eric Suggs/Michael Cutts
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    123
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Eric Suggs/Michael Cutts
  • Show Website
    State of the Save