The Nextlander Podcast

The Nextlander Podcast

Longtime friends and games media colleagues Vinny Caravella, Brad Shoemaker, and Alex Navarro share their combined decades of knowledge, expertise, and passion for games with weekly discussions about what they're playing, what's happening in the industry, and whatever else they're up to.

  1. Smooth Jimmy's Pod of the Week

    2H AGO

    Smooth Jimmy's Pod of the Week

    Brad's on the mend this week, so Giant Bomb's in-house counsel Jeff Bakalar is filling the rotating chair this week as we discuss PAX East, recent video game releases, and the gambling industry's ongoing contribution to the degeneration of society. CHAPTERS(00:00:00) | NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate for versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.(00:00:10) | Intro(00:01:29) | Welcome back Jeff Bakalar(00:09:54) | What a fun PAX East this year(00:15:13) | Oh, you want to buy some dice? They've got dice.(00:20:55) | Slay the Spire (The board game)(00:22:10) | Slay the Spire | [PC (Microsoft Windows), Linux, Mac] | Jan 23, 2019(00:31:41) | Jocks and nerds living together. It can happen.(00:34:13) | First Break(00:36:40) | Screamer | [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S] | Mar 26, 2026(00:43:08) | Raccoin: Coin Pusher Roguelike | [PC (Microsoft Windows)] | Mar 31, 2026(00:50:10) | Bakalar and Alex are (still) not happy with sports betting(01:08:04) | Marvel MaXimum Collection | [Nintendo Switch, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S] | Mar 27, 2026(01:13:31) | Resident Evil Requiem | [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2] | Feb 27, 2026(01:17:45) | Second Break(01:17:50) | PlayStation price increases(01:27:20) | Nintendo confirms price differences between digital and physical releases(01:29:14) | Time for Star Fox to shine(01:36:49) | Does Disney want to own Epic Games?(01:48:21) | Shinji Mikami's new(ish) studio is bought(01:50:38) | Eidos-Montreal has more layoffs(01:51:49) | Konami increases salaries for employees(01:53:28) | MindsEye continues to be a concern(02:00:17) | Some game announcements(02:00:34) | Hunter: The Reckoning - Deathwish | [PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows)] | Q3 2027(02:00:49) | Hades II | [Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5] | Apr 14, 2026(02:00:56) | The Eternal Life of Goldman | [Nintendo Switch, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S] | 2026(02:01:27) | Boxroom (Early Access) | [PC (Microsoft Windows)] | Q2 2026(02:03:11) | Emails(02:22:17) | Wrapping up and thanks(02:25:53) | Mysterious Benefactor Shoutouts(02:27:13) | See ya!

    2h 28m
  2. An Underpowered, Pathetic Pokemon

    6D AGO

    An Underpowered, Pathetic Pokemon

    Start Menu's Lex Luddy drops by to chop it up with us about Pokemon Pokopia, the "joy" of reviewing Crimson Desert, the actual joy of RE Requiem with unlimited ammo, the state of Marathon's Cryo Archives and late game, some more unfortunate industry-downturn news, another installment in the great FMV game debate, and more! CHAPTERS(00:00:00) NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate for versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.(00:00:10) Intro(00:00:41) Welcome back Lex!(00:03:23) Pokémon Pokopia  |  [Nintendo Switch 2]  |  Mar 05, 2026(00:27:21) First Break(00:27:26) Crimson Desert  |  [PlayStation 5, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox Series X|S]  |  Mar 19, 2026(00:53:37) Marathon  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Mar 05, 2026(01:11:22) Resident Evil Requiem  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2]  |  Feb 27, 2026(01:23:40) Dirt 3  |  [PlayStation 3, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 3, Xbox 360]  |  May 24, 2011(01:26:39) Second Break(01:26:44) Epic Games lays off over 1,000 people(01:42:00) Nintendo Switch 2 production to slow down(01:48:10) Sony closes Dark Outlaw Games(01:50:55) Marathon sales numbers(01:57:24) UK game development(02:08:13) Let's all just live in Minecraft World(02:16:41) Email(02:27:07) Wrapping up and thanks(02:31:04) Mysterious Benefactor Shoutouts(02:32:36) Thanks again to Lex Luddy!(02:33:59) See ya!

    2h 34m
  3. It's-a Mediocre!

    MAR 12

    It's-a Mediocre!

    It's a very full show this week, with discussion of Marathon, late-game Resident Evil Requiem, WWE 2K26, and Esoteric Ebb, plus chatter in the news about Microsoft's Project Helix, PlayStation surge pricing, Nagoshi Studio's loss of funding for Gang of Dragon, and the final round of Mario Galaxy movie casting, plus another stack of FMV emails and more! CHAPTERS(00:00:00) NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate for versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.(00:00:10) Intro(00:02:35) Resident Evil Requiem  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2]  |  Feb 27, 2026(00:02:53) [SPOILER WARNING] Some open and spoiler-ish RE9 talk ensues!(00:05:35) We get a little deeper into actual spoiler territory(00:43:07) First Break(00:43:11) Marathon  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Mar 05, 2026(01:00:11) WWE 2K26  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Mar 13, 2026(01:18:13) Esoteric Ebb  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Mar 03, 2026(01:19:36) Second Break(01:27:01) Welcome to Project Helix(01:37:14) Valve still plans to keep to its 2026 hardware date(01:50:01) Sony's stab at dynamic pricing?(01:56:53) NetEase to stop funding Gang of Dragon(02:05:44) Make way for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie(02:16:31) Emails(02:32:21) Wrapping up and thanks(02:35:12) Mysterious Benefactor Shoutouts(02:38:43) Nextlander content updates(02:39:44) See ya!

    2h 40m
  4. Requiem? Damn Near Killed 'Em

    MAR 5

    Requiem? Damn Near Killed 'Em

    This week we discuss the hottest Resident Evil releases, like Outbreak and 6 (and also Requiem), Reanimal, Steam Next Fest demos like Vampire Crawlers, Awaysis, and Forbidden Solitaire, Sony's reported decision to stop porting its first-party games to PC, the Bloodborne remaster that almost was, RedOctane's new guitar game, the God of War live action show, and a bunch of other stuff! CHAPTERS (00:00:10) Intro(00:02:20) No power, (almost) no problem!(00:12:50) Resident Evil Requiem  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2]  |  Feb 27, 2026(00:56:37) First Break(00:59:12) Reanimal  |  [Nintendo Switch 2, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Feb 13, 2026(01:02:43) Steam Next Fest Demos(01:03:34) Vampire Crawlers: The Turbo Wildcard from Vampire Survivors  |  [Xbox Series X|S, Android, iOS, PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5]  |  2026(01:11:45) Replaced  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Apr 14, 2026(01:14:00) Awaysis  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  TBD(01:16:19) Titanium Court  |  [Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  TBD(01:21:09) The Ratline  |  [Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Mar 17, 2026(01:23:09) Forbidden Solitaire  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Q1 2026(01:29:51) Second Break(01:29:55) The news(01:30:35) Sony wants you to buy console games, not PC games(01:47:54) Almost everyone wanted a Bloodborne remake!(01:56:48) Stage Tour is the newest plastic instrument game!(02:07:10) Highguard is officially going offline(02:20:23) Breaking Build a Rocket Boy news(02:21:25) First look at the live-action God of War(02:31:59) Emails(02:37:39) Wrapping up and thanks(02:39:46) Mysterious Benefactor Shoutouts(02:42:47) Nextlander content updates(02:43:58) See ya!

    2h 44m
  5. Always Be Gaming

    FEB 26

    Always Be Gaming

    There's a lot going on: Phil Spencer's time at Xbox is coming to an end, Microsoft is appointing former AI exec Asha Sharma to replace him, Sony is shuttering Bluepoint Games, and more. We dig into all that, plus Alex and Brad nerd out over the new Star Trek: Voyager game, Vinny names his FMV Mount Rushmore, and other stuff on this week's show! CHAPTERS(00:00:00) NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate for versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.(00:00:10) Intro(00:01:16) The Next Era of Xbox(00:46:17) First Break(00:46:22) More about the future of Xbox(01:26:04) Sony shutters Bluepoint Games(01:35:43) Bungie to institute permanent bans for Marathon cheaters(01:38:00) Nacon files for insolvency(01:40:49) Everything changes, all at once(01:44:46) Second Break(01:44:51) Some video games we played(01:45:01) Star Trek: Voyager - Across the Unknown  |  [Nintendo Switch 2, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Feb 18, 2026(02:02:56) God of War Sons of Sparta  |  [PlayStation 5]  |  Feb 12, 2026(02:04:38) Heart of the Forest  |  [Android, iOS, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One]  |  Feb 12, 2026(02:05:19) Emails(02:25:38) Wrapping up and thanks(02:29:04) Mysterious Benefactor Shoutouts(02:30:48) Nextlander schedule updates(02:31:54) See ya!

    2h 32m
  6. Konami Might Be Back

    FEB 19

    Konami Might Be Back

    Sony ran an all-timer of a State of Play last week, so we spend a bunch of time digging into a bunch of news and demos about God of War Trilogy Remake, Control Resonant, and Konami's impressive bundle of Castlevania, Silent Hill, and Metal Gear games. Also, games like God of War: Sons of Sparta, Menace, Heart of the Forest, and Avowed on PS5. Also, Vinny's questionable encounter at the Outback Steakhouse. Sounds like a podcast, alright! CHAPTERS(00:00:00) NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate for versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.(00:00:10) Intro(00:00:56) A touch of "comedy" at the Outback?(00:09:55) Other, non-Outback food options(00:12:09) God of War Sons of Sparta  |  [PlayStation 5]  |  Feb 12, 2026(00:21:50) First Break(00:24:14) Heart of the Forest  |  [Android, iOS, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One]  |  Feb 12, 2026(00:31:57) Menace (Early Access) |  [PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Feb 05, 2026(00:38:41) Avowed  |  [PlayStation 5]  |  Feb 17, 2026(00:50:34) Species: Unknown (Early Access) |  [PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Oct 23, 2025(00:58:47) Silent Hill f  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Sep 25, 2025(01:00:46) Second Break(01:00:50) Sony's latest State of Play(01:04:09) Castlevania: Belmont's Curse  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch]  |  2026(01:09:48) Silent Hill: Townfall  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5]  |  2026(01:15:46) Metal Gear Solid Master Collection: Volume 2  |  [Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Aug 27, 2026(01:23:41) The rest of Konami(01:24:18) God of War Trilogy Remake  |  [PlayStation 5]  |  TBD(01:31:43) Kena: Scars of Kosmora  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5]  |  2026(01:32:58) Untitled John Wick Game  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5]  |  TBD(01:37:18) Saros  |  [PlayStation 5]  |  Apr 30, 2026(01:37:59) Control Resonant  |  [Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Q2 2026(01:39:33) 007 First Light  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2]  |  May 27, 2026(01:40:54) Star Wars: Galactic Racer  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  2026(01:41:56) Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5]  |  Aug 06, 2026(01:42:15) Neva: Prologue  |  [PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Feb 19, 2026(01:42:55) Pragmata  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2]  |  Apr 24, 2026(01:44:43) Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch]  |  Feb 13, 2026(01:45:14) Project Windless  |  [PlayStation 5]  |  TBD(01:46:29) Yakoh: Shinobi Ops  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5]  |  2027(01:46:59) Death Stranding 2: On the Beach  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Mar 19, 2026(01:48:09) Marathon  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Mar 05, 2026(01:50:11) Steam Deck shortages are here(01:52:39) A bit more on that future Resident Evil movie(01:57:45) Emails(02:09:03) Wrapping up and thanks(02:11:30) Mysterious Benefactor Shoutouts

    2h 15m
  7. Random Access Mockery

    FEB 12

    Random Access Mockery

    It's another show bursting at the seams this week, touching on Romeo Is a Dead Man, The Run, and Species: Unknown, with further thoughts on Dragon Quest VII, Cairn, and some Silent Hill f endingsmaxxing. And in the news, the rubber is meeting the road on the RAM crisis for Valve, Sony, and Nintendo, there's a new live-service Horizon game coming, Ryu Ga Gotoku's response to sexual assault allegations on the cast of the new Yakuza is... questionable, and more. CHAPTERS (00:00:00) NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate for versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.(00:00:10) Intro(00:04:07) I got my AYN Thor (not-DS) and checked it out!(00:15:39) Earth Must Die  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Jan 27, 2026(00:16:08) The Run  |  [Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Feb 05, 2026(00:26:57) First Break(00:29:13) Romeo is a Dead Man  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Feb 11, 2026(00:41:55) Relooted  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox Series X|S]  |  Feb 10, 2026(00:48:20) Cairn  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5]  |  Jan 29, 2026(00:59:27) Species: Unknown (Early Access) |  [PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Oct 23, 2025(01:10:27) Dragon Quest VII Reimagined  |  [Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox Series X|S]  |  Feb 05, 2026(01:11:20) [Possible DQ7 SPOILER] Abundance of caution with this marker(01:13:31) Silent Hill f  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Sep 25, 2025(01:13:42) [SPOILER WARNING] Silent Hill f endings talk, mostly about items and less about story.(01:26:05) Second Break(01:26:10) How are those RAM prices affecting hardware?(01:28:04) Valve says their Steam Machine pricing is being affected(01:31:16) Sony says they've got some RAM, but maybe PS6 could be affected?(01:37:52) Nintendo says they are making bank, but think your concern is cute.(01:40:40) Epic Games says they will have a marketplace on the next Xbox(01:49:58) Guerrilla debuts Horizon Hunters Gathering!(02:10:15) Riot lays off around 80 workers from 2XKO(02:17:24) A brief aside about Valve's Deadlock(02:19:13) Yakuza Kiwami 3 has some issues(02:27:13) Emails(02:30:34) Wrapping up and thanks(02:33:49) Mysterious Benefactor Shoutouts

    2h 37m
4.7
out of 5
1,152 Ratings

About

Longtime friends and games media colleagues Vinny Caravella, Brad Shoemaker, and Alex Navarro share their combined decades of knowledge, expertise, and passion for games with weekly discussions about what they're playing, what's happening in the industry, and whatever else they're up to.

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