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[Mzo]

Always great to hear Shane on the podcast. His passion is commendable, regardless of whether or not I agree with him.

Unless I heard it wrong, I'm a little surprised no one corrected Jeremy's assertion that MGS3 was the first "tranq the bosses," no-kill MGS game. The first boss in MGS2 is tranq only, and you can definitely tranq the rest. Different from the demo where you can take Olga (and Sunny) out with extreme prejudice.

Fun retrospective of a great series. Glad everyone appropriately shit on Twin Snakes like it deserves.

Super surprised no one on liked the Solid/Liquid fist fight at the end of MGS4! It's so awesome the way each stage represents a different game along with accompanying score and control method. When it got to Snake Eater and CQC I lost my shit. I didn't really have trouble with it on the default difficulty at all so maybe that kept it from souring my experience.

 

[BearChair]

I went back to the very beginning of 1UP Retronauts this week, and I'm listening through chronologically during work.

Hearing them again, there's still a lot of meat on the bone for most of these topics. I'm just finishing up the Neogeo episode, and while it's a good episode, they barely scratch the surface of most of the games.

That's one topic I hope they circle back to.

 

[Creamium]

Wow, shame on me, but I didn't know this podcast was back in a huge (and regular) way. I'm scrolling through episodes and there's so much to listen to. I see a 1,5 hour ep on SMW alone, awesome. Just listened to the metal gear retrospective, which was also great. I dropped that franchise after 3 and didn't even plan on playing 5, but they kinda made me excited for it again.

And Shane is back... I hope he's in a lot of the other episodes.

 

[firehawk12]

I think Shane finally admitted that he overrated MGS4. That's the biggest shocker of the episode. lol

 

[Etrian Oddity]

I think Shane finally admitted that he overrated MGS4. That's the biggest shocker of the episode. lol

I really want us to get a MGSV mini-special, even if it's on USGamer. I want to hear Shane's agony from the utter disappointment that is MGSV's plot.

 

[brianmcdoogle]

I really want us to get a MGSV mini-special, even if it's on USGamer. I want to hear Shane's agony from the utter disappointment that is MGSV's plot.

Yup. Same.

 

[charlequin]

MGS episode was one of the best so far. Really great game-by-game discussion, in a particularly significant level of detail.

I really want us to get a MGSV mini-special, even if it's on USGamer. I want to hear Shane's agony from the utter disappointment that is MGSV's plot.

I just finished it today so I was cringing through the entire last part as everyone conveyed their hopes for MGSV, lol.

 

[entremet]

Always great to hear Shane on the podcast. His passion is commendable, regardless of whether or not I agree with him.

Unless I heard it wrong, I'm a little surprised no one corrected Jeremy's assertion that MGS3 was the first "tranq the bosses," no-kill MGS game. The first boss in MGS2 is tranq only, and you can definitely tranq the rest. Different from the demo where you can take Olga (and Sunny) out with extreme prejudice.

Fun retrospective of a great series. Glad everyone appropriately shit on Twin Snakes like it deserves.

Super surprised no one on liked the Solid/Liquid fist fight at the end of MGS4! It's so awesome the way each stage represents a different game along with accompanying score and control method. When it got to Snake Eater and CQC I lost my shit. I didn't really have trouble with it on the default difficulty at all so maybe that kept it from souring my experience.

I thought their Twin Snakes talk was rather tame honestly. Probably one of the more fair assessments I've heard in a while.

The game is basically anathema to certain fans.

 

[brianmcdoogle]

I thought their Twin Snakes talk was rather tame honestly. Probably one of the more fair assessments I've heard in a while.

The game is basically anathema to certain fans.

Twin Snakes is in the upper canon of Silicon Knights and the litigious mess that is Dennis Dyack (please don't sue me, oh Canadian corporate welfare one...) but that doesn't make it a good Metal Gear Solid game, especially when the upgraded mechanics break the game and the cutscenes are hilariously bad, for whatever reasons under Silicon Knights' control.

Anyway, just beat MGS5, and I would love a follow up with Shane and company, but I seriously doubt it will happen. I'll add my thoughts to the Metal Gear Solid V: Phantom Pain wikipedia any maybe Bob will read them!

Spoiler

Kidding! I don't hate you, Mr. Mackey!

 

[Oxx]

Super Mario Bros. episode is real fun.

I think I have the DX version on my 3DS. I feel like playing some.

 

[nckillthegrimace]

Always good to hear Kohler's thoughts on the Japaniece game industry and Kohler in general.

 

[pje122]

Seems like it's been awhile since they put one up.

 

[Suzzopher]

Seems like it's been awhile since they put one up.

It was only Monday. An excellent micro episode in Japan.

 

[Ondore]

There's also the Dragon Quest episode next Monday (it's on the Patreon).

 

[pje122]

OK... guess that's not up yet for non-Patreon listeners.

 

[daydream]

Seems like it's been awhile since they put one up.

they should at least take better care of their homepage, it's always behind *stern look*

 

[Teknoman]

So Retronauts Volume 3, episode 1. Sure its from long ago, but just got around to listening to it. Anyone else listen to it recently to just remember listing and hearing a lot of strange background voices / noise?

 

[Fenster Mayhew]

So Retronauts Volume 3, episode 1. Sure its from long ago, but just got around to listening to it. Anyone else listen to it recently to just remember listing and hearing a lot of strange background voices / noise?

There was some sort of shouting/yoga class happening during our first record, but those people aren't there anymore. They've been replaced by a group who strikes tiny effigies of themselves with magnetic hammers to cure ailments, because this is the Bay Area.

 

[PillarEN]

Now I've listened to every episode except those where I know I'm going to play the game being discussed and don't want it spoiled. I know it's because of the cast that there are rarely (maybe none?) episodes on PC/MAC exclusives. Even in the 1UP days I don't recall any such episode. Any chance we might get one in the near future? Maybe even the Micro episodes that are topics chosen by backers.

 

[Credo]

They've been replaced by a group who strikes tiny effigies of themselves with magnetic hammers to cure ailments, because this is the Bay Area.

You're not even joking, are you?

 

[Teknoman]

There was some sort of shouting/yoga class happening during our first record, but those people aren't there anymore. They've been replaced by a group who strikes tiny effigies of themselves with magnetic hammers to cure ailments, because this is the Bay Area.

lol ok, thought I was hearing things.

 

[Fenster Mayhew]

You're not even joking, are you?

It's called Tong Ren, and all I can tell you is those people get really mad when our guests ring the doorbell to be let in. They're interrupting important pseudoscience!

 

[Balb]

Ico/Shadow of the Colossus episode is up for non-backers

Ten years ago, director Fumito Ueda released his second game, the phenomenal Shadow of the Colossus–little did we know, it’d be another decade before we saw his next project come into being. On this episode of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, and guests Nick Suttner and Mikel Reparaz as the crew examines the games of a visionary whose genius was confined to a single console. Also, it’s our fiftieth full-length episode! So hooray for that.

Link to page

Great episode. Love Ico but I never got around to finishing SotC. Episode inspired me to try it again. Have to dig out the PS3 and give it a go.

 

[Curufinwe]

Games still have cut scenes, people still like cut scenes.

 

[Fenster Mayhew]

Games still have cut scenes, people still like cut scenes.

Prove it.

 

[Ultima_5]

Oh cool nick is in this one. Used to love 1up fm

I like it when they get random 1up/retronauts people on. More kohler and Shane!

Now where is sharkey

 

[soxinthebox]

Great episode. Loved both those games and bought my PS3 (since been stolen) years ago in prep for the day TLG came out...

 

[Morfeo]

Oh cool nick is in this one. Used to love 1up fm

I like it when they get random 1up/retronauts people on. More kohler and Shane!

Now where is sharkey

This is my question as well!

 

[charlequin]

Now where is sharkey

Bartending in Vegas, if I remember correctly?

 

[Morfeo]

Bartending in Vegas, if I remember correctly?

Wow, really? So he just gave completely up on the games media? Guess it makes sense considering how hard it is to keep a stable income there. Well, would still be nice to see him return with his lovely cynicism.

 

[ToastyFrog]

This is my question as well!

I've reached out to him about getting him on the show but never heard back. I think he's over and done with it all, to be honest.

 

[PillarEN]

Happy to hear how positive everyone was about SotC. It too is in my top 3 games of all time. I also never really bothered with the time trials too much as to me it did seem kinda too gamey in the sense that it didn't really motivate me. I much prefer battling the colossus in the story mode. Thought it was cool though how you could go to the area where they are in the game and replay them by touching their dead body (though I kinda wonder how this works for some when their dead bodies end up underwater and such). Now that I think about it I actually do do some of the time trials now and then for my favorite Colossi such as the bird in the pond one (5th colossus I think) One of you guys mentioned it was your favorite boss ever. Can't disagree. I was blown away the first time and even today it gets me pumped up when he swings down and you hop on his wing. Incredible.

Ico discussion was pretty good too. Never thought that the combat was tossed in more frequently as a way to make the game more traditional. I can see that point of view and certainly in 2001 the average age of the general audience was younger. Still, I don't think it was fear on Team Ico's part to include so much combat. I guess what I find fascinating about Ico's history is that the vast majority of those who played it didn't get a chance until the PS3. This includes myself. Even though there are things about it that do show its age more that Shadow, it still made a big impression on me and since 2009 (was that the collection release date?) I've done about 4 or 5 playthroughs. Save couch music is awesome by the way. It's like a little reward to relax you as the game often makes you feel anxious any time you have to fight the enemy or leave Yorda behind for a bit.

Both games are something I would recommend to any gamer. Maybe it won't click with everyone (even on these forums not everyone likes one just because they like the other) but you are going to get a unique experience that hasn't really been attempted with an AAA budget by anyone.

And finally, I love Ueda's box art for Ico. The original US one... Don't know who allowed that one to print haha.

 

[brianmcdoogle]

I think I've played through SotC three times, and I find it to be a remarkable game worthy of all of its praise. Ico, on the other hand, I find to be a mess that I've yet to complete despite a few attempts and the short play time. Sadly, I think both games are products of their times due to their technological limitations. SotC is a truly great game, but it is so in its own moment that it doesn't break out of its bubble unlike other great games like Tetris, SMB, Ocarina of Time, Half-Life 2, and whatnot. SotC is a brilliant museum piece.

 

[Myggen]

I think I've played through SotC three times, and I find it to be a remarkable game worthy of all of its praise. Ico, on the other hand, I find to be a mess that I've yet to complete despite a few attempts and the short play time. Sadly, I think both games are products of their times due to their technological limitations. SotC is a truly great game, but it is so in its own moment that it doesn't break out of its bubble unlike other great games like Tetris, SMB, Ocarina of Time, Half-Life 2, and whatnot. SotC is a brilliant museum piece.

As much as I love Ico, I do wonder how well it holds up for someone playing it for the first time today.

 

[PaulBizkit]

As much as I love Ico, I do wonder how well it holds up for someone playing it for the first time today.

I played it for the first time (and finished it) last month.
I think it holds up in terms of ambience and sound effects. The graphics are ok and the lack of a HUD is certainly welcome. Not having to level up skills, having to search for collectibles or having a separate enhancements' screen makes it feel really old-school but in a good way.

In atmosphere, this game is a 10. Loved the ending too.

I found it weird that you save your game by sitting on a couch though...

 

[Imbarkus]

Wow, really? So he just gave completely up on the games media? Guess it makes sense considering how hard it is to keep a stable income there. Well, would still be nice to see him return with his lovely cynicism.

I've reached out to him about getting him on the show but never heard back. I think he's over and done with it all, to be honest.

This is a real bummer. His survival horror end-around episode is still one of the best Retronauts ever.

 

[Morfeo]

I've reached out to him about getting him on the show but never heard back. I think he's over and done with it all, to be honest.

Ok, that sucks to hear, but thanks for respoding and making this great show. Love your other works on Game Boy World, at USGamer and the old Quaterly-books as well!

 

[Teknoman]

Yeah Game Boy world is top notch, especially since there are probably still a ton of things people haven't discovered / revisited for the original.

That being said, are you guys ever going to do a (and I know its Konami overload) Gradius series episode or Konami shooter series episode in general?

 

[ToastyFrog]

If we do Gradius, I have to get EG's Martin Robinson on there. If we do Konami shooters, NeoGAF's own discoalucard would need to be present...

 

[Ultima_5]

Oh man. I really liked that shadow of colossus/ico episode

Though Jeremy really needs to set some time to get through sotc

 

[charlequin]

Oh man. I really liked that shadow of colossus/ico episode

Really great string of episodes lately. I feel like Ico, Dragon Quest, and Metal Gear all benefited from a cast of people who were super familiar with the titles and had a lot of personal experience to share about each of them. I feel like when they do more niche series in the future, it might be worth getting an extra guest if Bob and Jeremy both haven't really played the games.

 

[Teknoman]

If we do Gradius, I have to get EG's Martin Robinson on there. If we do Konami shooters, NeoGAF's own discoalucard would need to be present...

Paging Discoalucard.

 

[Fenster Mayhew]

I feel like when they do more niche series in the future, it might be worth getting an extra guest if Bob and Jeremy both haven't really played the games.

No offense, but that's kinda been our plan from the beginning.

Also, this may be slightly off topic, but my new podcast Talking Simpsons is now available wherever podcasts are found. It's like Retronauts, but about an old TV show instead of a bunch of old video games!

 

[Morfeo]

Btw, I guess this is the place to ask, what happened to From US to You? I liked that podcast.

 

[ToastyFrog]

No offense, but that's kinda been our plan from the beginning.

More to the point, when the hell have we NOT done that? The entire format of the show is "two regular hosts chat with a person or two who have deep knowledge of the current topic." What a strange comment.

 

[Rydeen]

More to the point, when the hell have we NOT done that? The entire format of the show is "two regular hosts chat with a person or two who have deep knowledge of the current topic." What a strange comment.

Even though you and Bob barely talked on it, I really enjoyed the episode about wrestling games for that reason, and I'm not even that knowledgeable when it comes to wrestling games, but the discussion was riveting.

 

[charlequin]

More to the point, when the hell have we NOT done that? The entire format of the show is "two regular hosts chat with a person or two who have deep knowledge of the current topic." What a strange comment.

Sorry, I don't think I really communicated myself well there. Usually you guys have two guests; I just meant it might be good to have three (if you can swing it) when someone's likely to sit out most of the ep. (After all, it worked great in the Wrestlenauts episode.) Definitely didn't mean for it to come off negatively; y'all's guest selection is always pretty on point.

 

[Fenster Mayhew]

Glad to hear everyone liked the recent episode! I'm really curious to know what you folks will think of the special Halloween-themed one that's going live tomorrow...

 

[Curufinwe]

I liked the episode; lots of great music.

And the added bonus of another use of "donators" instead of donors for Ray and Alex to complain about on No More Whoppers.

 

[Fenster Mayhew]

I liked the episode; lots of great music.

And the added bonus of another use of "donators" instead of donors for Ray and Alex to complain about on No More Whoppers.

It's a real word! Honest! Also, "donors" makes me imagine people giving us their organs or blood.