I do like the hour long impression dialogue, but I honestly believe this is similar to a quick look, in terms of delivering long term impressions. Although the quick looks are more engaging because of the actively occurring gameplay.
I would definitely be okay with this format in addition to a written review, but please do not do away with in-depth text reviews. You have launched careers of some of the most talented games writers in the industry (Patrick and Austin), and a lot of you are very strong writers that I love to read impressions from (Brad and Alex deserve praise in this department, IMO)
Prioritizing the video interview, and knocking the review text down to the complexity of a YouTube video description just seems like a bad idea in my honest opinion.
I don’t get how people are upset that this game focuses on eight individual, personal stories instead of some large, overarching plot concerning stopping an evil force from destroying the world.
In my opinion, what Octopath is doing with its storytelling is fresh, and is kind of a strength of the game rather than a weakness?
I don’t need another final fantasy/kingdom hearts
Personal, character-driven stories are where it’s at, and if you think the characters in this game are flat, what the hell old-school JRPGs are you playing where the character writing is monumentally better?
@bisonhero: I can't take this seriously. The game has a writer who clearly invested a lot of himself into the game. I believe, almost any artist would tell you the intention is to take the game as it comes. This game specifically is special in that it's writing is very transgressive and plays with video game tropes in a deconstructive way constantly. There are dozens of examples Peter Brown could have called out that are not the ultimate ending of the fucking game. The game came out two weeks ago, I got it on launch and have been THOROUGHLY enjoying it, it is, in my opinion, a new bar on how to approach video game story. But I am not a game reviewer and don't have countless hours to finish an game quickly To spoil it in advance when it is still being discovered and enjoyed by many people is offensive, and most importantly shows major disrespect to Yoko Taro's artistic integrity.
So just because you are not interested does not mean the people who had their experience hurt by this is inconsequential. This is not GOTY "best moment", I listen to the podcast on the bus, sometimes I tune in and out, having such a massive spoiler in here for a game that's PRIMARY draw is it's transgressive writing and structure is nearly unforgivable.
Granted the Bombcast crew haven't played the game so they probably did not understand the level of this spoiler, but honestly you guys, it should be edited the fuck out. I have been here since Arrow Pointing Down days and I have never been so angry at a podcast guest.
If you want random moment-ruining spoilers shouted out at you constantly go to fucking 4chan.
@frostmute: This is one of the most maturely written games in video game history I am not fucking joking, and they look like generic androids for a thematic reason
The machines have more personality with their physicality, but top to bottom this may be one of the most ambitiously written video games in history, and viewing this as a game with a "hot chick to drool over" says more about you than it does those that are hypnotized by this shit right now.
Like tbh if you created androids to populare the earth you would probably make them conventionally attractive too.
@audiofatigue: you're wrong, immediate discussion of spoilers on new games, one I got a week after release and am in the midst of and heavily enjoying, should not have details of the ending spoiled
Especially when a game relies so heavily on subverting expectations and consistently surprising the player, Yoko Taro's writing is a main attraction and it's disrespectful to his integrity to derive any fan of the game from experiencing the narrative blindly the way he fucking intended.
I've never been so angry at a Bombcast guest and I've been here since the beginning. Like, Nier is a special game y'all. You're not talking about it heavily now, but it's a very special game, and is simultaneously the best Yoko Taro and best Platinum game ever made.
It's honestly on some "you should edit this out of the podcast or stop and give a verbal warning" shit
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