2 Player Co-op Podcast

Shockwaves were sent through the video game world Tuesday morning when Microsoft announced it was acquiring Activision Blizzard for roughly $68.7B! The guys planned on taking the week off because of Covid and life, but this monumental acquisition forced them to reconsider. It's time to discuss everything we know so far about the news, and discuss whether it is good or bad for the industry as a whole. Kevin also has some very strong thoughts about everyone's favorite "good guy", Phil Spencer.

It's a Single Player edition of the podcast this week, as Sean is out taking care of a new baby! Podcasting alone isn't easy, but Kevin luckily got a good deal of questions from the audience to help steer the conversation this week. The big news this week, though, surprisingly comes from CES where Jim Ryan officially named PlayStation VR2 along with giving a lot more details on the powerful specs of the upcoming headset. We also got our first teaser of Horizon Call of the Mountain, the long-rumored VR game set in the world of Horizon which is being co-developed by Firesprite. The last big item this week is an update on Days Gone sales numbers from the director himself, as well as news that Bend Studio tried to pitch Sony on an open world Resistance game. This of course makes Kevin a bit sad that it never came to fruition...   Start - 00:00  Housekeeping - 00:10  Sean Had a Baby! - 1:25  Dexter New Blood Spoiler Free Thoughts - 2:40  Kevin's Gaming Slump - 10:45  Viewer Questions

We made it to 2022! For our first episode of the new year, it's time to pick our individual Top 10 games of 2021!   Start - 00:00  Housekeeping - 00:10  Guardians of the Galaxy - 7:00  Kevin Got an XBox?!? - 10:55  Viewer/Listener GOTY Submissions - 30:00  Honorable Mentions and Disappointments - 35:15  Number 10 - 42:30  Number 9 - 48:05  Number 8 - 54:35  Number 7 - 59:50  Number 6 - 1:08:30  Number 5 - 1:16:40  Number 4 - 1:22:15  Number 3 - 1:30:20  Number 2 - 1:40:25  Number 1 - 1:48:45

Depending on your personal preference, 2021 was a decent year in video games. 2022, on the other hand, is shaping up to potentially be one of the best years ever. From Horizon Forbidden West and Elden Ring early in the year, all the way to Starfield in November, the guys sit down to cover all the scheduled releases for 2022. None of them will get delayed to 2023, right?... Right??

After rumors swirled a few weeks ago about a NEW Splinter Cell in the works, Ubisoft has now confirmed that a REMAKE of the first game is officially in the works at Ubisoft Toronto. Ubisoft hasn't exactly had the greatest track record as of late, so the guys take a hype check on the project. PlayStation has finally announced the option for PS5 owners to purchase different colored "covers" for the PS5, along with more color options for the DualSense. The question still remains though, why don't they just do a design studio like XBox does?!? Other topics include revisiting Final Fantasy X, GTA Online's new DLC, Death's Door, and NPD results for November.   Start - 00:00 Housekeeping - 00:10 Spoiler-Free No Way Home Talk - 1:20 Revisiting Final Fantasy X - 6:35 GTA Online The Contract DLC - 11:00 Apple Slash Platinum - 18:20 Death's Door - 20:30 Splinter Cell Remake in Development - 28:30 PS5 Official Faceplates Announced - 38:55 NPD November Results - 44:45 Wrap-Up - 51:20

The more than 3 hour long 2021 edition of The Game Awards is officially in the books, and it sure was something... The guys run through all the announcements and give their thoughts on the show as a whole, and what this should become in the future. (Spoiler alert, they were not impressed at all) Last week included a bombshell from Jason Schreier that blew the lid off of PlayStation's planned answer to Game Pass. Unlike The Game Awards, this has the guys excited, as long as the pricing is right. Other topics include a ton of games and platinums they've earned recently, Colin Moriarty's reporting on Bioshock 4, GTA Online's upcoming story expansion and much more.   Start - 00:00  Housekeeping - 00:10  Free Guy is Awesome - 2:45  Fast 9 is Horrible - 9:50  Death's Door Platinum - 15:15  Space KaBAAM Platinum - 24:10  Duke Nukem 3D Platinum - 28:40  Mortal Shell Thoughts - 34:00  Kevin Gives Up On GTA Vice City - 37:15  The Game Awards Were Not Good - 43:25 

The Game Awards are this Thursday, so it's time for our annual prediction tradition. We run through our non-award predictions, hopes, and dreams for the show first, and then dive into all of the award categories. Let's get hyped!   Start - 00:00  Housekeeping - 00:10  Sean's Wine Advent Calendar - 2:00  Non-Awards Predictions, Hopes, and Dreams - 6:40  Award Predictions - 31:25

Chrono Trigger is considered by many to be one of, if not THE, greatest JRPG ever made but its PlayStation follow-up Chrono Cross doesn't seem to be held in the same regard. Perhaps this could be why a remake of the game is headed our way, after being mentioned in the infamous Nvidia leak from a few months ago. Sean loved Trigger, but not Cross, so he has thoughts on what this remake could end up improving on the game. Kojima Productions announced that they are opening an LA based studio to help get them into the world of TV and movies, but hopefully this won't take our lord and savior Hideo Kojima away from gaming any time soon. Also, it may not be a good idea to get your hopes up for more Half-Life anytime soon, as a recent report suggests that Valve is solely focused on the Steam Deck for the time being. Other topics include My Friend Peppa Pig, Kevin's thoughts on GTA Vice City, Sean nearing the Platinum for the Castlevania Advance Collection, and much more!   Start - 00:00 Housekeeping - 00:10 Tom H

We are back after two weeks off, and Kevin hasn't completely lost his mind yet. He goes through his crazy house issues, before getting into what has happened in gaming over the past couple of weeks. The guys have each played A LOT over their time away, and talk through everything from the Zelda Game and Watch, to the much maligned GTA Trilogy. Other topics include Amy Hennig's return, XBox's 20th anniversary announcements, and Switch's continued insane sales results.   Start - 00:00 Where Have We Been? - 1:40 Bobby Kotick Sucks - 7:15 No Way Home Final Trailer - 12:40 Zelda Game and Watch - 26:05 Dracula X/Harmony of Dissonance - 30:15 GTA Trilogy Thoughts - 32:50 Beating Horizon Zero Dawn - 41:30 Aria of Sorrow - 44:20 Mega Man X5 - 52:30 Amy Hennig is Writing a Marvel Game - 55:35 XBox's 20th Anniversary - 1:00:45 NPD October and Switch Sales Figures - 1:07:20 Wrap-Up - 1:14:45

PlayStation's latest State of Play was a disappointment, to say the least. The disappointment is probably our fault, but did this really need to be it's own show, or could these announcements have simply been a PS Blog post? Despite that, the PS5 continues to dominate sales charts and the rest of their results continue to head in the right direction. This past week we also FINALLY got a new look at the Halo Infinite campaign, and for some reason it seems that WB is making a Smash-style fighter... Start - 00:00 Housekeeping - 00:10 Metroid Dread Demo PSA - 1:20 Metroid NES and Fusion - 6:30 Revisiting Horizon Zero Dawn - 15:25 A Bad State of Play - 24:50 PS5 Sales and Updates - 38:30 Halo Infinite Campaign Overview - 48:15 WB's Multiversus - 51:45 Wrap-Up - 56:30

After years of begging for a new Splinter Cell game from Ubisoft, it seems like fans prayers may finally be answered in the next few years. Multiple reports state that Ubisoft has finally greenlit a new Splinter Cell game for the first time in 8 years, and it may be taking some inspiration from the latest Hitman games. Ubisoft hasn't exactly been knocking it out of the park lately, but is there hope for this game? Other topics include Kevin beating Metroid Dread, Sean going back to Metroid Zero Mission, God of War 2018 coming to PC, a bug attacking the guys on camera, and much more! Start - 00:00 Housekeeping - 00:10 Uncharted Movie Trailer Thoughts - 2:10 Revisiting Metroid Zero Mission - 11:15 When Bugs Attack - 15:30 Kevin Beat Metroid Dread - 17:40 Splinter Cell Lives?!? - 28:00 God of War Coming to PC - 36:10 NPD September - 41:10 Wrap-Up - 46:35

After nearly 20 years, and a few false starts, the highly anticipated Metroid Dread is finally here! Sean has beaten it, Kevin is getting close, and they have absolutely loved their time with it. They also tackle the age old "Is it worth $60?" question that never seems to go away, comparisons to God of War 2018 (people are weird), and if it is a contender for GOTY in their minds. Other topics include their week at the beach, their favorite non-sequel game of all time, Death Stranding Director's Cut, Super Metroid, DC Fandome, and lots more! Please enjoy! Start - 00:00 Housekeeping 00:10 We Survived The Beach! - 1:35 Bacon Fat Whiskey Taste Test - 8:15 Sean Watched Black Widow - 14:20 What is Our Favorite Non-Sequel Video Game? - 26:55 Revisiting Super Metroid - 31:20 Beating Death Stranding Director's Cut - 35:10 Metroid Dread Review - 41:50 DC Fandome Recap - 1:19:20 The GTA Trilogy is Finally Official - 1:30:45 Sony Hates the PS3 and PS Vita - 1:34:05 Wrap-Up - 1:37:45

For the first time in 6 years, it looks like Konami is ready to get back into premium console game development. Reports suggest that Castlevania, Metal Gear Solid, and Silent Hill are on their way back which has sent Kevin into quite the tizzy. Also, Bluepoint has finally been acquired by Sony, Chris Judge says he caused God of War Ragnarok's delay, Sean got the Castlevania Advance Collection, and Kevin is once again walking across America in Death Stranding Director's Cut. Start - 00:00 Housekeeping - 00:10 Rewatching Far From Home - 4:45 Dear Evan Hansen - 10:50 Castlevania Advance Collection - 17:05 Death Stranding Director's Cut - 25:10 Konami is Back?!? - 42:10 Bluepoint Finally Joins PlayStation - 55:50 Chris Judge Caused Ragnarok's Delay? - 1:02:30 Wrap-Up - 1:06:35

Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a game that a lot of people have been eagerly anticipating since its initial reveal, and we are here to give our full review of the game! Kevin beat it, and Sean got the Platinum (via CHEATING!!!), and they have a lot to say about the debut title from Ember Lab. The other main topic this week is the awesome Nintendo Direct, including exciting reveals and confusing casting for the Mario animated movie... WAHOO!!! Start - 00:00 Housekeeping - 00:10 Our Crazy Last Week - 2:30 Kena: Bridge of Spirits Review - 5:55 Nintendo Direct Recap - 32:10 Metroid Prime Trilogy Not Happening? - 1:03:45 Wrap-Up - 1:07:10

The guys getting excited about an Apple Arcade doesn't happen very often, but this is one of those times. For the first time in a long time, we have a new Castlevania game to play in the form of Grimoire of Souls. Luckily, the game is living up to their expectations. While it is no Symphony of the Night, the guys are having a lot of fun with it so far and they run through all of their thoughts on it. On the news side of things, last week's Nvidia leaked list of games has kept the industry buzzing, the latest PS5 firmware update is available to all, and Madden continues to dominate the sales charts no matter how much people complain about it. Start - 00:00 Housekeeping - 00:10 Kena: Bridge of Spirits Hype - 1:30 Castlevania Grimoire of Souls Review - 5:40 Nvidia GeForce Leak - 28:35 PS5 Firmware Update is Live - 37:15 NPD August 2021 - 42:50 Wrap-Up - 48:10

PlayStation fans have been waiting (not so patiently) for Sony to finally to an E3-level presentation in 2021, and last week that finally occurred. From the announcement of a KOTOR Remaker, to Insomniac's two amazing announcements, to finally getting gameplay of God of War Ragnarok, the presentation did not disappoint. The guys go deep on everything that was announced, and also discuss a couple of interesting items that weren't present. PlayStation also made noise before the presentation by announcing the acquisition of Firesprite Games, which will probably have a big impact on the eventual release of PSVR2. Enjoy! Start - 00:00 Housekeeping - 00:10 The NFL is Back!! - 1:45 The Matrix Resurrections and Dexter Trailers - 6:45 Axiom Verge 2 - 13:35 Revisiting Sonic Mania - 22:25 PlayStation's Amazing 2021 Showcase - 29:15 Sony Acquires Firesprite Games - 1:15:45 Wrap-Up - 1:19:20

Norman Reedus let slip in a recent interview, that he is currently in talks to do "another" Death Stranding, fueling rumors that a sequel could be in the works. But... do we really need a sequel? Also, multiple reports have stated that Game Boy and Game Boy Color games could finally be coming to Nintendo's Switch Online service. Other topics include Sean getting the Platinum in Hades, and trying out Axiom Verge, Kevin reviewing Ravva and the Cyclops Curse, and getting hyped for this week's PlayStation showcase. Start - 00:00 Housekeeping - 00:10 PlayStation Showcase 2021 is Coming! - 3:10 Horizon Preorder and PS5 Upgrade Kerfuffle - 9:50 Sean Platinumed Hades - 15:40 Axiom Verge 2 - 23:35 Ravva and the Cyclops Curse Review - 29:15 Death Stranding Sequel Coming? - 37:00 Game Boy to Switch Online - 41:35 Dead Space Remake Stream Recap - 47:35 Wrap-Up - 51:05

The guys have made it to 250 episodes, and decided to celebrate in kind. They go through their favorite memories, with video clips included, as well as talking to the live chat. They also run through the Spider-Man No Way Home trailer, what their top 3 games of the year are so far, and recap what went down at Gamescom Opening Night Live. They end the podcast by going into their history with a game of Guess Who, and then wrap things up in the most painful way possible... The One Chip Challenge... Start - 00:00 It's Episode 250!!! - 00:10 A Kevin Pizza Story - 6:00 Kevin Got Himself a Present - 8:50 No Way Home Trailer - 11:35 Link vs Ratchet - Who Wins a Fight? - 27:25 What is our GOTY so far? - 32:20 Sean Beat Hades - 37:20 Kevin Still Loves Madden 22 - 40:05 Our Favorite Memories of 250 Episodes (With Clips) - 43:10 Gamescom ONL Recap - 1:18:00 Elden Ring Previews - 1:45:30 Wrap-Up - 1:47:00 We Play Guess Who - 1:49:50 The One Chip Challenge... - 2:00:50

First person shooters, both old and new, dominated the news of this past week. Xbox announced that Halo Infinite would be shipping without the Forge, or campaign co-op, this holiday season. While this sounds like a bad thing, hopefully this means that Infinite will actually hit their release window in time for the 20th anniversary of Combat Evolved. A remastered edition of Quake leaked right before QuakeCon started, and was then confirmed to be releasing that same day on basically everything. Call of Duty Vanguard also had it's official reveal this past week, and the guys are about as excited as you would assume they would be for it... Other topics include Sean clearing Hades multiple times, Rogue Explorer gets reviewed, and Kevin went back to Madden for the first time in three years. Start - 00:00 Housekeeping - 00:10 Episode 250 this Friday!!! - 1:05 We Went Back to Rasslin - 2:45 Sean Cleared Hades - 11:45 Rogue Explorer Review - 18:35 Kevin Loves Madden 22 - 29:55 Halo Infinite Shipping Without Forge and

This past week, two highly anticipated indie games finally made their way to PlayStation. Hades is living up to all of it's hype so far for the guys, but Kevin isn't sold on Axiom Verge 2 just yet, and they go into all of their thoughts so far with the games. Blue Box Games Studios and Abandoned have also turned into a complete joke at this point with their horrible PS5 app reveal last week, and the guys are done talking about it after this week. Other topics include the rumored GTA Remastered Trilogy, Switch's continued sales dominance, and more PSVR2 leaks. Start - 00:00 Housekeeping - 00:10 We Interviewed Colin Again! - 3:05 Episode 250 Hype!!! - 4:35 Abandoned is a Complete Joke - 6:10 Sealed SMB Sells for $2 MILLION - 16:00 Revisiting Metal Gear Solid V - 17:30 Axiom Verge 2 - 21:25 Hades is Awesome - 34:05 GTA Remastered Trilogy Incoming - 52:25 Switch Outsells PS3 and X360 - 1:00:20 More PSVR2 Specs Leak - 1:04:50 Wrap-Up - 1:07:35