Watch Out For Fireballs!

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross read your responses to Shadow of Destiny / Shadow of Memories.

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross will always have been talking about Shadow of Destiny (or also Shadow of Memories). If you're sensitive to us being negative about games, this might be one to skip. Eike Kusch is fated to die, but a strange interloper has given him the power to manipulate time itself so he can find out who killed him (and why). From that great premise springs a truly awkward adventure game, filled with early PS2 charm, but completely baffling. On the plus side, it serves as a very good example of how not to do time travel puzzles.

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross read your responses to Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross delve through Castlevania: Symphony of the Night for our 150th episode spectacular! We're creatures of habit and pattern, not creatures of the night. Whenever we hit one of these big anniversary episodes, we want to blow the doors off and really play something noteworthy. Symphony of the Night is one of the most beloved games of all time. It took elements of Super Metroid, added RPG elements, and created a genre that still dominates certain parts of the industry. But looking back, we try to decide if it all hangs together as well as we remember. Thanks so much for listening and joining us for 150 episodes (and more).

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross read your responses to Dishonored 2.

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross take a vacation to the present to talk about Dishonored 2. The original Dishonored is an amazing game with a pedigree that made it perfect fodder for the show. Following in the footsteps of Deus Ex and Thief, this series was always going to be something we'd swoon over. That said, would Arkane be able to top themselves the second time around? Listen to find out... but the short answer is this: Extra refinements to the play somewhat paper over some story, world, and thematic shortfalls that still end up being bummers in their own right.

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross read your responses to Mega Man 2 and Mega Man 3.

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross flash through Mega Man 2 and Mega Man 2. We're home again. Watch Out for Fireballs! began with an episode about Mega Man X, and now it's time to talk about Capcom's platforming superstar at the height of his powers. After a shaky debut in Mega Man 1, Mega Man 2 came out of the gate as one of the best games of all time, with memorable stages, music, and bosses. Mega Man 3 iterated on that formula and maybe reached a little too far, but it's still some top tier NES stuff.

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross read your responses to Neverwinter Nights 2 and Mask of the Betrayer. LINKS OF NOTE: Waypoint article on D and D in prisons (https://waypoint.vice.com/en_us/article/dragons-in-the-department-of-corrections?utm_source=wpfbusads) Constantine XI (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantine_XI_Palaiologos#Legacy)

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross absorb the second portion of Mask of the Betrayer. The story continues AND the plot thickens, as we learn more about the nature of our curse and take the battle to the gods themselves. Seriously, just play this game. LINKS OF NOTE: Monster in my Podcast on Dao (http://www.monsterinmypodcast.com/82) House of a Thousand Corpses (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg1GiV7TXR4) Sebastian's Friends (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLPpXNhL9z8) This jerk (http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/12/12/1610198/-Be-happy-for-coal-miners-losing-their-health-insurance-They-re-getting-exactly-what-they-voted-for) I am a Cuck (https://soundcloud.com/timheidecker/i-am-a-cuck) Evil LP. Mandatory reading (http://lparchive.org/Neverwinter-Nights-2-Mask-of-the-Betrayer/Update%2044/)

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross devour the first half of Mask of the Betrayer, the first expansion pack for Neverwinter Nights 2. Guess what... it's the Fireworks Factory! We laid out our case about Neverwinter Nights 2, painting it as a mechanically troubled game that occasionally rose above standard Forgotten Realms fare for some inspired story beats. However, the Mask of the Betrayer expansion pack is all killer, no filler. This episode covers up until midway through Chapter 2. LINKS OF NOTE: Torment Episodes (http://www.watchoutforfireballs.com/17) Baba Yaga (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QqsA-nz6g4) Wayne the Skeleton King (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPcYsBB9CTQ) Lobos Jr (https://www.twitch.tv/lobosjr) Okami (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3WdWPKASqI)

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross crumble over the back half of Neverwinter Nights 2. This episode picks up where the last left off, covering all of Chapter 2 and Chapter 3. This period of the game includes some of the best stuff... the Trial, the Crossroad Keep mechanic, and Ammon Jerro's lair. Be sure to join us next week when we begin our discussion of the Mask of the Betrayer expansion.

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross roll on through the first portion of Neverwinter Nights 2. Let's face it, this is an awkward, awkward game. They heydey of Dungeons and Dragons CRPGs didn't involve 3D graphics or voice acting, and Neverwinter Nights 2 leans on those when it ought not to. But that doesn't mean there's nothing to recommend it. Beyond the infuriating camera, you will find a really fun adaptation of the D&D 3.5 ruleset, and some very inventive story beats. This episode covers the entirety of Chapter 1. The next episode will cover Chapters 2 and 3.

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross recount their stories of the Portland Retro Gaming Expo, and read some of your thoughts about Pokémon Yellow.

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross capture the hearts of PRGE by talking about Pokémon Yellow. This is our Portland Retro Gaming Expo live show for 2016, where we talk about Pokémon Yellow, and Gen1 Pokémon in general. The game is an archaic drag mechanically, but it has the fundamental core that Nintendo would polish to a shine over the years. And boy-oh-boy, that personality! Thanks so much to everyone who came out and joined us at PRGE this year. We look forward to seeing you again.

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross read your responses to Bastion.

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross talk over Bastion's narration. It's a newer game, but ancient when it comes to the fast-moving indie scene. The Kid is on a mission to reassemble the old world after a Calamity, but at what price? Bastion takes the action RPG formula and leans heavy on player choice and mechanical intricacy. Mixed with its poignant story and pitch perfect presentation, Bastion truly earns its spot on this show.

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross read your responses to Resident Evil 4.

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross burst with joy over Resident Evil 4. We held off on playing this game for too long. There's so much going on here. So much great design, so many memorable moments, that our discussion of Resident Evil 4 is our longest single episode to date. Leon Kennedy is back, this time on a mission to rescue the President's daughter Ashley from a mysterious cult in rural Spain. His mission marks a turning point for the Resident Evil series, for Survival Horror, and for all action games that followed it.

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross talk about the experience of talking about Punch-Out!! at the Austin Classic Game Fest 2016.