The Easy Allies Podcast

Ep 485 - We're going bananas for Donkey Kong Bananza, Bloodworth gets an early look at Into the Fire, and Switch 2 sales numbers are in! Plus, Wuchang, Shadow Labyrinth, TennoCon, California Extreme, and more! Become a patron to get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-into-dk-134938537 (0:00) - Intro (4:33) - Isla's Trip to TennoCon (18:20) - Into the Fire Preview (33:20) - Wuchang: Fallen Feathers Impressions (50:30) - Donkey Kong Bananza Impressions (1:20:00) - A Word From Our Sponsors (1:22:31) - Don's Trip to California Extreme (1:34:51) - Shadow Labyrinth Impressions (1:49:03) - June Sales Report (2:04:41) - Also This Week (2:23:40) - L&R: Late to the Party (2:30:11) - L&R: Arcade Mashups (2:38:52) - L&R: Modern Amenities (2:48:40) - Bets (2:53:55) - Closing Go to https://www.shopify.com/allies for a one-dollar-per-month trial period to grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 484 - Huber gets back in the groove with Patapon and Tony Hawk. Don and Blood check out the inventive new Ruffy and the Riverside. Plus, we check in on the May sales report, Blood's photos from Krakow and more. Become a patron to get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/134241157 (0:00) - Intro (4:38) - Blood's Trip to Krakow (17:35) - Patapon 1+2 Replay Impressions (34:24) - Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 Impressions (50:16) - Ruffy and the Riverside Impressions (1:04:56) - May Sales Report (1:16:57) - Also This Week (1:35:40) - L&R: Unplayed Recommendations (1:41:54) - L&R: New Game Anxieties (1:51:04) - L&R: Small Additions (1:59:49) - Bets (2:05:18) - Closing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 483 - From Donkey Kong and Wuchang to Metal Gear and Borderlands. Summer is upon us. So it's time to look ahead at the massive amount of games coming our way and mark our Sizzles and Fizzles. Become a patron to get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-summer-133781549 (00:00) - Intro (03:29) - July Game Preview (1:03:18) - UnderMine Impressions (1:08:08) - July Game Preview Continues (1:55:38) - August Game Preview (3:07:39) - A Word From Our Sponsors (3:09:11) - September Game Preview (3:43:06) - Also This Week (3:49:01) - L&R: What Would Sam Deliver to You? (3:53:31) - L&R: Locked in an Ecosystem (4:02:06) - L&R: Auteur Benefits and Risks (4:10:08) - Bets (4:14:53) - Closing Go to https://www.shopify.com/allies for a one-dollar-per-month trial period to grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Games discussed in this episode: EA SPORTS College Football 26 Islanders New Shores Patapon 1+2 Replay Striden Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 Kaizen: A Factory Story Eriksholm: The Sto

Ep 482 - Sweeping cuts take a toll across numerous Xbox studios. Bloodworth shares his final thoughts after finishing The Alters. Damiani gets to building infrastructure in Death Stranding 2, and we check out our patrons' Top 10 Water Levels. *Death Stranding 2 Provided by PlayStation Become a patron to get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-xbox-2-133328040 (0:00) - Intro (5:49) - Xbox Cuts and Cancellations (36:02) - AI Text Found in The Alters (55:58) - The Alters Impressions (1:12:16) - Death Stranding 2 Impressions (1:41:30) - Top 10 Water Levels (1:57:43) - Also This Week (2:09:45) - L&R: Disliked Characters (2:15:16) - L&R: Occupational Pressure (2:22:20) - L&R Game: Play That Funky Music, Game Boy (2:31:55) - Bets (2:45:37) - Closing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 481 - Blood Message and The Blood of Dawnwalker both showed off impressive trailers this week. Huber and Gabby are addicted to Rematch. We get Huber's thoughts on Lies of P: Overture, and Bloodworth checks out Cyberpunk on Switch 2. Become a patron to get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-week-of-132404316 (0:00) - Intro (3:11) - The Blood of Dawnwalker Gameplay Reveal (19:11) - Blood Message Reveal (24:18) - Press Release Me (28:32) - Lies of P: Overture Impressions (42:29) - Rematch Impressions (1:00:17) - Cyberpunk 2077 on Switch 2 Impressions (1:13:14) - Also This Week (1:29:24) - L&R: To Demo or Not? (1:34:53) - L&R: Watch, Not Play (1:39:15) - L&R Game: Mario Kart or Wario Fart - Vroomsday (1:48:05) - Bets (1:55:21) - Closing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 480 - Nintendo shares an extended look at Donkey Kong Bananza, unveiling a much bigger and bolder adventure than their initial demo let on. PlayStation sees record profits. Xbox starts talking next-gen. Plus, we give our takes on FBC Firebreak and finally dig deep into Mario Kart World and Switch 2 Welcome Tour. Become a patron to get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-donkey-131888671 (0:00) - Intro (3:39) - Donkey Kong Bananza Direct (27:08) - FBC Firebreak Impressions (51:11) - PlayStation's Record Profits (1:00:22) - Xbox Talks Next-Gen (1:17:15) - A Word From Our Sponsors (1:19:22) - Mario Kart World Impressions (1:54:18) - Switch 2 Welcome Tour Impressions (2:17:20) - Also This Week (2:32:22) - L&R: DLC Preferences (2:43:30) - L&R Game: Was it on Stadia? (2:52:58) - L&R: Sony Buying WB Games? (3:03:00) - Bets (3:07:28) - Closing Go to https://www.shopify.com/allies for a one-dollar-per-month trial period to grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Learn more about y

Ep 479 - We look over our highlights from the Xbox and PC Gaming Shows as well as wrapping up our thoughts on this year's SGF overall. Plus, Switch 2 is the fastest selling console ever, and we check out Mina the Hollower from the team behind Shovel Knight. Get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-summer-131386496 (0:00) - Intro (2:38) - Xbox Showcase Highlights (52:47) - PC Gaming Show Highlights (1:41:23) - SGF Wrap Up (2:01:09) - Mina The Hollower Impressions (2:15:12) - Switch 2 Breaks Sales Records and More (2:31:04) - Also This Week (2:40:30) - L&R: Oops All Soulslikes (2:50:54) - L&R: Looking Back at the E3 of Dreams (2:55:45) - L&R Game: GTA VS Elder Scrolls (3:03:17) - Bets (3:06:45) - Closing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our impressions on over 20 more games that we saw and played at the show. (Streamed June 10, 2025) (0:00) - Intro (0:48) - Shadow Labyrinth (7:15) - Ambrosia Sky (14:03) - End of Abyss (24:16) - Sleep Awake (32:10) - Grave Seasons (38:10) - Gears of War Reloaded and Xbox Handheld (48:19) - Petal Runner (56:13) - Dark Pictures - Directive 8020 (1:01:27) - Sonic Racing CrossWorlds (1:14:51) - Exoborne (1:19:00) - Morsels (1:26:40) - Baby Steps (1:34:40) - TOEM 2 (1:38:40) - Possessor(s) (1:48:44) - Deadpool VR (1:55:05) - Mistfall Hunter (1:59:02) - Escape Academy 2 (2:02:26) - Dosa Divas (2:08:20) - Bounty Star (2:16:17) - Dying Light: The Beast (2:25:27) - FBC Firebreak Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're back from the Summer Game Fest show floor, and Shuhei Yoshida hitched a ride. It's time to talk about over 20 games we checked out on Saturday. (Streamed June 8, 2025) (0:00) - Intro (1:05) - Reach (7:38) - Ratatan (10:40) - Sword of the Sea (19:08) - Mixtape (28:28) - Relooted (30:32) - Yooka-Replayee (36:28) - ChromaGun 2: Dye Hard (39:08) - Bandit Trap (43:54) - Crimson Desert (57:39) - LEGO Party! (1:10:10) - Shinobi (1:18:07) - Wuchang: Fallen Feathers (1:29:52) - OMUT (1:34:10) - Pathfinder: Abomination Vaults (1:39:23) - Warhammer 40,000: Darktide - New Class (1:43:20) - Crisol: Theater of Idols (1:48:25) - Thick As Thieves (1:56:21) - Snap & Grab (2:02:17) - Lou’s Lagoon (2:08:24) - Adventure of Samsara (2:12:43) - Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 478 - Summer Game Fest is here with loads of game announcements, and we've got four showcases to plow through. And oh yeah, Nintendo launched the Switch 2 this week, too! Watch the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-summer-130915873 (0:00) - Intro (2:18) - State of Play (1:08:03) - Summer Game Fest (2:52:58) - A Word From Our Sponsors (2:54:50) - Day of the Devs (3:12:12) - Devolver (Ball X Pit) (3:20:32) - Switch 2 Launch Impressions (3:40:28) - L&R: Console Launch Memories (3:45:42) - L&R: Consoles Active or Storage (3:51:26) - L&R Game: Never Skip Credits (3:58:39) - Closing Go to https://www.shopify.com/allies for a one-dollar-per-month trial period to grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 477 - Elyse Willems joins us on the desk to chat about what she's been playing including To a T and Doom: The Dark Ages. Elden Ring Nightreign keeps us running back for more, and EA has slashed another talented studio, cancelling their Black Panther game. Check out Answer for It podcast with Elyse! https://www.youtube.com/@answerforIt (0:00) - Intro (3:42) - What's Elyse Doing? (7:51) - Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Impressions (13:28) - Doom: The Dark Ages Impressions (17:10) - The Roottrees Are Dead Impressions (19:47) - EA Cancelled Black Panther (34:08) - Elden Ring Nightreign Impressions (1:02:21) - To a T Impressions (1:14:44) - TMNT: Tactical Takedown Impressions (1:25:23) - Top 10 Best Dressed Characters (1:43:25) - Also This Week (1:55:10) - L&R: Switch 2's Projected Legacy (2:11:43) - L&R: Dream SGF Reveal (2:15:35) - L&R Game: Nintendo Launch Games (2:26:15) - Bets (2:30:48) - Closing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We chat with Creative Director Jonathan Jacques-Belletête about his transition from Eidos Montreal to Rogue Factor, and the creative decisions behind not just Hell is Us, but how they're rethinking better ways to work on video games. Also be sure to check out our hands-on preview for Hell is Us:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3T58VnYMkg0 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 476 - Industry veteran Chris Kramer shares how they kept Resident Evil from being too easy, why they made the Mega Man 9 box art intentionally bad, and other inside stories from 30 years in the games business. Plus it's a stacked week of games with Deadzone Rogue, Onimusha 2, Deliver At All Costs, and more. Get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-behind-129687224 (0:00) - Intro (6:09) - Games Biz Stories from Chris Kramer (59:30) - Kramer's Doom: The Dark Ages Impressions (1:13:51) - Deadzone Rogue Impressions (1:22:26) - A Word From Our Sponsors (1:24:24) - Tanuki: Pon's Summer Preview (1:33:11) - Onimusha 2: Remaster Impressions (1:51:29) - Deliver At All Costs Impressions (2:02:28) - April Sales Report (2:12:01)- Also This Week (2:27:16) - L&R: The Littlest Things (2:33:10) - L&R: Memorable Cheats (2:39:19) - L&R: GTA Endings (2:47:21) - Bets (2:54:25) - Closing Go to https://www.shopify.com/allies for a one-dollar-per-month trial period to grow your business–

While I was in Poland last week, I had a chance to speak with Game Director, Tomasz Kisilewicz, to discuss the changes that have been made in the past year. My appointment came up pretty early in my play session, but we got to talk about changes in character movement and updates to take the pressure off players so they can explore and interact with the story. Plus, we discuss designing a game like this that crosses the barriers to multiple audiences and get into some juicy details about how much impact players can expect to have on the story. -Bloodworth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 475 - In 20 years, iam8bit has gone from putting together small art galleries to becoming a driving force behind industry events like Summer Game Fest. Founder Jon Gibson stops in to talk about the company's history and the times we've crossed paths along the way. Also, Giant Bomb is back and Isla's Croc talk! Get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-20-of-w-129164256 (0:00) - Intro (6:10) - 20 Years of iam8bit (36:47) - Giant Bomb is Now Owned by Giant Bomb (1:04:04) - Isla's Croc Talk (1:12:02) - Jon's Blue Prince Impressions (1:29:24) - Jon's Mario Kart World and Switch 2 Impressions (1:37:30) - Labyrinth of the Demon King Impressions (1:51:42) - Also This Week - Kingdom Hearts IV (2:04:48) - More Also This Week (2:18:45) - L&R: Boss Heals (2:25:28) - L&R: Brand Crossovers (2:30:54) - L&R Game: Which Cooked Longest? (2:43:20) - Bets (2:50:26) - Closing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 474 - Grand Theft Auto VI is hitting us with double headlines by delaying until next year then dropping a new trailer. We get our first solid look at Mafia: The Old Country, and remasters are on the way for Gears of War and Ecco the Dolphin. Get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-gta-vi-128517640 (0:00) - Intro (4:56) - GTA VI Delay / Trailer 2 (41:22) - Mafia: The Old Country Gameplay Reveal (52:30) - Gears of War: Reloaded (1:01:19) - A Word From Our Sponsor (1:03:41) - Ecco the Dolphin is Coming Back!? (1:15:00) - Nintendo Financial Report Highlights (1:41:48) - Also This Week (1:49:00) - L&R: Remasters to Fill Out Game Pass (1:54:05) - L&R: Price Increases Here to Stay? (2:02:39) - L&R Game: Doom or Fast Food? (2:13:42) - Bets (2:17:21) - Closing Go to https://www.shopify.com/allies for a one-dollar-per-month trial period to grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 473 - It's a rough news week on multiple fronts, but we try to take some solace in flushing some pirates' heads down the toilet and going for another ride on Deacon's motorcycle. *Days Gone Remastered Provided by PlayStation Get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-skin-2-127974581 (0:00) - Intro (5:18) - Shout Out to Polygon and Giant Bomb (28:17) - Borderlands 4 State of Play (42:16) - Codemasters Says No Rally Games in Development (52:45) - Skin Deep Impressions (1:04:59) - Lunar Remaster Impressions (1:22:38) - A Word From Our Sponsors (1:24:37) - Days Gone Remastered Impressions (1:39:42) - Creepy Redneck Dinosaur Mansion 3 Impressions (1:50:17) - Top 10 Intentionally Funny Games (2:01:37) - Also This Week (2:14:11) - L&R: Next for Team Asobi (2:18:28) - L&R: Critique Shaping Discourse (2:26:17) - L&R Game: Who Said It? (2:35:57) - Bets (2:40:07) - Closing Dumb-Dumbs & Dragons can be found at dumbdumbdice.com or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Our thanks to

Ep 472 - It's a big week for RPGs as Bethesda drops a major overhaul of Oblivion, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 hooks us with its fun combat system and gorgeous world, and Sunderfolk brings a polished twist on tabletop-style campaigns. Get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-and-33-127436982 (0:00) - Intro (3:08) - Corrections!? (6:38) - Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered (31:00) - Ghost of Yotei Release Date (40:44) - FBC: Firebreak Showcase (1:00:30) - March Sales Report (1:14:37) - A Word From Our Sponsors (1:18:27) - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Impressions (1:50:36) - Your House Impressions (1:54:31) - Sunderfolk Impressions (2:05:15) - Also This Week (2:16:40) - L&R: Leaks (2:25:36) - L&R: Can Shadow Drops Be Bad? (2:35:15) - L&R: Art Direction (2:43:54) - Bets (2:54:00) - Closing Go to https://www.shopify.com/allies for a one-dollar-per-month trial period to grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Dumb-Dumbs & Dragons can be found at dumbdumbd

Ep 471 - This week we're joined by special guest Henk Rogers to talk about his history with Tetris and introducing RPGs to Japan. We catch up with Marathon and Mario Kart, and Huber is obsessed with Mandragora. Get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-and-w-126917617 (0:00) - Intro (5:00) - Marathon Revealed (32:51) - Mario Kart World Direct (55:07) - Henk Rogers Interview: Talking Tetris and RPGs (1:35:46) - Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree Impressions (1:47:56) - Xenoblade Chronicles X Impressions (2:08:20) - Also This Week (2:17:46) - L&R: Rewatching Your Work (2:21:43) - L&R: Physical vs Digital (2:35:57) - L&R Game: Wrestlemania Sales Charts (2:52:55) - Bets (3:02:59) - Closing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 470 - Shuhei Yoshida spent over 30 years leading teams at PlayStation. Now he's helping indies on his own, and he's here to talk about Switch 2, Blue Prince, Promise Mascot Agency, and whatever else we can come up with. Get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-shuhei-126419845 (0:00) - Intro (2:28) - Catching Up With Shu (8:27) - Shuhei's Thoughts on Switch 2 (50:28) - Blue Prince Impressions (1:04:13) - Promise Mascot Agency Impressions (1:19:31) - Bionic Bay (1:21:22) - A Word From Our Sponsors (1:23:19) - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (1:33:08) - Ghost of Yotei (1:35:33) - Ask Shu Anything! (2:13:06) - L&R: Indie on Consoles (2:16:27) - L&R: Price Changes (2:18:34) - L&R Game: Fastest Speedruns (2:26:10) - Bets (2:30:00) - Closing Go to https://www.shopify.com/allies for a one-dollar-per-month trial period to grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices