QCF: Transistor

ast year’s PAX East left me with an overwhelming anticipation that I never thought could still manifest itself within this old jaded jerk of a player; it quickly seeded itself into a plantation of hope that gradually grew with every day it’s release date approached closer. I left the Supergiant Games booth with a tear in my eye, knowing that this day would come, when I would be able to reach full circle with their sophomore effort—Transistor.

Granted, the expectations for Transistor may have been tempered with heavy prospects, considering that it rides the coat tails of its famous older-brother Bastion, but the journey of Red and her unlikely ally doesn’t exist to simply prove that lightning can strike twice.

No, what makes Transistor so special is the message it carries; is a message that incredible narrative experiences can be achieved in video games no matter the shape, size, or budget, but more importantly—only done so because it is a video game.

Click to read more ...

QCF: The Last Federation

hat’s not to love about flying through space, fighting pirates and warlords, all while getting to decide which planets live or die? Taking command of the galaxy sounds pretty sweet. Arcen Games has created a visually pleasing, expansive simulation that allows even the most casual gamer to jump into space and rule the universe. There are a few missed marks along the way, but The Last Federation is a good base with lots of potential to improve with DLC.

Click to read more ...

QCF: Full Bore

t’s refreshing to play a game that quite literally drops you into the wild and leaves you to your own devices after a relatively quick intro. The world exists on a 2D plane and you play as this little bore. You can move left, right, fall down, and climb adjacent blocks at 45-degree angles. The little bore can also tunnel through dirt and shove blocks around. As you explore you’ll meet the denizens of this underground world whom offer up subtle clues about the game play and the world they inhabit. To boil it all down you’re going to be collecting diamonds buried in the mine.

Click to read more ...

QCF: Duck Game

ucks make everything better, there’s no denying it, cartoons, sound effects, sandwich meat, pets, efficient means disposing of expired bread, there’s no limit to how they can improve our way of life; shit, I mean have you guys seen Fly Away Home? That movie’s amazing!

Anyway, getting back on track, it was only a matter of time before a developer took it upon himself to give us the Duck Game we all deserved; it’s called Duck Game.

While most of you may cynically write it off as another local multiplayer Towerfall clone, I can assure you that it’s one of the best times I’ve had with the Ouya yet, and helps define just why the android console is the best indie sweetheart to go to the dance with.

Click to read more ...

QCF: Steamworld Dig

hen developers attempt to shove a veritable smorgasbord of buzz-worthy elements and tropes into their games, they’re banking on killing that sales bird among consumers with the two forecasted stones of expectations in the video game marketplace. The first is being able to promote a distinction of unique gameplay that’s conveniently composed of familiar elements that gamers know and love from other titles—it’s an assumptive projection for success that mostly results in being a shallow disaster than an innovative title.

Which is what makes Steamworld Dig from Image & Form Games a completely unexpected surprise that gloriously earns the title of being a worthy exception to the trend—The titles has now expanded to Steam, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation Vita and is now, more than ever, one of the easiest must-own games to obtain out of 2014 to this very day.

Click to read more ...

PPR Presents Versus-Samurai Gunn VS. Towerfall

e’ve talked about the renaissance of local couch play and its recent comeback thanks in large, to the efforts of passionate independent developers—and one particular pair of games that have raised the bar. Matt Thorson’s Towerfall has breached into new territories on the PS4, and has pushed the bar even further, but Teknopants to the frenetic kill-or-be-killed sensibilities to a whole new level; well, at least that’s what Andrew thinks, because George thinks he’s full of shit.

Welcome to the newest edition of VS, there are no friendships, no feelings, and no mercy—only compelling discourse that will determine a winner or accomplish nothing more than a bunch of entitled white dudes arguing over nebulous horseshit. So here's Andrew to lead things off.

Click to read more ...

PPR 85

e’re getting older guys, time passes every day, of every week, of every year, and all we can do is live it up, experience life and it’s splendor—as long as we have a Gameboy with us while we’re doing it, am I right? Last week, the Gameboy turned the big twenty-five, some of you aren’t even that old; we decide to wax nostalgic over our memories and some of your own that you’ve shared with us.

On the way, we’ll be discussing Bravely Default, Neverending Nightmares, Will Smith, DUX 1.5, Street Fighter X Tekken, Horn, Nathan Barnatt, Space Team, Steamworld Dig, and many more so pull up a chair with your Gameboy at the ready, and get ready for a wild ride. 

Mail us at our new email Mailbag@presspauseradio.com, leave a voicemail at 469-PPR-TALK, and be sure to stop by at our Forums if you haven’t already registered and post your thoughts about the show. Finally, make sure to rate and subscribe to us on iTunes and YouTube, follow us on Twitch page and Twitter, and finally take part in our Facebook and Steam group!

Click to read more ...

Press Pause Video-Episode 01: Metroidvania

he guys have gone Video! Every other week, we plan on sitting down and essentially recording mini-podcasts in the vein of Press Pause Radio, only with visual aids and other horseshit of the like. The inaugural topic of discussion has us breaking down the meaning and association of one of George’s favorite distinctions that he loves to romanticize—Metroidvania.

What is it exactly, and why do we love it so much, and why does the label seem so arbitrary in the grand scheme of things in today’s gaming landscape; Andrew, Ser, and George sit down to chew that fat.

Mail us at our new email Mailbag@presspauseradio.com, leave a voicemail at 469-PPR-TALK, and be sure to stop by at our Forums if you haven’t already registered and post your thoughts about the show. Finally, make sure to rate and subscribe to us on iTunes and YouTube, follow us on Twitch page and Twitter, and finally take part in our Facebook and Steam group!