It's the very first TRIPLE CLICK LIVE!!! From the Bell House in Brooklyn, Jason, Kirk, and Maddy talk about... well, what else? The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Plus: live Q&A and live One More Things.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Somebody, Somewhere S2

Maddy: Monitor arms

Jason: Bojack Horseman

LINKS:

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Kirk, Jason, and Maddy do the only thing that could justify taking a break from playing Zelda: talking about playing Zelda! This week, they give their initial impressions of the impossibly big The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. They talk about how the new abilities work, what it's been like exploring the skies and depths, and how strange it is that Nintendo made a direct sequel in this way. Then they all go back to playing Zelda.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Ashes of the Unhewn Throne #1: The Empire’s Ruin (Brian Stavely, 2021)

Maddy: Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022)

Jason: Guardians of the Galaxy 3

Links: 

Triple Click LIVE IN BROOKLYN, May 18th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/triple-click-live-tickets-513213584647

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The Triple Click crew opens up the mailbag to answer some listener questions about all sorts of things: why the United Kingdom can block Microsoft-Activision, what jobs we'd turn into sim games, and what Kirk thinks of Zelda's jazzy sax. Plus: One more week until Triple Click Live!

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Party Down Season 3 (Starz)

Maddy: Zelda: Breath of the Wild (still)

Jason: Magic for Liars (Sarah Gailey)

Links: 

Triple Click LIVE IN BROOKLYN, May 18th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/triple-click-live-tickets-513213584647

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Kirk, Jason, and Maddy strap on their blasters and take a trip to Koboh for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, the latest game in a universe far, far away. They talk about PC performance problems, whether Survivor is too much of a direct sequel, the brilliant traversal mechanics, and the cutest droids in the galaxy.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: PsychOdyssey

Maddy: Dredge

Jason: Case of the Golden Idol DLC

Links: 

Digital Foundry’s analysis of Jedi Survivor’s PC Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uI6eAVvvmg0

Maddy would die for Turgle: ​​https://www.polygon.com/23707008/star-wars-jedi-survivor-turgle-frog-alien-character

Triple Click LIVE IN BROOKLYN, May 18th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/triple-click-live-tickets-513213584647

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The Triple Click gang offers some early impressions on the new game Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, then dives into a brief history of Star Wars games. When were they good? When weren't they? And what makes for the best kind of Star Wars game these days? Plus: Jason played Tears of the Kingdom!

One More Thing: 

Kirk: The Last House on Needless Street (Catriona Ward, 2021)

Maddy: Blank Check podcast archives

Jason: Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Links: 

Jason’s 2015 story on the death of LucasArts: https://kotaku.com/how-lucasarts-fell-apart-1401731043

Triple Click LIVE IN BROOKLYN, May 18th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/triple-click-live-tickets-513213584647

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The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is just three weeks away, which means it's a good time to revisit The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild! Kirk, Maddy, and Jason talk about how 2017's Zelda shook up the series, what pros (and cons) it has over other Zelda games, and how it feels to play in 2023.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Shadow and Bone Season 2

Maddy: Chess

Jason: Unlock! Exotic Adventures

Links: 

Triple Click LIVE IN BROOKLYN, May 18th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/triple-click-live-tickets-513213584647

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Maddy, Jason, and Kirk bring on special guest Casey Newton (Platformer, The Verge, Hard Fork) to talk about the generative AI craze that's sweeping the land. Artificial intelligence: what even is it? How did it become such a popular trend? And what does it all mean for video games?

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Nope (2022)

Maddy: The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)

Jason: Talk to Me: How to Ask Better Questions, Get Better Answers, and Interview Anyone Like a Pro by Dean Nelson

Links: 

Casey Newton’s newsletter, Platformer, and his podcast, Hard Fork

Kevin Roose’s unsettling encounter with Bing/Sydney: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/16/technology/bing-chatbot-microsoft-chatgpt.html

Triple Click LIVE IN BROOKLYN, May 18th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/triple-click-live-tickets-513213584647

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Resident Evil 4: it's remade! Kirk, Maddy, and Jason step into the shoes of himbo Leon Kennedy and take a trip to rural Spain to rescue the president's daughter in this remake of one of the most influential games ever made.

One More Thing:

Kirk: Tár

Maddy: Misericorde: Volume One

Jason: The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero

Links:

Mike Mahardy on RE4’s lasting legacy: https://www.polygon.com/23660168/resident-evil-4-remake-the-last-of-us-pc-hbo

Kim Stanley Robinson’s extremely great 2020 interview on Ezra Klein about The Ministry for the Future: https://www.vox.com/2020/11/30/21726563/kim-stanley-robinson-the-ezra-klein-show-climate-change

Dan Kois on the final act of Tár: https://slate.com/culture/2022/12/tar-cate-blanchett-movie-ending-explained-analyzed.html

Triple Click LIVE IN BROOKLYN, May 18th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/triple-click-live-tickets-513213584647

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Kirk, Jason, and Maddy have spent a whole bunch of time with Diablo IV! Well, act one of it. The Triple Click gang talks about their time with the beta, the classes they played, their overall thoughts, and much much more. After all, you can't click click click click click click click click click click click without triple click!

One More Thing: 

Kirk: The Ministry for the Future (Kim Stanley Robinson)

Maddy: Metroid Fusion

Jason: Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone (Benjamin Stevenson)

Links: 

Triple Click LIVE IN BROOKLYN, May 18th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/triple-click-live-tickets-513213584647

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Kirk, Jason, and Maddy open up the mailbag to answer some of YOUR burning questions. Do we ever return to side quests after beating a game? Can a game succeed while making you feel bad for playing it? And what kind of impact did the pandemic have on video game endings? Plus: Video game novels!

One More Thing: 

Kirk: New Morning Routine

Maddy: Triangle of Sadness

Jason: Unscripted by James Stewart and Rachel Abrams

Links: 

MaxFunDrive Livestream! Wednesday March 29, 8PM Eastern: https://www.twitch.tv/tripleclickpod

Kirk’s 2013 interview with Neil Druckmann and Bruce Straley about the ending to The Last of Us: https://kotaku.com/the-last-of-us-climactic-moments-could-have-been-very-600685013

The Writer Will Do Something: https://matthewseiji.itch.io/twwds

Triple Click LIVE IN BROOKLYN, May 18th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/triple-click-live-tickets-513213584647

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It's time to follow Maddy's wishes and play Perfect Dark, the 2000 Nintendo 64 shooter (remastered for Xbox in 2010) developed by Rare. We put on our Joanna Dark night-vision goggles and shoot our way through office buildings and alien labyrinths. How does it feel to play Perfect Dark today? Is the lack of checkpoints too much of a challenge? And just what is up with Elvis?

One More Thing: 

Kirk: De-Inverting my Brain

Maddy: Clue: Treachery at Tudor Mansion

Jason: Paul T. Goldman

Links: 

Featuring tracks from Perfect Dark (2000) by Grant Kirkhope

The jump Cate Archer in No One Lives Forever (2000) and in No One LIves Forever 2 (2002), which also added facial animation and lip-synching.

Tell us why you like Triple Click! Email memberstories@maximumfun.org or leave us a message at (323) 601-8719. 

Triple Click LIVE IN BROOKLYN, May 18th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/triple-click-live-tickets-513213584647

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Zelda! Diablo! Baldur's Gate! Final Fantasy! Maddy, Jason, and Kirk pull out the calendar and get overwhelmed by the number of massive games that are coming in the next few months. They talk about what to expect from the rest of 2023, some of the news that has happened so far, and whether or not this new console generation has been a disappointment so far.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Slow Horses

Maddy: Total Recall

Jason: The Poppy War (R.F. Kuang)

Links: 

Tell us why you like Triple Click! Email memberstories@maximumfun.org or leave us a message at (323) 601-8719. 

Triple Click LIVE IN BROOKLYN, May 18th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/triple-click-live-tickets-513213584647

Featuring excerpts from Yasunori Nishiki’s Octopath Traveler 2 score 

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Octopath Traveler II has gotten Jason thinking of a brand new taxonomy... the two types of video game. This week, the gang talks about flow vs. thought, JRPG story-telling, the brilliance of Octopath Traveler II (and how it out-classes the first game), and mysteries in Metroid Prime, Elden Ring, and so much more.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Cocaine Bear

Maddy: Robocop

Jason: Tracers in the Dark by Andy Greenberg

Links: 

Tell us why you like Triple Click! Email memberstories@maximumfun.org or leave us a message at (323) 601-8719. 

Triple Click LIVE IN BROOKLYN, May 18th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/triple-click-live-tickets-513213584647

Featuring excerpts from Yasunori Nishiki’s Octopath Traveler 2 score 

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Hogwarts Legacy is a brand new video game set in the Harry Potter universe, which would have been a lot more exciting five years ago! Today, however, we have to reckon with the fact that Harry Potter's creator is a bigot. So let's reckon with it, shall we? Jason, Maddy, and Kirk talk about their personal relationships with Harry Potter, their thoughts on the new game, and whether this franchise can ever really be saved. 

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Ultra Widescreen Gaming

Maddy: Below Deck

Jason: Octopath Traveler 2

Links: 

Gita Jackson’s review of Hogwarts Legacy: https://www.polygon.com/reviews/23603142/hogwarts-legacy-review-harry-potter-jk-rowling-transphobic-ps5-pc-xbox

The Shrieking Shack podcast (it’s so good!): https://soundcloud.com/shriekingshack

Triple Click LIVE IN BROOKLYN, May 18th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/triple-click-live-tickets-513213584647

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Nintendo surprised us all last week with a remake of Metroid Prime, so it's time for Triple Click to drop everything and play it. Maddy, Jason, and Kirk talk about Retro's classic first-person shooter: how influential it's been, what it does well, and where it goes wrong.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: South Side

Maddy: Tár (2022)

Jason: Psychonauts 2 documentary

Links: 

The Psychonauts 2 documentary: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIhLvue17Sd70y34zh2erWWpMyOnh4UN_

Triple Click LIVE IN BROOKLYN, May 18th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/triple-click-live-tickets-513213584647

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Maddy, Kirk, and Jason board the USG Ishimura and figure out that not all is as it seems. And the Dead Space remake is pretty damn good.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Hitman Freelancer

Maddy: Animorphs #1 - The Invasion

Jason: All Good People Here (by Ashley Flowers)

Links: 

https://www.polygon.com/guides/23585108/is-dead-space-scary-remake-jump-scares

https://www.polygon.com/23588490/animorphs-book-pdf-audiobook-graphic-novel-movie-k-a-applegate

Triple Click LIVE IN BROOKLYN, May 18th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/triple-click-live-tickets-513213584647

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Triple Click Ethics Policy: 

https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

Jason, Maddy, and Kirk put on their Emblem rings and take a trip to the land of anime for Fire Emblem Engage, the latest entry in Nintendo's strategy-RPG series. They talk about the game's insipid dialogue, the terrible character art, and the pros and cons of grid-based combat.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Hi-Fi Rush

Maddy: Women Talking (2022)

Jason: Poker Face

Links:

Triple Click LIVE IN BROOKLYN, May 18th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/triple-click-live-tickets-513213584647

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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

And now for a subject near and dear to our hearts: Romance! Maddy, Kirk, and Jason talk about video game love stories and which games do them right (and wrong), from Mass Effect to Uncharted to Hatoful Boyfriend. Can a video game romance ever really work if it's based on dialogue options? Plus: impressions of the new Square Enix game Forspoken!

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Star Wars Imperial Assault: Legends of the Alliance (2017)

Maddy: Then We Came To The End by Joshua Ferris

Jason: Forspoken

Links:

Triple Click LIVE IN BROOKLYN, May 18th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/triple-click-live-tickets-513213584647

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How can free-to-play games be fixed? What are the small details in games that annoy you? And is it censorship for a video game to have a gore filter? This week, Jason, Maddy, and Kirk crack open the mailbag and take some of YOUR questions on all sorts of things. Plus: the rise of the CASUAL WIFE.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Avatar: The Way of Water

Maddy: The Fabelmans

Jason: New Simpsons

Links:

Triple Click LIVE IN BROOKLYN, May 18th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/triple-click-live-tickets-513213584647

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Triple Click Ethics Policy: 

https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

There's nothing funnier than dissecting comedy, right? This week, Kirk, Jason, and Maddy talk about humor in video games, from Monkey Island to Dark Souls. They talk about what kind of games are funny, why they're funny, and the role that social media plays in the grand comedy equation. Plus: why "YOU DIED" is such a good punchline.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Detectorists

Maddy: Hey Arnold!

Jason: The Menu

Links:

Triple Click Live at the Bellhouse!!!  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/triple-click-live-tickets-513213584647

Heavy Rain “Press X to Shaun” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEK5VxDMMjo

Kirk’s review of Octodad: Dadliest Catch: https://kotaku.com/octodad-dadliest-catch-the-kotaku-review-1512040710

“Octodad” by Ian McKinney

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What will the year bring? Time for some guesses! It's the episode you've all been waiting for... Jason, Kirk, and Maddy go through their predictions from 2022 to see who won the annual bet and whose game we'll all play. Then, the gang whips out some hot new predictions for 2023. 

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Defunctland’s “Disney Channel’s Theme: A History Mystery”

Maddy: Metroid Prime on Steam Deck

Jason: The Man Who Died Twice (Richard Osman)

Links:

Disney Channel’s Theme: A History Mystery https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_rjBWmc1iQ

Metroid Prime on Steam Deck: https://www.theverge.com/2022/12/25/23518873/metroid-prime-trilogy-valve-steam-deck-primehack-emudeck-emulation

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PREDICTIONS

KIRK

1. Microsoft will not own Activision/Blizzard at the end of 2023
2. Nintendo will announce a Legend of Zelda movie
3. Someone will announce a game that is being written by an AI
4. Gabe Newell will retire from Valve
5. Amazon will buy Roblox
6. House House will announce a sequel to Untitled Goose Game it will feature both a goose and another animal
7. Two games will include a menu toggle for NPC puzzle suggestions
8. There'll be an Elden Ring TV series
9. Xbox Cloud Gaming will come to Nintendo Switch
10. Atlus will announce Persona 6, and the mascot character will be a dog
11. BONUS: Disney will announce a video game console

MADDY

1. Princess Zelda will not be playable in Tears of the Kingdom
2. Nintendo will announce a Zelda TV show
3. Facebook and Meta will make a significant pivot due to the failure of Meta to take off with anyone ever (e.g., shutter VR entirely, acquire Twitter and lean hard into Twitter as the “new metaverse,” etc)
4. The Switch 2 will be announced and will be called the Super Nintendo Switch
5. The use of AI art will become normalized in game development to the extent that at least 3 major triple-A studios will use it in similar ways to High on Life
6. Three major games this year will be ones that we could reasonably call “mom games” (rather than “dad games”)
7. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 will nod at the Spider-Verse and include Spider-Gwen as a playable character
8. Sony or NIntendo or Valve will create a new cloud gaming competitor to xCloud
9. Netfix will release an exclusive game for its mobile app that becomes extremely successful on the scale of Pokemon Go or Genshin Impact
10. There will be a video game announced or even released involving a household smart tech item, like the Samsung Smart Fridge, etc.
11. BONUS: Cloud and Sephiroth will kiss in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and/or Final Fantasy canon

JASON

1. At least three Final Fantasy games will come out, not counting ports
2. Someone will put out a video game created largely by AI
3. Civilization 7 will be announced and come out
4. Nintendo will announce and release a brand new 3D Mario game
5. EA will be acquired
6. Tony Soprano will come to Multiversus
7. One of the major sports games (Madden, EA soccer, NBA 2K etc) will switch to a two-year cycle
8. Jim Ryan will be fired/step down
9. The Legend of Zelda will finally get LEGO sets
10. Bungie will announce and release a new game
11. BONUS: Hogwarts Legacy will have a hidden message saying "f--- you JK Rowling"

It is time to see off 2022, as the Triple Click gang gathers to discuss the year's best games. Jason, Maddy, and Kirk each discuss their 10 favorite games of the year, plus an 11th bonus game that didn't come out this year. Which games took the top spots? Which made all three of our lists? And what are the biggest snubs? You'll have to listen to find out. 

One More Thing:

Kirk: White Lotus

Maddy: Redefining Realness by Janet Mock

Jason: Glass Onion

Links:

Richard Clark’s podcast “Videogame Feelings”: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/video-game-feelings/id1616908609

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GAMES OF THE YEAR

Kirk:
Signalis
Elden Ring
Immortality
Citizen Sleeper
Escape Academy
Trombone Champ
Vampire Survivors
Marvel’s Midnight Suns
Return to Monkey Island
The Case of the Golden Idol

Maddy:
Elden Ring 
Norco 
Kirby and the Forgotten Land 
Citizen Sleeper 
Neon White 
PowerWash Simulator 
Return to Monkey Island 
The Case of the Golden Idol 
Pentiment 
Marvel's Midnight Suns 

Jason:
Elden Ring
Tactics Ogre Reborn
Case of the Golden Idol
Triangle Strategy
The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Zero
Return to Monkey Island
Live A Live
Chained Echoes
The Quarry
God of War Ragnarok

Happy holidays! To celebrate, we got you an Elden Ring beanscast. 

Three Consorts to the Lunar Princess gather ‘round the table and talk about their adventures in the Lands Between.

If you like this bonus episode, become a Maximum Fun member and get access to 30+ more of em! https://maximumfun.org/join

LINKS AND REFERENCES

VaatiVidya on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/VaatiVidya

The Elden Ring Wiki (Fandom): https://eldenring.fandom.com/wiki/Elden_Ring_Wiki

Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod

Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

Sometimes you've just gotta play video games with Iron Man to unlock new cards that let you destroy Hydra, you know? This week, the TC gang dives into Marvel's Midnight Suns, a new game from XCOM developers Firaxis that could have also been called Marvel's Three Houses. Kirk, Maddy, and Jason talk about the elaborate combat system, the wide-ranging cast of superheroes, and whether or not you can smooch Wolverine. (You cannot.)

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Interview With The Vampire

Maddy: White Lotus season 2

Jason: Chained Echoes

Links:

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Put on your gAMER hats and get ready for Gaming's Biggest Night, presented by Video Games. This week marks the 2022 Game Awards, which means it's time for a barrage of advertisements and trailers. Kirk, Jason, and Maddy talk about what to expect this week, what they're hoping to see, and the absurdity of some of this year's nominations.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: The 67th Academy Awards (1995)

Maddy: The Steam Room call-in show with Ben Mora and Hesse

Jason: Twitter

Links:

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MYSTERIES: what are they? Who are they? WHO DID THEM??? This week, the Triple Click gang talks about mysteries in video games, from Return of the Obra Dinn to Elden Ring. What makes a good detective mechanic? What kind of mysteries can only be explored in games? And why is The Case of the Golden Idol so damn good?

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Signalis

Maddy: Interview with the Vampire (2022 AMC+ TV series)

Jason: The Legend of Mike White

Links:

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Happy Thanksgiving, hooray hooray hooray -- aren't you glad you got a new Triple Click on this Thanksgiving day? Jason, Maddy, and Kirk open up the mailbag and take listener questions on all sorts of things. Has the PS5's controller lived up to expectations? Which is the best pantheon of gods? And which games do we regret not finishing?

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Escape Academy 

Maddy: The Case of the Golden Idol

Jason: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Links:

Kotaku emulation article: https://kotaku.com/metroid-dread-is-already-running-great-on-switch-emulat-1847833403

Kirk “idpl_mal” Hamilton’s article about his terrible PSN username: https://kotaku.com/i-still-hate-my-shitty-psn-name-1742215849

“Crowning Celebration” by Kyle Misko from The Case of the Golden Idol soundtrack

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Forget about that deadly meteor that's coming to kill us all — it's time to raise some farm animals! Inspired by God of War Ragnarok's plethora of optional content, this week the Triple Click gang talks side quests. What makes a good side quest? What are our favorites? And have we really come up with another taxonomy? Yes, yes we have.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Reservation Dogs S2

Maddy: New TV (LG OLED C1 Series 48” 4k Smart TV)

Jason: Tactics Ogre Reborn

Links:

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Some Sidequest Types:

• The Arena - A combat area that remixes enemy types from the broader game
• The Racetrack - A racing arena where you race. Cars, horses, ATVs, footrace, etc.
• The Tournament - A tournament for the in-game game. Gwent, Pazaak, etc.
• The Loyalty Mission - Basically a story mission focused on one of your party members/NPCs. Can have an impact on the story or the ending. 
• The Collect-A-Thon - A sidequest you get early in a game that has you collecting a certain number of things. Collection can also mean destruction. Lots of subvarieties of this
• Boss-a-Thon - A series of optional boss fights culminating in one very hard fight or maybe a rush against all of them
• The Secret Sidequest - A quest that you didn’t even realize you were doing, but that eventually unlocks actual story material or alternate endings
• Harder Puzzles, Please - Optional puzzles set right near the ones you had to do for the story, which are much more complicated
• Treasure Map - Find this location, with this clue.
• Animal Farm - Basically chocobo breeding but I know there are other games that do this
• Merchandise Spotlight - Master the ins and outs of a store or trading network with rotating items so that you can get all the items
• It’s A Mystery - Solve a mystery of varying complexity, either by gathering clues or talking with witnesses. It is often possible to solve the mystery incorrectly 
• The Ancient Dungeon - a big optional dungeon, often with 100 randomly generated floors, that exists just to let you spend more hours playing
• The Fetch Quest - bring object A to person B, rinse, repeat. Can be a one-off or can gradually expand

It's got gods! It's got war! It's even got an umlaut. But how is God of War Ragnarök, as a game? Jason, Kirk and Maddy discuss.

One More Thing: 

Maddy:  Marvel Snap

Kirk: Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope

Jason: Weird: The Al Yankovic Story

Links:

Kirk’s Strong Songs episode on Weird Al’s “The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota”: https://strongsongspodcast.com/episode/the-biggest-ball-of-twine-in-minnesota-by-weird-al-yankovic

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It's time for Triple Click Picks! Kirk, Maddy, and Jason go through the podcast's irregularly updated list of games that they love and think everyone should play. Which games will be removed? What will be added? SUSPENSE!!! You'll have to listen to find out (or just read the full list in the episode notes).

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Physical Therapy

Maddy: The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith

Jason: Tactics Ogre Reborn

Links:

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Triple Click Picks:

1. Disco Elysium
2. Return of the Obra Dinn
3. Hollow Knight 
4. Outer Wilds
5. Hades
6. Metroid Dread
7. Breath of the Wild
8. Divinity Original Sin II
9. Persona 5 Royal
10. Elden Ring

This week, Triple Click planned to do a Triple Play on Gotham Knights... but it's just such a bummer. So instead, the gang talks about all the games they've been playing this fall, from the big (God of War Ragnarok) to the small (The Case of the Golden Idol) and everything in between.

Games discussed: Gotham Knights, God of War Ragnarok, Star Ocean The Divine Force, The Case of the Golden Idol, Persona 5, Bayonetta 3, The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero, A Plague Tale: Requiem, Mario & Rabbids Sparks of Hope, Tactics Ogre Reborn, NBA 2K23

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Unlock!

Maddy: Derry Girls

Jason: The New York Jets

Links:

Maddy’s Bayonetta 3 Review: https://www.polygon.com/reviews/23421409/bayonetta-3-review-platinumgames-nintendo-switch

A Reddit Thread on Persona 5 Steam Deck Text: https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/comments/y9xjxu/persona_5_the_royal_pixelated_text/

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Let's summon our shadows and take a deep dive into Persona, the wonderful series about high school students fighting their inner demons — literally. With Persona 5 coming to multiple platforms this week and Personas 3 and 4 on the way, the Triple Click gang talks about what makes the series so special, teenage drama and all. Plus: Jason discovers a surprise Game of the Year contender!

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Star Wars: Andor

Maddy: Hocus Pocus 1 + 2

Jason: The Case of the Golden Idol

Links:

Featuring tracks from Persona 4 and 5 by Shoji Meguro and the first three variants of the Star Wars: Andor theme by Nicholas Britell

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What is it about cancelled games that make them so intriguing? What are the most heartbreaking video game cancellations? And what the heck just happened to Google Stadia? Jason, Maddy, and Kirk take a trip into the world of cancelled games, from Star Wars 1313 to Bully 2.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: The Tommyknockers

Maddy: Street Fighter 6 beta

Jason: Cabin Fever (Michael Smith, Jonathan Franklin)

Links:

Kirk’s 2015 story about No One Lives Forever: https://kotaku.com/the-sad-story-behind-a-dead-pc-game-that-cant-come-back-1688358811

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Jason, Kirk, and Maddy grab their rubber chickens with pulleys in the middle and jump into Return to Monkey Island, the lovely new game from the original creators of the classic adventure game series. They talk about the game's charming humor, how it modernizes the point-and-click interface, and what it's like to play a "legasequel" with so much baggage. Really: this game is wonderful!

One More Thing: 

Kirk: The Big Chill (1983)

Maddy: Bayonetta (2009)

Jason: Fairy Tale (Stephen King)

Links:

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Kirk, Maddy, and Jason have an obsession: handheld gaming. This week, the gang talks about the Steam Deck, the Nintendo Switch, and how portable machines change the way games are played. From "together alone" gaming with significant others to late-night Switch sessions while feeding a baby, handheld game systems are just the best.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Trombone Champ (Holy Wow Studios)

Maddy: Rap Sh!t (HBO Max TV show)

Jason: The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero

Links:

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It's one of the biggest leaks in video game history: Over the weekend, a hacker released dozens of video clips from Rockstar's unreleased (and technically unannounced) game Grand Theft Auto VI. Jason, Maddy, and Kirk talk about the leak, the nature of reporting on situations like this, and the morality of leaks in general. Plus: the story of TheRealInsider, an insider who was not, in fact, real.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Maddy: The Zachtronics Solitaire Collection

Jason: Return to Monkey Island

Links:

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Kirk, Maddy, and Jason grab their passports and get ready for a trip to Arztotska, the setting of Lucas Pope's brilliant 2013 game Papers, Please, which just came out for phones. They talk about the game's brilliant design, the moral questions it poses, and what it's ultimately trying to say. Who would've thought that being a border inspector could be so fun?

One More Thing: 

Kirk: The Rehearsal

Maddy: Not Okay (2022)

Jason: Long snappers

Links:

The famous “Aaron Burr” Milk commercial from 1993: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znGJf1ZKnTU

The Papers, Please theme by Lucas Pope

Caitlin Dickenson’s 2022 Atlantic expose on the U.S. child separation policy: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/09/trump-administration-family-separation-policy-immigration/670604/

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Jason, Maddy, and Kirk pull out their reading glasses for the very first Triple Read! This week, they discuss the brilliant novel Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, a decades-sprawling book about the epic journey of a boy and a girl from childhood friends to hit video game developers. The gang dives into the book's themes, its twists and turns, and all the fictional video games that make Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow such a joy to read. Plus: a tribute to our dear friend Mike Fahey.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Immortality 

Maddy: Nope (2022)

Jason: Who is Maud Dixon? By Alexandra Andrews

Links:

In memory of Mike Fahey: https://kotaku.com/mike-fahey-kotaku-eulogy-obituary-senior-reporter-1849501728

A GoFundMe for Mike’s family: https://www.gofundme.com/f/fahey-family-fund

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Who would our dream interview be? What's a "game as a service"? And have you ever played a video game at the wrong time? This week we open up the listener mailbag and take some of YOUR questions on all sorts of topics. Plus: why Kirk and Maddy are replaying the same games over and over and over and...

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Persona 5 Royal

Maddy: Assassin’s Creed Origins

Jason: The Rehearsal

Links:

Featuring excerpts from “Crossing the Hill” by Hitoshi Sakimoto from FF Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift, and “The Ideal and the Real” by Shoji Megoro from Persona 5 Royal

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Kirk, Maddy, and Jason put on their Lamb Pope hats and check out Cult of the Lamb, a new video game that's part Hades, part Animal Crossing, and 100% gruesome animal cult. They talk about scooping up poop, sacrificing their followers and why Cult of the Lamb should've maybe been a little more like a real cult.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Paper Girls 

Maddy: A League of Their Own (TV series)

Jason: Daredevil (2015 show)

Links:

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This week, the Triple Click gang dives into the world of superhero video games. What makes for a good (and bad) superhero game? Why are Batman and Spider-Man such good protagonists for games? And hey, come to think of it, aren't all video games pretty much about superheroes? Plus: a special surprise!

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Alone

Maddy: MultiVersus

Jason: Better Call Saul

Links:

Tom Bissell on Batman: Arkham City: https://grantland.com/features/batman-arkham-city/

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It's time for a NEWS BREAK! Kirk, Jason, and Maddy go through this summer's big stories, from Grand Theft Auto maker Rockstar changing its ways to Ubisoft falling apart to the wave of unionization hitting the games industry. Plus: delays, delays, and more delays!

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Prey (2022)

Maddy: Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered (PC)

Jason: The Quarry

Links:

Axios story about Blizzard’s new legal strategy: https://www.axios.com/2022/08/01/bungie-destiny-lawsuits-cheaters-harassers

NYT story about Amazon employees unionizing: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/02/business/amazon-union-christian-smalls.html

Maddy’s review of Spider-Man Remastered on PC: https://www.polygon.com/reviews/2022/8/10/23298573/spider-man-remastered-pc-review-steam-deck-cops-police-nypd-portrayal

Kirk’s article about that lovely Spider-Man text message scene: https://kotaku.com/spider-man-s-text-message-scene-is-perfect-1829449521

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Xenogears? Xenosaga? Xenoblade? Just what is the deal with all of these Xeno-games? In honor of the recent release of Xenoblade Chronicles 3 for the Switch, Jason walks Kirk and Maddy through the long-running JRPG pseudo-series, from giant robots to anime swords.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Stray

Maddy: Misery (1990)

Jason: Live A Live

Links:

Jason’s Kotaku review of Xenoblade Chronicles 2: https://kotaku.com/xenoblade-chronicles-2-the-kotaku-review-1820903229

Autumn Wright’s Polygon review of Xenoblade Chronicles 3: https://www.polygon.com/reviews/23278797/xenoblade-chronicles-3-review-release-date-nintendo-switch-monolith-soft-hero-classes

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The Triple Click triad takes on Battle Royale - which means they’re spilling the beans on the notorious 2000 film, as well as The Hunger Games, Danganronpa, and Netflix’s recent series Squid Game.

CW: More murder than usual, brief discussion of suicide.

Note: This bonus episode originally ran in early December 2021.

An interesting Inverse feature on some of the film’s stars 20 years later: https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/battle-royale-20-year-anniversary

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*It will be Maddy.

(Rockapella voice) Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego? This week, the Triple Click gang straps on their magnifying glasses and tries to track down the infamous criminal as well as other "edutainment" games, from Oregon Trail to Number Munchers. What made those old games so special? Can "educational" games ever really work? And what's up with all that dysentery?

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Social Media

Maddy: Dante’s Inferno (2010)

Jason: The West Wing

Links:

Excerpts From: “Isle Thing” by Weird Al Yankovich from UHF, 1989; “Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego” by Rockapella, 1991; “Theme from The West Wing” by W.G. Snuffy Walden, 1999

Box Art for Where In The World, Where in the USA, and Where in Time is Carmen Sandiego?

The LGR Retrospective review of Where In Time Is Carmen Sandiego (1989) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ln64lo9l5g

Jason on the Get Played podcast talking about Mario is Missing: https://www.earwolf.com/episode/super-mayrio-mario-is-missing-with-jason-schreier/

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What exactly is "Monkey Island" and why is it so popular? This week, the Triple Click gang revisits the old point-and-click adventure series in preparation for the newly announced Return to Monkey Island, which will be out later this year. They talk about the ups and downs of Monkey Island, the incredible music, and how it reinvigorated the genre by showing the world that adventure games do not, in fact, need to kill you.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Michael Clayton

Maddy: Steam Deck

Jason: Steve Jackson’s Sorcery

Links:

Kirk’s arrangement of Michael Land’s Monkey Island theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zf7VQiu1MGo

Tracy Lien - No Girls Allowed https://www.polygon.com/features/2013/12/2/5143856/no-girls-allowed

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Kirk, Jason, and Maddy dig into Citizen Sleeper, one of this year's, uh, sleeper hits. Set in a dystopian future full of corporations and depression, Citizen Sleeper is sort of a cross between a visual novel and a life simulation game. The gang talks about escaping digital poverty, the game's unique aesthetic style, and what it'd really be like to have your consciousness implanted into a robot body.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

Maddy: Patricia Wants To Cuddle by Samantha Allen

Jason: God of War (2018)

Links:

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This week, the Triple Click gang opens up the mailbag and takes some of YOUR questions about all sorts of fun things.  Wouldn't it be nice if games let you turn off all the microtransactions? What's it like revisiting old games with a modern eye? And what are our favorite board games (aside from Candyland)???

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Players 

Maddy: Neon White

Jason: Craps

Links:

BitCulture’s remix of Maddy’s song “Bad Feeling” (feat. Kirk on sax) - https://maddymyers.bandcamp.com/track/bad-feeling-bitculture-remix-feat-kirk-hamilton

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Story or gameplay... WHO WINS? This week, the Triple Click gang dives into an age-old debate and discusses the tension between action and narrative in video games. What does a "video game story" actually mean? What's more important, story or gameplay? And does it even really matter?

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Vampire Survivors 

Maddy: First Kill

Jason: AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initiative

Links:

Clint Hocking’s “Ludonarrative Dissonance in BioShock” - https://clicknothing.typepad.com/click_nothing/2007/10/ludonarrative-d.html

Hocking’s 2011 GDC talk “Dynamics: State of the Art” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=St2fE049ULI

Kirk’s “Gameplay and Story are Exactly like Music and Lyrics” - https://kotaku.com/gameplay-and-story-are-exactly-like-music-and-lyrics-5885432

Stephen Payne’s excellent Dicebreaker article about ancient role-playing and strategy games: https://www.dicebreaker.com/categories/roleplaying-game/feature/dnd-influences-roleplaying-games-centuries

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E3 is here... or at least it would be, if it hadn't been canceled in January. So instead we have this: a smattering of haphazard events all loosely taking place in June, except for the ones coming later. This week, Jason, Kirk, and Maddy try to untangle Not E3 2022 and talk about the highlights (and lowlights) so far, from Starfield to Silksong.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Josh Strife Hays’ Diablo loot video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o17lBUZgjTs

Maddy: Venom: Let There Be Carnage

Jason: How I Became A Famous Novelist (by Steve Hely)

Links:

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Maddy, Kirk, and Jason are playing Blizzard's new game Diablo Immortal and wondering... what about this is fun? Is it really all that appealing to keep collecting shiny things and watching our bars go up? From there they start wondering about loot in video games. What is it about items that get players so excited? What makes a good loot system? A bad one? And is Diablo inherently corrupt?

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Maddy: Moon Knight

Jason: The Quarry

Links:

Maddy’s article about Diablo Immortal: https://www.polygon.com/23152323/diablo-immortal-mobile-free-to-play-microtransactions-addictive

Nu-Splitscreen’s interview with David Brevik and Erich Schafer: https://kotaku.com/why-video-game-loot-is-so-addictive-according-to-the-c-1846695147

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How did Overwatch become such a phenomenon? Why have hardcore players stuck with it (or failed to) over the last few years? And what's up with Overwatch 2? The Triple Click gang brings on Overwatch expert Nico Deyo to help guide us through Blizzard's wonderful world of costumed vigilantes and super-intelligent gorillas.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Tango

Maddy: Misery by Stephen King

Jason: The Flight Attendant

Links:

Nico Deyo and Tyler Colp’s Overwatch feature for Vice Games: https://www.vice.com/en/article/g5gvaj/how-overwatch-lost-then-found-again-i

Excerpts from “Alma de Bohemio” by Roberto Firpo, performed by Alex Krebs’ Tango Sextet and “Tango por una Cabeza” by Carlos Gardell, performed by Katica Illényi & Budapest Strings

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Maddy, Jason, and Kirk get themselves a castle, go on missions abroad, and finally face down the vicious Luca Blight. In the second part of this Suikoden II playthrough, the gang talks about how their feelings have changed since the first chunk of the game, how the game's awful localization impacts the story, and how that epic fight played out.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: D&D - Eberron: Rising from the Last War

Maddy: Heartstopper

Jason: The G-Word with Adam Conover

Links:

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BOO! To celebrate Spooky Spring, Jason, Maddy, and Kirk dive into some of their favorite horror games and talk about what makes a video game scary. How does interactivity enhance horror? What's the difference between "dread" and "panic"? And are controls sometimes meant to be terrible?

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Persona 4 Golden/Persona 5 Royal

Maddy: Elden Ring

Jason: Eternal Threads

Links:

Maddy talks with Dead Space 2 director Wright Bagwell about the infamous eyeball scene: https://www.polygon.com/interviews/2020/10/4/21498961/dead-space-2-director-eye-poke-needle-scene-horror-wright-bagwell-interview

Kirk’s take on horror doors: https://kotaku.com/the-horror-of-video-game-doors-1819921161

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It's time for another episode of BURNING QUESTIONS!!! Jason, Kirk, and Maddy open up the mailbag and take some listener questions on all sorts of things. Why do video games leak? What are some one-of-a-kind video games we'd like to see more of? And what's the deal with video game strategy guides?

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Stanley Parable Ultra Deluxe (Venom)

Maddy: What’s Up, Doc? (1972)

Jason: Disrupting the Game (Reggie Fils-Aime)

Links:

Jason interviews a strategy guide writer: https://kotaku.com/how-final-fantasy-ixs-strategy-guide-turned-out-so-horr-1834809621

Jason interviews Reggie: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2022-05-06/ex-nintendo-president-fils-aim-talks-book-and-mother-3-video-game

Buy a patch! maximumfun.org/patchsale

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Jason, Kirk, and Maddy talk about the most important tool in any video game player's arsenal: the controller! From fight sticks to Wiimotes to the Steam Deck, controllers have a lot to offer. This week, the gang goes back in time to talk about the best, the worst, and the just plain weird.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Switch Sports

Maddy: Better Call Saul

Jason: Barry

Links:

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Ever throw a controller at the wall? Kick your computer in half? This week the Triple Click gang talks rage-quitting -- bailing from a video game in a state of heightened irritation. From competitive multiplayer to Souls to good old poker, Kirk, Maddy, and Jason talk about what brings out the anger and even share some of their own experiences rage-quitting games.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Divinity Original Sin 2

Maddy: My Dress-Up Darling

Jason: Abbott Elementary

Links:

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Maddy, Jason, and Kirk talk about one of this year's hit indie games, Tunic, a Zelda-like adventure filled with mystery and cute foxes. But does it live up to the hype? Or is the bouncy combat too frustrating to make Tunic quite the gem that Triple Click hoped it would be?

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Advanced Steam Deck (or, more like StReam Deck)

Maddy: Kirby and the Forgotten Land

Jason: Better Call Saul

Links:

Excerpt from the Tunic soundtrack by Lifeformed x Janice Kwan: https://lifeformed.bandcamp.com/album/tunic-original-game-soundtrack

Moonlight PC Streaming: https://moonlight-stream.org

Chiaki PlayStation Remote Play: https://sr.ht/~thestr4ng3r/chiaki/

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It's the 100th episode! Kirk, Maddy, and Jason celebrate the big milestone with some talk about the past and future of video games, then play some fun games, revisiting two years worth of Triple Plays and competing in some glorious One More Thing trivia! Thank you to all the listeners who have allowed us to make so many episodes of this wonderful show.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Steam Deck

Maddy: Norco

Jason: Nobody Saves The World

Links:

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Few video game series have a musical tradition as rich as The Legend of Zelda.

This bonus cross-post from Kirk's music podcast Strong Songs takes a deep dive into the musical legacy of Nintendo's legendary adventure series. From Zelda's Lullabye to Epona's Song to the Great Fairy Fountain and Dragon Roost Island, Kirk unravels some of his favorite Zelda music and explores how Nintendo's composers keep weaving them back together into beautiful new patterns.

Written by: Main themes by Koji Kondo, with additional compositions by Kenta Nagata (Wind Waker), Manaka Kataoka, Yasuaki Iwata, and Hajime Wakai (Breath of the Wild)

Featuring music from: The Legend of Zelda (1986), A Link to the Past (1991), Ocarina of Time (1998), Wind Waker (2002), Skyward Sword (2011), A Link Between Worlds (2013), and Breath of the Wild (2017)

ALSO FEATURED/DISCUSSED:

• Themes from Star Wars, Superman, and Jurassic Park by John Williams
• The Super Mario Bros. theme by Koji Kondo, and the episode of Strong Songs discussing it
• Kirk's weekly video game podcast Triple Click, which he makes along with Jason Schreier and Maddy Myers

OUTRO SOLOIST: Charles McNeal

Charles McNeal is a killin' Oakland-based sax player who plays all over the bay area. He's also a master jazz transcriber, and has chronicled tons of great solos. You can find him playing out in a variety of bands and settings; the best way to keep up with his music is to subscribe to his YouTube channel or follow him on Instagram @charlesonsax2.

SUPPORT STRONG SONGS
Paypal | Patreon.com/Strongsongs

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store.strongsongspodcast.com

SOCIAL MEDIA
@StrongSongs | @Kirkhamilton | IG: @Kirk_Hamilton

NEWSLETTER
https://kirkhamilton.substack.com/subscribe

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STRONG SONGS PLAYLISTS
Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music.

Whip out your metal detector and start combing the desert — it's time to talk about secrets. Jason, Kirk, and Maddy talk about the hunt for secrets in two recent video games, Elden Ring and Tunic, and some of their favorite secrets in modern times. And in true Triple Click fashion, they can't help but come up with some taxonomical categories.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Our Flag Means Death

Maddy: Tunic

Jason: The Dropout

Links:

Jason and Kirk’s old podcast about the Secret Hunters of Destiny: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0HMm97rD7D6eIxdF9N6cFc

Ed Fries’ conversation with Ron Milner about the easter egg he added to 1977’s Starship 1: https://edfries.wordpress.com/2017/03/22/chasing-the-first-arcade-easter-egg/

What's your favorite video game boss fight? Kirk, Maddy, and Jason break down all the options with a brand new taxonomy of bosses, from The Preview to The Gimmick to The Final Exam. They talk about some of the most memorable boss fights in gaming history, like Metal Gear Solid 3's The End and Metroid's Ridley, then dissect what makes each one unique.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Elden Ring’s Story

Maddy: The Afterparty

Jason: Triangle Strategy

Links:

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Triple Click Ethics Policy: 

https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

BOSS TYPES

The Preview - An early fight against a boss you won’t fight again until later. 

• Variation: The Hunter Preview, see below

The Roadblock - A difficulty spike boss that stops many people from playing the game entirely.

• Variation: The Skill-Check, a boss that’s hard on purpose to make sure you’re leveled up enough, aka Margit, Hornet. 
• Variation II: The Sidestreet Roadblock, where it’s the hardest boss in the game but it’s optional

The Gimmick - A boss fight that’s actually just a puzzle. You can possibly beat them straight-up, but there’s some trick that makes things easier. 

The Setpiece - A fight that’s really more of a long interactive cutscene with occasional combat 

• Variation: The Giant - A Setpiece boss who is way bigger than you to the point that you can’t engage them with ordinary gameplay - you have to either focus on their feet or do platforming to get to their head

The Hunter - A boss fight where you have to hide from the boss, i.e. a stealth boss fight. 

• Variation: The Hunter Preview - An unkillable version of the boss hunts you, but ultimately you wind up fighting it

The Final Exam - A boss that requires you to combine every skill/item/ability/party member you have to that point to beat them 

• Variation: The Teambuilding Exercise - a Final Exam boss that cannot be beaten by a single person, aka an MMO raid boss 
• Variation II: The Duel - No weapons, no abilities, just fists (Liquid vs Snake in MGS4 - the opposite of the Final Exam)

The Pair - Oh no there are two bosses! 

• Variation: The Mob - there are lots of enemies - common to From games, e.g. Renalla phase one or those old dudes in DS3, Watcher Knights in Hollow Knight

The Spitting Image - Surprise, the boss is you! (The mirror self in Control, the Mimic Tear, Shadow Link, Dark Samus)

The Unfriendly Friend - The (often final) boss turns out to be someone you’ve been talking with. 

The Saga - A boss fight with multiple phases that keeps going and going. First you fight Sephiroth, then Safer Sephiroth, then…

Kirk, Jason, and Maddy open up the mailbag and answer some of YOUR questions about why they stopped playing Destiny, what games they use to relax, and whether it's a good idea to buy the stocks of video game companies. As always, these are real questions from our listeners. You can reach us with your own questions at tripleclick@maximumfun.org

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Elden Ring

Maddy: Kimi (2022)

Jason: Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin

Links:

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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

Grand Theft Auto V is one of the most lucrative games of all time. Why??? Kirk, Jason, and Maddy aren't really sure, but at least they can tell you all about Rockstar's hit action shooting game. The gang talks about 2013 nihilism, the innovations that GTA V brought to the open-world party, and how crime doesn't pay... except when it does.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Turning Red

Maddy: Horizon Forbidden West

Jason: Triangle Strategy

Links:

Ukraine support:  https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/03/02/opinion/ukraine-charity-donation-guide.html

Cass Marshall’s Polygon article about the GTA Online Motorcycle HOA: https://www.polygon.com/22787651/gta-online-roleplay-new-day-black-lotus-motorcycle-club-mirror-park-hoa

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https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

You may have heard: Elden Ring is out. And the Triple Click crew has been playing it — for a combined 200+ hours. Kirk, Jason, and Maddy put on their Burger King wizard hats and take a trip to The Lands Between, where they're collecting Great Runes and trying not to fall off cliffs. They talk about the vast scope of the game, the brilliance of player notes, how to avoid burnout, the rewards of exploration, and oh so much more.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Carrie & Salem’s Lot

Maddy: Alias

Jason: Inventing Anna / Tinder Swindler

Links:

Iron Pineapple on Elden Ring: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg_hveDzzvo

Mossbag’s Hollow Knight lore explainer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XDiWYFGGqY

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This year has seen the release of three great open-world games: Dying Light 2, Horizon Forbidden West, and Elden Ring. What do they all have in common? And what do they all do differently? This week, Kirk shares his new taxonomy for open worlds in video games and the Triple Click crew figures out what they like most in an open world.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Public Defenders

Maddy: Elden Ring

Jason: Steam Deck

Links:

Steven Lumpkin's Twitter thread: https://twitter.com/Silent0siris/status/1498408412555747333

Maddy’s articles about getting into Elden Ring: https://www.polygon.com/22948213/should-i-play-elden-ring-dark-souls-fromsoft-easy-hard and parkour in Dying Light 2: https://www.polygon.com/22941196/dying-light-2-stay-human-climbing-parkour-techland

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ECOTAG: Kirk’s Open-World Personality Test

Video game open worlds can be broadly thought of according to three metrics: Emergent vs. Controlled, Opaque vs.Transparent, and Aesthetic vs. Gamey. IMPORTANT: These are gradients, not on/off switches, and they’re for categorizing the open worlds, not the games as a whole.

EMERGENT→ CONTROLLED (How dynamic/simulated is the open world?)

OPAQUE → TRANSPARENT (How mysterious is the open world?)

AESTHETIC → GAMEY  (How involved is movement through the open world?)

SOME EXAMPLES

• Dying Light 2 = ETG (Emergent, Transparent, Gamey)
• Horizon Forbidden West = CTA (Controlled, Transparent, Aesthetic)
• Elden Ring = COA (Controlled, Opaque, Aesthetic)
• Red Dead Redemption 2 = EOA (Emergent, Opaque, Aesthetic)
• Outer Wilds = COG (Controlled, Opaque, Gamey (Jason convinced me))
• Gravity Rush: CTG 
• Cyberpunk 2077:CTA (people expected more of an ETA or EOA)
• Subnautica: EOG
• Skyrim: EOA
• Forza Horizon 5: CTG 
• Divinity Original Sin 2: COA
• Sunset Overdrive: CTG 
• Ghost of Tsushima = CTA
• BOTW = EOG
• GTAV = EOA
• Assassin’s Creed = CTG (becoming more CTA lately)
• Ghost recon = CTA
• Minecraft = EOG

Robot... dinosaurs!!! Kirk, Jason, and Maddy take out their best bows and prepare to go on a hunt for big machines in Horizon Forbidden West, a new open-world game for the PlayStation that rules. They talk about how things have (and haven't) changed from the first game, the big, beautiful world, and the good and bad of Forbidden West's story.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: ELDEN RING

Maddy: Peacemaker

Jason: ELDEN RING

Links:

Horizon Forbidden West score by Joris de Man, Niels van der Leest & Oleksa Lozowchuk

“Do You Wanna Taste It?” by Wig Wam from Non Stop Rock ‘n Roll, 2010

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And now, for Jason's dream episode: the gang plays Suikoden II! Kirk and Maddy give their impressions of the first 25% of the classic JRPG, from the very beginning through getting your very own castle. Do they love it as much as Jason? (No.) The three of them talk about the relationship between Riou and Jowy, the parts of the game that feel clunky in 2022, and what it's like to recruit all those characters. Plus: Dracula!

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Horizon Forbidden West

Maddy: Murderville

Jason: Also Horizon Forbidden West

Links:

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From silent protagonists to badass students, there are all sorts of protagonists in the world of video games. Let's talk about them! Jason, Maddy, and Kirk list their favorite heroes, then break down all of the archetypes, from the Chosen One to the Determined Daughter (subcategory: Queer Millennial Edition). From Mario to Kratos, we've got'em all.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Station Eleven

Maddy: The official Dark Souls TTRPG

Jason: Arrested Development

Links:

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Light: it's dying! This week, the Triple Click gang plays through Dying Light 2: Stay Human, a new game in which you jump between buildings and smash zombies in the head. They talk about the game's slick parkour system, the silly writing, and the drab visuals. Plus: the one and only... Aiden.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Roasting Coffee

Maddy: West Side Story (2021)

Jason: The Thursday Murder Club (Richard Osman)

Links:

That Iconic 2011 Dead Island Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfhtiG66SQc

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Maddy, Kirk, and Jason take a few minutes to react to last week's megaton announcement that Microsoft is buying Activision Blizzard, then prepare for the new Uncharted collection on PS5 by diving into the iconic adventure series. What's the deal with Nathan Drake falling on every platform he sees? Are the first two games better than the next two? And are Uncharted 4 and Lost Legacy worth playing today?

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Dan Olson’s video on NFTs

Maddy: First Reformed

Jason: The craziest football weekend of all time

Links:

“Drake’s Theme” by Greg Edmonson from Uncharted 3 

“Line Goes Up: The Problem with NFTs” by Dan Olson at Folding Ideas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQ_xWvX1n9g&t=2344s

Paris Hilton and Jimmy Fallon talking about NFT apes: https://twitter.com/etienneshrdlu/status/1485956332989693953

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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

Will the metaverse of Ready Player One ever exist in our world? Has a bad ending ever ruined a video game? And just how does one get into Monster Hunter? This week, Jason, Kirk, and Maddy open up the listener mailbag and answer some of YOUR questions on all sorts of things.

(Note: We recorded this episode BEFORE Tuesday's bombshell news that Microsoft is buying Activision!)

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Free Guy

Maddy: Death Note

Jason: Don’t Look Up

Links:

Tips for Suikoden II: https://kotaku.com/tips-for-playing-suikoden-and-suikoden-ii-1670446047

Polygon’s honestly very good (no bias) tips for Monster Hunter Rise: https://www.polygon.com/monster-hunter-rise-guide/22348967/weapons-armor-wirebug-wyvern-riding-best-controller-beginners-tips-tricks

MH: Rise Longsword tutorial by Arekkz Gaming, whose MH videos are all excellent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jscDTUOHdw&t=2s

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The year's only started but it's already full of GAMING NEWS! Join Jason, Maddy, and Kirk for a breakdown of this year's biggest headlines: Take-Two buying Zynga, E3 essentially dying, and the trials and tribulations of BioShock director Ken Levine. Plus: a cool new mystery show and the return of Jason's NFL stories!

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Only Murders in the Building

Maddy: Homestuck Made This World

Jason: Chargers vs. Raiders

Links:

Jason’s report on Ken Levine’s Ghost Story Games: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-03/bioshock-creator-s-next-game-and-its-narrative-legos-in-turmoil

The two-hour Sarah Z Homestuck video that Kirk watched: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohFyOjfcLWQ&t=1518s

Music from Only Murders in the Building, composed by Siddhartha Khosla

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It's time! Kirk, Jason, and Maddy revisit their predictions for 2021, determine who won the big bet (and what game they'll all play this year), and then lay down some predictions for 2022.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: The Frustration of Wanting to Play Cyberpunk 2077

Maddy: Wordle

Jason: Final Fantasy XIV

Links:

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Triple Click Ethics Policy: 

https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

As we all say farewell (and good riddance) to 2021, it's time to go through the BEST games of the year!!! Kirk, Maddy, and Jason each break down their ten (or more) favorites, from Metroid Dread to The Great Ace Attorney.

KIRK'S LIST:

• Returnal
• Hitman 3
• Deathloop
• Inscryption
• Wildermyth
• Halo Infinite
• Death’s Door
• Metroid Dread
• Psychonauts 2
• Monster Hunter Rise
• Subnautica: Below Zero
• Outer Wilds: Echoes of the Eye

MADDY'S LIST:

• Metroid Dread
• Chicory: A Colorful Tale
• Psychonauts 2
• Wildermyth
• Halo Infinite
• Unpacking
• Outer Wilds: Echoes of the Eye
• FF7 Remake Intergrade
• Overboard!
• Inscryption

[Honorable Mention: Deathloop, Get in the car loser]

JASON'S LIST:

• Overboard!
• The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles
• Psychonauts 2
• The Forgotten City
• Metroid Dread
• Bravely Default 2
• Tales of Arise
• Deathloop
• The House in Fata Morgana
• Outer Wilds: Echoes of the Eye

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Yellowjackets

Maddy: Dark Souls

Jason: Hawkeye

Links:

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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

The Triple Click Trio discuss the entirety of the Half-Life story so far. 

Back in September, Maddy, Jason, and Kirk recorded a spoilercast about the entirety of Half-Life 2. Here in December, they're taking this week off for the holidays, so they decided to drop this bonus episode in the feed. As always, if you'd like to become a Maximum Fun member and get many more bonus episodes like this one, go to maximumfun.org/join.

Original show notes follow. Hope you all are having a happy holiday!

SHOW NOTES

Jason and Maddy have finished both episodes of Half-Life 2, so they sit down with Kirk to talk through the entire City17 saga, from the inbound train, to the outbound train, to the rocket ship. They then talk some about the “Epistle Three” that might have been, and what the ending of 2020’s Half-Life Alyx says about the possible future of the series.

LINKS:

"Epistle Three" by Half-Life 2 writer Marc Laidlaw: https://www.marclaidlaw.com/epistle-3/

The ending of Half-Life Alyx (start at 12 minutes): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVzEiVcVq3Y

Hunter Sound Effects via: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDqhw04BjWc

Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod

Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

It's Halo time! Maddy, Kirk, and Jason dive into Halo Infinite, the new game from Microsoft and 343 Industries. They talk about the story (bleh) and the grappling hook (yesssss) then get into the game's rocky development, the very fun open world, and the truth behind Cortana. Plus: Succession season 3 talk!

One More Thing: 

Kirk: The Matrix Awakens

Maddy: Succession

Jason: The Game Awards

Links:

Digital Foundry on what makes The Matrix Awakens technologically remarkable: https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2021-inside-the-matrix-awakens-previewing-the-future-of-gaming-graphics

Emily VanDerwerff (Vox) on Succession: https://www.vox.com/culture/22831645/succession-finale-season-3-recap-review-all-the-bells-say-kendall-roman-shiv-tom

...and Tom Ley (Defector): https://defector.com/logan-roy-is-an-american/

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It's the most trailer-filled time of the year, when Santa Keighley slides down our internet-chimneys to hastily deliver some awards in between ads for upcoming games. Jason, Maddy, and Kirk go over the history of The Game Awards, discuss the controversies surrounding this year's event, and of course, gripe about the games they wish had gotten more nominations. 

Or any at all.

Because Wildermyth didn't get a single nomination.

I KNOW RIGHT

One More Thing:

Kirk: Unpacking
Maddy: Halo Infinite
Jason: Three Identical Strangers 

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Come join Maddy, Kirk, and Jason for a battle to the death staged by a foul-mouthed, adorable talking bear. That's right — it's time to talk Danganronpa. What's the deal with this popular series of killing games? Why is it so popular? And what do you have to know ahead of the Switch release this week?

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Arcane

Maddy: Last Podcast on the Left’s six-part JFK assassination series

Jason: Final Fantasy V

Links:

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Happy Thanksgiving! If you're celebrating, grab yourself a turkey drumstick and listen to Kirk, Maddy, and Jason talk gaming news. From the ongoing Activision Blizzard crisis to the inexplicable rise of NFTs, it sure has been a weird fall in the video game world. This week, the gang talks about those and other big headlines, like the new consoles and the supply chain mess.

One More Thing: 

Kirk:  Metal Gear Solid V

Maddy: Chicory

Jason: Baba Is You

Links:

Kirk talking Death Stranding on the podcast How Did This Get Played?: https://www.earwolf.com/episode/death-stranding-directors-cut-with-kirk-hamilton/

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Maddy, Kirk, and Jason go over this week's explosive Activision Blizzard allegations, then talk about the new Marvel game from Eidos Montreal, Guardians of the Galaxy. What works and doesn't work? Are the rough edges too distracting? And are we all suffering from Marvel fatigue?

One More Thing: 

Kirk:  Beverly Hills Cop 2

Maddy: Nancy Drew: Mystery at Magnolia Gardens

Jason: Elden Ring

Links:

WSJ Article on Activision: https://www.wsj.com/articles/activision-videogames-bobby-kotick-sexual-misconduct-allegations-11637075680

Iron Pineapple’s Elden Ring impressions: ​​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzFR5HsPcng

“The Neutron Dance” by the Pointer Sisters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-jdhorGtQI&ab_channel=PointerSistersVEVO

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Dovahkiin!!! Skyrim is now officially ten years old, because we are all ancient and slowly turning into dust. Jason, Kirk, and Maddy celebrate the big day by revisiting one of the most influential games of all time. They talk about how Skyrim feels to play today, all of the games it has influenced, and what makes it such a special experience.

One More Thing: 

Kirk:  Death Stranding Ziplines/infrastructure/‘breaking’ a game

Maddy: Beverly Hills Cop (1984)

Jason: Your Honor

Links:

Jason’s 2011 Wired Skyrim Preview: https://www.wired.com/2011/10/skyrim-hands-on/

Maddy’s 2011 Phoenix Skyrim Review: https://web.archive.org/web/20160211194214/https://thephoenix.com/Boston/recroom/130611-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim/

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Ever play a game that feels a whole lot like an older game? What's the DEAL with that? This week, Jason, Maddy, and Kirk talk about spiritual successors, from Bloodstained (Castlevania) to Mighty No. 9 (Mega Man) and oh so much more. What are the different kinds of spiritual successors? Why are they so common in games? And why is Jason so excited for Eiyuden Chronicles??

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Inscryption 

Maddy: Unpacking 

Jason: Guardians of the Galaxy

Links:

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Why do video game reviews often feel rushed? What's the deal with drug trips in video games? And what are some good JRPGs for beginners? This week, Jason, Kirk, and Maddy answer some of YOUR Burning Questions on all that and more.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Death Stranding Director’s Cut

Maddy: Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy

Jason: ElecHead

Links:

Mega64’s Uncharted 3 Drug Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPubpR6-V-g&ab_channel=Mega64

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A new Metroid game is here, and by golly, it rules. Maddy, Jason, and Kirk put on their Varian Suits and take a deep dive into Samus Aran's latest adventure, Metroid Dread, which came out earlier this month for Nintendo Switch. They talk about the game's relentless pacing, the brilliant controls, and the endless stream of power-ups. They discuss the marauding EMMIs, the difficulty, and the meticulous design of each level. Metroid Dread: it's a good video game.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Back 4 Blood

Maddy: Freaky (2021)

Jason: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Links:

Maddy’s Metroid Lore Explainer: https://www.polygon.com/22715304/metroid-dread-fusion-recap-story-lore-samus-aran-chozo

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What's a video game? Let's explain! On this very special episode of Triple Click, produced as part of Maximum Fun's Block Party, hosts Kirk Hamilton, Jason Schreier, and Maddy Myers give you a beginner's guide to gaming: the good, the bad, and the pixelated. First, a few definitions of what a "video game" actually is. Then, some recommendations for games you should play if you're just getting started. And finally, our regular bonus segment, One More Thing.

SIX GAMES FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE NEW TO VIDEO GAMES

Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Picross, Breath of the Wild, Return of the Obra Dinn, 80 Days, INSIDE

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Wildermyth

Maddy: Back 4 Blood

Jason: Switch OLED

Links:

Cameron Kunzelman’s review of Wildermyth: https://www.polygon.com/reviews/22638600/wildermyth-review-pc-proc-gen-worldwalker-games-strategy-mac-linux

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Why is Diablo one of the best-selling series of all time? Just what makes Blizzard's action-RPGs so devilishly appealing? Kirk, Maddy, and Jason break down the iconic franchise and talk about why it's good -- and why it might be pretty bad. They talk about the addictive properties of loot hunting, how the games have evolved over the years, and whether there's really room in their lives for Diablo 4.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Far Cry 6

Maddy: Metroid Dread

Jason: Squid Game

Links:

Diego Arguello’s review of Far Cry 6 for Polygon: https://www.polygon.com/reviews/22711610/far-cry-6-review-ps5-xbox-series-x-pc-ps4-xbox-one

Squid Game subtitles: https://twitter.com/fwong/status/1444549630499254283

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It's time for a Triple Play! Jason, Maddy, and Kirk have all played a whole lot of Deathloop, the time-twisting new game from Arkane. They break down what they like and don't like about the game, diving into its unique structure, disappointing ending, and truly delightful little details.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Hunt a Killer - Death at the Dive Bar

Maddy: Bullshit Jobs by David Graeber

Jason: Outer Wilds: Echoes of the Eye

Links:

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Villains: we all hate'em, but what would video games be without them? This week, Kirk, Jason, and Maddy try to figure out what makes a good bad guy. From Deathloop's Julianna to Final Fantasy VII's Sephiroth, antagonists can be brilliant and memorable. But why do we love to hate them? What makes them so fiendishly appealing? And just what is the deal with Kefka?

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Golf Club Wasteland

Maddy: Get In The Car, Loser!

Jason: Eastward

Jason’s Five Rules for a Good Video Game Villain:

1. They have a good motivation

2. They’re way stronger than the protagonist

3. They have a personal connectin to the protagonist

4. They have a striking look

5. They or their actions are present throughout the game

Links:

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What's the deal with Metroid? To answer that question, we must turn to series expert Maddy Myers, who explains to Kirk and Jason just what a Metroid is and why it matters. What's the lore behind Samus's baby? What's up with those Chozo? And what do we all need to know before heading into this October's much-anticipated new game Metroid Dread?

One More Thing: 

Kirk: The U.S. Open

Maddy: You Should See The Other Guy (podcast)

Jason: Deathloop

Links:

An explanation of Medvedev’s U.S. Open victory “emote”: https://kotaku.com/us-open-tennis-champion-does-video-game-celebration-aft-1847662401

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What makes a remake worth playing? When should developers go back and change a game, and how much should they change? This week, the Triple Click crew tries to figure out when remakes work, when they don't work, and why. Plus: Kirk unveils his grand spectrum of Remakes, Remasters, and the Super Turbo Remake Plus.

Kirk’s Remake Spectrum*:

• Re-release (The original game, playable on new hardware)
• Remaster (visually enhanced version of the same game, same tech, etc.)
• Remaster Plus (A visual remaster that makes some changes to the gameplay - e.g. Skyward Sword, ME Trilogy)
• Remake (New engine/tech and new visuals, but makes a point of keeping the gameplay the same. E.g. SotC, Demon’s Souls, Diablo 2 Resurrected)
• Remake Plus (New engine and actual new gameplay/mechanics/etc. E.g. Black Mesa, Tomb Raider Anniversary)
• Reimagined Remake (Uses the original as a template to make major changes, e.g. Resident Evil 2 & 3 Remake)
• Super Turbo Remake Plus (There is only one of these and it is Final Fantasy VII Remake)
• Sequel or Reboot 

*Note that these are stops along a continuous spectrum and not a series of discrete categorizations. Many games fall somewhere in between categories.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: The White Lotus Reloaded

Maddy: Dark Souls

Jason: The Forgotten City

Links:

 Mat Bradley-Tschirgi on why Final Fantasy shouldn’t be modernized: https://www.polygon.com/22648602/final-fantasy-original-ff1-retro-gaming-classic-pixel-version-steam-square-enix

Mike White’s New York interview about The White Lotus: https://www.vulture.com/article/the-white-lotus-finale-mike-white-interview-departures-ending.html

Slate’s Working podcast interview with White Lotus composer Cristobal Tapia de Veer:
https://slate.com/podcasts/working/2021/08/white-lotus-composer-cristobal-tapia-de-veer

Twenty Thousand Hertz episode about the Dies Irae (feat. Kirk): https://www.20k.org/episodes/diesirae

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Maddy, Jason, and Kirk delve into each other's brains to talk about Psychonauts 2, one of the best games of the year so far. They talk about the delightful writing, the clever level design, and the emotional moments. They also talk about Double Fine, the maker of Psychonauts 2, and its long, turbulent history as a game developer. 

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Ghost of Tsushima - game pairing & ac comparison 

Maddy: Dickinson

Jason: 12 Minutes

Links:

The Double Fine Adventure! Documentary, Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVwg-9WL3dE

Kotaku’s Renata Price on 12 Minutes: https://kotaku.com/twelve-minutes-might-have-the-worst-video-game-ending-o-1847540262

Kirk’s 2011 (!!) article about game pairings, complete with extremely 2011-era photoshop top art https://kotaku.com/like-rich-wine-and-sharp-cheese-some-games-just-go-wel-5862022

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The Triple Click Trio opens up the mailbag and answer your most burning questions. 

This time around we've got questions about in-game morality, ferreting out the truth when reporting, our favorite moments in a new game, silent Nintendo protagonists, and whether Kirk records a new version of that "bing" sound every time he makes it.

ONE MORE THING
Kirk: Ghost of Tsushima
Maddy: Boyfriend Dungeon
Jason: White Lotus 

Links:

Bill Hemstapat’s very cool blog post about the process of arranging and recording the Ghost of Tsushima soundtrack: https://billhemstapat.com/ghost-arrangers-diary

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It's finally time: Jason, Maddy, and Kirk pick up their gravity guns and move around some cardboard boxes so they can climb into Half-Life 2. The gang talks about the pros and cons of Valve's classic shooter, how the game holds up in 2021, the G-Man, the graphics, the setpieces, the nauseating vehicles, and oh so much more!

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Reservation Dogs

Maddy: Leverage: Redemption

Jason: Fantasian

Links:

The Wikipedia entry on hitscan: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitscan

Half-LIfe 2 Combine Radio Chatter collection by RescoeZ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SindqGenIhk

Kali Simmons’ recaps of Reservation Dogs: https://www.vulture.com/article/reservation-dogs-series-premiere-recap-season-1-episode-1-fckin-rez-dogs.html

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Metaverse! Everyone's talking about it. Every company wants a piece of it. But just what the heck is it? This week, Jason, Maddy, and Kirk try to figure out what the deal is with the Metaverse... and can't even agree themselves on what it really means. From Fortnite to Facebook, come along on a wild ride through movie crossovers and alternate realities.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Schmigadoon!

Maddy: The Suicide Squad

Jason: New Teeth (Simon Rich)

Links:

GameMaster Anthony Message Board Post:  https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/events/gamemasteranthonys-birthday

“Space Jam: A New Legacy runs on video game logic, in every way,” by Cameron Kunzelman

“Ralph Breaks the Internet and the rise of mash-up cinema,” by Abraham Riesman

“The Metaverse: What It Is, Where to Find it, Who Will Build It, and Fortnite,” by Matthew Ball

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We're all about visual novels here at Triple Click. What's that, you ask? What's a visual novel? Well, allow Kirk, Maddy, and Jason to tell you: it's kind of like a book... but better! Join us to talk about the stellar new game The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles, the horniness of Fire Emblem and Persona, and why sometimes gameplay just isn't all that great.

Games Discussed:

• The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles
• Danganronpa
• Steins;Gate
• The House on Fata Morgana
• Fire Emblem: Three Houses
• Persona 4 and 5
• 13: Sentinels: Aegis Rim
• Disco Elysium
• Planescape: Torment
• Zork
• 80 Days
• Overboard
• Doki Doki Literature Club
• Ladykiller in a Bind
• AI: The Somnium Files
• 999 and Virtue’s Last Reward

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Limetown

Maddy: Plan B

Jason: Activision Blizzard

Links:

Jason’s report on Warcraft III: Reforged: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-07-22/inside-activision-blizzard-s-botched-warcraft-iii-reforged-game

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Kirk, Maddy, and Jason dive into Skyward Sword HD, the new Zelda remake for Nintendo Switch. Does it hold up today? How does it feel after Breath of the Wild? And what's up with those controls? Then they talk about the harrowing Activision Blizzard lawsuit that's shaken up the video game industry over the past week.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Death’s Door

Maddy: Activision Blizzard discrimination lawsuit

Jason: The Great Ace Attorney

Correction: Kirk initially said that Death's Door was on Game Pass, which it regrettably is not. The episode has been edited.

Links:

Ash Parrish on Skyward Sword motion controls: https://kotaku.com/skyward-sword-hd-might-make-you-actually-like-motion-co-1847306361

“Fi’s Theme,” “Crimson Loftwing” and “Ballad of the Goddess” from the Skyward Sword soundtrack, comp. Hajime Wakai, Shiho Fujii, Mahito Yokota, Takeshi Hama

Blizzard’s Culture Crisis Runs Deep https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2021-07-23/activision-blizzard-s-games-culture-crisis-runs-deep

Jason’s Bloomberg newsletter: https://www.bloomberg.com/account/newsletters/game-on

“Hall of Doors” by David Fenn from Death’s Door: https://davidfennmusic.bandcamp.com/album/deaths-door

There sure are a lot of games this summer. It's time for Kirk, Jason, and Maddy to talk about them! And then maybe we'll go out for some sloppy steaks.

Games discussed: Chicory, Overboard, Mario Golf, Scarlet Nexus, Ender Lilies, Astalon: Tears of the Earth, Before Your Eyes

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Six of Crows

Maddy: Billions

Jason: I Think You Should Leave

Links:

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With Skyward Sword coming to Nintendo Switch, the Triple Click gang asks the question you've all been asking: What's the deal with Zelda? Kirk, Jason, and Maddy talk about the origins of the series, how it's evolved over the years, the stagnant Zelda formula, the delights of exploration, the unexpected creativity in limitations, and much, much more.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Inside (The Songs)

Maddy: Hollow Knight

Jason: Joyland (Stephen King)

Links:

“The problem with Bo Burnham’s Inside” by Lili Loofbourow for Slate: https://slate.com/culture/2021/06/problem-with-bo-burnham-inside.html

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Jason, Maddy, and Kirk open up the mailbag and take YOUR listener questions on all sorts of things. What makes people good at video games? Why do AAA games seem so bad at "editing"? What's the best book-game pairing? And much more!

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Mythic Quest S2

Maddy: Sophie’s Safecracking Simulator

Jason: The Great Ace Attorney

Links:

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Maddy, Kirk, and Jason jump into the ridiculously titled Final Fantasy VII Remake: Episode INTERmission, diving into Yuffie's adventures in Midgar. They talk about the combat system, the big story teases, and whether the next DLC will be called InterMISSION. Plus: what's up with the whole Hideo Kojima conspiracy?

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Gloomhaven

Maddy: The Blue Box conspiracy

Jason: The House in Fata Morgana 

Links:

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NEW METROID!!! And also other things. But first, NEW METROID!!! After Maddy's done hyperventilating, the gang talks about everything we saw at this year's bizarre, online-only E3. From Elden Ring to Avatar to Breath of the Wild 2, let's go through it all.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

Maddy: Bo Burnham

Jason: The House in Fata Morgana 

Links:

MItchell Saltzman’s interview with Elden Ring director Hidetaka Miyazaki: https://www.ign.com/articles/elden-ring-miyazaki-hidetaka-full-interview-summer-of-gaming

Nathan Grayson’s article on the terrible Twitch chats of E3: https://kotaku.com/e3-twitch-chat-has-been-miserable-1847092627

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E3 2021 is almost here, which means it's time for HOPES, EXPECTATIONS, RUMORS, and VIDEO GAMES. This week, Kirk, Jason, and Maddy talk about what it's been like preparing for a virtual E3 (blech), what they hope to see from each conference, and all of the hot gossip they've been hearing behind-the-scenes, from Assassin's Creed to Guardians of the Galaxy.

One More Thing: 

Kirk: Sweet Tooth

Maddy: DC Super Hero Girls

Jason: Overboard!

Links:

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Why do some games get demos while others don't? How did video game demos get started? And what's up with that weird game PT? This week, Maddy, Jason, and Kirk answer the question that's been on everyone's minds: What's the DEAL with video game demos?

One More Thing:

Kirk: Probing in ME2

Maddy: Fuser

Jason: Mare of Easttown

Links:

Edgar Wright’s fake trailer for “Don’t”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lttrIPDFplU

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It's Mass Effect time! Maddy, Jason, and Kirk are all playing the remastered version of BioWare's sci-fi trilogy, and really, who needs an excuse to talk Mass Effect? The gang talks about what it's like to revisit Mass Effect all these years later, what has or hasn't aged well, and of course, who they'd all like to smooch.

One More Thing:

Kirk: Subnautica: Below Zero

Maddy: Little Fires Everywhere

Jason:  World’s End Club

Links:

Kirk’s now-mangled Kotaku post about the hidden music in Mass Effect 3: https://kotaku.com/mass-effect-3s-musical-secret-5895616

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It's time for news! This week, the Triple Click clique dives into some of the spring's big gaming news, from the Epic vs. Apple trial to Ubisoft's decision to embrace free-to-play games and much, much more. Plus: Maddy explains why Pokemon cards are back and bigger than ever!

One More Thing:

Kirk: The Nevers

Maddy: Lupin S1

Jason:  The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz

Links:

The Axios Video Game newsletter: https://www.axios.com/signup/gaming

Microsoft’s internal review of The Last of Us Part 2: https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.364265/gov.uscourts.cand.364265.551.21.pdf?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_axiosgaming&stream=top

Vice on Pokemon cards: https://www.vice.com/en/article/7kv9a9/pokemon-cards-psa-cgc-bgs-turnaround-times

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The Triple Click gang dives into Returnal, the latest PlayStation 5 exclusive from Housemarque. Is it too challenging or just challenging enough? Should it have been released in Early Access? And just how good is that PS5 controller? Dodge your way through bullet hell to listen to this episode.

One More Thing:

Kirk: Resident Evil 8

Maddy: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Jason: Later (Stephen King)

Links:

Press Reset: Ruin and Recovery in the Video Game Industry: https://bookshop.org/books/press-reset-ruin-and-recovery-in-the-video-game-industry/9781538735497

Dan Sunshine’s call-in to explain the PS5’s advanced vibration: https://maximumfun.org/episodes/triple-click/triple-play-assassins-creed-valhalla/ 

The Strong Songs Q&A episode where Kirk explains what Miles meant by “it’s about the notes you don’t play.”: https://strongsongspodcast.com/episode/strung-beats-jazz-battles-the-notes-you-dont-play

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In honor of MaxFunDrive 2021, we decided to put a beanscast from earlier this year in the main feed! This episode originally aired in the bonus feed on February 21, 2021. If you'd like more bonus episodes (and to get some extra MaxFunDrive swag), sign up to become a member today at https://maximumfun.org/join.

ORIGINAL SHOW NOTES:

For this month’s bonus episode, Jason, Maddy and Kirk put on their beskar helmets and jetpack straight into the rough and tumble world of Star Wars: The Mandalorian. It’s a wide-ranging discussion that goes from the specific (how can a helmet be so expressive?) to the broad (what are the most and least interesting things about Star Wars?), with plenty of detours along the way.

LINKS:

Become a Maximum Fun Member: https://maximumfun.org/join

A retrospective article about Joe Johnston, the art director who designed Boba Fett’s armor along with concept artist Ralph McQuarrie: https://www.starwars.com/news/empire-at-40-joe-johnston-boba-fett-interview#:~:text=MAY%2018%2C%202020-,Empire%20at%2040%20%7C%20Designing%20an%20Icon%3A%20Joe%20Johnston%20on%20the,Journey%20to%20Create%20Boba%20Fett

A very cool series on the groundbreaking visual production techniques used on The Mandalorian: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUnxzVOs3rk

Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod

Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

The video game industry is broken. Perhaps it's time to... Press Reset? On this week's first-ever LIVE episode of Triple Click, the gang discusses Jason's latest book about the video game industry. They talk about the closures of game companies like Irrational Games and 38 Studios, the industry's sustainability problems, and lots more. Plus: find out how to win a free copy of Press Reset!

One More Thing:

Kirk: For All Mankind

Maddy: The Mitchells vs. The Machines

Jason: Killing Eve

Links:

Buy Press Reset: Ruin and Recovery in the Video Game Industry: https://www.grandcentralpublishing.com/titles/jason-schreier/press-reset/9781538735480/

Press Reset giveaway: https://app.viralsweep.com/sweeps/full/7b4618-86973?framed=1

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Which is more recognizable: the video game Undertale or NFL quarterback Josh Allen? This week, Maddy, Jason, and Kirk open up the mailbag and answer your questions on all sorts of things, including video game addiction, ethics in AAA game development, and rejected names for the Triple Click podcast.

One More Thing:

Kirk: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Maddy: This Is A Robbery

Jason: Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion

Links:

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/tripleclickpod

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Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod

Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

It's the one-year anniversary of Triple Click - happy birthday, Triple Click! Jason, Maddy, and Kirk update the Triple Click Picks with some special new games and then take some time to reminisce on the past year and what this show has meant to them. Thank you all for supporting the show!

One More Thing:

Kirk: Subnautica

Maddy: Emily Is Away 1-3

Jason: StarCraft II

Links:

Kirk’s 2018 article about video games and guns: https://kotaku.com/real-guns-virtual-guns-and-me-1824159338

Our Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/tripleclickpod

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Kirk, Jason, and Maddy dive back into their ongoing playthrough of Final Fantasy VI, picking up where they left off last time (the Opera House) and going until the end of the Floating Continent. Do Maddy and Kirk like it more now? What's the deal with that flake Shadow? Why is Edgar such a creeper? And whoa, did Kefka really just do THAT?

One More Thing:

Kirk: Monster Hunter Rise (Finishing/Friction)

Maddy: The Content Mines podcast

Jason: Saga Frontier Remastered

Links:

What did Edgar really say about Relm? https://legendsoflocalization.com/what-does-edgar-say-about-relm-in-each-final-fantasy-vi-translation/

The Caves of Narshe FF6 Walkthrough: https://www.cavesofnarshe.com/ff6/walkthrough.php

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Triple Click Ethics Policy: 

https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

Just what is the deal with indie games? When did they become financially viable? How did they become so popular? And what is "indie" anyway??? This week, Jason, Maddy, and Kirk look at the modern history of indie games, from Braid and Castle Crashers to the Nintendo Switch's big bumps. They talk about the rise of digital distribution, some misguided old comments from former Nintendo boss Reggie Fils-Aime, and whether "indie" even means anything anymore.

One More Thing:

Kirk: Monster Hunter Rise

Maddy: Vaccine appointment tips

Jason: Gnosia

Links:

The excellent Double Fine Adventure documentary series:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVwg-9WL3dE

Arekkz Gaming’s MH Rise longsword tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jscDTUOHdw&ab_channel=ArekkzGaming

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Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod

Triple Click Ethics Policy: 

https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

Here's the only true thing you will read on the internet today: This episode is not a prank. Instead of trying to fool everyone, Maddy, Jason, and Kirk are going back in time to look at the history of video game April Fool's jokes: the good, the bad, and the very, very ugly. From fake Zelda movies to Assassin's Creed Kinect, there's a lot to laugh at this week.

Correction 4/1/2021: We initially thought the Assassin's Creed Kinect joke video was made by Ubisoft, but it actually wasn't. That part of the conversation has been updated and edited for accuracy. Sorry about that!

One More Thing:

Kirk: Monster Hunter Rise, baybeeeee

Maddy: Incomparable by Brie and Nikki Bella

Jason: The Grace of Kings by Ken Liu

Links:

Gamespot’s 2006 Wii ‘Joke’: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/april-fools-analyst-revolution-will-take-lead-in-2010/1100-6146958/

The IGN Zelda Movie Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBCzkz3gHb8

Assassin’s Creed for Kinect: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NufHsmITjM

The Virgin America 2013 pre-flight safety song (sorry): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQQaNuqY-kU&ab_channel=top10commercials

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Jason, Maddy, and Kirk dive into the latest big indie game hit, Loop Hero. They talk about its strengths, its weaknesses, the nature of addiction, opacity, and repetition. Plus: the best cookbook ever?

One More Thing:

Kirk: RE ViIIage Maiden Demo (and demos like this)

Maddy: How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy (Jenny Odell)

Jason: The Food Lab (J Kenji Lopez)

Links:

Jenny Odell’s Bureau of Suspended Objects: https://www.jennyodell.com/bso.html

Odell’s interview on the Ezra Klein show: https://www.vox.com/ezra-klein-show-podcast/2019/5/23/18636332/jenny-odell-how-to-do-nothing

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Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod

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Maddy, Jason, and Kirk open up the mailbag to answer listener questions about all sorts of things, from game company secrecy to the pros and cons of digital gaming. Plus: How do you know when a game just isn't working for you?

One More Thing:

Kirk: Progression and Inconvenience

Maddy: Wandavision

Jason: Gnosia

Links:

Maddy’s X-Men podcast The Mutant Ages: https://mutantages.com

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What's an Assassin's Creed? Who's an Assassin's Creed? Allow the Triple Click gang to explain. Kirk, Jason, and Maddy dive into Ubisoft's action-adventure-RPG franchise, talking about how the series has evolved over the past decade, their favorite games, and just what the heck is up with all those aliens.

One More Thing:

Kirk: Hollow Knight

Maddy: Learning to parry in Dark Souls

Jason: Loop Hero

Links:

Kirk’s Hollow Knight arrangement: https://youtu.be/eIVtGlcpZS0

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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

It's time for some news!!! Kirk, Maddy, and Jason pick some of the biggest stories in gaming this year, from Covid's effect on game production to the Harry Potter controversy, and break them all down. The gang also talks Google Stadia's woes, EA canceling Anthem Next, and all the hot Mario and Zelda news from the most recent Nintendo Direct.

One More Thing:

Kirk: Spider Man: Miles Morales

Maddy: “Britney Spears Was Never In Control” by Tavi Gevinson

Jason: Bravely Default 2 and video game challenge

Links:

“Trans Inclusion Means More Than Just Adding Potential Gender Options To Hogwarts Legacy” by Riley MacLeod: https://kotaku.com/trans-inclusion-means-more-than-just-adding-potential-g-1846388481

Tevis Thompson’s essay “Saving Zelda”: http://tevisthompson.com/saving-zelda/

The Splitscreen Stadia interview with Phil Harrison: https://kotaku.com/google-stadia-boss-answers-and-dodges-our-questions-1833422137

“Britney Spears Was Never In Control” by Tavi Gevinson: https://www.thecut.com/2021/02/tavi-gevinson-britney-spears-was-never-in-control.html

“The Lies Hollywood Tells About Little Girls” by Mara Wilson: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/23/opinion/britney-spears-mara-wilson-hollywood.html

Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join

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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

It's finally time! Per Jason's orders, Kirk and Maddy are playing through Final Fantasy VI. This week: they get up to the Opera House. What has aged well? What hasn't? Will the grind and tedium break Maddy's brain? Will Kirk fall in love with Celes and crew? Find out on this week's Triple Click!

One More Thing:

Kirk: Demon’s Souls

Maddy: You’re Wrong About podcast

Jason: Bravely Default 2 

Links:

Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join

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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

Let's play Super Mario 3D World... plus Bowser's Fury! Jason, Maddy, and Kirk break down the Switch's newest Mario adventures, dive into the differences between linear and non-linear Mario games, and discuss whether or not they are all cats. Plus: Demon's Souls and much more.

One More Thing:

Kirk: The PS5 Experience

Maddy: Judas and the Black Messiah

Jason: Murder mysteries (Moonflower Murders by Anthony Horowitz,  The Eighth Detective by Alex Pavesi)

Links:

Allegra Frank’s interview with Lakeith Stanfield: https://slate.com/culture/2021/02/judas-black-messiah-lakeith-stanfield-interview-joker.html

Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join

Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod

Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

Maddy, Jason, and Kirk take a trip down memory lane, crossing nostalgia with frustration as they try to figure out why so many old games are so hard to play (legally). What do you do with your old consoles? Why do Nintendo and Sony make it so difficult to buy their old games? What's the deal with video game preservation??? Plus: Kirk got a PS5!

One More Thing:

Kirk: Got a PS5!!!

Maddy: Hunt a Killer: Death at the Dive Bar

Jason: Wandavision

Links:

Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join

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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

What makes a Souls game a Souls game? Why do we love'em so much? And how many things have we learned from Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and the rest of the gang over the years? This week, the Triple Click crew dives into From Software's classic series and tries to figure out what the deal is.

One More Thing:

Kirk: Playing Hitman from the beginning

Maddy: Maiden (2018)

Jason: The Last Dance

Links:

Chris Dahlen on Dark Souls: https://kotaku.com/what-dark-souls-is-really-all-about-5874599

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Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod

Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

This week the gang jumps into Hitman 3, a game that's far less bleak that it sounds. Kirk, Maddy, and Jason talk about the latest entry in the longrunning stealth-puzzle series. Maddy shares the story of how she learned how to play, Jason talks about the Knives Out-inspired murder mystery, and Kirk raves about how amazing Hitman games truly are. Plus: the GameStop phenomenon explained!

One More Thing:

Kirk: The Expanse S3

Maddy: Ted Lasso

Jason: GameStop

Links:

Hitman Speedrun: https://kotaku.com/speedrunners-are-beating-hitman-3s-dubai-level-in-under-1846121772

Shoreh Agdashloo talks us to sleep: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4j8gznDVa1M 

Bloomberg GamesStop explainer: https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2021-01-25/the-game-never-stops

Short Selling and Options explainers: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/shortselling.asp

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/o/option.asp

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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

Jason, Maddy, and Kirk open up the listener mailbag and answer some of YOUR questions about all sorts of things. What does it mean when an E3 demo is fake? What's our video game comfort food? And why do video game sequels always make you lose all your powers?

One More Thing:

Kirk: Gloomhaven

Maddy: Dark Souls 

Jason: NFL playoff update

Links:

Jason on Cyberpunk 2077: https://twitter.com/jasonschreier/status/1350322423170797568

Kirk’s article about preorder culture: https://kotaku.com/the-witcher-3-downgrade-controversy-sucks-1705882405

The overview video Kirk watched to start getting his head around Gloomhaven: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uw7LI2esvp0

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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

In the wake of Cyberpunk 2077, a game with a rocky launch that will now try to find redemption, Jason, Maddy, and Kirk take a look at some other video game redemption stories. They talk about No Man's Sky, Destiny, Final Fantasy XIV, and other games that got better over time. What does a successful turnaround look like? And what are the ethical questions involved? All that and lots more.

One More Thing:

Kirk: Lupin

Maddy: Dark Souls

Jason: Fargo

Links:

Kirk reviews No Man's Sky: https://kotaku.com/no-mans-sky-the-kotaku-review-1785383774

...and Destiny: https://kotaku.com/destiny-the-kotaku-review-1637735501

Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join

Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod

Triple Click Ethics Policy:  https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

It's time: Kirk, Jason, and Maddy convene to go over their 2020 predictions and determine who got the most right. Who won, and which game will Triple Click play in 2021? You'll have to listen to find out! Plus: big predictions for video games in 2021!

One More Thing:

Kirk: Wonder Woman 1984

Maddy: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley 

Jason: Never Split The Difference by Chris Voss and Tahl Raz

Links:

Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join

Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod

Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

2020 is over!!! Thank goodness! It's time for Kirk, Jason, and Maddy to go over the best games of 2020. Each host shares their top-ten list, which includes some choices you might guess... and some that might surprise you! Plus: Jason and Kirk have finally finished the game they were obliged to play... Kirby Planet Robobot.

One More Thing:

Kirk: Spelunky 2

Maddy: “The very real, totally bizarre bucatini shortage of 2020” by Rachel Handler (Grub Street)

Jason: Sekiro

Links:

Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join

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Triple Click Ethics Policy: 

https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

GOTY Lists:

Jason

• Hades
• Final Fantasy VII Remake
• Call of the Sea
• Demon’s Souls
• Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
• Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout
• Paper Mario: The Origami King
• Bugsnax
• Ori and the Will of the Wisps
• Jackbox Party Pack 7

Maddy

• Animal Crossing New Horizons
• Carrion
• Destiny 2: Beyond Light
• Final Fantasy 7 Remake
• Hades
• If Found
• Kentucky Route Zero
• Paradise Killer
• Spider-Man: Miles Morales
• Wide Ocean Big Jacket

Kirk

• Hades
• Carrion
• Spiritfarer
• Black Mesa
• Half-Life: Alyx
• Desperados III
• Star Wars: Squadrons
• Final Fantasy VII Remake
• Ori and the Will of the Wisps
• Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Is Cyberpunk 2077 the biggest game of the year? Or just the most broken? This week, the gang dives into CD Projekt Red's hotly anticipated new RPG: the good, the bad, and the very, very ugly. Jason, Maddy, and Kirk talk about their impressions on the game and their thoughts on all the many, many, many controversies surrounding it.

One More Thing:

Kirk: Ghostrunner

Maddy:  Carrie by Stephen King

Jason: Call of the Sea

Links:

Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join

Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod

Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

Maddy, Kirk, and Jason open up the mailbag to answer some of YOUR questions. Should there be a Game Award for the best studio culture? How do we honestly criticize games while knowing how many blood, sweat, and pixels they take to develop? And just how necessary is Twitter Discourse?

One More Thing:

Kirk: Warner Bros. / HBO Max

Maddy: Hades

Jason: 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim

Links:

Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join

Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod

Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

The Hollywood Reporter on Nolan/Warner: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/christopher-nolan-rips-hbo-max-as-worst-streaming-service-denounces-warner-bros-plan

Twitter thread about Souls games: https://twitter.com/silent0siris/status/1334570752021049345?s=21

What are they, rocket ships? In honor of the recent release of the PS5 and Xbox Series X, the gang looks back at the history of video game console launches. Which were the best ones? Which were the worst? And what were Kirk, Maddy, and Jason's personal experiences with console launches? Let's discuss!!!

One More Thing:

Kirk: Immortals Fenyx Rising

Maddy: Fuser

Jason: A Futile And Stupid Gesture (2018)

Links:

Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join

Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod

Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

Maddy, Kirk, and Jason celebrate Thanksgiving in the best way possible: Leftovers. This week, the gang talks about all of the fall video games they haven't had a chance to analyze on previous episodes, including Demon's Souls, NBA 2K21, Yakuza Like A Dragon, Spider-Man: Miles Morales, and much, much more.

One More Thing:

Kirk: Star Wars Squadrons

Maddy: The Diary of Anne Frank

Jason: The Queen’s Gambit

Links: 

Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod

Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join

Skol! Kirk, Maddy, and Jason are all playing Assassin's Creed Valhalla, and they have oh so many thoughts. The gang dive into what they like (the story! the mysteries!) and don't like (the bugs!) about Ubisoft's new Viking game. (Spoilers: It's way too long.)

One More Thing:

Kirk: Just King Things

Maddy: The Queen’s Gambit

Jason: The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton

Slate interview with Gary Kasparov about his work on Queen’s Gambit: https://slate.com/culture/2020/11/queens-gambit-garry-kasparov-interview-netflix-chess-adviser.html

Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod

Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

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Last week it was all things Xbox, and now it's time for PlayStation 5! Jason has been using the fifth PlayStation for a few weeks now, and he's impressed. The load times are fast and the controller is slick. But is it worth getting or should you just wait??? Plus: Spider-Man Miles Morales and the wonderful Bugsnax (talkin about Bugsnax)!

One More Thing:

Kirk: Watch Dogs Legion 

Maddy: Destiny 2: Some Thoughts (on why i’m not playing it currently)

Jason: Assassin's Creed Valhalla

Show Notes:

Triple Click Discord! https://discord.com/invite/JuSkCPZKKh

Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join

We've got the new Xboxes! Kirk, Jason, and Maddy dive into the pros and cons of both consoles and discuss the upcoming new generation of video games. Are framerate and resolution enough to make the upgrade? Should you get an adult Xbox, a baby Xbox, or neither? Triple Click answers all your questions!

One More Thing:

Kirk: Watch Dogs Legion

Maddy: Animal Crossing Halloween

Jason: The Americans

Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join

It's Halloween, so the Triple Click gang brings on old pal Patricia Hernandez to talk about creepypasta and haunted video games, from Lavender Town to Sad Satan. Is it true that every copy of Super Mario 64 is personalized for your horror? Let's find out!

One More Thing

Kirk: The Walking Dead: Saints and Sinners

Maddy: RTX 3070 GPU

Jason: Borat 2

Links

Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join

Pre-order Jason's book: https://www.grandcentralpublishing.com/titles/jason-schreier/press-reset/9781538735480/

Patricia Hernandez on haunted Super Mario 64: https://www.polygon.com/2020/9/15/21437962/super-mario-64-iceberg-creepypasta-machinima-every-copy-is-personalized-nintendo-64

...and Lavender Town: https://kotaku.com/pokemons-creepy-lavender-town-myth-explained-1651851621

...and Sad Satan: https://kotaku.com/a-horror-game-hidden-in-the-darkest-corners-of-the-inte-1714980337

Reply All on QAnon: https://gimletmedia.com/shows/reply-all/llhe5nm

Dead Bart: https://creepypasta.fandom.com/wiki/Dead_Bart

Polybius: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polybius_(urban_legend)

Maddy’s RTX 3070 review: https://www.polygon.com/reviews/2020/10/27/21535182/rtx-3070-review-price-nvidia-price-3080

Jason, Kirk, and Maddy dive into Hades, one of the best games of the year so far. They talk about their favorite strategies, honor the Greek gods, and try to pinpoint what makes the latest game from Supergiant Games so special.

One More Thing:

Kirk: Oculus Quest 2

Maddy: Destiny 2 (lmao)

Jason: Jackbox Party Pack 7

Show Notes:

Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join

A guide for playing PC VR games wirelessly with Oculus Quest: https://uploadvr.com/how-to-play-pc-vr-oculus-quest-2/

Jason, Kirk, and Maddy open up the mailbag and answer some of YOUR great questions. How do we Maximize our Fun when playing video games? Is it possible to be a successful journalist while staying totally anonymous? And does Xbox Game Pass cause more anxiety than it cures? 

One more thing:

Kirk: Facebook

Maddy: Animal Crossing Halloween update

Jason: Dan Brown's Origin

Show Notes:

Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join

Kashmir Hill cutting tech giants from her life: https://gizmodo.com/i-cut-the-big-five-tech-giants-from-my-life-it-was-hel-1831304194

Is building a PC really that difficult? Or is it actually SUPER FUN? Maddy, Jason, and Kirk talk about each of their experiences buying PC parts and putting them together like beautiful, brilliant LEGO sets. Jason talks about why his gaming PC wouldn't turn on, Maddy reminisces on carrying her massive PC case to LAN parties, and Kirk espouses the virtues of thermal paste.

One More Thing:

Kirk: Star Wars Squadrons

Maddy: Horizon Zero Dawn

Jason: Baldur’s Gate 3

Show Notes:

Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join

Jason’s PC Building Adventure: https://kotaku.com/my-pc-building-adventure-part-one-picking-the-compone-1821708276

Jason's PC Building Adventure part two: https://kotaku.com/my-pc-building-adventure-part-two-something-went-horr-1821879762

Kirk’s “The 10 Worst Things About Building a Gaming PC” https://kotaku.com/the-10-worst-things-about-building-a-new-gaming-pc-1606794540

And The 10 Best: https://kotaku.com/the-10-best-things-about-building-a-new-gaming-pc-1605434587

The end of Kirk’s 2018 CPU cooling obsession: https://kotaku.com/i-put-a-big-air-cooler-in-my-pc-and-it-s-working-pretty-1828394334

One PC build for $1,000, from Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/buildapc/comments/dq06nh/will_1000_get_me_a_next_gen_capable_pc/

Whitson Gordon’s horror story about his liquid cooling apparatus leaking into his PC: https://lifehacker.com/what-to-do-when-your-water-cooling-leaks-inside-your-pc-1475187833

Tom’s Hardware: TomsHardware.com

PC Part Picker: PCPartpicker.com

Dun dun, dun dun dun dun dun... it's time to talk Zelda! This week, on a new segment called Triple Click Classics, Kirk, Jason, and Maddy dive into the Super Nintendo masterpiece The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and talk about what makes it so great, from the design to the polish to the music. But why are you always rescuing the damn princess???

ONE MORE THING

Kirk: Hades

Maddy: Destiny 2 (it’s baaack) (it never left)

Jason: Final Fantasy XIV

Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join

Music Featured: “The Painful Way” by Darren Korb from the Hades OST

“Overture” by Koji Kondo & Mahito Yokota from the Super Mario Galaxy OST

Well hey, if we had known Bethesda was on the market for only $7.5 billion, we would have made a bid! Maddy, Jason, and Kirk talk about Microsoft's major acquisition, plus the big PS5 news last week (Final Fantasy XVI!!!) and the reality that video games are going to cost $70 very soon. Plus, the brilliant, beautiful Hades and other One More Things.

One More Thing

Kirk: Super Mario Galaxy

Maddy: Pen15 season two

Jason: Hades

Links

Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join

Music Featured: “The Painful Way” by Darren Korb from the Hades OST

“Overture” by Koji Kondo & Mahito Yokota from the Super Mario Galaxy OST

Maddy, Jason, and Kirk bring on special guest Ben Hanson (co-founder of MinnMax) to open up the listener mailbag and answer some BURNING QUESTIONS. What games does the crew wish they were better at? What are some timeless mechanics? And what are the most memorable button prompts in gaming?

ONE MORE THING

Kirk: Spiritfarer

Maddy: Horizon Zero Dawn 

Jason: Super Mario 3D All-Stars

LINKS

Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join

MinnMax: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiUhKqsBH-Is2VeC2sykEfg

Who Is John Frum: https://www.topic.com/who-is-john-frum

It's time for another Triple Play! This week, the gang jumps into Marvel's Avengers, a new video game about superheroes who play Destiny. Is this game any good? Is it going through an identity crisis? And just what is up with Kamala Khan? Plus: Samus's Soapbox!

ONE MORE THING

Kirk: The weirdness of GPUs

Maddy: Destiny 2 (really)

Jason: The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

LINKS

Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join

Triple Click Twitch channel:  https://www.twitch.tv/tripleclickpod

It's time for some news! Maddy, Jason, and Kirk talk about the summer in gaming news, from the next-gen console war (and the glaring lack of prices) to replacement E3 plans from companies like Warner Bros., Nintendo, and Microsoft. Plus: Ubisoft keeps stepping on rakes.

ONE MORE THING

Kirk: Dark 

Jason: Retro games kick

Maddy: Destiny 2 Leviathan raid

Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join

One More Thing:

Kirk: Luigi’s Mansion 3

Maddy: Destiny 2 (...again)

Jason: Dark

Support Triple Click: https://maximumfun.org/join

One More Thing:

Kirk: Fall Guys (mediatonic, on PC and PS4, free PS+)

Maddy: Zoo 

Jason: The Epic/Apple/Google war

Support Triple Click: https://maximumfun.org/join

Epic's complaint against Apple: https://cdn2.unrealengine.com/apple-complaint-734589783.pdf

TRIPLE CLICK PICKS, VOL 1

1. Disco Elysium
2. Return of the Obra Dinn
3. Hollow Knight 
4. Outer Wilds
5. Destiny 2
6. Bloodborne
7. Breath of the Wild
8. Divinity Original Sin II
9. Hitman 2
10. AC Odyssey

One More Thing:

Jason: Blizzard staff take collective action

Maddy: Destiny 2 

Kirk: Doom Patrol

Support Triple Click: https://maximumfun.org/join

Kirk’s old article ranking video game bows: https://kotaku.com/video-games-have-become-obsessed-with-bows-and-arrows-5991211

Noah Caldwell-Gervais on Horizon Zero Dawn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yt7c8yXiuJk

Bloomberg article on Blizzard organization: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-08-05/blizzard-workers-organize-on-company-slack-seeking-pay-increases

Cool Atlantic article about Grant Morrison’s Doom Patrol run: https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/04/doom-patrol/360616/

Layoffs at DC: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/dc-comics-dc-universe-hit-by-major-layoffs-1306743

One more thing:

Kirk: Death Stranding

Maddy: Marvel’s Avengers beta

Jason: Billions

Support Triple Click: https://maximumfun.org/join

MaxFun Drive Info: https://maximumfun.org/news/maxfundrive-2020-has-begun-and-its-full-of-great-gifts/

One More Thing:

Jason: Ghost of Tsushima

Kirk: Carrion

Maddy: The Nintendo Gigaleak

Support Triple Click: https://maximumfun.org/join

MaxFun Drive Info: https://maximumfun.org/news/maxfundrive-2020-has-begun-and-its-full-of-great-gifts/

The Console War Is Over [Christopher Dring, GamesIndustry.biz] https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-07-23-the-console-war-is-over-opinion

How Xbox Game Pass works for developers [Matthew Handrahan, GamesIndustry.biz] https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-07-08-xbox-game-pass-is-the-first-time-subscription-is-fair-for-developers

The big Nintendo leak [Patrick Klepek, Vice]: https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/7kp7bx/a-massive-leak-of-nintendo-source-code-is-causing-chaos-in-video-games

One More Thing

Kirk - Ubisoft woes [Jason's article on Bloomberg]

Maddy - Halo: The Master Chief Collection

Jason - The Last of Us Part II

Support Triple Click: https://maximumfun.org/join/

MaxFun Drive Info: https://maximumfun.org/news/maxfundrive-2020-has-begun-and-its-full-of-great-gifts/

Triple Click on Twitch this Friday! https://www.twitch.tv/tripleclickpod

Rob Zacny on the problems with The Last of Us Part II's ending: https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/jgxjxx/problems-with-last-of-us-part-2-ending

Support Triple Click: https://maximumfun.org/Join

Information on Max Fun Drive 2020 tiers, rewards, schedule, and more: https://maximumfun.org/news/maxfundrive-2020-has-begun-and-its-full-of-great-gifts/

Music Featured: Multiple tracks from Final Fantasy VII (1997) composed by Nobuo Uematsu, as well as the following Uematsu compositions re-arranged for Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020): "Prelude" arranged by Yoshitaka Suzuki, "Airbuster" arranged by Tadayoshi Makino, "Main Theme from Final Fantasy VII - Sector 7 Undercity" arranged by Shotaro Shima, and "Aerith's Theme - Home Again" arranged by Shotaro Shima.

Kirk’s music podcast Strong Songs: https://strongsongspodcast.com

Game-deal watchdog Wario64 on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wario64 

The official Braid walkthrough: https://web.archive.org/web/20121009073610/http://www.braid-game.com/walkthrough/walkthrough.html

Luke Plunkett’s Desperados III review on Kotaku: https://kotaku.com/desperados-3-is-a-modern-stealth-masterpiece-1844047567

Ryan Gilliam on spoiling TLOU2 for himself: https://www.polygon.com/2020/7/7/21314896/the-last-of-us-part-2-spoilers-story-ruined-enhanced-experience-secrets-are-good

Jamelle Bouie on Hamilton as a historical narrative & ideological project: https://letterboxd.com/jbouie/film/hamilton-2020/

Kirk’s Strong Songs on “Satisfied”: https://strongsongspodcast.com/satisfied-from-hamilton-updated

Black Game Devs: http://www.blackgamedevs.com/

The Last of Us 2 epitomizes one of gaming’s longest debates [Chris Plante, Polygon]

"Former employees accuse Cards Against Humanity of a racist and sexist office culture" [Nicole Carpenter, Polygon] 

"Video Game Industry Rocked by Outpouring of Sexual Misconduct Allegations" [Jason Schreier, Bloomberg]

"Does ABUSE Make you Stronger? - Whiplash Review feat. Kirk Hamilton!" [Carpool Critics]

"Growing calls to “defund the police,” explained" - Matt Yglesias, Vox

Minority Korner: https://maximumfun.org/podcasts/minority-korner/

FANTI: https://maximumfun.org/podcasts/fanti/

The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_Jim_Crow

The Bail Project: https://bailproject.org/

The George Floyd Memorial Fund: https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd

A National Directory of Bail Funds: https://www.communityjusticeexchange.org/nbfn-directory

A Directory of Protest-Specific Bail Funds: https://bailfunds.github.io/

The ACLU guide for protestors’ rights: https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/protesters-rights/#im-attending-a-protest

Why do people love this whole Final Fantasy thing so much? Welcome to What's The Deal With, in which the Triple Click crew explains why something matters. This week, Jason, Maddy, and Kirk explain the history and appeal of one of the most beloved roleplaying video game series ever, from Sephiroth to Noctis and oh so much more.

The Final Fantasy VII Letters (Kirk Hamilton and Leigh Alexander, Paste Magazine) 

Solitary Spacecraft (Dante Douglas)

Five Ways Video Games Make Failure Matter (Kirk Hamilton, Kotaku) 

Don't miss the (unofficial) Triple Click subreddit

HBomberguy on Fallout

Check out the Maximum Fun reader survey right here!

 Each week on Triple Click, video game experts Kirk Hamilton, Maddy Myers, and Jason Schreier journey into the fascinating world of games. They’ll explore hot topics in video game news and culture, answer burning listener questions, debate the pros and cons of the biggest new games, and replay old classics together.  Coming soon to Maximum Fun!