Hamilton and Chris explore Sonic the Hedgehog’s first “open zone” adventure, Sonic Frontiers (2022). Along the way, they discuss the game’s development, its peculiar minigames, and how well it succeeds at shifting the franchise away from linear stage design. Noteworthy … Continue reading Franchise Festival S3E9 – Sonic Frontiers

Spencer and Chris get downright crunchy with Supergiant’s Hades (2020), working through the finer details of how its gameplay systems interact with one another to produce one of the best roguelikes of the last decade. Along the way, they explore … Continue reading Franchise Festival S3E8 – Hades

Chris and Hamilton recall the first 20 years of Sonic the Hedgehog by taking a close look at Sega’s Sonic Generations (2011). Along the way, they discuss what happened to the property over the preceding decade and why some characters’ … Continue reading Franchise Festival S3E7 – Sonic Generations

Chris and Spencer discuss the development, gameplay, characters, and story of Supergiant’s Pyre (2017). Enjoy! If you’d like more details on how Pyre was made, we recommend NoClip’s documentary on the subject. No need to listen to the show to … Continue reading Franchise Festival S3E6 – Pyre

Chris, Hamilton, and special guest Rosalie discuss the development, gameplay, and plot of Sonic Adventure 2 (2001). Along the way, they also explore the game’s amazing soundtrack and what led Sega to exit the home console market in the early … Continue reading Franchise Festival S3E4 – Sonic Adventure 2

In this month’s episode, Chris and Spencer discuss the development, gameplay, and story of Supergiant’s Transistor (2014). No need to listen to the show to join in the discussion, though! Let’s talk about your favorite (and least favorite) parts about … Continue reading Franchise Festival S3E3 – Transistor

In this month’s Franchise Festival episode, Chris and Hamilton discuss one of the best platformer games ever made: Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles! In this episode, you’ll learn about Sega’s evolution from its arcade origins, how Sonic the Hedgehog … Continue reading Franchise Festival S3E2 – Sonic 3 and Knuckles

Let’s discuss Bastion! What are your favorite weapons, monsters, and areas? In the podcast linked below, Chris and Spencer kick off the third season of Franchise Festival with a discussion of Supergiant’s 2011 debut. Along the way, they explore how … Continue reading Franchise Festival S3E1 – Bastion

Let’s discuss Resident Evil Village! What are your favorite moments, monsters, and characters? Do you like the hub-and-spokes approach to world design, or do you prefer previous entries’ linear stages and puzzle boxes? In the podcast below, Chris and Hamilton … Continue reading Franchise Festival S2E17 – Resident Evil Village

Welcome back to Franchise Festival, a column where we explore and discuss noteworthy video game series from the last four decades. Older entries can be found in the archive here. This week we’ll be pulling all of the details about … Continue reading Franchise Festival #125: Half-Life / Portal

Let’s discuss the Resident Evil 3 Remake! What are your favorite moments, monsters, and characters? Do you think it succeeded at modernizing the original, or did it strip out too much of what you loved about Jill’s escape from Raccoon … Continue reading Franchise Festival Podcast S2E16 – Resident Evil 3 Remake

Let’s discuss the Resident Evil 2 Remake! What are your favorite moments, monsters, and characters? Do you think it succeeded at modernizing the original, or did it strip out too much of what you loved about that survival horror classic? … Continue reading Resident Evil 2 Remake: Discussion and Podcast

Let’s discuss Resident Evil 7! What are your favorite moments, monsters, and characters? In the podcast episode below, your hosts are joined by special guest Adam Bucceri to explore the development, gameplay, and plot of Resident Evil 7. Our longest … Continue reading Franchise Festival S2E14 – Resident Evil 7

Let’s discuss Resident Evil: Revelations 2! What are your favorite moments, monsters, and characters? In the podcast episode below, your hosts discuss the criminally underrated Resident Evil: Revelations 2. Along the way, we uncover cut content, encounter the series’ best … Continue reading Franchise Festival S2E13 – Resident Evil: Revelations 2

Welcome back to Franchise Festival, a column where we explore and discuss noteworthy video game series from the last four decades. Older entries can be found in the archive here. This week we’ll be exploring the tactical complexity and charming … Continue reading Franchise Festival #124: Valkyria Chronicles

Let’s discuss Resident Evil: Revelations! What are your favorite moments, monsters, and characters? In the podcast episode below, the Franchise Festival crew performs a deep dive on Resident Evil: Revelations‘ development, gameplay, and plot with Arielle Danan (@HuggableHipster). Along the … Continue reading Franchise Festival S2E12 – Resident Evil: Revelations

Let’s discuss Resident Evil 6 (some more)! What are your favorite moments, monsters, and ludicrous plot beats? In this podcast episode, Chris and Hamilton work their way through Resident Evil 6‘s dense – well, arguably incomprehensible – plot. We’ve got … Continue reading Franchise Festival S2E11 – Resident Evil 6 (Part 2)

Welcome back to Franchise Festival, a fortnightly column where we explore and discuss noteworthy video game series from the last four decades. Older entries can be found in the archive here. This week we’ll be winding our way through all … Continue reading Franchise Festival #123: Drakengard / Nier

Welcome back to Franchise Festival, a fortnightly column where we explore and discuss noteworthy video game series from the last four decades. Older entries can be found in the archive here. This week we’ll be slaloming down the slopes of … Continue reading Franchise Festival #122: Snowboard Kids

Welcome back to Franchise Festival, a fortnightly column where we explore and discuss noteworthy video game series from the last four decades. Older entries can be found in the archive here. This week we’ll be seeing the history of Metroid … Continue reading Franchise Festival #121: Metroid Prime

Welcome back to Franchise Festival, a fortnightly column where we explore and discuss noteworthy video game series from the last four decades. Older entries can be found in the archive here. This week we’ll be upgrading our knowledge of Metroid. … Continue reading Franchise Festival #120: Metroid