Series by Singing Brakeman documenting and discussing esteemed franchises in video games
Hamilton, Spencer, and Chris cover the first phase of Commander Shepard’s Mass Effect 3 journey, from a trial on Earth to a daring escape from Sur’Kesh. We’re reunited with Anderson, Jack, Ashley, Liara, Mordin, Wrex, and more. Also James is … Continue reading Franchise Festival S5E11 – Mass Effect 3 (Part 2)
Chris and Hamilton discuss the development and gameplay generalities of Mass Effect 3 before setting up the plot with an overview of Mass Effect 2‘s “Arrival” DLC mission. No need to listen to the episode to join in the discussion, … Continue reading Franchise Festival S5E10 – Mass Effect 3 (Part 1)
Chris, Hamilton, and Spencer discuss their favorite games of 2025 (more or less), along with some honorable mentions. Don’t worry, it’s spoiler-free! Topics include: Song samples, in order: No need to listen to the episode to join in the discussion, … Continue reading Franchise Festival S5E9 – Games of the Year, 2025
Chris and Hamilton conclude their whirlwind tour through Mass Effect 2 with the Lair of the Shadow Broker mission, Legion’s recruitment, and the climax of the Collectors’ nefarious plot. No need to listen to the episode to join in the … Continue reading Franchise Festival S5E8 – Mass Effect 2 (Part 5)
Chris, Spencer, and returning guest Lily discuss nearly all remaining loyalty missions in Mass Effect 2 and make a surprising discovery on-board the derelict Collector vessel. Be sure to check out Lily’s great work at The Avocado and on her … Continue reading Franchise Festival S5E7 – Mass Effect 2 (Part 4)
Chris, Hamilton, and Spencer are joined by The Avocado‘s Lily Bones to discuss Mass Effect 2 recruitments (Samara, Thane, and Tali) as well as the loyalty missions for Garrus and Jack. Please note that we had some audio issues with … Continue reading Franchise Festival S5E6 – Mass Effect 2 (Part 3)
Chris, Hamilton, and Spencer discuss the first third or so of Mass Effect 2‘s plot, from the prologue to the rescue mission on Horizon. This covers most of recruitments, which means you get to meet Mordin Solus in this episode! … Continue reading Franchise Festival S5E5 – Mass Effect 2 (Part 2)
Chris, Hamilton, and Spencer are joined by Matt Storm (aka Stormageddon) to discuss the development, gameplay, and universe of Mass Effect 2 (2010). Be sure to check out Matt’s Linktree to find more of their work! No need to listen … Continue reading Franchise Festival S5E4 – Mass Effect 2 (Part 1)
Chris, Hamilton, and Spencer navigate the back half of Mass Effect‘s narrative, from Feros to the final confrontation with Saren. No need to listen to the episode to join in the discussion, though! Let’s talk about your favorite (and least … Continue reading Franchise Festival S5E3 – Mass Effect (Part 3)
Chris, Hamilton, and Spencer wind their way through the first half of Mass Effect‘s plot, from character creation to Noveria. Along the way, we also discuss party member backstories, the Asteroid X57 bonus mission, and how exactly one should pronounce … Continue reading Franchise Festival S5E2 – Mass Effect (Part 2)
Chris, Spencer, and Hamilton discuss the development, gameplay, and background lore of Mass Effect (2007). Come for the BioWare history, stay to find out which alien species is the biggest bunch of nerds. Sources/Links No need to listen to the … Continue reading Franchise Festival S5E1 – Mass Effect (Part 1)
Chris and Hamilton discuss the development, gameplay, stages, and bosses of Mega Man 11 (2018). Spoilers: we loved it. No need to listen to the episode to join in the discussion, though! Let’s talk about your favorite (and least favorite) parts … Continue reading Franchise Festival S4E12 – Mega Man 11
Hamilton and Chris discuss Inti Creates’ Mega Man ZX, including its origins as a potential Mega Man Zero 5 and its awkward (yet admirable) efforts to infuse the Mega Man formula with Metroidvania mechanics. Along the way, we uncover surprising … Continue reading Franchise Festival S4E11 – Mega Man ZX
Chris and Hamilton are joined by special guest Patrick of the Boss Rush Network to discuss Inti Creates’ first entry in the Mega Man series: Mega Man Zero (2002). Be sure to support Patrick’s work by visiting https://bossrush.net/, following him on Twitter using the … Continue reading Franchise Festival S4E10 – Mega Man Zero
Hamilton and Chris conclude their coverage of Capcom’s Mega Man Battle Network (2001) with a close look at the game’s plot. Even as the level design grows tedious and the story meanders, boss fights remain a highlight. No need to listen … Continue reading Franchise Festival S4E9 – Mega Man Battle Network (Part 2)
Chris and Hamilton tackle the development, gameplay, and early hours of Mega Man Battle Network (2001). Along the way, they lavish praise on the deckbuilder format and uncover the startling commonality between Capcom’s abandoned IPs. Sources No need to listen … Continue reading Franchise Festival S4E8 – Mega Man Battle Network (Part 1)
Chris, Hamilton, and Spencer discuss Mega Man X4 (1997), the first Mega Man X game developed from the ground-up for 32-bit consoles. Are the updates worthwhile, or do they just over-complicate a classic formula? Development Sources No need to listen … Continue reading Franchise Festival S4E7 – Mega Man X4
Chris and Spencer discuss the development, gameplay, and plot of 1997’s Mega Man Legends (Nintendo loyalists may know it as Mega Man 64). If our show piques your interest, don’t miss the great development team interviews available on shmuplations. No need … Continue reading Franchise Festival S4E6 – Mega Man Legends
Hamilton and Chris go in-depth with Capcom’s first 32-bit Mega Man game: Mega Man 8! Along the way, your hosts give a primer on the series’ extended sidekick roster, offer their thoughts on the (in)famous auto-scroll stages, and get to the … Continue reading Franchise Festival S4E5 – Mega Man 8
Chris and Hamilton are joined by special guest Nadia Oxford, author of the Maverick Hunter’s Field Guide, to talk about Mega Man X (1993). Along the way, they learn about Capcom’s difficulty growing Mega Man past its 8-bit roots, discuss … Continue reading Franchise Festival S4E4 – Mega Man X
Chris, Hamilton, and Spencer talk about the first Mega Man game developed after the departure of creator Akira Kitamura: Mega Man 3! Along the way, your hosts discuss yet another troubled development period, a bewildering localization, and what happens when … Continue reading Franchise Festival S4E3 – Mega Man 3
