Markers on the Map: A Gaming Adventure

Episode 200: Pop Zedd

"The truth will set you free... and Knuckles." The season two finale of Markers on the Map is a celebration of some of the finest games to ever be released. But first, the biggest ever lore cutscene reveals just what happened on all of those fateful days, tying up loose ends, and finally bringing us to a brave new era. Twists, turns, and revelations abound as we head into the unknown. And then, we kick off this milestone episode with some reminiscing and some Monster Hunter Wilds. And in true season finale fashion, we discuss a couple of secret games, some of our absolute favorites. Full spoilers, full specials, and some of our most in-depth commentary on these two absolute classics are here in this legendary episode. A new season is coming, and you can always keep up with the show on BlueSky @MarkersOnTheMap.

Episode 199: The Gamekeeper

"Ladies and gentlemen, Gamekeeper here with a very special Tale from the Map. There lived an architect of games known as Dream, who one day found herself face-to-face with an overwhelmingly powerful enemy. This fearsome foe threatened to change the course of history as we know it, but Dream overcame this entity, and the world moved forward just as my brother's eyes foresaw. The big three existed in harmony, and total console war was prevented. A great new pirate game and a wonderful film are just the start in this strange little story I like to call, 'Alternate History,' which starts a little something like this... oh, and I'd be remiss not to let you know that @MarkersOnTheMap is on BlueSky."

Episode 198: The Lore of the Map

“There was once a suburb called Gameland.” Over the course of nearly 200 episodes, the story of this fictional city has been the backdrop of Markers on the Map. A living, breathing world that is the stage that our gaming discussion and news takes place in. And what’s a world without its lore? Over the first two seasons, we’ve had many cutscenes placed into the episodes that shed a little light on this fictional universe. For this one-time special, all of the cutscenes up to this point are here in one convenient place on the road to the epic scenes of the next two episodes. It’s the first part of our season two finale, and the closest a podcast can get to “All Cutscenes 4K 60FPS.” Check us out on BlueSky @MarkersOnTheMap.

Episode 197: The Phantom List

And one more thing... and another! This week, it's a classic "we've got so many things to talk about" episode that usually ends up coming out around the time we head into special episodes. So join us for a big catching-up hour where we delve not too deeply into Cyberpunk 2077's Phantom Liberty DLC, Need for Speed Most Wanted, Tomb Raider, Jedi Power Battles, Prince of Persia for the SNES, Pikmin 1, and more... even Sonic Racing CrossWorlds, believe it or not. And since we've got some special episodes coming up, we've got three outfits to rate in Pokemon Drip! Check us out on BlueSky @MarkersOnTheMap.

Episode 196: State of Play Gaiden

The Delightful Game from 2008. This week, we're taking a look at Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, an updated version of one of the all-time great action games. A remaster that looks completely modern while playing like those mid-2000s action games we just don't get nowadays. We're also wrapping up a current playthrough of San Andreas with some final thoughts. After that, a big State of Play happened with tons of updates on things like Borderlands 4, Metal Gear Solid Delta, and Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, along with some new reveals like Housemarque's Saros. Check us out on BlueSky @MarkersOnTheMap.

Episode 195: The Expansion of Soul Andreas

Raziel. CJ. Games together strong. This week, we're heading back to the world of Nosgoth through three time periods as we explore the world of The Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 2. Bigger puzzles, different combat, and an... interesting save system are all present as the lore gets deeper. And then, we return to Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas for more thoughts on CJ's adventures in Los Santos along with some of the game's defining features. Plus, a discussion on games we only wish we could love and some thoughts on Marvel Rivals. Check us out on BlueSky @MarkersOnTheMap.

Episode 194: Soul Andreas

Ah, Raziel... here we go again. Join us for some classics this week, as we dive deep into The Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver Remastered and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. One game sees a vampire battling against monsters and puzzles in the late-PS1 and Dreamcast era, and the other sees the refinement of the work Rockstar began years before in the early to mid-PS2 era. Both feature gripping stories with some fantastic performances, and both, as you'll hear, are very fun to talk about. Check us out on BlueSky @MarkersOnTheMap.

Episode 193: Top 10 Plays of 2024 Part 2

A metaphor is not when it's "like" a good game, it's when it "is" a good game, and let us tell you, it is, in fact, multiple good games. The top games we both played last year include classics and modern games on a grand scale. A whole different hemisphere. A whole different world - shadow creatures, creatures hiding in shadows, and even a playable one. The sequel to a genre architect, improving it in every way, and the remake of a sequel beloved by so many. A pastiche platformer of a palatable plate and a little blue bot that ties it all together - it's the best games we played in 2024. Check us out on BlueSky @MarkersOnTheMap.

Episode 192: Top 10 Plays of 2024 Part 1

We're gonna take you for a ride with this year's Top 10 Plays. So get ready to dive on in. The games we've selected are stellar, and gaming has definitely been reborn - or so some people say when the next great game drops. So don't get left behind, and get the ball rolling with us on the greatest games we played in 2024, be they old or new, reloaded, risen, or rushed. And have no fear, haunted or not, these picks are all delightful in their own way. That about covers all 10 games we talk about in this week's 10-6. Listen on in to find out just what they are! And we can't just ignore the Switch 2, can we? Check us out on BlueSky @MarkersOnTheMap.

Episode 191: Gameland's Shiny New Year

Rudolph's New Years Revolution. Once again, all references to real people or real games in this special are fictional. And what a special it is, as we take a look at one of gaming's finest achievements to wave goodbye to 2024 and ring in 2025 with style. A legendary masterpiece in not only gaming, but media in general - a story for the ages, that inspired so much long, long after it. Yes, it's an RPG with the power of kings, and we're not talking about Metaphor. Happy New Year from Markers on the Map! We will be back with new episodes on January 22nd! Check us out on BlueSky @MarkersOnTheMap.