Markers on the Map: A Gaming Adventure

Episode 205: Switch 2 Summer

But can it run Doom? Join us for our first impressions on the Nintendo Switch 2, the long awaited sequel to the Nintendo Switch. With so many cool new features and a highly premium feel, this is one of the greatest console releases of all time. And what's a console without a fantastic launch title? We've got some thoughts on the incredible Mario Kart World. Just think, that's only half the episode, because there was also a State of Play and the Summer Game Fest show. It's "Not-E3" week on a whole other level! Keep up with the show on BlueSky @MarkersOnTheMap.

Episode 204: Era of Doom

The A-Team of our day. A pair of two modern Doom games highlight this week's foray into FPS madness. First up, Doom 2016 brings us into the modern Doom era with a memorable and frantic campaign that started this whole new trilogy and is a true classic in every sense of the word. After that, we return to the Dark Ages with a completed campaign and some comparisons between 2016 and Eternal - the most different one of all. So many set pieces, so many crazy weapons, and more enemies than you can possibly fathom, this is, indeed, a Doom episode. Keep up with the show on BlueSky @MarkersOnTheMap.

Episode 203: The School of Card Knocks

Biker Mice From Mars, seriously. Join us as we discuss some closing thoughts on this initial run through Rockstar's Bully, including mechanics, the open world, and more. After that, we finally dive into Balatro, where the deck can and will be broken almost immediately. Synergies, strategies, and the luck or lack of luck that can destroy your run highlight this chill (yet addictive) roguelike. Plus, we're still counting down to the Switch 2 launch with some thoughts on Nintendo's new Game Chat feature. Keep up with the show on BlueSky @MarkersOnTheMap.

Episode 202: Bully: The Dark Ages

Medieval Doom featuring spaceships and robots. Let's introduce a few games here. First, comes Doom: The Dark Ages, id's new prequel to Doom 2016 and its sequel, the legendary Doom Eternal. It's a game that takes a little of what makes the others so good and gives it a unique identity, primarily from its incredible new shield mechanic. And then we take you back to the PS2 glory days with Rockstar's Bully, one of the company's more interesting takes. We've also got a thought or two on game key cards as the countdown to the Switch 2 continues! Check out our BlueSky @MarkersOnTheMap!

Episode 201: The Crew's in Space

Every good show has a season in space. Welcome to the third season of Markers on the Map! If you're new to the show, we set the stage each season with some lore, and delve into this constantly-shifting game industry, from the latest and greatest to the almighty classics that paved the way. This week, we've got Switch 2 pre-order stories, some familiar season premiere Fall Guys talk, and the return of a classic segment for a limited time. And Plok. We can't forget Plok! We're also on BlueSky if you'd like to keep up with the show @MarkersOnTheMap.

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.