Markers on the Map: A Gaming Adventure

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.

Episode 190: Gameland Christmas Toy Catalog

Commerce. The Gameland Christmas Toy Catalog 2024 is a fictional catalog featuring items that actually do not exist from games that have been played in the year 2024. It is found in the mailboxes of the fictional town of Gameland this Christmas, and is a great guide for all Gameland citizens' Christmas needs. Looking for gifts for the family? The catalog has you covered. How about friends? The catalog will deliver. And how about a little something for yourself? The catalog will undoubtably find a way. Items within the catalog include, but are not limited to pieces from Alan Wake 2, Silent Hill 2, Metaphor, Zelda, Pizza Tower, and a whole lot more. Merry Christmas from Markers on the Map! Check us out on BlueSky @MarkersOnTheMap.

Episode 189: Super Alan Wake Ball

Been a while since we had a fun title like that, but this week calls for it, as we're talking about a ton of games! We've got an overview of Alan Wake 2 - with a few spoilers on mechanics and DLC. We've got the recently-played triple threat of Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania, Astro Bot, and Super Mario Party Jamboree in here, too. And, at long last, Darksiders 2. But the fun doesn't stop there, because Turok Evolution is here, Marvel Rivals is here, and a new battle pass mental health check-in is here. It's a packed episode! Check us out on BlueSky @MarkersOnTheMap.

Episode 188: Awards Season Approaching

Are we just the GameBoy version of Game Country? This week, we take a look at the categories for this year's Game Awards, and discuss what we want to win, and what we think will end up winning when all is said and done. From mega hits like Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth and Astro Bot, to stunning surprises like Balatro, and even upsetting snubs like Infinite Wealth and Silent Hill 2, this is going to go down as one of the most interesting Game Awards in recent memory. Also, don't miss the premiere of Pokemon Drip: Scarlet and Violet at the end of the episode! And have a Happy Thanksgiving! Check us out on BlueSky @MarkersOnTheMap.

Episode 187: The Sixth Launch Lineup

The dual screen gaming odyssey is here. This week, join us for a new installment of our Launch Lineup episodes, where we're taking an in-depth look at the rollout of Nintendo DS games, 20 years after the console released. It's a strange, small, and staggered release with a few major highs and some devastatingly lame lows (looking at you, Robots). The next generation of handheld gaming is here as mobile games have yet to truly take over. It's a simpler time, with the Nintendo DS, with comforts like PictoChat and Mario Kart DS keeping us entertained for weeks and years to come. Check us out on BlueSky @MarkersOnTheMap.

Episode 186: Silent X Shadow

Back to our regularly scheduled everything. This week, we've got one our classic episodes where we talk about a ton of stuff we've been playing. This time, it's some closing, spoiler-free thoughts on Silent Hill 2, and that's not all. Sonic x Shadow Generations is finally here, and we delve into this refinement of Sonic's boost gameplay. We also have some positive thoughts on a mobile game in Pokemon TCG Pocket - and that's still just the start. At the end of the episode, we even have our first small dive into Metaphor spoilers. It's a little bit of a lot of things! Check us out on X and BlueSky @MarkersOnTheMap.