Markers on the Map: A Gaming Adventure

Episode 218: Another One 4 the Lands

Kairos is calling. This week, it's the big Borderlands 4 intro. Nearly the whole episode has us delving into the latest massive open-world adventure from Gearbox. There's a lot to unpack including moment-to-moment gameplay which is better than ever, upsetting performance issues, and some truly inexcusable item-holding side content. And what's Borderlands without a wild selection of some of the most random and interesting weapons you've ever seen in a game? It's a small start to a large Borderlands journey as the game is more of a live service than ever. But it's finally here and it was worth the wait. Check out the show on BlueSky @MarkersOnTheMap.

Episode 217: A Direct for Everyone

Kratos Kong and the Borderlands Curse, a Virtual Boy exclusive. This week, join us for a discussion on one of Nintendo's longest and most varied Nintendo Directs! They've got everything from a whole bunch of announcements, products, DLC, and new games to celebrate Mario's 40th anniversary, to an actual release date for Metroid Prime 4. Things like Hades 2 and the Mortal Kombat Kollection are finally being released, with physical editions coming later. Classic favorites are getting new versions. And yes, the Virtual Boy is literally back, against all odds. We've also got a legendary tale... so legendary that you'll have to listen in to find out just what it is. Check out the show on BlueSky @MarkersOnTheMap.

Episode 216: Still in a Dreamland

Star-Crossed Snake Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. This week, we continue our long discussion on Metal Gear Solid Delta, with a few spoilers, but nothing too heavy. The pairing of story and gameplay takes center stage as we both have thoughts upon finishing up the game this past week. What's different, what's the same, and what we liked and didn't highlight the initial wrap-up. We've also got a look at Kirby and the Forgotten Land's Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and its DLC, which leads to a discussion on in-game challenges. And what's another week without some sort of Call of Duty misstep? Check out the show on BlueSky @MarkersOnTheMap.

Episode 215: A Virtuous Mission with Cheese

"What a thrill." Holy reference, Gameland. This week, we delve into the opening mission of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, a modern update to Hideo Kojima's 2004 PS2 Classic, Metal Gear Solid 3. We go in depth with the Virtuous Mission and what sets this new version apart from the original - namely, control schemes and graphics. The timeless tale of Big Boss returns, and new players get the benefit of starting at the beginning of a series full of complicated twists and turns. We've also got a reaction to Call of Duty reversing the carry-over decision for Black Ops 7, some thoughts on Gorillaz finally being in Fortnite Festival, and some Pokemon Drip that doesn't match the type! Check out the show on BlueSky @MarkersOnTheMap.

Episode 214: Souls in the Old Country

Part of a balanced breakfast. This week, we're taking a big first look at the story and gameplay in Mafia: The Old Country, Hangar 13's follow-up to the original Mafia trilogy. We've also got some comparisons and lingering thoughts on Mafia: Definitive Edition to go along with it. We also discuss some final thoughts on Lies of P and how a Soulslike with an easy mode really changes the game. Trust us, there's still plenty of difficulty to go around, even on easy. We also rattle through a bunch of new Gamescom announcements, ever so briefly, including Bubsy 4D, and we chat a little about the Kirby Air Riders Direct. Check out the show on BlueSky @MarkersOnTheMap.

Episode 213: Lies of Peak

King of the Hearts, I tell you what. This week, join us for an intro to Lies of P, the Pinocchio Soulslike we never knew we needed. A harsh world that feels like Bloodborne meets a fairy tale is made all the better with an interesting take on difficulty modification, a unique weapon and handle system, and quality of life improvements to obnoxious elements like weapon durability. If only Breath of the Wild had Lies of P's grindstone! We also delve into roguelike climbing with Peak, a solo or co-op mountain adventuring game. There's also a wrap-up on the initial run through Donkey Kong Bananza and a very brief introduction to UFO 50 on the Switch! Check out the show on BlueSky @MarkersOnTheMap. 

Episode 212: Absolute Bananza

Would Plok also enjoy Sabrina's Strawberry Daydream Refresher? This week, we continue our discussion on Donkey Kong Bananza. There's a whole bunch of new powers and additions to DK's moveset. There are many varied challenges, arenas, puzzles, and bosses to tackle... not to mention hundreds of Banandium Gems to collect across a seemingly endless underground world. Character moments, incredible designs, and a sense that the levels get more and more complex are just some of the things we talk about in this episode. Plus, an update to last week's Call of Duty woes. Check out the show on BlueSky @MarkersOnTheMap.

Episode 211: Battlefield: Void Company

A new competitor in the "games with destructible environments" category. This week, it's finally here: Donkey Kong Bananza. Join us for our introduction for one of the best games in recent memory. It's a new frontier for 3D platformers with DK and Pauline mixing smooth movement with wild destruction. It's a little of that Nintendo magic usually reserved for Mario given new life in the form of a successor to the DK games of yesteryear. This first look at the game takes us through Bananza's first seven major layers as the journey to the planet core begins. Plus, why is Call of Duty so irritating to install? Check out the show on BlueSky @MarkersOnTheMap.

Episode 210: Somewhere Beyond the 33

A mind full of No Man's Sky. This week, we finally delve into Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, one of the year's best games and one that's sure to be up for tons of awards. The modern realization of a turn-based RPG takes us into a world of devastation and complexity, where parrying mechanics, character abilities, and a wild skill system are just the start. After that, we go under the sea to revisit 2007's legendary BioShock and its twisted world of Rapture. We've also got some thoughts on Destiny 2's newest expansion, and some news on the Zelda movie's cast. Check out the show on BlueSky @MarkersOnTheMap.

Episode 209: The Crew's at a Convention

Games got us to this point. This week, we've returned from the hallowed halls of what was once the location of E3 for another epic adventure at Anime Expo. We cover four days of fun, including awesome things we saw, dope items we picked up, and some absolutely incredible panels including one extremely relevant to something we always discuss on this very show. Gaming presence was bigger than ever this year, with tons of Sega and Atlus representation, Guilty Gear, Marvel Rivals, and more. Would you believe we also found some Ridge Racer stuff? Join us for a chat about all things AX in our annual special! Check out the show on BlueSky @MarkersOnTheMap.