Game Pass Grab Bag

This week we played The Big Con by: Mighty Yell Studios. The Big Con is a top down adventure game where you play a young teen in the 90's who discovers her mom owes a bunch of money to loan sharks. Instead of being a good kid and going off to band camp you decide to instead steal a bunch of money from random people. Rub your face along random walls to find hidden items are that need to progress the story as you travel across America to save your moms dying video store.

This week we played the listener requested Starfield by; Bethesda Studios. Starfield is an action adventure space RPG where you play a character who has come in contact with a strange artifact. You are recruited by a group called the Constellation, a group of space explores who are trying to solve the mysteries of the galaxy. Pilot your space and explore over 1000 planets as you take on various quest and recruit members to your team. This week's episode is sponsored by Magic Mind. Go to https://www.magicmind.com/GPGBPOD  and use Promo Code: GPGB20 to get 20% off your order or for a limited time 56% off a subscription.

This week we played the listener requested Everspace 2 by; Rockfish Games. Everspace 2 is a looter shooter space fighter game with RPG elements. In Everspace 2 you play as a pilot who is trying to make a big score to finally secure a good life for himself. Don't worry if you haven't played the first Everspace because all you need to know is how to loot and shoot. 

This week we covered Exoprimal by: Capcom. Exoprimal is a 3rd person PvEvP hero shooter. You play a character created pilot who crashed landed on a quarantined island that is controlled by a rogue A.I. You are taken back into the past in an Exo suit to fight dinosaurs. Do really need to know more then that? Be a mech and shoot lots and lots of dinosaurs in different game modes that are controlled by the AI.

This week we played Solasta Crown of the Magister by: Tactical Adventures. Solasta is a turn based tactical RPG that is heavily influenced by the rules of Dungeons and Dragons. Start your adventure by creating a party of 4 characters that you can create or select pre created characters. Explore the world of Solasta as you uncover the mystery behind a mysterious crown. Go on the adventure alone or with 3 friends, but don't worry if your friends leave because you can keep your adventure going solo.

This week we played the listener requested Terraria by: Re-Logic.  Terraria is a 2D survival builder game where you play as a player created character who must dive deep in the mines to help fight the corruption. Mines precious minerals and stones and build a thriving village for NPC's to join. The dungeons may be deep and the boss are huged but you do not have to go alone because you can join up to 16 players in your world.

This week we played the sequel to a puzzle game we all loved. We played Supraland Six Inches Under by: Supra Games. Supraland SIU is a first person metroidvania style puzzler where you play a blue clay man who lives in a child's sandbox. Save the citizens of your village as you all have been trapped six inches under...hence the name. Explore the world as you progressively unlock unique abilities that will help you overcome and obstacle you face.

This week Andrew and Keith are joined by Aaron from Screen Test Podcast to discuss a bit about the Microsoft vs. FTC trial and what the future may hold. We also discuss how some old Call of Duty servers have been turned back on, and we try to make sense of Xbox's new Game Pass tier pricing works.

This week we played Arcade Paradise by; Nose Bleed Interactive. Arcade Paradise is a first person arcade management game, where you take control of a young college drop out who has been tasked with managing your father's old laundromat. Since your father has been controlling your whole life you decide to slowly convert the laundromat into an arcade. Everyday do simple tasks like cleaning laundry and picking up trash, but in your free time play all the arcades that you can... Just like real life.

This week we played the listener requested Valheim by: Iron Gate. Valheim is a 3rd person survival builder RPG where you play a character created norse hero who was on their way to Valhalla but Odin recruits you to Valheim to help him stop a growing evil. Explore the land and build your fortress solo or with 9 friends. This game is currently in preview and we are playing on patch 0.216.10 the mistlands.

This week we played  the listener requested Mass Effect by; Bioware. ME 2 is a third person action RPG where you are continueing the story from ME1 as you prepare for the incoming reaper threat. Recruit a crew to take with you on a suicide mission to help save the galaxy. Build loyalty and relationships with your crew members but be careful the choices you make will continue in ME 3.

This week a special guest joins us to talk about Diablo 4 by: Blizzard Studios. Diablo 4 is a  ARPG where you play 1 of 5 classes that take on the legions of hell. Fight waves of demons as you quest to get epic look so you take on the ultimate evil that wants to destroy sanctuary. Hopefully this game won't always be a sidequest episode as Microsoft continues to fight to gain control of Activision Blizzard.

This week we played the listener requested Cassette Beasts by; Bytten studios. Cassette Beast is a turn based creature capture RPG, where you play a character created person who washes up on a mysterious world. You are rescued by a stranger who gives you the ability to form of a cassette beast. Battle your way across the land as you find a way home.

This week we played The Last Case of Benedict Fox by; Plot Twist. This game takes place in a lovecraftian 1930's where you play Benedict Fox, a man with a personal demon companion. You are investigating the murder of your father and what events have unfolded in his house. Explore the past memories of your father as you game new abilities in this 2D metroidvania platformer.

The gang talks about the Xbox showcase 2023 and our impressions of the newly announced titles. We of course talk more in depth about the Starfield showcase at the end.

This week the crew wanted to recap on some really great games that we have discovered on game pass that you may have overlooked.

This week we played Ravelok By; Cococucumber. Ravenlok is a third person action RPG that tells a different twist to the Alice in Wonderland story. Play a young girl who is prophesied to be Ravenlok, a hero who will save the citizens from the evil queen of hearts. Explore a magical world as you try to piece together the puzzle that will lead you to the queen.

This week we played Redfall by: Arkane Studios. Redfall is a first person looter shooter where you play one of 4 unique heroes, each with their own different abilities. Join up to 3 friends online and take the fight to the vampires who have taken over this small town. 

This week we played Homestead Arcana by: Serenity Forge. Homestead Arcana is a third person farming sim where you play a young witch who is tasked with trying to fight back an evil fog with farming. Grow various crops and brew spells to take with you as you explore the evil miasma for more treasure. Sort of uncover the mystery behind the fog with a very convoluted story, but hey at least you got a really cool talking cat named Huckleberry.

This week we checked out Minecraft Legends by; Mojang studios and Black Bird Interactive. Minecraft Legends is a 3rd person real time strategy game where you take control of hero who must lead his armies against the invading piglins. Recruit different mobs to your side as they join you in battle, Build powerful walls and turrets to defend your friendly villages. You can play the campaign with 3 friends or go versus in a 4v4 match. Sorry about the squeaky chair this episode, the chair has been removed, if only we could remove Keith so easily.