Abnormal Mapping

We have another huge haul of games as we talk about seemingly everything under the sun but also two games for the lengthening nights as we do a sort of horror month talking about two moody classics of the RPG Maker indie games scene: Yume Nikki and Ib! It was great to be able to talk about such a fun genre, get out of our comfort zones a bit, and explore some real gaming history. Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to [email protected]!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Novel Not New has moved to Scanline Media!, please check that out and also listen to Journal Updated and The Safe Room, Em got a MiSTer, for $1 you can get a special VoIP Life where we rated the aesthetics of consoles, Pac-Man, Altered Beast, Mega Man X2, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge, Omori, Mother 3, Deltarune, Phantasy Star III, Professor Layton vs Phoenix Wright, R-Type, Pokemon Sun & Moon, Yume Nikki (longplay we recommend here), Moon, Ib (let's play of Ib we recommend here), adventure game design, horror games and horror memes, the best introduction to Kojima, best world building, the act of waiting in stealth games, RPG Maker odds and endsThis Month's Game Club:Yume Nikki and IbNext Month's Game Club: NorcoMusic This EpisodeDining Room by YASUpochiAbandoned Desert Town by KIKIYAMACorelli La Folia by YASUpochiRooftop Rhythm by KIKIYAMAThe Littel Doll's Dream by YASUpochi

It’s gaming season as we dip into a sequel to one of the most classic games of the 90s and find that maybe lighting truly does strike twice. On top of that, a dozen other games played between us, and a bunch of other fun besides including which PlayStation is canonically the Best Looking. The answer will not surprise you in the slightest. Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to [email protected]!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: the PS5 price hike, upcoming game clubs, go listen to Novel Not New on Scanline Media, go listen to the upcoming Journal Updated on Hypnospace Outlaw, Fate Extra, Mobile Suit Gundam Battle Operation: Code Fairy, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, Resident Evil 6, Ghostrunner, Guilty Gear Strive, Phantasy Star II (spoilers start at 29:45 and run to 35:15), The House in Fata Morgana: A Requiem for Innocence, Tsukihime, Phantasy Star II, Pokemon Black, Pokemon Black 2, The Looker, Pokemon Y, Riven, the Riven retrospective we reference this episode, CD Rom games, the ranking of PlaystationsThis Month's Game Club:Riven: The Sequel to MystNext Month's Game Club: Ib (we’re playing the remake, but the original should be fine)Music This EpisodeMoiety Theme by Robyn MillerVillage Entrance Theme by Robyn MillerAccumula Town by Shota KageyamaRise and Fall by Tokuhiko Uwabo

We try to beat the heat by playing a game about the sweltering jungle and the fight for survival, but y’know … it’s cute! Also, we declare an early end to our Year of Handhelds because of a Gaming Injury, but we’ll still be delivering banger episodes every month as always. Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to [email protected]!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Pokemon popularity, gaming injuries and a change of plans, Pokemon Platinum, Elden Ring, The House in Fata Morgana, Paradise Killer, The Pedestrian, Stray, Gato Roboto, Uncharted 4, Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Survival Kids, Zelda, Mother, podcast navel gazing, early gaming memories, Minesweeper, games we wish we had time forThis Month's Game Club:Survival KidsNext Month's Game Club: RivenMusic This EpisodeBreeze With U by Barry ToppingJungle by Atsushi Fujio & Yasuhiro IchihashiChoose A Character by Atsushi Fujio & Yasuhiro IchihashiThis is My Time by Lecrae

I’m joined once again by my friend and fate-bestower Kim as we cover the only sequel to Fate/stay night, Hollow Ataraxia! We talk about where my fate-pilling is at, the power of stories that aren’t about anything, the evolution of guys, and the general experience playing the miracle game. Truly one of my new favorites. Spoilers of course for FSN, Fate Zero, and Hollow Ataraxia within! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to [email protected]!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Monster Hunter Rise, AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES – nirvanA Initiative, Flowers -Le volume sur printemps-, House of Fata Morgana, Fate Extra, Fate Hollow AtaraxiaThis Month's Game Club:Fate/hollow ataraxiaNext Month's Game Club: Survival KidsMusic This Episodehollow by NUMBER201 feat.rhuLight Step by James HarrisholLow wORlD by Aimer

One of the most infamous Japan-only RPGs finally gets its turn as Abnormal Mapping heads back to a simpler time of GBAs, Nintendo being good, and a little boy with magical PSI powers as we finally get to the game we’ve been putting off for nearly eight years: Mother 3! We must be so exhausted.Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to [email protected]!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Deltarune, Dicey Dungeons (still not on iOS btw), Slay the Spire, Star Wars the Force Unleashed, Pokemon, Marble it up!, Clustertruck, Mother 3, Earthbound, Moon, Live a Live, FFX stuff (spoilers for X and X-2 from 1:12:50-1:17:00), Brave Fencer Musashi, Final Fantasy VIII, The Frog for Whom the Bell Tolls, Ace Combat, Rogue SquadronThis Month's Game Club:Mother 3Next Month's Game Club: Survival KidsMusic This EpisodeMom's Hometown by Shogo SakaiAs you Wish by Shogo SakaiDangerous Guys by Shogo SakaiHis Highness' Theme by Shogo SakaiIt's Over by Shogo Sakai

We delve into the power of healing and the demands of the DS touch screen as we scrub up and try to save people by playing doctor and … NGO front line crime fighter? Look, anime is complicated. Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to [email protected]!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Rogue Legacy 2, The Stanley Parable, Sable, Caligula Effect 2, Gris, Prey 2006, Star Trek Legends, Lost Planet, Trauma Center, Persona a bit, handheld attachments and peripherals, Capcom revivals, Atlus crossovers, and the inevitable decline of gamesThis Month's Game Club:Trauma Center: Under the KnifeNext Month's Game Club: Mother 3Music This EpisodeTrauma Center Main Theme by Shoji Meguro, Kenichi TsuchiyaJudgement Day by Shoji Meguro, Kenichi TsuchiyaThe Cutting Edge of Medicine by Shoji Meguro, Kenichi Tsuchiya

We remember the basics of CQC one draw at a time as we go back to the long road of woe that is Metal Gear to play the strange PSP tactical spin-off Metal Gear Acid 2! There are ABSOLUTELY talk about the entire franchise, because we just love/hate Metal Gear too much not to go all over, so be warned about the spoilers. But otherwise, enjoy this ridiculous episode!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to [email protected]!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Pomu playing MGS2, Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, Elden Ring, Devil May Cry V, Death Stranding, Sable, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Metal Gear Acid 2 (and some 1), Metal Gear overall, cheat codes, goofy bonus modes, the Next Kingdom Hearts (not to be confused with the next Kingdom Hearts), Labo and Let's Tap, gacha Metal Gear Acid potential, Chain of Memories, SMT Devil SurvivorThis Month's Game Club:Metal Gear Acid 2Next Month's Game Club: Trauma Center: Under the KnifeMusic This EpisodeMain Menu by Akihiro Honda, Hiroshi Tanabe, Nobuko TodaVenus by Akihiro Honda, Hiroshi Tanabe, Nobuko TodaResurrection by Akihiro Honda, Hiroshi Tanabe, Nobuko TodaMy Love by Akihiro Honda, Hiroshi Tanabe, Nobuko Toda

Abnormal Mapping is here to talk about two Sonic games that were designed for the Game Gear and the first generation of dedicated handheld games and why they often were saddled with the reputations they would carry with them for decades to come. These games are all right tho! Also an extended what we’ve been playing, featuring Jack Chaos and Metroid herself. Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to [email protected]!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Elden Ring, Gran Turismo 7, Jackson's piece on GT7, Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin, Devil May Cry 5, Metroid Dread, controllers, Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies, Guardians of the Galaxy, Sonic Chaos, Tails Adventure, Mario Land, Wario Land, handheld games in general, pinning games to quick resume, Pokemon Dash, vaporware games are always real, Final Fantasy bullshit, when to give up, when games started getting finished, and there's a brand new game club coming to our network!This Month's Game Club:Sonic Chaos and Tails AdventureNext Month's Game Club: Metal Gear Acid 2Music This EpisodePlace of Amalgamation by Ryo Yamazaki, Masashi HamauzuTurquoise Hill Zone by Kojiro Mikusa, Masayuki NagaoCaron Forest by Kojiro MikusaBurenia II by Soshi Abe, Sayako DoiSimon Blackquill ~ Distorted Swordsmanship by Noriyuki Iwadare

A special mid-month Abnormal Mapping is summoned into the grail war! Em is joined by their friend Kim to talk about the humble origin of a massive media franchise and the experience of playing a massive visual novel with a lot of competing ideas that might not always gel together perfectly. That said, Fate is pretty cool, so we had a great time! If you’d like to hear people talk much more thoroughly about Fate/stay night and other Type-Moon VNs, please check out Fate-Moon Archive, another podcast on our network! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to [email protected]!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Elden Ring, Yu-Gi-Oh Master Duel, Higanbana no Saku Yoru ni, Hatsune Miku, DEEMO, Taiko no Tatsujin, Sound Voltex, Fate/stay night, Fate Zero, Fate/hollow ataraxia, visual novels generally, Otherside Picnic, PlanetarianThis Month's Game Club:Fate/stay nightNext Month's Game Club: Sonic Chaos and Tails’ Adventure (Both on Game Gear)Music That EpisodeIn the Sunlight by Keita HagaMadder Town by Keita HagaEmiya by Hideyuki FukasawaARCADIA by Earthmind

We opened up our GBAs and DSes for a parade of classic Nintendo bangers as we talk about when video games were joyful and rhythm games were about learning actual ass rhythm. It’s a big episode, with lots of music, and I hope everyone enjoys! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to [email protected]!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! hings Discussed: Dark Souls 2 and 3, Sekiro, Sonic Generations and Sonic Unleashed, Final Fantasy II, WarioWare and Rhythm Heaven, Nintendo, a bunch of other stuffThis Month's Game Club:WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! and Rhythm Tengoku (GBA)Next Month's Game Club: Sonic Chaos and Tails’ Adventure (Both on Game Gear)Music That EpisodeThat's Paradise by Tsunku and Masami YoneMona's Pizza by Ryoji Yoshitomi and Kyoko MiyamotoDribble's Highway Jazz by Ryoji Yoshitomi and Kyoko MiyamotoKat & Ana Music by Ryoji Yoshitomi and Kyoko MiyamotoAshley's Song by Ryoji Yoshitomi and Kyoko MiyamotoWrestler Interview by Tsunku and Masami YoneFan Club by Tsunku and Masami YoneSpaceball by Tsunku and Masami YoneCheer Readers by Tsunku and Masami YoneDreams of Our Generation by Tsunku and Masami Yone

Sacred time is here! We light the fires and huddle our tula around the ring as we tell tales of old and mishaps aplenty in the dangerous world of Glorantha as we talk about this classic narrative strategy game! Also, because it’s us, lots of JRPG updates and many other things besides in this lengthy episode. Praise to Orlanth!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to [email protected]!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! Things Discussed: the year of handheld games, Nameless Game, Sonic Generations, Dragon Quest 2 and 3, Final Fantasy, Dark Souls, King of Dragon Pass, grand strategy games, Cart Life, Reigns, getting people to experience your favorite media, the next Pokemon element, favorite dragons, nightmare Dragon Pass-alikes provided by the Dragon Pass twitter account, an incredible anecdote about Sony marketing, much discussion of Duck peopleThis Month's Game Club:King of Dragon PassNext Month's Game Club: WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! and Rhythm Tengoku (GBA)Music This EpisodeOverture by Stan LePardSea Season by Stan LePardIs It Adventure by Stan LePardQuite an Adventure by Stan LePard

The end of the year of JRPGs ends with a game exploring the very limits of the genre and pushing into the modern conception of RPG meta text. Gone are the battles and dungeons, remaining are quests and levels and the question of what is it all for. Also, some really funky guys. So many cool, funky guys. Join us as we close the book on this strange year with a strange game, and have a great ol’ time.Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to [email protected]!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! Things Discussed: The Year of JRPGs, Sonic Advance, Updated Game Gallery, Halo Infinite, Analogue Pocket and other handheld hardware, Moon, Yume Nikki, Undertale, adventure games, RPG Maker, video game food, Pathologic 2, finishing games and managing timeThis Month's Game Club:Moon: Remix RPG AdventureNext Month's Game Club: King of Dragon PassMusic This EpisodePromise (Dream Version) (MoonDisc Version) by Hirofumi Taniguchi, Miki Higashino, Taro Kudo, and Masanori AdachiD.J. Saike's Dance Mix - Mexican Beats - Tilt - Celestial Body (MoonDisc Version) by Hirofumi Taniguchi, Miki Higashino, Taro Kudo, and Masanori AdachiI'm Waiting for the Night (MoonDisc Version) by Hirofumi Taniguchi, Miki Higashino, Taro Kudo, and Masanori AdachiKera-Ma-Go (Full Version) by Hirofumi Taniguchi, Miki Higashino, Taro Kudo, and Masanori Adachi

We’re back as we take a sharp left from our projected game club and play the newest of new releases, the hot new Microsoft Tentpole, HaForza Horizon 5! Please enjoy this sprawling conversation about everything from driving mechanics, to radio stations in games, our problems with live service games, to liberal progressive ideas of tourism and representation, to a lazy history of the getting in cars digitally genre, we go long and cover a lot of topics. Appropriate, because Forza Horizon is a framework for you to make your own fun. Or so I’m told. Just give me Twin Ring Motegi tbqhSend us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to [email protected]!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! Things Discussed: ResetEra, Dark Souls, Halo Infinite, Undernauts, Lego Builder's Journey, Forza Horizon, Forza Motorsport, Gran Turismo, Burnout, Outrun, Dirt, Need for Speed, Project Gotham Racing, Ridge Racer, Wipeout, Mario Kart, iRacing, Banjo Kazooie Nuts & Bolts, F-Zero, Final Fantasy 5, radio stations (gaming and otherwise), Wave Race, Episode 1 Racer, the Far Cry idea that would get us to play it, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, Final Fantasy Tactics, learning new genres, the state of game remasters, Amr's patreon, go support it!, playing new games once in a while, Super EurobeatThis Month's Game Club:Forza Horizon 5Next Month's Game Club: Moon: Remix RPG Adventure

Rushing this one out the door because of scheduling problems, it’s a new Abnormal Mapping! We played a game that has been on Em’s to do list for years, and we discover that sometimes digging into the past isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Also, the characters of Star Ocean? Discover that sometimes digging into the past isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Anyway, enjoy! Happy Anniversary, Abnormal Mapping!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to [email protected]!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! Things Discussed: CRTs, Metroid, RPGs, Star Ocean 1 and 2, controllers, many other things besides.This Month's Game Club:Star OceanNext Month's Game Club: A Plague Tale: InnocenceMusic This EpisodeBlown Away by Kevin MacLeodInnocence by Motoi SakurabaDancin’ Sword by Motoi SakurabaCalm Time by Motoi Sakuraba

We’re joined by Scarlett for a stroll down memory lane, when Sony meant interesting games coming from Japanese developers. It wasn’t even that long ago! Revisiting Gravity Rush 2 a mere four years after its release, we remember the power of the Vita to fire our imagination, and the cold light of day that’s been first party development in the last half decade. But also, we remember Kat and Raven, two heroes who do their best despite everything. We remember the vibrant cities and thoughtful meditations on class and capitalism. We enjoy it, always, when you fall in a direction you shouldn’t. Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to [email protected]!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! Things Discussed: Death Loop, Guardians of the Galaxy, Life is Strange: True Colors, Psychonauts 2, World Flipper, Gravity Rush, Gravity Rush 2, Vice's letters series on Gravity Rush 2, Sony's missteps, favorite controllersThis Month's Game Club:Gravity Rush 2Next Month's Game Club: Star OceanMusic This EpisodeMain Theme by Kohei TanakaLei Colmoosna - Marketplace by Kohei TanakaVendecentre - Downtown by Kohei TanakaCredits Theme by by Kohei Tanaka

We are joined by blogger of the year Dia Lacina who was willing to go down with the ship as we break format for a trio of games that we only knew of probably bad games nobody actually played. That’s right, we took all our RPG expertise and applied it to the strange trilogy of Tokyo RPG Factory games! Em froze their ass off in I am Setsuna, Dia remembered she could be doing anything else in Lost Sphear, and Jackson went hya hya hya about a million times in Oninaki. Maybe the games are bad, but the conversation was a fruitful exploration of what it is that makes the JRPG form work for us at all.Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to [email protected]!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! Things Discussed: Dia's preview of Astria Ascending, Control, Touhou Luna Nights, Apple Arcade, VR, Resident Evil 4, Chrono Trigger, I Am Setsuna, Lost Sphear, Oninaki, Bravely Default, Live A Live, Final Fantasy (generally), Saga and Mana series, Lunar, Morrowind, Gold Box games, dungeon exploration gamesThis Month's Game Club:I am SetsunaLost SphearOninakiNext Month's Game Club: Gravity Rush 2Music This EpisodeBlown Away by Kevin MacLeodI Am Setsuna Main Theme by Tomoki MiyoshiThe Twilight of Sphear by Tomoki MiyoshiBattle -Threat- by Shusuke Tsuchiya & Mariam Abounnasr

We’re joined by Dan to once again talk about the strange tangent of the Metroid universe as we continue to mine the Phazon arc to gain an appreciation for how you follow up one of the boldest games ever made. Turns out, that’s really hard! Join us for a discussion of light and dark worlds, not even lazily caring about your plot, and the nightmare that is making ‘hard’ bosses. A jam packed episode! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to [email protected]!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Episode Yuffie, Doom Eternal, Final Fantasy XIV, Per Aspera, AM2R, Umineko, 2004 in video games, feeling old, Metroid Prime and Metroid Prime 2, franchises, Nintendo FPSs, box art, rhythm games and music taste, dark worlds, esoteric simulators, boss fights, mirror matchesThis Month's Game Club:Metroid Prime 2Next Month's Game Club: I Am Setsuna, Lost Sphear, and OninakiMusic This EpisodeTitle Screen by Kenji YamamotoSanctuary by Kenji YamamotoVs Ing by Kenji YamamotoStaff Roll by Kenji Yamamoto

This month we feast on one of the largest games time investment wise we’ve ever played for Abnormal Mapping, but it just so happens to be the game we initially bonded over well before we started the podcast. Thankfully, we can’t get too self indulgent, as we’re joined by special guest Molly Rhinebeck to navigate the ins and outs of the 1000 year journey of Kaim and Seth and their wives. Please enjoy this supersized episode about how games can be meaningful and uneven in the same breath, the hell space that was late 00s console JRPGs, and how Final Fantasy is truly an essence that can be captured if the right people are making it, brands be damned.Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to [email protected]!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! Things Discussed: Molly!, Pro Evolution Soccer, Football Tactics & Glory, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, Scarlet Nexus, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade coming out on VoIP Life Friday!, Observation, Dragon Quest II, The Messenger, a bonus podcast we did for Dia's Dragon's Dogma LP, Lost Odyssey, various Final Fantasies (broadly), Nobuo Uematsu, first and favorite RPGsThis Month's Game Club:Lost OdysseyNext Month's Game Club: Metroid Prime 2Music This EpisodeNeverending Journey by Nobuo UematsuA Return, Indeed... (Piano Version) by Nobuo UematsuWhat You Are by Nobuo UematsuAn Enemy Appears by Nobuo UematsuParting Forever by Nobuo UematsuHowl of The Departed by Nobuo UematsuVictory by Nobuo Uematsu

We take a break from the really long games to enjoy some short but sweet adventures in cities both beautiful and threatening as we return to a game we covered years ago and prep for a game we’re going to cover in the future! Turns out, it’s nice to just play a game you can finish in a week, around all these huge JRPGs.Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to [email protected]!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! Things Discussed: John 117, Pokemon vs Digimon, Digimon games, Kingdom Hearts 3, Silent Bomber, Titanfall 2, Dragon Quest V, Dragon Quest, Tyranny (listen to journal updated!), Gravity Rush, Crackdown, Max Payne 1, Max Payne 2, Alan Wake, Control, CRPGs, worst games, Too Much FutureThis Month's Game Club:Max Payne 2Next Month's Game Club: Lost OdysseyMusic This EpisodeDouse Shinundakara by Kohei TanakaOld Town by Kohei TanakaMax Payne Theme by Kärtsy HatakkaAddress Unknown (Funhouse Remix) by Kärtsy HatakkaLate Goodbye by Poets of the Fall

We turn our thoughts back to the JRPG in this year full of them, and enjoy one of the most surprising games we’ve played … well, since last month, but we’ve been really lucky this year. Come for talk of genre exercises, being on your bullshit, and the power of a well worn story well told as we discover … Live A Live! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to [email protected]!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! Things Discussed: Nier, Pokemon Shield, Titanfall 2, Dirt 5, Forza 3, Idle Thumbs, Live A Live, Final Fantasy XIII, Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy IV: The After Years, numbers going up, being normal about gamesThis Month's Game Club:Live a LiveNext Month's Game Club: Max Payne 2Music This EpisodeLive A Live by Yoko ShimomuraMegalomania by Yoko ShimomuraKiss of Jealousy by Yoko ShimomuraThe Birds Fly in the Sky, the Fish Swim in the River by Yoko ShimomuraSecret Mission by Yoko ShimomuraWanderer by Yoko ShimomuraKnock You Down! by Yoko ShimomuraWait for Truth by Yoko ShimomuraUnseen Syndrome by Yoko ShimomuraWings That Don't Reach by Yoko ShimomuraCity of Hopelessness by Yoko ShimomuraGo! Go! Buriki Daioh! by Yoko Shimomura

Two games means an extra long episode as we talk about Zelda, Zelda-likes, the ways Nintendo had it all and slowly burned away goodwill, and much more. Both of these games are hard to talk about for opposite reasons, but we did our best and had a great time besides. Apologies for the return of springtime birds in Em’s audio, an Abnormal Mapping staple this time every year. Please enjoy the extra long music segments, we were truly spoiled for choice.Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general! [email protected] is doing LPs on the Abnormal Mapping Youtube again! You can find them uploading about once a week on youtube.com/abnormalmappingCheck out our sister game club Journal Updated! They’re about to hit their one year anniversary covering a bunch of narrative games. thesecondbestgame.clubIf you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! Things Discussed: Halo Reach and Halo 4, Hugo Martin saying stupid shit part 1 and part 2 , Final Fantasy Adventure, Dragon Quest 2, The Frog For Whom The Bell Tolls, Link's Awakening, Dragon Quest IV, Ocarina of Time, Link to the Past, must-play Abnormal Mapping games, Zelda boxart crimes, perfect video games, a modern glitch-heavy speedrun of Ocarina of Time, demo kiosksYoutube Channels We Recommend:Dia's LPsAmr's channelExport Audio's channelPam's channelUmbrella Terms' channelminimme New Frame PlusThe Retro FutureModern Vintage GamerLGRSummoning SaltThaRixerThis Month's Game Club:Ocarina of Time Kaeru no Tame ni Kane wa NaruNext Month's Game Club: Live a LiveMusic This EpisodeMain Title by Koji KondoBlown Away by Kevin MacLeodThe Prince's Adventure by Kazumi TotakaHop Hop Springs by Kazumi TotakaNantendo Funcenter by Kazumi TotakaInside a House by Koji KondoLost Woods by Koji KondoKakariko Village by Koji KondoZora's Domain by Koji KondoGerudo Valley by Koji KondoFinal Battle by Koji Kondo

The year of JRPGs continues as we talk about a strange hybrid RPG of the late PlayStation era, the survival horror wanna-be Koudelka! What does this small, story-heavy game offer in a world of heavy hitters like Final Fantasy? Turns out, quite a bit. Much discussion of motion capture, what makes horror media work, and much more in this super sized episode!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general! [email protected] is doing LPs on the Abnormal Mapping Youtube again! You can find them uploading about once a week on youtube.com/abnormalmappingCheck out our sister game club Journal Updated! They’re about to hit their one year anniversary covering a bunch of narrative games. thesecondbestgame.clubNew on our network! Do Not Steal, a podcast critiquing tabletop game systems and then creating characters with them! Updates monthly, both funny and thoughtful! Check it out! www.abnormalmapping.com/do-not-stealIf you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! Things Discussed: Nintendo Direct, Ninja Gaiden 2 and Sigma, Bayonetta 2, Halo ODST and Halo Reach, Apex Legends, Gato Roboto, Devil May Cry 4, Lords of Shadow, Sunset Overdrive, Koudelka, Final Fantasy VII, Resident Evil, Parasite Eve, Resident Evil: Code Veronica, classic games, Mario 64, itch and other small games, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, Kojima's taste, controllers, RTS games (don't get your hopes up)This Month's Game Club:KoudelkaNext Month's Game Club: Ocarina of Time Kaeru no Tame ni Kane wa NaruMusic This EpisodeBlown Away by Kevin MacLeodRequiem by Hiroki KikutaWaterfall by Hiroki KikutaIncantation Again by Hiroki KikutaKiss Twice by Hiroki Kikuta

We return back to one of the earliest studios that really surprised us doing this podcast, id software, and their post-Doom attempt to remake the landscaping of gaming. Does lightning strike twice? Well, kind of depends on how you define lightning. Either way we have a great time with the strange mess of influences that is Quake, spend some quality time with Halo 3, and answer a warthog’s weight in emails besides! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general! [email protected] you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! Things Discussed: Inertial Drift, Blue Revolver, Outer Worlds, Fallen Order, The Touryst, Final Fantasy XV, Halo 3, Quake, Doom, Metroid Prime, Resident Evil, handheld games, multiplayer games, some navel gazing about what it means to cover gamesThis Month's Game Club:QuakeNext Month's Game Club: KoudelkaMusic This EpisodeBlown Away by Kevin MacLeodNever Forget by Martin O'Donnell and Michael SalvatoriQuake Main Theme by Nine Inch NailsValse di Fantastica by Yoko ShimomuraAerolith Aurorablast by Qygen

An early podcast, because this week is a weird holiday week! Ignore the many instances where we say it’s coming out on Thursday in this podcast! Heading back to the early days of the playstation, this episode pits us once again against a certain type of anime war story that we’ve encountered before, and just how much a game about nothing can be entertaining if it’s breezy enough. This was a strange but fun game to dig into, and I’m excited to get to Suikoden 2 in 2022. Hope 2021 is better for all of us, gamers! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general! [email protected] you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! Things Discussed: Pokemon, VoIP Life, new consoles, My Summer Vacation, Umurangi Generation, 2020 recap, Muse Dash, Hatsune Miku Future Tone, Taiko no Tatsujin, Mario Golf GBC, Suikoden, Final Fantasies 4, 6, 7, 12 (nothing spoilery in any), the RPGification of games, using guides, Scaler, The Incredible Crash Dummies, Troy Baker shut the hell up, golf games, work and games, the year of JRPGs, how we are playing Quake This Month's Game Club:SuikodenNext Month's Game Club: QuakeMusic This EpisodeBlown Away by Kevin MacLeodForgotten Days by Konami Sound TeamBlue Oceans, Blue Skies by Konami Sound TeamConfrontation with Monsters by Konami Sound TeamBlack Forest by Konami Sound Team

We head into the history books for one of the most notable B games of the PS2 era, the action classic Shinobi! What do we think about revisiting a classically hard game in 2020? What does it mean to be out right after Devil May Cry changed everything? And most importantly, what would adaptive triggers bring to the ninja experience??Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general! [email protected] you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! Things Discussed: Playstation 5, XBox Series X, Astro's Playroom, Demon's Souls (2020), Geometry Wars 2, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, Shinobi, Ninja Gaiden, Devil May Cry, Platinum Games, stealth games, Votoms, best games of 1995 and 2008This Month's Game Club:Shinobi PS2Next Month's Game Club: SuikodenMusic This EpisodeBlown Away by Kevin MacLeodFate by Fumie KumataniMoritsune by Tatsuyuki MaedaPolluted Water by Teruhiko NakagawaPatience ~Other Version~ by Yutaka Minobe

We’re joined this week by a guest out of history as Six Dettmar makes ver’s second appearance on Abnormal Mapping to talk about infinite anime power and how you use it. We cover the strange realities of DLC from the olden days, ambitions of character action games to be cinematic, the downfalls of QTEs, and much more in this surprisingly dense episode for a relatively slight game! Much like Asura himself, when down to the wire, we sprout more arms and just keep punching. Yeah, that’s the metaphor we’re going with.Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general! [email protected] you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest!Things Discussed: Disgaea 4 Complete +, Asura's Wrath, Street Fighter, QTEs, Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's EdgeThis Month's Game Club:Asura’s WrathNext Month's Game Club: Shinobi PS2Music This EpisodeBlown Away by Kevin MacLeodAsura’s Wrath Main Theme by Chikayo FukudaIn Your Belief -Prologue- by Chikayo FukudaSymphony No 9 by Antonín Dvořák

now with updated musicWe’re back with a whopper of an episode this time as we played through four entire games this month and have two hours of hot content for you. Do you like shooters? Do you like cars? Do you like running and jumping? That’s all the genres! There’s no other type of video game, so you better enjoy these ones!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general! [email protected] you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest!Things Discussed: new consoles, Cyber Hook, Minecraft Dungeons, Wizardy, Halo 2, Destiny 2, OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast, PCGaming Wiki, Burnout Paradise, Dirt Rally, Mario Kart, Mega Man X, Mega Man, check out Jackson's old Mega Man videos and Em's current Death of the Outside LP on our youtube channel, Super Castlevania IV, Wheels of Aurelia, Glitchhikers, Disco Elysium, Telltale Games, itch games vs indie games vs games, Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, San Francisco Rush, GoldenEye, Midtown Madness 3, Dark Haired Legolas, Bayonetta, Devil May Cry, a starter JRPG, car powers, project 10 dollarThis Month's Game Club:Wheels of AureliaOutrun 2006: Coast 2 CoastMega Man XNext Month's Game Club: Asura’s WrathMusic This EpisodeBlown Away by Kevin MacLeodBlow Me Away by Breaking Benjamin Splash Wave by Hiroshi Kawaguchi Storm Eagle by Setsuo Yamamoto, Makoto Tomozawa, et al Preferivo Stare Sola by Michael Manning and Nicolò Sala Chill Penguin by Setsuo Yamamoto, Makoto Tomozawa, et al Life Was A Bore by Donna Burke

This month we return to the heady days of the early 00s when all things seemed possible and Nintendo unleashed the Citizen Kane of video games on all of us. What does Metroid Prime tell us about American soft power in a post-war era? Not very much, turns out, but it’s still pretty good! Thank you to patron Dan for bringing this game to us and guesting on this long episode full of platform love, shooting complaints, and general mood appreciation.Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general! [email protected] you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest!Things Discussed: Blue Revolver, Umineko, Metroid Prime, Metroid Fusion, Ocarina of Time, Halo, Outer Wilds, Wii Controls, Metroid Prime 4, our future JRPG plansThis Month's Game Club:Metroid PrimeNext Month's Game Club: Wheels of AureliaOutrun 2006: Coast 2 CoastMega Man XMusic This EpisodeBlown Away by Kevin MacLeodMenu Select by Kenji YamamotoChozo Ruins by Kenji YamamotoWrecked Ship by Kenji YamamotoPhendrana Drifts (Depths) by Kenji Yamamoto

We return with some cool things you can check out that our friends made and a long talk about the strange idea of a ‘starter’ RPG in 2020. Also, we desperately need someone to tell us why people care about Geno, because we don’t know and we don’t know anyone else who knows either.Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general! [email protected] you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest!Things Discussed: kingdom hearts, xenoblade chronicles, Dia's lets play channel, we were on no cartridge!, super mario rpg, paper mario, mario & luigi, our eternal blood feud with nintendo, bowser is the best character in mario, the rpgification of video games, the legend of localization articles on anime references and the secret boss fight, a gdq playthrough of the game if you just want to enjoy it in 3 hours, journal updatedThis Month's Game Club:Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven StarsNext Month's Game Club: Metroid PrimeMusic This EpisodeIn the Flower Garden by Yoko Shimomura Blown Away by Kevin MacLeodThe Road is Full of Dangers by Yoko Shimomura Beware the Forest’s Mushrooms by Yoko Shimomura And My Name’s Booster by Yoko Shimomura

It’s a long one this month as we enjoy the brief and difficult journey of Ryu Hayabusa in the NES classic Ninja Gaiden and then spend way more time than we expected answering the many questions we received. Thank you everyone for sending in all your emails, I hope you like our answers!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest!Things Discussed: Kingdom Hearts Dark Road, Dragon Quest, Portopia Serial Murder Case, Bayonetta, Ninja Gaiden, our Ninja Gaiden Black episode, strategy games, Kingdom Hearts III, wholesome games, Remember Me, interactive fiction, PS2 games, old games difficulty, Austin Walker's Breath of the Wild review, Dia Lacina's Judgement review, Waypoint GOTY 2018 podcast, Journal UpdatedThis Month's Game Club:Ninja Gaiden (NES)Next Month's Game Club: Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven StarsMusic This EpisodePrologue Theme by Keiji Yamagishi Blown Away by Kevin MacLeodAct 1 by Keiji Yamagishi Act 5 Part 3 by Keiji Yamagishi Ending Part 4 by Keiji Yamagishi

This month we discuss a game that has been coming out as long as we’ve been doing this podcast as we head down the Zero to discover what awaits us in the great american indie game and its sprawling nightmare of decayed capitalism. This turned out to be one of the most difficult games we’ve ever covered, but I also think it resulted in one of our best discussions. Please enjoy!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest!Next month we are hoping to do a Q&A episode! Please send us ANY questions or comments about video games to [email protected]!Things Discussed: MLB The Show, Animal Crossing New Horizons, Astral Chain, Bayonetta 2, Kentucky Route Zero, The Walking Dead, Kingdom Hearts????THREE ESSENTIAL PIECES ON KENTUCKY ROUTE ZERO”Kentucky Route Zero Pays Off on Nine Years of Hope and Doubt” by Austin Walker ”kentucky route zero and the failings of white leftism” by lotus”At Home with the Ghosts: Kentucky Route Zero’s Reworking of Capitalist Space” by Grace BenfellThis Fortnight's Game Club:Kentucky Route ZeroNext Fortnight's Game Club: Ninja Gaiden (NES)Music This EpisodeBlown Away by Kevin MacLeodI'm Going That Way by Ben Babbitt (ft. Emily Cross) Stars Drop Away by Ben Babbitt Too Late to Love You by Ben Babbitt

We return to the halcyon days of PC gaming to explore the origins of an independent game that shook the foundations of the world. That’s right, we’re dropping into a world of dual stick movement, space marines, only two weapons and regenerating shields as we explore the strange powerhouse that is HALO. What does the game that changed everything have to offer in 2020?Well, that depends on what you’re looking for. As we dig in, we wonder what exactly any of this could mean, and whether we’ll ever actually get any lore to this adventure across a derelict space station. Who can say?If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest!If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at [email protected]!Things Discussed: Jackson's Continuing Inability To Play Kingdom Hearts, Animal Crossing, Treachery In Beatdown City, HaloThis Fortnight's Game Club:Halo: Combat EvolvedNext Fortnight's Game Club: Kentucky Route ZeroMusic This EpisodeBlown Away by Kevin MacLeodUnder Cover of Night by Martin O’Donnell and Michael Salvatori The Gun Pointed At The Head Of The Universe by Martin O’Donnell and Michael Salvatori Perilous Journey by Martin O’Donnell and Michael Salvatori

It’s the middle of the month and it is time for a very special episode of Abnormal Mapping, something we basically never do: a timely spoilercast for a brand new video game! This is an episode all about the recently released Final Fantasy VII Remake, and if you have not finished it or the original Final Fantasy VII then be warned: there are spoilers for the entireity of both.Em has not spent the last week cramming Final Fantasy VII Remake so is sitting out this episode, and in their place Jackson is joined by Austin Walker of Waypoint and Friends at the Table to share their immediate reactions to the ending, the game as a whole, and the possibilities for the future remakes.If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest!If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at [email protected]!Things Discussed: Horizon’s Gate, Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy VII Remake, Rebuild of Evangelion, Final Fantasy XIIIThis Fortnight's Game Club:Final Fantasy VII RemakeNext Fortnight's Game Club: Halo: Combat EvolvedMusic This EpisodeBlown Away by Kevin MacLeodOpening (Bombing Mission) by Nobuou Uematsu and Masashi HamauzuJ-E-N-O-V-A by Nobuou Uematsu and Masashi HamauzuSquat Minigame by Nobuou Uematsu and Masashi Hamauzu

We wake up in a nightmare of runaway neo-liberal capitalism and find ourselves wondering where the potential of Communist revolution is, and then we have to record a podcast about detective RPG Disco Elysium! In this lengthy conversation, we cover everything about what it means to make a world and say things through art, and whether Harry and Kim can ever truly find peace in such a broken world.We are heavily indebted to the Waypoint Radio spoiler-cast over Disco Elysium for covering much of the game in advance and making our job easier in terms of getting into the weeds. We say so in the episode, but please listen to their podcast ideally before you listen to ours, as we reference it from time to time.If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest!If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at [email protected]!Things Discussed: Kingdom Hearts Re:coded, Fire Emblem: Three Houses, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Mass Effect 2, tabletop games, Call for the Dead by John le CarréThis Month's Game Club:Disco ElysiumNext Month's Game Club: Halo: Combat EvolvedMusic This EpisodeBlown Away by Kevin MacLeodWhirling-In-Rags, 8 AM by British Sea Power Miss Oranje Disco Dancer by British Sea Power La Revacholiere by British Sea Power

We’re joined this month by our friend Nora to talk about the surprising and surprisingly forgotten Metroidvania Timespinner! Join us as we talk about the embarrassing writing of indie games, the gestures toward good ideas, and how fun it is to just be a lord even if difficulty is very hard to get right.Our guest this month was Nora Blake, who you can find at @neithernora and on norablake.onlineIf you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest!If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at [email protected]!Things Discussed: Final Fantasy VII (listen to us talk about it years ago HERE and HERE), Earthbound, Dark Souls III, Hat in Time, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Timespinner, Hollow Knight, Bloodstained, Symphony of the Night, Portrait of Ruin, Metroid Fusion (our episode on it can be found HERE), Cave Story, metroidvania as a term, Code VeinThis Month's Game Club:TimespinnerNext Month's Game Club: Disco ElysiumMusic This EpisodeBlown Away by Kevin MacLeodEchoes of the Forgotten by Jeff Ball From Our Hearts by Jeff Ball Surpassing Authority by Jeff Ball

A hundred years, a hundred games! Abnormal Mapping does a full journey around the sun as we reach the centenary celebration of our podcast, the world’s first and only game club, by tackling popular GotY winner Outer Wilds! What do two hardened Star Trek fans think about this space mystery? What do these two space communists think about fate and hope? And what do two very tired podcasts think about the hundred plus games we have talked about into microphones.Thank you everyone for all your support on this incredible journey. Here’s to two hundred more!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest!If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at [email protected]!Things Discussed: eFootball PES 2020, Wattam, Brigador, A Short Hike, Outer Wilds, TNG Episode "All Good Things", the century of excellence and looking back at our huge library of episodesThis Month's Game Club:Outer WildsNext Month's Game Club: TimespinnerMusic This EpisodeBlown Away by Kevin MacLeodEnd Times by Andrew Prahlow The Sun Station by Andrew Prahlow Travelers by Andrew Prahlow

On today’s very special Abnormal Mapping, we are here today to celebrate the end of the year, and indeed the end of the decade! We’ve got some lists of our favourite games, from this year and the decade at large. There’s some music in there as well, but not as much as on previous years, because it’s been a weird one. Here’s to the second decade of podcasting. That’s a terrifying thing to say.If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at [email protected]!Next Month's Game Club: Outer WildsYour Programme This Evening:MUSIC: The Lost Forest by Keiichi Okabe, Kakeru Ishihama, Keigo Hoashi, Takafumi Nishimura (Nier)Segment 1 - EM 2019WORST: MGSVBEST:Untitled Goose GameSayonara Wild HeartsBloodstainedMario Maker 2Don't Wake The NightMUSIC: Wild Hearts Never Die by Daniel Olsén (Sayonara Wild Hearts)Segment 2 - Jackson 2019WORST:Death StrandingNier AutomataBEST:NierDeath StrandingZone of the Enders 2Sayonara Wild HeartsSonic Adventure 2MUSIC: Beyond the Bounds by Maki Kirioka (Zone of the Enders 2: The Second Runner)Segment 3 - Em Decade10. The Last Guardian9. Tacoma8. Gravity Rush 27. Device 66. Binding of Isaac5. Animal Crossing New Leaf4. Bayonetta 23. Zelda: Breath of the Wild2. Hollow Knight1. Super HexagonMUSIC: Courtesy by Chipzel (Super Hexagon)Segment 4 - Jackson Decade10. What Remains of Edith Finch9. Pikmin 38. Beeswing7. Virginia6. Abzu5. Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep4. Tacoma3. The Room 22. Cibele1. ThumperMUSIC: Mickey Mouse March by Jimmie Dodd and Tsuyoshi Sekito (Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep)Segment 5 - Em Old10. Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker9. Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers8. Full Throttle7. Portopia Serial Murder Case6. We Love Katamari5. Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse4. Vampire the Masquerade Bloodlines3. Planescape Torment2. Doom1. Final Fantasy IVMUSIC: E2M3 Intermission by Bobby Prince (Doom)Segment 6 - Jackson Old10. We Love Katamari9. Doom8. Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse7. Dead Rising6. Killer75. Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening4. Mega Man 63. Earthbound2. Metal Gear Solid 31. Final Fantasy VIIMUSIC: Tifa's Theme by Nobou Uematsu (Final Fantasy VII)

We return to a franchise we haven’t explored since our earliest days as a podcast as our friend Cassie brings us on a journey through both of our favorite Zelda games remade for one of our least favorite Nintendo platforms! What does it mean to remake a game? Does toy Link really have the appeal of pixel Link? And why would you do anything other than jump all the time if a game allowed you to do it! All this and more as we dream of possibility and adventure on the beaches of Koholint. If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! Thanks to Cassie for being on this week, you can find her @buzzsunflower on twitter or check out her music on bandcamp!If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at [email protected]!Things Discussed: Sudoku, Death Stranding, KORG Gadget, Metal Gear Solid V: the LP, Metal Gear Survive, Link's Awakening, Link to the Past, screen warp LP by MeccaPrimeThis Month's Game Club:Link’s Awakening remakeNext Month's Game Club: End of year episode?Music This EpisodeBlown Away by Kevin MacLeodTal Tal Heights by Ryo NagamatsuBoss Battle by Ryo NagamatsuBallad of the Wind Fish (Japanese ver) by Ryo Nagamatsu

This month we stray far from our comfort zone and find a game that spurs one of the best discussions we’ve had all year, even if our feelings on the game in question are turbulent. It’s time to talk about Hacknet, a game that inspired the longest email the podcast has ever seen and a remembrance of Abnormal Mappings past. Note: please send us your Episode 100 suggestions ASAP, we really do need your help! Thanks everyone for 6 ridiculous and rewarding years.If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest!If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at [email protected]!Things Discussed: Clone Hero, Ratchet & Clank, Sly Cooper, Jak & Daxter, Apple Arcade, The Maw, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, our Episode 100 quandry, Hacknet, the cited article about Expand and Hacknet, Bash.org, Trauma Center: Under the KnifeThis Month's Game Club:HacknetNext Month's Game Club: Link’s Awakening remakeMusic This EpisodeBlown Away by Kevin MacLeodRevolve (R Mix) by CinematrixMalware Injection by Remi GallegoOutrun the Wolves by Matt Mclean

What does it mean to try to make a mech game that captures the experience of mech anime but using the power of the PS2 and the incredible resources of Kojima’s production studio? We find out as we explore the hellscape that is Mars by gathering our Metatron and tackling the rollercoaster that is playing through Zone of the Enders as a series! Dingo Egret, Jehuty, ikimasu!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest!If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at [email protected]!Things Discussed: Control, Link's Awakening, Link to the Past, Devil May Cry 4, Zone of the Enders, Zone of the Enders: The Second RunnerThis Month's Game Club:Zone of the Enders: The 2nd RunnerNext Month's Game Club: HacknetMusic This EpisodeBlown Away by Kevin MacLeodAir Battle by Norihiko HibinoLeo! Leo! by Norihiko HibinoBeyond the Bounds by Maki Kirioka and Maki Kimura

We tuck into our endless backlog with this classic of the SNES era as we too create order from chaos with ActRaiser! What does it mean for a game to be enshrined for its novelty long after these genres have been much more fleshed out? How much of a mashup is about the juxtaposition over the individual parts being good? What does it say about religion that when you help everyone out they stop praying to you? All this and more in this short but sweet episode!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest!If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at [email protected]!Things Discussed: SMT 3: Nocturne, Monster Hunter, ActRaiser, ActRaiser 2, Sol SeraphThis Month's Game Club:ActRaiserNext Month's Game Club: Zone of the Enders: The 2nd RunnerMusic This EpisodeTitle Theme by Yuzo KoshiroBlown Away by Kevin MacLeodFillmore by Yuzo Koshiro

We head all the way back to the last flagship Sonic game released on a dedicated Sega console with the divisive Sonic Adventure 2. Em regales us with the tales of discovering Sonic ten years later than everyone else, and Jackson talks about how this fits into their conception of Sonic as something only discovered recently. Also, we needle drop four of the best songs of one of the greatest soundtracks ever made. The game itself? Well, we might disagree on treasure hunting, but we agree about one thing: you’ve gotta go fast and play this one!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest!If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at [email protected]!Things Discussed: Sonic, Shin Megami Tensei Nocturne, Silent Hill 2, Mario Maker 2, Sonic Adventure 2, Sonic Generations, Sonic Heroes, Sonic Forces, Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy X, Your Uncle's Beach HouseThis Month's Game Club:Sonic Adventure 2Next Month's Game Club: ActRaiserMusic This EpisodeEscape from the City by Ted PoleyWild Canyon by Hunnid-PE.G.G.M.A.N. by Paul ShortinoLive and Learn by Crush 40

Summer is in full swing and we’re feeling the heat as we struggle to muster the energy for games in our broken brains and post-E3 stupor. That said, we’re able to run down two fun things that are both worthy of your time in opposite ways: the slow joy of cartoon murder and the soft afternoon with some new round friends! It’s the two genders of gaming represented in one episode!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest!If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at [email protected]!Things Discussed: E3, Hollow Knight Silksong, Jackson's extremely good Mario play, Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep, Xenoblade Chronicles, Deception IV, Pikuniku, Donut County (boo), our craving for questions, open world games?, Repertory Screenings (please listen to it!), Your Uncle's Beach House (also please listen to it!)This Month's Game Club:Deception IV: The Nightmare PrincessPikunikuNext Month's Game Club: Sonic Adventure 2Music This EpisodeBlown Away by Kevin MacLeodTitle Menu by Yuki Matsumura and Ayako ToyodaFree Money! by Calum BowenThe Rainy Mountain by Calum BowenUnholy Choir (Mission Complete) by Yuki Matsumura and Ayako Toyoda

A short but intense episode this week as we strike from the moon to bring you a slightly different vision of ‘what if Gundam but video games that can’t contain it’ than Titanfall 2 gave us two months back. We’re going into our PSX demo disc favs and pulling up Square’s attempt at a flashy shooting game—Einhander! This is our first shmup/shooter, and we still can’t figure out what to call this genre, but we do know what to call Einhander: a video game that we have Opinions about. Join us as we journey to the earth and back!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest!If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at [email protected]!Things Discussed: Hades, Inazuma 11, Final Fantasy VII, Sigil, Einhander, PlaydateThis Month's Game Club:EinhanderNext Month's Game Club: Deception IV: The Nightmare PrincessMusic This EpisodeBlown Away by Kevin MacLeodCapital by Kenichiro FukuiStreet by Kenichiro FukuiBloody Battle by Kenichiro FukuiAfterimage by Kenichiro Fukui

We return to the franchise that has haunted us since the very inception of Abnormal Mapping as we gear up with everyone’s loudmouth demon hunter for the first time, for the last(???) time as we climb the tower of the supposed best game in the franchise, Devil May Cry 3! Do we agree with the hype? Or is Dante a character who gets better with age? Find out!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest!If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at [email protected]!Things Discussed: Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep, Yoshi's Crafted World, Stickman Hook, Sudoku Relax, Devil May Cry 3, Devil May Cry 1 & 2, Bayonetta, Resident EvilThis Month's Game Club:Devil May Cry 3Next Month's Game Club: EinhanderMusic This EpisodeBlown Away by Kevin MacLeodBattle Music 1 by Tetsuya Shibata Vergil Battle 2 by Tetsuya Shibata Devils Never Cry by Tetsuya Shibata

What does it mean to get into a robot? What does it mean when that robot is cool, when juxtaposed against war being hell? What does any of this mean when you do it all in a South African accent? We open the chamber of guf as we leap across the mighty gulfs between intent and execution as we talk about everyone’s favorite neglected mech shooter, Titanfall 2!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest!If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at [email protected]!Things Discussed: Ninja Gaiden, Ninja Gaiden 2, Dark Souls, Spyro the Dragon, Titanfall 2, Mirror's Edge, Gemini: Heroes Reborn, Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands, Mobile Suit GundamThis Month's Game Club:Titanfall 2Next Month's Game Club: Devil May Cry 3Music This EpisodeBlown Away by Kevin MacLeodOverture by Frederic Talgorn Uphold the Mission by Stephen BartonFly! Gundam by Takeo Watanabe and Koh Ikeda

From the mists of time we finally move on from Final Fantasy to other classic JRPGs as we play everyone’s favorite time travel adventure Chrono Trigger. What delights do we find in the ATB 2.0? How do we feel about silent protagonists in 2019? What makes a game beloved and what makes an old game worth revisiting if one was to go back? All time compresses into an hour and a half of adventure in this, the episode with (if nothing else) the really really good music.If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest!If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at [email protected]!Things Discussed: Stadia, breaking up tech companies, Apple games, the modern video game crash, Ouya, Phantasy Star, Em's Dark Souls 2 LP, Souls and Soulslikes, Chrono TriggerThis Month's Game Club:Chrono TriggerNext Month's Game Club: Titanfall 2Music This EpisodeBlown Away by Kevin MacLeodDecisive Battle with Magus by Yasunori MitsudaChrono Trigger by Yasunori MitsudaUndersea Palace by Yasunori MitsudaFrog's Theme by Yasunori Mitsuda

Joined once again by special guest Aisling (@heartjanedoe), we take a journey into the first strange game Em ever played and one of the cult classics of the GameCube and Goichi Suda’s gameography with Killer7. Just how strange is a game known for being strange in 2019? What does it say about the dead ends of shooter and adventure game design? Just who is Emil Parkreiner? We find out today!This episode was brought to you by Aisling Quinn, thanks to her support on Patreon. If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping and you too can guest on an episode of us playing whatever you want!If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at [email protected]!Things Discussed: Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep, Kingdom Hearts 3, Spyro the Dragon, Killer7, Resident Evil, Resident Evil 4, Binary Domain, Dead Space, light gun gamesThis Month's Game Club:Killer7Next Month's Game Club: Chrono TriggerMusic This EpisodeBlown Away by Kevin MacLeod(｀曲´) by Masafumi TakadaBlackburn by Masafumi TakadaRave On by Masafumi Takada

If you can believe it, it’s been six years of doing Abnormal Mapping and we’ve not once done an episode on a Mario platformer despite Jackson literally playing every single one since we started the podcast. That ends now as we both enjoy the last unplayed Mario for each of us and dip into the ups and downs of the Wii classic??? Mario Galaxy 2! We put our foot down about Yoshi, complain about the music, wax nostalgic for wiimotes, and generally have a complicated time. As usual! Please, come join us, and welcome to the galaxy!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest!If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at [email protected]!Things Discussed: our distinct lack of Kingdom Hearts content, Ys Seven, .Hack ignorance, Downwell, Mario games (broadly), Super Mario Galaxy 2, Super Mario OdysseyThis Month's Game Club:Super Mario Galaxy 2Next Month's Game Club: killer7Music This EpisodeBlown Away by Kevin MacLeodSky Station Galaxy by Mahito YokotaYoshi Star Galaxy by Mahito YokotaFinal Bowser Battle by Mahito Yokota

After five years and many hundreds of hours our long Final Fantasy adventure is at an end as we pry open the doors on one of the most divisive games in the history of the franchise. What do we find in the land of Ivalice, aside from crystals and swords to cut the crystals with? How do we feel about Vaan in 2019? Is the format of an MMO truly a good way to play a single player game? We’re going to find out! And then, we’re going to rate all the Final Fantasy we’ve played on Abnormal Mapping, and go out in style!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest!If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at [email protected]!Things Discussed: Kingdom Hearts (the series), Crash Bandicoot, Sonic Heroes, Ys VII, Final Fantasy XII, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Final Fantasy X and X-2, Final Fantasy XIIIThis Month's Game Club:Final Fantasy XIINext Month's Game Club: Super Mario Galaxy 2Music This EpisodeBlown Away by Kevin MacLeodRoyal Capital Rabinastre-City Upper Ground by Hayato MatsuoOgir-Yensa Sandsea by Hayato MatsuoTo Walk Amongst Gods by Hayato Matsuo