Category: Seasonal Anime Checkup OVA Podcast

Often, the phrase “masterpiece” is thrown around regarding video games–new and old. Jared and I pondered…what makes a masterpiece anyway? So this week, we decided to tackle that question. We talk about our criteria and go through our favorite games and a list of some of the “best” games of all time to discuss what we personally think makes a masterpiece. I wonder which games make the cut…

Listen here!

What a weird combination this week! If nothing else, they’re both very Japanese games. First up to bat, Jared and I both talk about Love Live! School Idol Festival, the mobile rhythm game based on the Love Live! franchise. We talk about how long we’ve been playing, if we think people who haven’t watched the anime would enjoy it, if it’s a money hog like some mobile games, gacha hell, and our overall feelings about the game. Second, Jared recently finished Yakuza Kiwami 2. I remain amused and baffled by the series, and Jared talks about the story and mechanics. Overall, it’s a wild ride of an episode!

Listen here!

Last year, Jared and I discussed Xenoblade Chronicles 2 after its end-of-the-year launch. Back then, there were talks about the story-based DLC pack that would be released. Finally, it is here. After I shifted straight into Xenoblade mode for a bit, I have completed Torna: The Golden Country. We discuss the story, gameplay changes from the main game, how many hours I put in, and in what order the DLC and the main game should be played. We also start the episode by giving a brief look at the new Nintendo Online features!

Listen here!

This week, Jared and I reach into our grab bag to talk about a few topics. First, because of the recent Nintendo Direct, we do a quick run through of the announcements and what we’re excited for (I’m excited for a lot). I also squeal about Luigi’s Mansion a lot.

Second, Jared decided after seeing the trailer for Final Fantasy XV: Pocket Edition that he was interested to see if they had improved the combat from the original game, so he played and I watched while he played through the PS4 version. We’ve previously talked about the major story beats of Final Fantasy XV, so here we talk about what’s changed for this edition, the art style, whether there are any improvements, and if Jared’s opinion on Final Fantasy XV have changed because of this version.

Third, Jared talks about his recent experience with the PS4 release Marvel’s Spider-Man. He talks some spoilers, but he also tells us about the combat, what they did right, what they did wrong, and how Yuri Lowenthal really made Spider-Man his own. We also both get happy that Miles and Mary Jane are finally getting good attention.

Listen here!

This week, Jared and I follow an expedition to Antarctica when we watched an anime from earlier this year– A Place Further than the Universe. It’s a pretty chill slice-of-life/adventure anime that I power watched, so we go episode-by-episode through the series, talk about our favorite characters, why being petty is awesome, and how everybody really needs their ride or die friends in life. I also never realized until now that I really want shirts with various snacks on them.

TW: Parental death discussion

Listen here!

Often here on the SAC OVA, we bug each other to play some of our favorite video games. This week, Jared finally succeeded in getting me to play a game he loves–Life is Strange. We walk through the story episode by episode, which means there are spoilers all over the place. We talk about the major twists, the characters, the amazing OST, and how I felt about the game as a whole. Plus, we get the best line uttered in a video game in ages.

TW: parental death, suicide

Listen here!

Recently, I watched Kyoto Animation’s 2013 hit Beyond the Boundary, and I thought I told Jared I was watching it. Turns out, I didn’t until the very end of me watching it, which led to some hilarity. However, Jared watched it at release, and so this week we get to talk about the brilliant action/shoujo anime in all its glory! We also talk about the original ending and the additional story that the movie adds.

Listen here!

Since Jared and I have been on a co-op kick lately, we’re back with two more games we recently played together–Dead Rising 2 & Saints Row IV. First, we talk about killing tons of zombies while in ridiculous outfits, then we talk about being the President of the United States and also wearing ridiculous outfits. We talk about whether these games hold up, and if the ports are any good. Prepare yourself for shenanigans!

Listen here!

Last year, Jared and I did an episode about the first two parts of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure after I inexplicably started to love the series. This week, we’re back with part 3–Stardust Crusaders! We talk about the overall plot of the series, which parts made us lose our minds from the hype, the crazy good OPs and closing theme/sequences, which characters we loved, and how phenomenal the Viz English dub is. Most importantly, I get really stoked about the three ticket theory!

Listen here!

After years of pestering, I finally got Jared play one of my favorite games in The Legend of Zelda series–Skyward Sword. We talk about how anime the story is, how fantastic the characters are, get into a heated argument about Zelda’s characterization, whether the controls could be replicated for the Switch, and why Jared doesn’t ever want to make his friends swol.

Listen here!