Category: Seasonal Anime Checkup OVA Podcast

This week, Jared and I do a long dive into a fantastic 2017 RPG, Tokyo Xanadu eX+. We talk about what worked so well in the game, compare it to the Persona series, where we could retroactively place it in our 2017 GOTY lists, my crazy nicknames for characters, and why I give it a 9.8/10. We have a spoiler-free section in the beginning and a spoiler warning before we dive into the main story bits.

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This week, Jared and I are talking about two very different games. Due to a glitch, Jared got a sneak preview of a large part of the upcoming Yakuza 6, and I talk about the most recent Secret of Mana HD release. Jared talks about the neat things you can do in Yakuza, how I should not be trusted with babies, and his thoughts on what he got to play. We also discuss the art changes in Secret of Mana HD, the story additions, and whether or not Square put any effort into the release.

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As of today, it has officially been one year since the launch of the Nintendo Switch. and what a year it has been! We decided to talk about the system launch, the games that have come out since launch, surprises, problems with the system, and what we have to look forward to in the future of the system. We also give predictions as to how we think year two of the system will go. All in all, you’ve had a great year, Switch! I’m proud of you.

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If you’ve listened to several of our past podcasts or have just known me for any length of time, you know that I am obsessed with Radiant Historia. I have been on a  quest since 2011 to get people to play it. Because of the new rerelease, Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology, I have FINALLY succeeded in getting someone else to play it! Jared picked up a copy after listening to me talk about it and playing the demo, and this week, we discuss the gameplay, the story, the changes made between the original, timeline traveling shenanigans, Stocke’s complete utter lack of subtlety, and how I am ridiculously and utterly in love with this game.

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Due to the recent remake, this week Jared and I chose to talk about 2005/2018’s Shadow of the Colossus. Jared had never played more than the demo of the game, and I played it when it came out due to being a huge fan of ICO back in the day. We discuss what we liked, what doesn’t really work anymore (especially in a post-Breath of the Wild world), preservation of video games and what remakes could mean for that, and how Agro is truly the best girl.

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This week, Jared and I decided to shake things up a little bit. Instead of an anime, manga, or video game, we decided to talk about one of my favorite Korean dramas—Strong Girl Bong-Soon. This is Jared’s first foray into the genre, and we talk about the story, the comedic elements and how they work, how it is different from other Kdramas, and how it’s really nice to have a power fantasy for tiny ladies!

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This week, Jared and I decided to talk about 3 games and a DLC pack. Jared talks about Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth and Dragonball FighterZ, while I talk about the Friends to the End DLC pack for Shantae: 1/2 Genie Hero and Doki Doki Literature Club!

We go in depth with spoilers, and this episode is a wild ride with all the variety we cover.

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains discussions of suicide, self-mutilation/self-harm, and disturbing themes. Listener discretion is advised.

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This week, Jared and I tackle being old and sleepy with an anime/manga about being old and getting a second chance at youth. ReLife is a 2016 anime and an ongoing manga, and I recently watched the dub. We discuss each episode of the anime, changes between the manga and anime, and how they could possibly wrap this series up. We also talk about how non-traditional it is in both the anime and manga, which is quite fitting given the nature of the series.

Also yay for adult protagonists (even if they don’t look like adults…)

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After talking it up forever, Jared finally decided to check out of one of my favorite anime from way back in the crazy world of the early 2000s. Instead of going episode-by-episode on this one, we decided to talk about the series as a whole, what Jared felt as someone coming in new to this series without ANY background knowledge, how goofy it is that Hideki is always stoked to check his email, and the greater moral questions brought up by Chobits.

Also, happy birthday to Jared!¹

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This week, Jared and I decided to look at a Switch/PC game that is somewhat similar to one of the best games on the SNES. We talked about what we liked about Blossom Tales: The Sleeping King, what didn’t work, and whether the game is only going to appeal to those that have the nostalgia of Link to the Past. Also, I will never beat Jared’s joke about this game on the podcast website, so bravo on that one, sir.

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