The Easy Allies Podcast

Ep 409 - We examine what the future could hold if Xbox starts porting first party games to PS5 and Switch, Tim Schafer stops in to tell us what's new with Day of the Devs, and we've got fresh impressions of some recent and upcoming releases. (0:00) - Opening (1:51) - The Wrong Question (5:41) - Is Xbox Done with Exclusives? (32:50) - Tales of Kenzera: ZAU Impressions (39:53) - Tim Schafer Day of the Devs Chat (55:55) - Nintendo Financial Report (1:07:50) - A Word From Our Sponsors (1:09:53) - Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior Impressions (1:19:02) - Suicide Squad Check-In (1:23:23) - Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Check-In (1:28:51) - Also This Week (1:43:12) - L&R: Lost Media (1:50:27) - L&R: Subscription Usefulness (1:59:55) - L&R: The Expense of Exclusivity (2:03:49) - Bets (2:11:03) - Closing Go to https://www.shopify.com/allies for a one-dollar-per-month trial period to grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in.

Ep 408 - Death Stranding 2 has our heads spinning with possibilities and it's just one of several great games in this week's State of Play. Meanwhile, we share our thoughts on Suicide Squad, Persona 3 Reload, Penny's Big Breakaway, and more. (0:00) - Opening (1:25) - Death Stranding 2 and PHYSINT (17:12) - Suicide Squad Impressions (35:48) - The Rest of State of Play (1:20:05) - Silent Hill: The Short Message Impressions (1:26:58) - Patrons' Top 10 Eating / Drinking Establishments in Games (1:34:22) - Persona 3 Reload Impressions (1:46:10) - Penny's Big Breakaway Preview (1:55:55) - Deus Ex Canceled Again (2:08:54) - Also This Week (2:20:54) - Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 (2:26:23) - L&R: Positive Suicide Squad Takeaways (2:30:27) - L&R: RPG Romance (2:41:05) - L&R: Best Starter Weapons (2:44:25) - Bets (2:49:16) - Closing

Ep 407 - This week we're joined by Mitch Saltzman to chat about the fantastic duo of Tekken 8 and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, the unbelievable success and controversy of Palworld, Suicide Squad seasonal updates, and more. (0:00) - Opening (1:52) - The Wrong Question (4:07) - Catching Up with Mitch (7:15) - Tekken 8 (38:40) - Palworld Skyrocketing Sales and Controversies (1:10:00) - Suicide Squad - The Joker is Back (1:22:58) - A Word From Our Sponsors (1:24:57) - Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (1:45:56) - Layoffs at Xbox, Blizzard, Riot, and More (1:56:21) - Also This Week (2:07:44) - L&R: Favorite LAD Mini-Games (2:09:21) - L&R: Limits on Early Access (2:13:27) - L&R: Old Game, New Levels (2:15:39) - Bets (2:22:19) - Closing Go to https://www.shopify.com/allies for a one-dollar-per-month trial period to grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in.

Ep 406 - Xbox gives a closer look at their 2024 lineup, including Indiana Jones, and we bring in Brandon Jones to chat about everything we saw. Plus, we share our thoughts on the new roguelite mode in The Last of Us, Warframe, December sales, and more. *The Last of Us Part II Remastered Provided by Playstation (0:00) - Opening (2:14) - The Wrong Question (4:19) - Indiana Jones and The Great Circle (36:08) - Avowed (48:52) - Hellblade 2 (57:46) - Visions of Mana (1:10:06) - Ara: History Untold (1:23:26) - The Last of Us Part II Remastered (1:47:46) - Warframe (2:01:35) - Dec and 2023 Sales Reports (2:24:06) - Momodora: Moonlit Farewell (2:36:53) - Also This Week (2:49:46) - L&R: Vaporware Awards (2:51:44) - L&R: Anticipation for 2024 (2:55:44) - L&R Game: 2023 Reactions (3:03:46) - Bets (3:13:22) - Closing

Ep 405 - It's time to shake up the format a bit as we fold more gameplay impressions into the podcast, starting with thoughts on Prince of Persia and Pacific Drive, as well as some of the crazier stories coming from CES. (0:00) - Opening (3:15) - The Wrong Question (7:43) - Switch 2 in September? (13:47) - Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown (32:03) - Pacific Drive Preview (49:28) - Bloodworth's Zelda Diaries (57:35) - A Word From Our Sponsors (59:35) - Lies of P (1:08:55) - Sony's CES Press Conference (1:22:45) - New Hardware Announcements (1:29:26) - Also This Week (1:42:27) - L&R: Another Xbox Shadow Drop? (1:46:54) - L&R: Opportunity Cost (1:51:22) - L&R Game: Gonna Take You for a Ride! (1:59:58) - Bets (2:17:49) - Closing Go to https://www.shopify.com/allies for a one-dollar-per-month trial period to grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in.

Ep 404 - After a December lull, the wave of games comes crashing back in the new year. Join as we chat about what we're looking forward to in the next three months, from Final Fantasy VII Rebirth to Dragon's Dogma 2, and many more! (0:00) - Opening (2:33) - Corrections (5:07) - Holiday Catch-Up (15:09) - January Game Preview (38:05) - February Game Preview (1:27:39) - March Game Preview (1:48:58) - Also This Week (1:57:22) - L&R: Gaming Catharsis (2:00:36) - L&R: Future of EZA Reviews (2:02:24) - L&R: AAA Release Dates (2:11:21) - Bets (2:13:10) - Or Wars (2:20:36) - Closing Games Featured This Episode: Momodora: Moonlit Farewell Bulletstorm VR Turnip Boy Robs A Bank Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Another Code: Recollection The Last of Us Part II Remastered Howl Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy Unforetold: Witchstone (Early Access) Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth Tekken 8 Granblue Fantasy: Relink Persona 3 Reload Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Helldivers II Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden Fi

Ep 403 - 2023 was an amazing year for game releases and a terrible year of layoffs. We look back on many of this year's big announcements and wish Bradley Ellis a fond farewell in his final episode. (0:00) - Opening (2:44) - Unending Layoffs (16:14) - 2023 in Review: Jan - Mar (39:54) - 2023 in Review: Apr - Jun (1:08:34) - 2023 in Review: Jul - Sep (1:35:47) - 2023 in Review: Oct - Dec (1:52:03) - L&R: Impactful Trends and Industry Resolutions (1:59:02) - L&R: Easy Allies in 2024 (2:10:32) - L&R: Last Signs of Life (2:22:01) - L&R: What's Up with the 55 Meme? (2:24:31) - Or Wars (2:30:45) - Closing This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp - go to http://betterhelp.com/allies to get started today.

Ep 402 - In our annual tradition, we take a full episode to respond to your questions, games, and comments as we get ready for the holiday break. (0:00) - Opening (1:50) - Gaming Gifts (7:21) - Brad Appreciation Post (8:31) - 2024 Anticipated Games (13:20) - Return of the King (17:53) - Game: Does It Rumble? (27:16) - Underappreciated E3 Moments (34:13) - More Great Years in Gaming (52:15) - Horror Tips for Scaredy Cats (54:15) - Better With An Audience? (58:39) - Samsung Gaming Hub with Game Pass (1:02:39) - Game: Complete, Keep, Delete (1:08:10) - A Word From Our Sponsors (1:10:18) - Huber Hosting Shout Out (1:10:42) - Game on Your Favorite Movie (1:14:39) - Christmas Gifts You Didn't Get (1:20:58) - Game Recommendations for New Parents (1:23:58) - Game: Smaller Map Size (1:28:41) - One of These Days Or Sorry Folks (1:35:11) - Best Year for DLC (1:38:12) - Baldur's Gate III Updates (1:42:56) - Game: The Price is Relatively Correct (1:51:48) - Or Wars (1:57:02) - Closing This episode is sponsored by Bette

Ep 401 - After years of struggles E3 officially calls it quits. Meanwhile, we get Brad's thoughts on the new details released by Atlus for Metaphor: ReFantazio, Huber and Don talk Avatar, and it's time for the November sales report. (0:00) - Opening (2:27) - Corrections (5:40) - E3 is Dead, Officially (35:52) - An Extended Look at Metaphor: ReFantazio (43:19) - November Sales Report (58:04) - Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora Impressions (1:17:35) - Also This Week (1:26:00) - L&R: Gamer Archetypes (1:30:09) - L&R: Infiltration Mission (1:33:10) - L&R Game: The Sequel is Always Worse (1:41:52) - Time for Bets (1:47:17) - Closing This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp - go to http://betterhelp.com/allies to get started today.

Ep 400 - It's Game Awards night and our 400th episode! So what better way to celebrate than to bring in some old friends? (0:00) - Opening (2:21) - Catching Up w/ Kyle and Brandon (6:36) - Grand Theft Auto VI (32:06) - The Game Awards Announcements (2:17:02) - A Word From Our Sponsors (2:18:32) - The Awards Winners (2:32:07) - Also This Week (2:45:42) - L&R: Favorite Podcast Moments (2:51:15) - L&R: Rockstar Studio Perceptions (2:58:01) - L&R Game: Two Truths and a Lie (3:07:34) - Time for Bets (3:19:00) - Closing This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp - go to http://betterhelp.com/allies to get started today. Go to http://shopify.com/allies to sign up for a $1-per-month trial period.

Ep 399 - A week before The Game Awards, the reveals are starting to trickle in with Dragon's Dogma 2 and The PC Gaming Showcase. Plus, we check out Lethal Company and our patrons' picks for Top 10 Dysfunctional Families. (0:00) - Opening (1:48) - Corrections (4:08) - Dragon's Dogma 2 Showcase (12:12) - PC Gaming Show Highlights (49:17) - Beyond Good & Evil Leaked and Pulled (53:21) - A Word From Our Sponsors (55:56) - Lethal Company (1:04:17) - Top 10 Dysfunctional Families in Games (1:12:03) - Fallout TV Show Update (1:20:38) - Also This Week (1:33:54) - L&R: GOTY Fight (1:38:19) - L&R: Best Companions of 2023 (1:40:55) - L&R: PlayStation Asian Expansion (1:46:30) - Time for Bets (1:52:06) - Closing This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp — go to http://betterhelp.com/allies to get 10% off your first month.

Ep 398 - The Last of Us Part II Remastered gets revealed a little earlier than planned. However, Nier apparently isn't coming any time soon. For the main course, though, it's time to name our Top Turkeys of the year.  (0:00) - Opening (2:08) - Corrections (4:01) - The Last of Us Part II Remastered (18:37) - NieR is FaR (22:34) - Top Turkeys of 2023 (1:20:08) - A Word From Our Sponsors (1:22:15) - Nakwon: Last Paradise Gameplay (1:30:04) - Also This Week (1:34:54) - L&R: Side Projects Only (1:38:06) - L&R: Thanksgiving Gaming (1:42:15) - L&R: RPG Thankfulness (1:45:51) - Time for Bets (1:50:22) - Closing  This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp - go to http://betterhelp.com/allies to get started today.

Ep 397 - This year's Game Awards contenders have been announced, so we share our thoughts on where the year lies so far. Plus, we check out the latest Nintendo Indies and get updated on the October sales report. (0:00) - Opening (1:31) - Corrections (3:43) - The Game Awards Nominees (1:08:48) - Nintendo Indie World Highlights (1:21:22) - A Word From Our Sponsors (1:24:13) - October Sales Report (1:35:20) - Genki Gear Impressions (1:43:47) - Layoffs This Week (1:47:13) - Also This Week (1:59:51) - L&R: Favorite Fighting Game Characters (2:05:07) - L&R: TGA Layoffs Statement (2:08:16) - L&R Game: Mario Kart or Wario Fart? (2:13:55) - Time for Bets (2:19:13) - Closing Go to http://factormeals.com/allies50 and use code allies50 to get 50% off. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp - go to http://betterhelp.com/allies to get started today.

Ep 396 - Can a live action Zelda movie actually work? We weigh our thoughts on the subject before examining Nintendo's latest numbers, speculating on GTA VI, and imagining barbecue with Phil Spencer. (0:00) - Opening (2:44) - Corrections (4:12) - Zelda Movie in Production (29:02) - Nintendo Financial Report (39:02) - GTA VI Trailer Incoming (57:02) - A Word From Our Sponsors (1:00:55) - Blizzard Escapes Activision's Reign (1:15:23) - WB Shifting to Live Service Games (1:31:26) - Also This Week (1:43:33) - L&R: Don't Skip, 2023 Edition (1:48:45) - L&R: Pointless Mass Effect Teaser (1:54:30) - L&R Game: Screwy Synonyms and Awful Antonyms (1:59:50) - Time for Bets (2:04:39) - Closing This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp — go to http://betterhelp.com/allies to get 10% off your first month. Go to http://shopify.com/allies to sign up for a $1-per-month trial period.

Ep 395 - Xbox is banning controllers, Bungie has some nasty layoffs, Brad checks out Persona 5 Tactica, and we try to sort out the trainwreck of Silent Hill: Ascension. (0:00) - Opening (1:40) - Corrections (4:31) - Xbox is Banning Third Party Controllers (14:36) - Remedy Updates (23:29) - Bungie Layoffs Mess (41:30) - A Word From Our Sponsors (44:14) - Top 10 Game Over Screens (53:55) - Silent Hill: Ascension Impressions (1:14:30) - Persona 5 Tactica Impressions (1:23:18) - Also This Week (1:34:52) - L&R: Let the Player Play (1:37:36) - L&R: Good Lookin' Food (1:39:32) - L&R Game: Choose a Door (1:46:39) - Time for Bets (1:51:23) - Closing Go to https://hensonshaving.com and enter ALLIES at checkout to get 100 free blades with your purchase. (Note: you must add both the 100-blade pack and the razor for the discount to apply.) This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp - go to http://betterhelp.com/allies to get started today.

Ep 394 - Damiani's moving day approaches, so we celebrate with some fun Damiani facts, Xbox shows off some cool third-party trailers, and Huber tells us why Alan Wake 2 is so great. (0:00) - Opening (1:26) - Corrections (3:36) - Damiani's Moving Day (17:51) - PS5 Disc Drive Needs Internet (22:14) - Xbox Partner Preview (42:47) - Alan Wake 2 Impressions (51:52) - Mini-Sales Update (55:17) - Also This Week (1:04:36) - L&R: Mario Controls Make No Sense (1:14:09) - L&R: Is Nintendo Cursed? (1:19:10) - L&R Game: A Frankenstein-ien Monstrosity (1:25:08) - Time for Bets (1:31:27) - Closing This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp - go to http://betterhelp.com/allies to get started today.

Ep 393 - It's the spooky season, and Brandon Jones is back to talk about the haunting new book he's written as well as a bunch of horror game announcements, Microsoft buying Activision, September sales, and more. (0:00) - Opening (1:46) - Corrections (3:18) - Catching Up with Brandon (18:10) - Activision is Finally Part of Xbox (51:00) - Horror Game Announcements (1:18:29) - A Word From Our Sponsors (1:20:30) - September Sales Report (1:34:06) - Also This Week (1:45:00) - L&R: Cool in School? (1:52:07) - L&R: Creators Return (1:55:58) - L&R Game: Spider Power or Milk Turned Sour? (2:00:40) - L&R: Frustrating Traffic (2:05:06) - Time for Bets (2:09:41) - Closing This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp — go to http://betterhelp.com/allies to get 10% off your first month.

Ep 392 - The long-rumored replacement models for the PlayStation 5 have been revealed, Kamiya's going to the unemployment center in his Lamborghini, and we consider when it's ok to save-scum. (0:00) - Opening (1:37) - Corrections (3:33) - New PS5 Models Revealed (18:34) - PS5 Cloud Streaming (25:05) - Why Did Kamiya Quit PlatinumGames? (40:18) - A Word From Our Sponsors (42:10) - Have You Heard About The Alters? (51:01) - Also This Week (1:13:38) - L&R: Can't Get Into Indies? (1:22:35) - L&R: Reloading Save Files (1:27:52) - L&R Game: Do You Feel Old Yet? (1:31:41) - Time for Bets (1:37:23) - Closing Go to http://shopify.com/allies to sign up for a $1-per-month trial period. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp - go to http://betterhelp.com/allies to get started today.

Ep 391 - Nintendo is closing down online services for Wii U and 3DS next April. Plus, we debate the status of The Last of Us multiplayer game after reported layoffs, give spooky game recommendations for October, and check out our patrons' Top 10 Swords. (0:00) - Opening (1:26) - Corrections (4:09) - Online Play Ending for Wii U and 3DS (25:26) - Naughty Dog Layoffs / Last of Us Multiplayer (41:20) - Hyenas Was Sega's Most Expensive Game Ever (48:09) - A Word From Our Sponsors (50:23) - Spooky Game Recommendations (1:02:24) - Top 10 Swords (1:13:25) - Also This Week (1:33:19) - L&R: Best Game, Bad First Impression (1:39:04) - L&R Game: Fastest Any Percent Speed Runs (1:46:59) - L&R: Dragon Age VS Witcher Expectations (1:51:25) - Time for Bets (1:56:32) - Closing This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp — go to http://betterhelp.com/allies to get 10% off your first month.

Ep 390 - Mario, Sonic, Spider-Man, Alan Wake, Forza, RoboCop, Avatar -- there's a ton of games coming out this fall, and it's time to buckle in and talk about what we're looking forward to the most. (0:00) - Opening (1:56) - Corrections (4:42) - October Game Preview (1:11:50) - November Game Preview (1:45:35) - A Word From Our Sponsors (1:50:18) - December Game Preview (1:58:32) - August Sales Report (2:05:54) - Also This Week - Jim Ryan Retiring (2:10:21) - Hideki Kamiya Leaving PlatinumGames (2:12:54) - Epic Layoffs (2:20:06) - More Also This Week (2:24:27) - L&R: In Defense of Starfield (2:29:17) - L&R: Celebrity Actors in Games (2:33:52) - L&R Game: Role Models (2:43:32) - Time for Bets (2:48:25) - Closing This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp — go to http://betterhelp.com/allies to get 10% off your first month. Go to https://hensonshaving.com and enter ALLIES at checkout to get 100 free blades with your purchase. (Note: you must add both the 100-blade pack and the razor for the discount to apply.)