Conference Call

GWJ Conference Call Episode 429

Our Favorite Games and Experiences of 2014 With Special Guests! Julian Murdoch, Cory Banks, Chris Cesarano, Jeff Cannata, Greg Decker, Kate Craig and Ken Levine!

This week Shawn is joined by special guests to talk about their favorite games of 2014!

To contact us, email [email protected]! Send us your thoughts on the show, pressing issues you want to talk about or whatever else is on your mind. You can even send a 30 second audio question or comment (MP3 format please) if you're so inclined.

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Show credits

Music credits: 

Space Faring Species - Cryonaut - http://www.cryonautmusic.com/ - 36:55

Intro/Outtro Music - Ian Dorsch, Willowtree Audioworks

Comments

There is nothing special about this guest, but I'm honored to be included.

We are truly in a golden age of gaming. I looked at my Steam list tonight and couldn't decide which game to spend my time with, and that's not even counting the games we can play on our consoles, next-gen or otherwise. We've never had so many high-quality games to spend our time with. It's fantastic.

Still downloading the episode, so I haven't listened yet, but I agree with you, Cory. This truly is a golden age of gaming with a plethora of high-quality, great games. The best part is that there's something for everyone. You have your smaller games and your bigger games, RPGs and adventure games, shooters and puzzle games.

Now if only there were more than 24 hours in a day... Or if I could quit my job and spend a year gaming.

Eleima wrote:

Now if only there were more than 24 hours in a day... Or if I could quit my job and spend a year gaming. :D

I now have this image of someone backpacking across the SteamPile Mountains with a GOG flag sewn on her backpack so she doesn't get hassled.

Haven't listened yet either but I agree with the assessment that we're in a great spot for gaming right now. There's such a variety of games on a wide variety of devices (including board games) at a wide variety of price points. We are truly spoiled for choices these days.

Eleima wrote:

Or if I could quit my job and spend a year gaming. :D

Just a year? I think it'd take me easily a decade to play everything I've been meaning to, and that's ignoring anything new that comes out during that decade

I feel guilty some times when I get sucked into one game like presently with The Last of Us when I've got others sitting around begging to be played and I can't recall the last time that's happened for me at least.

Eleima wrote:

Now if only there were more than 24 hours in a day... Or if I could quit my job and spend a year gaming. :D

IMAGE(http://cdn.meme.am/instances/250x250/57474017.jpg)

I'm a little bit bothered by the constant suggestion that Shadow of Mordor is "cynical". Derivative, perhaps, formulaic, maybe, but considering that it contains what pretty much everyone agrees is the best new mechanic in gaming this year, I have a hard time with "cynical." That ascribes motives to the people working on it that I don't think are fair given the general quality of the game.

It doesn't bother me a whole lot, but enough to mention here.

Woo! I got to go before Ken Levine, which means I get to say he agrees with me about Shadow of Mordor, rather than the other way around.

Also, can't recommend the Left Behind DLC for The Last of Us enough. Yes, it's rather short, but it's a nice short story to the main game's novel.

kazooka wrote:

I'm a little bit bothered by the constant suggestion that Shadow of Mordor is "cynical". Derivative, perhaps, formulaic, maybe, but considering that it contains what pretty much everyone agrees is the best new mechanic in gaming this year, I have a hard time with "cynical." That ascribes motives to the people working on it that I don't think are fair given the general quality of the game.

It doesn't bother me a whole lot, but enough to mention here.

I don't necessarily disagree with you on this. Plenty of products are derivative of features or mechanics from other games.

What I would highlight is that having Warner Brothers as your publisher means that you are serving a master with a storied history of formulaic cash grabbing. Innovation is risky and proven successes play better with wary share holders. I suspect the inclusion of the nemesis system was not nearly as important to WB as it turned out to be for the developers.

Good to hear some love for Titanfall Rabbit. I'm still playing

The Last of Us: Left Behind is really excellent. It captures that feeling of teenaged friends out for the day together, with all the fun and awkwardness that can entail. The few combat sequences there are are incredibly well staged.

Rat Boy wrote:

I feel guilty some times when I get sucked into one game like presently with The Last of Us when I've got others sitting around begging to be played and I can't recall the last time that's happened for me at least.

It's always good to keep playing a multiplayer game you really click with. I'd rather look back and know I played a ton of a game I loved rather than move on too quick and then regret not playing more.

Rat Boy wrote:

I feel guilty some times when I get sucked into one game like presently with The Last of Us when I've got others sitting around begging to be played and I can't recall the last time that's happened for me at least.

It's a rare game that sucks me in to that extent anymore, so anytime it happens, I'm thrilled. The Last of Us is definitely one of those rare gems, and it stands toe to toe with anything released in the last several years.

Great show. I like hearing from all of these guest, even if they're all wrong about their favorite games because they differ from mine. Except for Cory. High five, Cory!

Finally getting around to listening to this. I was expecting when I finally hear Greg's voice, I'd be able to imagine someone other than his avatar speaking while reading his posts.

No. That didn't happen. His voice fits his avatar too well.

If I had played it in time, I'd honestly have swapped Theathrhythm with Murdered: Soul Suspect, but alas. Timing.

ccesarano wrote:

Finally getting around to listening to this. I was expecting when I finally hear Greg's voice, I'd be able to imagine someone other than his avatar speaking while reading his posts.

Wait 'till you see me.

After listening to Ken Levine gush about Modor, gosh dang, I think it's time to meet my Nemesis. Great, I was all ready to skip this game and placate my wallet.