Like a Dragon: Ishin!

GWJ Conference Call 856

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Amanda, Rich, Daryl, and Andrew discuss games that drive them to obsession.

Games: Caves of Lore (PC), Like a Dragon: Ishin! (PS5), Merge & Blade (PC), Octopath Traveler 2 (Switch), The Quarry (PS5).

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.

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00:02:31 Caves of Lore
00:09:18 Like a Dragon: Ishin!
00:16:22 Merge & Blade
00:21:43 Game Pass Ultimate
00:25:32 Octopath Traveler 2
00:40:05 The Quarry
00:51:30 Games that Drive you to Obsession

I thought it was weirdly coincidental that you all talked about being obsessed with games this time. In just the past few days, I've gotten absolutely obsessed with a game I never expected to get this into.

I got a PSVR2 recently, and had been thinking about trying Synth Riders. Then I heard from someone that it included tracks from two of my all-time favorite bands. Add to that that I've been getting a bit desperate to find a way to be more active (in a way that actually works for me).... The only reason I've stopped playing this game since I got it three days ago is because I'm just wary of overdoing it. But whenever I put it down I'm itching to get back in there. It just feels soooo good. And I really feel good about having spent time with it afterwards, which is rare in general.

Is there a dedicated thread set aside for Octopath 2? I want to see people’s party builds. This game gets very crunchy in late game where you have to map out which skills synergize with which jobs and which items. It’s awesome! And in true JRG fashion, late game boss battles can take 30min+

codesphere wrote:

I thought it was weirdly coincidental that you all talked about being obsessed with games this time. In just the past few days, I've gotten absolutely obsessed with a game I never expected to get this into.

I got a PSVR2 recently, and had been thinking about trying Synth Riders. Then I heard from someone that it included tracks from two of my all-time favorite bands. Add to that that I've been getting a bit desperate to find a way to be more active (in a way that actually works for me).... The only reason I've stopped playing this game since I got it three days ago is because I'm just wary of overdoing it. But whenever I put it down I'm itching to get back in there. It just feels soooo good. And I really feel good about having spent time with it afterwards, which is rare in general.

I love Synth Riders - it's the closest any of the "hit stuff that's flying at you" VR games come to dancing.

EbonyPegasus wrote:

Is there a dedicated thread set aside for Octopath 2? I want to see people’s party builds. This game gets very crunchy in late game where you have to map out which skills synergize with which jobs and which items. It’s awesome! And in true JRG fashion, late game boss battles can take 30min+

The catch all for Octopath 2 is here.

Also, I've written up a "Starter Kit" for Octopath 2 that is live now.

I would love to hear builds people are using at different stages of the game, so feel free to share in the dedicated thread or in the guide thread!

Another great episode. I have to say my Wednesdays are filled with the caustic tones of The Computer Game Show and GWJCC, both of which as as great foil to each other.

I'm considering getting Octopath Traveller II for my flight to Boston for PAX East 2023. The only issue is which platform to get it on; Switch or SteamDeck?

I can't speak to how it runs on the SteamDeck, but I've had zero issues with it on Switch (and in fact used it on multiple flights!) Despite the Switch's lack of horsepower, these HD-2D games run great on it.

(If you end up getting it, this is one I want to do a spoiler section for at some point!)

This week I was playing Shardlight and it was so weird to hear Daryl's voice in a game and then in a podcast on the next day.

I've been watching some YouTube videos about Japan recently; the figure in a background of the banner image playing a shakuhachi flute is a monk from the Fuke Zen sect.

From my very limited understanding, I think playing the flute is a form of meditation. Regarding the basket on the head, I saw a video where a modern monk In Japan (a middle-aged black guy that sounded north American) , said it was to stop the monk's ego being fed and the music being the most important thing.

In another video, someone said that ronin would become monks and liked the basket because it made them anonymous as they begged while playing.

I think the sect if actually defunct, but obviously it's become part of the culture.