Triple Click

 Dovahkiin!!! Skyrim is now officially ten years old, because we are all ancient and slowly turning into dust. Jason, Kirk, and Maddy celebrate the big day by revisiting one of the most influential games of all time. They talk about how Skyrim feels to play today, all of the games it has influenced, and what makes it such a special experience.One More Thing: Kirk:  Death Stranding Ziplines/infrastructure/‘breaking’ a gameMaddy: Beverly Hills Cop (1984)Jason: Your HonorLinks:Jason’s 2011 Wired Skyrim Preview: https://www.wired.com/2011/10/skyrim-hands-on/Maddy’s 2011 Phoenix Skyrim Review: https://web.archive.org/web/20160211194214/https://thephoenix.com/Boston/recroom/130611-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim/Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/joinJoin the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpodTriple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

Ever play a game that feels a whole lot like an older game? What's the DEAL with that? This week, Jason, Maddy, and Kirk talk about spiritual successors, from Bloodstained (Castlevania) to Mighty No. 9 (Mega Man) and oh so much more. What are the different kinds of spiritual successors? Why are they so common in games? And why is Jason so excited for Eiyuden Chronicles??One More Thing: Kirk: Inscryption Maddy: Unpacking Jason: Guardians of the GalaxyLinks:Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/joinJoin the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpodTriple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

Why do video game reviews often feel rushed? What's the deal with drug trips in video games? And what are some good JRPGs for beginners? This week, Jason, Kirk, and Maddy answer some of YOUR Burning Questions on all that and more.One More Thing: Kirk: Death Stranding Director’s CutMaddy: Marvel’s Guardians of the GalaxyJason: ElecHeadLinks:Mega64’s Uncharted 3 Drug Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPubpR6-V-g&ab_channel=Mega64Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/joinJoin the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpodTriple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

A new Metroid game is here, and by golly, it rules. Maddy, Jason, and Kirk put on their Varian Suits and take a deep dive into Samus Aran's latest adventure, Metroid Dread, which came out earlier this month for Nintendo Switch. They talk about the game's relentless pacing, the brilliant controls, and the endless stream of power-ups. They discuss the marauding EMMIs, the difficulty, and the meticulous design of each level. Metroid Dread: it's a good video game.One More Thing: Kirk: Back 4 BloodMaddy: Freaky (2021)Jason: Project Hail Mary by Andy WeirLinks:Maddy’s Metroid Lore Explainer: https://www.polygon.com/22715304/metroid-dread-fusion-recap-story-lore-samus-aran-chozoSupport Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/joinJoin the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpodTriple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

What's a video game? Let's explain! On this very special episode of Triple Click, produced as part of Maximum Fun's Block Party, hosts Kirk Hamilton, Jason Schreier, and Maddy Myers give you a beginner's guide to gaming: the good, the bad, and the pixelated. First, a few definitions of what a "video game" actually is. Then, some recommendations for games you should play if you're just getting started. And finally, our regular bonus segment, One More Thing.SIX GAMES FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE NEW TO VIDEO GAMESAnimal Crossing: New Horizons, Picross, Breath of the Wild, Return of the Obra Dinn, 80 Days, INSIDEOne More Thing: Kirk: WildermythMaddy: Back 4 BloodJason: Switch OLEDLinks:Cameron Kunzelman’s review of Wildermyth: https://www.polygon.com/reviews/22638600/wildermyth-review-pc-proc-gen-worldwalker-games-strategy-mac-linuxSupport Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/joinJoin the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpodTriple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

Why is Diablo one of the best-selling series of all time? Just what makes Blizzard's action-RPGs so devilishly appealing? Kirk, Maddy, and Jason break down the iconic franchise and talk about why it's good -- and why it might be pretty bad. They talk about the addictive properties of loot hunting, how the games have evolved over the years, and whether there's really room in their lives for Diablo 4.One More Thing: Kirk: Far Cry 6Maddy: Metroid DreadJason: Squid GameLinks:Diego Arguello’s review of Far Cry 6 for Polygon: https://www.polygon.com/reviews/22711610/far-cry-6-review-ps5-xbox-series-x-pc-ps4-xbox-oneSquid Game subtitles: https://twitter.com/fwong/status/1444549630499254283Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/joinJoin the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpodTriple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

It's time for a Triple Play! Jason, Maddy, and Kirk have all played a whole lot of Deathloop, the time-twisting new game from Arkane. They break down what they like and don't like about the game, diving into its unique structure, disappointing ending, and truly delightful little details.One More Thing: Kirk: Hunt a Killer - Death at the Dive BarMaddy: Bullshit Jobs by David GraeberJason: Outer Wilds: Echoes of the EyeLinks:Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/joinJoin the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpodTriple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

Villains: we all hate'em, but what would video games be without them? This week, Kirk, Jason, and Maddy try to figure out what makes a good bad guy. From Deathloop's Julianna to Final Fantasy VII's Sephiroth, antagonists can be brilliant and memorable. But why do we love to hate them? What makes them so fiendishly appealing? And just what is the deal with Kefka?One More Thing: Kirk: Golf Club WastelandMaddy: Get In The Car, Loser!Jason: EastwardJason’s Five Rules for a Good Video Game Villain:1. They have a good motivation2. They’re way stronger than the protagonist3. They have a personal connectin to the protagonist4. They have a striking look5. They or their actions are present throughout the gameLinks:Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/joinJoin the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpodTriple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

What's the deal with Metroid? To answer that question, we must turn to series expert Maddy Myers, who explains to Kirk and Jason just what a Metroid is and why it matters. What's the lore behind Samus's baby? What's up with those Chozo? And what do we all need to know before heading into this October's much-anticipated new game Metroid Dread?One More Thing: Kirk: The U.S. OpenMaddy: You Should See The Other Guy (podcast)Jason: DeathloopLinks:An explanation of Medvedev’s U.S. Open victory “emote”: https://kotaku.com/us-open-tennis-champion-does-video-game-celebration-aft-1847662401Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/joinJoin the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpodTriple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

What makes a remake worth playing? When should developers go back and change a game, and how much should they change? This week, the Triple Click crew tries to figure out when remakes work, when they don't work, and why. Plus: Kirk unveils his grand spectrum of Remakes, Remasters, and the Super Turbo Remake Plus.Kirk’s Remake Spectrum*:Re-release (The original game, playable on new hardware)Remaster (visually enhanced version of the same game, same tech, etc.)Remaster Plus (A visual remaster that makes some changes to the gameplay - e.g. Skyward Sword, ME Trilogy)Remake (New engine/tech and new visuals, but makes a point of keeping the gameplay the same. E.g. SotC, Demon’s Souls, Diablo 2 Resurrected)Remake Plus (New engine and actual new gameplay/mechanics/etc. E.g. Black Mesa, Tomb Raider Anniversary)Reimagined Remake (Uses the original as a template to make major changes, e.g. Resident Evil 2 & 3 Remake)Super Turbo Remake Plus (There is only one of these and it is Final Fantasy VII Remake)Sequel or Reboot *Note that these are stops along a continuous spectrum and not a series of discrete categorizations. Many games fall somewhere in between categories.One More Thing: Kirk: The White Lotus ReloadedMaddy: Dark SoulsJason: The Forgotten CityLinks: Mat Bradley-Tschirgi on why Final Fantasy shouldn’t be modernized: https://www.polygon.com/22648602/final-fantasy-original-ff1-retro-gaming-classic-pixel-version-steam-square-enixMike White’s New York interview about The White Lotus: https://www.vulture.com/article/the-white-lotus-finale-mike-white-interview-departures-ending.htmlSlate’s Working podcast interview with White Lotus composer Cristobal Tapia de Veer:https://slate.com/podcasts/working/2021/08/white-lotus-composer-cristobal-tapia-de-veerTwenty Thousand Hertz episode about the Dies Irae (feat. Kirk): https://www.20k.org/episodes/diesiraeSupport Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/joinJoin the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpodTriple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/