Triple Click

What makes a Souls game a Souls game? Why do we love'em so much? And how many things have we learned from Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and the rest of the gang over the years? This week, the Triple Click crew dives into From Software's classic series and tries to figure out what the deal is.One More Thing:Kirk: Playing Hitman from the beginningMaddy: Maiden (2018)Jason: The Last DanceLinks:Chris Dahlen on Dark Souls: https://kotaku.com/what-dark-souls-is-really-all-about-5874599Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/joinJoin the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpodTriple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

This week the gang jumps into Hitman 3, a game that's far less bleak that it sounds. Kirk, Maddy, and Jason talk about the latest entry in the longrunning stealth-puzzle series. Maddy shares the story of how she learned how to play, Jason talks about the Knives Out-inspired murder mystery, and Kirk raves about how amazing Hitman games truly are. Plus: the GameStop phenomenon explained!One More Thing:Kirk: The Expanse S3Maddy: Ted LassoJason: GameStopLinks:Hitman Speedrun: https://kotaku.com/speedrunners-are-beating-hitman-3s-dubai-level-in-under-1846121772Shoreh Agdashloo talks us to sleep: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4j8gznDVa1M Bloomberg GamesStop explainer: https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2021-01-25/the-game-never-stopsShort Selling and Options explainers: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/shortselling.asphttps://www.investopedia.com/terms/o/option.aspSupport Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/joinJoin the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpodTriple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

Jason, Maddy, and Kirk open up the listener mailbag and answer some of YOUR questions about all sorts of things. What does it mean when an E3 demo is fake? What's our video game comfort food? And why do video game sequels always make you lose all your powers?One More Thing:Kirk: GloomhavenMaddy: Dark Souls Jason: NFL playoff updateLinks:Jason on Cyberpunk 2077: https://twitter.com/jasonschreier/status/1350322423170797568Kirk’s article about preorder culture: https://kotaku.com/the-witcher-3-downgrade-controversy-sucks-1705882405The overview video Kirk watched to start getting his head around Gloomhaven: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uw7LI2esvp0Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/joinJoin the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpodTriple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/ 

In the wake of Cyberpunk 2077, a game with a rocky launch that will now try to find redemption, Jason, Maddy, and Kirk take a look at some other video game redemption stories. They talk about No Man's Sky, Destiny, Final Fantasy XIV, and other games that got better over time. What does a successful turnaround look like? And what are the ethical questions involved? All that and lots more.One More Thing:Kirk: LupinMaddy: Dark SoulsJason: FargoLinks:Kirk reviews No Man's Sky: https://kotaku.com/no-mans-sky-the-kotaku-review-1785383774...and Destiny: https://kotaku.com/destiny-the-kotaku-review-1637735501Support 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: Kirk, Jason, and Maddy convene to go over their 2020 predictions and determine who got the most right. Who won, and which game will Triple Click play in 2021? You'll have to listen to find out! Plus: big predictions for video games in 2021!One More Thing:Kirk: Wonder Woman 1984Maddy: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Jason: Never Split The Difference by Chris Voss and Tahl RazLinks: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/

2020 is over!!! Thank goodness! It's time for Kirk, Jason, and Maddy to go over the best games of 2020. Each host shares their top-ten list, which includes some choices you might guess... and some that might surprise you! Plus: Jason and Kirk have finally finished the game they were obliged to play... Kirby Planet Robobot.One More Thing:Kirk: Spelunky 2Maddy: “The very real, totally bizarre bucatini shortage of 2020” by Rachel Handler (Grub Street)Jason: SekiroLinks: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/GOTY Lists:JasonHadesFinal Fantasy VII RemakeCall of the SeaDemon’s SoulsAssassin’s Creed ValhallaFall Guys: Ultimate KnockoutPaper Mario: The Origami KingBugsnaxOri and the Will of the WispsJackbox Party Pack 7MaddyAnimal Crossing New HorizonsCarrionDestiny 2: Beyond LightFinal Fantasy 7 RemakeHadesIf FoundKentucky Route ZeroParadise KillerSpider-Man: Miles MoralesWide Ocean Big JacketKirkHadesCarrionSpiritfarerBlack MesaHalf-Life: AlyxDesperados IIIStar Wars: SquadronsFinal Fantasy VII RemakeOri and the Will of the WispsAnimal Crossing: New Horizons 

Is Cyberpunk 2077 the biggest game of the year? Or just the most broken? This week, the gang dives into CD Projekt Red's hotly anticipated new RPG: the good, the bad, and the very, very ugly. Jason, Maddy, and Kirk talk about their impressions on the game and their thoughts on all the many, many, many controversies surrounding it.One More Thing:Kirk: GhostrunnerMaddy:  Carrie by Stephen KingJason: Call of the SeaLinks: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/

Maddy, Kirk, and Jason open up the mailbag to answer some of YOUR questions. Should there be a Game Award for the best studio culture? How do we honestly criticize games while knowing how many blood, sweat, and pixels they take to develop? And just how necessary is Twitter Discourse?One More Thing:Kirk: Warner Bros. / HBO MaxMaddy: HadesJason: 13 Sentinels: Aegis RimLinks: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/The Hollywood Reporter on Nolan/Warner: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/christopher-nolan-rips-hbo-max-as-worst-streaming-service-denounces-warner-bros-planTwitter thread about Souls games: https://twitter.com/silent0siris/status/1334570752021049345?s=21

What are they, rocket ships? In honor of the recent release of the PS5 and Xbox Series X, the gang looks back at the history of video game console launches. Which were the best ones? Which were the worst? And what were Kirk, Maddy, and Jason's personal experiences with console launches? Let's discuss!!!One More Thing:Kirk: Immortals Fenyx RisingMaddy: FuserJason: A Futile And Stupid Gesture (2018)Links: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/

Maddy, Kirk, and Jason celebrate Thanksgiving in the best way possible: Leftovers. This week, the gang talks about all of the fall video games they haven't had a chance to analyze on previous episodes, including Demon's Souls, NBA 2K21, Yakuza Like A Dragon, Spider-Man: Miles Morales, and much, much more.One More Thing:Kirk: Star Wars SquadronsMaddy: The Diary of Anne FrankJason: The Queen’s GambitLinks: Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpodTriple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join