We've all been playing Dragon Age: The Veilguard and discuss the gameplay, story, favourite companions, class and race choices and more.

Dylan also discusses his final thoughts on Life is Strange: Double Exposure after finishing the game, and he and Ciaran discuss Wizard of the Coast's commitment to cross-over sets in Magic: The Gathering.

Show Dot Points

• The character creation system in Dragon Age is highly praised for its depth and integration into the story.
• Combat mechanics improve significantly with increased difficulty settings, enhancing the tactical experience.
• The story of Dragon Age: The Veil Guard is considered less engaging compared to previous titles in the series.
• Multiplayer gaming experiences are often hindered by a lack of friends who play the same games.
• Character relationships and choices play a crucial role in the gameplay experience, affecting party dynamics.
• The game features a mix of linear and open-world elements, providing a balance of exploration and structure.
• Players appreciate the variety of companions and their unique skills, though some feel less connected to them than in previous games.
• The pacing of the game's early hours is criticized for being disjointed and lacking clear direction.
• The quest design could benefit from clearer indicators of difficulty and expectations for players.
• Overall, the game is rated as a solid experience, with room for improvement in storytelling and character engagement. Parrying activates powerful abilities like Necrotic Blades.
• Character customization is crucial for player engagement.
• The game design reflects its origins as a multiplayer co-op.
• Quest management encourages story progression without distractions.
• The absence of DLC allows focus on future projects like Mass Effect.
• Armour customization adds depth to character personalization.
• Merchant interactions are tied to reputation systems.
• Trophy systems can hinder player experience and freedom.
• Baldur's Gate 3 sets a high standard for RPGs.
• Gameplay mechanics can lead to player frustration. Woke culture in gaming reviews can skew perceptions.
• Life is Strange has both strong and weak elements.
• Character development is more important than power in games.
• Magic: The Gathering is shifting towards IP collaborations.
• Crossovers are challenging the uniqueness of gaming IPs.
• Players are divided on the impact of woke culture in games.
• The latest Life is Strange game has mixed reviews.
• Magic: The Gathering's collaborations may dilute its original lore.
• Pokémon TCG continues to evolve with new sets and events.
• The gaming community is adapting to rapid changes in-game content.

Hosts: Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo

Arcade Couch Credits:

• Music by: Dylan Blight
• Art by: Cherie Henriques
• Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration

All Episodes:

• https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

• http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

Dylan and Ciaran discuss their time playing the first two chapters of Life is Strange: Double Exposure.

They also discuss their time with the recently released Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket, which everyone seems to be playing right now.

Show Dot Points

• The hosts express nostalgia for the original 'Life is Strange' series.
• The 'Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket' mechanics are simplified for a broader audience.
• Players are experiencing a mix of enjoyment and frustration with the battling system in 'Pokemon'.
• The importance of character interactions and emotional storytelling in games is highlighted.
• The hosts discuss the impact of early access on game releases.
• Gamers have a strong sense of community, as reflected in their discussions.
• The hosts emphasize the need for a ranked mode in Pokemon to enhance competitive play. To encourage engagement, players should receive XP for losing.
• The Wonder Picks feature enhances the excitement of card selection.
• Different booster packs contain unique cards, affecting strategy.
• Farfetch'd is currently an overpowered card in the game.
• The game mechanics differ from traditional trading card games, making it more accessible.
• The card collection aspect is a significant draw for players.
• Community engagement through liking binders can enhance the experience.
• The need for a dark mode in the game interface is emphasized.
• Upcoming game releases are varied and cater to different audiences.
• Personal preferences in gaming can influence engagement and enjoyment.

Hosts: Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo

Arcade Couch Credits:

• Music by: Dylan Blight
• Art by: Cherie Henriques
• Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration

All Episodes:

• https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

• http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

Into the second week of Metaphor: ReFantazio and Dylan discuss with Ciaran the major early differences between the latest game from Atlus and the Persona series.

Show Dot Points

• The gaming news cycle is slow during this time of year.
• Legacy of Kain is getting a remaster with significant updates.
• Beyond Good and Evil 2 has a new creative director after years of development.
• Star Citizen's development raises ethical concerns about funding and release.
• Game mechanics in new titles can significantly impact player experience.
• Remasters can breathe new life into classic games.
• Ubisoft's recent struggles reflect broader industry challenges.
• Player engagement and community feedback are crucial for game development.
• The importance of balancing ambition with realistic development timelines.
• Narrative elements in games can sometimes be confusing for players. Persona games are known for their cutscene-heavy narratives.
• The pacing of Persona games can be slow to start.
• Game sales can lead to significant consequences for development teams.
• High-quality games can still fail commercially due to marketing decisions.
• Nintendo's online playtest program is shrouded in secrecy.
• The gaming community is eager for new Nintendo announcements.
• The infrastructure of Nintendo's online services is often criticized.
• Developers face increasing pressure to ensure commercial success.
• The future of game development is uncertain amid changing market dynamics.
• Speculation about upcoming Nintendo Directs and game releases is rampant.

Hosts: Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo

Resources

• Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered enhancements include map, compass, and more | Eurogamer.net
• Beyond Good & Evil 2 still in development, now with new creative director | Eurogamer.net
• Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown team disbands following low sales - Explosion Network
• 'Switch Online Playtest Program' details leak - Explosion Network

Arcade Couch Credits:

• Music by: Dylan Blight
• Art by: Cherie Henriques
• Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration

All Episodes:

• https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

• http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion