Talk Is Cheap - LevelFortyTwo.com

Talk Is Cheap – 3/8/10

LevelFortyTwo Staff — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:16:35 +0000

There's lots to talk about on this week's episode of Talk is Cheap! Michael, Erika and Joel chat with Lead Designer at Twisted Pixel Games, Sean Riley ('Splosion Man, The Maw, Comic Jumper) about Michael's feature, On the Front Lines: Studio Tour of United Front Games, Matthew's feature, 10 of Video Game's Most Menacing Characters, news about Portal 2, Justin and Michael's reviews for Heavy Rain and finally an interview with Sean about the process behind 'Splosion Man and some info about Twisted Pixel's latest game, Comic Jumper. Be sure to visit Twisted Pixel's website here.

On Indie Compendium, Erika talks about Condition, a retro, side-scrolling run and gun platformer. You can play the game on Newgrounds.com here. She also talk about Sushi Cat, a Peggle-esque game with a bouncing cat and tons of sushi – what more could you want! if you haven't already checked out the title, be sure to do so here. Finally, we talk about 2010 IGF Finalist, Limbo, and its summer release on XBLA. This stylized indie game has been in development since 2006 and has finally resurfaced for all to see! Be sure to check out the teaser trailer for the game here.

Joel and Michael also makes some special mentions in this week's Comic Compendium. First up is Warren Ellis' latest comic series, Captain Swing and the Electrical Pirates of Cindry Island (quite a mouthful, isn't it?). Later, Michael talks about Robert Kirkman's The Astounding Wolf-Man as well as Mass Effect: Redemption, a four issue comic series, and Mass Effect: Ascension, a science-fiction novel. To top things off, Erika talks about the recently released Black Dynamite, a parody of '70s-era Blaxploitation films.

Send us your thoughts to podcast@levelfortytwo.com. You can direct download the episode here, or subscribe to the podcast in iTunes here.

[Mind the perpetual fan in the background, everyone! We're working on it!]

Talk Is Cheap – 3/1/10

Erika Szabo — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:17:30 +0000

2x the Justin, 2x the fun! On this week's episode of Talk is Cheap, Michael (that's right, Michael has returned!), Erika and Justin Potts chat with returning guest, Justin Haywald (Reviews Editor of 1up.com). This week, they talk about March videogame releases, Michael's review for Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth and Justin Potts' upcoming review for Heavy Rain, as well as his previews for Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love and Last Window. If that weren't enough, the guys also discuss the significance of video game music with some of their favourites interspersed throughout the podcast!

On Indie Compendium, Erika talks about EON, an indie puzzle game about space and gravity. You can visit the developer's (Michael Boxleiter and Greg Wohlwend) collaborative website here. We also talk about the WiiWare release of Cave Story(finally!), if you haven't already checked out the original freeware title, be sure to do sohere. You can visit the Cave Story website here for more information about this amazing indie game! Finally, we talk about a great indie game bundle over atDirect2Drive.com that everyone should check out. The offer ends March 12 so get it while you can. Whether for yourself or as a gift, these titles should make a great addition in anyone's collection! You can find more information here.

Michael also makes some special mentions of the TV show Nurse Jackie and movie, Shelter. Send us your thoughts to podcast@levelfortytwo.com. You can direct download the episode here, or subscribe to the podcast in iTunes here.

Talk is Cheap – 2/22/10

Erika Szabo — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 19:50:19 +0000

TEAM MEAT IS BACK!!!! On the 14th episode of Talk is Cheap, Erika, Nick and guests Edmund McMillen and Tommy Refenes (the devs of Super Meat Boy) return for more of the randomness they brought to the table on our last podcast! Tiger Woods, Game Developers Competition, Health Care, Jobs, Newgrounds.com, Bliptronic 5000, Guidos, Humiliatiion, Oompa Loompas – what won't we talk about on this week's episode?

Indie games are the name of the game in this week's episode, particularly Edmund and Tommy's recollection of the growth of indie games through the years as well as the future of indie games. In addition, we also talk about some of this week's content including Matthew's review of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat, his feature Redefining: "Videogame", and Joel's feature/interview with Scott Johnson.

For Indie Compendium, Erika talks about The Spirit Engine II an RPG released in 2008, but recently released as freeware. You can find some mirror sites here. You can also visit the official website here.

In addition, Erika talks about Kevin Soulas' exploration/platformer, DarkFate. You can find the game here.

Our opening/closing theme song is courtesy of Edmund. Bliptronic 5000 FOREVER! Send us your thoughts to podcast@levelfortytwo.com. You can direct download the episode here, or subscribe to the podcast in iTunes here.

[We lost the audio content at the beginning of our podcast, that's why it may sound a bit out of place/quiet. Sorry for the inconvenience!]

BONUS: Interview with Scott Johnson

LevelFortyTwo Staff — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:02:09 +0000

Recently, Joel had a chance to sit down (Internet-style) with award-winning artist and podcaster extraordinaire Scott Johnson. You can find all of Scott’s work at his umbrella company, Frog Pants Studios and on Twitter @extralife. You can also read the transcript of the interview here.

Talk Is Cheap – 2/15/10

LevelFortyTwo Staff — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 23:15:19 +0000

The foursome of Joel, Erika, Ian and Justin recognize the high hurdles in front of theBioshock sequel and come away rather satisfied, as well as ponder the late-to-the-party Level 5 RPG, White Knight Chronicles. Erika brings Chibi Knight and One Button Bob to the Indie Compendium, while Joel shares Choker and Hit Monkey for this week's glance at the comic side of things. The team wraps things up with a rather epic discussion on how gamers and developers ought to rethink their positions on the tiresome struggle between Eastern and Western developed games.

Send us your thoughts to podcast@levelfortytwo.com. You can direct download the episode here, or subscribe to the podcast in iTunes here.

Talk Is Cheap – 2/8/10

LevelFortyTwo Staff — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:36:17 +0000

On this week’s episode of Talk is Cheap, Nick, Joel and our newest staff member, Justin Potts, talk about the future of MMOs, video game sequels, Justin’s preview of rail shooter Sin & Punishment 2 and Joel’s feature, The State and Effect of Multiplayer. In addition, the guys talk about Hayao Miyazaki’s film Ponyo, experimental indie game, Every Day the Same Dream, our upcoming blog, New Game+ and much more.

Send us your thoughts to podcast@levelfortytwo.com. You can direct download the episode here, or subscribe to the podcast in iTunes here.

Once again, we apologize for the sound quality. Please bare with us!

Talk Is Cheap – 2/1/10

LevelFortyTwo Staff — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:56:48 +0000

On this week's episode of Talk is Cheap, Erika, Nick and Joel talk about Mass Effect 2, Tatsunoko vs. Capcom, Glory of Heracles, No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle, shmups, Moon and the iPad.

Indie Compendium returns this week and the guys discuss VVVVVV (you can find Ian's review of the game here), as well as shmup, Crimzon Clover (you can download the demo here). Joel also discusses this week's comic releases and what's worth buying.

Send us your thoughts to podcast@levelfortytwo.com. You can direct download the episode here, or subscribe to the podcast in iTunes here.

Talk Is Cheap – 1/25/10

Michael Brown — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:32:32 +0000

It's time for a reunion! Michael Brown, Joel Cornell, Erika Szabo and Nick Tringali are all re-united on this week's episode of Talk Is Cheap. They begin by talking about Erika's Phoenix Wright review for WiiWare, as well as Joel's upcoming feature entitled "The State and Effect of Multiplayer".

Indie Compendium returns this week and the guys discuss Max and the Magic Marker, as well as Mr. Kitty's Quest. Erika and Nick each elaborate on their reviews of Muscle March and The Void respectively, and all-new this week, Joel shares what's new in the comic industry and provides suggestions for listeners.

Send us your thoughts to podcast@levelfortytwo.com. Once again, sorry for any editing issues, we've almost got everything sorted out! You can direct download the episode here, or subscribe to the podcast in iTunes here.

Talk Is Cheap – 1/18/10

LevelFortyTwo Staff — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:20:31 +0000

Erika is out sick this week, so Matthew O'Mara joins Joel and Michael as they talk about some of the games they are looking forward to in the next couple of months, including Final Fantasy XIII, Bioshock 2, Yakuza 3, No More Heroes 2 and more. Michael also talks a bit about Bayonetta and his review of the game.

With Erika away there is no Indie Compendium, but look for it next week. Instead the guys discuss Joel's latest Geekdom feature, as well as Michael's article "What's in a mascot?". To wrap things up they talk about comics and everyone's favorite train wreck: Jersey Shore.

Send us your most anticipated games of 2010 to podcast@levelfortytwo.com. You can direct download the episode here, or subscribe to the podcast in iTunes here.

BONUS: Interview with ModNation Racers Producer

Michael Brown — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 16:38:44 +0000

Michael Brown had the chance to interview Dan Sochan, the producer on ModNation Racers for the PS3. Be sure to check out this out for some great, new information.

You can also read the transcript of this interview here.