Abnormal Mapping
Abnormal Mapping is a monthly game club of Em and Jackson, talking primarily about old games with an eye to critiquing without nostalgia.
Sun, April 27, 2025
Castlevania: Lament of Innocence
We’re joined this month by Nora Blake of Export Audio to talk about her and Em’s favorite dead Konami franchise: Castlevania! We’re playing the first PS2 game, a certified mid classic, a game that asks can you really get ten hours out of five rooms? The answer is: kinda????? Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Things Discussed: Red Dead Redemption, Girls' Frontline, Persona 5 Royal, Pinfeather , Contra, Vampire Survivors Castlevania DLC, tons of Castlevania from all over the franchise Next Month’s Game Club : No Case Should Remain Unsolved Music this Episode Lament of Innocence (Leon's Theme) by Michiru Yamane House of Sacred Remains by Michiru Yamane Melancholy Joachim by Michiru Yamane Statue Enchanted by the Darkness by Michiru Yamane
Thu, March 27, 2025
Soul Blazer
We played an old SNES game today and talk about the elemental qualities of RPGs and action games. Also, Jackson keeps gaming, and Em makes ambitious plans to tackle a too-big game. Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Things Discussed: Metaphor Refantazio, Captain Commando, Warriors of Fate, Batman Returns, The Punisher, Denjin Makai, Armored Warriors, Guardians, Guardian Heroes, Die Hard Arcade, Battle Circuit, Dynamite Cop, Sengoku 3, Spike Out, Fighting Force, Gekido, Onimusha Warlords, Zone of the Enders 1, Castle Crashers, Scott Pilgrim vs The World, Double Dragon Neon, Ninja Gaiden Black, Devil May Cry 3, Towerborne, Monster Hunter Next Month’s Game Club : Castlevania: Lament of Innocence Music this Episode Into the Dream by Yukihide Takekawa World of Evil by Yukihide Takekawa Basement of Dr Leo by Yukihide Takekawa Koibito no Inaiyoru by Yukihide Takekawa
Wed, February 26, 2025
Rising Zan: The Samurai Gunman and Croc: Legend of the Gobbos
We’re playing two not very classics of their respective genres today as we go back to the back half of the 90s to play an early action game and a relatively early 3D platformer. We’re kind of split on which game we prefer along lines I expect you’d predict, but we both had a pretty good time with both games anyway! Also, before that, Jackson gives the MOTHER of all segment 1 updates. At 16:15 or so until 1:15:30 Jackson's Audacity file broke and we had to use the backup. Em's a little quiet during this section but it's mostly okay. I did my best with the edit. Sorry about that! Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Things Discussed: Devil May Cry 1, The Bouncer, Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, TMNT 89 Arcade, Oni, Maken Shao: Demon Sword, Final Fight, Double Dragon, Golden Axe, Double Dragon 2: The Revenge, Downtown Nekketsu Story, Shinobi, Black Belt, Rolling Thunder, Altered Beast, Aliens, Ninja Gaiden (NES), Contra, Super Contra, Double Dragon (NES), Shadow Dancer, Double Dragon 3: The Rosetta Stone, Mega Man 2, Galaxian, Defender, Scramble, Tempest, Ninja Gaiden 2: The Dark Sword of Chaos, Space Harrier, Shadow of the Ninja, Xevious, Devil Blade Reboot, Batsugun, Varyznex, The Hurricane of the Varstray: Collateral Hazard, Alien vs Predator, Shoot 1Up DX, Exed Exes, Gradius, Terra Cresta, Twinbee, Slap Fight, Ninja Gaiden 3: The Ancient Ship of Doom, Streets of Rage 2, Bare Knuckle 3, TMNT 4: Turtles in Time, Cadillacs and Dinosaurs, Final Fight 2, Final Fight 3, Knights of the Round, Jackson's shmup diaries on their youtube , Touhou 1 and Touhou 2, Rising Zan: The Samurai Gunman, Devil May Cry, Godhand, Croc: Legend of the Gobbos, Froggun, Lode Runner, Tomb Raider Next Month’s Game Club : Soul Blazer Music this Episode Johnny No More byDavid Nowlin and Greg Weber Rising Zan Them by Hironobu Kageyama, Atsunori Namba, Yoshichika Shimamura Volcano Island 4 by Justin Scharvona, Karin Griffin
Thu, January 30, 2025
1000xRESIST
We tackle a newer game this month as we talk about the critically acclaimed adventure game 1000xRESIST. We found plenty to love and plenty to pick at during our time with this one, but it’s exactly the kind of messy game we tend to like around here, so we’re glad we played it and I hope you enjoy listening to us talk through it! Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Things Discussed: Balatro, Sonic Colors, Crash Bandicoot, Dynasty Warriors 9 and 3, Saga 1, 1080XRESIST, science fiction metaphors, queer reads, trauma and parents and children, a little bit about China and Hong Kong (but less than you'd think) Next Month’s Game Club : Rising Zan: Samurai Gunman and Croc: Legend of the Gobbos Music this Episode Watcher Haunted by Drew Redman The Orchard - In Motion by Drew Redman Inside Sunrise by Drew Redman Fixer's Song -Extended- by Drew Redman
Wed, December 25, 2024
Sonic the Hedgehog (2006): Legacy of Solaris
We close out the year by playing one of the most infamous games we’ve ever covered, a game that has been a running joke and shorthand for bad game for nearly twenty years. And yet, do we find the judgment of history fair? Do we believe in redemption for a certain blue hedgehog and the anime princess who loves him? We’re going to try our best, as we finally play Sonic 06 (with as much help as modding can give us)! To install Legacy of Solaris for yourself, please watch this video! Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Things Discussed: Stellar Blade, Infinity Nikki, Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction, Ratchet & Clank: Quest for Booty, Jumping Flash 1 & 2, Sonic Advance 2, Sonic Heroes, Sonic Unleashed, Sonic and the Black Knight, Sonic 06, Sonic at large, the video Jackson referenced Em had no idea about , game projects, controller preferences, dreaming up better worlds for video games Next Month’s Game Club : 1000xRESIST Music this Episode Boss Solaris Phase 2 by Hideaki Kobayashi, Tomoya Ohtani, et al. Wave Ocean ~ The Inlet ~ by Hideaki Kobayashi, Tomoya Ohtani, et al. Town Mission 3 by Hideaki Kobayashi, Tomoya Ohtani, et al. My Destiny (Theme of Elise) by Hideaki Kobayashi, Tomoya Ohtani, et al.
Sun, November 24, 2024
Abnormal Mapping 167: Shenmue II
We’re joined by Dia Lacina once again as Ryo continues the next leg of his quest to track down Lan Di, his father’s killer. What strange challenges will he find in China? How does Yu Suzuki follow up one of the most ambitious, incredible games of all time? We find ourselves surprised at almost every turn as Shenmue II goes big and goes small and goes adventuring! Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Things Discussed: Stalker 2, watch Dia and Em play Gabriel Knight 3 on Dia's YouTube channel , Vanishing Point, NASCAR 2005: Chase for the Cup, Super Mega Baseball 4, Streets of Rage, Some Sonic Games, Sonic X Shadow Generations, Mother, Ninja Baseball Bat Man, Arctic Eggs, Shenmue , Shenmue II, Shenmue 3 predictions, the most a game has ever made us laugh Next Month’s Game Club : Sonic the Hedgehog (2006), the Legacy of Solaris mod (install tutorial video) Music this Episode Joy by Takenobu Mitsuyoshi, Yuzo Koshiro, Ryuji Iuchi, et al. Queen’s Street by Takenobu Mitsuyoshi, Yuzo Koshiro, Ryuji Iuchi, et al. Campfire Discussion by Takenobu Mitsuyoshi, Yuzo Koshiro, Ryuji Iuchi, et al. The Path to Destiny by Takenobu Mitsuyoshi, Yuzo Koshiro, Ryuji Iuchi, et al.
Sun, October 27, 2024
Racing Lagoon
One of the hot new releases of … wait, 1999? That can’t be right. Oh, it’s a fan translation. One of the hot new fan translations hitting the inter-oh I’m being informed the fan translation is from three years ago! How embarrassing. Well, we’ve been meaning to play this one for a hot minute, and when Em finally tried it they were so instantly in love with it they insisted we cover it for the podcast. So we did! Turns out, we had a great time! Please join us as we try to discover what is beyond speed! Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Things Discussed: Lollipop Chainsaw, Akiba's Trip, Oneechanbara,Oneechanbara 2, Ys IX Monstrum Nox, Etrian Odyssey, Ratchet and Clank 4 and 5 PS2, Air Comabat, Ace Combat 2, Ace Combat 3, Ace Combat 4, Metaphor: ReFantazio, Racing Lagoon, Racing Lagoon plot summary from Dungeon Chill , Ashita no Joe, Final Fantasy, Initial D, the lost generation and the bubble economy, fan translations, gallery of all the loading screens in Racing Lagoon Next Month’s Game Club : Shenmue II Music this Episode Loop Demo by Takahito Eguchi & Noriko Matsueda Taiman Battle by Takahito Eguchi & Noriko Matsueda Yuka Suzuki by Takahito Eguchi & Noriko Matsueda Forgethill by Takahito Eguchi & Noriko Matsueda Timestamps (00:00:00) - Segment 1: We’re Gaming! (00:54:20) - Segment 2: Racing Lagoon (02:00:45) - Segment 3: Questions
Sun, September 29, 2024
Mister Mosquito
Sometimes you decide to finally pick up one of those games you’ve always heard of but never got around to, the curiosities that you are pretty sure aren’t must plays, but stick in your brain anyway. Some might argue this has been the history of Abnormal Mapping at large! But this month we do one of the epitomes of this style of game as Em chose one of the big PS2 curiosities from the era of “I can’t believe they localized that!” Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Things Discussed: PlayStation 5 Pro, Ratchet & Clank PS2 trilogy, Harmful Park, Ranger X, Haunted Castle Revisited, Castlevania Judgment, CybeRRRevolution, Phantasy Star Online, Astro Bot, Mister Mosquito, quirky games Next Month’s Game Club : Racing Lagoon Music this Episode Pit of Peril by Kenneth C M Young Bossa 1 by Akihito Okawa and Houzou Okazaki Jazz 1 by Akihito Okawa and Houzou Okazaki Funk 1 by Akihito Okawa and Houzou Okazaki Timestamps (00:00:00) - Segment 1: Gaming Catchup (01:03:00) - Segment 2: Cassette Beasts (01:43:20) - Segment 3: Questions
S1 E164 · Thu, September 19, 2024
Final Fantasy XI
Jackson is joined today by official Final Fantasy Correspondant Austin Walker to talk about Final Fantasy XI - specifically the base game and Rise of the Zilart. It’s been a busy MMO summer and we simply needed to get it out of our systems and into microphones somewhere. Please enjoy this three hour tribute to a game that’s still around and still good as hell. Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Things Discussed: Final Fantasy XI, Final Fantasy XIV, all the other Final Fantasies a little too, World of Warcraft and MMOs. It’s mostly just FF11 though. This Month’s Second Game Club : Mister Mosquito Music this Episode One Last Time by Nobuo Uematsu The Grand Duchy of Jueno by Naoshi Mizuta Voyager by Naoshi Mizuta
Sun, August 25, 2024
The Forgotten City
Em is back from the month off to talk about the joy of a kind of cheesy mystery with a great sci-fi premise as we get to live out our Star Trek: The Original Series dreams by lecturing ancient peoples about how our modern world view is clearly the best one. This sounds like it’s selling The Forgotten City short, but I promise it isn’t, we really liked this game. Sometimes good things are also kind of silly things, is all, and we delight in the silliness in this episode. Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Things Discussed: Dwarf Fortress, Neon White, Jackson's MMO Summer, The Forgotten City, Immortals of Aveum Next Month’s Game Club : A Bonus Final Fantasy XI episode, and then Mister Mosquito at the end of the month! Music this Episode The Forgotten City by Michael Allen The Die is Cast by Michael Allen The Voice of the People by Michael Allen Life's Greatest Blessings by Michael Allen
S1 E162 · Tue, July 30, 2024
Citizen Sleeper
This month it’s just me, Jackson, being joined by Crystal to play Citizen Sleeper. Em is currently in Hospital after major surgery and so I’m taking over and organizing the podcasts while they recover! Please send them well wishes. It’s time to talk about RPG systems, and the strange act of critiquing leftist video games that you mostly agree with. I think this is a good discussion about a fun game and I hope everyone enjoys it! Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Things Discussed: Pokemon NetBattle, Dragon Age, Final Fantasy XI, Citizen Sleeper, Skyrim, Fallout New Vegas, Dragonstomper Next Month’s Game Club : ??? Possibly The Forgotten City, we shall see Music this Episode Possible Futures by Amos Roddy Ember’s Wake by Amos Roddy A Window to the Sun by Amos Roddy Timestamps (00:00:00) - Segment 1: Dragon Age/FFXI (00:31:21) - Segment 2: Citizen Sleeper
Thu, June 27, 2024
Cassette Beasts
We enjoy one of the major modern attempts at making a Pokemon-style monster collecting and battling RPG with Cassette Beasts. We talk about surprising scope of the world, the intense battle system, what your numbers say about your priorities, the weirdness of dating mechanics, and much more! This game was a great surprise and a huge delight, so please check it out! Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Things Discussed: Doom 4, Summer Games Fest, baffling Square Enix decisions, Cassette Beasts, Pokemon, rpg battle mechanics, open world design, dating mechanics Next Month’s Game Club : The Forgotten City Music this Episode Cross Your Heart by Joel Baylis Like Chimeras by Joel Baylis Wherever We Are Now by Joel Baylis Same Old Story by Joel Baylis Timestamps (00:00:00) - Segment 1: Summer Games Fest chat (00:16:40) - Segment 2: Cassette Beasts (01:21:20) - Segment 3: Questions
Thu, May 30, 2024
Abnormal Mapping 160: Myst III: Exile
We find ourselves doing grunt work for Atrus once more as our favorite self-published author and god of his own realms begins reaping what he’s sown over the last two games. We solve some puzzles, enjoy Brad Dourif, and talk about the kind of guy who keeps going around birthing entire worlds. Exile was good fun, happy to dip back into the world of Myst once again. Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Things Discussed: Balatro, Yu-Gi-Oh Master Duel, Blinx: The Time Sweeper, Panzer Dragoon, Shinobi, Shadow Dancer, The Revenge of Shinobi, Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi, The Cyber Shinobi, The G.G. Shinobi, The G.G. Shinobi 2, Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master, Shinobi Legions, Nightshade, Shinobi 3D, Alex Kidd in Shinobi World, Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars, Alex Kidd: High-Tech World, F.I.S.T.: Forged in Shadow Torch, Animal Well, Little Kitty Big City, Crow Country, Broken Reality, Ace Combat 2, Myst, Riven, Myst III: Exile, The Room Next Month’s Game Club : Cassette Beasts Music this Episode Main Theme by Jack Wall Libra's Lever by Jack Wall Saavedro's Theme by Jack Wall Exile (Bonus Track) by Jack Wall Timestamps (00:00:00) - Segment 1: Games Played (00:43:40) - Segment 2: Myst III: Exile (01:18:04) - Segment 3: Questions
Wed, April 24, 2024
Dynamite Headdy and Beyond Oasis
We leap back in time to the Mega Drive to talk about two action classics back when action games meant jumping and avoiding and not perfect parries. Not exactly divisive that we enjoy these types of games, but the generational split is very real as we talk about these two classics of game. Join us, for a walk down memory lane (Sega edition). Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Things Discussed: Roboquest, NiER: Reincarnation, Final Fantasy XVI: The Rising Tide, Needy Streamer Overload, Blazing Lazers, Felvidek, Binding of Isaac, Dynamite Headdy, Ristar, Gunstar Heroes, Beyond Oasis, Zelda, Angry Video Game Nerd Next Month’s Game Club : Myst III: Exile Music this Episode Opening Theme by Katsuhiko Suzuki, Yasuko, et al You're Izayoi by Katsuhiko Suzuki, Yasuko, et al Indication by Yuzo Koshiro Ending by Yuzo Koshiro Timestamps (00:00:00) - Segment 1: Games Played (00:33:30) - Segment 2: Dynamite Headdy and Beyond Oasis (01:32:10) - Segment 3: Questions
Wed, March 27, 2024
Abnormal Mapping 158: Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth
We finish our long Final Fantasy adventure by playing Square’s largest single player Final Fantasy yet. But does size equal quality? Does it equal ambition? We have many thoughts about this and about where the entire Final Fantasy VII Remake Project has gone and is heading in this enormous podcast about an equally enormous game. After dozens of hours, we are left with one simple question: why do we do this to ourselves? 1. Because we were ready to game 2. Because we were sure of quality 3. Because we were clueless Trick question. The correct answer was: because it’s our job. Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Things Discussed: Balatro, Cosmo Cheats at Poker, Rise of the Ronin, Jackson's piece on the ending of FF7 Rebirth , Jackson's Rise of the Ronin review , Final Fantasy Tactics, Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, every other Final Fantasy on earth but ones with specific spoilers include: Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy VII Remake, Intergrade, and Crisis Core, Final Fantasy VIII, Final Fantasy X, Final Fantasy X-2, Final Fantasy XII, Final Fantasy XIII, Final Fantasy XIII-2, Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, Final Fantasy XV, Final Fantasy XVI Next Month’s Game Club : Beyond Oasis and Dynamite Headdy Music this Episode The Fight for Naming Rights by Mitsuto Suzuki, Masashi Hamauzu, and others Let's Go, Mt. Corel! by Mitsuto Suzuki, Masashi Hamauzu, and others Queen's Blood by Mitsuto Suzuki, Masashi Hamauzu, and others Crazy Chocobo by Mitsuto Suzuki, Masashi Hamauzu, and others Timestamps (00:00:00) - Segment 1: Games Played (00:30:00) - Segment 2: Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth (01:57:34) - Segment 3: Questions
Thu, February 22, 2024
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
We’re joined by Molly for the return of one of the classics, a guy who just needs to jump over every spike in all the world, conveniently located in a beautiful palace. That’s right, we’re here to talk about the return of Prince of Persia, and the surprising ways Ubisoft have melded the last ten years of exceptional platforming games into something with its own identity. Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Things Discussed: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Granblue Fantasy: Relink and Granblue Fantasy, Pseudoregalia, Iconoclasts, Monster World IV, Prince of Persia, Immortality, Another Code: Recollection, Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, a bunch of Metroidvania stuff broadly Next Month’s Game Club : Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Music this Episode Managarmr, Sequestrian Primal by Tsutomu Narita Hanging Gardens of Mont Qaf by Mentrix Frozen as it Falls by Mentrix End Credits by Mentrix Timestamps (00:03:30) - Segment 1: Games Played (00:37:10) - Segment 2: Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown (01:33:15) - Segment 3: Questions
Thu, February 15, 2024
Fabula Nova Crystallis Final Fantasy XIII
We interrupt your regularly scheduled coverage with a special announcement: Jackson has played the Final Fantasy XIII games, at last. Despite the frankly illegal amount of Final Fantasy content lately they were not going to let that go to waste. They are joined by Erin (@ Woodabris , Woodaba on Youtube ) to discuss the Final Fantasy XIII trilogy, with a little Type 0 in there. It’s time to get remember: Fabula Nova Crystallis. Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Things Discussed: Final Fantasy XIII, Final Fantasy XIII-2, Final Fantasy Type-0, Lightning Returns Final Fantasy XIII, Final Fantasy XVI, Final Fantasy XII, Mass Effect (lol). Next Month’s Game Club : Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Music this Episode The Promise by Masashi Hamauzu Caius’ Theme by Naoshi Mizuta Zero by Bump of Chicken Timestamps (00:00:00) - Intro (00:10:30) - Final Fantasy XIII (00:51:00) - Final Fantasy XIII-2 (01:30:00) - Lightning Returns Final Fantasy XIII (02:27:10) - Questions
Thu, January 25, 2024
007: Everything or Nothing
We’re going back to the heady days of licensed multi-platform games in the early 00s this month as we play 007: Everything or Nothing and talk about the era of arcane save processes, weird genre mashups, awful final missions, and the ways in which the whole medium could turn on a relatively short dime to become something new. Was this game an unheralded prelude to the next-gen era? Maybe! We talk about it. Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Things Discussed: Final Fantasy XIII, Final Fantasy XIII-2, Final Fantasy Type-0, Final Fantasy XIV, GoldenEye, The Binding of Isaac, Star Ocean The Second Story R, Octopath Traveler II, 007: Everything or Nothing, 007: NightFire Next Month’s Game Club : Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Music this Episode Gun Barrel by Sean Callery and Jeff Tymoschuk Everything or Nothing by Mya Theme of RENA by Motoi Sakuraba The Leaflands (Day) by Yasunori Nishiki Nearly Civilized by Esthero Timestamps (00:00:00) - Segment 1: Games Played (00:32:00) - Segment 2: 007: Everything or Nothing (01:58:10) - Segment 3: Questions
Fri, December 29, 2023
Final Fantasy XV
We close out the year with a podcast years in the making, as Molly joins us and we take a road trip with the king to be and his homies and play the much maligned but beloved by us Final Fantasy XV! This podcast will cover the main game and the first three episode DLCs (Gladio, Prompto, Ignis), and there’ll be a follow up podcast on the patreon (free for everyone) in about a week covering the movie, the anime, Episode Ardyn, and the Awful Book. Please look forward to it! Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Things Discussed: Coral Island, Granblue Fantasy Versus, The 3rd Birthday, Oboeshoesgames video on The 3rd Birthday , Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2, Air Combat, The Binding of Isaac, Final Fantasy XV, Final Fantasy broadly Next Month’s Game Club : James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing Music this Episode APOCALYPSIS NOCTIS by Yoko Shimomura Valse di Fantastica by Yoko Shimomura Somnus by Yoko Shimomura Main Theme from FINAL FANTASY by Yoko Shimomura Timestamps (00:00:00) - Segment 1: Games Played (00:29:10) - Segment 2: Final Fantasy XV (01:58:10) - Segment 3: Questions
Wed, November 29, 2023
Grab Bag 2023
We keep gaming as we tackle a bunch of small games in a classic grab bag and talk through a whole mess of games that are interesting and worthwhile but often have one or two extremely obvious parts that hold it back. Some of them are reasonable critiques, some of them are just the unfortunate realities of game production, some are just The Times. I think the array of responses and games really makes for a solid episode however, and I hope you’ll agree! Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Here’s Where To Get All Four Games This Month: BETON BRUTAL The Red Lantern Inertial Drift (+ DLC) Silent Bomber Things Discussed: Signalis, Heretic, Jusant, Valis III, The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog, Super Mario Bros Wonder, The Red Lantern, Firewatch, Beton Brutal, Getting Over It, Inertial Drift, production values in video games, Silent Bomber, the PSX aesthetic, Sean Seanson's video on Silent Bomber , TheGamingBritShow's video on Silent Bomber , petting the dog, Oboe Shoes Games a guy we like a lot , watch Em and Dia play The Dagger of Amon Ra Next Month’s Game Club : Final Fantasy XV and the four Episode DLCs Music this Episode Practice by Micfrog Mission 03 by Chikayo Fukuda Coming Home by Hrishikesh Hirway Shooting Star Overdrive by Turbo Timestamps (00:00:00) - Segment 1: Games Played (00:32:00) - Segment 2: Grab Bag 2023 (01:48:59) - Segment 3: Questions
S1 E152 · Fri, November 10, 2023
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
It’s Jackson here with a surprise episode of Abnormal Mapping! This was meant to be a bonus anniversary surprise but scheduling woes got it pushed back a week, but that’s not important: I finally played Majora’s Mask. And I’m joined by my good friend Crystal to talk about it. Things Discussed: Majora’s Mask, most Zeldas, some Resident Evil. Next Month’s Game Club : Grab Bag! 2023 BETON BRUTAL The Red Lantern Inertial Drift (+ DLC) Silent Bomber Music this Episode Opening by Koji Kondo, Toru Minegishi End Credits by Koji Kondo, Toru Minegishi
Thu, October 26, 2023
Shenmue
We’ve been doing this for ten years! Damn, that’s a long time to be doing a monthly game club. But we’ll keep trucking into our second decade as we start a series that neither of us have played before. We’re joined by a guest, Shenmue superfan Dia Lacina , to talk about Ryo and his ridiculous quest for vengeance. Please enjoy this supersized episode, and thank you for however long you’ve been listening! Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Things Discussed: a decade of excellence!, Retro Mystery Club Vol 1: The Ise-Shima Case, Shadow the Hedgehog: Reloaded, Half-Life , Journal Updated's episode on Half-Life, Digital Eclipse's new Wizardry remaster, The Lamplighters League, The Secret History of Mac Gaming book, Letterforms & Illusions, Drakmyth Castle, Forza Motorsport (2023), Game Tengoku CruisinMix Special, Jet Set Radio Future, Ys VIII, Shenmue, arcade games vs computer games, a history of being too online in games Next Month’s Game Club : Grab Bag! 2023 BETON BRUTAL The Red Lantern Inertial Drift (+ DLC) Silent Bomber Music this Episode Shenmue by Ryuji Iuchi Working Man by Ryuji Iuchi Nightfall by Ryuji Iuchi Wish... (Vocal Version) by Yumiko Yamamoto Timestamps (00:00:00) - Segment 1: Games Played (00:47:45) - Segment 2: Shenmue (01:40:50) - Segment 3: Questions
Sun, September 17, 2023
Demon Turf
We celebrate a century and a half of excellence this month as we talk about 3D platforming as we take a thorough look at Demon Turf and talk about platforming for sickos, designing games around the expectations of Nintendo Polish, and what that means in terms of expectations and the war within ourselves to appraise a thing. Demon Turf is really good, if you like 3D platformers, absolutely check it out, it’s something really special! Ambitious in a way few other games in this space are. Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Things Discussed: Paradise Killer, Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon, The Misadventures of Tron Bonne, El Viento, Top Gear 2, Donkey Kong 94, getting into the weeds about Donkey Kong, Demon Turf, 3D Mario games, Spark 3, 3D Sonic games, Lunistice Next Month’s Game Club : Shenmue Music this Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Lets Get Porked Up by Fat Bard Hot N Cold Beats by Fat Bard Damps Sea Dog Shanty by Fat Bard Timestamps (00:00:00) - Segment 1: Games Played (00:33:30) - Segment 2: Demon Turf (01:24:45) - Segment 3: Questions
Sun, August 27, 2023
Mega Man Legends
We’re back with one of the obvious classics of all time, a game neither of us had played before this month but came like a lighting strike into our lives with its charm and brevity and interesting vision of early 3D RPG design. That’s right, it’s time to servbot up some exploration, with a dash of adventure, you dig? Okay, okay, I’ll stop. Please enjoy! Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Things Discussed: Deathsmiles, Prehistoric Isle II, Bomb Rush Cyberfunk, Thronefall, Bowser's Fury, Duke Nukem 3D, Holocure, Venba, En Garde!, go check out Em and Dia playing Gabriel Knight 2 and Flower Sun and Rain !, Mega Man Legends, Ocarina of Time, Metal Gear Solid, Tomb Raider, Metroid Prime, the Mega Man franchise at large, making 3D games from 2D franchises, the reviews of yesteryear Next Month’s Game Club : Demon Turf Music this Episode Another Sun by Makoto Tomozawa The Main Gate by Makoto Tomozawa The Apple Market by Makoto Tomozawa Anata no Kaze ga Fuku Kara by Morishita Reika Timestamps (00:00:00) - Segment 1: Games Played (00:38:39) - Segment 2: Mega Man Legends (01:16:16) - Segment 3: Questions
Thu, August 03, 2023
Muv Luv Trilogy
Em is joined by anime gaming expert Olivia today to talk about a classic of Visual Novels, the Muv Luv trilogy of games! We have a brief RPG checkin first, nothing especially spoiler-heavy so don’t worry if you’re not also 7 games into Kiseki, but the Muv Luv sequence is, of course, exceedingly spoiler heavy by nature. Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Things Discussed: Kiseki, Persona, Donkey Kong Country 3, Octopath Traveler 2, Muv Luv Extra, Muv Luv Unlimited, Muv Luv Alternative This Month’s Game Club : Mega Man Legends Music This Episode Muv-Luv by Taku Iwasaki, Hikaru Nanase, Hijiri Anze, et al Campus Life by Taku Iwasaki, Hikaru Nanase, Hijiri Anze, et al Creeping Anxiety by Taku Iwasaki, Hikaru Nanase, Hijiri Anze, et al Asu he no Houkou by JAM Project (00:00:00) - Segment 1: Games Played (00:30:30) - Segment 2: Muv Luv (02:13:00) - Segment 3: Questions
Sun, July 23, 2023
Final Fantasy XVI
We’re joined by post-gamer and friend of the show Austin Walker to talk about the latest and greatest in the long running Final Fantasy series. That’s right, it’s Clive time! Join us as we try to grapple with this large action RPG and talk mostly about its story and themes. Some mechanical talk, but this is very writing centric as an episode. Enjoy! Check out Austin’s podcasts Friends at the Table , A More Civilized Age , and Shelved by Genre ! They’re all good! NOTE: This episode released a bit early, so maybe think about sending in Muv Luv emails if you’re hearing this week of release, okay? Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Things Discussed: Lakeburg Legacies, Last Epoch, Valis: The Fantasm Soldier, Castlevania: Rondo of Blood, Top Gear, Final Fantasy XVI, Hollow by Brian Catling Next Week: A bonus Abnormal Mapping talking about Muv Luv with friend of the show Olivia ! Next Month’s Game Club : Mega Man Legends Music This Episode Final Farewells by Nobuo Uematsu & Takafumi Imamura To Sail Forbidden Seas by Masayoshi Soken Our Terms by Takafumi Imamura My Star by Masayoshi Soken (00:00:00) - Segment 1: Games Played (00:27:35) - Segment 2: Final Fantasy XVI (02:02:10) - Segment 3: Questions
Thu, June 29, 2023
Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge
We’re joined by blogger of the year and adventure game maestra Dia Lacina to talk about one of the most iconic games of the LucasArts era, Monkey Island 2! There’s plenty of other games besides, but it’s really mostly this one, because it’s worth it. You can watch Dia play Monkey Island 1 for free HERE , and support her Patreon to watch her play all of Monkey Island 2 right now! Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Things Discussed: Diablo 4, Diablo 2 and 3, Dia's review of Diablo 4 for Paste , Em was on Novel Not New to talk about Private Eye Dol (listen on the Scanline Media patreon ), Chorus, Plague Tale Requiem, Alone in the Dark, Battlefield Bad Company, Street Fighter 6, Citizen Sleeper, Cyberpunk 2077, Monkey Island 2, Monkey Island, adventure games, Gabriel Knight, Space Quest, Next Month’s Game Club : Final Fantasy XVI Music This Episode Monkey Island 2 Intro Theme by Michael Land Captain Kate's Boat by Michael Land The Cemetery by Michael Land Monkey Island 1 Main Theme by Michael Land (00:00:00) - Segment 1: Games Played (00:30:46) - Segment 2: Monkey Island 2 (01:26:53) - Segment 3: Questions
Sun, May 28, 2023
Chrono Cross
We’re joined by special guest Niamh to talk about one of the classics of video game, infamously one of only two games we bailed on playing in history, and one of the once most divisive RPGs of history now mostly considered one of the greats. That’s right we’re revisiting Final Fantasy VIII playing Chrono Cross! FOR THE TIMELINE AND STORY SUMMARY VIDEO IF YOU NEED IT, CHECK THIS OUT We do NOT summarize the story and assume people are familiar with the plot, for time reasons. Even still it’s one of our longest episodes! Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Things Discussed: Marvel's Spider-Man 2, Dynasty Warriors 4, Tears of the Kingdom, Secret of Mana, Kirby's Dream Land 3, Chrono Cross, Radical Dreamers, Chrono Trigger This Month’s Game Club : Monkey Island 2: LeChuck’s Revenge Music This Episode Scars of Time by Yasunori Mitsuda Another World by Yasunori Mitsuda The Girl Who Stole the Stars by Yasunori Mitsuda Radical Dreamers -Le Tresor Interdit- by Noriko Mitose and Yasunori Mitsuda
Thu, May 25, 2023
Grab Bag (lots of Resident Evil talk)
Em’s been so busy gaming we had to break out segment 1 into its own podcast to spare our Chrono Cross episode the world’s most topheavy structure, but we ended up having a great time. Second half of the pod is all Resident Evil talk if that’s not your speed, but before that is more normal. Spoilers for RE through Village, though! Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Things Discussed: the (at the time) upcoming Sony show, Until Dawn, the Ranged Touch LP for Until Dawn, Ridge Racer Type 4, Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos, Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom, Final Fight, Flowers - Le volume sur printemps, Marvel's Avengers, Pokemon Emerald Rogue, a fake Xbox "E3" leak we found hilarious, Resident Evil 2 Remake, Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 3 Remake, Resident Evil 3, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard and its DLCs, Resident Evil: Village and its DLC This Month’s Game Club : Chrono Cross Music This Episode Prologue Theme by Ryuichi Nitta & Mayuko Okamura Urban Fragments by Kohta Takahashi feat. Kimara Lovelace Ending Theme 2 by Ryuichi Nitta & Mayuko Okamura
Thu, April 27, 2023
Potion Craft
We’re back to talk about a small game about chilling out and brewing potions and what it says for the act of gaming itself to engage in a relaxing sort of simulated labor. There’s a whole world of games out there we don’t really touch on, and it was nice to brush up against it for once. Also, as usual, lots of gaming talk in general. Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Things Discussed: Tears of the Kingdom, Resident Evil 2, Jackson was on Journal Updated for Return of the Obra Dinn , Returnal, Saya no Uta, Atelier Sophie, Potion Craft, busywork games, modding games for your own enjoyment, getting grounded from games, controller memory, questions about potions, gaming during climate change This Month's Game Club : Potion Craft Next Month’s Game Club : Chrono Cross Music This Episode The Front Hall by Masami Ueda, Shusaku Uchiyama, and Syun Nishigaki Campanella of Sun Through Trees by Ryudai Abe, Daisuke Achiwa, Hayato Asano, et al Song of Saya II by ZIZZ STUDIO Liela Xea by Ryudai Abe, Daisuke Achiwa, Hayato Asano, et al
Thu, March 30, 2023
Mutazione
We’re back with a normal episode of Abnormal Mapping as we dig into our backlog a bit and then talk about a very low key narrative adventure game and have a pleasant time digging into gardening, melodrama, and narratives about guilt and responsibility. Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Things Discussed: Resident Evil at large, Muv Luv, Final Fantasy Mystic Quest, Hi-Fi Rush, Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin (spoiler talk ends at 36:00, Jackson's Paste piece they reference , Frogun, Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, Return of the Obra Dinn, Saya no Uta, Mutazione, limited edition consoles, memories of playing games, gardening vs farming in games, A Good Gardener , Dia's LP of Space Quest with Em This Month's Game Club : Mutazione Next Month’s Game Club : Potion Craft Music This Episode Title Theme by Alessandro Coronas Long Song by Alessandro Coronas The Trip by Alessandro Coronas My Way by Frank Sinatra
Tue, March 07, 2023
Phantasy Star 1-4
On this very special episode Em is joined by Dia Lacina and Emrys to talk about Sega’s iconic JRPG franchise Phantasy Star. We talk about the banging soundtrack, the innovations it brings to the genre, and the ways it has been forgotten by time. Because it’s four games, it’s a little lighter than usual, but it was great to settle in and talk about these truly fantastic games. For reference, the versions of Phantasy Stars Em used and recommends: Sega Ages Phantasy Star for Nintendo Switch Phantasy Star II Improvement by FlamePurge Phantasy Star III Retranslated by R. Capowski, Peaches, and lory1990 Phantasy Star IV General Improvement by Fauntleroy Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! This Month's Game Club : Mutazione Music This Episode Phantasy Star 2 Title Screen by Tokuhiko Uwabo Phantasy Star 3 Title Screen by Izuho Numata PS3 Town Theme by Izuho Numata PS3 Overworld 1 by Izuho Numata PS3 Battle Losing by Izuho Numata PS3 Wren Transforming by Izuho Numata Phantasy Star 4 Machine Center by Izuho Numata and Masaki Nakagaki Phantasy Star 4 Credits Theme by Izuho Numata and Masaki Nakagaki
Wed, February 22, 2023
Resident Evil
We’re joined by Dia Lacina to talk about foundational survival horror classic Resident Evil, and mostly talk about genre and the strange legacy of having a remake that’s more popular than the original. It was nice to be able to dig into a classic like this and find plenty to talk about both as a game and as a cultural object. Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! This Month's Game Club : Resident Evil (PSX and REmake) Next Month's Game Club : Mutazione Things Discussed : future plans and Jackson's injury, Phantasy Star episode coming soon, check out the Forspoken VoIP Life for the Forspoken story discussion, Granblue Fantasy, Destiny 2, Ys 2 and Ys 3: Wanderers of Ys, Fire Emblem Gaiden, Resident Evil, Resident Evil Remake, Resident Evil 2 and 0 and 4, adventure games vs action games, horror games big and small, what is a survival horror, demakes, CRT filters, remasters and aspect ratios Music This Episode Be Careful by Mieko Ishikawa First Floor Mansion by Makoto Tomozawa, Koichi Hiroki, Masami Ueda Save Room by Makoto Tomozawa, Koichi Hiroki, Masami Ueda Still Dawn by Makoto Tomozawa, Koichi Hiroki, Masami Ueda
Tue, January 31, 2023
Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights
We’re joined by Ember to talk about a game at the intersection of those two most contentious genres: soulslikes and Metroidvanias. This intersection itself is now a vibrant sub-genre, and in talking about this entry we talk about the ways these games tell stories, the platformer vs combat tension inherent in them, and why good art can often set up frustrated expectations. Really happy with this cast, I hope people enjoy! Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! This Month's Game Club : Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights Next Month's Game Club : Resident Evil (PSX mainly, but also REmake) Things Discussed : Fire Emblem, Final Fantasy 2, Final Fantasy 3, Final Fantasy 4, Space Quest continues with Em and Dia , A Little to the Left, Forspoken, Ender Lilies, Metroidvanias as a term, Metroidvanias as an idea, Metroid, Hollow Knight, Soulslike as an idea, Soulslikes in reality, which RE2 to play, gifting games, Indie Game the Movie 2, navel gazing about genre Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Harmonius by Yamato Kasai; Cassie Wei Compounding by Yamato Kasai; Cassie Wei The Sun - Outro by Yamato Kasai; Cassie Wei
Thu, December 29, 2022
Spark the Electric Jester 3 (and friends)
We end out the year by going hard on going fast through 3D spaces as we talk more about where 3D Sonic is at, and also about the array of interesting 3D time attack platformers coming out inspired by Sonic’s spotty but beloved reputation in the third dimension. This is a meaty episode covering a lot of cool indie games, hopefully people check them out, most of them can be found very cheaply on various digital stores! Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! This Month's Game Club : Spark the Electric Jester 2 and 3, Lunistice, Toree 3D and 2 Next Month's Game Club : Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights Things Discussed : Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, Crisis Core, Plague Tale: Innocence, Sonic Frontiers, Mega Man X4, Karate Champ, Final Fantasy III, Spark the Electric Jester 2, Spark the Electric Jester 3, Lunistice, Toree 3D, Toree 2, Super Kiwi 64, guns and games, air dashes, the tastes of the times Music This Episode Historia Hysteria by Tudd Forest (Melancholy) by Knasibas Backstory Cutscene by R3 Linework Fight by Paul Berthers
Wed, November 23, 2022
Snatcher
It's nearly Christmas time and thus we settle in for that most famous of Christmas games, Hideo Kojima's sci-fi detective classic SNATCHER! No, really, this is a Christmas ass Christmas game in the same way Die Hard is so I'm claiming it. We finally did a timely Christmas game. On top of that, we have a huge amount of games to talk about, a lot of rambling about various gaming-related things, Em revealing an embarrassing amount about their buying habits for the past ten years they thought about cutting from this show and didn't, and more. Also, we ask YOU to help us fill in any potential gaps for our next episode. Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! This Month's Game Club : Snatcher Next Month's Game Club : Spark the Electric Jester 3, Toree 3D and Toree 2, Lunistice, and who knows what else???? Things Discussed : Sonic Frontiers, Sonic Adventure, Valkyria Chronicles, Butterfly Soup 2, Scorn, Grace's piece on Scorn , Halo 5: Guardians, Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth, Em doing capsule reviews on Cohost now , Mega Man's Game Boy quintet, Mega Man The Power Battles & The Power Fighters, Mega Man Battle and Chase, Castlevania Legend, Sonic Heroes, Flywrench, Gridrunner Revolution, Atari 50, Jeff Gerstmann playing Atari 50 if you want to see some of it , Snatcher, Portopia Serial Murder Case, Metal Gear (all of it), J.B. Harold Murder Club, Death Stranding, celebrity video game show hosts, many questions about Kojima and potential projects, funny games, note-taking for podcasts, video game merch, favorite swords Music This Episode Sega CD Model 2 BIOS by David Javelosa Signature by Konami Kukeiha Club Bio Hazard by Konami Kukeiha Club Pleasure of Tension by Konami Kukeiha Club Innocent Girl by Konami Kukeiha Club Theme of Ending by Konami Kukeiha Club
Thu, October 27, 2022
Norco
We ring in our ninth anniversary with a new-ish game, the dystopian magical realism adventure game Norco! There’s plenty of navel gazing about life, podcasts, gaming, and capitalism to be had, that heady Abnormal Mapping special brew, as we bring you this super-sized episode. Honestly, there isn’t much to say, this game just rips and people should play it. Here’s to many more years of podcasts! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Things Discussed: it's our ninth anniversary!, reflections on the time and Em's birthday wish that you rate and review us on your podcast app (not a bit, please do this!), Final Fantasy XVI, Parasite Eve, Steam Deck time, Castlevania Bloodlines, Blaster Master Zero 2, Mega Man X3, 1942, 1941: Counter Attack, Littlewood, Norco, Disco Elysium, Kentucky Route 0, Phantasy Star 3 talk, the worst XBLA games we've ever bought, adventure games and visual novels as forms, 7 Tips for Surviving Dead Rising, celebrity RPG Maker games, video game pets, a visit from the game genie, rogue-like checkin, what to do when people tell you not to look up a thing you're about to play/watch/read This Month's Game Club: Norco Next Month's Game Club: Snatcher (Sega CD) Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Delirious Eyes by Gewgawly I One Night in New Orleans by Gewgawly I Homunculus by Thou
Wed, September 28, 2022
Yume Nikki and Ib
We have another huge haul of games as we talk about seemingly everything under the sun but also two games for the lengthening nights as we do a sort of horror month talking about two moody classics of the RPG Maker indie games scene: Yume Nikki and Ib! It was great to be able to talk about such a fun genre, get out of our comfort zones a bit, and explore some real gaming history. Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Things Discussed: Novel Not New has moved to Scanline Media! , please check that out and also listen to Journal Updated and The Safe Room , Em got a MiSTer, for $1 you can get a special VoIP Life where we rated the aesthetics of consoles , Pac-Man, Altered Beast, Mega Man X2, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge, Omori, Mother 3, Deltarune, Phantasy Star III, Professor Layton vs Phoenix Wright, R-Type, Pokemon Sun & Moon, Yume Nikki ( longplay we recommend here ), Moon, Ib ( let's play of Ib we recommend here ), adventure game design, horror games and horror memes, the best introduction to Kojima, best world building, the act of waiting in stealth games, RPG Maker odds and ends This Month's Game Club: Yume Nikki and Ib Next Month's Game Club: Norco Music This Episode Dining Room by YASUpochi Abandoned Desert Town by KIKIYAMA Corelli La Folia by YASUpochi Rooftop Rhythm by KIKIYAMA The Littel Doll's Dream by YASUpochi
Sun, August 28, 2022
Riven: The Sequel to Myst
It’s gaming season as we dip into a sequel to one of the most classic games of the 90s and find that maybe lighting truly does strike twice. On top of that, a dozen other games played between us, and a bunch of other fun besides including which PlayStation is canonically the Best Looking. The answer will not surprise you in the slightest. Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Things Discussed: the PS5 price hike, upcoming game clubs, go listen to Novel Not New on Scanline Media, go listen to the upcoming Journal Updated on Hypnospace Outlaw, Fate Extra, Mobile Suit Gundam Battle Operation: Code Fairy, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, Resident Evil 6, Ghostrunner, Guilty Gear Strive, Phantasy Star II (spoilers start at 29:45 and run to 35:15), The House in Fata Morgana: A Requiem for Innocence, Tsukihime, Phantasy Star II, Pokemon Black, Pokemon Black 2, The Looker, Pokemon Y, Riven, the Riven retrospective we reference this episode , CD Rom games, the ranking of Playstations This Month's Game Club: Riven: The Sequel to Myst Next Month's Game Club: Ib (we’re playing the remake, but the original should be fine) Music This Episode Moiety Theme by Robyn Miller Village Entrance Theme by Robyn Miller Accumula Town by Shota Kageyama Rise and Fall by Tokuhiko Uwabo
Wed, July 27, 2022
Survival Kids
We try to beat the heat by playing a game about the sweltering jungle and the fight for survival, but y’know … it’s cute! Also, we declare an early end to our Year of Handhelds because of a Gaming Injury, but we’ll still be delivering banger episodes every month as always. Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Things Discussed: Pokemon popularity, gaming injuries and a change of plans, Pokemon Platinum, Elden Ring, The House in Fata Morgana, Paradise Killer, The Pedestrian, Stray, Gato Roboto, Uncharted 4, Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Survival Kids, Zelda, Mother, podcast navel gazing, early gaming memories, Minesweeper, games we wish we had time for This Month's Game Club: Survival Kids Next Month's Game Club: Riven Music This Episode Breeze With U by Barry Topping Jungle by Atsushi Fujio & Yasuhiro Ichihashi Choose A Character by Atsushi Fujio & Yasuhiro Ichihashi This is My Time by Lecrae
Sun, July 03, 2022
Fate/hollow ataraxia
I’m joined once again by my friend and fate-bestower Kim as we cover the only sequel to Fate/stay night, Hollow Ataraxia! We talk about where my fate-pilling is at, the power of stories that aren’t about anything, the evolution of guys, and the general experience playing the miracle game. Truly one of my new favorites. Spoilers of course for FSN, Fate Zero, and Hollow Ataraxia within! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Things Discussed: Monster Hunter Rise, AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES – nirvanA Initiative, Flowers -Le volume sur printemps-, House of Fata Morgana, Fate Extra, Fate Hollow Ataraxia This Month's Game Club: Fate/hollow ataraxia Next Month's Game Club: Survival Kids Music This Episode hollow by NUMBER201 feat.rhu Light Step by James Harris holLow wORlD by Aimer
Sun, June 26, 2022
Mother 3
One of the most infamous Japan-only RPGs finally gets its turn as Abnormal Mapping heads back to a simpler time of GBAs, Nintendo being good, and a little boy with magical PSI powers as we finally get to the game we’ve been putting off for nearly eight years: Mother 3! We must be so exhausted. Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Things Discussed: Deltarune, Dicey Dungeons (still not on iOS btw), Slay the Spire, Star Wars the Force Unleashed, Pokemon, Marble it up!, Clustertruck, Mother 3, Earthbound, Moon, Live a Live, FFX stuff (spoilers for X and X-2 from 1:12:50-1:17:00), Brave Fencer Musashi, Final Fantasy VIII, The Frog for Whom the Bell Tolls, Ace Combat, Rogue Squadron This Month's Game Club: Mother 3 Next Month's Game Club: Survival Kids Music This Episode Mom's Hometown by Shogo Sakai As you Wish by Shogo Sakai Dangerous Guys by Shogo Sakai His Highness' Theme by Shogo Sakai It's Over by Shogo Sakai
Sun, May 29, 2022
Trauma Center: Under the Knife
We delve into the power of healing and the demands of the DS touch screen as we scrub up and try to save people by playing doctor and … NGO front line crime fighter? Look, anime is complicated. Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Things Discussed: Rogue Legacy 2, The Stanley Parable, Sable, Caligula Effect 2, Gris, Prey 2006, Star Trek Legends, Lost Planet, Trauma Center, Persona a bit, handheld attachments and peripherals, Capcom revivals, Atlus crossovers, and the inevitable decline of games This Month's Game Club: Trauma Center: Under the Knife Next Month's Game Club: Mother 3 Music This Episode Trauma Center Main Theme by Shoji Meguro, Kenichi Tsuchiya Judgement Day by Shoji Meguro, Kenichi Tsuchiya The Cutting Edge of Medicine by Shoji Meguro, Kenichi Tsuchiya
Thu, April 28, 2022
Metal Gear Acid 2
We remember the basics of CQC one draw at a time as we go back to the long road of woe that is Metal Gear to play the strange PSP tactical spin-off Metal Gear Acid 2! There are ABSOLUTELY talk about the entire franchise, because we just love/hate Metal Gear too much not to go all over, so be warned about the spoilers. But otherwise, enjoy this ridiculous episode! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Things Discussed: Pomu playing MGS2, Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, Elden Ring, Devil May Cry V, Death Stranding, Sable, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Metal Gear Acid 2 (and some 1), Metal Gear overall, cheat codes, goofy bonus modes, the Next Kingdom Hearts (not to be confused with the next Kingdom Hearts), Labo and Let's Tap, gacha Metal Gear Acid potential, Chain of Memories, SMT Devil Survivor This Month's Game Club: Metal Gear Acid 2 Next Month's Game Club: Trauma Center: Under the Knife Music This Episode Main Menu by Akihiro Honda, Hiroshi Tanabe, Nobuko Toda Venus by Akihiro Honda, Hiroshi Tanabe, Nobuko Toda Resurrection by Akihiro Honda, Hiroshi Tanabe, Nobuko Toda My Love by Akihiro Honda, Hiroshi Tanabe, Nobuko Toda
Tue, March 29, 2022
Sonic Chaos and Tails Adventure
Abnormal Mapping is here to talk about two Sonic games that were designed for the Game Gear and the first generation of dedicated handheld games and why they often were saddled with the reputations they would carry with them for decades to come. These games are all right tho! Also an extended what we’ve been playing, featuring Jack Chaos and Metroid herself. Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Things Discussed : Elden Ring, Gran Turismo 7, Jackson's piece on GT7 , Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin, Devil May Cry 5, Metroid Dread, controllers, Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies, Guardians of the Galaxy, Sonic Chaos, Tails Adventure, Mario Land, Wario Land, handheld games in general, pinning games to quick resume, Pokemon Dash, vaporware games are always real, Final Fantasy bullshit, when to give up, when games started getting finished, and there's a brand new game club coming to our network! This Month's Game Club: Sonic Chaos and Tails Adventure Next Month's Game Club: Metal Gear Acid 2 Music This Episode Place of Amalgamation by Ryo Yamazaki, Masashi Hamauzu Turquoise Hill Zone by Kojiro Mikusa, Masayuki Nagao Caron Forest by Kojiro Mikusa Burenia II by Soshi Abe, Sayako Doi Simon Blackquill ~ Distorted Swordsmanship by Noriyuki Iwadare
Wed, March 16, 2022
Fate/stay night
A special mid-month Abnormal Mapping is summoned into the grail war! Em is joined by their friend Kim to talk about the humble origin of a massive media franchise and the experience of playing a massive visual novel with a lot of competing ideas that might not always gel together perfectly. That said, Fate is pretty cool, so we had a great time! If you’d like to hear people talk much more thoroughly about Fate/stay night and other Type-Moon VNs, please check out Fate-Moon Archive , another podcast on our network! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Things Discussed : Elden Ring, Yu-Gi-Oh Master Duel, Higanbana no Saku Yoru ni, Hatsune Miku, DEEMO, Taiko no Tatsujin, Sound Voltex, Fate/stay night, Fate Zero, Fate/hollow ataraxia, visual novels generally, Otherside Picnic, Planetarian This Month's Game Club: Fate/stay night Next Month's Game Club: Sonic Chaos and Tails’ Adventure (Both on Game Gear) Music That Episode In the Sunlight by Keita Haga Madder Town by Keita Haga Emiya by Hideyuki Fukasawa ARCADIA by Earthmind
Fri, February 25, 2022
Wario Ware & Rhythm Heaven
We opened up our GBAs and DSes for a parade of classic Nintendo bangers as we talk about when video games were joyful and rhythm games were about learning actual ass rhythm. It’s a big episode, with lots of music, and I hope everyone enjoys! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! hings Discussed : Dark Souls 2 and 3, Sekiro, Sonic Generations and Sonic Unleashed, Final Fantasy II, WarioWare and Rhythm Heaven, Nintendo, a bunch of other stuff This Month's Game Club: WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! and Rhythm Tengoku (GBA) Next Month's Game Club: Sonic Chaos and Tails’ Adventure (Both on Game Gear) Music That Episode That's Paradise by Tsunku and Masami Yone Mona's Pizza by Ryoji Yoshitomi and Kyoko Miyamoto Dribble's Highway Jazz by Ryoji Yoshitomi and Kyoko Miyamoto Kat & Ana Music by Ryoji Yoshitomi and Kyoko Miyamoto Ashley's Song by Ryoji Yoshitomi and Kyoko Miyamoto Wrestler Interview by Tsunku and Masami Yone Fan Club by Tsunku and Masami Yone Spaceball by Tsunku and Masami Yone Cheer Readers by Tsunku and Masami Yone Dreams of Our Generation by Tsunku and Masami Yone
Thu, January 27, 2022
King of Dragon Pass
Sacred time is here! We light the fires and huddle our tula around the ring as we tell tales of old and mishaps aplenty in the dangerous world of Glorantha as we talk about this classic narrative strategy game! Also, because it’s us, lots of JRPG updates and many other things besides in this lengthy episode. Praise to Orlanth! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! Things Discussed: the year of handheld games, Nameless Game, Sonic Generations, Dragon Quest 2 and 3, Final Fantasy, Dark Souls, King of Dragon Pass, grand strategy games, Cart Life, Reigns, getting people to experience your favorite media, the next Pokemon element, favorite dragons, nightmare Dragon Pass-alikes provided by the Dragon Pass twitter account, an incredible anecdote about Sony marketing, much discussion of Duck people This Month's Game Club: King of Dragon Pass Next Month's Game Club: WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! and Rhythm Tengoku (GBA) Music This Episode Overture by Stan LePard Sea Season by Stan LePard Is It Adventure by Stan LePard Quite an Adventure by Stan LePard
Thu, December 30, 2021
Moon: Remix RPG Adventure
The end of the year of JRPGs ends with a game exploring the very limits of the genre and pushing into the modern conception of RPG meta text. Gone are the battles and dungeons, remaining are quests and levels and the question of what is it all for. Also, some really funky guys. So many cool, funky guys. Join us as we close the book on this strange year with a strange game, and have a great ol’ time. Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! Things Discussed: The Year of JRPGs, Sonic Advance, Updated Game Gallery, Halo Infinite, Analogue Pocket and other handheld hardware, Moon, Yume Nikki, Undertale, adventure games, RPG Maker, video game food, Pathologic 2, finishing games and managing time This Month's Game Club: Moon: Remix RPG Adventure Next Month's Game Club: King of Dragon Pass Music This Episode Promise (Dream Version) (MoonDisc Version) by Hirofumi Taniguchi, Miki Higashino, Taro Kudo, and Masanori Adachi D.J. Saike's Dance Mix - Mexican Beats - Tilt - Celestial Body (MoonDisc Version) by Hirofumi Taniguchi, Miki Higashino, Taro Kudo, and Masanori Adachi I'm Waiting for the Night (MoonDisc Version) by Hirofumi Taniguchi, Miki Higashino, Taro Kudo, and Masanori Adachi Kera-Ma-Go (Full Version) by Hirofumi Taniguchi, Miki Higashino, Taro Kudo, and Masanori Adachi
Tue, November 30, 2021
Forza Horizon 5
We’re back as we take a sharp left from our projected game club and play the newest of new releases, the hot new Microsoft Tentpole, HaForza Horizon 5! Please enjoy this sprawling conversation about everything from driving mechanics, to radio stations in games, our problems with live service games, to liberal progressive ideas of tourism and representation, to a lazy history of the getting in cars digitally genre, we go long and cover a lot of topics. Appropriate, because Forza Horizon is a framework for you to make your own fun. Or so I’m told. Just give me Twin Ring Motegi tbqh Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! Things Discussed: ResetEra, Dark Souls, Halo Infinite, Undernauts, Lego Builder's Journey, Forza Horizon, Forza Motorsport, Gran Turismo, Burnout, Outrun, Dirt, Need for Speed, Project Gotham Racing, Ridge Racer, Wipeout, Mario Kart, iRacing, Banjo Kazooie Nuts & Bolts, F-Zero, Final Fantasy 5, radio stations (gaming and otherwise), Wave Race, Episode 1 Racer, the Far Cry idea that would get us to play it, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, Final Fantasy Tactics, learning new genres, the state of game remasters, Amr's patreon, go support it! , playing new games once in a while, Super Eurobeat This Month's Game Club: Forza Horizon 5 Next Month's Game Club: Moon: Remix RPG Adventure
Sat, October 30, 2021
Star Ocean
Rushing this one out the door because of scheduling problems, it’s a new Abnormal Mapping! We played a game that has been on Em’s to do list for years, and we discover that sometimes digging into the past isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Also, the characters of Star Ocean? Discover that sometimes digging into the past isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Anyway, enjoy! Happy Anniversary, Abnormal Mapping! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! Things Discussed: CRTs, Metroid, RPGs, Star Ocean 1 and 2, controllers, many other things besides. This Month's Game Club: Star Ocean Next Month's Game Club: A Plague Tale: Innocence Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Innocence by Motoi Sakuraba Dancin’ Sword by Motoi Sakuraba Calm Time by Motoi Sakuraba
Thu, September 30, 2021
Gravity Rush 2
We’re joined by Scarlett for a stroll down memory lane, when Sony meant interesting games coming from Japanese developers. It wasn’t even that long ago! Revisiting Gravity Rush 2 a mere four years after its release, we remember the power of the Vita to fire our imagination, and the cold light of day that’s been first party development in the last half decade. But also, we remember Kat and Raven, two heroes who do their best despite everything. We remember the vibrant cities and thoughtful meditations on class and capitalism. We enjoy it, always, when you fall in a direction you shouldn’t. Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! Things Discussed: Death Loop, Guardians of the Galaxy, Life is Strange: True Colors, Psychonauts 2, World Flipper, Gravity Rush, Gravity Rush 2, Vice's letters series on Gravity Rush 2 , Sony's missteps, favorite controllers This Month's Game Club: Gravity Rush 2 Next Month's Game Club: Star Ocean Music This Episode Main Theme by Kohei Tanaka Lei Colmoosna - Marketplace by Kohei Tanaka Vendecentre - Downtown by Kohei Tanaka Credits Theme by by Kohei Tanaka
Mon, August 30, 2021
Tokyo RPG Factory
We are joined by blogger of the year Dia Lacina who was willing to go down with the ship as we break format for a trio of games that we only knew of probably bad games nobody actually played. That’s right, we took all our RPG expertise and applied it to the strange trilogy of Tokyo RPG Factory games! Em froze their ass off in I am Setsuna, Dia remembered she could be doing anything else in Lost Sphear, and Jackson went hya hya hya about a million times in Oninaki. Maybe the games are bad, but the conversation was a fruitful exploration of what it is that makes the JRPG form work for us at all. Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! Things Discussed: Dia's preview of Astria Ascending , Control, Touhou Luna Nights, Apple Arcade, VR, Resident Evil 4, Chrono Trigger, I Am Setsuna, Lost Sphear, Oninaki, Bravely Default, Live A Live, Final Fantasy (generally), Saga and Mana series, Lunar, Morrowind, Gold Box games, dungeon exploration games This Month's Game Club: I am Setsuna Lost Sphear Oninaki Next Month's Game Club: Gravity Rush 2 Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod I Am Setsuna Main Theme by Tomoki Miyoshi The Twilight of Sphear by Tomoki Miyoshi Battle -Threat- by Shusuke Tsuchiya & Mariam Abounnasr
Sun, July 25, 2021
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
We’re joined by Dan to once again talk about the strange tangent of the Metroid universe as we continue to mine the Phazon arc to gain an appreciation for how you follow up one of the boldest games ever made. Turns out, that’s really hard! Join us for a discussion of light and dark worlds, not even lazily caring about your plot, and the nightmare that is making ‘hard’ bosses. A jam packed episode! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! Things Discussed: Episode Yuffie, Doom Eternal, Final Fantasy XIV, Per Aspera, AM2R, Umineko, 2004 in video games, feeling old, Metroid Prime and Metroid Prime 2, franchises, Nintendo FPSs, box art, rhythm games and music taste, dark worlds, esoteric simulators, boss fights, mirror matches This Month's Game Club: Metroid Prime 2 Next Month's Game Club: I Am Setsuna, Lost Sphear, and Oninaki Music This Episode Title Screen by Kenji Yamamoto Sanctuary by Kenji Yamamoto Vs Ing by Kenji Yamamoto Staff Roll by Kenji Yamamoto
Sun, June 27, 2021
Lost Odyssey
This month we feast on one of the largest games time investment wise we’ve ever played for Abnormal Mapping, but it just so happens to be the game we initially bonded over well before we started the podcast. Thankfully, we can’t get too self indulgent, as we’re joined by special guest Molly Rhinebeck to navigate the ins and outs of the 1000 year journey of Kaim and Seth and their wives. Please enjoy this supersized episode about how games can be meaningful and uneven in the same breath, the hell space that was late 00s console JRPGs, and how Final Fantasy is truly an essence that can be captured if the right people are making it, brands be damned. Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! Things Discussed: Molly! , Pro Evolution Soccer, Football Tactics & Glory, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, Scarlet Nexus, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade coming out on VoIP Life Friday!, Observation, Dragon Quest II, The Messenger, a bonus podcast we did for Dia's Dragon's Dogma LP , Lost Odyssey, various Final Fantasies (broadly), Nobuo Uematsu, first and favorite RPGs This Month's Game Club: Lost Odyssey Next Month's Game Club: Metroid Prime 2 Music This Episode Neverending Journey by Nobuo Uematsu A Return, Indeed... (Piano Version) by Nobuo Uematsu What You Are by Nobuo Uematsu An Enemy Appears by Nobuo Uematsu Parting Forever by Nobuo Uematsu Howl of The Departed by Nobuo Uematsu Victory by Nobuo Uematsu
Thu, May 27, 2021
Max Payne 2 (feat. Gravity Rush)
We take a break from the really long games to enjoy some short but sweet adventures in cities both beautiful and threatening as we return to a game we covered years ago and prep for a game we’re going to cover in the future! Turns out, it’s nice to just play a game you can finish in a week, around all these huge JRPGs. Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! Things Discussed: John 117, Pokemon vs Digimon, Digimon games, Kingdom Hearts 3, Silent Bomber, Titanfall 2, Dragon Quest V, Dragon Quest, Tyranny (listen to journal updated!), Gravity Rush, Crackdown, Max Payne 1 , Max Payne 2, Alan Wake, Control, CRPGs, worst games, Too Much Future This Month's Game Club: Max Payne 2 Next Month's Game Club: Lost Odyssey Music This Episode Douse Shinundakara by Kohei Tanaka Old Town by Kohei Tanaka Max Payne Theme by Kärtsy Hatakka Address Unknown (Funhouse Remix) by Kärtsy Hatakka Late Goodbye by Poets of the Fall
Thu, April 29, 2021
Live A Live
We turn our thoughts back to the JRPG in this year full of them, and enjoy one of the most surprising games we’ve played … well, since last month, but we’ve been really lucky this year. Come for talk of genre exercises, being on your bullshit, and the power of a well worn story well told as we discover … Live A Live! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! Things Discussed: Nier, Pokemon Shield, Titanfall 2, Dirt 5, Forza 3, Idle Thumbs, Live A Live, Final Fantasy XIII, Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy IV: The After Years, numbers going up, being normal about games This Month's Game Club: Live a Live Next Month's Game Club: Max Payne 2 Music This Episode Live A Live by Yoko Shimomura Megalomania by Yoko Shimomura Kiss of Jealousy by Yoko Shimomura The Birds Fly in the Sky, the Fish Swim in the River by Yoko Shimomura Secret Mission by Yoko Shimomura Wanderer by Yoko Shimomura Knock You Down! by Yoko Shimomura Wait for Truth by Yoko Shimomura Unseen Syndrome by Yoko Shimomura Wings That Don't Reach by Yoko Shimomura City of Hopelessness by Yoko Shimomura Go! Go! Buriki Daioh! by Yoko Shimomura
Mon, March 29, 2021
Kaeru no Tame ni Kane wa Naru & Ocarina of Time
Two games means an extra long episode as we talk about Zelda, Zelda-likes, the ways Nintendo had it all and slowly burned away goodwill, and much more. Both of these games are hard to talk about for opposite reasons, but we did our best and had a great time besides. Apologies for the return of springtime birds in Em’s audio, an Abnormal Mapping staple this time every year. Please enjoy the extra long music segments, we were truly spoiled for choice. Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general! podcast@abnormalmapping.com Em is doing LPs on the Abnormal Mapping Youtube again! You can find them uploading about once a week on youtube.com/abnormalmapping Check out our sister game club Journal Updated! They’re about to hit their one year anniversary covering a bunch of narrative games. thesecondbestgame.club If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! Things Discussed: Halo Reach and Halo 4, Hugo Martin saying stupid shit part 1 and part 2 , Final Fantasy Adventure, Dragon Quest 2, The Frog For Whom The Bell Tolls, Link's Awakening, Dragon Quest IV, Ocarina of Time, Link to the Past, must-play Abnormal Mapping games, Zelda boxart crimes, perfect video games, a modern glitch-heavy speedrun of Ocarina of Time , demo kiosks Youtube Channels We Recommend: Dia's LPs Amr's channel Export Audio's channel Pam's channel Umbrella Terms' channel minimme New Frame Plus The Retro Future Modern Vintage Gamer LGR <a href="https://www.
Thu, February 25, 2021
Koudelka
The year of JRPGs continues as we talk about a strange hybrid RPG of the late PlayStation era, the survival horror wanna-be Koudelka! What does this small, story-heavy game offer in a world of heavy hitters like Final Fantasy? Turns out, quite a bit. Much discussion of motion capture, what makes horror media work, and much more in this super sized episode! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general! podcast@abnormalmapping.com Em is doing LPs on the Abnormal Mapping Youtube again! You can find them uploading about once a week on youtube.com/abnormalmapping Check out our sister game club Journal Updated! They’re about to hit their one year anniversary covering a bunch of narrative games. thesecondbestgame.club New on our network! Do Not Steal, a podcast critiquing tabletop game systems and then creating characters with them! Updates monthly, both funny and thoughtful! Check it out! www.abnormalmapping.com/do-not-steal If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! Things Discussed: Nintendo Direct, Ninja Gaiden 2 and Sigma, Bayonetta 2, Halo ODST and Halo Reach, Apex Legends, Gato Roboto, Devil May Cry 4, Lords of Shadow, Sunset Overdrive, Koudelka, Final Fantasy VII, Resident Evil, Parasite Eve, Resident Evil: Code Veronica, classic games, Mario 64, itch and other small games, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, Kojima's taste, controllers, RTS games (don't get your hopes up) This Month's Game Club: Koudelka Next Month's Game Club: Ocarina of Time Kaeru no Tame ni Kane wa Naru Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Requiem by Hiroki Kikuta Waterfall by Hiroki Kikuta Incantation Again by Hiroki Kikuta Kiss Twice by Hiroki Kikuta
Fri, January 29, 2021
Quake (feat Halo 3)
We return back to one of the earliest studios that really surprised us doing this podcast, id software, and their post-Doom attempt to remake the landscaping of gaming. Does lightning strike twice? Well, kind of depends on how you define lightning. Either way we have a great time with the strange mess of influences that is Quake, spend some quality time with Halo 3, and answer a warthog’s weight in emails besides! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general! podcast@abnormalmapping.com If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! Things Discussed: Inertial Drift, Blue Revolver, Outer Worlds, Fallen Order, The Touryst, Final Fantasy XV, Halo 3, Quake, Doom, Metroid Prime, Resident Evil, handheld games, multiplayer games, some navel gazing about what it means to cover games This Month's Game Club: Quake Next Month's Game Club: Koudelka Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Never Forget by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori Quake Main Theme by Nine Inch Nails Valse di Fantastica by Yoko Shimomura Aerolith Aurorablast by Qygen
Sun, December 27, 2020
Suikoden
An early podcast, because this week is a weird holiday week! Ignore the many instances where we say it’s coming out on Thursday in this podcast! Heading back to the early days of the playstation, this episode pits us once again against a certain type of anime war story that we’ve encountered before, and just how much a game about nothing can be entertaining if it’s breezy enough. This was a strange but fun game to dig into, and I’m excited to get to Suikoden 2 in 2022. Hope 2021 is better for all of us, gamers! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general! podcast@abnormalmapping.com If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! Things Discussed: Pokemon, VoIP Life, new consoles, My Summer Vacation, Umurangi Generation, 2020 recap, Muse Dash, Hatsune Miku Future Tone, Taiko no Tatsujin, Mario Golf GBC, Suikoden, Final Fantasies 4, 6, 7, 12 (nothing spoilery in any), the RPGification of games, using guides, Scaler, The Incredible Crash Dummies, Troy Baker shut the hell up, golf games, work and games, the year of JRPGs, how we are playing Quake This Month's Game Club: Suikoden Next Month's Game Club: Quake Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Forgotten Days by Konami Sound Team Blue Oceans, Blue Skies by Konami Sound Team Confrontation with Monsters by Konami Sound Team Black Forest by Konami Sound Team
Mon, November 30, 2020
Shinobi (PS2)
We head into the history books for one of the most notable B games of the PS2 era, the action classic Shinobi! What do we think about revisiting a classically hard game in 2020? What does it mean to be out right after Devil May Cry changed everything? And most importantly, what would adaptive triggers bring to the ninja experience?? Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general! podcast@abnormalmapping.com If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! Things Discussed: Playstation 5, XBox Series X, Astro's Playroom, Demon's Souls (2020), Geometry Wars 2, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, Shinobi, Ninja Gaiden, Devil May Cry, Platinum Games, stealth games, Votoms, best games of 1995 and 2008 This Month's Game Club: Shinobi PS2 Next Month's Game Club: Suikoden Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Fate by Fumie Kumatani Moritsune by Tatsuyuki Maeda Polluted Water by Teruhiko Nakagawa Patience ~Other Version~ by Yutaka Minobe
Fri, October 30, 2020
Asura's Wrath
We’re joined this week by a guest out of history as Six Dettmar makes ver’s second appearance on Abnormal Mapping to talk about infinite anime power and how you use it. We cover the strange realities of DLC from the olden days, ambitions of character action games to be cinematic, the downfalls of QTEs, and much more in this surprisingly dense episode for a relatively slight game! Much like Asura himself, when down to the wire, we sprout more arms and just keep punching. Yeah, that’s the metaphor we’re going with. Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general! podcast@abnormalmapping.com If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! Things Discussed: Disgaea 4 Complete +, Asura's Wrath, Street Fighter, QTEs, Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge This Month's Game Club: Asura’s Wrath Next Month's Game Club: Shinobi PS2 Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Asura’s Wrath Main Theme by Chikayo Fukuda In Your Belief -Prologue- by Chikayo Fukuda Symphony No 9 by Antonín Dvořák
Tue, September 29, 2020
Grab Bag 2020!
now with updated music We’re back with a whopper of an episode this time as we played through four entire games this month and have two hours of hot content for you. Do you like shooters? Do you like cars? Do you like running and jumping? That’s all the genres! There’s no other type of video game, so you better enjoy these ones! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general! podcast@abnormalmapping.com If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! Things Discussed: new consoles, Cyber Hook, Minecraft Dungeons, Wizardy, Halo 2, Destiny 2, OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast, PCGaming Wiki, Burnout Paradise, Dirt Rally, Mario Kart, Mega Man X, Mega Man, check out Jackson's old Mega Man videos and Em's current Death of the Outside LP on our youtube channel , Super Castlevania IV, Wheels of Aurelia, Glitchhikers, Disco Elysium, Telltale Games, itch games vs indie games vs games, Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, San Francisco Rush, GoldenEye, Midtown Madness 3, Dark Haired Legolas, Bayonetta, Devil May Cry, a starter JRPG, car powers, project 10 dollar This Month's Game Club: Wheels of Aurelia Outrun 2006: Coast 2 Coast Mega Man X Next Month's Game Club: Asura’s Wrath Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Blow Me Away by Breaking Benjamin Splash Wave by Hiroshi Kawaguchi Storm Eagle by Setsuo Yamamoto, Makoto Tomozawa, et al Preferivo Stare Sola by Michael Manning and Nicolò Sala Chill Penguin by Setsuo Yamamoto, Makoto Tomozawa, et al Life Was A Bore by Donna Burke
Sun, August 30, 2020
Metroid Prime
This month we return to the heady days of the early 00s when all things seemed possible and Nintendo unleashed the Citizen Kane of video games on all of us. What does Metroid Prime tell us about American soft power in a post-war era? Not very much, turns out, but it’s still pretty good! Thank you to patron Dan for bringing this game to us and guesting on this long episode full of platform love, shooting complaints, and general mood appreciation. Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general! podcast@abnormalmapping.com If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! Things Discussed: Blue Revolver, Umineko, Metroid Prime, Metroid Fusion, Ocarina of Time, Halo, Outer Wilds, Wii Controls, Metroid Prime 4, our future JRPG plans This Month's Game Club: Metroid Prime Next Month's Game Club: Wheels of Aurelia Outrun 2006: Coast 2 Coast Mega Man X Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Menu Select by Kenji Yamamoto Chozo Ruins by Kenji Yamamoto Wrecked Ship by Kenji Yamamoto Phendrana Drifts (Depths) by Kenji Yamamoto
Thu, July 30, 2020
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
We return with some cool things you can check out that our friends made and a long talk about the strange idea of a ‘starter’ RPG in 2020. Also, we desperately need someone to tell us why people care about Geno, because we don’t know and we don’t know anyone else who knows either. Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general! podcast@abnormalmapping.com If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! Things Discussed: kingdom hearts, xenoblade chronicles, Dia's lets play channel , we were on no cartridge! , super mario rpg, paper mario, mario & luigi, our eternal blood feud with nintendo, bowser is the best character in mario, the rpgification of video games, the legend of localization articles on anime references and the secret boss fight , a gdq playthrough of the game if you just want to enjoy it in 3 hours, journal updated This Month's Game Club: Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars Next Month's Game Club: Metroid Prime Music This Episode In the Flower Garden by Yoko Shimomura Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod The Road is Full of Dangers by Yoko Shimomura Beware the Forest’s Mushrooms by Yoko Shimomura And My Name’s Booster by Yoko Shimomura
Mon, June 29, 2020
Ninja Gaiden
It’s a long one this month as we enjoy the brief and difficult journey of Ryu Hayabusa in the NES classic Ninja Gaiden and then spend way more time than we expected answering the many questions we received. Thank you everyone for sending in all your emails, I hope you like our answers! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! Things Discussed: Kingdom Hearts Dark Road, Dragon Quest, Portopia Serial Murder Case, Bayonetta, Ninja Gaiden, our Ninja Gaiden Black episode , strategy games, Kingdom Hearts III, wholesome games, Remember Me, interactive fiction, PS2 games, old games difficulty, Austin Walker's Breath of the Wild review , Dia Lacina's Judgement review , Waypoint GOTY 2018 podcast , Journal Updated This Month's Game Club: Ninja Gaiden (NES) Next Month's Game Club: Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars Music This Episode Prologue Theme by Keiji Yamagishi Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Act 1 by Keiji Yamagishi Act 5 Part 3 by Keiji Yamagishi Ending Part 4 by Keiji Yamagishi
Thu, May 28, 2020
Kentucky Route Zero
This month we discuss a game that has been coming out as long as we’ve been doing this podcast as we head down the Zero to discover what awaits us in the great american indie game and its sprawling nightmare of decayed capitalism. This turned out to be one of the most difficult games we’ve ever covered, but I also think it resulted in one of our best discussions. Please enjoy! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! Next month we are hoping to do a Q&A episode! Please send us ANY questions or comments about video games to podcast@abnormalmapping.com! Things Discussed: MLB The Show, Animal Crossing New Horizons, Astral Chain, Bayonetta 2, Kentucky Route Zero, The Walking Dead, Kingdom Hearts???? THREE ESSENTIAL PIECES ON KENTUCKY ROUTE ZERO ”Kentucky Route Zero Pays Off on Nine Years of Hope and Doubt” by Austin Walker ”kentucky route zero and the failings of white leftism” by lotus ”At Home with the Ghosts: Kentucky Route Zero’s Reworking of Capitalist Space” by Grace Benfell This Fortnight's Game Club: Kentucky Route Zero Next Fortnight's Game Club: Ninja Gaiden (NES) Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod I'm Going That Way by Ben Babbitt (ft. Emily Cross) Stars Drop Away by Ben Babbitt Too Late to Love You by Ben Babbitt
S1 E104 · Thu, April 30, 2020
Halo: Combat Evolved
We return to the halcyon days of PC gaming to explore the origins of an independent game that shook the foundations of the world. That’s right, we’re dropping into a world of dual stick movement, space marines, only two weapons and regenerating shields as we explore the strange powerhouse that is HALO. What does the game that changed everything have to offer in 2020? Well, that depends on what you’re looking for. As we dig in, we wonder what exactly any of this could mean, and whether we’ll ever actually get any lore to this adventure across a derelict space station. Who can say? If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at podcast@abnormalmapping.com! Things Discussed: Jackson's Continuing Inability To Play Kingdom Hearts, Animal Crossing, Treachery In Beatdown City, Halo This Fortnight's Game Club: Halo: Combat Evolved Next Fortnight's Game Club: Kentucky Route Zero Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Under Cover of Night by Martin O’Donnell and Michael Salvatori The Gun Pointed At The Head Of The Universe by Martin O’Donnell and Michael Salvatori Perilous Journey by Martin O’Donnell and Michael Salvatori
S1 E103 · Thu, April 16, 2020
Final Fantasy VII Remake
It’s the middle of the month and it is time for a very special episode of Abnormal Mapping, something we basically never do: a timely spoilercast for a brand new video game! This is an episode all about the recently released Final Fantasy VII Remake, and if you have not finished it or the original Final Fantasy VII then be warned: there are spoilers for the entireity of both . Em has not spent the last week cramming Final Fantasy VII Remake so is sitting out this episode, and in their place Jackson is joined by Austin Walker of Waypoint and Friends at the Table to share their immediate reactions to the ending, the game as a whole, and the possibilities for the future remakes. If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at podcast@abnormalmapping.com! Things Discussed: Horizon’s Gate, Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy VII Remake, Rebuild of Evangelion, Final Fantasy XIII This Fortnight's Game Club: Final Fantasy VII Remake Next Fortnight's Game Club: Halo: Combat Evolved Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Opening (Bombing Mission) by Nobuou Uematsu and Masashi Hamauzu J-E-N-O-V-A by Nobuou Uematsu and Masashi Hamauzu Squat Minigame by Nobuou Uematsu and Masashi Hamauzu
Mon, March 30, 2020
Disco Elysium
We wake up in a nightmare of runaway neo-liberal capitalism and find ourselves wondering where the potential of Communist revolution is, and then we have to record a podcast about detective RPG Disco Elysium! In this lengthy conversation, we cover everything about what it means to make a world and say things through art, and whether Harry and Kim can ever truly find peace in such a broken world. We are heavily indebted to the Waypoint Radio spoiler-cast over Disco Elysium for covering much of the game in advance and making our job easier in terms of getting into the weeds. We say so in the episode, but please listen to their podcast ideally before you listen to ours, as we reference it from time to time. If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at podcast@abnormalmapping.com! Things Discussed: Kingdom Hearts Re:coded, Fire Emblem: Three Houses, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Mass Effect 2, tabletop games, Call for the Dead by John le Carré This Month's Game Club: Disco Elysium Next Month's Game Club: Halo: Combat Evolved Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Whirling-In-Rags, 8 AM by British Sea Power Miss Oranje Disco Dancer by British Sea Power La Revacholiere by British Sea Power
Fri, February 28, 2020
Timespinner
We’re joined this month by our friend Nora to talk about the surprising and surprisingly forgotten Metroidvania Timespinner! Join us as we talk about the embarrassing writing of indie games, the gestures toward good ideas, and how fun it is to just be a lord even if difficulty is very hard to get right. Our guest this month was Nora Blake, who you can find at @neithernora and on norablake.online If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at podcast@abnormalmapping.com! Things Discussed: Final Fantasy VII (listen to us talk about it years ago HERE and HERE ), Earthbound, Dark Souls III, Hat in Time, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Timespinner, Hollow Knight, Bloodstained, Symphony of the Night, Portrait of Ruin, Metroid Fusion (our episode on it can be found HERE ), Cave Story, metroidvania as a term, Code Vein This Month's Game Club: Timespinner Next Month's Game Club: Disco Elysium Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Echoes of the Forgotten by Jeff Ball From Our Hearts by Jeff Ball Surpassing Authority by Jeff Ball
Thu, January 30, 2020
Outer Wilds
A hundred years, a hundred games! Abnormal Mapping does a full journey around the sun as we reach the centenary celebration of our podcast, the world’s first and only game club, by tackling popular GotY winner Outer Wilds! What do two hardened Star Trek fans think about this space mystery? What do these two space communists think about fate and hope? And what do two very tired podcasts think about the hundred plus games we have talked about into microphones. Thank you everyone for all your support on this incredible journey. Here’s to two hundred more! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at podcast@abnormalmapping.com! Things Discussed: eFootball PES 2020, Wattam, Brigador, A Short Hike, Outer Wilds, TNG Episode "All Good Things", the century of excellence and looking back at our huge library of episodes This Month's Game Club: Outer Wilds Next Month's Game Club: Timespinner Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod End Times by Andrew Prahlow The Sun Station by Andrew Prahlow Travelers by Andrew Prahlow
S1 E99 · Fri, December 27, 2019
End of the Decade Farewell Tour
On today’s very special Abnormal Mapping, we are here today to celebrate the end of the year, and indeed the end of the decade! We’ve got some lists of our favourite games, from this year and the decade at large. There’s some music in there as well, but not as much as on previous years, because it’s been a weird one. Here’s to the second decade of podcasting. That’s a terrifying thing to say. If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at podcast@abnormalmapping.com! Next Month's Game Club: Outer Wilds Your Programme This Evening: MUSIC: The Lost Forest by Keiichi Okabe, Kakeru Ishihama, Keigo Hoashi, Takafumi Nishimura (Nier) Segment 1 - EM 2019 WORST: MGSV BEST: Untitled Goose Game Sayonara Wild Hearts Bloodstained Mario Maker 2 Don't Wake The Night MUSIC: Wild Hearts Never Die by Daniel Olsén (Sayonara Wild Hearts) Segment 2 - Jackson 2019 WORST: Death Stranding Nier Automata BEST: Nier Death Stranding Zone of the Enders 2 Sayonara Wild Hearts Sonic Adventure 2 MUSIC: Beyond the Bounds by Maki Kirioka (Zone of the Enders 2: The Second Runner) Segment 3 - Em Decade 10. The Last Guardian 9. Tacoma 8. Gravity Rush 2 7. Device 6 6. Binding of Isaac 5. Animal Crossing New Leaf 4. Bayonetta 2 3. Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2. Hollow Knight 1. Super Hexagon MUSIC: Courtesy by Chipzel (Super Hexagon) Segment 4 - Jackson Decade 10. What Remains of Edith Finch 9. Pikmin 3 8. Beeswing 7. Virginia 6. Abzu 5. Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep 4. Tacoma 3. The Room 2 2. Cibele 1. Thumper MUSIC: Mickey Mouse March by Jimmie Dodd and Tsuyoshi Sekito (Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep) Segment 5 - Em Old 10. Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker 9. Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers 8. Full Throttle 7. Portopia Serial Murder Case 6. We Love Katamari 5. Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse 4. Vampire the Masquerade Bloodlines 3. Planescape Torment 2. Doom 1. Final Fantasy IV MUSIC: E2M3 Intermission by Bobby Prince (Doom) Segment 6 - Jackson Old 10. We Love Katamari 9. Doom 8. Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse 7. Dead Rising 6. Killer7 5. Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening 4. Mega Man 6 3. Earthbound 2. Metal Gear Solid 3 1. Final Fantasy VII MUSIC: Tifa's Theme by Nobou Uematsu (Final Fantasy VII)
Fri, November 29, 2019
Abnormal Mapping 98: The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
We return to a franchise we haven’t explored since our earliest days as a podcast as our friend Cassie brings us on a journey through both of our favorite Zelda games remade for one of our least favorite Nintendo platforms! What does it mean to remake a game? Does toy Link really have the appeal of pixel Link? And why would you do anything other than jump all the time if a game allowed you to do it! All this and more as we dream of possibility and adventure on the beaches of Koholint. If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! Thanks to Cassie for being on this week, you can find her @buzzsunflower on twitter or check out her music on bandcamp! If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at podcast@abnormalmapping.com! Things Discussed: Sudoku, Death Stranding, KORG Gadget, Metal Gear Solid V: the LP, Metal Gear Survive, Link's Awakening, Link to the Past, screen warp LP by MeccaPrime This Month's Game Club:Link’s Awakening remake Next Month's Game Club: End of year episode? Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Tal Tal Heights by Ryo Nagamatsu Boss Battle by Ryo Nagamatsu Ballad of the Wind Fish (Japanese ver) by Ryo Nagamatsu
Thu, October 31, 2019
Hacknet
This month we stray far from our comfort zone and find a game that spurs one of the best discussions we’ve had all year, even if our feelings on the game in question are turbulent. It’s time to talk about Hacknet, a game that inspired the longest email the podcast has ever seen and a remembrance of Abnormal Mappings past. Note: please send us your Episode 100 suggestions ASAP, we really do need your help! Thanks everyone for 6 ridiculous and rewarding years. If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at podcast@abnormalmapping.com! Things Discussed: Clone Hero, Ratchet & Clank, Sly Cooper, Jak & Daxter, Apple Arcade, The Maw, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, our Episode 100 quandry, Hacknet, the cited article about Expand and Hacknet , Bash.org, Trauma Center: Under the Knife This Month's Game Club: Hacknet Next Month's Game Club: Link’s Awakening remake Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Revolve (R Mix) by Cinematrix Malware Injection by Remi Gallego Outrun the Wolves by Matt Mclean
Fri, September 27, 2019
Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner
What does it mean to try to make a mech game that captures the experience of mech anime but using the power of the PS2 and the incredible resources of Kojima’s production studio? We find out as we explore the hellscape that is Mars by gathering our Metatron and tackling the rollercoaster that is playing through Zone of the Enders as a series! Dingo Egret, Jehuty, ikimasu! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at podcast@abnormalmapping.com! Things Discussed: Control, Link's Awakening, Link to the Past, Devil May Cry 4, Zone of the Enders, Zone of the Enders: The Second Runner This Month's Game Club: Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner Next Month's Game Club: Hacknet Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Air Battle by Norihiko Hibino Leo! Leo! by Norihiko Hibino Beyond the Bounds by Maki Kirioka and Maki Kimura
Thu, August 29, 2019
ActRaiser
We tuck into our endless backlog with this classic of the SNES era as we too create order from chaos with ActRaiser! What does it mean for a game to be enshrined for its novelty long after these genres have been much more fleshed out? How much of a mashup is about the juxtaposition over the individual parts being good? What does it say about religion that when you help everyone out they stop praying to you? All this and more in this short but sweet episode! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at podcast@abnormalmapping.com! Things Discussed: SMT 3: Nocturne, Monster Hunter, ActRaiser, ActRaiser 2, Sol Seraph This Month's Game Club: ActRaiser Next Month's Game Club: Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner Music This Episode Title Theme by Yuzo Koshiro Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Fillmore by Yuzo Koshiro
Wed, July 31, 2019
Sonic Adventure 2
We head all the way back to the last flagship Sonic game released on a dedicated Sega console with the divisive Sonic Adventure 2. Em regales us with the tales of discovering Sonic ten years later than everyone else, and Jackson talks about how this fits into their conception of Sonic as something only discovered recently. Also, we needle drop four of the best songs of one of the greatest soundtracks ever made. The game itself? Well, we might disagree on treasure hunting, but we agree about one thing: you’ve gotta go fast and play this one! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at podcast@abnormalmapping.com! Things Discussed: Sonic, Shin Megami Tensei Nocturne, Silent Hill 2, Mario Maker 2, Sonic Adventure 2, Sonic Generations, Sonic Heroes, Sonic Forces, Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy X, Your Uncle's Beach House This Month's Game Club: Sonic Adventure 2 Next Month's Game Club: ActRaiser Music This Episode Escape from the City by Ted Poley Wild Canyon by Hunnid-P E.G.G.M.A.N. by Paul Shortino Live and Learn by Crush 40
Fri, June 28, 2019
Deception IV and Pikuniku
Summer is in full swing and we’re feeling the heat as we struggle to muster the energy for games in our broken brains and post-E3 stupor. That said, we’re able to run down two fun things that are both worthy of your time in opposite ways: the slow joy of cartoon murder and the soft afternoon with some new round friends! It’s the two genders of gaming represented in one episode! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at podcast@abnormalmapping.com! Things Discussed: E3, Hollow Knight Silksong, Jackson's extremely good Mario play , Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep, Xenoblade Chronicles, Deception IV, Pikuniku, Donut County (boo), our craving for questions, open world games?, Repertory Screenings (please listen to it!), Your Uncle's Beach House (also please listen to it!) This Month's Game Club: Deception IV: The Nightmare Princess Pikuniku Next Month's Game Club: Sonic Adventure 2 Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Title Menu by Yuki Matsumura and Ayako Toyoda Free Money! by Calum Bowen The Rainy Mountain by Calum Bowen Unholy Choir (Mission Complete) by Yuki Matsumura and Ayako Toyoda
Fri, May 31, 2019
Einhander
A short but intense episode this week as we strike from the moon to bring you a slightly different vision of ‘what if Gundam but video games that can’t contain it’ than Titanfall 2 gave us two months back. We’re going into our PSX demo disc favs and pulling up Square’s attempt at a flashy shooting game—Einhander! This is our first shmup/shooter, and we still can’t figure out what to call this genre, but we do know what to call Einhander: a video game that we have Opinions about. Join us as we journey to the earth and back! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at podcast@abnormalmapping.com! Things Discussed: Hades, Inazuma 11, Final Fantasy VII, Sigil, Einhander, Playdate This Month's Game Club: Einhander Next Month's Game Club: Deception IV: The Nightmare Princess Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Capital by Kenichiro Fukui Street by Kenichiro Fukui Bloody Battle by Kenichiro Fukui Afterimage by Kenichiro Fukui
Tue, April 30, 2019
Devil May Cry 3
We return to the franchise that has haunted us since the very inception of Abnormal Mapping as we gear up with everyone’s loudmouth demon hunter for the first time, for the last(???) time as we climb the tower of the supposed best game in the franchise, Devil May Cry 3! Do we agree with the hype? Or is Dante a character who gets better with age? Find out! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at podcast@abnormalmapping.com! Things Discussed: Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep, Yoshi's Crafted World, Stickman Hook, Sudoku Relax, Devil May Cry 3, Devil May Cry 1 & 2, Bayonetta, Resident Evil This Month's Game Club: Devil May Cry 3 Next Month's Game Club: Einhander Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Battle Music 1 by Tetsuya Shibata Vergil Battle 2 by Tetsuya Shibata Devils Never Cry by Tetsuya Shibata
Thu, April 11, 2019
Titanfall 2
What does it mean to get into a robot? What does it mean when that robot is cool, when juxtaposed against war being hell? What does any of this mean when you do it all in a South African accent? We open the chamber of guf as we leap across the mighty gulfs between intent and execution as we talk about everyone’s favorite neglected mech shooter, Titanfall 2! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at podcast@abnormalmapping.com! Things Discussed: Ninja Gaiden, Ninja Gaiden 2, Dark Souls, Spyro the Dragon, Titanfall 2, Mirror's Edge, Gemini: Heroes Reborn, Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands, Mobile Suit Gundam This Month's Game Club: Titanfall 2 Next Month's Game Club: Devil May Cry 3 Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Overture by Frederic Talgorn Uphold the Mission by Stephen Barton Fly! Gundam by Takeo Watanabe and Koh Ikeda
Fri, March 29, 2019
Chrono Trigger
From the mists of time we finally move on from Final Fantasy to other classic JRPGs as we play everyone’s favorite time travel adventure Chrono Trigger. What delights do we find in the ATB 2.0? How do we feel about silent protagonists in 2019? What makes a game beloved and what makes an old game worth revisiting if one was to go back? All time compresses into an hour and a half of adventure in this, the episode with (if nothing else) the really really good music. If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at podcast@abnormalmapping.com! Things Discussed: Stadia, breaking up tech companies, Apple games, the modern video game crash, Ouya, Phantasy Star, Em's Dark Souls 2 LP, Souls and Soulslikes, Chrono Trigger This Month's Game Club: Chrono Trigger Next Month's Game Club: Titanfall 2 Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Decisive Battle with Magus by Yasunori Mitsuda Chrono Trigger by Yasunori Mitsuda Undersea Palace by Yasunori Mitsuda Frog's Theme by Yasunori Mitsuda
Thu, February 28, 2019
Killer7
Joined once again by special guest Aisling ( @heartjanedoe ), we take a journey into the first strange game Em ever played and one of the cult classics of the GameCube and Goichi Suda’s gameography with Killer7. Just how strange is a game known for being strange in 2019? What does it say about the dead ends of shooter and adventure game design? Just who is Emil Parkreiner? We find out today! This episode was brought to you by Aisling Quinn , thanks to her support on Patreon. If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping and you too can guest on an episode of us playing whatever you want! If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at podcast@abnormalmapping.com! Things Discussed: Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep, Kingdom Hearts 3, Spyro the Dragon, Killer7, Resident Evil, Resident Evil 4, Binary Domain, Dead Space, light gun games This Month's Game Club: Killer7 Next Month's Game Club: Chrono Trigger Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod (｀曲´) by Masafumi Takada Blackburn by Masafumi Takada Rave On by Masafumi Takada
Fri, February 08, 2019
Super Mario Galaxy 2
If you can believe it, it’s been six years of doing Abnormal Mapping and we’ve not once done an episode on a Mario platformer despite Jackson literally playing every single one since we started the podcast. That ends now as we both enjoy the last unplayed Mario for each of us and dip into the ups and downs of the Wii classic??? Mario Galaxy 2! We put our foot down about Yoshi, complain about the music, wax nostalgic for wiimotes, and generally have a complicated time. As usual! Please, come join us, and welcome to the galaxy! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at podcast@abnormalmapping.com! Things Discussed: our distinct lack of Kingdom Hearts content, Ys Seven, .Hack ignorance, Downwell, Mario games (broadly), Super Mario Galaxy 2, Super Mario Odyssey This Month's Game Club: Super Mario Galaxy 2 Next Month's Game Club: killer7 Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Sky Station Galaxy by Mahito Yokota Yoshi Star Galaxy by Mahito Yokota Final Bowser Battle by Mahito Yokota
Fri, January 25, 2019
Final Fantasy XII
After five years and many hundreds of hours our long Final Fantasy adventure is at an end as we pry open the doors on one of the most divisive games in the history of the franchise. What do we find in the land of Ivalice, aside from crystals and swords to cut the crystals with? How do we feel about Vaan in 2019? Is the format of an MMO truly a good way to play a single player game? We’re going to find out! And then, we’re going to rate all the Final Fantasy we’ve played on Abnormal Mapping, and go out in style! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at podcast@abnormalmapping.com! Things Discussed: Kingdom Hearts (the series), Crash Bandicoot, Sonic Heroes, Ys VII, Final Fantasy XII, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Final Fantasy X and X-2, Final Fantasy XIII This Month's Game Club: Final Fantasy XII Next Month's Game Club: Super Mario Galaxy 2 Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Royal Capital Rabinastre-City Upper Ground by Hayato Matsuo Ogir-Yensa Sandsea by Hayato Matsuo To Walk Amongst Gods by Hayato Matsuo
Fri, December 28, 2018
The 2018 Game of the Year Variety Show
We’re finally here at the end of the longest year in the history of long, bad years. We barely played any games this year, so pulling together our favorite songs was a mighty task, but we weren’t going to let you walk away empty-handed. Also, let’s be real, it’s way harder to find ten good games than games with good music. Good game music is easy. You here me, Capcom?? EASY! THERE’S NO EXCUSE FOR MEGA MAN TO SOUND LIKE THIS! *ahem* Please enjoy these hours of music and best of lists, and I hope everyone has a great end to the year from hell. May the hell be lessened and the games better in 2019. Thanks everyone, for everything. A few notes: you can find our episode for the music from games we played for the first six months of the year on Abnormal Mapping 79 . Also, to enjoy this episode in higher quality than our hosting can support, please consider listening to it on YouTube if you're sensitive to that sort of thing! As always you can find Abnormal Mapping on iTunes , Stitcher , and Google Play ! All of our shows, and this entire network, is Patreon supported ! Please consider pledging to keep Abnormal Mapping going into 2019! Thank you so much! THE TRACKS IN THIS EPISODE, IN ORDER! Prelude by Hidenori Maezawa from Castlevania III Soldiers of the Sea by Lucas Pope from Return of the Obra Dinn Loose Cargo by Lucas Pope from Return of the Obra Dinn The Doom by Lucas Pope from Return of the Obra Dinn The Alexandrian Pleiad by Sarah Schachner from Assassin’s Creed: Origins Mysterious by Yugo Kanno from Nioh Garbage Day by Daniel Koestner & Ben Esposito from Donut County Main Theme by Jason Graves from Murdered: Soul Suspect Every Day is Night by Michael Kelly from VA-11 HALL-A Danganronpa V3 Opening by Masafumi Takada from Danganronpa V3 God of War by Bear McCreary from God of War I’m Yours Forever by Noboru Mutoh from Tetris Effect Look Up by Noboru Mutoh from Tetris Effect Red Flag by Dan Le Sac from Subsurface Circular Checking In by Lena Raine from Celeste</
Fri, November 30, 2018
Nina Freeman Gameography
For our latest patreon request, we bring back our old Gameography format and take a look at fifteen games from game maker Nina Freeman. Her most famous game is Cibele but we’ve played all of the avaliable single player games and are here to have a discussion about them. They’re really good and interesting and while we don’t do these styles of episode much anymore, it was an incredibly rewarding experience! I hope you enjoy our discussion. This episode was brought to you by Olivia Zircon ( @OliviaZircon ), thanks to her support on Patreon. If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping and you too can take control of an episode! If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at podcast@abnormalmapping.com! The Games Covered : Beach Date Lost Memories Dot Net Cibele Kimmy Freshman Year how do you Do It? A Pretty Ornament I Made Space Dad Perishable Mangia Ladylike Deutsches Haus My House My Rules Hokuto no Huchen (Fist of the North Karp) A Dating Sim Things Discussed: Nina Freeman Games This Month's Game Club: Gameography: Nina Freeman Next Month's Game Club: Our GOTY Music Special! Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod valtameri by Decky Coss cibele by Decky Coss
Tue, October 30, 2018
Vampire: The Masquerade: Bloodlines
Joined by Aisling ( @heartjanedoe ), we take a journey to the ancient times of the mid 2000s, when the only thing cooler than tank-tops was the movie Blade II. Some say this remains true to this day. This episode was brought to you by Aisling Quinn , thanks to her support on Patreon. If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping and you too can guest on an episode of us playing whatever you want! If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at podcast@abnormalmapping.com! Things Discussed: Magic Online, Hollow Knight, Crayola Scoot, Vampire; The Masquerade - Bloodlines, The AAA Industry Through The Years This Month's Game Club: Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines Next Month's Game Club: Gameography: Nina Freeman Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Bloodlines Theme by “Rick Schaffer” Isolated by Chiasm Angel by Massive Attack
Fri, September 28, 2018
Assault on Dark Athena
We are joined once again by our friend Crystal (@ArcaneCrystal) to bring you the hardest hitting takes on the games of one Richard B. Riddick, the world's deadliest Digimon Protagonist. This episode was brought to you by Crystal, thanks to her support on Patreon. If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping and you too can have an episode of us playing whatever you want! And you too can guest! If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at podcast@abnormalmapping.com! Things Discussed: Mass Effect, Kingdom Hearts, Hollow Knight, The Chronicles Of Riddick: Escape from Buthcer Bay & Assault on Dark Athena, Doom 3, Dishonored This Month's Game Club: The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena Next Month's Game Club: Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Drone Mile by Gustaf Grefberg Traverse Town by Yoko Shimomura Prelude by Konami Kukeiha Club
Thu, August 30, 2018
Ape Escape 2
Abnormal Mapping returns with a voyage to the land of primates as we enjoy the machinations of dual shocks, world domination, and 3D platforming. Join us as we are surprised by one of our blind spots and play one of the best games we've played on this podcast! This episode was brought to you by Matt McCoolski , thanks to his support on Patreon. If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping and you too can have an episode of us playing whatever you want! If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at podcast@abnormalmapping.com! Things Discussed: God of War, Street Fighter V, Dragonball FighterZ, Jump Force, Fullmetal Alchemist, Ape Escape 2, Ratchet & Clank This Month's Game Club: Ape Escape 2 Next Month's Game Club: The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Liberty Island by Koji Hayama Song of the Freaky Monkey Five by Koji Hayama Indestructable by Exile (feat. Flo Rida)
Tue, July 31, 2018
Final Fantasy X-2
We enter our eighth decade of podcasts by checking back in on our friends in Spira two years after Sin was defeated and the day was saved. What has happened to the world? How has everyone carried on outside the spectre of death? And what, exactly, is up with Nooj's everything? All this and more as the Gullwings take to the skies and we take to our walkthroughs of the most complex Final Fantasy yet! Things Discussed : Things Discussed: Final Fantasy X-2, Final Fantasy, Mario Tennis Aces, Pocket Rumble, Street Fighter vs Mortal Kombat, Virtua Fighter, Advent Children If you would like to guest on our Podcast or just generally support the show please consider pledging to keep our lights on and our bellies full on Patreon ! Thank you to everyone who continues to help us make shows at any level. Abnormal Mapping can, as always, be found on iTunes , Stitcher , and Google Play ! This Month's Game : Final Fantasy X-2 Next Month's Game : Ape Escape 2 Music This Episde Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Real Emotion by Koda Kumi We're the Gullwings! by Noriko Matsueda and Takahito Eguchi 1000 Words by Koda Kumi
Fri, June 29, 2018
The 2018 Hot Times Hot Tunes Playlist
Welcome to our summer soundtrack episode! It's been six months since game of the year, so it's time to check in with all the music of all the games we've played in this hell year of 2018 so far. Please enjoy two hours of tunes! We are, as always, a patreon supported show. Go to patreon.com/abnormalmapping to help us keep making podcasts .Thank you. Color Pulse (Off the Hook) by Toru Minegishi, Ryo Nagamatsu, Shiho Fujii from Splatoon 2 Majula by Motoi Sakuraba & Yuka Kitamura from Dark Souls II Main Theme by Daniel Licht from Dishonored 2 Delilah's Theme by Daniel Licht from Dishonored 2 Right There, Ride On by Hideki Naganuma and Teruhiko Nakagawa from Sonic Rush Ska Cha Cha by Hideki Naganuma and Teruhiko Nakagawa from Sonic Rush Mario Stadium / Glare Desert by Masayoshi Soken from Mario Hoops 3 on 3 Jr Street by Masayoshi Soken from Mario Hoops 3 on 3 Koopa Beech / Sunset Beach by Masayoshi Soken from Mario Hoops 3 on 3 New Heights in El Machino by El Huervo from SteamWorld Dig 2 A City That Never Sleeps by Garoad from VA-11 HALL-A Nighttime Maneuvers by Garoad from VA-11 HALL-A Hall of Heroes by Ian Campbell from Bleed Theme Hard by David Boitier from Splasher Inkorp Frenzy by David Boitier from Splasher Trace Rising by Thomas Happ from Axiom Verge The Handed Down Name by Yuzo Koshiro from Etrian Odyssey V The Handed Down Name (FM Ver) by Yuzo Koshiro from Etrian Odyssey V Multi Battle Suspect Battle by Nobuo Uematsu and Tsutomu Narita from Granblue Fantasy Shopping A by Masami Ueda & others from Bayonetta 2 The Great War, Aerial Battle by Masami Ueda & others from Bayonetta 2 Twist It by Kota Hoshino from Armored Core 4 Special World 8 by Takeshi Hama from Super Mario 3D Land Cosmic Clone by Asuka Hayazaki, Mahito Yokota, Shigetoshi Gohara, Takeshi Hama, Yuya Takezawa from Super Mario 3D Land Start Running Hope by Go Ichinose from Pocket Card Jockey Jazz Racing Jam by Go Ichinose from Pocket Card Jockey Rose and Daughters by Halina Heron from A Mortician's Tale The Opened Way by Kou Otani from Shadow of the Colossus A Spartan
Fri, June 15, 2018
Tacoma
It is the ides, and we are bringing you a special early Abnormal Mapping! We've got our mid-year soundtrack episode coming out at the end of June, so today we're releasing our June Game Club: a discussion about Fullbright's latest game, Tacoma. We talk corporate dystopias, walking simulators, character interaction and gush about how impressive the central conversation playback mechanic is. It's so good to play a truly great video game again. Abnormal Mapping can, as always, be found on iTunes , Stitcher , and Google Play ! Things Discussed: Everybody's Tennis, Bound, Tacoma, Gone Home, Walking Simulators This Month's Game Club : Tacoma Next Month's Game Club: Final Fantasy X-2 Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeodFind Me by Szjerdene Dead Weight by Floating Room
Thu, May 31, 2018
Murdered: Soul Suspect
Another month comes to a close and we're here to bring you another episode of the hit video game podcast: Abnormal Mapping! This time we're looking at Murdered: Soul Suspect, arguably the final big B-Game of the 360 era, the last gasp of a now forgotten time. But is it any good? Does it hold up in 2018? What is it? These questions and more will be answered within. It's a good show! This month is brought to you by patreon subscriber Mike Cosimano , who used their reward to make us play this game. If you would like to guest on our Podcast or just generally support the show please consider pledging to keep our lights on and our bellies full on Patreon ! Thank you to everyone who continues to help us make shows at any level. Abnormal Mapping can, as always, be found on iTunes , Stitcher , and Google Play ! Things Discussed: Castlevania II, Castlevania III, Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon, Assassin's Creed: Origins, Murdered: Soul Suspect This Month's Game Club : Murdered: Soul Suspect Next Month's Game Club: Tacoma Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Murdered Soul Suspect Theme by Jason Graves Keep Your Head Up! by Masaya Matsuura Aisle 10 by Scapegoat Wax
Fri, April 27, 2018
The Room: Old Sins and The Floor is Jelly
We might never miss a month but it feels like it's been a thousand years since we've podcasted given how fast the world goes and the strange recording schedule of our seventy sixth episode. Please join us for two hours split across an entire month as we reflect on the games we've played, the games we wish we were playing, and how nothing will ever actually change in this space. Ever. If you would like to guest on our Podcast or just generally support the show please consider pledging to keep our lights on and our bellies full on Patreon ! Thank you to everyone who continues to help us make shows at any level. Abnormal Mapping can, as always, be found on iTunes , Stitcher , and Google Play ! Things Discussed: God of War, Labo, The Room: Old Sins, Myst, The Floor is Jelly, Celeste, The Company of Myself , Where is my Heart? , the Idle Thumbs podcast Jackson cites is incorrect but I don't have a better idea which podcast it was sorry, Vostok Inc., walking simulators, Campo Santo and Idle Thumbs This Month's Game Club : The Room: Old Sins and The Floor is Jelly Next Month's Game Club: Murdered: Soul Suspect Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod The Room Main Theme by Dave Newby The First Day by Ian Snyder Rain in C Minor by Disasterpiece Carrier Zone by Richard Jacques
Thu, March 29, 2018
Wario Land 3
Abnormal Mapping returns with a dive into the history of Nintendo's favorite greed magnate, a man of refined tastes and great financial need, the second most handsome foil in all of Video Games, Wario! We're joined by a special guest today to discuss non-linearity, the weirdness of a game without death, and just how cool the Game Boy Color aesthetic can be. Join us, on this most lusty adventure! Crystal can be found hosting their Zelda lore podcast, The Book of Mudora , and you can follow them on twitter @ArcaneCrystal If you would like to guest on our Podcast or just generally support the show please consider pledging to keep our lights on and our bellies full on Patreon ! Thank you to everyone who continues to help us make shows at any level. Abnormal Mapping can, as always, be found on iTunes , Stitcher , and Google Play ! Things Discussed: Metal Gear Survive, The Last Guardian, Part Time UFO, Wario Land 3 This Month's Game Club : Wario Land 3 Next Month's Game Club: The Room: Old Sins and The Floor is Jelly Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Wario Land 3 Main Theme by Kozue Ishikawa The Tidal Coast, Sea Turtle Rocks and Beneath The Waves by Kozue Ishikawa Wii Dancing by Naoko Mitome, Masanobu Matsunaga, Yasuhisa Baba
Mon, February 26, 2018
Fire Emblem: Awakening
Abnormal Mapping is back with a special guest and a long-lived game stricken from Em's backlog forever as Six Dettmar joins us to talk about marriage, weapon triangles, permadeath and more as we explore the strange turn of events that is Fire Emblem: Awakening! With Jackson gone, we get deep in the weeds on fantasy nonsense, anime tropes, and how sometimes what makes a game popular is really hard to pin down. Six can be found co-hosting Novel Not New and on Scanline Media . Ver twitter is @sixdettmar . If you would like to guest on our Podcast or just generally support the show please consider pledging to keep our lights on and our bellies full on Patreon ! Thank you to everyone who continues to help us make shows at any level. Abnormal Mapping can, as always, be found on iTunes , Stitcher , and Google Play ! Things Discussed: Heat Signature, Bayonetta 2, Fire Emblem Awakening, the Iwata Asks about FE:A , non-spoilery talk about Fire Emblem Fates This Month's Game Club: Fire Emblem: Awakening Next Month's Game Club : Wario Land 3 Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Fire Emblem Awakening Main Theme by Hiroki Morishita, Rei Kondoh, Yuka Tsujiyoko "Oh, it's not so bad, Lissa. Just a healthy little stroll!" by Hiroki Morishita, Rei Kondoh, Yuka Tsujiyoko Main Theme (Beach) by Hiroki Morishita, Rei Kondoh, Yuka Tsujiyoko
Wed, January 31, 2018
Shadow of the Colossus
Abnormal Mapping returns in 2018 with our first Patron-guested episode as we rise to our most massive challenge yet—the iconic Shadow of the Colossus! Em's re-evaluation of a long-disliked game and Jackson's resolve to place an old game in context go head to head as we talk about horses, monsters, remakes, and just how far games have come since 2005. This episode is as wild as any giant beast, and we're just as diligent as any sword boy trying to save a lady. A big thank you to Sam Howitt for suggesting we play this game. You can find Sam on twitter at @SamuelHowitt or on his podcast Myth & Kin ! If you would like to guest on our Podcast or just generally support the show please consider pledging to keep our lights on and our bellies full on Patreon ! Thank you to everyone who continues to help us make shows at any level. Things Discussed: Halo, The Witcher, book shops, Guardian Heroes, Gunstar Super Heroes, GBA Flash Carts, Austin Walker's review of Monster Hunter World , Shadow of the Colossus, Heather Alexandra's Shadow of the Colossus Let's Play , the Legend of Zelda art Em mentions, the HD Shadow of the Colossus remake for PS4 , the Boss Fight Book's Shadow of the Colossus book by Nick Suttner , video of someone climbing up to the secret garden This Month's Game Club: Shadow of the Colossus Next Month's Game Club: Fire Emblem: Awakening Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin McLeod Revived Power by Kou Otani The End of the Battle by Kou Otani The Farthest Land (Reprise) by Kou Otani
Mon, December 25, 2017
The Game of the Year 2017 Spectacular Spectacular
Hello everyone and welcome to the very last Abnormal Mapping of 2017! The year is over, we're all bundled up in the tepid cold of this global warming reality playing whatever we decided to get done over holiday break, and that means it's time for us to bring to you the lengthy catalogue of games we played in this hell year of two thousand seventeen. In this THREE (3) [III] hour podcast we have an array of music for you to enjoy during this down week between observed days off. We'll also run down our favorite and least favorite games played in this year, along with some special guests. A few notes: you can find our episode for the music from games we played for the first three months of the year on Abnormal Mapping 65 . The Hellblade article we reference in this episode can be found here . Also, to enjoy this episode in higher quality than our hosting can support, please consider listening to it on YouTube if you're sensitive to that sort of thing! As always you can find Abnormal Mapping on iTunes , Stitcher , and Google Play ! To support our shows, suggest topics, and vote on games, please check out our Patreon . Any amount of support helps a ton! Special guests this episode include Jen Unkle , Nate Ewert-Krocker , Ryan Persaud , Allen Ibrahim , Amr Al-Aaser , and Heather Alexandra . Big thank you to everyone, see you in 2018! The Tracks in This Episode, In Order! Die House by Evan Skolnick from Cuphead Level Complete! by Robert Prince from Wolfenstein 3D Get Them! by Robert Prince from Wolfenstein 3D Legacy by The Gone Jackals from Full Throttle Surface of SR388 by Daisuke Matsuoka & Kenji Yamamoto from Metroid: Samus Returns Quantum Immortality by John Halpart from Heat Signature Openi
Fri, December 15, 2017
Rez Infinite, Thumper, NES Remix
Welcome to the penultimate podcast of 2017! We've managed to make it through this hell year and we figured we'd wrap up our normal game club episodes in style by talking about two of our favorite games and one game that makes us look back on games of yore and how we feel about them as people who still engage with them in 2017. Look forward to further adventures of the Abnormal Mapping crew in 2018, and come back in two weeks for our GotY spectacular music spectacular. It's going to be a whole thing! To support our shows, suggest topics, and vote on games, please check out our Patreon . Any amount of support helps a ton! You can find this podcast on iTunes , Stitcher , and Google Play ! We're on all the things! Things Discussed: Vostok Inc, SOMA, Rez, Child of Eden, Thumper, NES Remix This Month's Game Club: Rez Infinite , Thumper , NES Remix Next Month's Game Club: Shadow of the Colossus Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin McLeod Creation by State of the Art Level 7 with Gameplay by Brian Gibson NES Remix Main Theme by Toshiyuki Sudo New Donk City Cafe by Naoto Kubo, Shiho Fujii & Koji Kondo Area X Mix - Blue Version by Hydelic
Fri, November 24, 2017
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
We head into the distant past and the world of legend this month to discuss one of the critical darlings of the early 00s and its filmic adaptation. What does it mean to re-envision a game before retro throwbacks? How influential can one game be to the idea of cinematic narrative experiences in this space? And most importantly, how can they ruin it trying to turn a video game into the next Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise? All this and more as we gather round one young man and the story he wants to tell us about what it means to live and love in an age of magic. It should be a good story, but he keeps talking about how he dies over and over and then saying it's not actually part of the story. He's a bad storyteller. To support our shows, suggest topics, and vote on games, please check out our Patreon . Any amount of support helps a ton! You can find this podcast on iTunes , Stitcher , and Google Play ! We're on all the things! Things Discussed: Game of the Year, Sonic Lost World, biscuits vs cookies, Wolfenstein: The New Order, Novel Not New, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2003), Jordan Mechner's original footage for the animation of Prince of Persia , the GameSpot video review of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time , the Resident Evil films, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010) This Month's Game Club: Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Next Month's Game Club: Thumper , Rez Infinite , NES Remix Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin McLeod Introducing the Prince by Stuart Chatwood The Sands of Time by Harry Gregson-Williams Mario 64 Title Theme by Koji Kondo The House of the Rising Sun by Wilbert Eckhart und seine Volksmusik Stars
Thu, October 26, 2017
Final Fantasy X
NICE! Welcome to our weed-numbered episode of our ongoing Final Fantasy Adventure as we cover a game not called Final Fantasy Adventure, but instead take a deep dive into Spira and the wonders and horrors within. Please join us as we curse our old man, remember a time when everyone was laughing but only we meant it, and answered the age old question: what if Final Fantasy XIII was good? To support our shows, suggest topics, and vote on games, please check out our Patreon . Any amount of support helps a ton! You can find this podcast on iTunes , Stitcher , and Google Play ! We're on all the things! Things Discussed : Mario 64, Mario Sunshine, Yono: The Celestial Elephants, Golf Story, The Sonic Forces Discourse, Final Fantasy X, Final Fantasy XIII Next Month's Game Club: Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin McLeod Otherworld by Nobuo Uematsu To Zanarkand by Nobuo Uematsu Someday the Dream will End by Nobuo Uematsu Yuna's Theme by Nobuo Uematsu Jecht's Theme by Nobuo Uematsu Suteki Da Ne by Nobuo Uematsu, Kazushige Nojima, and Rikki
Fri, October 13, 2017
Meta Mapping: Pokemon X/Y
In the second episode of Abnormal Mapping, Em and Jackson have breaking news about the new console generation, Em discovers a beloved franchise maybe isn’t as beloved as they thought it would be, and Jackson hears a question so profound it makes them drop their coffee cup. To support our shows, suggest topics, and vote on games, please check out our Patreon . Any amount of support helps a ton! You can find this podcast on iTunes , Stitcher , and Google Play ! We're on all the things! Things Discussed : Griffin's Nuzlocke run , PlayStation 4, The Swapper and Pokemon X & Y , that cool article about the development of Crash Bandicoot , How much the new Pokemon cards suck. No, really. This Month's Game Club The Swapper Pokemon X & Y Next Month's Game Club The Shivah: Kosher Edition Vanquish
Fri, September 29, 2017
Grab Bag
Hello friends! This week we're doing an extra special grab bag of things. Please enjoy this far reaching discussion of five game club games: Ridiculous Fishing , Bernband , Radiator 2 , Gravity Bone , and Balloon Fight . Thanks to everyone who suggested these games on our Patreon. To support our shows, suggest topics, and vote on games, please check out our Patreon . Any amount of support helps a ton! You can find this podcast on iTunes , Stitcher , and Google Play ! We're on all the things! Things Discussed : Ridiculous Fishing, Jetpack Joyride, Bernband, Radiator 2, Hurt Me Plenty, Succulent, Stick Shift, Deathspank (fuck you), Gravity Bone, Balloon Fight, Iwata o7, Iwata Wii U, Iwata Game Centre Next Month's Game Club: Final Fantasy X Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin McLeod Main Theme by Eirik Suhrke Bernband Alien Hallway by Tom van den Boogaart Crybaby by Davey and the Chains Maria Elena by Xavier Cugat Bonus Round by Hirokazu Tanaka Balloon Trip (Brawl ver) by Koji Hayama Blurry by Puddle of Mudd
Fri, September 08, 2017
Meta Mapping: Doom
The mappers find themselves in a glitch world, where the insomnia madness encroaches and the very internet begins to disintegrate. Our intrepid heroes carry on, reversing the course of last month’s progress to embrace the numbers and meters of ye olden games, and ride this regression wave directly into the past to confront the satanic baby of Johns Carmack and Romero within its pixelated heavy metal womb. Will a carton of juice and a shotgun be enough to survive this trek? Games Discussed : Bravely Default, Doom Relevant Links M’s entire playthrough of Doom Masters of Doom , the book that inspired this podcast the history of Crash Bandicoot’s development Music in this Episode Blown Away by Kevin McLeod Tiz’ Battle Theme (live ver.) by Revo E1M1 Music by Robert Prince Feena by Yuzo Koshiro Anna by Jonathan Eng
Wed, August 30, 2017
Max Payne
On this month's Abnormal Mapping we have a nice treat for you: playing a game, and watching the tie-in movie! The game is good fun, the tie in movie is an unholy abomination, and the podcast is very entertaining! Join us, my lord, and indeed let's embark upon a journey of donut fuelled revenge with Maxy Max and the Payne Bunch. Things Discussed: Max Payne, Jazzpunk, This Dead Rising Video, Max Payne (The Movie), Sin City (The Movie) This Month's Game Club : Max Payne Next Month's Game Club : Radiator 2, Ridiculous Fishing, Bernband, Balloon Fight, Gravity Bone Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Main Theme of Max Payne by Kärtsy Hatakka & Kimmo Kajasto Max Marches On by Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders The Happy Song by Poets of the Fall
Fri, August 11, 2017
Meta Mapping: Paper Mario
Legends tell of a man, a quiet man, a man who jumps and a man who spins, a man who one day—this day—must rise and save us all. But that man was not available, and so it falls upon this paper plumber to embark upon a journey to the stars to save a princess oft and once more kidnapped. The Mappers embark upon this man’s journey through a twisted land of pun-laden characters and self-aware deconstruction, and arrive finally at the end of their quest with only the corpses of penguins to show for it*. (*No penguins were harmed in the making of this podcast.) As a companion piece to this episode, Em produced an zine for Paper Mario, featuring cool and cute paintings and sketches of the characters and the world of this month’s game! You can (and totally should, it’s really good!) pick it up on gumroad . This episode was brought to you by our patrons. To support our shows, suggest topics, and vote on games, please check out our Patreon . Any amount of support helps a ton! You can find this podcast on iTunes , Stitcher , and Google Play ! We're on all the things! This Month’s Game Club: Paper Mario Things Discussed: Papa’s Donuteria , Racially Diverse Kitchen 3, Metal Gear Solid, Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture, Roger Ebert’s Great Movies , Player 2 , The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth , Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl , The Minesweeper Wall , Paper Mario, Super Mario RPG: The Legend of the Seven Stars, Iwata Asks for Paper Mario Sticker Star , Upon Reflection, Retro Game Challenge, NES Remix, Shovel Knight, Attack of the Friday Monsters, Yakuza 3, Gone Home, Her Story Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Attack of the Koopa Bros. by Yuka Tsujiyoko & Taishi Senda March Ahead by Yuka Tsujiyoko & Taishi Senda Nice To Meet You by Yuka Tsujiyoko & Taishi Senda Detective Mario by Yuka Tsujiyoko & Taishi Senda
Thu, July 27, 2017
Devil May Cry
This month we bookend our newest episode with our oldest episode and cover the first Devil May Cry! Inspired by our very first Meta Mapping and voted on by our Patrons, we dig into the past of character action games and Dante, son of Mundus for a trip into all thing stylish and stupid. Come for the combos, stay for the angst. We even touch a bit on old standbys Ninja Gaiden and Bayonetta! This episode was brought to you by our patrons. To support our shows, suggest topics, and vote on games, please check out our Patreon . Any amount of support helps a ton! You can find this podcast on iTunes , Stitcher , and Google Play ! We're on all the things! Things Discussed: England's world cup win in 1966 , the Paris level of Twisted Metal 2 , the Neo Paris of Remember Me , Yoshi's Island, RetroArch , Crash Bandicoot 1 & 2, Abnormal Mapping episode 6 covering Crash Bandicoot , So You're Saying There's A Chance , Devil May Cry This Month's Game Club : Devil May Cry Next Month's Game Club : Max Payne (and the movie!) <a href="England's world cup win in 1966 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lg2CXkJVCHk, the Paris level of Twisted Metal 2, the Neo Paris of Remember Me, Yoshi's Island, RetroArch http://www.retroarch.com/, Crash Bandicoot 1 & 2, Abnormal Mapping episode 6 covering Crash Bandicoot, So You're Saying There's A Chance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGdhc9k07Ms, Devil May CryThis Month's Game Club: Devil May CryNext Month's Game Club: Max Payne (and the movie!)Music Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod
Fri, July 14, 2017
Meta Mapping: The King and W
Welcome to Meta Mapping, our journey through old episodes complete with new reflections on our current day thoughts on the episode! Today we're revisiting The King And W, an episode idea that our friend Michaela Joffe came to us with where we would do a little improv and interview Bowser, the King Koopa. It turned out extremely well, and we're very excited to bring it to you again! It was recorded only a couple years ago, and yet it feels like a whole different world. A lot can change in a short two years. As always, you can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes . Consider supporting us on Patreon to make future shows possible and receive cool extra gifts. Music This Episode Saturday Night Live Theme 1985-1994 by Howard Shore Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Wario Dance Company by Naoko Mitome, Masanobu Matsunaga, Yasuhisa Baba Gamecube Boot Music by Toru Minegishi Ignorance is Bliss by Jellyfish
Thu, July 06, 2017
The Second Soundtrack Spectacular
Hello friends, we're here again at the nearly-midpoint of the year for a celebration of music and magic and wonder. Everyone liked our December music episodes so much and they took so long to make we decided to split them into twice-yearly installments, so enjoy this long list of summer tunes based on what we've been playing since we last checked in. As always, check us out on iTunes, or watch this episode on YouTube if that's your speed. And be sure to support us on Patreon , to keep the good times rolling. With that, here's the full list of music. Enjoy! Music This Episode Dance Through the Danger by Christina Vee from Shantae: Half-Genie Hero I Made It All Up by Mike Morasky from Portal 2 Influence of the Deep by Yoko Shimomura from Parasite Eve Cara Mia Addio by Mike Morasky from Portal 2 Route 1 by Junichi Masuda and Go Ichinose from Pokemon FireRed/LeafGreen Pewter City by Junichi Masuda and Go Ichinose from Pokemon FireRed/LeafGreen Vs Champion by Junichi Masuda and Go Ichinose from Pokemon Sun and Moon Saferoom by Miwako Chinone from Resident Evil 7 On A Pale Horse by Martin O'Donnell from Halo: Combat Evolved Truth and Reconciliation by Martin O'Donnel from Halo: Combat Evolved 1:50-4:28 Linkle's Theme by Masato Koike and Yuki Matsumura from Hyrule Warriors Legends Price Sidon by Manaka Kataoka, Yasuaki Iwata, and Hajime Wakai from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Attack on Vah Medoh by Manaka Kataoka, Yasuaki Iwata, and Hajime Wakai from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Hyrule Castle by Manaka Kataoka, Yasuaki Iwata, and Hajime Wakai from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Athletic Theme by Asuka Ota, Hajime Wakai, and Koji Kondo from New Super Mario Bros Beach Overworld by Asuka Ota, Hajime Wakai, and Koji Kondo from New Super Mario Bros Lonely Rolling Star by Yohihito Yano and Saki Kabata from Katamari Damacy Everlasting Love by Akitaka Tohyama from We Love Katamari Old Town by Kohei Tanaka from Gravity Rush Lei Colmosna by Kohei Tanaka from Gravity Rush 2 A Red Apple Fell From the Sky by Kohei Tanaka from Gravity Rush 2 War to War by Keiichi Okabe and Keigo Hoashi from Nier: Automata Memories of Dust by Keiichi Okabe and Keigo Hoashi from Nier: Automata Machine Village by Keiichi Okabe and Keigo Hoashi from Nier: Automata Prologue (A New Act) by Justin Bell from Pillars of Eternity Dyrwood by Justin Bell from Pillars of Eternity Falling Bridge by Takeshi Furukawa from The Last Guardian Delphinus Delphis by Austin Wintory from Abzu Theme of Tara by Konami Kukeiha Club from Metal Gear Red Alert by Konami Kukeiha Club from Metal Gear Zanzibarland National Anthem by Konami Kukeiha Club from Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake Zanzibar Breeze by Konami Kukeiha Club from Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake Enclosure by TAPPY and
Thu, June 29, 2017
Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords
A year ago this month we played Knights of the Old Republic , and today we complete the saga by taking on Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords. Jump in for a journey of discovery, as we experience one of the most heavily recommended subversions of all the aspects of Star Wars that we thought we didn't like, only to realize that without them our hearts feel empty and we feel lost. Maybe the Star Wars we loved was in our hearts all along. No, we will never do the MMO. We are joined by friend of the show Heather Alexandra for segment 2, you can find her work over at Kotaku and follow her on twitter here! You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download directly from the player above. Things Discussed: our Patreon! which is doing well, Driver: San Francisco, Hollow Knight, Mega Man 6, Life is Strange, Star Wars (the movies), Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Traitor (A New Jedi Order Novel) , Episode 50: Jump Cut Genocide covering KotOR 1 , our episode about Planescape: Torment, Persona 4 Game Club This Month: Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords Game Club Next Month: Devil May Cry Music This Episode Star Wars: Kotor March by Mark Griskey Star Wars Theme by John Williams Throne Room by John Williams I'm Han Solo by Kevin Afflack
Fri, June 16, 2017
Meta Mapping: DmC: Devil May Cry
Welcome to Meta Mapping, our first in a series of re-released episodes from the Abnormal Mapping archives with new content made possible by our Patreon subscribers . We figured it would be best to start with our very first episode, back when all our mics were bad and M used a different name. We didn't want to change any of that, so you get the raw reality of us four years ago for your listening ... pleasure? Pleasure seems like a strong word. We've come a long way, baby! And you can see those humble beginnings here. As always, you can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes . Consider supporting us on Patreon to make future shows possible and receive cool extra gifts. Games Discussed This Episode Gunpoint DmC: Devil May Cry Music Used This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Melancholia by John Robert Matz, Ryan Ike and Francisco Cerda What the Fuck Is Wrong With You by Combichrist
Thu, May 25, 2017
Myst
The Mappers delve into the past for an examination of two pillars of 90s PC gaming, as we all tackle the mysteries of Myst together (with returning third chair Destiny), and then I take a moment to talk about Full Throttle Remastered with Kotaku's Heather Alexandra. It's a lot of clicking and a lot of puzzle solving in this wave of computer nostalgia. Note: we have a Patreon! Support us by going to patreon.com/abnormalmapping ! You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download directly from the player above. Things Discussed: Persona 5: Jungian Inception, Forza Horizon 3, Injustice, The Patreon Letters, Full Throttle, Grim Fandango, Heather's review for Full Throttle Remastered , Secret of Monkey Island Special Edition, LOOM, 90s PC games versus console games, Myst, Jeff Gerstmann in the RealMyst Quick Look , Rock Paper Shotgun's Myst Opinions , Life is Strange, The Eternal Quest To Defend Pop Punk This Month's Game Clubs : Full Throttle Remastered, Myst Next Month's Game Club: Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Get Outta Town by The Gone Jackals Myst Theme by Robyn Miller The Temple of Achenar by Robyn Miller The Last Message by Robyn Miller
Thu, April 27, 2017
Pikmin 3
Miyamoto, tending his garden, suddenly has a brilliant idea. What if he could recapture the feelings of his childhood in game form? What if it was possible to identify the essence of nature and replicate it on a simple disc. It would be overwhelming, yet familiar. Chaotic, yet calm. Hostile, yet intimate. He toiled with his team for years, until finally the public could join him in the garden. After the sun had set, he opened a laptop, and went to find what the public had said. He did not know if he was truly successful, but he hoped he had reached at least a few. Yet the message he received was not one he understood. He stared at his screen under cover of night, left only with the words: CHIE IS BEST GIRL. -- This month we are joined by a very special guest for Segment 2, Amr Al-Aaser. Amr Al-Aaser is a games critic. You can find them on twitter , on Medium , Paste , and even donate to their Patreon ! They're good people, and we're very glad to have them. Things Discussed: national health systems, Mark of the Ninja, Mega Man 5, Gravity Rush 2, Need for Speed: the novel based on the movie, the trailer for the NFS movie , Persona 5, Dark Souls, Yakuza, who put the J in JRPGs, GameFAQS, Pikmin 3, Mario 128 demo This Month's Game Club : Pikmin 3 Next Month's Game Club : Myst Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Pikmin 3 Title Theme by Asuka Hayazaki, Atsuko Asahi, Hajime Wakai Twilight River by Asuka Hayazaki, Atsuko Asahi, Hajime Wakai Fruit Analysis by Asuka Hayazaki, Atsuko Asahi, Hajime Wakai Pikmin Ai No Uta by Strawberry Flower
Wed, March 29, 2017
Final Fantasy IX
Em and Jackson are here to say goodbye to the Final Fantasy of old and to look forward to new horizons, new podcast art, and a new podcast feed! Final Fantasy IX is a strange game to be approaching after so much time in the SNES Final Fantasies. Does it help to have such immediate context for the games FF9 is trying to reference? Hrm... Meanwhile, Em takes some time to sit in nature and think about the latest Zelda. Things Discussed : SquareSpace, Mothering Sunday, TypeShift, 7 Words, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, Pillars of Eternity, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Final Fantasy IX, Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within This Month's Game Club: Final Fantasy IX Next Month's Game Club: Pikmin 3 Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Black Mage Village by Nobuo Uematsu Breath of the Wild Theme by Manaka Kataoka and Yasuaki Iwata Link's Memories by Manaka Kataoka and Yasuaki Iwata Hyrule Field (Day) by Manaka Kataoka and Yasuaki Iwata Vamo' Alla Flamenco by Nobuo Uematsu You're Not Alone! by Nobuo Uematsu Inseparable Hearts by Nobuo Uematsu Behind the Door by Nobuo Uematsu
Thu, February 23, 2017
Katamari Damacy
Celebrate the shortest month with the shortest hero as Abnormal Mapping delves into the wide world of rolling up extremely tiny objects in Katamary Damacy. This includes the first game, We Love Katamari, and even some Katamari Forever. Plus, we dip into Keita Takahashi’s development history and philosophy of design. Come for the good conversation, stay for the incredible music. We’re 60 years young and still rolling strong! This Month’s Game Club: Katamari Damacy Next Month’s Game Club: Final Fantasy IX You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . Things Discussed: Mortal Kombat 9, the coolness of Ninjas, Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy: Curtain Call, Hatsune Miku Project DIVA Future Tone, Guitar Hero Live, Braid, The Swapper, Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation, Ori & The Blind Forest, Mario Galaxy, Gravity Ghost, Katamari Damacy, The Zelda 1 Map in Zelda 2 , Katamari Items Twitter , We Love Katamari, Noby Noby Boy, Beautiful Katamari, Wattam (Coming Soon!), Keita Takahashi’s Twitter, The Katamari of Amigara Fault, Ninja Gaiden, Dark Souls Music This Episode Blown Away by Ken MacLeod Katamari Mambo by Yuri Misumi Que Sera Sera by Asuka Sakai Cherry Blossom Color Season by Yuu Miyake Katamari on the Rocks by Yuu Miyake
Mon, January 30, 2017
The Crystal Dynamics Tomb Raider Pentalogy
Hello and welcome to 2017 where we’re getting right into the thick of it with a podcast covering five whole video games today. What happens when you take a decade to tell the story of two women equally dedicated to murdering, climbing, exploring, and looting, and pit them against each other? Today we look at two generations of design by a single company, and ask the question: what exactly is Lara Croft’s job? Because she sure isn’t selling these artifacts or writing papers. Things Discussed: Moderns Warfare 1-3, New Super Mario Bros. U, Super Mario Run, Super Mario Sunshine, Things Were Better Before, the surprisingly nice looking 360 Version of Rise of The Tomb Raider , Tomb Raider Legend, Tomb Raider Anniversary, Tomb Raider Underworld, Tomb Raider (2013), Rise of the Tomb Raider, Hitman, E3, Our Yakuza 3 Episode , Danganronpa This Month’s Game Club : Tomb Raider Legend , Tomb Raider: Anniversary , Tomb Raider Underworld , Tomb Raider (2013) , Rise of the Tomb Raider Next Month’s Game Club : Katamari Damacy You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . Music This Episode Blown Away by Ken MacLeod Tomb Raider Legend Theme by Troels Brun Folmann Japan 7B by Troels Brun Folmann Man for All Seasons by Robbie Williams I Shall Rise by Karen O
Fri, December 30, 2016
The First Annual Soundtrack Showcase Part Deux
Welcome to the very end of the year, where we talk about the good, the bad, and the musical. Please enjoy over two hours of hot, banging audio content. Please enjoy the end of 2016. Please enjoy the end. Next Month’s Game Club: Tomb Raider Legend, Tomb Raider Anniversary, Tomb Raider Underworld, Tomb Raider (2013), Rise of the Tomb Raider You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . The Best Game Music Choices of 2016! Witcher 3 – Priscilla’s Song – Marcin Przbylowicz, Mikolai Stroinski Wolf Among Us – Intro Theme – Jared Emerson Johnson Stellaris – Gravitation Constant – Andreas Waldetoft Super Mario World – Athletic Theme – Koji Kondo Link to the Past – Dark World – Koji Kondo Super Castlevania 4 – Simon’s Theme – Masanori Adachi, Taro Kudo Majora’s Mask – Milk Bar – Koji Kondo Majora’s Mask – Giants’ Theme – Koji Kondo Sonic the Hedgehog – Starlight Zone – Masato Nakamura Sonic the Hedgehog 2 – Metropolis – Masato Nakamura Sonic CD – Stardust Speedway Zone (Bad Future ver) – Spencer Nilsen, David Young, Mark Crew Sonic Adventure – Azure Blue World – Jun Senoue, Fumie Kumatani, Kenichi Tokoi, Masaru Setsumaru Yoshi’s Woolly World – Clawdaddy Beach – Tomoya Tomita, Misaki Asada Kirby: Planet Robobot – Float Islands (Blue Lab Area) – Hirokazu Ando Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze – Mangrove Cove – David Wise, Kenji Yamamoto Picross 3D Round 2 – Track II – Megumi Ohara, Hirokazu Ando, Shogo Sakai Super Hexagon – Courtesy – Chipzel Streets of Rage 2 – Wave 131 – Yuzo Koshiro Thumper – Road – Brian Gibson Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst – The Shard – Solar Fields No Man’s Sky – Blueprint for a Slow Machine – 65daysofstatic Rez – Rock is Sponge – Joujouka Stardew Valley – Summer (Tropicala) – ConcernedApe Stardew Valley – Winter (Nocturne of Ice) – ConcernedApe Kingdom Hearts – Hikari (Orchestral) – Yoko Shimomura Auld Lang Syne – Frank Stanley Backing Music Rise of the Tomb Raider – Main Theme Uncharted 4 – Nates Theme 4.0 Firewatch – Hidden Away The Witness: Ambient Sound Bullet Hell Monday: Stage One Heart & Slash – I You Chameleon Run – Trailer Theme Oxenfree – Main Theme The Last Guardian – Main Theme Call of Duty Infinite Warfare – Menu Theme Inside – Main Theme Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth – Main Theme Pokemon Sun – Welcome To Alola Thumper – Tunnel Rez Infinite – Stage 5 Super Hot – Menu Theme Stardew Valley – Starwatcher
Fri, December 16, 2016
The First Annual Soundtrack Showcase Part The First
We’re here at the end of the year with a very special Christmas episode, where we celebrate not just the best music of the year, but the best music of the games we played this year. That’s a big list, so this is only half of it. Have a merry Christmas and see you in two weeks! You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . Tales from the Borderlanes – Retrograde – James Blake The Witcher 2 – A Nearly Peaceful Place – Krzysztof Wierzynkiewicz Fable – Oakvale – Russell Shaw Uncharted – Small Beginnings – Greg Edmonson Alex Kidd in Miracle World – Main Theme – Tokuhiko “BO” Uwabo Link’s Awakening – Tal Tal Heights – Koji Kondo Mega Man 3 – Magnet Man – Yasuaki Fujita Castlevania – Wicked Child – Kinuyo Yamashita, Satoe Terashima Castlevania 3 – Mad Forest – Yoshinori Sasaki The Last of Us – The Last of Us – Gustavo Santaolalla Alien Isolation – Lower Hospital – Christian Henson, Joe Henson, and Alexis Smith Firewatch – Stay in Your Tower and Watch – Chris Remo The Last of Us – Left Behind – Gustavo Santaolalla FFIV – Within The Giant – Nobuo Uematsu FF6 – Terra’s Theme – Nobuo Uematsu Yakuza – Scarlet Scar – Hidenori Shoji Digimon Cyber Sleuth – A Day in A Detective Agency – Masafumi Takada Digimon Cyber Sleuth – PO-SI-TIVE Pop Girl – Masafumi Takada Read Only Memories – Step Careful (Lexi’s Theme) – 2Mello Heart & Slash – I You – Michael Chait Freedom Planet – Fortune Night – Strife and Woofle Flywrench – Speeds – Daedelus Deadly Tower of Monsters – Lost in Space – Patricio Meneses BACKING MUSIC FOR AWARDS Dead Rising 3: Nick’s Theme Uncharted 2: Nate’s Theme 2.0 Sonic 3: Carnival Night Super Hot: Menu Theme Battlefield 4: Main Theme Metal Gear Rising: Rules of Nature Dead Rising: Fly Routine The Witcher: Dusk of a Northern Kingdom Freedom Planet: Freedom Planet Theme Sonic 2: Emerald Hill Zone Final Fantasy IV: Theme of Love Table Tennis Touch: N/A Hitman Blood Money: Ave Maria Pure Pool: Voce e Bonito Majora’s Mask: Title Demo New Vegas: Main Title Mega Man 4: Brightman Stage Kotor: Main Theme Metroid Fusion: Press Start Yoshi’s Woolly World: Bounceabout Woods Dr Langeskov: Beethoven Symphony No. 7 – II: Allegretto (Columbia University Orchestra) Castlevania Chronicles: Vampire Killer The Room 2: Main Theme Rise of the Tomb Raider: Main Theme Tales From The Borderlands: Carfire on the Highway
Wed, November 23, 2016
Final Fantasy VI
Today we’re rejoined by regular guest and former co-host Destiny Sturdivant for a romp through one of the most storied RPGs of all time. Please enjoy, have a good holiday if you celebrate it, and try to be kind and healthy in these trying times. You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . Things Discussed: Animal Crossing: New Leaf, The Witcher, Thumper, NBA2k17, Presbo, Sombra, Final Fantasy VI, the US FF6 commercial , the horniest character in video games, best birthdays in video games, being in the new games bubble, Idle Thumbs 288 about Titanfall 2 , The Great Goal Pole in Super Mario 3D World This Month’s Game Club: Final Fantasy VI Next Month: MUSIC and GOTY Songs in This Episode Omen by Nobuo Uematsu Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Aria di Mezzo Carattere by Nobuo Uematsu Coin Song by Nobuo Uematsu Dancing Mad by Nobuo Uematsu
Thu, October 27, 2016
Jazzpunk
Polyblank, have a seat, we have much business to discuss. Right. Basically, we need you to listen to this here episode of Abnormal Mapping. They played this videogame Jazzpunk, recorded all manner of thoughts and opinions on it, and for reasons unknown uploaded it to the internet on a publically identifiable server. Your mission is to find any compromising information, ie, anything rude about me, and extract it from the file. As usual, here are your pills. Good luck, Polyblank. You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . Things discussed : Style Savvy: Fashion Forward, British film history, League of Legends, Sonic Adventure adventures, The Witcher 3, Picross 3D Round 2, FIFA 2017, Ultimate Fantastic Four, Snotgirl, Clean Room, Jazzpunk, Haunting Starring Polterguy, Best Train Levels, Retronauts, Slow Guns, M’s appearance on Badland Girls , Jackson’s anime podcast is not out yet, M’s blog All of the Wonder Woman This Month’s Game : Jazzpunk Next Month’s Game : Final Fantasy VI Music This Month Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Circumflex Apts by Luis Hernandez Baba Yetu by Christopher Tin Metroid Title Theme (Analogue Synth remake) by Luminist
Thu, September 29, 2016
Metroid Fusion
The Mappers bring you a short and sweet podcast this time covering a short and sweet game from Em’s past. We also talk anything but games, including the now regular comic book corner segment, where Jackson regales us with tales of the Marvel Ultimate Universe (RIP). You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . Things Discussed: Chameleon Run, Reigns, Roman Reigns, Comics Talk Round Two, Batman: Year One, The Ultimates, East of West, Attack on Titan (the Manga), Metroid Fusion This Month’s Game Club: Metroid Fusion Next Month’s Game Club: Jazzpunk Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin McLeod Main Deck by Minako Hamano Akira Fujiwara The Truth Reigns by Jim Johnston
Thu, August 25, 2016
The Room Trilogy
The Mappers celebrate the long season of heat by refusing to turn their PCs on and instead delving into the wide world of mobile games. This is a secret place, full of dark mystery and a thousand alluring traps, but they will persevere. Teasing apart of a puzzle is just human nature. The soul of humanity abhors a secret. What could possibly go wrong? You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . Things Discussed : Comics, Atop The Fourth Wall , Assassin’s Creed IV, The Wolf Among Us, Style Savvy, Style Savvy’s British Localization, Jetpack Joyride, The Room, The Room Two, The Room Three, Friends At The Table, This Episode of Yu Gi Oh! Abridged This Month’s Game Club : The Room 1, 2, and 3 Next Month’s Game Club : Metroid Fusion Music This Episode The Room Theme by David Newby Jetpack Joyride Main Theme by Halfbrick Dive Man by Minae Fujii
Thu, July 28, 2016
Binary Domain
We’re back with a new Abnormal Mapping, this time with the return (after four weeks) of the glorious Game Club! In the meantime, we deviate from Video Games to talk about all the things that aren’t, mostly TV and movies and our feelings about how episodic shows are broken and need rehabilitation. And then we talk about how games are broken and need rehabilitation. And then then we talk about how WE’RE broken and need rehabilitation. It’s a cycle that never ends, just like this podcast. Maybe. You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . Things Discussed: Tap Tycoon, Inside, Best Persona 4 Girl, Best Persona 3 Boy, Cowboy Bebop, Stranger Things, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Beyond, Alien: Resurrection, Binary Domain, Vanquish, Bionic Commando, Bayonetta, Tales from the Borderlands, Chappie, i Robot This Month’s Game Club: Binary Domain Next Month’s Game Club : The Room 1, 2, and 3 Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Julia’s Song by Yoko Kanno American Currency by Yoko Kanno Robot Spider by Mitsuharu Fukuyama Randy Dandy Oh by Sean Dagher, Nils Brown Let’s Dance, Boys by Hiroshi Yamaguchi
Wed, July 13, 2016
Ctrl+F: Sadboys
We said we’d do it, and we weren’t lying. This is our first free form episode, where we just sit and talk about games. Please let us know if it’s okay or not! Neither of us had a lot of confidence in our ability to carry a podcast like this, so we really need validation or feedback. Emails to podcast@abnormalmapping.com! You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . Things Discussed : #BREXIT, Otome vs Tity RPGs, Mega Man, Tony Hawk’s Final 900 , The X-Games, blink-182’s New Album, Assassin’s Creed III, Mickey Mouse, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Link’s Awakening, Deads Rising 1-3, The Psycho (1960) of Video Games, Old Games, Analogue: A Hate Story, Hate Plus, Noby Noby Boy, Jackson’s Video Game Waifus Music This Episode : Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Connor’s Life by Lorne Balfe Gone Guru by Lifeseeker
Thu, June 23, 2016
Knights of the Old Republic
The Abnormal Mapping podcast survives after its final episode to reach this, its milestone episode. It has been five decades since we began our humble journey, from our first game club of Space War through the Arcade Years and the Decade of Nintendo to this, our current configuration in our fiftieth annual episode. Blades will bleed. Shields will shatter. And we’ll travel back through our memories of a long long time ago, in a galaxy far far away, when the Younglings gathered around their vidscreens and peered into the void to ask the age old question: “Master Skywalker, what company won E3?” You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . Things Discussed : E3, #SPIDERMANPS4, Spider-Man 2, Mass Effect, Watch Dogs 2’s Promotional Videos , FIFA 17: The Journey, West Bromwich Albion Football Club (The Baggies), David Baddiel, Miitomo, Dishonored II, The Tragedie of Shigeru Miyamoto , Dirt 3, Uncharted 3 , Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Mass Effect, Too Many Notes , Kingdom Hearts, Yakuza 3’s tragic love story , The Sasuke Problem Music This Episode : Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Joy by Shoji Meguro Football Crazy by Robin Hall and Jimmie Macgregor Star Wars and the Revenge of the Sith by John Williams Ballad of the Wind Fish by Minako Hamano and Kozue Ishikawa Under Logic by Yuzo Koshiro
Fri, May 27, 2016
Hitman: Blood Money
A dark day comes in the lives of any video games person. A day where the joy is gone, and the game pad falls to the floor in utter defeat. This is not true despair, though, for that instead can be found on the internet, where said intrepid gamespeople go when their play is through, only to find a cesspool of fear and hate and suffering. That is the true gauntlet of horrors, eroding all of us into shapeless forms of old dreams, spent energies, and a dim animal sense that the world shouldn’t so easily gobble up things that are fun and convert them into things that are burdens. For three intrepid gamespeople, in one tiny little boat of a podcast, in an endless sea of trivial bullshit? That day is today. Come for the end. Stay for the beginning. Listen as we render all good things to dust and say goodbye to a friend in this, the last episode of a podcast that was, and a discussion of a podcast that might yet be. You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . Things Discused: Lego Marvel Superheroes, Stardew Valley, Uncharted 2, Hitman: Blood Money, Become A Great Artist in 10 Seconds, Car on a Stick This Month’s Game Club Game: Hitman: Blood Money Next Month’s Game Club Game: … Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Home Sweet Home by Keiichi Suzuki and Hirokazu Tanaka Super Mario 2 Ending Theme by Koji Kondo Ave Maria by Franz Schubert and Vienna Boys Choir.
Fri, May 13, 2016
Metal Gear Solid V
Just another day in a podcast without end… ABNORMAL MAPPING At last, the time has come. Just under a year ago, I started playing the Metal Gear games , and now, 42 articles and 5 podcasts later, the journey is complete. I hope you have enjoyed the ride, and if you’re new, then feel free to come along on this quest anytime. For this final episode, we’re discussing Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain , the honest-swear-to-god-for-real final game in the Metal Gear Solid Trilogy. Come on in for a chat on trauma and colonialism, exploitation and capitalism, and most importatly, The Life and Times of Punished “Venom” Snake. I am joined in this final episode by @woundww , a friend and writer for the Arcade Review – currently on Kickstarter! – many thanks to them for smart insights throughout. Fair Warning: There are a couple audio issues in the podcast! Nothing too bad; a little echo, some birds in the background, but I thought I’d give a heads up nonetheless! Enjoy! Things Discussed Metals Gear 1 – V Music This Episode Heres To You by Joan Baez Quiet’s Theme by Akihiro Honda, Ludvig Forrsell, and Stefanie Joosten Nuclear by Mike Oldfield
Fri, April 29, 2016
Lili Child of Geos
The Mappers take a turn away from video games this spring to talk about M’s experiences watching bad super-hero movies and how many of the wrong things they have learned from video games. With Marvel’s Civil War nearly upon us, the question becomes: how much premium currency do I have to spend to unlock single-mecha-glove Tony Stark in Marvel Heroes/Future Fight/Conquest of Champions/Disney Infinity 3.0? We then talk about how weird and hard it is to write kids entertainment, which I guess could be about Civil War but definitely isn’t because they don’t really make those movies for kids. They make them for Loot Crate subscribers. You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . Things Discussed: Majora’s Mask 3DS, Miitomo, Stardew Valley, Trackmania Turbo, Chris Kanyon (RIP) , Behind the Sausage returns, Thor 2, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Halo and N7 armor design, Injustice: Gods Among Us, Episode II: Attack of the Clones, the Jackie Chan movie of video games, Indian Jones and the Last Crusade, Lili: Child of Geos, Rebel FM This Month’s Game Club: Lili: Child of Geos Next Month’s Game Club: Hitman: Blood Money Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod My Enemy by Hans Zimmer, The Magnificent Six, Pharrell Williams, Johnny Marr Mill Hill theme by Unknown The Wind Can be Still by ConcernedApe Sandstorm by Darude
Fri, April 15, 2016
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
War has changed. In the penultimate podcast, Jackson reaches the ultimate, final ending of the Metal Gear franchise, just over half-way through the number of Metal Gear games. Don’t worry if you don’t understand, we’re here to guide you through on this Nanomachine Odyssey! My guest for this episode is Austin Howe, Freelancer around the internet and found often on Critical Switch . They’re also on twitter ! You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . Things Discussed: Metals Gear 1-4, Peace Walker, Rising, John Cena’s Favourite Anime, Final Fantasy VIII Music This Episode Love Theme by Nobuko Toda & Jackie Presti Father and Son by Harry Gregson-Williams Metal Gear Saga by Harry Gregson-Williams
Fri, March 25, 2016
Final Fantasy IV
Welcome to another fantastic edition in the internet’s favourite Tella fan club podcast. This month, we’re counting down our top ten Tella moments, and we’re asking our audience the million dollar question: what would you do… with that much MP? Tella all your friends, and rate comment and subscribe! EDITORS NOTE: we are not fans of Tella or his Moon Dwelling Counterpart and never shall be. The host responsible for implying such a thing has been reprimanded appropriately and regrets their words and deeds. Please enjoy this Tella-free discussion of Final Fantasy IV . Thank you. You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . Things Discussed: Ben Kuchera’s boob controller , booby Vita ad , Rise of the Tomb Raider, Jackson’s thoughts on Season 2 of The Walking Dead, 10000000, Hatsune Miku Project Mirai DX, David Letterman Miku , Wossy, Final Fantasy IV, Legends of Localization breakdown of FF4 script differences , Final Fantasy IV’s two different logos , M’s Final Fantasy XIII breakdown via LP This Month’s Game Club: Final Fantasy IV Next Month’s Game Club: Lili: Child of Geos Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin McLeod Main Theme of Final Fantasy IV by Nobuo Uematsu Theme of Love by Nobuo Uematsu Battle with the Four Fiends by Nobuo Uematsu
Fri, March 11, 2016
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Emerging from the wreckage of the Big Shell , Jackson travels through time to meet Cameron Kunzelman in the depths of the russian jungle, on a secret mission to stop a tank which can go really fast. In this third entry into the Metal Gear podcasts, Cameron and Jackson drill into the big questions: who does Snake kiss? Is it possible to make an anti-war War Game? And is Metal Gear even that ridiculous at all? This is a fantastic episode and I hope you can take the time to give it a listen! Big, big thanks to Cameron for stopping by, you can find their writing at This Cage Is Worms , Paste and Twitter , their games here or on Steam , and a variety of Youtube fun stuff , well, on Youtube. You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . Things discussed : Metals Gear 1-5, Shigeru Miyamoto , Final Fantasy VII, Leigh Alexander on MGSV Music This Episode Snake Eater by Norihiko Hibino & Cynthia Harrell Fanfare (FFVII) by Nobuo Uematsu Way To Fall by Starsailor
Fri, February 26, 2016
Ninja Gaiden Black
do you know the nunchuck man the nunchuck man, the nunchuck man do you know the nunchuck man who lives on ninja lane Atop a transmission tower, a lone ninja stands and surveys his land. Once, he was a brutal man, a member of the Dragon Lineage who to whom death was second nature and who felt incomplete without a sword clasped in his hand. But with age, the man sought destruction no more, and looked to the future to build. One night, he met Isabelle, who gave him new purpose and – at last – a twinge of hope. For many long years he served as mayor of a beautiful town, and was wanting for nothing more and nothing left. Now, the town is in flames, and Isabelle in ashes. He feels the heat below boil his blood within, and clasps his sword for the last time. Once thought long dead, now vengeful blood runs through the veins of Young Ninja, Ryu Hayabusa… You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . Earlier this week, Jackson wrote an article for ZAM on Autism and The Witness! Check it out here . Things Discussed: Animals Crossing, M’s farewell to their Animal Crossing: New Leaf town , what we wanted to be when we grew up, Ninja Gaiden Black, Buying Mature Games as Children, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Link to the Past, Buying an Xbox, Tony Hawk, Bayonetta, Ninja Gaiden II, Devil May Cry, Resident Evil, Bloodborne, Destiny, Dead or Alive The Movie, Screened, Beyond the Black Rainbow: The Metal Gear Solid V of Movies, Maybe? This Month’s Game Club: Ninja Gaiden Black Next Month’s Game Club: Final Fantasy IV Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin McLeod Kapp’n’s Song by Shohei Tsuchiya Airship by Ryo Koike, Wakana Hara Moat of Zarkhan by Ryo Koike, Wakana Hara Busy Earnin’ by Jungle
Mon, February 15, 2016
Metal Gear Solid 2
After conquering the base of Shadow Moses , Jackson continued on to Big Shell, accompanied this time by none other than the fantastic Heather Alexandra! This episode is an in-depth critical discussion on Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty , where we talk about (among other things) the game’s commentary on player and player character agency, the societal implications of The Patriots, and the varying quality of the members of that poor Emmerich Family. I’m incredibly proud of this discussion, so if you’re at all interested in critical discussions on Metal Gear then you should definitely have a listen, I think it’s an intresting conversation about a really dense game. This episode couldn’t have been made without special guest Heather Alexandra, whose writing can be found on her website and you should also follow her on twitter ! You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here + . Things discussed : Metals Gear 1-5, Driving Off The Map , Metal Gear Rising Music This Episode Metal Gear Solid Main Theme by TAPPY & Harry Gregson-Williams Fortune by Norihiko Hibino Can’t Say Goodbye To Yesterday by Rika Muranaka, Carla White
Fri, February 05, 2016
The Witness
In what will hopefully become a semi-regular fixture of short, impomptu podcasts, Em and Jackson sit down to have a chat about The Witness. There aren’t any spoilers for solutions here, and instead we get into our feelings on the cultural context of the game and its creator. Let us know if you enjoy the episode, and we’ll bring you some more when circumstances align! You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . Games Discussed Braid, Not Myst, The Witness Music Used Blown Away by Kevin McLeod
Fri, January 29, 2016
Expand
The Mappers begin the new year with a new podcast about a new video game! There’s no such thing as too much new, as we delve deep into new characters, new shapes, and new possiblities with some new artwork and some new laughs. We also induct new things into the reading list. New. New new new. Please enjoy this new podcast, and maybe let friends (new ones, but old ones too I guess) know, so that they can be new listeners in this new era. Meatloaf, Pure Pool, The Witcher, Animal Crossing, Shaven Wookie, Destiny, Mass Effect, Beyond: Two Souls, City of Heroes, Star Trek Online, The Sims, Saints Row, Miis, GTA IV, Sleeping Dogs, I am Become Rihanna, the Destroyer of Worlds , The Natural , Expand, When Two Best Friends Make Video Games , CS Go 1.7 Beta, games for children, the “Tears in the Rain” Blade Runner speech , Minecraft LPs, the car story from the Beastcast You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . Reading List Inductees: Psychology of Video Games Friends at the Table Monster Factory This Month’s Game Club Game: Expand Next Month’s Game Club Game: Ninja Gaiden Black Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Mii Channel by Kazumi Totaka Closure by Christopher Larkin Slide by Etch Music Busy Earnin’ by Jungle
Fri, January 22, 2016
Metal Gear Solid
With the completion of the Metal Gear diaries, Jackson is finally free from this franchise for the rest of time… or so they thought. Instead, they’ve pulled back in to a series of mid-month podcasts here on Abnormal Mapping where he talks to different guests about the various games in the series to highlight and explore multiple perspectives. For the first one, he’s joined by Corey Milne, an Irish Games Critic who wants nothing more than to hear Liquid Snake, with all the vocal might he can muster, utter the magic word: B R O T H E R Corey’s writing can be found on his website and you can also follow him on twitter ! You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . Things discussed : Metals Gear 1-4, Driving Off The Map , Spec Ops The Line Music This Episode The Best is Yet To Come by Rika Muranaka & Aoife Ní Fhearraigh Encounter by TAPPY Metal Gear Solid Theme by TAPPY
Wed, December 30, 2015
Earthbound
It’s the end of the year, and the Mappers have arrived a little late and a little weary to talk about the year that is now past and the year that lies ahead. 2015 was a mess of a year, like years often are, and in grand tradition we echew game of the year lists to bring you some memories, some japes, and some feelings. What lies ahead for the podcast? Within are the answers. Then, we turn to the games of yesteryear, for a deep conversation about one of the most highly regarded RPGs of all time, GameFAQs and Starman.net’s own … EarthBound. A big thank you to friend of the show Tracie Mauk for providing the voice of the photographer in this episode. You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . This Month’s Game Club : EarthBound Next Month’s Game Club : Expand Things discussed : 2015 Spreadsheet , The Metal Gear Articles , Metals Gear, Zelda, Final Fantasy XIII, Final Fantasy XIII-2, Final Fantasy VII, Ninja Gaiden Black, Yakuza 3, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, The Crew, Alphabear, Neko Atsume, Binding of Issac: Rebirth, Monster Hunter 4: Ultimate, Bloodborne, Etrian Odyssey, The Walking Dead: Season 2, Crusader Kings 2, EarthBound, the EarthBound guide Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Photographer’s Theme by Keiichi Suzuki and Hirokazu Tanaka Your Name Please by Keiichi Suzuki and Hirokazu Tanaka The Sky Runner by Keiichi Suzuki and Hirokazu Tanaka Runaway Five Left the Building by Keiichi Suzuki and Hirokazu Tanaka Onett Theme by Keiichi Suzuki and Hirokazu Tanaka
Fri, November 27, 2015
Beeswing
No jokes today, but our second annual Thanksgiving spectacular as we talk about what we’re thankful for and the stories we tell ourselves both in video games and not. That’s followed up by one of our most intimate game club games yet, and a promise for memories to come with next month’s classic game club to round out the year. Hope everyone had a good holiday, if you’re in the part of the world that celebrates it! You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . This Month’s Game Club : Beeswing Next Month’s Game Club : EarthBound Things discussed : Fallout, Bloodborne, Monster Factory , Mickey Mouse in the Castle of Illusion, The Sims, Twitch Plays Pokemon, Animal Crossing: Amiibo Festival, Mario Lore, Final Fantasy VIII, Assassins’ Creed, Metal Gear Solid 2, Dino Crisis 3, Beeswing, Slacker, Abnormal Mapping continues their efforts to stop the sun , Bend it Like Beckham Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Beeswing Main Title by Jack King-Spooner* Beeswing Music Box theme by Jack King-Spooner* Hell to Up by Silverley Allen TV Song by Jack King-Spooner* *names and composer presumed given lack of information
Fri, October 30, 2015
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
The Mappers take to the Halloween skies of a cursed night long long ago in a castle far far away to discuss the Greatest Video Game Ever Made … Super Bombad Racing. Items Discussed : Going to GAME in 2015; Bloodborne; Errant Signal’s “ Peak Star Wars “; Star Wars in video games (Battlefront 2015 and 2003, Shadows of the Empire, Lego, etc); Castlevania: Symphony of the Night; Leigh Alexander’s writing on SotN ; Eva Problem’s “ your asshole dad’s castle is back again “; Mike Joffe’s writing on SotN ; Vania Mania ; Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow; Destiny’s Pokemon Team: Espurr, Eevee, Squirtle, Jigglypuff, Snorlax; Matthew’s Pokemon Team: Wobbuffet, Arcanine, Breloom, Probopass, Victini, Kiefi; Metroid Prime; Donkey Kong Country; Mario 64; Mystical Ninja starring Goemon; Catherine; Star Wars books; Stephen King You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . This Month’s Game Club : Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Next Month’s Game Club : Beeswing Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Dance of Gold by Michiru Yamane Wood Carving Partita by Michiru Yamane Rainbow Cemetery by Michiru Yamane I Am The Wind by Michiru Yamane (feat. Cynthia Harrel)
Fri, September 25, 2015
Framed
A dark night in the bright city. Jackson dashes down an alleyway, a shadow looming behind them. They clutches the attache case close to they chest as they squeeze past a dumpster and into a space that would generously be described as snug for even the overfed cats that dine on the garbage nearby. Em’s close behind, reaching into the tiny space up to their elbow to reach after Jackson, unable to go any further. Growling, they climb up the dumpster, leaping onto the lowest rungs of the fire escape as they use the window to get into the hallway of the building Jackson is squeezing past. As they leap down the steps two at a time, they don’t see the slender cane extend between the bars of the railing until it’s too late, and their’s sprawled out on the cold tile floor of the foyer of the building. Destiny emerges from behind the stairs, nudging Em’s arm aside with her cane as she steps outside, just to see Jackson emerge from the alleyway and stop to look behind him for pursuit. It’s a distraction they can ill afford. They don’t even feel the needle slip under their skin, they just feels himself sag against the wall as Destiny steps up beside them and removes the case from their now flaccid hands. “Thanks,” she says. “It’s game over for you, though.” She turns to walk away, Jackson gasping trying to yell after her, their knees buckling as they falls back into the alleyway, and both of them disappear back into the bustle of the city. You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . This Month’s Game Club: Framed October’s Game Club: Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Games Discussed: The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, Tomorrow Never Dies, Morning Mario Returns!, Civilization V, Three Beers Deep , our conversation with Lana Polansky , Framed, Hideo Kojima’s tweet , Angry Birds, Boom Blox, Doctor Who, Grim Fandango Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Baba Yetu by Christopher Tin Framed Soundtrack by Adrian Moore The Fragrance of Dark Coffee by Noriyuki Iwadare Kapp’n’s Song by Shohei Tsuchiya
Fri, August 28, 2015
Paper Mario
Legends tell of a man, a quiet man, a man who jumps and a man who spins, a man who one day—this day—must rise and save us all. But that man was not available, and so it falls upon this paper plumber to embark upon a journey to the stars to save a princess oft and once more kidnapped. The Mappers embark upon this man’s journey through a twisted land of pun-laden characters and self-aware deconstruction, and arrive finally at the end of their quest with only the corpses of penguins to show for it*. (*No penguins were harmed in the making of this podcast.) As a companion piece to this episode, Em produced an zine for Paper Mario, featuring cool and cute paintings and sketches of the characters and the world of this month’s game! You can (and totally should, it’s really good!) pick it up at either itch.io or gumroad . You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . This Month’s Game Club: Paper Mario September’s Game Club: Framed Games Discussed: Papa’s Donuteria , Racially Diverse Kitchen 3, Metal Gear Solid, Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture, Roger Ebert’s Great Movies , Player 2 , The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth , Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl , The Minesweeper Wall , Paper Mario, Super Mario RPG: The Legend of the Seven Stars, Iwata Asks for Paper Mario Sticker Star , Upon Reflection, Retro Game Challenge, NES Remix, Shovel Knight, Attack of the Friday Monsters, Yakuza 3, Gone Home, Her Story Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Attack of the Koopa Bros. by Yuka Tsujiyoko & Taishi Senda March Ahead by Yuka Tsujiyoko & Taishi Senda Nice To Meet You by Yuka Tsujiyoko & Taishi Senda Detective Mario by Yuka Tsujiyoko & Taishi Senda
Fri, August 21, 2015
I Don't Give ADAF
A few weeks back, Jackson participated in a panel for the Alternative Digital Arts Festival, run by Zolani Stewart , Austin Howe and Solon Scott . The folks behind ADAF have kindly given us permission to post the panel in our podcast feed for your enjoyment, if you missed it at the time! It’s a panel on Games & Mental Illnesss, featuring Heather Alexandra , Zeiya Speed and Austin Howe . We discuss representation of Mental Illness, how our own experiences with Mental Illness inform our readings of games, and the responsibilities of portraying Mental Illness narratives for an audience. In addition to the panel, Em, Jackson and Destiny got together a few days later to record a short cast with follow up points and extra discussion. It all comes together to form a really interesting 2 hour package of great discussion about games, Mental Illness, and the intersection of the two. Please enjoy! You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . August’s Game Club: Paper Mario Games Discussed: Final Fantasy VIII, Depression Quest, Actual Sunlight, Metal Gear Solid 2, Metal Gear Solid 4, Hellblade, Kane & Lynch 2, Her Story, Silent Hill, The Static Speaks My Name, Cart Life Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Theme of Laura by Akira Yamaoka Eternity by Nobuo Uematsu
Fri, July 24, 2015
Her Story
For the description please visit thebestgame.club
Fri, July 10, 2015
Final Fantasy VIII Part Two
whenever we cast our pods on the net, on our own whenever we say our words wishing they would be heard we saw you smiling at us three talking about final fantasy so click the play button in the corner of this tiny little bar It is a glorious day, a day of celebration, of reflection, of escape. The Mappers sit together, Final Fantasy VIII behind them, fading away, knowing that they are free. They had been on a journey together, a journey through time and love and a needlessly labyrinthine battle system. And now, here on the other side, they know that they’ve forged in fire a part of themselves that they shall never lose. But that is not all that today is. Today shall go down in history, remembered by all for at least the next week and a half. For today is… The Day The Batman Died. You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . July’s Game Club: Her Story Games Discussed: Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes, Metal Gear Solid 2 HD, NiER, Neko Atsume, Tamagotchi, Final Fantasy VIII, Austin’s Article on FF8 fan theories , Final Fantasy VII Remake, Persona 4 and 3, Batman: Arkham Knight Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Fisherman’s Horizon by Nobuo Uematsu The Oath byNobuo Uematsu Maybe I’m a Lion byNobuo Uematsu Eyes on Me byNobuo Uematsu Batman Theme by Neal Hefti
Fri, June 26, 2015
Tony Hawk's Project 8
The Mappers celebrate the heat of summer with hot jams, hotter skating, and the blazing addition of a third host! The three of them get down to business with a long talk about the sun-drenched streets of sizzling pavement and blasting AC, cars in traffic and the endless parade of city construction. It’s open season on open worlds, a question of what open worlds mean for the formal structure of video games and level design. Then, we skitch behind a stunt car and grind our way through through the … well, the grind of the eighth endeavor of Mr. Anthony “Tony Hawk” Hawke, Esq., also known as Project 8. Friendships are tested, hands are contorted, and we come through the other side with a rousing defensive of youth and play by one of our number, who can never not ollie. He said see you later boy. He wasn’t good enough for us. But he deigns to take us on this Junetime adventure, as we grumble our way through this expansive romp. You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . NOTE: Jackson and Matthew clarified some of the points in this podcast in addendum article, which you can read here . This Month’s Game Club: Tony Hawk’s Project 8 Next Month: Final Fantasy VIII: Part 2 Games Discussed: A New Host Appears, VaniaMania Returns with Castlevania 2, Jackson’s PS4 Adventure, Grand Theft Auto 4, Skyrim, Assassin’s Creed 2, World of Warcraft, Sleeping Dogs, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Red Dead Redemption, Yakuza 3, Saints Row the Third, Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas, Burnout Paradise, Spider-Man 2, Batman: Arkhams Asylum and City, Tony Hawk’s Project 8, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, this Errant Signal video , skate 2, Crazy Taxi, Goldeneye. Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Punk Rock Girl by The Dead Milkmen If You Must by Del The Funky Homosapien All My Best Friends Are Metalheads by Less Than Jake Superman by Goldfinger
Fri, June 12, 2015
Splatoon
A silent choice rode the winds that day, its currents bearing only two words, of which only one could remain. “Squid,” it said, “or Kid?” Em snapped awake in sweats, knowing only one thing. This choice would not consume them, this choice would not win. And with one press of the enter key, they recruited their friend into their cause. They drove to their shops, and plugged in their Wii Us, and strove for a third option that they knew did not exist. They would be neither Squid nor Kid, and yet they would be both at the same time. Em’s article about Mario 2 and Jackson’s endeavors is up and you can read it here ! You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . Things Discussed : Darth Vader comic , Match 3 Podcast , The Giant Beastcast , Austin Walker hired at Giant Bomb , Less Than Jake , Linkin Park , Blink 182 , Ninja Gaiden Sigma, Morning Mario , our episode on Link to the Past , the ending of Zardoz , POTUS in bicycle accident , Mambo No. 5 , The Magic Number , One is the Loneliest Number , Just the Two of Us , Splatoon, Amiibo , WWE Pay Per Views , Halo, Fire Emblem, PT, Silent Hill, Resident Evil, Pre-Rendered Backgrounds, Asura’s Wrath, Street Fighter, Soul Calibur 2, Crazy Taxi, The Offspring . June’s Game Club Game : Tony Hawk’s Project 8 Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Final Boss (Squid Sisters Ver.) by Toru Minegishi, Shiho Fujii Splatoon Commercial Music by Unknown
Fri, May 29, 2015
The Dot Zone
We’re joined by our erstwhile third chair for an adventure in the sun-drenched days of a childhood none of us can remember, tearing around 70s Japan with our friends, our backpack fresh and our faces fresher as we make new friends and go on adventures with Attack of the Friday Monsters. There’s more in this episode, but I promise you none of it has anything to do with video games. I’d apologize, but I’m pretty sure 2/3 of our podcast members like it that way. You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . Things Discussed: Super Mario Bros 2., New Super Mario Bros 2., Spelunky, The Binding Of Issac, Scroll VG Issue 10 , John Cena’s Giant Hands , Soulja Boy’s flag planted in game crit , Retronauts’ prog rock episode This Month’s Game Club Game: Attack of the Friday Monsters: A Tokyo Tale Next Month: Tony Hawk’s Project 8 Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Character Select from SMB2 by Koji Kondo Toll of Small Happiness by Hideki Sakamoto Attack of the Friday Monsters Main Theme by Hideki Sakamoto
Fri, May 08, 2015
The King and W
It’s a very special Abnormal Mapping as we transform the podcast set into a late night studio and invite two of gaming’s most infamous bad boys for a nice sit down chat. The King of the Koopas takes center stage to talk his new book, the geopolitics of the mushroom kingdom, and his complex family life that keeps even a democratically elected monarch on his toes. Then, surprise guest Wario offers us the dirt on Nintendo’s business practices, a new way to look at the history of small games, and what exactly the #evilgames movement entails. It’s the first Abnormal Mapping panel show, and we hope that you enjoy these intimate looks at the lives of the villains we take for granted. #evilgames Thanks to Michaela Joffe , who set up these interviews for us. Our mic’s wouldn’t be singed by turtle fire without his contributions. You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . Next Game Club : Attack of the Friday Monsters!! Music This Episode Saturday Night Live Theme 1985-1994 by Howard Shore Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Wario Dance Company by Naoko Mitome, Masanobu Matsunaga, Yasuhisa Baba Gamecube Boot Music by Toru Minegishi Ignorance is Bliss by Jellyfish
Fri, April 24, 2015
Final Fantasy VIII, Part One
Em stood by the grave, and looked upon the headstone. Time had withered the slate, there was no name left to mark a life long since lived. And all the people seemed to pass on by, catching the bus, going to work, eating chips and going to bed. He didn’t understand how they could walk here without hearing the warning, those deafening screams of the forgotten, keeping him awake night after night after night. One day he would be screaming too. “No,” they whispered to themself, turning away. He couldn’t change his fate, but he could tear down heaven and hell to punish those who chose it. Who were Gods to sign his death sentence, to force upon him an existence never requested, and all too soon, steal it away? No longer could this cycle continue. The Gods would fall to their hand, and for one brilliant, shining moment, as the pain of existence blinked away, there would be silence. You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . This Month’s RPG Explorer’s Club: Final Fantasy VIII Next Month’s Game Club: Attack of the Friday Monsters!! Games Discussed: Final Fantasy VIII, Pokemon Shuffle, Star Wars, Super Mario Bros Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Ami by Nobuo Uematsu Shuffle & Boogie by Nobuo Uematsu Fragments of Memories by Nobuo Uematsu Man With A Machine Gun by Nobuo Uematsu
Fri, April 17, 2015
Elegy for A Dead World
The Mappers deal with the loss of technology and hope in the only way they know how: deep existential crisis and how it informed criticism. Good thing they’ve finally stumbled across a game that is willing to compete with them for who can be the most fatalistic, even if it means doubling down on prescriptive ideas of what educational/artistic games should be. Also, we talk about lore for almost a half an hour and nobody makes a Star Trek joke, so it’s all a minor miracle today in this post-computer episode of this post-computer podcast. You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . This Month’s Game Club: Elegy for a Dead World Next Month? TBD, sorry! Games Discussed: Elegy for a Dead World, Pokemon Art Academy, Rock Band, Resident Evil HD, Even The Stars, Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, Skyrim, Dragon Age: Origins, Dishonored, Alan Wake, Final Fantasy XIII-2, Battlefield: Hardline, Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, Dark Souls Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin McLeod Game Over from Sega Rally Championship Rock the Dragon by Shuki Levy and Kussa Mahehi Wicked Child by Kinoyu Yamashita All I Want by Offspring
Fri, March 27, 2015
Grim Fandango
The Mappers take on a special guest in this very special episode, as Heather Alexandra comes onto the cast to join us on our journey through the path of the spirit. We brave forests, destroy ships, run nightclubs, and manage to recite a poem or two in remembrance of classic adventure game Grim Fandango! No fancy intro this time, just good old fashion podcasting about a classic game! I hope you enjoy! Art for this episode was done by Em, who themself himself an amateur artist when he’s not hosting this podcast. You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . Heather Alexandra can be found on twitter ( @transgamerthink ) and at her blog . You can find her Skies of Arcadia video here . Reading List Additions: Justice Points and Major Third Games Discussed: Goldvision Pacifist GTA Online , Skies Of Arcadia, Far Cry 3, Beyond: Two Souls, Heavy Rain, Dead Island, Bloodborne, Cave Cave Deus Videt This Month’s Game Club: Grim Fandango Next Month’s Game Club: Elegy for a Dead World Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin McLeod Rubacava by Peter McConnell Casino Calavera by Peter McConnell Manny & Meche by Peter McConnell She Sailed Away by Peter McConnell Bone Wagon by Peter McConnell
Fri, February 27, 2015
Yakuza 3
You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . Reading List Additions: History Respawned and Top Score Games Discussed: P.T., Paris Hallway , Sci Fi Corridor Maze Walkthrough , Gone Home, GTA 4, Burnout Paradise, Sleeping Dogs, Final Fantasy VII, Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, Skyrim, Minecraft, Interactive Fiction, Your Actions Do Not Effect The Ending , Super Mario 64, Super Mario Galaxy, Dream.Sim , Mirror’s Edge, Tony Hawk, Prince Of Persia: Sands Of Time, Attack of The Friday Monsters, Persona 3/4, Resident Evil This Month’s Game Club: Yakuza 3 Next Month’s Game Club: Grim Fandango with special guest Heather Alexandra Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin McLeod Dead Run by Hidenori Shoji D 2 A by Hidenori Shoji Bray of the Dragon King by Hidenori Shoji Kamurocho Lullaby by Hideki Sakamoto
Fri, February 20, 2015
Atelier Rorona: Alchemist of Arland
Today we bring you our most sleepy episode yet with our celebration of all things Valentine’s Day by talking about anime girls hitting on each other, as the RPG Explorer’s Club returns to talk about Atelier Rorona Plus! We’re joined with fellow role playing spelunker Destiny Sturdivant for a journey into the dark heart of time limits and item creation as we run afoul of all the problems with trying to play RPGs on a timetable. The only solution? More RPGs! Please enjoy this short episode on this short month, when all seems nearly lost because winter refuses to give up its grip on our hearts. You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . Games Discussed: Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, Kindle, DS9 Books, Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes, Atelier Rorona Plus: Alchemist of Arland The Next RPG Explorer’s Club Game: Final Fantasy VIII Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin McLeod Eyes of the Dragon by Ken Nakagawa Falling, The Star Light by Yamamoto Mineko
Fri, January 30, 2015
Offline
The Mappers are joined in this January episode by one of the few games writers they’re genuinely intimidated by, and they go on a heady adventure into lands untold. How does anyone understand the landscape of a culture whose history keeps disappearing? What does it mean to want to work in a field and criticize works when every aspect of that production is increasingly devalued in both money and regard? What does it mean to explore the murky issues of consent in games? And how long can you exist on a ghostly train ride before it becomes a lens through which you view your own predispositions? All these questions and more are yours inside when Em and Jackson try their best to keep up with Lana Polansky in this heady, intense, appropriately metaphorical train wreck of an episode. Please enjoy! You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . Our guest this month is Lana Polansky, who you can find at Sufficiently Human and on Patreon and Twitter . This Month’s Game Club Game : offɭine Next Month’s Game Club Game : Yakuza 3 Music In This Episode Blown Away by Kevin McLeod the soundscape of offɭine by NAWKSH Snowflakes by Shoji Meguro Things (All Of Them, Until We Can’t Link Anymore) Discussed in This Episode Arcade Review Five out of Ten ZEAL Cahiers du cinéma Critical Distance Good Games Writing @OldGamesWriting Zoya Street Reading EGM Celia Pearce Tracy Fullerton Jacquelyn Ford Morie A Game of One’s Own Computers as Theatre by Brenda Laurel <a href="ht
Fri, January 16, 2015
The Winter of Our Disk Content
The Mappers return from the holidays to a heaping helping of holiday ennui, an alliteration obliterating miasma from which there is no escape. They soldier on, in this dark era where the PS3 has not ascended, trying to put together the pieces of a now uncertain future. What is around the bend? It might be doom, it might be untold riches, but it’ll certainly be adventure. If only there were a … group? Of people who were dedicated to … exploring? Nah, that’d never work. You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . Games Discussed: Bayonetta 2, 80 Days, Batman: Arkham Origins, .error404, DanganRonpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, How to Be a Great Artist in 10 Seconds, Star Trek Theme Songs, Sleeping Dogs, The Fall, Alan Wake, Final Fantasy 7’s Gay Sexual Tension Next Month The RPG Explorers Club Returns with: Atelier Rorona Plus: The Alchemist of Arland Music This Episode: Blown Away by Kevin McLeod Another Winter by Anamanaguchi Digimon Main Theme by Paul Gordon
Fri, December 26, 2014
Minecraft
This final Abnormal Mapping of 2014 begins with a bit of introspection, as the Mappers go over the year that is quickly fading behind them, and look forward to the year to come. Then, joined by oft-guesting Destiny, they explore the endless realms of Minecraft, doing their best to stave off the expected and inevitable slide into existential terror as they look to the horizon and ponder just how many blocks one has to dig up to be alive. Join us on this, the Eve of the Year of the PS3, as we head towards the future, hearts heavy but heads held high. You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . This Month’s Game Club : Minecraft Next Month’s Game Club : offɭine Music in This Episode Blown Away by Kevin McLeod Christmas in Nightopia by Tomoko Sasaki Stal by C418 Toy Day by Manaka Kataoka & Atsuko Asahi Next month’s guest, Lana Polansky, can be found at Sufficiently Human , or support her Patreon !
Fri, November 28, 2014
Gameography: Michaela Joffe
Welcome, one and all, to another very special episode of Abnormal Mapping: our second Gameography! For those unfamiliar, a Gameography episode is where we take a close look at the work of a game maker, and approach it as a whole. This time, we chose to take a gander at the games of Michaela Joffe , who is here for an incredibly fun and interesting interview! Join us for talk of twine, trees and thanksgiving, as we dive into discussions of improvisational play, the function of anthropomorphism and the limits of authorial intent. And yet, all this is perhaps overshadowed, as Em brings unto Jackson the most horrifying of all revelations: The true meaning of Thanksgiving. This is only our second Gameography, and we’d love for your feedback about our process, as well as any other random questions or comments. As ever, you can bother both of us on Twitter, or send us an email at: abnormalmappingpodcast @ gmail.com . You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . Gameography: Joffe Benthic Love Final Fantasy VI Recast Invisible Cities: The Party Game Dream of the Acacia Tree The Handsomest Echidna Mother She Killed Me, Father He Ate Me Babirusa Pig Game Pet Loris Simulator Faster Than A Speeding Bullet Will o’ Wisp Pangolin Valentine <a href="http://videogamesoftheoppressed.wordpress.com/2014/02/22/eft-to-ne
Fri, November 14, 2014
Final Fantasy VII Advent Children
Hope lies in ruins. The calamity hangs overhead. People look up, wishing that some savior will come. But nothing will save us from the inevitable: extended CGI anime movie sequels to games that didn’t need them. Alas, in this darkest hour, when all that is Holy is buried and the stigma of the planet taints even the bravest of us, the Abnormal Mappers are all that stand between the inevitable void and salvation. But worry not, this is just the last dream of all of us. The ultimate vision. One might even say … no, that’s not for mortal mouths to speak. It drives people mad, sputtering nonsense words like ‘shilly shally’ and ‘memetic legacy’. Fearing this fate, we dwell on the inconsequential: snowboarding, a few good Turks, and our own tiny hope for the future. You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking here . Games Discussed: Sims 3, Binding of Isaac: Rebirth, Resident Evil 4, Broken Age, Bayonetta 2, Hatoful Boyfriend, Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children Complete Music This Episode : Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Those Who Fight (Piano Ver.) by Nobuo Uematsu Tenrai ~Divinity II~ by Nobuo Uematsu One Winged Angel by Nobuo Uematsu
Fri, October 24, 2014
Dishonored
We don the masks of the harvest reaper to stalk the dank halls of a far off land of clockwork intrigue and steam-powered assassination, perched on the balustrades of our own mental palaces, poised to strike in the blink of an eye. What are we waiting for? Only the final strike of the witching hour, when we will descend and offer up that vengeful mantra of horror that was granted to us by the great Machiavellian evil: Thnks fr th vidya gms. It’s enough to make a person’s blood run cold, robbing even the most comforting evening of matching three or grinding levels of hope and rendering it an empty shell of its former self. This is where fun goes to die. This is where For Glory is only a long-forgotten menu option, and not an ideal to strive for. This, my friends, is Dishonored Halloween. On a serious note, the Lana Polansky article we reference heavily in segment 2 can be found here . This Month’s Game Club Game: Dishonored Next Month: Gameography: Mike Joffe I’ll be putting up a list of Mike’s games in the next few days, and I’ll link them. Until then, check out his website, found here . Music This Episode : Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Job Anthem 1 by Nobuo Uematsu Knife of Dunwall Ending Theme by Daniel Licht Find Me on a Whim by Devin Vibert Dance of Gold by Michiru Yamane
Fri, October 17, 2014
Final Fantasy VII
The Mappers are joined once again by Honorary Cartography Extraordinaire Destiny Sturdivant for the inaugural meeting of the RPG Explorers Club. Em leads them down the Mako-soaked lanes of his memory as they dig up that burning question for the ages: what exactly does happen to Aeris? It’s a long journey, full of pitfalls and pratfalls, and together they all learn to love again. Just like Cloud. Who learns to love a certain flower girl. Who dies. Oh right, Aeris dies. Destiny Sturdivant can be found at Badland Girls ! You can get our podcast on iTunes , on Stitcher , or you can download it directly by clicking HERE . Games Discussed : Sims 3, Final Fantasy Theatrhythm: Curtain Call, Neverending Nightmares, EGX, Even the Stars, Clicker Heroes, Cookie Clicker, Candy Box, and of course, Final Fantasy VII Music This Episode : Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Anxious Heart by Nobuo Uematsu Turk’s Theme by Nobuo Uematsu The Great Warrior by Nobuo Uematsu Theatrhythm Curtain Call End Theme by Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra
Fri, September 26, 2014
Rollercoaster Tycoon 2
Trans-media beings exist in a digital realm, transcending the archaic definitions of one art or another. Words become images, images become environments, narrative forms change shape in a strange alchemy of noble intent and desperate capitalism. The Mappers navigate this technoplane, where all things change and the nature of creation is itself in flux, and they find themselves gripped tight to their seats. How many Gs exist in cyberspace? Will the Mappers survive, or are they doomed to hurl their lunches at the very thought of all things being subverted into newer, bigger, more engaging? This is the thin line between good and evil, light and dark, reality and dreams: this is the blurred space where adaptations and roller coasters become one. Games Discussed : Final Fantasy VII, DanganRonpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, FIFA/Madden, Spider-Man 2, Batman: Arkham Asylum, QWOP, South Park: The Stick of Truth, The Hunger Games: Girl on Fire, The Great Gatsby, The Lion King, The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction, Waiting for Godot, GoldenEye: 007, Tom Clancey’s Rainbow Six, Spaceteam, Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes, DuckTales, Dante’s Inferno, Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay, Star Wars: Rogue Squadron 2: Rogue Leader, Star Wars Episode I: Racer, Roller Coaster Tycoon series, The Sims, Little Big Planet Next Month’s Game Club : Dishono(u)red Music This Episode : Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod Main Theme of The Lion King by Frank Klepacki, Dwight Okahara, Patrick Collins RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 Main Theme by Allister Brimble Goonies 2 Stage 1 by Satoe Terashima Infogrames Rocks My World by an unknown but beautiful angel of music
Mon, September 08, 2014
Meat Loaf's Butt Stuff
This month’s Coolsoge kicks off with a bang as the Mappers are joined by fellow David Cage veteran Destiny Sturdivant to talk a boatload of games and the very ridiculous task that we’re all going to undertake this fall. Also more than a little time is spent educating Jackson on just what Meatloaf wouldn’t do for love, because they has to learn somehow. The answer is potentially “collect multiple cows” or “descend into Rapture” or “select ninja dog.” But the smart money is on “keep his eyes dry when a certain flower girls eats it.” Will we ever learn the truth? Probably not on Disc 1, but if you stick around for the secret ending and you unlock the 4th level of the tie-in cell phone game, maybe the true answer will arise from the lifestream. Only time will tell. The Coolsoge Backlog Slog begins with us starting to play Final Fantasy VII ! We’ll cover up through disc 1 next month, and Em will be a nostalgic, mopey mess for this strangely maligned once-unassailable game. You can find Destiny on Badland Girls , a cool junk culture podcast that we heartily endorse! Please subscribe, rate and review our show on iTunes ! If that’s not your bag, you can get the episode directly by clicking HERE . Additions to the Reading List Watch Out for Fireballs Memory Insufficient Games Covered This Month I’m Fine Harvest Moon 3D: A New Beginning Eidolon Ninja Gaiden Black Hohokum BioShock 2 Be the Ball P.T. Octodad: Dadliest Catch Civilization 5 Music in This Episode Show Your Moves by Kevin MacLeod Coastal Brake by Tycho Cloudwatching by Michael Bell Octodad (Nobody Suspects A Thing) by Ian McKenney
Fri, August 29, 2014
Planescape Torment
The day they thought would never happen is finally here. The clockwork machinery of the gods themselves rolled away and revealed a blinding light, from which poured a host of a host of creatures both fair and foul. All of that number were beyond mortal understanding, but they all cried out with a single human voice: YOU WERE WRONG. And so it was, that as the seas boiled and the sun and moon reversed their paths through the firmament, did these two Mappers set out to admit this final damning truth, even if the planes be rent asunder forever and all lives both player-driven and peripheral be cast into the deepest of voids. Such is the One True Cast. This Month’s Game Planescape: Torment Next Month’s Game RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 Music in This Episode Blown Away by Kevin McLeod Deionarra’s Theme by Mark Morgan and Richard Band Fall-From-Grace’s Theme by Mark Morgan and Richard Band Opening Theme by Mark Morgan and Richard Band
Tue, August 05, 2014
Captain Worf, Steak Afficianado
Em braves audio failure as Jackson drags them kicking and screaming through another Coolsoge adventure. After many many weeks between them, the Mappers have a pile of games they’ve finished and the dimmest of memories with which to recall them, but they do their best to talk about various driving and skating games, the terror of suplexing scorpions, and some Donkey Kong follow-up beef. Vows are made to cast the Coolsoge more often and they pour one out for the machete man gang, but eventually it all collapses into Star Trek talk, because it always does when Em and Jackson are talking longer than 15 minutes. Featuring special guest Worf, son of Mogh, it’s the second Coolsoge onslaught! You can find the Coolsoge Cast in our usual iTunes feed or click HERE to get to the file directly. Stuff Talked About! Trashpect Ratio, Jackson and Em’s new movie podcast The Abnormal Mappers on The Badland Girls Em’s Blackwell Let’s Plays Jackson’s article about Uncharted Jackson’s other article about the Burnout series Games Covered (some spoilers, fair warning!) Resident Evil 4 The Blackwell Series Uncharted 3 Deadly Creatures Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater (all of them) Thrasher: Skate and Destroy Papo y Yo Burnout 3 & Revenge Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Fire Emblem: Awakening Persona 4 Golden (and Persona 5) Mass Effect Star Trek Online Outland Rogue Legacy Nintendo 3DS Guide: Louvre bit Generations series Music Used Show Your Moves by Kevin MacLeod Skate or Die 2 Main Theme by Rob Hubbard Star Trek: The Next Generation Theme by Jerry Goldsmith by way of the NES Sound Chip Busted Bayou by David Wise
Fri, July 25, 2014
:The Quantic Dreamcast
This month is a special month, as we’re joined by special guest Destiny Sturdivant of the Badland Girls for not only our first guest third chair but also our longest episode ever! Deciding to double our pleasure, double our fun, we take a dive into the duo of Quantic Dream games for the Playstation 3—Heavy Rain and Beyond: Two Souls. We go deep on both games, both mechanically and in their many storytelling successes and failures. It’s a doozy, but I can sincerely say this is our best episode yet, so it’s worth the movie-length runtime! Please enjoy, and we’ll be back next month for more regular inanity in this show notes space! Destiny Sturdivant is a podcaster and comedian, you can find her on twitter or on BadlandGirls.com ! Games Discussed This Month Heavy Rain Beyond: Two Souls Next Month’s Game Club Planescape: Torment Music in This Episode Blown Away by Kevin McLeod Painful Memories by Normand Corbeil Jodie’s Theme by Lorne Balfe & Hans Zimmer Lost Cause by Ellen Page New Angels of Promise (Omikron The Nomad Soul ver.) by David Bowie
Fri, June 27, 2014
Beyond Good and Evil
The mappers take a journey to a world where anthropomorphic animals live alongside humans and a journey begins to acquire a number of magical orbs. No, it’s not Dragon Ball, it’s Beyond Good & Evil! In between all the stealth and shutterbugging, Em decides to take a single joke as far beyond its breaking point as they can, while Jackson tries their best to detangle the good and evil of game beginnings and how they relate to the games as a whole. Deep down, they mostly just look towards the future, and reflect on past mistakes. It’s a learning opportunity for us all in this very special* episode. *episode not that special, really Feel free to subscribe on iTunes , or you can download the episode directly HERE . Games and Topics This Month Beyond Good & Evil Video game openings both good and evil ZZT by Anna Anthropy , which is great but not really good or … you get the point.\ Plz Diversify Your Panel Note from Matt: at the time of recording this was a very newly minted idea, and many of the things we discussed have since been addressed directly by the people running the site. It’s even more endorsable than it was, and definitely worth your eyeballs on it. Next Month’s Game Club Games Heavy Rain Beyond: Two Souls Music in this Episode Blown Away by Kevin McLeod Propaganda by Christophe Héral Mass Effect Main Theme by Jack Wall Shine by Magnus Birgersson Nuclear by Mike Oldfield
Fri, June 13, 2014
Transistor
What was supposed to be a simple ‘let’s get our plans for the month nailed down’ chat between Em and Jackson turned out to be nothing but lies and deceit as Jackson fired up the recorders and started what would become the first Coolsoge Cast! Instead of the meticulous planning and structure of real Abnormal Mapping podcast, what you’ll instead get here is some free flowing talk about whatever we’ve been playing when we aren’t playing game club games. This is an every-once-in-a-while cast, but you’ll get such magical tangents as the lineage of the Kong clan and the mysterious secrets of Dark Eco, along with some real talk about Transistor’s many faults. We go all over! You might say this one is … off the map. Games Covered (with spoilers, fair warning!) Transistor Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D Mario Kart 8 Wolfenstein (2009) Jak 1, 2, AND 3 Ratchet & Clank F1 2013 Music Used Show Your Moves by Kevin MacLeod DK Rap by Grant Kirkhope
Thu, May 29, 2014
Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation
Ace pilots Em “Cupcake” Marko and Jackson “Ginger” Tyler fly through the enormous Library of the Giants, where the giant tombs of Video Game Lore are stacked to the heavens. Whether they have been shrunk or the pillars of writing have grown is beyond the pay grade of these two intrepid wingmen, but as they juke around zines and loop through forests of critical theory they arrive at their destination: Fortress Games Podcasts. Their payloads are ready, a full tactical strike of thermonuclear cast, meant to eradicate the enemy and wrest victory from certain defeat. They squeeze the triggers, and await orders to fire. Please subscribe via our RSS or iTunes ! If you insist on a bare MP3, you can find it HERE . Covered this month: Our games reading list, which you can find in the header above or just click here ! Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation Next Month’s Game Club Game: Beyond Good and Evil Music in this Episode Blown Away by Kevin McLeod A Letter to Edge by Chris Remo Liberation of Gracemeria by Keiki Kobayashi Remember Me Main Title by Olivier Deriviere Thexder Main Theme by Kohei Ikeda Hey! We love mail. Email us at abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com !
Fri, April 25, 2014
Christine Love Gameography
Hey everyone, welcome to our first very special episode, of a hopefully long-running series called Gameography! If you need to know what Gameography is, take a look at this prior post explaining it. If you insist on the tl;dr version, we picked a game maker we really liked and played through her entire history of games and talked about them as a whole body of work. In this case, our first subject was one of our favorites, Christine Love ! I have to admit, we were very nervous going into this episode, trying to do something a little different than usual. As such, we would love any sort of feedback about our process, and anything we might do better next time a gameography episode happens. As always, you can bother us on twitter, or email us at abnormalmappingpodcast @ gmail.com . Gameography: Christine Love Cell Phone Love Letter Heart of Fire Sketchbook: Schoolgirls in Love and Other Assorted Heartbreak Digital: A Love Story don’t take it personally, babe, it just ain’t your story Analogue: A Hate Story Diving Deeper Even Cowgirls Bleed Magical Maiden Madison Hate Plus Next Month’s Game: Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation Music This Episode Blown Away by Kevin McLeod The Stars Come Out by Brother Android It’s Not Ero by Isaac Schankler (feat. Senah Kim)
Mon, March 31, 2014
An Introduction to Gameography
So April’s podcast is going to be something different than the usual. Instead of doing the typical game club and random segment 2, we’re going to do a special, potentially twice-yearly Very Special Episode that we’re calling Gameography. What is Gameography, you ask? Well, we recorded a very special bonus mini-podcast to try to explain our thinking. I’ll let that speak for itself. If you’d rather read than listen, I don’t blame you, so here’s the scoop: very early in Abnormal Mapping’s planning stages, I came to Jackson with the idea that every once in a while we’d do an episode that was devoted to the entire career of a specific game-maker. We’d collect all the games they put out, link to them on the blog, play through them all, and then have a very deep dive into someone’s career making games. That is, in essence, what we’re doing in Gameography. Self-explanatory, right? The reason why is a little more complicated. You see, I started writing heavily for the internet talking about movies (and still maintain a dusty but beloved movie blog), where the concept of authorial voice is really strong. People are very quick to assign all sorts of meaning and weight to a director or a screenwriter, creating a broad sense that all their works are of a piece, and that studying that authorial voice is worthwhile in better understanding both the works and the creator. This is called Auteur Theory, and has been around a long time. The strange thing is that you rarely see this sort of thing applied to games, especially in the hobbiest/amateur game making space. We often play games in a contextual vacuum, something that’s linked to us in a browser or on a curated web page, with only the dimmest awareness of who created the game and what other games they might have made, especially in a space where the games can be radically different, released in many different ways, and presented to different platforms. Bringing it all together under one roof for consideration is something we’re keen on doing, and thus Gameography is born! Which brings us to who this first one is going to be about! We have a short list of game makers we really want to dig into, but the obvious choice was someone we both knew about and who had made games we had both enjoyed. The obvious answer was Christine Love . We talk briefly about why Christine Love in the accompanying short podcast, but in realize you only need to play her games to understand why. So I leave you here with the full list of games, including links on where to find them, in the order in which they were released. Go nuts, and we’ll be playing along too, and we’ll be back at the end of April to talk about them! Gameography: Christine Love Cell Phone Love Letter Heart of Fire <a href="http:
Fri, March 28, 2014
Crash Bandicoot
The Mappers dig into the ancient jungle tombs filled with the un-biodegradable legacy of dozens of one-off novelty music games and the shells of grimy controllers—trying to wrap their heads around wrapping their hands around these relics of a bygone era. Emerging from the tombs, they find a box-busting Bandicoot before them, challenging them to one final task in this three month sojourn through some of the most significant games of the 90s. What ever happened to the Bandicoot of tomorrow? All this and more is revealed within. Please subscribe via our RSS or iTunes ! If you insist on a bare MP3, you can find it HERE . Topics Discussed: video game controllers and controls, Crash Bandicoot Next Month’s Game: the collected works of Christine Love! Please click THIS LINK for more information about what we’re doing. Relevant Links a history of Crash Bandicoot’s development the full Read for Speed experience in one handy youtube playlist Music in this Episode Blown Away by Kevin McLeod Joystick by Dazz Band Crash Twinsanity Main Theme by Spiralmouth End of the Century by No. 9 Main Theme (Marvel Ultimate Alliance) by Trevor Morris Hey! We love mail. Email us at abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!
Fri, February 28, 2014
Doom
Hello and welcome to the first Abnormal Mapping episode from our new wordpress blog! This is (for now) going to be the home of Abnormal Mapping, but it’s still barely up and running. So please follow the blog, and share this episode if you like it! It’ll help a lot to getting the word out about what we’re doing with Abnormal Mapping! The mappers find themselves in a glitch world, where the insomnia madness encroaches and the very internet begins to disintegrate. Our intrepid heroes carry on, reversing the course of last month’s progress to embrace the numbers and meters of ye olden games, and ride this regression wave directly into the past to confront the satanic baby of Johns Carmack and Romero within its pixelated heavy metal womb. Will a carton of juice and a shotgun be enough to survive this trek? Games Discussed: Bravely Default, Doom Game Club Game in March: Crash Bandicoot Relevant Links Em’s entire playthrough of Doom Masters of Doom , the book that inspired this podcast the history of Crash Bandicoot’s development Music in this Episode Blown Away by Kevin McLeod Tiz’ Battle Theme (live ver.) by Revo E1M1 Music by Robert Prince Feena by Yuzo Koshiro Anna by Jonathan Eng
Fri, January 31, 2014
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Abnormal Mapping Episode 4: Fo(u)r Podcast! A mountain of games, atop which sits the greatest of all video games: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. But are the mappers capable of scaling the video game mountain and in what frame of mind will they encounter their goal? In this episode both Em and Jackson have existential crises when they consider the deepest of all questions: WHAT IS GAME? Games discussed: Depression Quest , Ultra Business Tycoon III , The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Next month’s game club: DOOM Em made a game! You can play it here . Relevant links: the entire list of Naked Twine Jam submissions putting pets into art games the Indie Statik 50 Best Free Games of 2013 list Need For Speed: The Novel, based on The Movie, Based on the Game
Fri, January 24, 2014
Vanquish
Abnormal Mapping finishes off the year with our episode talking about 2013, 2014, and the future of video games. No, actually, we just talk about The Shivah and Vanquish and The Hobbit. But that kind of counts! Next month’s game: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Things mentioned in the podcast: A Buddhist’s Guide to Asura’s Wrath a thematic review of The Binding of Isaac the infamous philfishglass.jpg that hot Christmas blockbuster, The Hobbit
Fri, December 27, 2013
Pokemon X/Y
In the second episode of Abnormal Mapping, Em and Jackson have breaking news about the new console generation, Em discovers a beloved franchise maybe isn’t as beloved as they thought it would be, and Jackson hears a question so profound it makes them drop his coffee cup. Here’s all the things we talk about! Games Discussed at Length: The Swapper and Pokemon X & Y That cool article about the development of Crash Bandicoot! How much the new Pokemon cards suck. No, really. Games for next month are as follows! The Shivah: Kosher Edition Vanquish See everyone again soon!
Thu, November 28, 2013
DmC: Devil May Cry
Welcome to the first episode of Abnormal Mapping, a new monthly podcast about video games! We’re not games press, so we’re not going to be talking about new releases or industry news, but instead looking at specific games with a critical eye. This means that we’ll be freely talking spoilers for any of the games listed in the description, rather than discussing them in a review context. This week we’re talking about DmC — Ninja Theory’s 2013 reboot of the franchise — how it mechanically relates to other games of the genre, the roles and limits of narrative within Ninja Theory’s games, and the importance of art and animation. Also: our personal relationship with video games over the years, and we invite our friend Callum ( @CallumPetch ) over to argue about the effectiveness of Gunpoint. We hope you enjoy, and come back next month for the second edition of Abnormal Mapping – Pokemon X and Y. Abnormal Mapping is: host Matthew Marko ( @litrock on Twitter) and co-host Jackson Tyler ( @Tylea002 on Twitter). To download the episode instead of streaming it, right click HERE . Sorry, no iTunes yet. We’re very new. games for this month Gunpoint DmC: Devil May Cry Theme music – Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod
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