One Game Stink. One Rules.

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/

Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown

This week Kevin goes solo for a gaming-heavy episode, revisiting his early YouTube history as Jerry Bloop before diving into three recent games and what makes them succeed or completely fall apart.

He starts with Beast of Reincarnation, the new action RPG from Pokémon developer Game Freak. Kevin explains why pre-ordering the game for $60 became a mistake, criticizing its tiny enemy roster, endlessly recycled bosses and so much more. Can you actually consider a game to have a 20 hour runtime when you’ve seen all the content by hour 10?

In contrast, Kevin also dives into Mortal Shell 2. Is it one of the best gaming sequels ever made? Kevin might think so. That begs the question, what does a sequel need to do to take a flawed original and turn it into something genuinely great?

Afterwards Kevin revisits Wuchang: Fallen Feathers and The First Berserker: Khazan, two of his favorite recent Soulslike games, before moving on to Metroid Prime 4...the good, the bad and the tedious. Why do developers keep adding mechanics to established franchises that don't actually make the experience better?

Along the way, Kevin reflects on his lifelong relationship with video games, the origins of Jerry Bloop and Vsauce, and the difference between games that are packed with meaningful systems and games that simply stretch a small amount of content into a longer experience.

Big thanks to our patrons, we’ll be back next week!

You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/

Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/

Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: discord.gg/vnRnr3rCzt

Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple

Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify

Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts

CREDITS:

Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor

Executive Producer: Ben WebsterEditor: Spencer Vann

"Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite

Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com

Opening Animation: Kidmograph

City Animation: Eric Langlay

"The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media.

CONNECT WITH US:

» Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw

» Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown

» Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown

» Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown

» View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices