The prodigal co-host returns, and with him a whole slew of relatively questionable video games! After we’re done covering the topics everyone has been talking about – some Crash Bandicoot runner, a sleazy ’90s FMV game, and Tekken 6‘s cooperative campaign – we turn our attention to less trodden paths. That’s right, we break new ground with revolutionary talk on From Software as well as a little game series we have affectionately dubbed Super Mario. Brogan spearheads both as he reports from his research into From’s history by exploring their early years with the King’s Field series and then proceeds to beat his co-host to the punch on finally breaching the matter of 3D World + Bowser’s Fury. Pavlos, meanwhile, got sidetracked by Risk of Rain 2, an exciting sequel to 2013’s indie roguelike hit and an all-around multiplayer delight. The game of the week is one near and dear to our heart, warts and all. Knuckles’ Chaotix is an experimental co-op focused Sonic spin-off for Sega’s Mega Drive add-on, the 32X, and a pretty successful first outing for a relatively inexperienced (not-Sonic Team) team that mostly just fails in one major way: the level design. As we are happy to break down, most other aspects are top notch, particulary the stylish art and animation, as well as the evocative soundtrack, or at least fun in an interesting way, like the central conceit of the tether mechanic that lets you zoom around the (sadly, mostly empty) levels in exhilarating fashion. And then there’s the mystery of Charmy’s surname. A comparison of Chaotix to Knuckles’ blue rival’s adventure from the year before, Sonic CD, becomes the subject of much debate and, dare we say, elicits a hot take or two along the way. As we table this contended subject for another day, we bid our Chaotix friends farewell and hope that they return one day. Jet Set Radio x Vector, Sega, think about it.
Time Stamps:
Whatcha Playing
0:00 Crash Bandicoot: On The Run (2021)
05:40 Tender Loving Care (1998)
10:16 Tekken 6 (2007)
17:46 King’s Field (1994) and King’s Field II (1995)
27:21 Risk of Rain 2 (2019)
36:00 Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury (2021)
Featured Game
52:01 Knuckles’ Chaotix