Podcast 524 - The Invader Brad Show (The Evil Within 2, South Park: The Fractured but Whole, Blue Reflection, and More!)

To answer your question about why high school is the most prominent setting in Japanese anime and games: it all has to do with nostalgia that a lot of people in Japan have about their time in high school. It is often viewed as the last fun experience they have with clubs, friends, etc. This in contrast to college life in Japan because of how much of a joke universities are in that country, more so than ours believe it or not. Which is why you don't see many college or adult settings in games or anime. I say this as someone who has studied modern Japan in college and listening to other people who've talked about this subject; the more you know!

Speaking of Wes Anderson films, I'm super hyped of Isle of Dogs!!

Hello! For future reference, the first letter in my name is a capital i.

I'm currently knee deep in Divinity 2 but all your talk about The Evil Within makes me want to pick it up for Halloween! Some really fun moments this week, Nolans "Under a blacklight" comment really made me laugh.

The discussion about AAA single player games was interesting. From my personal experience, most of the really good single player games I've played recently has been from smaller studios. I wouldn't mind AAA games being focused on multiplayer games. I think smaller studios tend to make more creative games, maybe because they have to try harder?

Anway, great show as always!

Can I say first and foremost: NEVER TALK ABOUT YOUR WORST PAIN AGAIN! Man those stories had me wincing. Never again please.

Regarding companies moving away from single player games, its still crazy that it comes up with how on point single player games have been this year. Nier Automata, RE7, Horizon, Zelda, Persona just to name a few and still more coming out like Mario, AC: Origins and Xenoblade (Wolfenstein having just come out yesterday).

I understand high praise isnt what companies care about if it doesnt reflect in satisfactory sales. But Im hoping that instead of steering away from single player games (remember the talk of forcing multiplayer into SP games years ago?), they instead take a look at how they can improve behind the scenes to make it more affordable and needing less return to be "successful".

Hey guys. Sorry I missed the live feed last week, glad it went up on Youtube.

Not to drag this out, but the diagnostic features for a gambling addiction/gambling disorder is "a pattern of chasing one's losses" and "risking something of value in hopes of obtaining something of greater value (DSM-5, 2013 p. 585-586)." It's bad when you've gotten to the point that you exhibit maladaptive behaviors, such as jeopardizing relationships with others and your career, relying on others to give you money, if you're preoccupied with gambling, such as reliving euphoric experiences or planning the next venture constantly, and/or gambling when distressed or as a coping mechanism. There are other symptoms you can have but basically if you're venture to collect lootboxes/lootcrates is significantly impeding other aspects of your life, congratulations, you've been diagnosed with an addiction.

Btw, Henry is adorable. Nick, I'm not surprised you didn't want to hold the baby. It's only been a couple of months, but Henry's as tall as you now.

Hey great episode as always! I seem to be enjoying your podcasts more and more every week! In regards to the Evil Within franchise and your past discussions about it, you convinced me to go pick up the Evil Within! THANK YOU I am absolutely loving the game and never really play games in this genre so the story is really tripping me out so far! Will be picking up the second game when I can find the time!

Thanks for attempting to talk about about blue reflection Chris Davis, I'll put it on my ever growing list of jrpgs to play.
Also about the henry on the podcast thing, if you guys wait long enough Henry can be the old man of the group and follow in his pappy's footsteps.

Hearing Chris describe Madoka Magica, as someone who has seen it, was hard. Not because I disagreed with him or anything, I just know that exact situation of trying to convince people to watch something when it has an apparent barrier of entry. Good luck trying to convince anyone Chris, personally I've given up.

I do not like anime.

I have not seen much anime.

I do not know any thing about anime.

Chris Davis is not good at selling things he likes.

I must back him up:
That show he mentioned last week, Puella Magi Madoka Magica, really is remarkable. Consider the name of the show (and the look of the show (and the genre of the show)) and know that it thoroughly subverts any expectation one might have. It is colorful and intensely sentimental; sweet like candy. It is also heavy, harrowing, and aggressively emotional.

It is a very hard sell, for sure, but know that it is indeed legitimate and would surprise the hell out of any one.

I feel like in terms of similar theme, NieR:Automata is the closest mainstream game to Madoka Magica on top of my head. It's not direct comparison, but it's very close in tone.

Cici's pizza is *okay* pizza, Chris Davis. Stop hating on cheap pizza.