Podcast Summary
Heinrich Schliemann's Unconventional Discovery of Troy: Believing in myths and legends, Schliemann used explosives to discover Troy, causing damage. Modern methods and accurate information minimize harm and maximize learning.
Throughout history, people have used unconventional methods to discover and explore, often with significant consequences. Heinrich Schliemann, an archaeologist, believed he had found the location of Troy and proved its existence by using dynamite to excavate the site. While his approach was effective, it resulted in the destruction of a large portion of the ancient city. Today, we have more advanced methods to explore and discover, making the use of explosives a less viable option. Another key takeaway is the importance of knowledge and understanding, as Schliemann's belief in Troy's existence was based on myths and legends, and his methods caused unnecessary damage. It's essential to approach discoveries with accurate information and modern techniques to minimize harm and maximize learning.
Exploring the World with Advanced Technology: From ancient methods to modern precision, technology's evolution has revolutionized how we explore and understand the world, leading to less destructive and more effective practices.
Technology has significantly advanced our abilities to explore and understand the world around us, from the depths of the earth to the intricacies of the human body. This progress has led to more precise and less destructive methods, such as advanced sonography and dialysis, replacing older, more barbaric practices. The speakers also discussed the evolution of technology throughout history, acknowledging that our past methods may seem crude compared to modern standards. They also pondered on the potential future advancements that may seem just as strange to future generations. The importance of embracing technology and its continuous evolution was a recurring theme in the conversation.
Creating a gaming tier list and engaging with listeners: Discussing and ranking games, encouraging listener engagement, and mentioning sponsors Mint Mobile, Rocket Money, and eBay Motors
The hosts of this podcast are discussing and creating a gaming tier list, ranking various games based on their merit. They are encouraging their listeners to rate and engage with their content on different platforms, and mention that they will do their best to cover as many games as possible in the given time frame. They also mention some sponsors, including Mint Mobile, which offers affordable wireless plans, and Rocket Money, a personal finance app that helps users manage and cancel unwanted subscriptions. Additionally, they mention eBay Motors, where "anything is possible" for car enthusiasts. The hosts acknowledge that they may not cover every listener's favorite game, but invite them to engage with the community on Reddit for potential follow-up episodes.
From humble beginnings to genre-defining game: Gary's Mod started as a Half-Life 2 mod, but its flexibility and user-generated content transformed it into a genre-defining game, paving the way for standalone modes and games to thrive.
Gary's Mod, despite its humble beginnings as a mod for Half-Life 2, has become a genre-defining game due to its flexibility and the vast array of user-generated content. Its impact on the gaming industry is significant, as it paved the way for standalone games and modes to emerge and thrive. Although it may not have been a polished game at its launch, its potential and the community's contributions have made it a high-tier game. The game's sandbox nature and the ability for players to create their own tools and experiences set it apart from other games in its category. Despite its origins and initial limitations, Gary's Mod has left an indelible mark on gaming history.
Garry's Mod and Pokemon: Setting Standards in Their Respective Genres: Garry's Mod influenced sandbox games with its expansive props and versatility, while Pokemon, as a cultural icon, set the standard for collectible RPG-style games.
Both Garry's Mod and Pokemon have set standards in their respective genres. Garry's Mod is considered a standard for sandbox games due to its expansive props and versatility, which has influenced numerous prop hunt games that followed. Pokemon, on the other hand, is a cultural icon and a standard for collectible RPG-style games, despite not significantly evolving the genre itself. The first Pokemon game, released in 1996, predates the trading cards and was an early example of the collectible monster genre. While Pokemon's impact on the gaming industry is undeniable, the games themselves may not stand out as groundbreaking in terms of gameplay mechanics. The discussion also touched upon the complexity of determining whether a game can be considered genre-defining, as well as the challenges of comparing games with such vast cultural significance.
Opinions on Pokemon and The Last of Us: Some fans highly rate Pokemon for its games and lore, while others find it stale. The Last of Us is praised for its writing and story, but opinions on its gameplay vary.
While some people view the Pokemon franchise as consistently delivering good games (S tier), others believe that the formula has become stale over the years and place it in the B tier. The movies and lore are considered essential aspects of the Pokemon experience. Regarding The Last of Us series, some individuals have a strong connection to the first game due to its polished and thoughtful elements, despite not typically enjoying action-adventure or scary games. They place it in a high tier, acknowledging the game's excellent writing, voice acting, and story. However, due to the linear nature and movie-like qualities of the games, some critics may rate it lower, even if they enjoy the gameplay.
What makes a game S-tier?: A game considered S-tier must excel in all aspects, including story, gameplay, and replayability.
According to our discussion, a game being considered "S-tier" requires not only being amazing in every way, but also having a great story and gameplay that makes you want to replay it. The Last of Us was agreed upon as an A-tier game due to its fantastic story and emotional impact, although some found its high number of cutscenes to be a drawback. 5 Nights at Freddy's, while creating a unique horror experience and having strong replayability, was considered okay at best by some, despite its massive fanbase and influence on the genre. Overall, a game's ability to engage and keep players coming back is a key factor in determining its tier.
A game's cultural impact: Five Nights at Freddy's' cultural impact and Mass Effect's storytelling and genre influence elevate their status beyond gameplay.
The popularity and impact of a video game can extend beyond its gameplay, influencing culture and content creation communities. The case in point is "Five Nights at Freddy's," which, while not a super spectacular game on its own, became a phenomenon due to the explosion of social media and content creators dissecting every detail. Despite the speaker's initial hesitance, they acknowledge the game's significance and place it in the 'A' tier, not just for its gameplay but for its influence on the industry. Similarly, the Mass Effect franchise, particularly the original trilogy, is considered 'S tier' not only for its gameplay but for its storytelling and impact on the RPG genre.
A deep connection with Mass Effect and the Zelda franchise: Mass Effect and the Zelda franchise inspire personal connections and memorable experiences through their unique qualities, despite RPG elements in Mass Effect and varying success in the Zelda series.
During a discussion about video games and their various genres, Mass Effect was identified as a standout title deserving of the S-tier rating. The speaker expressed a deep connection with the game, having played it extensively and enjoyed every route possible. Mass Effect's impact on the speaker was significant, making it an inspirational and fun experience. However, the speaker acknowledged that it may not be the genre-defining game some might expect due to its RPG elements. The conversation then shifted to discussing the Zelda franchise, with the speaker expressing their enjoyment of Breath of the Wild and the variety of experiences the franchise offers, despite having some misses and less successful entries. Overall, the discussion highlighted the personal connection and enjoyment individuals can have with specific video games, and the importance of recognizing the unique qualities that make them memorable.
Zelda Games: Split Opinions: While some cherish Zelda games for their impact and quality, others find less appeal. Personal experiences and biases shape individual opinions.
While some people, like Mark, hold Zelda games in high regard, placing them in the S tier, others, like Bob, have less enthusiasm for the franchise. Zelda games, such as Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, and Breath of the Wild, have had a significant impact on gaming culture and are undeniably of high quality. However, for some individuals, like Bob, they may not resonate as much, and other franchises, like Call of Duty, might hold more appeal. Mark and Bob's discussion also touched upon their personal experiences with the games, their biases, and the evolution of the franchises over time. Overall, their conversation highlighted the subjective nature of video games and the varying experiences and opinions of different players.
Reminiscing About Influential Gaming Experiences: Call of Duty and Rhythm Games: The speaker fondly recalls playing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and Black Ops, investing considerable time in the franchise, and appreciating its innovation like zombie mode. They also introduced to rhythm games, Rock Band and Guitar Hero, and enjoy their unique experiences.
The speaker holds fond memories of playing Call of Duty games, particularly Modern Warfare 2 and Black Ops, and the franchise has significantly influenced their gaming preferences. They've invested a substantial amount of time into the franchise, including the competitive FPS genre, and appreciate its innovation, such as the introduction of zombie mode. However, they acknowledge the franchise's ups and downs and rate it as an A- or B+. The speaker also shared their introduction to music rhythm games, Rock Band and Guitar Hero, through a friend, and enjoys both titles for their fun and unique experiences. Overall, these games have left a lasting impact on the speaker's gaming history.
Guitar Hero and Rock Band introduced music and instruments, Assassin's Creed offered intriguing worlds, Halo revolutionized console shooters: Guitar Hero and Rock Band popularized rhythm games, Assassin's Creed offered immersive worlds, Halo transformed console shooters with iconic multiplayer
Both Guitar Hero and Rock Band, as genre-defining rhythm games, introduced many to new music and instruments, with Rock Band expanding on the Guitar Hero formula by adding drums and vocals. While Assassin's Creed games offered intriguing lore and worlds, their gameplay was often frustrating and repetitive. Halo, on the other hand, was a significant leap forward in console shooters, particularly in the twin-stick shooter genre, with its iconic multiplayer and customizable modes. Though personal connections and experiences may vary, these games left lasting impacts on the gaming industry and players alike.
Revolutionizing their genres: Halo introduced innovative controls and immersive gameplay to shooters, while World of Warcraft set the standard for MMOs and brought joy to countless players
Both Halo and World of Warcraft revolutionized their respective genres during their time and had a significant impact on gaming culture. For Halo, it was the start of a new generation of shooters with its innovative controls, interactive characters, and immersive gameplay. For World of Warcraft, it set the standard for MMOs and brought countless hours of enjoyment to players, even if its current state falls short of its former glory. Despite not having played these games extensively myself, it's clear that they left a lasting impact on the gaming community and the memories of those who experienced them.
Two popular battle royale games: PUBG and Fortnite: PUBG, the first battle royale game, has had bugs and performance issues, but is cherished for its role in popularizing the genre. Fortnite, with its building mechanic and consistent updates, offers creative possibilities and faces criticism.
Despite having their fair share of issues, PUBG and Fortnite, two popular battle royale games, hold significant value for different reasons in the gaming community. PUBG, which came out first, can be seen as the predecessor to the battle royale genre, but it has had persistent bugs and performance issues since its release. Fortnite, on the other hand, introduced the building mechanic and gained popularity with its "Save the World" mode before transitioning to battle royale. Although some dislike the building mechanic, others appreciate the creative possibilities it offers. Personally, opinions on these games vary widely, with some placing PUBG in a lower tier due to its bugs and outdated feel, while others, like myself, hold it dear for its role in popularizing the battle royale genre. Fortnite, meanwhile, is often criticized for its building mechanic but praised for its creative possibilities and consistent updates. Ultimately, these games offer unique experiences and have left lasting impacts on the gaming world.
Groundbreaking Games: Grand Theft Auto 3 and Doom: Grand Theft Auto 3 revolutionized open-world exploration and transportation in action-adventure games, while Doom transformed the first-person shooter genre with its innovative gameplay.
Grand Theft Auto 3 and the Doom franchise were groundbreaking games that significantly influenced the video game industry. Grand Theft Auto 3 introduced a vast open world and various modes of transportation, setting a new standard for the action-adventure genre. Doom, on the other hand, was a pioneering shooter game with a transformative impact on the first-person shooter genre. Both games left a lasting impression on players and continue to be influential in the gaming world. Despite having different opinions on the games, it's clear that they had a significant impact on the industry and the gaming community.
The Speaker's Changing Perspective on Souls-like Games: Initially struggled with Souls-like games' clunky movement, but found new appreciation in Bloodborne's faster pace and increased player agency. Placed Souls series in S-tier for its impact on gaming and genre-defining qualities, despite love-hate relationship. Encourages others to try Bloodborne for its rewarding sense of accomplishment.
The speaker's perspective on the "Souls-like" games, including Dark Souls, Bloodborne, Sekiro, and Elden Ring, evolved significantly. They initially struggled with the clunky movement in these games but found a new appreciation for the genre with Bloodborne's faster pace and increased player agency. Although they had a love-hate relationship with the Souls series due to its difficulty and frustration, they ultimately placed it in the S-tier for its transformative impact on gaming and its genre-defining qualities. The speaker also encouraged others to give Bloodborne a try, acknowledging its challenging start but rewarding sense of accomplishment upon overcoming its difficulties.
Discussing time constraints and fan reactions in video game ratings: The hosts share their challenges in covering all desired games due to time and the intensity of fan reactions to their opinions, emphasizing their dedication to sharing their thoughts on various topics.
During their podcast discussion about rating video games, the hosts expressed their difficulty in covering all the games they'd like to due to time constraints. They also joked about the intense reactions their opinions can elicit from fans. Bob was declared the winner of their latest game rating episode due to his bold take on Fortnite, despite potential backlash from fans. The hosts encouraged listeners to subscribe to their podcast and check out their merchandise online. Overall, the podcast episode showcased the hosts' unique dynamic and their passion for sharing their opinions on various topics, even if it means ruffling some feathers.
