With the recent report that almost 80% of games purchased on PS4 & PS5 are digital, on top of recent reports of games being delisted, it's caused some concern about the future of digital in gaming spheres. This week, we discuss the pros and cons of both digital and physical, the fear of a future where we own nothing, and why Twitter is a weird, weird place.
Time Stamps
News
Relevant Reads
Recos!
Support TRG
As always, if you like what we do here at TRG, consider supporting the show over on Patreon to net yourself perks like early, uncut access to every new episode! Link to our Patreon is below!
Connect With TRG
You can catch up with TRG by following us on Twitter, Facebook, and join our Discord server for community game nights!
When you discuss seminal pillars of gaming, Metal Gear Solid will always come up. In several ways, it changed the gaming landscape through creatively immersing players into the world of Shadow Moses, Solid Snake, and Metal Gears. Not only that, MGS pioneered stealth games, thrusting them into the spotlight with a cinematic flair. Despite what you may think of Kojima, it's impossible to deny the genius of the game's design.
But hidden underneath Metal Gear Solid is good bit of philosophy. Is violence a sport? Can love bloom on the battlefield? Can we resist our genes? Join us as we discuss this masterclass of game design as we break down Metal Gear Solid/Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes.
Want MORE TRG Content?
Time Stamps:
Check out Sound of the Raign and his music:
Recos!
Support TRG
As always, if you like what we do here at TRG, consider supporting the show over on Patreon to net yourself perks like early, uncut access to every new episode! Link to our Patreon is below!
Connect With TRG
You can catch up with TRG by following us on Twitter, Facebook, and join our Discord server for community game nights!
The Reformed Gamers is the show all about theology and gaming. Every now and then, we dedicate an entire episode to something theological focused. Last year, TRG did an episode on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Having this message is great but the next question is: what do we do with it?
Joining Logan on this episode is Dr. Matt Queen, Associate Dean of the Roy J. Fish School of Evangelism and Missions and Professor of Evangelism at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Queen also holds the L.R. Scarborough Chair of Evangelism. Dr. Queen not only talks a lot about evangelism and invests time in equipping the saints to share the Gospel but he spearheads many evangelistic efforts at SWBTS and his church. In this episode, Dr. Queen discusses the importance of evangelism, the fears that keep people from sharing, and the many ways we can share the Gospel, whether in person or online.
You can get in touch with Dr. Queen:
You can also check out Dr. Queen's helpful resources here: http://media.swbts.edu/speaker/10/matt-queen
Time Stamps:
Support TRG
As always, if you like what we do here at TRG, consider supporting the show over on Patreon to net yourself perks like early, uncut access to every new episode! Link to our Patreon is below!
Connect With TRG
You can catch up with TRG by following us on Twitter, Facebook, and join our Discord server for community game nights!
It has been awhile since we have done a mail bag episode. We pitched it to the Deer Patrons to write in questions for us to answer and discuss on this episode. And they did not disappoint. Sony recently showed us an impressive show of games in a recent State of Play that was so good, we had to revisit some of it. We also discuss games we're playing like Ghostwire Tokyo and co-op games like It Takes Two. We also tried to figure out which apostle would play which game.
Topic begins at 35:17
Links & Reco's
Patrons! Get your write ins for upcoming episodes: Episode 220 (Metal Gear Solid) & Q&A with Skinner
Support TRG
As always, if you like what we do here at TRG, consider supporting the show over on Patreon to net yourself perks like early, uncut access to every new episode! Link to our Patreon is below!
Connect With TRG
You can catch up with TRG by following us on Twitter, Facebook, and join our Discord server for community game nights!
Playstation Plus announced it was changing things up some months ago: game trials, a 3 tier system, and classic games a la a Game Pass like service. More details have been revealed but is it worth the upgrade? Join Logan and TRG's new co-host, Micah, as they dig in.
Timestamps
Reco's & Links
Support TRG
As always, if you like what we do here at TRG, consider supporting the show over on Patreon to net yourself perks like early, uncut access to every new episode! Link to our Patreon is below!
Connect With TRG
You can catch up with TRG by following us on Twitter, Facebook, and join our Discord server for community game nights!
Final Fantasy 6 is one of the greatest JRPGs of all time, released in the SNES era. The game has a strikingly darker and more somber tone than the rest of the games in the series. But is that really what the game is about? Jon Harrison (author of Mastering the Game) sits down to break down the game's themes, hidden easter eggs, and more.
Timestamps
Reco's & Links
Support TRG
As always, if you like what we do here at TRG, consider supporting the show over on Patreon to net yourself perks like early, uncut access to every new episode! Link to our Patreon is below!
Connect With TRG
You can catch up with TRG by following us on Twitter, Facebook, and join our Discord server for community game nights!
Sea of Thieves has come a long way since it's initial launch in 2018. In 2022, Sea of Thieves is growing to be one of the top multiplayer gaming experiences available. Joining me on this episode is friend of the show, Jonathan, aka ParrotMode. We discuss some of the new additions to the game, some of the things that keep people coming back, and share tips for new players.
Secret Links
Follow ParrotMode!
Time Stamps
Housekeeping (6:30)
What We're Playing (8:56)
Topic (32:00)
*Note about this section: the first few seconds, my (Logan) mic acted up and sounds muffled. It returns to normal after a few minutes into the section.
Reco's (1:12:35)
Support TRG
As always, if you like what we do here at TRG, consider supporting the show over on Patreon to net yourself perks like early, uncut access to every new episode! Link to our Patreon is below!
Connect With TRG
You can catch up with TRG by following us on Twitter, Facebook, and join our Discord server for community game nights!
Patreon: www.Patreon.com/TheReformedGamers
Twitter: www.twitter.com/TRGPodcast
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheReformedGamers
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/TheReformedGamers
Website: www.thereformedgamers.com
Discord: https://discord.gg/r4g6p4dztC
Time Stamps
Secret Links
Support TRG
As always, if you like what we do here at TRG, consider supporting the show over on Patreon to net yourself perks like early, uncut access to every new episode! Link to our Patreon is below!
Connect With TRG
You can catch up with TRG by following us on Twitter, Facebook, and join our Discord server for community game nights!
Patreon: www.Patreon.com/TheReformedGamers
Twitter: www.twitter.com/TRGPodcast
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheReformedGamers
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/TheReformedGamers
Website: www.thereformedgamers.com
Discord: https://discord.gg/r4g6p4dztC
Dissertations are a massive undertaking. Many say it’s the equivalent of writing a book. In order to obtain a Doctorate Degree, it’s one of the things you have to complete. For Matt Millsap, he wrote his dissertation on the theological engagement of video games. You read that right. We also spend some time discussing the preservation of games, US copyright law, and Nintendo’s ever persistent problem of forsaking their legacy.
Time Stamps
WHYBP 4:20
Topic 9:40
Reco’s 1:24:34
Support TRG
As always, if you like what we do here at TRG, consider supporting the show over on Patreon to net yourself perks like early, uncut access to every new episode! Link to our Patreon is below!
Connect With TRG
You can catch up with TRG by following us on Twitter, Facebook, and join our Discord server for community game nights!
Patreon: www.Patreon.com/TheReformedGamers
Twitter: www.twitter.com/TRGPodcast
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheReformedGamers
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/TheReformedGamers
Website: www.thereformedgamers.com
Discord: https://discord.gg/r4g6p4dztC
Secret Links
SMT has been around for a long time, dating back to 1987 with Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei on the Famicom. As a matter of fact, this is the series that gave us Persona. With SMT V released fairly recently on the Nintendo Switch to glowing reviews, it’s time for us to discuss the game’s themes of false gods, worldly pursuits, and come to find out that this game isn’t so different from the MCU.
Time Stamps
Patron Thank You's!
A huge thank you for the Patrons who supported TRG in the month of February: Alex Castellanos, Brandon Buonacorsi, Caasi, Chris Freeman, Christopher Commander, Darryl Tavares, David Henderson, David Matthews, Derek Smith, Jake Walker, Jeff Jackson Jr., Jimmy Changa, Jonathan Harrison, Josh Broccolo, Kiefer Winborn, Kokorodaki, Luke Strain, Mark Kozlowski, Matt Edwards, Matthew “White Chocolate” McDougal, Matthew Millsap, Melvin Benson V, Micah Hendrick, Michael Toller, MrButts, Nate McKeever, Paige Pinson, Retro Rewind Podcast, Ryan1701e, Sam White, Savon Pena, Third Strongest Mole, Travis, Vincent Yu, WeathermanKeef, Wesley Rea, Xaviel Medina
Reco's!
Support TRG
As always, if you like what we do here at TRG, consider supporting the show over on Patreon to net yourself perks like early, uncut access to every new episode! Link to our Patreon is below!
Connect With TRG
You can catch up with TRG by following us on Twitter, Facebook, and join our Discord server for community game nights!
Patreon: www.Patreon.com/TheReformedGamers
Twitter: www.twitter.com/TRGPodcast
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheReformedGamers
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/TheReformedGamers
Website: www.thereformedgamers.com
Discord: https://discord.gg/r4g6p4dztC
Jonathan, aka Sound of the Raign, got into music at an early age. Over the last couple of years, he has steadily released songs that blend his faith with his love for all things nerdy. In this episode, he sits down and shares how he got into music, some of his favorite games, and his spiritual renewal in Christ.
Time Stamps
Secret Links (5:41)
WHYBP (6:10)
Topic (15:27)
Reco’s (1:12:47)
Follow Sound of the Raign!
Twitter, Instagram, Spotify, YouTube
Support TRG
As always, if you like what we do here at TRG, consider supporting the show over on Patreon to net yourself perks like early, uncut access to every new episode! Link to our Patreon is below!
Connect With TRG
You can catch up with TRG by following us on Twitter, Facebook, and join our Discord server for community game nights!
Patreon: www.Patreon.com/TheReformedGamers
Twitter: www.twitter.com/TRGPodcast
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheReformedGamers
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/TheReformedGamers
Website: www.thereformedgamers.com
Discord: https://discord.gg/r4g6p4dztC
Timestamps:
Housekeeping (2:50)
What We're Playing (5:31)
Topic (26:15)
Reco's/Patron Thanks/Closing (1:25:35)
A HUGE thanks to our January Patreon supporters: Alex Castellanos, Caasi, Chris Freeman, Christopher Commander, Darryl Tavares, David Henderson, David Matthews, Derek Smith, Jake Walker, Jeff Jackson Jr., Jimmy Changa, Josh Broccolo, Kiefer Winborn, Kokorodaki, Luke Strain, Mark Kozlowski, Matt Edwards, Matthew “White Chocolate” McDougal, Matthew Millsap, Melvin Benson V, Micah Hendrick, Michael Toller, MrButts, Nate McKeever, Paige Pinson, Retro Rewind Podcast, Ryan1701e, Sam White, Savon Pena, Third Strongest Mole, Travis, Vincent Yu, WeathermanKeef, Wesley Rea, Xaviel Medina
Recos!
Join the Reformation and meet other gamers on Discord, Facebook, Twitter!
TRG turns 7!
Logan, Skinner, and Adam gather around the digital table to reminisce over the last 7 years of TRG before diving in to some of our favorite games of 2021. Every year, we give out a series of awards and this year is no different! This year, the awards are:
Special shout-out to our Deer Listeners of 2021: Alex Castellanos, the TRG Discord Mods, Sound of the Raign, Kokorodaki, ChefJhai!
Housekeeping (13:54)
What We're Playing (20:01)
Topic (44:44)
Reco's (1:48:42)
Mukwano Coffee Promo
Mukwano Coffee is hooking listeners up! Head over to www.mukwanocoffee.com and use code TRG to get 10% off your order!
You can catch up with TRG by following us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and join our Discord server for community game nights!
Merry Christmas from TRG!
As 2021 draws to a close, for Christmas, we're bringing you our biggest episode of 2021 yet! There is one divisive game that we have yet to cover: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword! With a brand new release on the Nintendo Switch, it's up to Logan to figure out the differences between the original release and this new HD remaster. Joining Logan is friend of the show, Jonathan Steele, and former Legend of Zelda speed-runner, Derek Smith, to share their frustrations and highlights of this polarizing entry in the Legend of Zelda series.
Housekeeping (5:19)
Mukwano Coffee Promo
Mukwano Coffee is hooking listeners up! Head over to www.mukwanocoffee.com and use code TRG to get 10% off your order!
What We're Playing (6:32)
Topic (32:36)
Non Spoiler Review (37:03)
Spoiler Discussion (55:00)
Patron Thank You's! (1:44:28)
A big thank you to our Patreon supporters for the month of December: Alex Castellanos, Chris Freeman, Christopher Commander, CongratsOn200EpisodesTRG.ThatIsAnImpressiveAccomplishment.HowLongCanIMakeThisUsername.WhoaItJustKeepsGoingAndGoingAndGoingAndGo., Darryl Tavares, David Henderson, David Matthews, Derek Smith, Jake Walker, Jeff Jackson Jr., Jimmy Changa, Josh Broccolo, Kiefer Winborn, Kokorodaki, Luke Strain, Matt Edwards, Matthew “White Chocolate” McDougal, Matthew Millsap, Melvin Benson V, Micah Hendrick, Michael Toller, Nate McKeever, Paige Pinson, Retro Rewind Podcast, Ryan1701e, Sam White, Samuel Colunga, Savon Pena, Third Strongest Mole, Travis, Vincent Yu, WeathermanKeef, Wesley Rea, Xaviel Medina
Recos (1:45:55)
You can catch up with TRG by following us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and join our Discord server for community game nights!
Designing an app is not easy. Releasing it to the public is not easy. So how did Charles Watson come up with, release, and maintain The GG App? Join me as I sit down with Charles and discuss the origins of The GG App, dealing with competition and theft of ideas, to where he sees the app going in the future.
Follow GG
Mukwano Coffee Promo
Mukwano Coffee is hooking listeners up! Head over to www.mukwanocoffee.com and use code TRG to get 10% off your order!
Timestamps
Housekeeping (4:37)
What We're Playing (6:31)
Topic (16:22)
Recos & Closing (53:44)
You can catch up with TRG by following us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and join our Discord server for community game nights!
From all of us here at TRG: Happy Thanksgiving!
We all have this problem of the never-ending backlog. Is that a good thing? Or are we approaching video games differently than we do other things like books and movies? The guys from the Backlog Breakdown Podcast join me this week to discuss!
Check out The Backlog Breakdown on Twitter and listen to their show!
Timestamps:
Housekeeping (7:18)
What We're Playing (8:31)
Topic (26:54)
Patron Thank You's & Recos! (1:16:12)
You can catch up with TRG by following us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and join our Discord server for community game nights!
Metroid Dread is better than Super Metroid. It’s a scientifically verified fact with experts and fact checkers.
Or so we hear. Metroid Dread has finally arrived on the Nintendo Switch, reinvigorating the Metroid fanbase. But does it have what it takes to stand in the halls of the great Metroids before it? We argue that it not only does, but it reigns as the best 2D Metroid in the series. Jonathan Steele (of Episode 202) returns to help discuss this amazing GOTY contender.
Time-Stamps
Housekeeping (5:33)
What We Are Playing (6:55)
Topic (25:10)
Spoiler Territory (46:38)
Reco's! (1:27:22)
Thank you for listening to The Reformed Gamers! We would love to connect with you. Join our Discord using this link or following us on our different social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram. You can financially support the show, monthly, on Patreon and get extra perks.
The fourth installment in the long running Final Fantasy series introduced us to a hero who did a great evil. In 1991, Square released a game that was not only fun but had us asking questions about redemption and just how far someone can go before they cannot be forgiven. Hailed as one of the best Final Fantasy games, and JRPGs of all time, join us as we discuss Final Fantasy IV.
Joining this episode is Aki of AkiAndPeach. Head on over to their channel to check out their latest content and catch them live on Twitch!
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AkiandPeach
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/akiandpeach
Housekeeping (6:21)
What We're Playing (7:23)
Topic (31:21)
Reco's! (53:53)
Thank you for listening to The Reformed Gamers! We would love to connect with you. Join our Discord using this link or following us on our different social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram. You can financially support the show, monthly, on Patreon and get extra perks.