CORE - Core Gaming for Core Gamers

Let’s talk about the Xbox ASUS Ally X handheld—its specs, price speculation, and use of Hall Effect sticks. They critique Nintendo's controller decisions and Steam Deck comparisons. And presenting a new way of highlighting standout games from Summer Game Fest, instead of full recaps. Titles we discuss include Clockwork Revolution, 007: From Light, ILL, Kepler, Stray of Heaven, Marvel T.R.C., Super Meat Boy 3D, Felt That Boxing, Grounded 2, Outer Worlds 2, Final Fantasy Tactics Remaster, and Resident Evil 9. They give reactions and expectations based on trailers and known studio pedigree. And all the stuff we played this week to boot! BIG ONE THIS WEEK!

PSA about our Summer Game Fest coverage

It’s Nintendo Switch 2 launch day! And one of us got one. Impressions about the new hardware, the snappy performance of the eShop, and the sucky bits of game upgrade pricing—some titles requiring up to $20 for performance boosts. "Nintendo Welcome Tour" requiring accessories for full completion is nuts, and we talk on past console campouts. Canadian royalty, bathroom disasters at Blizzard HQ, and the janitor-themed maintenance of "Heroes of the Storm." June 2025 game releases like Mario Kart World, Death Stranding 2, System Shock 2 Remaster, and others, including impressions from Sony’s State of Play. Lots more, plus your texts!

We have “secret penises." Trust us, it will make sense. We’re giving away a copy of Doom: The Dark Ages, we speculate on Cyberpunk 2—its name, setting (possibly Chicago), and potential DLC—then dive into the animation studio behind the upcoming Cyberpunk anime followup. K-Pop Demon Hunters, Marathon possibly being delayed, and the over-saturation of extraction shooters…again. Love that Battlefront II is having a moment, we lament EA canceling the Black Panther game, and talk about the new face of WoW Classic and retail raid mechanics. And a WHOLE lot more.GAMES PLAYEDSCOTTTainted Grail: The Fall of AvalonThe PrecinctJONKingdom Come Deliverance 2Duck Detective: Ghost of GlampingBEAUMonster Train 2 Doom Dark Ages VR ModValheim: The MistlandsHeroes of the Storm

Bungie’s admission of using stolen artwork in Marathon, casting big doubt on the game's future. We talk about the extraction shooter genre and compare Marathon to games like Tarkov and Concord to mixed results. Randy Pitchford is back with a out-of-touch $80 pricing comment on X for Borderlands 4, and we review Borderlands and its spinoffs just for funs. All the new Warhammer game announcements and ridicule poorly made Baldur's Gate 3 miniatures. Plus all the games we played and your feedback and more!GAMES PLAYEDSHAREDDOOM: The Dark AgesKingdom Come: Deliverance SCOTTMonster Train 2Deliver at All Costs Drop Duchy(Some usuals with nothing new to add: ESO, Spell Rogue, Tsushima, etc.)JONSkin DeepNew Game Plus mode for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33BEAUWatch_Dogssc2 co-op commanders, heroes, and valheim etc. etc.

We discuss the upcoming Super Mario Brothers movie sequel, "Super Mario World," and potential future titles for any sequels. Nintendo's updated EULA, allowing them to render devices unusable for cheating or using ROMs, causes some debate. We question the implications of "bricking" and the risk of false positives. And if Nintendo is even thinking about that. We talk about expensive boats, like the pirate ship in Elder Scrolls Online, and some additional talk about digital ownership and fake scarcity. “The Legend of Zelda” themed Dear Martha. Let’s talk about “Doom: The Dark Ages,” comparing it to the last two. And LOADS more!GAMES PLAYEDSHAREDDOOM: The Dark AgesSCOTTThe Elder Scrolls OnlineGhost of TsushimaSkin DeepSpell Rogue is 1.0JON100% clear of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33BEAUKingdom Come: Deliverence 2 Save system taking some getting used to. Drop DuchyClair Obscur: Expedition 33Blue PrinceUntil Then

Microsoft's cross-platform success, upcoming remasters like Gears of War and Echo the Dolphin, and speculation around a Xbox-branded handheld got real this week. We debate about console competition, exclusivity, and digital storefront strategies, particularly Epic Games’ new developer incentives. They really wanna get the deals. Underwater level phobias. The new GTA trailer, and loads more!GAMES PLAYEDJONClair Obscur: Expedition 33SCOTTKingdom Come Deliverance IIESO, ES4, SkyrimMore TsushimaBEAUHeroes of the Storm

We discussed upcoming games like DOOM: The Dark Ages and Borderlands 4, along with delays for Grand Theft Auto 6 (now May 2026). Claire Obscure: Expedition 33 was praised for its stunning art, engaging combat, and emotional storytelling, though some criticized its timing mechanics. Sunderfolk, a couch co-op tactical RPG using phones as controllers, was highlighted for its seamless multiplayer and creative gameplay. We also touched on Ghost of Tsushima's satisfying ending and Overwatch 3's mobile MOBA announcement, which sparked mixed reactions. Lastly, we shared listener feedback and teased a potential Shadowdark campaign.
GAMES PLAYEDSCOTTVirtua Cop. (You heard me.)JONBeat Ghost of TsushimaClair Obscur: Expedition 33FortniteBEAUSunderfolk
V RisingMore MTG!

The usual fun CORE time, including a shadow drop of a remastered Oblivion that impresses with modern graphics and UI while preserving some nostalgic jank. Excitement and skepticism around Nintendo Switch 2 preorders and supply issues. Also Sunderfolk, a co-op RPG using mobile phones as controllers, and a new Star Wars tactical RPG in the style of XCOM. All the games we played. And catching factual flaws in game history.GAMES PLAYEDSHAREDThe Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion RemasterClair Obscur: Expedition 33Tempest RisingSCOTTCreepy Redneck Dinosaur Mansion IIIMore Ghost of TsushimaMinishoot AdventuresJONShadowDarkCyberPunk 2077Blue PrinceGhost of TsushimaBEAUAge of Wonders 4SKALD Against the Black PrioryMandragora: Whispers of the Witch TreeMagic: the GatheringValheimHeroes of the StormStarCraft II