CORE - Core Gaming for Core Gamers

Critical Role enters game dev, Outer Worlds 2 drops back to $70, and Splitgate 2 unlaunches. RIP Julian LeFay, and yes, that Hellraiser trailer is terrifying. Beau praises the SC2 World Cup. In “Dear Martha,” we “misremember” the PS2. Shared play this week: Donkey Kong Bananza. Scott tries Captain of Industry, Jon nears the end of FFX, and Beau dives into Pizza Tower, Slay the Spire, and more. Plus: Xbox handheld talk and some corrections.Shared Play (Scott & Jon): • Donkey Kong BananzaScott: • Captain of Industry • Back to the Dawn • Fantasy Finds DLC (2 Point Museum)Jon: • Final Fantasy X • Ghost of Tsushima (mentioned in passing) • Magic: The Gathering ArenaBeau: • Pizza Tower • Roundguard • Wildfrost • Backpack Hero • Fighting Fantasy Classics • Slay the Spire • Valheim

We covered Krafton's ongoing legal dispute with ousted Subnautica 2 founders, including a leaked memo and bonus extensions. The leaked Xbox Rog Ally price and portable gaming appeal. Steam's updated terms of service for adult games, shifting responsibility to developers and payment processors, were also reviewed. Our segment "Dear Martha" and Donkey Kong get together!. And loads more!GAMES PLAYED:SCOTT:Donkey Kong BananzaShapez 2Turnip Boy Robs a BankJON:Resident Evil HD (Remake)Resident Evil 2 (Original)Magic: The Gathering (IRL and MtG: Arena)Final Fantasy XBEAU:Death Stranding • • Valheim (Ashlands biome)

We discussed controller comfort and aging, the delay in finishing Ghost of Tsushima, and how handhelds like the Steam Deck affect game choices. We covered the Subnautica 2 delay and controversy involving Krafton possibly avoiding a $250M payout. We speculate on corporate motives, Unknown Worlds founders’ ousting, and Krafton’s Starcraft gig. We also hit on Romero Games losing a Microsoft contract, Final Fantasy IX remake rumors, and a new Resident Evil mobile game announcement. Emails, texts and loads more! Also, Scott tied with Beau this week in Dear Martha!GAMES PLAYEDSCOTTSatisfactory 1.1Offroad ManiaSoulstone Survivors 1.0Rogue TraderJONResident Evil (PC version)Resident Evil RemakeA Building Full of Cats 2Magic: The GatheringBEAUDeath StrandingValheimNightreignMagic: The Gathering

We have another bad case of layoffs, but this time, we hit the specific projects impacted by them. Some gnarly ones. Plus, Warcraft Rumble gets hit hard too. On the upside, we talk about the games un-effected, and the teams that are doing to stay intact. Leon S. Kennedy predictions. Stop Killing Games in the EU. Marvel Rivals is trolling fans. Dear Martha! Our week in games, and some great texts and voice mails this week!SCOTTFast Fusion Red Faction: GuerrillaThe MessengerJONLike a Dragon: Infinite WealthDate EverythingSystem Shock 2 RemasteredFinal Fantasy XBEAUSlay the Spire: The Board GameNIGHTREIGNMagic: The Gathering • • Valheim

We discuss our sleep schedules, gaming habits, and Xbox’s evolving hardware strategy. We share frustrations with Microsoft and Windows, and talk about competition between major gaming companies. We cover upcoming July games like Mecha Break, Micropunk, Donkey Kong Bonanza, Robocop: Unfinished Business, Wildgate, and Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound. We react to Death Stranding 2’s high early praise, debate Game Pass expansion, reminisce about retro toys like 2-XL and Hulkamania workout sets, and play a Final Fantasy Dear Martha. And some thoughts about Predator things for various reasons. :)GAMES PLAYEDScott:The MessengerSuper Mario Odyssey (more moon collecting)Red Faction: Guerrilla Re-Mars-teredJon:Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in HawaiiDate Everything!Beau:Elden Ring: NightreignMagic: The Gathering – Final Fantasy (limited draft)Valheim

Let’s start with a funny story about a kid and a video game character. Then a bit about Foamstars, the changing nature of music discovery via memes and platforms like TikTok, Hideo Kojima’s comments on Death Stranding 2 being “too good” and altered to be less mainstream, Microsoft’s strategic moves with Xbox to create a unified gaming platform that includes Game Pass, Steam, and other services, and speculation on the future of PlayStation and PC gaming. It ends with a mention of Kingdom Come: Deliverance releasing a cutscene movie and anticipation for Hades 2. Plus all the games we played, and your feedback!

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!