Hey I’m just a midwest guy who likes video games (mostly big on JRPG’s, Metroidvanias and everything in between). I finally made it to the forum after listening to 75% of the podcast episodes (continuing to listen to older episodes and new stuff new to get to 100% of course). I listened to them in a bizarre order… at first going through and picking out episodes with topics I found interesting, before eventually realizing that was the wrong way and that most every topic could be made relevant to me once the discussion begins.
I admittedly found my way to the podcast via Action Button, after the big-boy-baby-boy left Kotaku. I honestly didn’t know or care what Kotaku was- I hadn’t even heard of it. I think I stumbled upon his Death Stranding videos through the YouTube algorithm or something while trying to figure out just what the heck Kojimas new game was even about.
Anyway! I love the show. You all have interesting things to say about a lot of things. I initially was just looking for entertainment, but it wasn’t long before I was actually learning things from The IC crew. The show has taught me about many games, why they are great, and probably most importantly: how to appreciate them. You have all opened my eyes to new things. I couldn’t possibly list out all of the things I have and will experience due to IC’s influence. I’ve learned a lot about great games I missed out on and even entire genres I wrote off in the past as “not good” or “not for me” because of some dumb reason or another. I was probably just ignorant before, but you have maybe helped me become just a little less ignorant (at least about video games, if nothing else).
I’d like to have more specific examples for you, so first l’ll just say that I am currently playing Godhand (never would have bought or played it previously) and I recently binged all of the anime GTO (never watched it before). Also, I recently beat SOTN (I know that’s a big big title that everyone knows but I had never played any Castlevania games before and for a long time I thought: why should I go back and play a 2D game when all of these fancy new games keep coming out?) and I beat Yakuza Kiwami (the game never would have interested me in the past- mostly because I didn’t want to play a voiced Japanese game without an English dub). Both of these were games were great and my reasons for not playing them sooner were dumb. But it was hearing you guys talk about these games and how to appreciate them that got me to give them a shot. And man I was missing out.
I might sound kind of dumb here, but you guys have been a great place for me to learn about one of my favorite mediums. So thank you all for doing your thing.
Random question for Frank or a topic for the podcast: Amazon Prime’s members currently have been given free access to the remake of the Secret of Monkey Island (aka Special Edition). Would you recommend this to someone who has never played the original? Is anything missing in terms of charm or content compared to the original amiga game?