Abnormal Mapping

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Abnormal Mapping 64: Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords Jun 29, 2017

Show notes

A year ago this month we played Knights of the Old Republic, and today we complete the saga by taking on Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords. Jump in for a journey of discovery, as we experience one of the most heavily recommended subversions of all the aspects of Star Wars that we thought we didn't like, only to realize that without them our hearts feel empty and we feel lost. Maybe the Star Wars we loved was in our hearts all along.

No, we will never do the MMO.

We are joined by friend of the show Heather Alexandra for segment 2, you can find her work over at Kotaku and follow her on twitter here! You can get our podcast on iTunes, on Stitcher, or you can download directly from the player above.

Things Discussed: our Patreon! which is doing well, Driver: San Francisco, Hollow Knight, Mega Man 6, Life is Strange, Star Wars (the movies), Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Traitor (A New Jedi Order Novel), Episode 50: Jump Cut Genocide covering KotOR 1, our episode about Planescape: Torment, Persona 4

Game Club This Month: Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords

Game Club Next Month: Devil May Cry

Music This Episode
Star Wars: Kotor March by Mark Griskey
Star Wars Theme by John Williams
Throne Room by John Williams
I'm Han Solo by Kevin Afflack

Meta Mapping 1: DmC: Devil May Cry Jun 16, 2017

Show notes

Welcome to Meta Mapping, our first in a series of re-released episodes from the Abnormal Mapping archives with new content made possible by our Patreon subscribers.

We figured it would be best to start with our very first episode, back when all our mics were bad and M used a different name. We didn't want to change any of that, so you get the raw reality of us four years ago for your listening ... pleasure? Pleasure seems like a strong word. We've come a long way, baby! And you can see those humble beginnings here.

As always, you can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes. Consider supporting us on Patreon to make future shows possible and receive cool extra gifts.

Games Discussed This Episode
Gunpoint
DmC: Devil May Cry

Music Used This Episode
Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod
Melancholia by John Robert Matz, Ryan Ike and Francisco Cerda
What the Fuck Is Wrong With You by Combichrist

Abnormal Mapping 63: Myst May 25, 2017

Show notes

The Mappers delve into the past for an examination of two pillars of 90s PC gaming, as we all tackle the mysteries of Myst together (with returning third chair Destiny), and then I take a moment to talk about Full Throttle Remastered with Kotaku's Heather Alexandra. It's a lot of clicking and a lot of puzzle solving in this wave of computer nostalgia.

Note: we have a Patreon! Support us by going to patreon.com/abnormalmapping!

You can get our podcast on iTunes, on Stitcher, or you can download directly from the player above.

Things Discussed: Persona 5: Jungian Inception, Forza Horizon 3, Injustice, The Patreon Letters, Full Throttle, Grim Fandango, Heather's review for Full Throttle Remastered, Secret of Monkey Island Special Edition, LOOM, 90s PC games versus console games, Myst, Jeff Gerstmann in the RealMyst Quick Look, Rock Paper Shotgun's Myst Opinions, Life is Strange, The Eternal Quest To Defend Pop Punk

This Month's Game Clubs: Full Throttle Remastered, Myst

Next Month's Game Club: Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords

Music This Episode
Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod
Get Outta Town by The Gone Jackals
Myst Theme by Robyn Miller
The Temple of Achenar by Robyn Miller
The Last Message by Robyn Miller

Abnormal Mapping 62: Pikmin 3 Apr 27, 2017

Show notes

Miyamoto, tending his garden, suddenly has a brilliant idea. What if he could recapture the feelings of his childhood in game form? What if it was possible to identify the essence of nature and replicate it on a simple disc. It would be overwhelming, yet familiar. Chaotic, yet calm. Hostile, yet intimate. He toiled with his team for years, until finally the public could join him in the garden.

After the sun had set, he opened a laptop, and went to find what the public had said. He did not know if he was truly successful, but he hoped he had reached at least a few. Yet the message he received was not one he understood. He stared at his screen under cover of night, left only with the words: CHIE IS BEST GIRL.

This month we are joined by a very special guest for Segment 2, Amr Al-Aaser. Amr Al-Aaser is a games critic. You can find them on twitter, on Medium, Paste, and even donate to their Patreon! They're good people, and we're very glad to have them.

Things Discussed: national health systems, Mark of the Ninja, Mega Man 5, Gravity Rush 2, Need for Speed: the novel based on the movie, the trailer for the NFS movie, Persona 5, Dark Souls, Yakuza, who put the J in JRPGs, GameFAQS, Pikmin 3, Mario 128 demo

This Month's Game Club: Pikmin 3

Next Month's Game Club: Myst

Music This Episode
Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod
Pikmin 3 Title Theme by Asuka Hayazaki, Atsuko Asahi, Hajime Wakai
Twilight River by Asuka Hayazaki, Atsuko Asahi, Hajime Wakai
Fruit Analysis by Asuka Hayazaki, Atsuko Asahi, Hajime Wakai
Pikmin Ai No Uta by Strawberry Flower

Abnormal Mapping 61: Final Fantasy IX Mar 29, 2017

Show notes

Em and Jackson are here to say goodbye to the Final Fantasy of old and to look forward to new horizons, new podcast art, and a new podcast feed! Final Fantasy IX is a strange game to be approaching after so much time in the SNES Final Fantasies. Does it help to have such immediate context for the games FF9 is trying to reference? Hrm...

Meanwhile, Em takes some time to sit in nature and think about the latest Zelda.

Things Discussed: SquareSpace, Mothering Sunday, TypeShift, 7 Words, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, Pillars of Eternity, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Final Fantasy IX, Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within

This Month's Game Club: Final Fantasy IX

Next Month's Game Club: Pikmin 3

Music This Episode
Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod
Black Mage Village by Nobuo Uematsu
Breath of the Wild Theme by Manaka Kataoka and Yasuaki Iwata
Link's Memories by Manaka Kataoka and Yasuaki Iwata
Hyrule Field (Day) by Manaka Kataoka and Yasuaki Iwata
Vamo' Alla Flamenco by Nobuo Uematsu
You're Not Alone! by Nobuo Uematsu
Inseparable Hearts by Nobuo Uematsu
Behind the Door by Nobuo Uematsu

Abnormal Mapping 60: Katamari Damacy Feb 23, 2017

Show notes

Celebrate the shortest month with the shortest hero as Abnormal Mapping delves into the wide world of rolling up extremely tiny objects in Katamary Damacy. This includes the first game, We Love Katamari, and even some Katamari Forever. Plus, we dip into Keita Takahashi’s development history and philosophy of design. Come for the good conversation, stay for the incredible music. We’re 60 years young and still rolling strong!

This Month’s Game Club: Katamari Damacy

Next Month’s Game Club: Final Fantasy IX

You can get our podcast on iTunes, on Stitcher, or you can download it directly by clicking here.

Things Discussed: Mortal Kombat 9, the coolness of Ninjas, Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy: Curtain Call, Hatsune Miku Project DIVA Future Tone, Guitar Hero Live, Braid, The Swapper, Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation, Ori & The Blind Forest, Mario Galaxy, Gravity Ghost, Katamari Damacy, The Zelda 1 Map in Zelda 2, Katamari Items Twitter, We Love Katamari, Noby Noby Boy, Beautiful Katamari, Wattam (Coming Soon!), Keita Takahashi’s Twitter, The Katamari of Amigara Fault, Ninja Gaiden, Dark Souls

Music This Episode
Blown Away by Ken MacLeod
Katamari Mambo by Yuri Misumi
Que Sera Sera by Asuka Sakai
Cherry Blossom Color Season by Yuu Miyake
Katamari on the Rocks by Yuu Miyake

Abnormal Mapping 59: The Crystal Dynamics Tomb Raider Pentatology Jan 30, 2017

Show notes

Hello and welcome to 2017 where we’re getting right into the thick of it with a podcast covering five whole video games today. What happens when you take a decade to tell the story of two women equally dedicated to murdering, climbing, exploring, and looting, and pit them against each other? Today we look at two generations of design by a single company, and ask the question: what exactly is Lara Croft’s job? Because she sure isn’t selling these artifacts or writing papers.

Things Discussed: Moderns Warfare 1-3, New Super Mario Bros. U, Super Mario Run, Super Mario Sunshine, Things Were Better Before, the surprisingly nice looking 360 Version of Rise of The Tomb Raider, Tomb Raider Legend, Tomb Raider Anniversary, Tomb Raider Underworld, Tomb Raider (2013), Rise of the Tomb Raider, Hitman, E3, Our Yakuza 3 Episode, Danganronpa

This Month’s Game Club: Tomb Raider Legend, Tomb Raider: Anniversary, Tomb Raider Underworld, Tomb Raider (2013), Rise of the Tomb Raider

Next Month’s Game Club: Katamari Damacy

You can get our podcast on iTunes, on Stitcher, or you can download it directly by clicking here.

Music This Episode
Blown Away by Ken MacLeod
Tomb Raider Legend Theme by Troels Brun Folmann
Japan 7B by Troels Brun Folmann
Man for All Seasons by Robbie Williams
I Shall Rise by Karen O

Abnormal Mapping 58: The First Annual Soundtrack Showcase Part Deux Dec 30, 2016

Show notes

Welcome to the very end of the year, where we talk about the good, the bad, and the musical. Please enjoy over two hours of hot, banging audio content. Please enjoy the end of 2016. Please enjoy the end.

Next Month’s Game Club: Tomb Raider Legend, Tomb Raider Anniversary, Tomb Raider Underworld, Tomb Raider (2013), Rise of the Tomb Raider

You can get our podcast on iTunes, on Stitcher, or you can download it directly by clicking here.

The Best Game Music Choices of 2016!

Witcher 3 – Priscilla’s Song – Marcin Przbylowicz, Mikolai Stroinski
Wolf Among Us – Intro Theme – Jared Emerson Johnson
Stellaris – Gravitation Constant – Andreas Waldetoft
Super Mario World – Athletic Theme – Koji Kondo
Link to the Past – Dark World – Koji Kondo
Super Castlevania 4 – Simon’s Theme – Masanori Adachi, Taro Kudo
Majora’s Mask – Milk Bar – Koji Kondo
Majora’s Mask – Giants’ Theme – Koji Kondo
Sonic the Hedgehog – Starlight Zone – Masato Nakamura
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 – Metropolis – Masato Nakamura
Sonic CD – Stardust Speedway Zone (Bad Future ver) – Spencer Nilsen, David Young, Mark Crew
Sonic Adventure – Azure Blue World – Jun Senoue, Fumie Kumatani, Kenichi Tokoi, Masaru Setsumaru
Yoshi’s Woolly World – Clawdaddy Beach – Tomoya Tomita, Misaki Asada
Kirby: Planet Robobot – Float Islands (Blue Lab Area) – Hirokazu Ando
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze – Mangrove Cove – David Wise, Kenji Yamamoto
Picross 3D Round 2 – Track II – Megumi Ohara, Hirokazu Ando, Shogo Sakai
Super Hexagon – Courtesy – Chipzel
Streets of Rage 2 – Wave 131 – Yuzo Koshiro
Thumper – Road – Brian Gibson
Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst – The Shard – Solar Fields
No Man’s Sky – Blueprint for a Slow Machine – 65daysofstatic
Rez – Rock is Sponge – Joujouka
Stardew Valley – Summer (Tropicala) – ConcernedApe
Stardew Valley – Winter (Nocturne of Ice) – ConcernedApe
Kingdom Hearts – Hikari (Orchestral) – Yoko Shimomura
Auld Lang Syne – Frank Stanley

Backing Music

Rise of the Tomb Raider – Main Theme
Uncharted 4 – Nates Theme 4.0
Firewatch – Hidden Away
The Witness: Ambient Sound
Bullet Hell Monday: Stage One
Heart & Slash – I You
Chameleon Run – Trailer Theme
Oxenfree – Main Theme
The Last Guardian – Main Theme
Call of Duty Infinite Warfare – Menu Theme
Inside – Main Theme
Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth – Main Theme
Pokemon Sun – Welcome To Alola
Thumper – Tunnel
Rez Infinite – Stage 5
Super Hot – Menu Theme
Stardew Valley – Starwatcher

Abnormal Mapping 57: The First Annual Soundtrack Showcase Part The First Dec 16, 2016

Show notes

We’re here at the end of the year with a very special Christmas episode, where we celebrate not just the best music of the year, but the best music of the games we played this year. That’s a big list, so this is only half of it. Have a merry Christmas and see you in two weeks!

You can get our podcast on iTunes, on Stitcher, or you can download it directly by clicking here.

Tales from the Borderlanes – Retrograde – James Blake
The Witcher 2 – A Nearly Peaceful Place – Krzysztof Wierzynkiewicz
Fable – Oakvale – Russell Shaw
Uncharted – Small Beginnings – Greg Edmonson
Alex Kidd in Miracle World – Main Theme – Tokuhiko “BO” Uwabo
Link’s Awakening – Tal Tal Heights – Koji Kondo
Mega Man 3 – Magnet Man – Yasuaki Fujita
Castlevania – Wicked Child – Kinuyo Yamashita, Satoe Terashima
Castlevania 3 – Mad Forest – Yoshinori Sasaki
The Last of Us – The Last of Us – Gustavo Santaolalla
Alien Isolation – Lower Hospital – Christian Henson, Joe Henson, and Alexis Smith
Firewatch – Stay in Your Tower and Watch – Chris Remo
The Last of Us – Left Behind – Gustavo Santaolalla
FFIV – Within The Giant – Nobuo Uematsu
FF6 – Terra’s Theme – Nobuo Uematsu
Yakuza – Scarlet Scar – Hidenori Shoji
Digimon Cyber Sleuth – A Day in A Detective Agency – Masafumi Takada
Digimon Cyber Sleuth – PO-SI-TIVE Pop Girl – Masafumi Takada
Read Only Memories – Step Careful (Lexi’s Theme) – 2Mello
Heart & Slash – I You – Michael Chait
Freedom Planet – Fortune Night – Strife and Woofle
Flywrench – Speeds – Daedelus
Deadly Tower of Monsters – Lost in Space – Patricio Meneses

BACKING MUSIC FOR AWARDS

Dead Rising 3: Nick’s Theme
Uncharted 2: Nate’s Theme 2.0
Sonic 3: Carnival Night
Super Hot: Menu Theme
Battlefield 4: Main Theme
Metal Gear Rising: Rules of Nature
Dead Rising: Fly Routine
The Witcher: Dusk of a Northern Kingdom
Freedom Planet: Freedom Planet Theme
Sonic 2: Emerald Hill Zone
Final Fantasy IV: Theme of Love
Table Tennis Touch: N/A
Hitman Blood Money: Ave Maria
Pure Pool: Voce e Bonito
Majora’s Mask: Title Demo
New Vegas: Main Title
Mega Man 4: Brightman Stage
Kotor: Main Theme
Metroid Fusion: Press Start
Yoshi’s Woolly World: Bounceabout Woods
Dr Langeskov: Beethoven Symphony No. 7 – II: Allegretto (Columbia University Orchestra)
Castlevania Chronicles: Vampire Killer
The Room 2: Main Theme
Rise of the Tomb Raider: Main Theme
Tales From The Borderlands: Carfire on the Highway

Abnormal Mapping 56: Final Fantasy VI Nov 23, 2016

Show notes

Today we’re rejoined by regular guest and former co-host Destiny Sturdivant for a romp through one of the most storied RPGs of all time. Please enjoy, have a good holiday if you celebrate it, and try to be kind and healthy in these trying times.

You can get our podcast on iTunes, on Stitcher, or you can download it directly by clicking here.

Things Discussed: Animal Crossing: New Leaf, The Witcher, Thumper, NBA2k17, Presbo, Sombra, Final Fantasy VI, the US FF6 commercial, the horniest character in video games, best birthdays in video games, being in the new games bubble, Idle Thumbs 288 about Titanfall 2, The Great Goal Pole in Super Mario 3D World

This Month’s Game Club: Final Fantasy VI

Next Month: MUSIC and GOTY

Songs in This Episode
Omen by Nobuo Uematsu
Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod
Aria di Mezzo Carattere by Nobuo Uematsu
Coin Song by Nobuo Uematsu
Dancing Mad by Nobuo Uematsu

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