Abnormal Mapping

Latest Episodes:

Abnormal Mapping 120: Tokyo RPG Factory Aug 30, 2021

Show notes

We are joined by blogger of the year Dia Lacina who was willing to go down with the ship as we break format for a trio of games that we only knew of probably bad games nobody actually played. That’s right, we took all our RPG expertise and applied it to the strange trilogy of Tokyo RPG Factory games! Em froze their ass off in I am Setsuna, Dia remembered she could be doing anything else in Lost Sphear, and Jackson went hya hya hya about a million times in Oninaki. Maybe the games are bad, but the conversation was a fruitful exploration of what it is that makes the JRPG form work for us at all.

Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!

If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest!

Things Discussed: Dia's preview of Astria Ascending, Control, Touhou Luna Nights, Apple Arcade, VR, Resident Evil 4, Chrono Trigger, I Am Setsuna, Lost Sphear, Oninaki, Bravely Default, Live A Live, Final Fantasy (generally), Saga and Mana series, Lunar, Morrowind, Gold Box games, dungeon exploration games

This Month's Game Club:
I am Setsuna
Lost Sphear
Oninaki

Next Month's Game Club:
Gravity Rush 2

Music This Episode
Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod
I Am Setsuna Main Theme by Tomoki Miyoshi
The Twilight of Sphear by Tomoki Miyoshi
Battle -Threat- by Shusuke Tsuchiya & Mariam Abounnasr

Abnormal Mapping 119: Metroid Prime 2: Echoes Jul 25, 2021

Show notes

We’re joined by Dan to once again talk about the strange tangent of the Metroid universe as we continue to mine the Phazon arc to gain an appreciation for how you follow up one of the boldest games ever made. Turns out, that’s really hard! Join us for a discussion of light and dark worlds, not even lazily caring about your plot, and the nightmare that is making ‘hard’ bosses. A jam packed episode!

Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!

If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!

Things Discussed: Episode Yuffie, Doom Eternal, Final Fantasy XIV, Per Aspera, AM2R, Umineko, 2004 in video games, feeling old, Metroid Prime and Metroid Prime 2, franchises, Nintendo FPSs, box art, rhythm games and music taste, dark worlds, esoteric simulators, boss fights, mirror matches

This Month's Game Club:
Metroid Prime 2

Next Month's Game Club:
I Am Setsuna, Lost Sphear, and Oninaki

Music This Episode
Title Screen by Kenji Yamamoto
Sanctuary by Kenji Yamamoto
Vs Ing by Kenji Yamamoto
Staff Roll by Kenji Yamamoto

Abnormal Mapping 118: Lost Odyssey Jun 27, 2021

Show notes

This month we feast on one of the largest games time investment wise we’ve ever played for Abnormal Mapping, but it just so happens to be the game we initially bonded over well before we started the podcast. Thankfully, we can’t get too self indulgent, as we’re joined by special guest Molly Rhinebeck to navigate the ins and outs of the 1000 year journey of Kaim and Seth and their wives.

Please enjoy this supersized episode about how games can be meaningful and uneven in the same breath, the hell space that was late 00s console JRPGs, and how Final Fantasy is truly an essence that can be captured if the right people are making it, brands be damned.

Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!

If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest!

Things Discussed: Molly!, Pro Evolution Soccer, Football Tactics & Glory, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, Scarlet Nexus, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade coming out on VoIP Life Friday!, Observation, Dragon Quest II, The Messenger, a bonus podcast we did for Dia's Dragon's Dogma LP, Lost Odyssey, various Final Fantasies (broadly), Nobuo Uematsu, first and favorite RPGs

This Month's Game Club:
Lost Odyssey

Next Month's Game Club:
Metroid Prime 2

Music This Episode
Neverending Journey by Nobuo Uematsu
A Return, Indeed... (Piano Version) by Nobuo Uematsu
What You Are by Nobuo Uematsu
An Enemy Appears by Nobuo Uematsu
Parting Forever by Nobuo Uematsu
Howl of The Departed by Nobuo Uematsu
Victory by Nobuo Uematsu

Abnormal Mapping 117: Max Payne 2 and Gravity Rush May 27, 2021

Show notes

We take a break from the really long games to enjoy some short but sweet adventures in cities both beautiful and threatening as we return to a game we covered years ago and prep for a game we’re going to cover in the future! Turns out, it’s nice to just play a game you can finish in a week, around all these huge JRPGs.

Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!

If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest!

Things Discussed: John 117, Pokemon vs Digimon, Digimon games, Kingdom Hearts 3, Silent Bomber, Titanfall 2, Dragon Quest V, Dragon Quest, Tyranny (listen to journal updated!), Gravity Rush, Crackdown, Max Payne 1, Max Payne 2, Alan Wake, Control, CRPGs, worst games, Too Much Future

This Month's Game Club:
Max Payne 2

Next Month's Game Club:
Lost Odyssey

Music This Episode
Douse Shinundakara by Kohei Tanaka
Old Town by Kohei Tanaka
Max Payne Theme by Kärtsy Hatakka
Address Unknown (Funhouse Remix) by Kärtsy Hatakka
Late Goodbye by Poets of the Fall

Abnormal Mapping 116: Live A Live Apr 29, 2021

Show notes

We turn our thoughts back to the JRPG in this year full of them, and enjoy one of the most surprising games we’ve played … well, since last month, but we’ve been really lucky this year. Come for talk of genre exercises, being on your bullshit, and the power of a well worn story well told as we discover … Live A Live!

Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!

If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest!

Things Discussed: Nier, Pokemon Shield, Titanfall 2, Dirt 5, Forza 3, Idle Thumbs, Live A Live, Final Fantasy XIII, Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy IV: The After Years, numbers going up, being normal about games

This Month's Game Club:
Live a Live

Next Month's Game Club:
Max Payne 2

Music This Episode
Live A Live by Yoko Shimomura
Megalomania by Yoko Shimomura
Kiss of Jealousy by Yoko Shimomura
The Birds Fly in the Sky, the Fish Swim in the River by Yoko Shimomura
Secret Mission by Yoko Shimomura
Wanderer by Yoko Shimomura
Knock You Down! by Yoko Shimomura
Wait for Truth by Yoko Shimomura
Unseen Syndrome by Yoko Shimomura
Wings That Don't Reach by Yoko Shimomura
City of Hopelessness by Yoko Shimomura
Go! Go! Buriki Daioh! by Yoko Shimomura

Abnormal Mapping 115: Kaeru no Tame ni Kane wa Naru and Ocarina of Time Mar 29, 2021

Show notes

Two games means an extra long episode as we talk about Zelda, Zelda-likes, the ways Nintendo had it all and slowly burned away goodwill, and much more. Both of these games are hard to talk about for opposite reasons, but we did our best and had a great time besides. Apologies for the return of springtime birds in Em’s audio, an Abnormal Mapping staple this time every year. Please enjoy the extra long music segments, we were truly spoiled for choice.

Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general! podcast@abnormalmapping.com

Em is doing LPs on the Abnormal Mapping Youtube again! You can find them uploading about once a week on youtube.com/abnormalmapping

Check out our sister game club Journal Updated! They’re about to hit their one year anniversary covering a bunch of narrative games. thesecondbestgame.club

If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest!

Things Discussed: Halo Reach and Halo 4, Hugo Martin saying stupid shit part 1 and part 2 , Final Fantasy Adventure, Dragon Quest 2, The Frog For Whom The Bell Tolls, Link's Awakening, Dragon Quest IV, Ocarina of Time, Link to the Past, must-play Abnormal Mapping games, Zelda boxart crimes, perfect video games, a modern glitch-heavy speedrun of Ocarina of Time, demo kiosks

Youtube Channels We Recommend:
Dia's LPs
Amr's channel
Export Audio's channel
Pam's channel
Umbrella Terms' channel
minimme
New Frame Plus
The Retro Future
Modern Vintage Gamer
LGR
Summoning Salt
ThaRixer

This Month's Game Club:
Ocarina of Time
Kaeru no Tame ni Kane wa Naru

Next Month's Game Club:
Live a Live

Music This Episode
Main Title by Koji Kondo
Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod
The Prince's Adventure by Kazumi Totaka
Hop Hop Springs by Kazumi Totaka
Nantendo Funcenter by Kazumi Totaka
Inside a House by Koji Kondo
Lost Woods by Koji Kondo
Kakariko Village by Koji Kondo
Zora's Domain by Koji Kondo
Gerudo Valley by Koji Kondo
Final Battle by Koji Kondo

Abnormal Mapping 114: Koudelka Feb 25, 2021

Show notes

The year of JRPGs continues as we talk about a strange hybrid RPG of the late PlayStation era, the survival horror wanna-be Koudelka! What does this small, story-heavy game offer in a world of heavy hitters like Final Fantasy? Turns out, quite a bit. Much discussion of motion capture, what makes horror media work, and much more in this super sized episode!

Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general! podcast@abnormalmapping.com

Em is doing LPs on the Abnormal Mapping Youtube again! You can find them uploading about once a week on youtube.com/abnormalmapping

Check out our sister game club Journal Updated! They’re about to hit their one year anniversary covering a bunch of narrative games. thesecondbestgame.club

New on our network! Do Not Steal, a podcast critiquing tabletop game systems and then creating characters with them! Updates monthly, both funny and thoughtful! Check it out! www.abnormalmapping.com/do-not-steal

If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest!

Things Discussed: Nintendo Direct, Ninja Gaiden 2 and Sigma, Bayonetta 2, Halo ODST and Halo Reach, Apex Legends, Gato Roboto, Devil May Cry 4, Lords of Shadow, Sunset Overdrive, Koudelka, Final Fantasy VII, Resident Evil, Parasite Eve, Resident Evil: Code Veronica, classic games, Mario 64, itch and other small games, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, Kojima's taste, controllers, RTS games (don't get your hopes up)

This Month's Game Club:
Koudelka

Next Month's Game Club:
Ocarina of Time
Kaeru no Tame ni Kane wa Naru

Music This Episode
Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod
Requiem by Hiroki Kikuta
Waterfall by Hiroki Kikuta
Incantation Again by Hiroki Kikuta
Kiss Twice by Hiroki Kikuta

Abnormal Mapping 113: Quake (feat. Halo 3) Jan 29, 2021

Show notes

We return back to one of the earliest studios that really surprised us doing this podcast, id software, and their post-Doom attempt to remake the landscaping of gaming. Does lightning strike twice? Well, kind of depends on how you define lightning. Either way we have a great time with the strange mess of influences that is Quake, spend some quality time with Halo 3, and answer a warthog’s weight in emails besides!

Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general! podcast@abnormalmapping.com

If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest!

Things Discussed: Inertial Drift, Blue Revolver, Outer Worlds, Fallen Order, The Touryst, Final Fantasy XV, Halo 3, Quake, Doom, Metroid Prime, Resident Evil, handheld games, multiplayer games, some navel gazing about what it means to cover games

This Month's Game Club:
Quake

Next Month's Game Club:
Koudelka

Music This Episode
Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod
Never Forget by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
Quake Main Theme by Nine Inch Nails
Valse di Fantastica by Yoko Shimomura
Aerolith Aurorablast by Qygen

Abnormal Mapping 112: Suikoden Dec 27, 2020

Show notes

An early podcast, because this week is a weird holiday week! Ignore the many instances where we say it’s coming out on Thursday in this podcast!

Heading back to the early days of the playstation, this episode pits us once again against a certain type of anime war story that we’ve encountered before, and just how much a game about nothing can be entertaining if it’s breezy enough. This was a strange but fun game to dig into, and I’m excited to get to Suikoden 2 in 2022. Hope 2021 is better for all of us, gamers!

Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general! podcast@abnormalmapping.com

If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest!

Things Discussed: Pokemon, VoIP Life, new consoles, My Summer Vacation, Umurangi Generation, 2020 recap, Muse Dash, Hatsune Miku Future Tone, Taiko no Tatsujin, Mario Golf GBC, Suikoden, Final Fantasies 4, 6, 7, 12 (nothing spoilery in any), the RPGification of games, using guides, Scaler, The Incredible Crash Dummies, Troy Baker shut the hell up, golf games, work and games, the year of JRPGs, how we are playing Quake

This Month's Game Club:
Suikoden

Next Month's Game Club:
Quake

Music This Episode
Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod
Forgotten Days by Konami Sound Team
Blue Oceans, Blue Skies by Konami Sound Team
Confrontation with Monsters by Konami Sound Team
Black Forest by Konami Sound Team

Abnormal Mapping 111: Shinobi (PS2) Nov 30, 2020

Show notes

We head into the history books for one of the most notable B games of the PS2 era, the action classic Shinobi! What do we think about revisiting a classically hard game in 2020? What does it mean to be out right after Devil May Cry changed everything? And most importantly, what would adaptive triggers bring to the ninja experience??

Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general! podcast@abnormalmapping.com

If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest!

Things Discussed: Playstation 5, XBox Series X, Astro's Playroom, Demon's Souls (2020), Geometry Wars 2, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, Shinobi, Ninja Gaiden, Devil May Cry, Platinum Games, stealth games, Votoms, best games of 1995 and 2008

This Month's Game Club:
Shinobi PS2

Next Month's Game Club:
Suikoden

Music This Episode
Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod
Fate by Fumie Kumatani
Moritsune by Tatsuyuki Maeda
Polluted Water by Teruhiko Nakagawa
Patience ~Other Version~ by Yutaka Minobe

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected