Abnormal Mapping

Latest Episodes:

Abnormal Mapping 110: Asura's Wrath Oct 30, 2020

Show notes

We’re joined this week by a guest out of history as Six Dettmar makes ver’s second appearance on Abnormal Mapping to talk about infinite anime power and how you use it. We cover the strange realities of DLC from the olden days, ambitions of character action games to be cinematic, the downfalls of QTEs, and much more in this surprisingly dense episode for a relatively slight game! Much like Asura himself, when down to the wire, we sprout more arms and just keep punching. Yeah, that’s the metaphor we’re going with.

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: Disgaea 4 Complete +, Asura's Wrath, Street Fighter, QTEs, Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge

This Month's Game Club:
Asura’s Wrath

Next Month's Game Club:
Shinobi PS2

Music This Episode
Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod
Asura’s Wrath Main Theme by Chikayo Fukuda
In Your Belief -Prologue- by Chikayo Fukuda
Symphony No 9 by Antonín Dvořák

Abnormal Mapping 109: Grab Bag 2020! Sep 29, 2020

Show notes

now with updated music

We’re back with a whopper of an episode this time as we played through four entire games this month and have two hours of hot content for you. Do you like shooters? Do you like cars? Do you like running and jumping? That’s all the genres! There’s no other type of video game, so you better enjoy these ones!

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: new consoles, Cyber Hook, Minecraft Dungeons, Wizardy, Halo 2, Destiny 2, OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast, PCGaming Wiki, Burnout Paradise, Dirt Rally, Mario Kart, Mega Man X, Mega Man, check out Jackson's old Mega Man videos and Em's current Death of the Outside LP on our youtube channel, Super Castlevania IV, Wheels of Aurelia, Glitchhikers, Disco Elysium, Telltale Games, itch games vs indie games vs games, Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, San Francisco Rush, GoldenEye, Midtown Madness 3, Dark Haired Legolas, Bayonetta, Devil May Cry, a starter JRPG, car powers, project 10 dollar

This Month's Game Club:
Wheels of Aurelia
Outrun 2006: Coast 2 Coast
Mega Man X

Next Month's Game Club:
Asura’s Wrath

Music This Episode
Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod
Blow Me Away by Breaking Benjamin
Splash Wave by Hiroshi Kawaguchi
Storm Eagle by Setsuo Yamamoto, Makoto Tomozawa, et al
Preferivo Stare Sola by Michael Manning and Nicolò Sala
Chill Penguin by Setsuo Yamamoto, Makoto Tomozawa, et al
Life Was A Bore by Donna Burke

Abnormal Mapping 108: Metroid Prime Aug 30, 2020

Show notes

This month we return to the heady days of the early 00s when all things seemed possible and Nintendo unleashed the Citizen Kane of video games on all of us. What does Metroid Prime tell us about American soft power in a post-war era? Not very much, turns out, but it’s still pretty good! Thank you to patron Dan for bringing this game to us and guesting on this long episode full of platform love, shooting complaints, and general mood appreciation.

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: Blue Revolver, Umineko, Metroid Prime, Metroid Fusion, Ocarina of Time, Halo, Outer Wilds, Wii Controls, Metroid Prime 4, our future JRPG plans

This Month's Game Club:
Metroid Prime

Next Month's Game Club:
Wheels of Aurelia
Outrun 2006: Coast 2 Coast
Mega Man X

Music This Episode
Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod
Menu Select by Kenji Yamamoto
Chozo Ruins by Kenji Yamamoto
Wrecked Ship by Kenji Yamamoto
Phendrana Drifts (Depths) by Kenji Yamamoto

Abnormal Mapping 107: Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars Jul 30, 2020

Show notes

We return with some cool things you can check out that our friends made and a long talk about the strange idea of a ‘starter’ RPG in 2020. Also, we desperately need someone to tell us why people care about Geno, because we don’t know and we don’t know anyone else who knows either.

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: kingdom hearts, xenoblade chronicles, Dia's lets play channel, we were on no cartridge!, super mario rpg, paper mario, mario & luigi, our eternal blood feud with nintendo, bowser is the best character in mario, the rpgification of video games, the legend of localization articles on anime references and the secret boss fight, a gdq playthrough of the game if you just want to enjoy it in 3 hours, journal updated

This Month's Game Club:
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars

Next Month's Game Club:
Metroid Prime

Music This Episode
In the Flower Garden by Yoko Shimomura
Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod
The Road is Full of Dangers by Yoko Shimomura
Beware the Forest’s Mushrooms by Yoko Shimomura
And My Name’s Booster by Yoko Shimomura

Abnormal Mapping 106: Ninja Gaiden Jun 29, 2020

Show notes

It’s a long one this month as we enjoy the brief and difficult journey of Ryu Hayabusa in the NES classic Ninja Gaiden and then spend way more time than we expected answering the many questions we received. Thank you everyone for sending in all your emails, I hope you like our answers!

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: Kingdom Hearts Dark Road, Dragon Quest, Portopia Serial Murder Case, Bayonetta, Ninja Gaiden, our Ninja Gaiden Black episode, strategy games, Kingdom Hearts III, wholesome games, Remember Me, interactive fiction, PS2 games, old games difficulty, Austin Walker's Breath of the Wild review, Dia Lacina's Judgement review, Waypoint GOTY 2018 podcast, Journal Updated

This Month's Game Club:
Ninja Gaiden (NES)

Next Month's Game Club:
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars

Music This Episode
Prologue Theme by Keiji Yamagishi
Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod
Act 1 by Keiji Yamagishi
Act 5 Part 3 by Keiji Yamagishi
Ending Part 4 by Keiji Yamagishi

Abnormal Mapping 105: Kentucky Route Zero May 28, 2020

Show notes

This month we discuss a game that has been coming out as long as we’ve been doing this podcast as we head down the Zero to discover what awaits us in the great american indie game and its sprawling nightmare of decayed capitalism. This turned out to be one of the most difficult games we’ve ever covered, but I also think it resulted in one of our best discussions. Please enjoy!

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!

Next month we are hoping to do a Q&A episode! Please send us ANY questions or comments about video games to podcast@abnormalmapping.com!

Things Discussed: MLB The Show, Animal Crossing New Horizons, Astral Chain, Bayonetta 2, Kentucky Route Zero, The Walking Dead, Kingdom Hearts????

THREE ESSENTIAL PIECES ON KENTUCKY ROUTE ZERO
”Kentucky Route Zero Pays Off on Nine Years of Hope and Doubt” by Austin Walker
”kentucky route zero and the failings of white leftism” by lotus
”At Home with the Ghosts: Kentucky Route Zero’s Reworking of Capitalist Space” by Grace Benfell

This Fortnight's Game Club:
Kentucky Route Zero

Next Fortnight's Game Club:
Ninja Gaiden (NES)

Music This Episode
Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod
I'm Going That Way by Ben Babbitt (ft. Emily Cross)
Stars Drop Away by Ben Babbitt
Too Late to Love You by Ben Babbitt

Abnormal Mapping 104: Halo: Combat Evolved Apr 30, 2020

Show notes

We return to the halcyon days of PC gaming to explore the origins of an independent game that shook the foundations of the world. That’s right, we’re dropping into a world of dual stick movement, space marines, only two weapons and regenerating shields as we explore the strange powerhouse that is HALO. What does the game that changed everything have to offer in 2020?

Well, that depends on what you’re looking for. As we dig in, we wonder what exactly any of this could mean, and whether we’ll ever actually get any lore to this adventure across a derelict space station. Who can say?

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!

If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at podcast@abnormalmapping.com!

Things Discussed: Jackson's Continuing Inability To Play Kingdom Hearts, Animal Crossing, Treachery In Beatdown City, Halo

This Fortnight's Game Club:
Halo: Combat Evolved

Next Fortnight's Game Club:
Kentucky Route Zero

Music This Episode
Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod
Under Cover of Night by Martin O’Donnell and Michael Salvatori
The Gun Pointed At The Head Of The Universe by Martin O’Donnell and Michael Salvatori
Perilous Journey by Martin O’Donnell and Michael Salvatori

Abnormal Mapping 103: Final Fantasy VII Remake Apr 16, 2020

Show notes

It’s the middle of the month and it is time for a very special episode of Abnormal Mapping, something we basically never do: a timely spoilercast for a brand new video game! This is an episode all about the recently released Final Fantasy VII Remake, and if you have not finished it or the original Final Fantasy VII then be warned: there are spoilers for the entireity of both.

Em has not spent the last week cramming Final Fantasy VII Remake so is sitting out this episode, and in their place Jackson is joined by Austin Walker of Waypoint and Friends at the Table to share their immediate reactions to the ending, the game as a whole, and the possibilities for the future remakes.

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!

If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at podcast@abnormalmapping.com!

Things Discussed: Horizon’s Gate, Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy VII Remake, Rebuild of Evangelion, Final Fantasy XIII

This Fortnight's Game Club:
Final Fantasy VII Remake

Next Fortnight's Game Club:
Halo: Combat Evolved

Music This Episode
Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod
Opening (Bombing Mission) by Nobuou Uematsu and Masashi Hamauzu
J-E-N-O-V-A by Nobuou Uematsu and Masashi Hamauzu
Squat Minigame by Nobuou Uematsu and Masashi Hamauzu

Abnormal Mapping 102: Disco Elysium Mar 30, 2020

Show notes

We wake up in a nightmare of runaway neo-liberal capitalism and find ourselves wondering where the potential of Communist revolution is, and then we have to record a podcast about detective RPG Disco Elysium! In this lengthy conversation, we cover everything about what it means to make a world and say things through art, and whether Harry and Kim can ever truly find peace in such a broken world.

We are heavily indebted to the Waypoint Radio spoiler-cast over Disco Elysium for covering much of the game in advance and making our job easier in terms of getting into the weeds. We say so in the episode, but please listen to their podcast ideally before you listen to ours, as we reference it from time to time.

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!

If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at podcast@abnormalmapping.com!

Things Discussed: Kingdom Hearts Re:coded, Fire Emblem: Three Houses, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Mass Effect 2, tabletop games, Call for the Dead by John le Carré

This Month's Game Club:
Disco Elysium

Next Month's Game Club:
Halo: Combat Evolved

Music This Episode
Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod
Whirling-In-Rags, 8 AM by British Sea Power
Miss Oranje Disco Dancer by British Sea Power
La Revacholiere by British Sea Power

Abnormal Mapping 101: Timespinner Feb 28, 2020

Show notes

We’re joined this month by our friend Nora to talk about the surprising and surprisingly forgotten Metroidvania Timespinner! Join us as we talk about the embarrassing writing of indie games, the gestures toward good ideas, and how fun it is to just be a lord even if difficulty is very hard to get right.

Our guest this month was Nora Blake, who you can find at @neithernora and on norablake.online

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!

If you want to send us comments or questions, shoot us an email at podcast@abnormalmapping.com!

Things Discussed: Final Fantasy VII (listen to us talk about it years ago HERE and HERE), Earthbound, Dark Souls III, Hat in Time, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Timespinner, Hollow Knight, Bloodstained, Symphony of the Night, Portrait of Ruin, Metroid Fusion (our episode on it can be found HERE), Cave Story, metroidvania as a term, Code Vein

This Month's Game Club:
Timespinner

Next Month's Game Club:
Disco Elysium

Music This Episode
Blown Away by Kevin MacLeod
Echoes of the Forgotten by Jeff Ball
From Our Hearts by Jeff Ball
Surpassing Authority by Jeff Ball

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