All My Best Friends Are Digital

Latest Episodes:

#43: Returnal Apr 02, 2025

Show notes

It's all sci-fi this week! We've got all your bases covered--speculative crossovers (Split Fiction), anthropomorphic animals (Laika, Starfox 64), and psychological horror (Returnal)! Just stick your arm into the spiky alien machine. It'll probably be fine.

What We're Playing

00:57 Mark: Avowed (Obsidian, 2025)

02:15 Mark: Monster Hunter Rise (Capcom, 2021)

10:13 Mark: Laika: Aged Through Blood (Brainwash Gang, 2023)

16:11 Caitlin: Split Fiction (Hazelight Studios, 2025)

22:57 GOOF: Star Fox 64 (Nintendo EAD, 1997)

42:02 Feature Game: Returnal (Housemarque, 2021)

SHOUT

1:07:41 Mark: Project Gemini (People Can Fly)

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#42: The Friends of Ringo Ishikawa Mar 26, 2025

Show notes

We keep things light, even though they could get grim with an NES game named after a dead baby (Astyanax) and some existential angst with The Friends of Ringo Ishikawa.

What We're Playing

02:28 Caitlin: Final Fantasy IV (Obsidian, 2025)

09:23 Mark: Metal Bringer (ALPHAWING, 2025)

21:24 GOOF: Astyanax (Aicom, 1989)

36:38 Feature Game: The Friends of Ringo Ishikawa (yeo, 2018)

Interview with the designer: https://www.theverge.com/2019/6/19/18691106/the-friends-of-ringo-ishikawa-review-interview-yeo

SHOUT

56:31 Caitlin: Paralives (Alex Massé and team)

58:04 Mark: 33 Immortals (Thunder Lotus)

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#41: Super Mario Bros. Wonder Mar 19, 2025

Show notes

Ecco the Dolphin is cute in Japan but swole in the US, much like the dramatic growth a mushroom provokes in Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Question: would Caitlin try to make Ecco into a hat?

What We're Playing

01:06 Caitlin: Avowed (Obsidian, 2025)

02:53 Caitlin: Monster Hunter Wilds (Capcom, 2025)

11:10 Mark: Mullet MadJack (Hammer 95 Studios, 2024)

22:23 GOOF: Ecco the Dolphin (Appaloosa Interactive, 1992)

Boris Vallejo's "macho" dolphin: https://www.borisjulie.com/product/ecco-the-dolphin/

Japan's "cute" dolphin: https://videogameartarchive.com/image/149804900443

38:42 Feature Game: Super Mario Bros. Wonder (Nintendo EPD, 2023)

SHOUT

55:35 Caitlin: South of Midnight (Compulsion Games)

56:15 Mark: Absolum (Dotemu)

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#40: Avowed Mar 12, 2025

Show notes

How much ax could an Ax Battler battle if an Ax Battler could battle ax is a question Golden Axe fails to address, but it gets to be brilliant and foundational all the same. We then turn to Avowed, Obsidian's latest RPG.

What We're Playing

01:02 Mark: The Hidden Ones (Morefun Studios, 2025)

15:50 Caitlin: A Little to the Left (Max Inferno, 2022)

18:23 Caitlin: Monster Hunter Wilds (Capcom, 2025)

27:20 GOOF: Golden Axe (Sega, 1999)

44:03 Feature Game: Avowed (Obsidian, 2025)

SHOUT

1:11:19 Caitlin: Dark Deity 2 (Sword & Axe LLC)

1:12:49 Mark: Neon Inferno (Zenovia Interactive)

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#39: Transistor Mar 05, 2025

Show notes

It's all about swords, Aristotle, and romance this week, where we discuss Bushido Blade and Transistor.

What We're Playing

00:56 Caitlin: Final Fantasy III (Square, 1990)

10:11 Mark: Whisker Squadron Survivor (Flippfly, 2025)

18:35 GOOF: Bushido Blade (Square, 1997)

30:46 Feature Game: Transistor (Supergiant, 2014)

SHOUT

55:45 Caitlin: Suikoden I&II HD Remaster (Konami)

56:49 Mark: Retroid Pocket Flip 2 (Retroid)

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#38: Red Dead Redemption 2 Feb 25, 2025

Show notes

We look back at Namco's other fighting game series, Soul Calibur. Also, in non-fighting games, the best horse game of all time, says Caitlin of Red Dead Redemption 2.

What We're Playing

00:59 Mark: Samurai Shodown, Samurai Shodown II, Samurai Shodown IV (SNK, 2019, 1994, 1996)

Matt McMuscles' excellent Samurai Shodown history: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yQoCrZBfIo

13:11 Caitlin: Monster Hunter Wilds Beta (Capcom, 2025)

15:52 Caitlin: The Roottrees are Dead (Robin Ward, 2025)

23:26 GOOF: Soul Calibur II (Namco, 2002)

37:58 Feature Game: Red Dead Redemption 2 (Rockstar, 2018)

SHOUT

1:09:57 Caitlin and Mark: Saros (Housemarque)

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#37: Hellblade II: Senua's Saga Feb 19, 2025

Show notes

We return to the humble beginnings of AMBFAD by discussing the Hellblade sequel, and we further mine Caitlin's childhood with Ch-Ch-Ch-Chip and Dale.

What We're Playing

00:52 Caitlin: Monster Hunter: Wilds BETA (Capcom, 2025)

10:10 Mark: Helldivers II (Arrowhead, 2024)

13:10 Mark: Eternal Strands (Yellow Brick Games, 2025)

21:02 GOOF: Chip & Dale Rescue Rangers (Capcom, 1990)

30:55 Feature Game: Hellblade II: Senua's Saga (Ninja Theory, 2024)

SHOUT

55:49 Caitlin: Monster Hunter: Wilds (Capcom)

56:07 Mark: Sworn (Windwalk Games)

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#36: Dragon's Dogma 2 Feb 12, 2025

Show notes

Fighting games! Castlevania! Crawling over monsters in Dragon's Dogma 2! That pretty much covers all of human endeavors, really.

What We're Playing

01:06 Mark: Dead or Alive 6 (Koei Tecmo, 2019)

04:38 Mark: Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. (Sega AM2, 2025)

13:08 Caitlin: Void Crew (Hutlihut Games,, 2024)

24:16 GOOF: Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow (Konami, 2003)

25:51 Feature Game: Dragon's Dogma II (Capcom, 2025)

SHOUT

1:01:34 Caitlin abandons all hope and optimism

1:01:36 Mark: Avowed (Obsidian)

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#35: Little Kitty, Big City Feb 05, 2025

Show notes

Lots of talk of anime, cats, and anime-related cats this week! We take the Little Kitty to the Big City after we shoot so many things in Gunstar Heroes.

What We're Playing

01:53 Mark: Blade Chimera (Team Ladybug, 2025)

09:21 Caitlin: Inkbound (Shiny Shoe, 2024)

18:07 GOOF: Gunstar Heroes (Treasure, 1993)

25:51 Feature Game: Little Kitty, Big City (Double Dagger Studios, 2024)

SHOUT

50:40 Caitlin: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Sandfall Interactive)

53:04 Mark: Eternal Strands (Yellow Brick Studios)

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#34: Hyper Light Drifter Jan 29, 2025

Show notes

We talk about early indie darling Hyper Light Drifter, as well as Secret of Evermore from Caitlin's childhood. More light Sluggish Heavy Drifter, amirite?

What We're Playing

00:56 Caitlin: Metaphor: ReFantazio (Atlus, 2024)

09:40 Mark: 20 Minutes till Dawn (flanne, 2023)

16:38 Mark: Rayman Legends (Ubisoft, 2013)

22:18 GOOF: Secret of Evermore (Square, 1995)

35:05 Feature Game: Hyper Light Drifter (Heart Machine, 2016)

SHOUT

53:33 Caitlin: Stage Fright (Ghost Town Games)

55:08 Mark: Valkyrie Squad: Siege Breakers (Digital Crafters)

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