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Abdallah, Branden, and Emily are JRPG enthusiasts and collectors, and each week they tackle new topics that surround their — and maybe your — favorite video game genre. From Final Fantasy to Fire Emblem, Atelier to Xenoblade, The JRPG Pursuit brings you fresh new discussions on topics you care about.
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This week, we're joined by Cameron Hawkins to talk about long-form storytelling in JRPGs. He's one of the foremost experts on Kingdom Hearts, which is among the most famous of the long-form video game stories, and he's a Trails sicko like the rest of us, so we had plenty to discuss! Be sure to subscribe to Cam's podcast with Kevin Kenson, Party Chat @partychatjrpgpod !
Cam's socials:
X: x.com/@camfinalmix
Instagram: instagram.com/camfinalmix
Blue Sky: camfinalmix.bsky.social
If you're not already, consider becoming a member of the channel - you'll get access to our exclusive Discord to hang out with likeminded people, and at the Pursuer level, you'll also get the Aftershow (4+ additional hours of content every month!).
Emily:YouTube: @orbalologyX: x.com/orbalologyBluesky: orbalology.bsky.socialInstagram: instagram.com/orbalologyBranden: YouTube: @JustTheGems X: x.com/_justthegemsBluesky: justthegems.netInstagram: instagram.com/_justthegemsAbdallah: YouTube: @DallahGamesX: x.com/dallahgamesBluesky: dallahgames.bsky.socialInstagram: instagram.com/thegeekyglobetrotter
The age-old debate, digital vs. physical, is becoming more and more pertinent as time goes on. We dig into the pros and cons of each. Be sure to let us know in the comments what you prefer! If you're not already, consider becoming a member of our YouTube channel - you'll get access to our exclusive Discord to hang out with likeminded people, and at the Pursuer level, you'll also get the Aftershow (4+ additional hours of content every month!).Emily:YouTube: @orbalologyX: x.com/orbalologyBluesky: orbalology.bsky.socialInstagram: instagram.com/orbalologyBranden: YouTube: @JustTheGems X: x.com/_justthegemsBluesky: justthegems.netInstagram: instagram.com/_justthegemsAbdallah: YouTube: @DallahGamesX: x.com/dallahgamesBluesky: dallahgames.bsky.socialInstagram: instagram.com/thegeekyglobetrotter
If you were stuck on a desert island, what JRPGs would do the most to ease your troubled, deeply bored mind? We do our best to lay out our picks, all while making time for a few necessary and controversial tangents on this week's episode of The JRPG Pursuit!
Emily: YouTube: youtube.com/@orbalology X: x.com/orbalology Bluesky: orbalology.bsky.social Instagram: instagram.com/orbalology Branden: YouTube: youtube.com/@JustTheGems X: x.com/_justthegems Bluesky: justthegems.net Instagram: instagram.com/_justthegems Abdallah: YouTube: youtube.com/@DallahGames X: x.com/dallahgames Bluesky: dallahgames.bsky.social Instagram: instagram.com/thegeekyglobetrotter
Emily: YouTube: @orbalology X: x.com/orbalology Bluesky: orbalology.bsky.social Instagram: instagram.com/orbalology Branden: YouTube: @JustTheGems X: x.com/_justthegems Bluesky: justthegems.net Instagram: instagram.com/_justthegems Abdallah: YouTube: @DallahGames X: x.com/dallahgames Bluesky: dallahgames.bsky.social Instagram: instagram.com/thegeekyglobetrotter
We are thrilled to have @ErekLadd with us ranking all the mainline Final Fantasy battle systems! Emily: YouTube: @orbalology X: x.com/orbalology Bluesky: orbalology.bsky.social Instagram: instagram.com/orbalology Branden: YouTube: @JustTheGems X: x.com/_justthegems Bluesky: justthegems.net Instagram: instagram.com/_justthegems Abdallah: YouTube: @DallahGames X: x.com/dallahgames Bluesky: dallahgames.bsky.social Instagram: instagram.com/thegeekyglobetrotter
Nowadays, difficulty options are practically a given for a new game -- though that wasn't always the case. We discuss how difficulty options are implemented in JRPGs and share what settings we prefer. How do YOU take your JRPGs? Are you a Story Mode player? Or are you hardcore Hard Mode? Let us know in the comments! Emily: YouTube: @orbalology X: x.com/orbalology Bluesky: orbalology.bsky.social Instagram: instagram.com/orbalology Branden: YouTube: @JustTheGems X: x.com/_justthegems Bluesky: justthegems.net Instagram: instagram.com/_justthegems Abdallah: YouTube: @DallahGames X: x.com/dallahgames Bluesky: dallahgames.bsky.social Instagram: instagram.com/thegeekyglobetrotter
Some JRPGs are just really freaking expensive, you guys. But does a high price tag mean a game is worth it? We break down some notable games and discuss their intrinsic value as pieces of media and even as works of art that hold importance beyond just their inherent fun factor. The artist Branden mentions is Tylor Hepner, here's the link to his store on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TylorHepner Episode 22 Emily: YouTube: @orbalology X: x.com/orbalology Bluesky: orbalology.bsky.social Instagram: instagram.com/orbalology Branden: YouTube: @JustTheGems X: x.com/_justthegems Bluesky: justthegems.net Instagram: instagram.com/_justthegems Abdallah: X: x.com/dallah998 Bluesky: dallah998.bsky.social Instagram: instagram.com/thegeekyglobetrotter
It's the end of 2024, and The JRPG Pursuit crew are A) dressed up all fancy, and B) here to tell you about all the games they loved this year! Join us, and be sure to tell us your favorites in the comments! Emily: YouTube: @orbalology X: x.com/orbalology Bluesky: orbalology.bsky.social Instagram: instagram.com/orbalology Branden: YouTube: @JustTheGems X: x.com/_justthegems Bluesky: justthegems.net Instagram: instagram.com/_justthegems Abdallah: X: x.com/dallah998 Bluesky: dallah998.bsky.social Instagram: instagram.com/thegeekyglobetrotter
It's the time of year where a lot of people start reminiscing about the good old days, so we thought, why don't we give it a try? We share some of our favorite holiday memories, and we hope you'll do the same in the comments! Emily: YouTube: @orbalology X: x.com/orbalology Bluesky: orbalology.bsky.social Instagram: instagram.com/orbalology Branden: YouTube: @JustTheGems X: x.com/_justthegems Bluesky: justthegems.net Instagram: instagram.com/_justthegems Abdallah: X: x.com/dallah998 Bluesky: dallah998.bsky.social Instagram: instagram.com/thegeekyglobetrotter
If there's one thing every collector loves, it's a good collector's edition. But what exactly makes a collector's edition "good?" Is it art books? Soundtracks? An abundance of acrylic???? We break down our favorites (and least favorites) on today's episode - be sure to let us know in the comments what some of your favorite CEs are! Emily: YouTube: @orbalology X: x.com/orbalology Bluesky: orbalology.bsky.social Instagram: instagram.com/orbalology Branden: YouTube: @JustTheGems X: x.com/_justthegems Bluesky: justthegems.net Instagram: instagram.com/_justthegems Abdallah: X: x.com/dallah998 Bluesky: dallah998.bsky.social Instagram: instagram.com/thegeekyglobetrotter
What is the perfect length for a JRPG? Do you prefer games that are 100, 200, or even 300 hours long? Or are you more a fan of the short-but-sweet experience? We break down our thoughts on how games respect our time in this episode - be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments! Emily: YouTube: @orbalology X: x.com/orbalology Bluesky: orbalology.bsky.social Instagram: instagram.com/orbalology Branden: YouTube: @JustTheGems X: x.com/_justthegems Bluesky: justthegems.net Instagram: instagram.com/_justthegems Abdallah: X: x.com/dallah998 Bluesky: dallah998.bsky.social Instagram: instagram.com/thegeekyglobetrotter
Join the usual crew, along with special guest Davidvinc RPGs from YouTube, as we talk about the classics of the JRPG genre, and what lessons modern-day JRPG developers should learn from them! Be sure to check out David's channel if you haven't already, and let us know your thoughts in the comments!
David:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@davidvinc
Emily: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@orbalology X: x.com/orbalology Bluesky: orbalology.bsky.social Instagram: instagram.com/orbalology Branden: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JustTheGems X: x.com/_justthegems Bluesky: justthegems.net Instagram: instagram.com/_justthegems Abdallah: X: x.com/dallah998 Bluesky: dallah998.bsky.social Instagram: instagram.com/thegeekyglobetrotter
It's the age-old question: Which is better, handheld games or console games? And if you want to throw PC into the mix, then you've got yourself a stew goin'! The crew breaks down their personal histories with consoles and handhelds, and they try and get a sense for what the future of this ongoing debate will look like. Make sure to let us if you prefer handheld or console (or PC!) gaming! Emily: YouTube: @orbalology X: x.com/orbalology Bluesky: orbalology.bsky.social Instagram: instagram.com/orbalology Branden: YouTube: @JustTheGems X: x.com/_justthegems Bluesky: justthegems.net Instagram: instagram.com/_justthegems Abdallah: X: x.com/dallah998 Bluesky: dallah998.bsky.social Instagram: instagram.com/thegeekyglobetrotter
Music is such a huge part of JRPGs, and we wanted to dedicate an episode to celebrating it. But we didn't want to do it alone - so we invited our friend Alex, aka @qualitea_individual , to join us! With her music background, she presents a unique angle on the topic that WE all found super interesting and fun, and we expect you'll feel the same. Check out the episode, and be sure to follow Alex on all the socials, Twitch, and YouTube!
Alex YouTube: www.youtube.com/@qualitea_individual Twitch: www.twitch.tv/qualitea_individual Twitter/X: www.x.com/qualitea_alex Blue Sky: qualitea-alex.bsky.social Emily: YouTube: www.youtube.com/@orbalology X: x.com/orbalology Bluesky: orbalology.bsky.social Instagram: instagram.com/orbalology Branden: YouTube: www.youtube.com/@JustTheGems X: x.com/_justthegems Bluesky: justthegems.bsky.social Instagram: instagram.com/_justthegems Abdallah: X: x.com/dallah998 Bluesky: dallah998.bsky.social Instagram: instagram.com/thegeekyglobetrotter
Today we tackle the age-old topic of silent protagonists. You see them pretty often in JRPGs (some would even argue TOO often). What are the pros? What are the cons? What do we think the future of the genre looks like in regards to silent protags? Give our thoughts a listen, and be sure to let us know yours!
Emily: YouTube: @orbalology X: x.com/orbalology Bluesky: orbalology.bsky.social Instagram: instagram.com/orbalology Branden: YouTube: @JustTheGems X: x.com/_justthegems Bluesky: justthegems.bsky.social Instagram: instagram.com/_justthegems Abdallah: X: x.com/dallah998 Bluesky: dallah998.bsky.social Instagram: instagram.com/thegeekyglobetrotter
Thanks to YouTube user DarkAkuma86 for the comment that inspired this episode - we break down our thoughts on JRPG collecting and how to maintain a healthy mindset throughout. We also take a look at some fun new pickups and laugh at Branden's inability to handle adult drinks at his very advanced age. Emily: YouTube: @orbalology X: x.com/orbalology Bluesky: orbalology.bsky.social Instagram: instagram.com/orbalology Branden: YouTube: @JustTheGems X: x.com/_justthegems Bluesky: justthegems.bsky.social Instagram: instagram.com/_justthegems Abdallah: X: x.com/dallah998 Bluesky: dallah998.bsky.social Instagram: instagram.com/thegeekyglobetrotter
We've all had the experience of being genuinely creeped out by a sequence in a JRPG, even if the vast majority of the game isn't intended to be a horror experience. So we thought, with that in mind, which JRPGs would actually lend themselves well to the horror genre? Also, we're wearing costumes, so that's fun. Check it out, and let us know what JRPGs YOU think would make good horror games!
jrpgpursuit@gmail.com
We all know it's true - sometimes, games seem to have nothing but praise heaped upon them, when REALLY... they're far from perfect. Join us as we poke the bear that is the collective Internet by talking about some very famous and popular games that we find to be overrated. And be sure to let us know what games fit the bill for you, too! (You can pick our favorites just to spite us, that's okay.)
Emily's channel: @orbalology Branden's channel: @JustTheGems Abdallah's X: www.x.com/Dallah998
Digital Foundry's recent breakdown of the graphical issues present in Metaphor re:Fantazio sparked a lot of outrage online, which got us thinking: How much do graphics REALLY matter in a JRPG? Not only that, but Abdallah is back from Japan with some cool stuff to show off! Check it out, and let us know how important graphics are to you - jrpgpursuit@gmail.com!
Emily's channel: youtube.com/@orbalology Branden's channel: youtube.com/@JustTheGems Abdallah's X: www.x.com/Dallah998
There are a ton of turn-based JRPGs out there -- many of them among the best the genre has to offer. But we wanted to explore our favorite turn-based JRPGs that add a little more to the mix. These are turn-based JRPGs with a twist, something unique that makes them stand out from the crowd. Give our picks a listen, and be sure to let us know what your favorites are!
Email: jrpgpursuit@gmail.com
With the exciting news of the remaster of Lunar 1 and 2, we talk about our hopes and fears regarding its physical release. Will our intrepid hosts come to blows over Limited Run Games' role in all this? Will Chained Echoes EVER be released? All this and more, on this episode of The JRPG Pursuit. Emily's channel: www.youtube.com/@orbalology Branden's channel: www.youtube.com/@JustTheGems Abdallah's X: www.x.com/Dallah998
Emily is BACK from Japan, and we've got a lot to talk about. Join us as we take a look at the cool stuff we've picked up lately, and then deep dive into Japan and the ways in which we've felt their cultural influence on the games we love. Emily's channel: www.youtube.com/@orbalology Branden's channel: www.youtube.com/@JustTheGems Abdallah's X: www.x.com/Dallah998
Your classic turn-based JRPGs are all well and good, but they're only one piece of the elaborate puzzle that is the JRPG genre as a whole. Today, we're taking a deep dive into our favorite Strategy JRPGs! Be sure to let us know what some of your favorites are - jrpgpursuit@gmail.com!
As we prepare to see the Switch off into the sunset, we take some time to reminisce about our favorite JRPGs on Nintendo's massively popular platform. Shoot us an email and let us know what YOUR favorite Switch JRPG is!
Get to know our hosts with a nostalgic trip down memory lane! Abdallah, Emily, and Branden discuss the games that made them into the JRPG lovers they are today. Come along for the ride, and be sure to let us know what game made YOU the gamer you are in the comments below! Emily: www.youtube.com/@orbalology
Branden: www.youtube.com/@justthegems
Abdallah: www.x.com/dallah998
With digital storefronts inevitably closing (like the Xbox 360, to cite a recent example...), how do we avoid the FOMO and still secure copies of the games we want to own? Will store closures affect prices of physical games in the long run? All that and more, on this week's episode of The JRPG Pursuit! Emily: www.youtube.com/@orbalology
Branden: www.youtube.com/@justthegems
Abdallah: www.x.com/dallah998
There have been a lot of JRPG remakes and remasters out there. But how do you tell the difference? And how do you know which are any good? Join us as we talk about the best -- and worst -- JRPG remakes, and how the terms we use to describe them can sometimes make it confusing to know how much has really been "changed." What JRPG do you want to see remade? Send us an email at jrpgpursuit@gmail.com and let us know!
In the inaugural episode, Branden, Emily, and Abdallah discuss how collecting JRPGs has changed in recent years and go over strategies for collecting that you -- yes, even YOU -- could use today! Will those strategies work? Hey, you tell us. Send us an email at jrpgpursuit@gmail.com and let us know your thoughts.
Want to know if The JRPG Pursuit podcast is right for you? Well, it probably is, but to be sure, check this out.
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