Unlockables: The Story of Video Games

What Does The Future Hold For Destiny? May 28, 2026 40:03 Destiny 2 is ending active development. What did Bungie achieve with their sci-fi follow up to Halo, and how will that legacy be remembered as the game enters a state of stasis? Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! The Unlockables is a video game podcast about people's

Pokémon Fire Red and Leaf Green Felt Like Home May 21, 2026 39:39 I've played through Kanto and the original Pokémon adventure dozens of times. But this time, the playthrough felt different, and had me thinking a lot about how my relationship with the series has changed as I've grown up. Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! The Unlock

Pokémon Legends Z-A and Wanting Pokémon To Grow Up Apr 10, 2026 17:37 Pokémon Legends Z-A asked a question that I was genuinely interested in. So of course this sent me into an existential crisis. What do you do when that happens? Podcast about it of course. This episode is my attempt to make sense of my feelings towards Legends Z-A, the series in general and the unstoppable passage of time. Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Inst

What's Next Feb 4, 2026 35:27 A life update, and some news about 2026 and the future of the Unlockables. Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! The Unlockables is a video game podcast about people's stories and memories around the games that they play, as well as the story of the games themselves! The

Video Games, AI, and the Moving Goal Posts of Unethical Consumption Dec 10, 2025 43:30 I have never witnessed in my life such a rush to integrate something into the very fabric of everyday life as I've seen with AI. Within a short time, tech companies are rolling out AI tools into every conceivable service and software they offer. AI has found its way to video games too, and with the threat to art, artists and people who make games reaching existential levels, is there anyt

Blades That Blaze | Fire Emblem (GBA) Nov 17, 2025 1:12:48 The original Fire Emblem staring Marth would debut in 1990 for the Famicom and remain a Japan exclusive title for nearly a decade. But at the turn of the millenium, with the surprise success of Advance Wars and popularity of Marth and Roy in Smash Brothers Melee, Nintendo decided to bring its tactical JRPG series to an international audience for the first time. This is the story of Fire E

Strawberry Mountains Forever | Celeste Nov 3, 2025 1:17:51 Indie games have grown into an absolutely massive part of the video game industry over the years, and Celeste stands among them as one of the best. A story of self-doubt, mental health, and overcoming life's challenges is one of the best video game experiences you'll have, period. Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube

Romancing the Kingdoms | Dynasty Warriors Origins Oct 13, 2025 1:03:13 As the Han Dynasty disintegrates and China's Golden Age collapses, heroes and villains rise up to unify the land under their ideals. It's a story that's been told in the novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms and the Dynasty Warriors line of video games. After the sour reception of Dynasty Warriors 9, the series returned with a more modern and polished take on the musou formula, Dynasty Warr

Guns, Demons, Hell, Oh My! | Doom (1993) Oct 6, 2025 1:02:46 Hell breaks loose on the Unlockables as today we're taking on hoards of demons in the landmark 1993 game, DOOM! What can Doom teach us about one of the most popular genres of video games? Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! The Unlockables is a video game podcast about

Time Is Egg Shaped | Chrono Trigger Sep 15, 2025 1:28:14 How do you even approach a game hailed as the greatest RPG ever made? How do you begin to talk about something that's had a bar set for it that's so high, nothing could possible live up to the expectations? Well, like this I guess. I played Chrono Trigger for the first time for its 30th anniversary and what I discovered still managed to surprise me. This is the story of my first playthrou

Sad Little Trees | Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Sep 1, 2025 1:26:38 Clair Obscur Expedition 33 is a phenomenal game that sparks some incredible reflection on the themes of grief, family, and perseverance. But these conversations quickly got drowned out by Game of the Year hype and AAA Industry bashing. What should the conversation be around this game, and how can we guide the course of the conversation to a better place that allows this game to stand on i

What Does The Fox Say? | Star Fox (SNES) Aug 18, 2025 1:05:04 Compared to modern video games, Star Fox on the Super Nintendo looks rudimentary. One of the earliest examples of 3D on a Nintendo system, beneath this simplicity is a story of pushing against hardware limitations and fighting back against the advances of Sega. Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out

Born To Be Wild | Monster Hunter Wilds Aug 4, 2025 1:15:45 Any new entry in the Monster Hunter series is cause for celebration. With the smash hit Monster Hunter World, tons of new fans discovered the series for the first time. Now with a true successor to World, Capcom looks to continue Monster Hunter's momentum. But would the changes and concessions made in the pursuit of streamlining the experience cause Monster Hunter to lose a piece of its s

An Oath to Return | Guiding Keys: The Story of Kingdom Hearts Apr 6, 2025 34:39 The Guiding Keys min-series and the story of Kingdom Hearts comes to a close. For now. Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! The Unlockables is a video game podcast about people's stories and memories around the games that they play, as well as the story of the games the

Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory | Guiding Keys: The Story of Kingdom Hearts Apr 6, 2025 1:03:29 The final game in the Kingdom Hearts series (for now) and the final episode of Guiding Keys is Melody of Memory, a rhythm game that celebrates the incredible music of Kingdom Hearts. Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! The Unlockables is a video game podcast about peop

Kingdom Hearts Dark Road Part 2 | Guiding Keys: The Story of Kingdom Hearts Apr 6, 2025 1:37:21 Our analysis of Kingdom Hearts Dark Road continues. As the plot with the upper classmen thickens, Xehanort finds himself on a road that will ultimately see him become the antagonist of the Kingdom Hearts series. Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! The Unlockables is a

Kingdom Hearts Dark Road Part 1 | Guiding Keys: The Story of Kingdom Hearts Apr 6, 2025 1:24:12 We've reached the next game in the Kingdom Hearts series and the penultimate game in our Guiding Keys adventures. Dark Road follows the story of a Young Xehanort training to be a Keyblade Master. What truths will be revealed to us about the Seeker of Darkness. Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out t

2024 Round Up: Games Played, Game of the Year, and State of the Unlockables Apr 6, 2025 2:03:58 As 2024 comes to a close, I take some time to reflect on the games I played this year, as well as the State of the show going into 2025. Thank you all again for another incredible year! Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! The Unlockables is a video game podcast about p

Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus feat. Poppy the Masked Keaton Apr 6, 2025 1:25:02 After wanting to play the Sly Cooper series for ages, I finally got some time to dive into the first game on the PS2. Luckily I had Unlockables community member Poppy the Masked Keaton to join me for this discussion! Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! The Unlockables

Pokémon Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire Nuzlocke feat. Adam of The Good, The Bad and the Backlog Apr 6, 2025 1:56:28 Adam from The Good, the Bad and the Backlog joins the show to discuss our experience doing a Pokémon Nuzlocke run for the first time. The rules we used for this Nuzlocke run are the base rules: one encounter per route, if a Pokémon faints you can't use it for the rest of the run, and you must nickname all Pokémon you catch. Check out The Good, the Bad and the Backlog! Follow the Unlocka

Kingdom Hearts Union X Part 2 | Guiding Keys: The Story of Kingdom Hearts Apr 6, 2025 1:18:52 Part 2 of our deep dive on Kingdom Hearts Union X where we discuss the aftermath of the Keyblade War, the fate of the Dandelions, and a crucial choice by our player character that changes the course of the series. Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! The Unlockables is

Final Fantasy Tactics feat. Mick Davis Apr 6, 2025 2:00:38 Friend of the show and fellow Dad Mick Davis stopped by the Unlockables to talk about the classic PS1 tactical RPG Final Fantasy Tactics! Check out Mick Arcade! Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! The Unlockables is a video game podcast about people's stories and memo

Kingdom Hearts 3 Part 6 - ReMind DLC & Finale | Guiding Keys: The Story of Kingdom Hearts Apr 6, 2025 1:48:20 At long last we've arrived at the finale for Kingdom Hearts 3. In this episode we discuss the ReMind DLC, the Secret Reports, and some final thoughts on Kingdom Hearts 3 as a whole. What secrets lie ahead in Kingdom Hearts 4? Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! The Unl

Warhammer 40000: Space Marine 2 feat. Will and Nick of Friday Night Gamecast Apr 6, 2025 2:09:05 Today's episode is dedicated to the GLORY OF THE EMPEROR. Fellow Space Marines Nick and Will of Friday Night Gamecast stop by the Unlockables to break down the insanity that is Warhammer 40000 and the hit new game from Saber Interactive, Space Marine 2! Check out Friday Night Gamecast! Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables Y

Kingdom Hearts 3 Part 5 - One Sky, One Destiny | Guiding Keys: The Story of Kingdom Hearts Apr 6, 2025 2:20:46 The final confrontation with Xehanort and Organization XII is at hand, and our journey with the base game of Kingdom Hearts 3 comes to a close. Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! The Unlockables is a video game podcast about people's stories and memories around the ga

Sonic Adventure 2 feat. Matt aka Stormageddon Apr 6, 2025 2:30:20 On this episode of Unlockables, its time to LIVE AND LEARN. After foolishly beginning the Year of Shadow at the end of the story, I decided to right the wrongs by going back to the game where Shadow debuted; Sonic Adventure 2! Matt aka Stormageddon from "Fun" and Games Podcast and the Reignite Podcast stopped by the show to help me escape from the city. Check out all of Matt's projects!

Kingdom Hearts 3 Part 4 - The Fated Place | Guiding Keys: The Story of Kingdom Hearts Apr 6, 2025 1:05:03 After finishing our adventures in the Disney Worlds, we begin racing towards the conclusion of Kingdom Hearts 3. The fate of Aqua and Ven hang in the balance as the long awaited confrontation with Master Xehanort finally begins. Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! The

Suikoden 2 (PS1): A Great RPG in a Changing Era Apr 6, 2025 34:51 In the late 90s, the industry and gamers were looking forward to the future, and the future was 3D. But in the wake of the avalanche of 3D games there were some titles that got overlooked at the time. The Suikoden series on PS1 was good, but it just wasn't what people were looking for at the time. In recent years it's reputation has grown as not only one of the great RPGs of its time, but

Kingdom Hearts 3 Part 3 - Disney Worlds Continued | Guiding Keys: The Story of Kingdom Hearts Apr 6, 2025 1:28:25 Our adventures in the Diseny Worlds continue in part 3 of Kingdom Hearts 3! Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! The Unlockables is a video game podcast about people's stories and memories around the games that they play, as well as the story of the games themselves! Th

Kade of Gaming Memories: Podcasts, Emulation and Content Creation Apr 6, 2025 1:51:01 The one true gaming prophet Kade Call stops by the Unlockables to talk about his experience creating his viral emulation videos, as well as a general discussion on content creation and emulation. Check out Gaming Memories! Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! The Unloc

Kingdom Hearts 3 Part 2 - Disney Worlds | Guiding Keys: The Story of Kingdom Hearts Apr 6, 2025 1:23:16 Welcome back to part two of Kingdom Hearts 3. Today our adventures in the Disney worlds begin as Sora sets out to find the Power of Waking in order to save those who have been hurt by Xehanort. Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! The Unlockables is a video game podcast

Shadow the Hedgehog feat. Keith Gasper of the Main Quest Podcast Apr 6, 2025 2:07:38 To celebrate the announcement that 2024 would be the Year of Shadow, Keith stops by the show to help me analyze and break down the infamous 2005 video game Shadow the Hedgehog. Check out Main Quest! Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! The Unlockables is a video game

Kingdom Hearts 3 Part 1 - Introduction | Guiding Keys: The Story of Kingdom Hearts Apr 6, 2025 1:56:10 At long last, our Guiding Keys Journey brings us to the game that was the catalyst for this journey in the first place. Kingdom Hearts 3. You know the drill by now. A brief introduction featuring general information, first thoughts, gameplay and development history is followed by a dive into the story. The shadow of Xehanort looms large. Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlo

State of the Industry 2024 feat. Kelvin and Rob of The Gaming Duo Apr 6, 2025 2:12:33 The annual State of the Industry episode is here! Kelvin and Rob from the Gaming Duo stop by to talk about the Big 3, leaks, trailers, layoffs, and everything in-between with a postitive spin! Check out the Gaming Duo! Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! The Unlockabl

Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Rebirth Apr 6, 2025 50:59 A light spoiler review of Final Fantasy VII Remake and Rebirth! Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! The Unlockables is a video game podcast about people's stories and memories around the games that they play, as well as the story of the games themselves! The show consi

Kingdom Hearts Union X Part 1 | Guiding Keys: The Story of Kingdom Hearts Apr 6, 2025 1:45:24 Before we can move on to Kingdom Hearts 3, there is some foundational lore that we need to understand that is presented in the first part of the Kingdom Hearts mobile game, ultimately known as Kingdom Hearts Union X. This episode will cover the history of this game including its multiple transformations and movie adaptation known as X Back Cover. We also are introduced to the most mysteri

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time - Greatness and Growing Up Apr 6, 2025 40:37 I played Ocarina of Time for the first time in 2024. This game and Zelda had long eluded me, but I decided it was finally time to sit down and play it, once and for all. Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! The Unlockables is a video game podcast about people's stories

Helldivers 2 and the Evolving Live Service Experience Apr 6, 2025 28:00 Like a lot of people, I was recently drawn into the galactic conflict featured in Helldivers 2 to spread freedom and managed democracy. In this episode I give my initial thoughts on my time with Helldivers 2 as well as some thoughts on the nature of live service games themselves. Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube

Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep - a fragmentary passage | Guiding Keys: The Story of Kingdom Hearts Apr 6, 2025 1:15:00 Before moving on to Kingdom Hearts 3, a tech demo included in the HD2.8 collection allows us to spend a few hours with Master Aqua in the Realm of Darkness as she wanders endlessly without hope. Find out how her continuing story ties in to the end of the first game in the series, Kingdom Hearts 1 and sets the stage for Kingdom Hearts 3! Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unloc

Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance | Guiding Keys: The Story of Kingdom Hearts Apr 6, 2025 2:22:46 With the imminent threat of Master Xehanort's return looming, Yen Sid summons Sora and Riku to undergo the Mark of Mastery Exam. Their objective; enter the Realm of Sleep to unlock Seven Sleeping Keyholes to restore seven sleeping worlds to the realm of light and acquire the Power of Waking. Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockab

Unlockables in 2023: Reflecting on the Show, Content Creation and More Apr 6, 2025 54:20 As the year comes to a close, there was a lot to celebrate in terms of the Unlockables. In this episode I record some of my thoughts on the show in 2023, my changing attitudes towards creating in the space of video game discourse, and the future of the show once my first son is born. Thank you all for another incredible year! Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on

Kingdom Hearts Coded/Re:Coded | Guiding Keys: The Story of Kingdom Hearts Apr 6, 2025 1:09:46 Kingdom Hearts Coded started as a mobile phone game in Japan before being remade for the Nintendo DS in the form of Kingdom hearts Re:Coded. Will the mysteries of Jiminy's blank journal finally be revealed? And what will Re:Coded tell us about the coming titles in the series? Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Chan

Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Part 4 - Where They Wait For Him | Guiding Keys: The Story of Kingdom Hearts Apr 6, 2025 1:14:15 With Birth by Sleep completed, this episode is dedicated to tying up loose ends and setting the stage for the future games. We go over the Blank Points secret ending, Xehanort's secret reports, and one final scene that takes place after the credits roll that tie the whole series together. Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables

Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Part 3 - Aqua | Guiding Keys: The Story of Kingdom Hearts Apr 6, 2025 1:17:46 With Terra's and Ventus's stories now told, Aqua remains as the sole piece of the puzzle that we must fit into place to understand the origins of the Kingdom Hearts series. Having passed her Mark of Mastery exam and become a Keyblade master, Aqua is burdended with the task of discovering the mysteries of Master Xehanort, Vanitas, the Unversed, all while trying to hold her most important f

Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Part 2 - Ventus | Guiding Keys: The Story of Kingdom Hearts Apr 6, 2025 1:09:46 With Terra's fate unknown, we turn now to the story of Ventus for more answers. Who is the mysterious Vanitas? What is the true nature of the X-blade and what is Xehanort's ultimate plan? Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! The Unlockables is a video game podcast about

Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Part 1 - Terra | Guiding Keys: The Story of Kingdom Hearts Apr 6, 2025 2:13:28 We've learned a lot through the first four Kingdom Hearts games, but everything you know is about to changed with Birth by Sleep. In part one we'll focus on the first of the game's three protagonists, Terra, whose struggles with darkness and his own flaws set the stage for spectacular tragedy. We'll also finally be introduced to the overarching antagonist of the Dark Seeker Saga, Master X

The Human Element of Video Games Apr 6, 2025 28:30 We spend so much time talking about the games themselves, but as the industry has grown the practice of making them has become unsustainable. Long development cycles with crunch that chew people up and spit them out have become the norm, while most studios seem like they are one underperforming game away from failure. I share some of my thoughts on the human cost of making video games. F

The Fall of Overwatch? Apr 6, 2025 1:05:00 From Game of the Year and critical acclaim in 2016 to the most negatively reviewed game on Steam in 2023. Overwatch's journey as a game is a fascinating story, inextricably linked with the turmoil at Activision Blizzard and industry trends overall. I talk a bit about my extensive time with Overwatch 1 and identify a few key points where I think it all started to go wrong. Follow the Unlo

Super Mario RPG: Subverting Expectations While Remaining Mario Apr 5, 2025 32:30 With a remake of Super Mario RPG due out in a few short months, I decided to revist the orginial for the first time in over 15 years to see what made Mario's swan song on the Super Nintendo something special. Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! The Unlockables is a vid

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days | Guiding Keys: The Story of Kingdom Hearts Apr 5, 2025 1:54:24 Guiding Keys returns with the next game in the Kingdom Hearts series, Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days. We fill in the blank spaces in Roxas's story between Chain of Memories and Kingdom Hearts 2. But...who is this girl? And why doesn't anyone remember her? Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out the Unlocka

Final Fantasy 16 Apr 5, 2025 47:00 For your consideration, the Unlockables review of Final Fantasy 16. Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! The Unlockables is a video game podcast about people's stories and memories around the games that they play, as well as the story of the games themselves! The show c

Brock Matthews: Voice Actor Apr 5, 2025 1:11:20 Good friend of the show Brock Matthews stops by the Unlockables today to talk about his aspirations as a voice actor. As someone who has been honing their craft for several years, Brock offers some intriguing insight into what it takes to make it in the voice acting industry. Check out Brock's Demo Reel! Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe t

Summer Mail Bag 2023 Apr 5, 2025 1:46:10 As is tradition, the summer means another edition of the mail bag! Thanks to all who submitted questions to be read and answered on the show. Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! The Unlockables is a video game podcast about people's stories and memories around the game

Kingdom Hearts 2 Part 5 - Epilogue | Guiding Keys: The Story of Kingdom Hearts Apr 5, 2025 55:00 With the plans of Organization XIII thwarted and Xemnas defeated, its time to tie up loose ends for Kingdom Hearts 2. We're diving into the Secret Ansem Reports and discovering how oversights by Ansem the Wise caused ripples throughout the Kingdom Hearts plot. We'll then cover some of the final extras in the game, as well as an appearance by the One Winged Angel himself! From here, we're

Kingdom Hearts 2 Part 4 - The World That Never Was | Guiding Keys: The Story of Kingdom Hearts Apr 5, 2025 1:53:27 Sora, Donald, Goofy along with King Mickey have arrived in the home world of Orgainzation XIII to stop their plans once and for all. Can they stop the completion of Kingdom Hearts and rescue Kairi? And what of Ansem the Wise and Riku? The final showdown with Organization XIII and Xemans begins. Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unloc

Kingdom Hearts 2 Part 3 - Battle for Hollow Bastion | Guiding Keys: The Story of Kingdom Hearts Apr 5, 2025 1:39:18 Our adventures in Kingdom Hearts 2 continue. Hollow Bastion finds itself under a full assault from Heartless and Nobodies during the mid game crescendo. Sora, Donald and Goofy revisit the worlds they had visited previously to try and find a way to the homeworld of Organization XIII and put a stop to Xemnas's plans once and for all! Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockable

What is Final Fantasy? feat. Keith Gasper of Main Quest and Chris Coplien of Retro Hangover Apr 5, 2025 1:55:41 Since the beginning of time, humans have pondered the great questions. Why are we here? What is the meaning of life? And what does it mean to be a Final Fantasy game? With the upcoming release of Final Fantasy 16, this question seems to be in the forefront now more than ever. To answer this question once and for all, I've assembled a crack team of the foremost experts of video game podcas

Kingdom Hearts 2 Part 2 - Sora Awakens | Guiding Keys: The Story of Kingdom Hearts Apr 5, 2025 2:04:56 Roxas's story has come to a close and Sora awakens into a world without his memories of the events of Chain of Memories. Sora, Donald and Goofy set off into the world with the only objective they remember; find Riku and King Mickey. But they soon discover they are up against far more than the Heartless as they encounter the mysterious Nobodies and the remaining members of Organization XII

Aaron of Super Pod Saga Apr 5, 2025 1:00:21 This week I am joined by Aaron of the legendary show Super Pod Saga. Check out Super Pod Saga! Check out the Super Pod Network! Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! The Unlockables is a video game podcast about people's stories and memories around the games that they

Kingdom Hearts 2 Part 1 - Roxas | Guiding Keys: The Story of Kingdom Hearts Apr 5, 2025 2:12:13 Our journey through Kingdom Hearts continues with Kingdom Hearts 2. Widely considered by the fandom to be the best game in the series, Kingdom Hearts 2 begins with us playing not as Sora, but as Roxas. The intro to Kingdom Hearts 2 has received flak for being too long and confusing. But I'm here to tell you its one of the most impactful openings in all of video games. Follow the Unlockab

How Advance Wars Changed Nintendo Apr 5, 2025 35:00 An essay episode on the importance of the release of Advance Wars in the early 2000s, and how it paved the way for other Japan exclusive games. Without the success of Advance Wars, it might have been a few more years before Fire Emblem finally arrived in the United States. Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel

What Happened to Scalebound? Apr 5, 2025 34:11 Making video games is hard. Not every game gets released. Many get canceled before their time. Scalbound is one of these stories.O Originally in development by Platinum Games and set to be published by Microsoft in 2017, the game was canceled the same year it was set to release. This was a highly anticipated Xbox exclusive that seemed to fail after years of hype and anticipation, teaching

Fire Emblem Engage feat. Alejandro of A Random Gamer's Corner and Nick of Friday Night Gamecast Apr 5, 2025 1:55:05 Alejandro and Nick join Eric to talk about the latest entry in the Fire Emblem series, Fire Emblem Engage! Is the gameplay good enough to carry Engage to success, or will a subpar story and social aspect cause it to fall short? Check out Friday Night Gamecast! Check out A Random Gamer's Corner! Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlo

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet feat. Jared of Play Along and Tyler of Switch It Up Apr 5, 2025 2:19:30 With the recent release of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, I invited Pokémon Masters Tyler from Switch It Up and Jared from Play Along to talk about it. We discuss some of the performance issues with the game, analyze it as a mainline entry in the series, and speculate on the future of the most lucrative franchise in history. Check out Play Along Podcast! Check out Switch It Up! Follow the

Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories Part 2 | Guiding Keys: The Story of Kingdom Hearts Apr 5, 2025 1:14:10 Welcome to part 2 of our deep dive on Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories and this time we're looking at Reverse/Rebirth, the surprising mode that lets you play a second story as Riku as the main character. After awakening in the basement of Castle Oblivion, Riku begins his own journey of self reflection, discovery and battling the darkenss inside of him. Will he conquer his inner demons or

Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories Part 1 | Guiding Keys: The Story of Kingdom Hearts Apr 5, 2025 2:03:08 Guiding Keys continues with the next installment in the series; Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories. Sora, Donald and Goofy continue their search for King Mickey and Riku when they happen across a mysterious castle. Once inside they confront a group of individuals wearing black cloaks known only as the Organization. As they progress through the castle will they find themselves trapped in a f

Majesty: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim feat. Andrew and Dylan, Your Friendly Neighborhood Gamers Apr 4, 2025 1:13:30 2023 kicks off in spectacular fashion with an incredible guest episode. Andrew and Dylan of Your Friendly Neighborhood Gamers join me to talk about an obscure but beloved title from 2000; Majesty The Fantasy Kingdom Sim. Check out Your Friendly Neighborhood Gamers! Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check

The 40 Games Played In 2022 Apr 4, 2025 1:03:51 Welcome back to a new year of Unlockables in 2023! To kick things off, we're going to look back at all the games I played in 2022, and the mini-reviews I wrote about each and every one of them, Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! The Unlockables is a video game podcast

Unlockables in 2022 and the Anxieties of a Podcaster Apr 4, 2025 47:27 As 2022 comes to a close, I take some time to reflect on the show as a whole as well as some of my anxieties and self-doubts about content creation in general. Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! The Unlockables is a video game podcast about people's stories and memori

Game of the Year 2022 Apr 4, 2025 45:41 One final episosde closes out the 12 Games of Christmas. The Unlockables presents the 2022 Game of the Year. Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! The Unlockables is a video game podcast about people's stories and memories around the games that they play, as well as the

God of War Ragnarok | 12 Games of Christmas Apr 4, 2025 30:34 Fimbulwinter is here and we are braving the treachery of Norse Mythology for the final entry of the 12 Games of Christmas, God of War Ragnarok! Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! The Unlockables is a video game podcast about people's stories and memories around the ga

Monster Hunter Rise Sunbreak feat. Tyler of Switch It Up | 12 Games of Christmas Apr 4, 2025 43:40 Day 11 of the 12 Games of Christmas is upon us! Fellow veteran hunter Tyler of Switch It Up joins me to talk about the Sunbreak expansion for Monster Hunter Rise! Check out Switch It Up! Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! The Unlockables is a video game podcast about

TMNT: Shredder's Revenge feat. Rick Firestone | 12 Games of Christmas Apr 4, 2025 33:04 Day 10 of the 12 Games of Christmas has arrived! Rick Firestone of Pixel Project Radio stops by to talk about the newest entry in the Turtles Franchise, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge! Check out all things Pixel Project Radio! Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out the Unlockables

Mega Man X feat. Chris Coplien | 12 Games of Christmas Apr 4, 2025 34:15 Welcome to Day 9 of the 12 Days of Christmas, Chris of Retro Hangover fame returns to the Unlockables to talk about one of the best games on the SNES, Mega Man X! Check out Retro Hangover! Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! The Unlockables is a video game podcast abo

Pokémon Legend Arceus feat. Jared of Play Along Podcast | 12 Games of Christmas Apr 4, 2025 43:30 It wouldn't be Christmas without Pokémon so Jared from Play Along Podcast joins me to talk about Pokémon Legends Arceus for Day 8 of the 12 Games of Christmas! Check out Play Along Podcast! Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! The Unlockables is a video game podcast ab

Horizon Forbidden West feat. Andrew Kimball | 12 Games of Christmas Apr 4, 2025 42:30 Welcome to Day 7 of the 12 Games of Christmas. Andrew from Your Friendly Neighborhood Gamers joins me to talk about the PlayStation hit Horizon Forbidden West! Check out Your Friendly Neighborhood Gamers! Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! The Unlockables is a video

Vampire Survivors feat. Ryan of List Off | 12 Games of Christmas Apr 4, 2025 35:24 Day 6 of the 12 Games of Christmas is here! Half way through and Ryan of List Off stops by to talk about the most obsessive game of the year, Vampire Survivors! Check out all things List Off! Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! The Unlockables is a video game podcast

Kirby and the Forgotten Land feat. Josh Covel | 12 Games of Christmas Apr 4, 2025 46:20 Day 5 of the 12 Games of Christmas is here and Josh of Still Loading Podcast fame stops by the show to talk about the delightful Kirby and the Forgotten Land! Check out all things Still Loading! Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! The Unlockables is a video game podca

Nobody Saves The World | 12 Games of Christmas Apr 4, 2025 20:30 The 12 Games of Christmas continue with Day 4 and Nobody Saves The World! Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! The Unlockables is a video game podcast about people's stories and memories around the games that they play, as well as the story of the games themselves! The

Fire Emblem Three Houses feat. Kolby of Switch It Up | 12 Games of Christmas Apr 4, 2025 40:00 Day 3 of the 12 Games of Christmas is here and good friend of the show Kolby stops by to talk about the incredible Fire Emblem Three Houses. Check out Switch It Up! Follow the Unlockables on Bluesky! Follow the Unlockables on Instagram! Subscribe to the Unlockables YouTube Channel! Check out the Unlockables on Patreon! The Unlockables is a video game podcast about people's stories and

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