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Flame on, podcast listeners! This week we’re stretching our way back to 2005 to tackle the Fantastic Four game that somehow managed to land on more consoles than Reed Richards has had scientific breakthroughs. Based on the first Fox movie that made us all question whether Hollywood truly understood what “fantastic” meant, this multi-platform adventure promised to let us clobber our way through levels faster than Ben Grimm goes through doorframes.

Joining us for this cosmic-powered gaming expedition is Anthony Sytko from Capes on the Couch, who’s here to help us determine whether this game was the ultimate power or just another case of “it’s clobberin’ time” gone wrong. We’ll be exploring how this tie-in game managed to squeeze onto everything from GameCube to Game Boy Advance, and whether any version actually captured the magic of Marvel’s first family – or if they all just left us feeling more invisible than Sue Storm on a bad day.

So grab your unstable molecules costume and prepare for a gaming experience that’s sure to be more unpredictable than Johnny Storm’s dating life. It’s time to see if this Fantastic Four adaptation was truly marvelous or just another victim of the superhero movie game curse!Continue Reading

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Prepare your beam sabers and polish your Zaku helmets-this episode of Play Comics is about to launch straight into the Universal Century! We’re diving headfirst into the PS2 classic Mobile Suit Gundam: Federation vs Zeon, where the only thing more intense than the space battles is trying to pronounce “RX-78-2” three times fast.

Joining the fray is none other than Derek Van Dyke from Super Deluxe GamesCast and Castle Bravo, who’s here to help us decide once and for all: Is it better to fight for the Federation, or is life just more fun in a mono-eyed mobile suit? Expect hot takes, cooler mobile suits, and at least one attempt to dodge a colony drop with nothing but sheer podcasting bravado.

So grab your joystick, pick a side, and get ready for a barrage of wit, wisdom, and way too many references to Newtypes. The One Year War has never sounded this entertaining.Continue Reading

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Get ready to tattoo the number XIII on your memory banks (preferably not on your collarbone) as Play Comics dives into the cel-shaded, amnesia-riddled world of XIII – the video game adaptation that brought Jean Van Hamme’s acclaimed French graphic novel series to life on PS2, Xbox, and GameCube. This first-person shooter might be the only game where waking up on a beach with complete memory loss is just the beginning of your problems, not the end result of a gaming convention afterparty.

This week, we’re joined by the phenomenally talented Rob Duenas from the Sketchcraft YouTube channel, whose artistic prowess has graced everything from the hellish battlegrounds of “Spawn Kills Every Spawn” to beloved video game franchises like Crash Bandicoot and Overwatch. When Rob isn’t busy making comic pages look absolutely stunning or designing characters for your favorite games, he’s dropping knowledge bombs about art and creativity on his channel that would make even the most amnesia-addled protagonist remember how to hold a pencil.

Together, we’ll untangle the conspiracy-laden plot that had gamers frantically searching for their own identity while taking down government agents with stylized comic book “BANG!” and “BOOM!” sound effects popping up on screen. Was this 2003 cel-shaded shooter as revolutionary as its artistic style suggested, or did it wash up on gaming shores only to be quickly forgotten? Does the console version you played actually matter, or were the loading time differences just another conspiracy to keep Xbox owners feeling superior? And most importantly, how does a game based on a graphic novel series about a character who can’t remember who he is manage to create such memorable gameplay?

Grab your favorite tattered map with cryptic clues, practice your best “I have no idea who I am but I can somehow expertly use military weapons” face, and join us for an episode more twisty-turny than XIII’s plot itself!Continue Reading

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Welcome, Earthlings and Cybertronians alike, to another episode of Play Comics-where the only thing more confusing than the continuity is trying to fold yourself into a PS2 disc case! This time, we’re rolling out (and occasionally transforming) into the wild world of the 2004 Transformers video game. Yes, the one that’s based on Transformers: Armada-even though the box art was too shy to admit it, and the plot zigzags harder than a Mini-Con on a caffeine rush.

Joining us for this electrifying adventure is none other than Charles Shelton from the TransMissions Podcast Network, a man who knows more about Autobots, Decepticons, and questionable voice acting than Unicron knows about planetary snacking. Together, we’ll dodge Decepticlones, collect Mini-Cons like they’re Pokémon, and ponder why Optimus Prime never just took a vacation in the Amazon (hint: robot allergies).

So buckle up, hit that triangle button to transform, and prepare for a journey through nostalgia, PS2 graphics, and more robot drama than a Cybertronian soap opera. Let’s see if we can save the universe-or at least get through the jungle level without rage-quitting.Continue Reading

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Hell hath no fury like a Hellspawn scorned, especially when that Hellspawn is leaping between platforms on your PlayStation 2! This week’s episode of Play Comics dives headfirst into the fiery pits of “Spawn Armageddon,” the video game that attempted to cram the first 99 issues of Todd McFarlane’s demonic anti-hero saga into button-mashing glory on PS2, Xbox, and GameCube. Chains will fly, capes will billow dramatically for no apparent reason, and we’ll answer the burning question: can any game truly capture the essence of a character who essentially told both Heaven and Hell to take a hike?

Joining us on this unholy quest is the supremely talented Rob Duenas from the Sketchcraft YouTube channel, whose pencil might actually be mightier than Spawn’s chains. When Rob isn’t dropping knowledge bombs about art techniques online, he’s busy creating jaw-dropping illustrations for comic books – including the mind-bending “Spawn Kills Every Spawn.” Yes folks, our guest has literally drawn Spawn murdering alternate versions of himself, which makes him uniquely qualified to judge a game where Spawn murders… well, pretty much everything else.

So grab your favorite necroplasm-infused beverage, wrap yourself in a sentient cape that definitely isn’t judging your choice of pajamas, and prepare for an episode more twisted than Violator’s family reunion. We’re diving deep into the 2003 gaming experience that asked the important question: “What if we gave the angriest character in comics a bunch of weapons and unleashed him in a world that looks suspiciously like the developer’s first attempt at a 3D environment?” The answer, dear listeners, involves a lot more jumping puzzles than anyone ever asked for.Continue Reading

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Brace yourselves comic connoisseurs and gaming geeks for an episode that will have you questioning reality itself! In this multiversal misadventure we delve into the depths of X-Men Next Dimension, a game that dared to challenge the boundaries of the comic book universe.

But wait, there’s more! We’ve got a special guest star joining us on this cosmic crusade – the one and only Lex W from the Wednesday Toast podcast! Prepare to be dazzled by his wit, charm, and encyclopedic knowledge of all things mutant-related.

As we navigate through the Operation Zero Tolerance storyline, we’ll uncover the secrets behind this dimension-hopping extravaganza. From mind-bending plot twists to jaw-dropping gameplay mechanics, no stone will be left unturned in our quest for truth, justice, and the ultimate gaming experience.

So grab your controllers, strap on your adamantium seatbelts, and get ready for a wild ride through the annals of X-Men history. This episode is sure to leave you questioning your own reality – or at least wondering why you didn’t invest in a Cerebro helmet sooner.

Excelsior, true believers! The adventure awaits!Continue Reading

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Attention all Gundam fanatics and mech maniacs! Today we’re blasting off into the cosmos with Mobile Suit Gundam Zeonic Front for the PlayStation 2!

Joining us is none other than Scott Wachter from the wildly popular podcast The Recap From Mercury. Scott’s expertise lies in overanalyzing obtuse science fiction plots, so he’s the perfect wingman to navigate the tangled narrative threads of the One Year War.

Will the valiant Federation pilots emerge victorious against the dastardly Zeon forces? Can any of us mere mortals comprehend the sheer scale of these titanic mech battles? And is Scott prepared to have his mind blown by the sheer excess of beam spam?

Strap in tight and get ready for rocket-powered robot rampage as we go full psyco gundam on Zeonic Front! The battlefield drama awaits…just try not to get caught in the crossfire. Over and out, soldiers!

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In this pixel-packed extravaganza we’re diving into the realm of Mobile Suits, futuristic warfare, and enough Gundam drama to make soap operas blush. Yes folks it’s time to chat about the PlayStation 2 game “Mobile Suit Gundam: Journey to Jaburo,” a game that had us pressing buttons faster than a cat chases a laser pointer.

But wait, there’s more! We’ve got a guest star shining as bright as the final boss battle. Joining us in the digital cockpit is none other than the fabulous Dan Carroll, captain of the Retro Wars podcast and a connoisseur of all things vintage gaming. Imagine Han Solo, but instead of navigating the Millennium Falcon, he’s steering us through the vast universe of Gundam lore.

So grab your favorite joystick, charge up your beam saber, and get ready for a rollercoaster ride through pixels and panels as we explore just how well “Mobile Suit Gundam: Journey to Jaburo” stacks up against its manga counterpart. Spoiler alert: of all the games that exist, it’s certainly one of them.Continue Reading

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It all comes back to Spider-Man doesn’t it? The cultural saturation of the character in a lot of English speaking societies. The relatable nature of the character (and to be perfectly honest, most of the Spider people characters). The fact that the first Spider-Man trilogy was the first thing since the 90s Batman movies to really hit such a mainstream audience is no coincidence.

So how do we get a look at what Spider-Man means to people? Oh, I don’t know, maybe get a guest like Keifer from Select and Start to come and give us a look at what both this 2004 game and the movie that it ties in with? Yeah, that seems like a good idea. I should pat myself on the back for doing exactly that.Continue Reading

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Batman is one of the most well know superheroes around despite the fact that he’s not really a superhero when you break the term down. Don’t care, still love him. And that little used fact in games where he’s a pretty good detective.

Good thing we have Matt and Thad from Making Nerds Cringe here to help unravel the mystery of Batman Vengeance. Listen in as we take a look at this Batman the Animated Series (?) inspired game and all the fun that goes with it.Continue Reading

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Movie tie in games get fun. Do you have someone play the movie and they know everything that should be happening? Or do you have a movie tie in game that tries to go beyond the movie and risk making something that people don’t like? And does it matter if it’s a super successful everyone in the world has seen it movie vs more of a niche film?

We’re taking a stab at those questions and more when Adam Reck from Battle of the Atom stops by the show to talk Blade 2 for the PS2 and Xbox.Continue Reading

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Time to get this one out of the way. This podcast exists because of X-Men. The most requested game for people to be a guest for are X-Men games. Specifically it’s this one. What some people would say is “the perfect X-Men game” and I’ve heard this from many many people.

Listen in as Zack Jenkins from ComicxXF comes to finally talk about the game that everyone has been waiting for. X-Men Legends 2.Continue Reading

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X-Men. It’s the reason I started this podcast. It’s the comic series that people ask me about the most for coming on the show. And they just never disappoint because there are about a billion different reasons why people have gotten into them and why they love them. So what’s wrong with another look?

If you ask Kevin Newburn, nothing at all. Which is great because that would have made for a really awkward episode if he didn’t think that these mutants were worth another look.

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I have a feeling we’re about to start hitting a bunch of manga based games. Might as well make one of the early rounds of that be a boxing game.  My ability to think of any more boxing puns is on the down for the count so let’s be serious.  Today we’re taking a look at Victorious Boxers: Ippo’s Road to Glory.

I’ve got Trevor H from Catching Up on Cinema to help guide me through this one and possibly maybe get my pronunciation a bit better.Continue Reading

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The world of comics and games, as evidenced by the existence of this podcast, have a decent amount of crossover. But a game where you introduce a whole new team to an already established universe? And have a tie in comic? That’s got to be pretty rare, right?

Listen in as Robert Secundus from Comics XF comes on the show to help take a look at Marvel Nemesis Rise of the Imperfects.Continue Reading

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No matter what you want to think, the Ang Lee Hulk film exists. And there’s a game to go with it. Yup, it’s a movie tie in game and we all know how those were back in the day.

Or do we? Listen in as Josh Sutton from Panels to Pixels takes a stab at convincing you that not only is this a good movie to go watch, but it’s also not a horrible game to go with it.Continue Reading

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This is what the rest of the Capcom fighters focusing on Marvel characters was all leading to. One of the greatest fighting games ever made. The reason to own a Dreamcast. The epic mashup of two legendary companies that has no reason to exist in this world but does anyway.

Listen in as Trent Seely from Continuity Nod comes to talk about what is possibly one of the best games every made. Period. End of discussion.Continue Reading

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Spider-Man, we just can’t get away from him can we? Not that I’m complaining, he’s a popular character for a reason. This time around joing Chris and Kieran Shiach as they talk about the second Toby McGuire Spider-Man film and the game that came out alongside it. Yeah, we’re cheating a bit and jumping ahead. I think we’ll survive just this once.Continue Reading