In episode 125 of Unqualified Game Chat, Spencer and I get real about how Death Stranding 2 fell off the radar fast and what that says about how single-player games survive in today’s cycle. We talk about Kojima’s influence, why studios invest in his work beyond sales, and how remakes are teaching tools for younger developers. We also dig into the Final Fantasy series—what went wrong, what still works, and which entries hold up best.

Remember Death Stranding 2? and Final Fantasy Figuring Itself Out

In Episode 124 of Unqualified Game Chat, Spencer and Jesse dissect Ninja Gaiden 4’s questionable story DLC rollout, celebrate the Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D remake’s stunning improvements, and debate why modern Pokémon feels like it’s lost its soul. With plenty of tangents on developer legacy, remake fatigue, and Game Freak’s 3D struggles, this one’s a must-listen for anyone passionate about where gaming is headed.



0:00 – Intro & catching up on PAX videos and Noisy News Week
4:50 – Ninja Gaiden 4 talk: story DLC frustrations and gameplay praise
14:00 – Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D remake impressions and improvements
27:00 – Game Freak’s 3D problem and why Pokémon needs HD-2D
34:18 - Yay or Nay light

Pokémon Needs a Reset, Ninja Gaiden 4 Review, Dragon Quest’s 2D Comeback

In Episode 123 (Record October 15, 2025) of Unqualified Game Chat, Azario and Spencer talk about why indie developers deserve more credit, how gamers obsess over graphics, and why social media has made real discussions about games harder. They also go off on a few weird tangents. It’s raw, funny, and maybe a little too honest.

State of Indie Games, Gamer Expectations, and Social Media Chaos

In this episode, Spencer and I dive deep into the existential dread of digital-only game ownership, the impending Switch 2 cartridge dilemma, and our full-on descent into the pixelated trenches of Digimon Story: Time Stranger. We reflect on the good, the grind, and the goofy, plus a little love for physical media, 7 years of Noisy Pixel, and why Angela Anaconda might’ve scarred us more than SkullGreymon.



0:00 – Intro & Disgaea 7 Unboxing Tease
1:15 – Concerns About Switch 2 Game Keys & Digital Ownership
10:00 – The Mental Burnout of Reviewing Long Games (Digimon + Atelier)
12:40 – Digimon Fugue State: Playing Until Your Brain Melts
17:00 – Noisy Pixel Turns 7 & Relaunching Noisy Newsweek
24:00 – Digimon Movie Nostalgia, Soundtrack Talk, and Being DigiDestined
27:00 – Digimon Story Time Stranger: Plot, Operators, and Voice Acting
33:00 – Game Design Streamlining and Digivolution Mechanics
36:00 – Hitting Rank 5 and the Deep Digivolution Grid=
40:00 – Adult Life vs. Weekend-Long Game Binges

Digimon Grind, Digital Dread, and the Steam-pocalypse

This week on Unqualified Game Chat, Azario and Spencer attempt to define the chaotic "Dragon Frequency" while battling embargo exhaustion. We dig into the surprising addictiveness of Atelier Resleriana, break down the unexpected joy of Sonic Racing Cross Worlds, and tease some spicy thoughts on Death Stranding 2. Also: Canadian Thanksgiving lore, back pain, and one very tall coworker.



00:00 Intro
01:48 – Defining the Dragon Frequency
07:57 – The Curse of September & Canadian Thanksgiving
10:27 – Mark's Tallness & Camera-Induced Back Problems
11:10 – Atelier Resleriana Impressions
16:41 – Spencer's Early Thoughts on Death Stranding 2
18:48 – Sonic Racing Cross Worlds Review Talk
21:58 – Comparing Sonic Racing to Kirby Air Ride and Mario Kart World
23:45 – Hades 2, Favorite Series Hints, Too Many Games
24:33 – Wrap-up & See You Next Week

The Dragon Frequency, Sonic Racing, and an Atelier Side Quest

In Episode 120 of Unqualified Game Chat, Azario and Spencer return with stories from the chaos of PAX: 50+ meetings, behind-the-scenes team hustle, and turning exhaustion into comedy. From hunting down the Red Bull Content Creator Club to filming a dream bit with Mega64’s Rocco, it’s a mix of grind and fun. They also dive into Yoshida-san’s surprise FFXIV interview, new reviews, Death Stranding impressions, and Gorillaz’ wild arrival in Fortnite.



PAX West Mayhem, Mega64 Collab, and Catching Up on Reviews

In this episode of Unqualified Game Chat, Spencer and I reunite to talk all things Switch 2, including the surprisingly low-key launch, our hands-on impressions (or lack thereof, in my case), and Nintendo’s ever-questionable release strategy. We also touch on our favorite games to play on the new hardware, debate the effectiveness of “mouse mode,” and explore the eternal frustration that is Joy-Con drift. Later in the episode, I dive into my review of Stellar Blade on PC (yes, it's sexy, and yes, I talk about it), and close things out with my thoughts on Summer Game Fest, including a raw, personal reflection on what it’s like to enjoy games while facing real-world chaos just outside the venue. This episode is a mix of laughs, insight, and a touch of heartfelt commentary on immigration and labor in America. One of our more balanced and real convos to date.

Switch 2 Impressions, Stellar Blade is Horny, and SGF Gets Heavy

Spencer and I rip through the freshly announced Switch 2 lineup and decide which games get a day-one preorder and which earn a polite shrug. From Mario Kart World’s lackluster debut to the welcome return of Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD, we talk shop about platformers, RPGs, and every oddball reveal in between, plus some very serious flip-flop discourse. Join our chaotic deep-cut chat and see whether your hype meter matches ours.

Switch 2 Launch Lineup Hot Takes: Mario Kart World Meh? 

In this week's episode of Unqualified Game Chat, Spencer and I dive deep into our shared passion for weird and wonderful physical PlayStation games. I show off four recent pickups, from the speculative buy of Expedition 33 to the nostalgia-fueled Grandia 3, and we chat about the legacy of cult publisher Agetec and their early support of FromSoftware. We also discuss prepping for events like Summer Games Fest, our evolving thoughts on AI in game development, and the ethical tightrope of game coverage. Plus, I share early impressions of Pipistrello and the Cursed Yo-Yo, a rad little Yo-Yovania I can’t stop playing. It’s a chill, reflective episode that reminds me why I love doing this show. Also, Spencer’s shirt has Sonic on it. Iconic.

Pipistrello, Covering Games, and the Price of Passion

This week on Unqualified Game Chat, I talk about my recent trip to PAX East, the madness of trying to cover 47 games with a lean crew, and the anxiety (or lack thereof) that came with it. Spencer and I dive into the pressure of playing demos in front of devs, the value of indie game coverage, and why waiting for a sale might just be the smartest move in modern gaming. Plus, I share the chaotic journey I endured to get back home from Boston, complete with mechanical delays, missed flights, and a $500 United voucher. As always, we mix real talk with ramen recipes and nostalgia bombs.

PAX East, Ramen Economics, and Indie Love

Hello and welcome to Unqualified Game Chat. This is where two friends, Azario and Spencer talk about games they are playing and the most requested gaming news.

Azario Lopez

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