In Episode 130, Spencer and I settle into a long, thoughtful conversation about Dragon Quest VII, why comfort and tradition still matter in JRPGs, and how remakes should evolve without losing their identity. From there, we talk candidly about indie coverage, media burnout, Square Enix’s struggles with smaller games, and how traffic incentives quietly shape what gets covered. It’s a loose, reflective episode about taste, responsibility, and loving games for the right reasons.

Dragon Quest Comfort, Indie Media Burnout, and Why

In the first episode of the year, Spencer and I ease back in by talking about holiday games, including Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D and revisiting classic Final Fantasy. From there, the conversation turns into a long discussion about AI tools in games, Sony’s rumored AI player bot, and why accessibility options don’t need to threaten how anyone else plays. It’s a relaxed but thoughtful episode about time, burnout, and what players actually want from games in 2026.

 Dragon Quest Downtime and Sony AI Patent Player Bot

In episode 128 of Unqualified Game Chat, Spencer and I start in a reflective place, talking about personal growth, burnout, confidence, and learning how to stop catastrophizing your own success. From there, the episode shifts into a long, unfiltered breakdown of attending The Game Awards—what worked, what didn’t, and why the show continues to miss opportunities to support the developers who need it most. The episode closes with an on-site interview I conducted with IO Interactive during The Game Awards, focused on 007 First Light.

Growth, Gatekeeping, and a Messy Night at The Game Awards + 007 First Light Interview

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

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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