On this episode of Video Games 2 the MAX hosts Sean Garmer and Marc Morrison are joined by Jens Dietrich in discussing various things. Firstly, Marc and Jens have both been playing Persona 5 Strikers. So, Sean asks questions and they provide answers to gameplay aspects, exploring dungeons if playing the original Persona 5 is required, how much the game varies from typical Musou gameplay, is there any mention of Persona 5 Royal, and much more.

After that, everyone gets into the latest Pokemon news with a Pre-Pokemon day direct that showed off more on New Pokemon Snap and delivered on the rumored Pokemon Diamond and Pearl remakes featuring a Chibi art style similar to the one used in the Link’s Awakening remake from last year. There was also a big surprise in Pokemon Legends Arceus. Featuring an entire open-world Pokemon game for the first time using a past version of the Sinnoh region. Sean is very much excited and wonders if a Nintendo Switch Pro launch is connected to the existence of Pokemon Legends Arceus.

Sony also had a State of Play and showed off new gameplay of Returnal and Kena: Bridge of Spirits. While also providing a vehicle for the SIFU announcement and the big one is the reveal of Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade which is not only a PlayStation 5 upgrade with the usual inclusions but also adds DLC featuring Yuffie. The guys discuss everything involving the announcement and the ensuing controversy after it was announced the PlayStation 4 version of Final Fantasy VII Remake would be part of the March 2021 PlayStation Plus lineup. Should you be provided an upgrade path with the PS Plus version? Or is Square-Enix right in doing it their way? Plus, more Final Fantasy mobile titles were announced too, including one that goes through the entirety of the Final Fantasy VII series of games called Ever Crisis. Would this finally get Jens to play a mobile game?

Also discussed in the episode: The shuttering of Anthem and Sony Japan studio, Amazon Luna boss Marc Whitten leaving for Unity, PlayStation VR 2 in development, more Sony games coming to PC, Dragon Age 4 dropping multiplayer, and more.

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Persona 5 Strikers, Pokemon Legends Arceus, Final Fantasy VII Remake Integrade

Timestamps

Grammarly Ad (49:00)
Amazon Music Unlimited Ad (1:27:30)

Games We Are Playing

Persona 5 Strikers (2:10)

Major Topics

Pokemon Direct (36:00)
State of Play Thoughts & Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade (52:10)

Headlines

Amazon Luna VP of Entertainment Devices and Services Marc Whitten leaves for Unity (1:25:05)
Anthem development is shut down & Dragon Age 4 Multiplayer Canceled (1:29:55)
Possible Mass Effect series in the works? (1:35:05)
Sony Japan Studio Shuttered and Merged into Team ASOBI (1:36:40)
PlayStation VR 2 is in Development (1:42:35)
More Sony Games Coming to PC (1:45:35)

Quick Hitters

Halo TV Show to Debut on Paramount + (1:51:15)
Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 Delayed to 2022 (1:52:50)
Tony Hawk 1 + 2 Remasters coming to PS5 & Xbox Series (1:53:40)
Call of Duty Games Take Up A Lot of Space (1:55:05)
Twisted Metal TV Show in development (1:56:00)
Life is Strange getting new games (2:00:50)

About Video Games 2 the MAX

Video Games 2 the MAX is a podcast where Sean Garmer and Marc Morrison get together to talk about everything involving Video Games every week. they discuss what they are playing or reviewing, the gaming news of the week, upcoming games, a special topic, and more.

Listener Questions and Reviews

If you’d like to get in touch with one of our hosts you can email us at w2mnetwork@gmail.com or find us on social media. You can also like the W2M Network Facebook Page and review us on Podchaser or any of your favorite podcast listening apps.

Follow on Twitter: Sean, Marc, Jens, Randy,  W2M Network

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Sean Garmer

Sean Garmer has a long history with video games, since childhood. But truly, things got serious when he discovered Pokemon on the Gameboy, and thus his Japanese RPG fandom was born. Sean has channeled that love of games into reviewing them. He also analyzes the games industry on the Video Games 2 the MAX podcast and writes on various sites. Sean pretty much plays any kind of game nowadays, but he still prefers his first love, the JRPG.

Marc Morrison

Marc Morrison brings years of experience writing about games (and of course, playing them) to Video Games 2 the MAX. He currently writes a Top 8 column every week at 411mania and also reviews games. Marc plays all different kinds of games and takes analyzing them to heart.

Jens Dietrich

Jens is co-host and editor of the podcast Chapter Select and an occasional contributor to Video Games 2 the MAX. While he grew up on 90s PC adventure games and flight simulators, nowadays his preferences have shifted towards Soulslikes, JRPGs, and weird kusoge.