IGN's Game Scoop! Episode 791: Elden Ring Goes Rogue – December 14, 2024

In the season finale of Game Scoop!, IGN’s gaming experts delve deep into the latest gaming news, focusing primarily on the highly anticipated sequel to Elden Ring—Elden Ring Night Rain. The episode is packed with insightful discussions, expert opinions, and exciting revelations about upcoming titles that are set to shape the gaming landscape in 2025.

Elden Ring Night Rain: A Rogue-Like Turn

The episode kicks off with an extensive discussion about Elden Ring Night Rain, the forthcoming entry in the Elden Ring series. Hosted by Damon Hadfield, and joined by Sam Claiborne, Justin Davis, and Mark Medina, the team explores what makes this new installment a significant departure from its predecessor.

Gameplay Innovations and Structure

Mark Medina opens the conversation highlighting the game's unique structure:

Mark Medina [03:31]: "Every game takes place over three days. Each day is about 15 minutes each. During a day, you have that 15 minutes to run around Limgrave and grab as many items and equipment as you can and level up as much as you can."

Justin Davis adds excitement about the quick turnaround and standalone nature of the game:

Justin Davis [02:55]: "What's nuts is people are going to be able to play this super soon. The tech test for it is in February. That's wild."

Multiplayer and Roguelike Elements

The multiplayer aspect is a hot topic, with the game supporting up to three players in a cooperative experience. However, Sam Claiborne raises concerns about the necessity of a third player:

Sam Claiborne [03:45]: "Is it true you were making jokes about this, but you can't do it as two. You have to be one or three."

Mark Medina explains the design choice:

Mark Medina [03:45]: "Yes, you could play three people total or you could play by yourself, but you can't do two."

Community Reception and Expectations

The team debates the potential impact of Night Rain on Elden Ring’s legacy, with Mark dreaming of another Game of the Year nomination:

Mark Medina [02:40]: "Elden Ring could be again nominated for Game of the Year again next year in 2025, depending on how this one turns out."

Damon Hadfield provides personal insights into the trailer’s tone, contrasting it with the original game's atmosphere:

Damon Hadfield [05:31]: "Even the vibe in the trailer, it's clear that you're meant to be empowered and you have mastery over this world... running around this world with friends."

However, doubts remain about the game’s alignment with FromSoftware’s traditional style, as Justin Davis expresses:

Justin Davis [04:31]: "I need to see more before I'm super jazzed on this."

Naughty Dog’s Intergalactic the Heretic Prophet

Transitioning from the Elden Ring saga, the discussion shifts to Naughty Dog’s latest announcement, Intergalactic the Heretic Prophet. Despite its unconventional title, the team is optimistic about the studio’s return to action-adventure roots.

Plot and Development

Mark Medina breaks down the game’s premise:

Mark Medina [14:36]: "Intergalactic the Heretic Prophet follows Jordan, a dangerous bounty hunter stranded on Symperia, a planet cut off from the universe for over 600 years."

Artistic Direction and Expectations

Damon Hadfield reflects on Naughty Dog’s legacy and the fresh palette cleanser this new title represents:

Damon Hadfield [14:56]: "Seeing them go back to making a swashbuckling action adventure game feels like a perfect palate cleanser after the Last of Us series."

The soundtrack collaboration with Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross adds another layer of anticipation:

Mark Medina [23:09]: "Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross will be doing the soundtrack, which means it's going to be great."

The Witcher 4: Continuing Ciri’s Saga

The team delves into the much-anticipated Witcher 4, discussing its narrative direction and gameplay elements.

Narrative and Character Development

Sam Claiborne highlights the focus on Ciri as the new protagonist:

Sam Claiborne [26:07]: "Ciri’s story is not like, you know, got a lot of interesting kind of stuff to work through. She’s breaking the mold in a lot of different ways."

Gameplay Mechanics and Themes

There’s a consensus on the game’s potential to blend RPG elements with meaningful storytelling:

Sam Claiborne [27:23]: "She clearly is doing like, look, I'm really powerful and I can solve these problems, but like, there's a bigger problem in the world."

Technical and Development Insights

Mark Medina sheds light on the game’s development timeline and the influence of hardware advancements:

Mark Medina [32:01]: "It was like, if space travel was a lot more advanced back in 1986, which they mentioned, but the game is in development since 2020."

Reviving Classics: Okami 2 and Borderlands 4

Okami 2: A Return to Artistic Brilliance

The announcement of Okami 2 by Clover Studio excites the team, given the original's cult classic status.

Damon Hadfield [35:01]: "It really made me happy in my heart to see that this is coming. It's one of the most deserving of a sequel but least likely to get one."

Mark Medina reminisces about the original's impact:

Mark Medina [37:35]: "Okami was a PS2 game that won IGN's Game of the Year, but it wasn’t a huge hit. So, a sequel is both surprising and exciting."

Borderlands 4: Expanding the Loot-Filled Universe

The conversation then shifts to Borderlands 4, focusing on its art style and co-op features.

Mark Medina [39:30]: "It looks like more Borderlands, which could be a good thing for fans. The first half of this trailer shows off some really cool stuff."

Justin Davis shares his enthusiasm for the gunplay and cooperative elements:

Justin Davis [41:09]: "I am very excited for Borderlands 4. It feels like a single-player hero shooter where you feel compelled to play more than once because you can make different builds."

Sam Claiborne expresses mixed feelings about the looter aspect:

Sam Claiborne [41:36]: "I didn't like it when it became like there's actually a billion combinations of weapons. It just doesn't sound super interesting to me."

Indie Gems and Future Titles

Ninja Gaiden Ragebound: Pixel Art Evolution

Mark Medina introduces Ninja Gaiden Ragebound, developed by the team behind Blasphemous.

Mark Medina [48:15]: "It's from the team behind Blasphemous, which already has great pixel art. They’re pushing the boundaries of modern pixel art, making every battle a feast for the eyes."

The game’s hand-animated 2D pixel art receives acclaim:

Sam Claiborne [48:45]: "It just looks fantastic. I love that it's not like the NES games, but it's a modernized fun shovel 90 type game."

Split Fiction: Hazel Studios’ Cooperative Venture

The team discusses Split Fiction from Hazel Studios, drawing parallels to It Takes Two.

Sam Claiborne [51:08]: "It’s like how player-friendly they are. You can just invite anyone to play it and they can play for free."

Damon Hadfield notes the game’s clever mechanics and cooperative gameplay:

Damon Hadfield [53:40]: "The asymmetrical co-op is just always such a cool idea... It forces both people to participate."

Infinity Nikki: A Unique Free-to-Play Experience

Justin Davis introduces Infinity Nikki, highlighting its open-world exploration and dress-up mechanics.

Justin Davis [67:43]: "It's about dressing up your girl Nikki. It's an open world with some combat, but mostly collecting outfits and solving puzzles."

Sam Claiborne comments on the game’s depth beyond its surface elements:

Sam Claiborne [69:36]: "It's got puzzles, platforming challenges, mysteries... It's quite satisfying figuring out how to go around and discover all the whim stars."

Despite concerns about monetization, the team acknowledges the game’s enjoyable gameplay:

Damon Hadfield [72:46]: "The gameplay is legitimate and the puzzles are legitimate and it’s really satisfying."

Interactive Segment: Video Game 20 Questions

In the interactive portion of the episode, the hosts engage in a spirited game of Video Game 20 Questions, where a viewer named Kale suggests that Wind Waker is humanity's favorite punk video game series.

Mark Medina leads the questioning, quickly narrowing down the possibilities:

Mark Medina [75:13]: "Does this game belong to the Mario or Zelda universe?"

Upon confirming it’s a Zelda title, Mark correctly identifies it as Wind Waker:

Mark Medina [80:34]: "Yes, it is. 12 questions."

The team praises Wind Waker for its enduring charm and artistic design:

Sam Claiborne [80:58]: "It is widescreen... What a game."

Looking Ahead: Upcoming Episodes and Special Segments

As the episode wraps up, Damon Hadfield previews upcoming special episodes, including the unveiling of Game of the Year awards and celebrations of the team's contributions.

Damon Hadfield [83:25]: "Next year is kind of a special episode where we're going to be unveiling our Game of the Year awards live on the show."

The hosts express enthusiasm for future content, promising more in-depth analyses and celebratory segments.

Conclusion

Game Scoop! 791 provides a comprehensive look at the evolving gaming scene, from the innovative twists in Elden Ring Night Rain to the revival of beloved classics like Okami 2. With insights into upcoming titles and interactive segments that engage the audience, IGN ensures that listeners are well-informed and excited for what’s next in the gaming world. As the team wraps up, they leave fans eagerly anticipating the upcoming episodes and the grand reveal of their Game of the Year awards.

Notable Quotes:

• Mark Medina [03:31]: "Every game takes place over three days. Each day is about 15 minutes each."

• Justin Davis [02:55]: "What's nuts is people are going to be able to play this super soon. The tech test for it is in February. That's wild."

• Damon Hadfield [05:31]: "Even the vibe in the trailer, it's clear that you're meant to be empowered and you have mastery over this world."

• Sam Claiborne [27:23]: "She clearly is doing like, look, I'm really powerful and I can solve these problems, but like, there's a bigger problem in the world."

• Mark Medina [35:01]: "It really made me happy in my heart to see that this is coming. It's one of the most deserving of a sequel but least likely to get one."

• Sam Claiborne [51:08]: "It’s like how player-friendly they are. You can just invite anyone to play it and they can play for free."

• Justin Davis [67:43]: "It's about dressing up your girl Nikki. It's an open world with some combat, but mostly collecting outfits and solving puzzles."

• Mark Medina [80:34]: "Yes, it is. 12 questions."

For those eager to stay updated on the latest in gaming, this episode is a must-listen, offering a blend of expert analysis, passionate discussions, and a glimpse into the future of gaming.