Game Scoop! 832: Our Favorite PS5 & Xbox Games

Date: November 5, 2025
Host: Daemon Hatfield
Guests: Nick Limone, Sam Claiborne, Justin Davis
Podcast: IGN/Game Scoop! (Geek Media Podcast Network)

Overview

In this episode, the Game Scoop! crew—Damon, Nick, Sam, and Justin—continue their quest to define the "Game of the Century" list by spotlighting their favorite (and most significant) PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S games. The discussion includes opinions on the current generation’s best releases, the evolution of major franchises, nostalgia for classic gameplay experiences, and insights into the gaming industry’s latest news, such as the outstanding sales of the Nintendo Switch 2 and the launch of Donkey Kong Bonanza.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The State of PS5 & Xbox Series X|S: Slim Pickings?

[08:15–09:13]

• Modern Gen Games Selection: The panel expresses some disappointment about the relative scarcity of truly standout PS5/Xbox Series games compared to previous generations.
  • "It’s kind of slim pickings…there’s been sort of overall disappointment in this generation." —Daemond Hatfield [08:33]
• Nintendo's Impact: The crew notes, however, that many exceptional new games have been on Switch rather than Sony/Microsoft platforms.

2. Community Mailbag: Is Final Fantasy XIV Underappreciated?

[03:00–07:33]

• Listener Charlie from San Diego asks if only one Final Fantasy can make the Game of the Century list and advocates passionately for FFXIV, citing its "robust, thoughtful, profound, and character-rich stories" and inventive approach to MMO design.
• Nick Limone’s Experience: Nick praises FFXIV’s job system, solo accessibility, and “fantastic music,” singling out the game's ability to capture the spirit of classic Final Fantasy while innovating within the MMO genre.
  • "It is certainly one of the best modern traditional Final Fantasy games…You don’t really have to engage that much with the MMO stuff…" —Nick Limone [04:07]
• Justin Davis on MMOs: Justin contrasts FFXIV with World of Warcraft, appreciating XIV’s freedom to switch roles/jobs without making new characters, calling it "just so brilliant."
  • "That kind of MMO game design feels a little bit outdated. And so that's my favorite thing about FFXIV." —Justin Davis [07:00]

3. PS5 & Xbox Series X|S Game Nominations

Astro Bot (Rescue Mission and Bot’s Playroom)

[09:13–09:47]

• Panel: Universal Praise: All agree Astro Bot is a must-have for the generation, delivering Nintendo-quality 3D platforming and celebrating PlayStation legacy.
  • "It’s the closest anyone has ever come to Nintendo quality 3D platforming." —Daemond Hatfield [09:17]
  • The show wishes Nintendo would create a similar celebratory platformer for its own history.

Cyberpunk 2077 (With Phantom Liberty Update)

[09:53–17:39]

• Nick’s Perspective: Transformative improvement since launch; with the 2.0 and Phantom Liberty upgrades, it’s now a shining example of hard sci-fi RPG and open-world design.
  • "They completely overhauled that game. Borderline unrecognizable…now it’s pure cyberpunk, high tech, low life." —Nick Limone [09:53]
• Sam’s Reflection: Loved it even at launch, framed as a “community experience” during the pandemic and a symbol of gaming ambition in the public eye.
  • "It's a really good feeling to have this wonderful game to play. Love Johnny Silverhand. I love the city…" —Sam Claiborne [12:06]
• Justin & Build Diversity: Praises player expression and build variety ("I was just swords everywhere"), points out how the RPG systems foster player roleplay.
  • "Playground is such a good way to put it…with all of its RPG systems, whether you’re cognizant of it or not, force you to role play." —Justin Davis [15:27]

Baldur’s Gate 3

[20:05–24:33]

• Justin’s Pick: The standout Western RPG of the era with enormous scope, deep character writing, and peerless systems-driven gameplay.
  • "It's one of those experiences that you finish it and you're just, like, so deeply grateful that you experienced it. But you're also…hollow." —Justin Davis [20:11]
  • Compares BG3’s playground reactivity to Zelda and Cyberpunk; praises how player creativity is enabled and rewarded.
• Nick’s Take: Fulfills the dream of D&D campaigns—massive, epic, accessible, and never feels limited.
  • "It opens at what I’d consider the endgame for a D&D tabletop…immediately transporting you to those heights." —Nick Limone [23:09]

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

[25:18–27:56]

• Sam’s Surprise Pick: Maybe the best licensed game since Arkham. Flawless voice acting, facial animation, and a love letter to Uncharted, Tomb Raider, and Jones’ film legacy.
  • "I think Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a masterpiece…incredible voice acting and facial animations…not a single moment is like, uncanny or weird." —Sam Claiborne [25:18]
• Justin’s Reaction: Relieved and amazed by the “iconic” opening act and consistent high quality throughout.

Elden Ring

[29:03–31:50]

• Daemon’s Nomination: Possibly the best open world ever; epic, flexible, and still unmatched in impact.
  • "No game has ever felt this epic and as open to me." —Daemond Hatfield [29:49]
• Nick on Mainstream Success: Remarkable how FromSoftware evolved from cult status to having a blockbusting phenomenon.

Resident Evil 4 Remake

[32:15–33:39]

• Nick's Enthusiasm: Insists the remake deserves its own slot—an even more refined experience than the original, with addictive gameplay and impressive replayability.
  • "How do they take a masterpiece and then just like one up themselves…this game is so good." —Nick Limone [33:23]
• Sam: Celebrates the modern accessibility of the Resident Evil series, noting how lucky new players are.

Tunic

[33:54–36:41]

• Sam’s Pick: A homage to classic Zelda, but most notable for its in-game manual—an elegant tribute to the lost art of game packaging, meta-puzzles, and “playground secrets.”
  • "I’m going to throw Tunic out there…because of the manual and the way it thought out what does paper and guides and packaging…add to the original experience of playing a game." —Sam Claiborne [33:54]

Balatro

[36:41–38:09]

• Daemon & Justin: Praise the hyper-focused, “perfectly made” roguelike, a single-creator vision that’s totally addictive, highly strategic, and endlessly replayable.
  • "Absolutely perfect…a perfectly made game with no story, no lore—just a game." —Daemon Hatfield [36:56]

Honorable Mentions

[38:09–41:01]

• Slay the Spire and Vampire Survivors: Both hailed as genre-defining masterpieces in roguelike deckbuilding/survivor genres.
• Monster Train 2: Daemon argues it could surpass Slay the Spire.
• Assassin’s Creed Shadows and older entries: The enduring appeal of the AC franchise (“I think Shadows is the best”), discussion of past favorites, and talk about ongoing remakes and the Infinity hub.
• Hitman World of Assassination Trilogy: Noted as a modern landmark.

4. Retro Gaming Nostalgia & The Mortal Kombat Legacy Collection

[53:18–62:07]

• Digital Eclipse’s MK Collection: Praised as an “interactive museum”—a treasure trove of documentaries, behind-the-scenes stories, and archival footage, especially the digitization of actors and the creative culture at Midway.
  • "I've spent the last two or three evenings just watching the documentary. This is awesome." —Daemon Hatfield [53:29]
  • Sonya's Actress: Sam highlights her unexpectedly compelling journey from the club scene, through the martial arts show, to game development icon.
• Arcade Secrets & Community: The panel shares memories of the magical, viral, word-of-mouth discovery process—“finish him” moments, shared secrets, and childhood awe.
  • "For me, Mortal Kombat is secrets." —Justin Davis [60:49]

5. News: Nintendo Switch 2 & Donkey Kong Bonanza

[47:31–53:07]

• Switch 2 Sales: Blistering launch—over 10 million sold, more than double the original Switch’s pace and outselling PS5’s launch window.
  • "Best-selling fastest selling console of all time." —Daemon Hatfield [47:47]
• Donkey Kong Bonanza: Major success with 3.5 million sold, unexpectedly high for a non-Mario Nintendo platformer (“Ooh, banana indeed”).
• Discussion: Speculates on demographics, future sales, and expounds on Nintendo’s bundle/upcharge practices for new software and upgrades.
• Commentary on Mario Kart World: The panel debates whether the new entry will meet lofty franchise standards and if norms will care about its perceived shortcomings.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• "I love games that force you to learn their language...just seeing all that stuff that's in there, it's just so nice and it's so classy." —Nick Limone on FFXIV fan-service and depth [07:33]
• "It's like talking about what makes a book so incredible if someone else hasn't read the book...you're just, like, so deeply grateful that you experienced it." —Justin Davis on Baldur’s Gate 3 [20:11]
• "How did they go from making [Eternal Ring or Evergrace] to this? This is the most high profile game of quite possibly the decade." —Nick Limone on FromSoftware [30:38]
• "I think Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a masterpiece...this is the one, this generation." —Sam Claiborne [25:18]
• "Not everyone’s going to be, you know, us." —Nick Limone on Mario Kart being for everyone, not just critics [51:06]
• "The hero of the story ends up being the woman that plays Sonya, and she’s just there with all these people that made that game. And her stories are great." —Sam Claiborne, on the Mortal Kombat doc [55:15]
• "For me, Mortal Kombat is secrets. Like, that's what it is for me in the '90s.” —Justin Davis [60:49]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 03:00 – Listener mail: The case for Final Fantasy XIV
• 08:15 – Entering the PS5/Xbox discussion: “Slim pickings?”
• 09:13 – Astro Bot 3D platforming nostalgia
• 09:53 – Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty: Redemption and RPG systems
• 20:05 – Baldur’s Gate 3: Systems, story, and reverence
• 25:18 – Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review
• 29:11 – Elden Ring and open world innovation
• 32:15 – Resident Evil 4 Remake tribute
• 33:54 – Tunic and the art of in-game manuals
• 36:41 – Balatro and the "perfect game" debate
• 38:09 – Roguelike deckbuilders: Slay the Spire, Monster Train 2, Vampire Survivors
• 47:31 – Nintendo Switch 2 sales and Donkey Kong Bonanza’s surprising numbers
• 53:18 – Mortal Kombat Legacy Collection and Chicago’s arcade legacy

Additional Notes

• Listener Letters: A heartfelt email from a longtime gaming grandfather highlights the generational connections video games foster (“I am literally relating to associates that are 40ish years younger than me.”) [63:28]
• Quick TV & Movie Recs: Panelists mention HBO’s “Chair Company,” "K Pop Demon Hunters," and Halloween viewing traditions.
• Trivia & Gaming Commandments: A proposal: “Thou shalt earn a cutscene,” critiquing games that begin with lengthy unearned cinematics. [72:09]
• 20 Questions: The answer is Arkanoid—a clever tie-in to the recent resurgence of “ball pit” roguelikes. [82:24]

Final Thoughts

Game Scoop! 832 provided both a deep-dive into the best games of the PS5/Xbox Series era and a nostalgic, community-oriented look at how gaming legacies are shaped. The MVPs are Astro Bot, Baldur’s Gate 3, Cyberpunk 2077 (post-update), Elden Ring, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Resident Evil 4 Remake, indie favorites like Tunic and Balatro, and the ever-thriving roguelike genre. The show also acknowledges Nintendo’s massive Switch 2 triumph and celebrates retro gaming’s living history through Mortal Kombat. As always, Game Scoop! blends expert analysis, industry insight, and genuine gamer camaraderie.