Game Scoop! 836: No Fate of the Old Republic

Podcast: IGN Game Scoop!
Date: December 14, 2025
Host: Damon Hatfield
Guests: Nick Limone, Sam Claiborne, Mark Medina

Episode Overview

This episode is a celebration of the biggest video game news following the Game Awards. The IGN crew dives into major announcements—including surprise Star Wars games, a retro-inspired Terminator title, new Tomb Raider projects, and more—while also reminiscing about classic games and movies. As always, the team’s lively banter, expert knowledge, and nostalgia-driven tangents make for an engaging and comprehensive gaming round-up.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Game Awards Recap & Biggest Announcements

[03:13–15:00]

Surprise Star Wars Games

• Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic
  • Directed by Casey Hudson (original KOTOR, Mass Effect trilogy).
  • New studio: Archonauts, founded July 2025.
  • Unclear publisher, but license directly from Lucasfilm Games.
  • "I also think this is just not a game yet." – Mark Medina [06:32]
  • Team speculates it’s very early, only a trailer so far; expectations are high due to Casey Hudson’s track record.
  • Discussion on how the Old Republic era and video games are the only "universally liked" Star Wars things for many fans.
• Star Wars: Galactic Racers
  • Developed by FUSE, former Criterion devs, published by EA.
  • Pod-racing style gameplay, coming in 2026.
  • Nostalgic references to N64/arcade Pod Racer and the character Sebulba.

On the State of Star Wars Gaming

• The franchise is "playing it safe" with nostalgia-driven content: Old Republic, racing games, re-releases of classic movies.
• Speculation about the incoherence in game development between publishers (EA, Lucasfilm Games, etc.).

2. Retro & Remake Fever

[15:59–21:30]

Tomb Raider Revival

• Two new games: a remake of the original (Legacy of Atlantis, due 2026) and “Catalyst,” a new 2027 title.
• Both developed by Crystal Dynamics (recent layoffs noted).
• Remake gets praise for balancing classic and modern Lara character models, "bullet time" mechanics; some confusion over publisher (Amazon Game Studios vs. Embracer).
• Quote: "She can do a Max Payne dive backwards while shooting two handguns." – Nick Limone [16:25]

Jaws NES Re-release

• Limited Run Games is reviving the "infamous" NES game with modern features like save states, trophies, rewinding, and a newly expanded mode referencing all four Jaws films.
• Sam and Damon recount their confusing, but fond, childhood memories of the original.
• Quote: "It's almost impenetrable. It's hard to figure out exactly what you're supposed to do." – Damon [58:32]

3. More Major Game Awards Reveals

[21:25–51:20]

Resident Evil Requiem

• Dual protagonist split: half Grace Ashcroft (RE2 remake-style), half Leon (RE4-inspired).
• Reveal of Leon’s new action elements (chainsaw fights, more melee).
• Demo likely coming pre-release.
• Noted that Capcom continues to support and experiment with their franchises.

Control: Resonance

• Mixed reactions: Some (Nick, Mark) love the weird, action-oriented direction; Sam unimpressed, fearing it’s too detached from what made Control special.
• "If you remove the control from it, it looks freaking awesome. Look at that." – Mark Medina [23:05]
• Remedy’s approach to evolving their games noted as bold, though not always successful (Crossfire X, FBC Firebreak as recent stumbles).

Other Highlights

• Mega Man Returns: New game revealed (style reminiscent of Mega Man 7/8), debate over preferred presentation.
• Pragmata: Demo impressions—capabilities reminiscent of Dead Space; Nick jokingly clings to theory it’s a secret Mega Man game.
• Bradley the Badger: 3D platformer inspired by Banjo-Kazooie/Conker from industry veterans; promises parody worlds and real-time manipulation mechanics.
• Forest 3: New entry in survival horror series, now with a space setting; discussed as “tree-punching” but not cozy genre.

4. Divinity: Legends Reveal by Larian

[46:07–52:09]

• Larian follows up Baldur’s Gate 3 with a new, original Divinity game—trailer deemed "the grossest" of the show.
• Expectations sky-high; anticipated to be "Larian’s biggest ever."
• Panel speculates on creative freedom now that Larian solely owns the Riverland IP.
• "I don't think Larian can make a game that's not full of player freedom anymore." – Mark Medina [50:25]

5. Terminator 2D: No Fate (Retro Release)

[54:25–58:00]

• Daemon played 30 mins: "It’s like a good T2 run-and-gun, Contra-style game as if it launched in 1991."
• Noted for alternate story paths and short one-sitting finish (multiple playthroughs for all content).
• Memorable references: call-backs to Double Dragon, Robocop arcade, and in-jokes (“No problemo” mode, “Hasta la vista” mode, etc.).

6. Nostalgia Sidebars: Movies & More

[61:12–67:24]

• Jaws as a cultural touchstone: Daemon, Mark, and Sam trade stories about the movies, theme park rides, and why Jaws is "the best Christmas movie ever made." Sam pitches: "It's one of the best pieces of film ever committed to theaters."
• Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair: Daemon, Nick, and Sam share recent experiences seeing the film in a marathon cut—a "religious experience" per Daemon. Full Tarantino fanboy moments.

7. Trivia & Wrap-Up:

[72:56–83:44]

Video Game 20 Questions

• Game: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
  • Hints involved Wii, motion controls, Wolf Link, and non-Mario Mushroom Kingdom setting.
  • "You can [play as a wolf]." – Damon [77:27]
  • Group discusses the game’s merits and drawbacks, especially how its pacing compares to other Zelda entries.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Star Wars Surprises:
  "So that exists. But the two things that for some reason everybody seems to like are things that are based around the Old Republic and video games and pod racing. That's it. Those are the only two things that people think are good now in Star Wars." – Sam Claiborne [06:52]

• On Capcom’s Consistency:
  "It's amazing that Capcom... they have Resident Evil, Monster Hunter, Street Fighter... and have time to experiment with these little things. It just feels so old school." – Sam [34:31]

• On Jaws NES Nostalgia:
  "It’s almost impenetrable. It’s like hard to figure out exactly what you’re supposed to do." – Damon [58:32]

• On Tomb Raider Remake:
  "She can do a Max Payne dive backwards while shooting two handguns." – Nick Limone [16:25]

• On Divinity’s Grossest Trailer:
  "There’s no content warning or anything. I was so excited for that man to explode into a blood monster just to get his pain over with!" – Sam [46:23]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:13] – Game Awards’ big news (Star Wars, world premieres)
• [06:52] – Old Republic & Star Wars Racing discussion
• [14:12] – Resident Evil: Requiem reveal
• [15:59] – New & Remake Tomb Raider games
• [21:25] – Control: Resonance trailer debate
• [28:30] – Mega Man new game, Pragmata
• [36:07] – Capcom praised for versatility
• [46:07] – Divinity: Legends—grossest trailer of the show
• [54:25] – Terminator 2D: No Fate review
• [58:09] – Jaws NES revival & memories
• [61:12] – Jaws & movie side discussion
• [64:03] – Kill Bill, the Whole Bloody Affair
• [72:56] – Video Game 20 Questions (Twilight Princess)

Tone & Atmosphere

The episode is fast-paced, fun, and sharply knowledgeable. The crew bounces between hype for new releases, deep-cut retro references, and genuine, nerdy laughter. Their signature mix of sarcasm, nostalgia, and critical insight remains intact throughout, with a focus on celebrating modern games while honoring those from the past.

For New Listeners

If you’re unfamiliar with the show, expect a healthy blend of expert commentary on game news, frank—but always entertaining—opinions, and quirky bits of gaming and pop culture lore. This episode in particular blends 2025’s hottest announcements with lots of love for the unexpected and the classic alike.

Final Note

Happy Jaws Season!
As the IGN crew joked, it may be the holidays, but it's always time for a little Jaws, a little Zelda, and a lot of enthusiasm for what’s next in gaming.