VOTE: Which Game Will We Cover Next?

I'm very curious to hear your thoughts on Xenosaga II. I hope it doesn't dissuade you from checking out Xenosaga III.

Brandon Chinn

Looking forward to the exclusive monthly uploads. I watched the Dragon's Dogma and Zelda uploads on YouTube. I prefer the long-form uploads, but I know that takes a lot of time and editing. So I appreciate these interspersed shorter uploads talking about upcoming games and such.

Xenosaga waiting room

augustus boi

Hope to see all these games covered, in any order, in time.

Nicolas Jonasson

You can vote for them all :^)

Toni Gröndahl

The scripts is way more concise though so I think they are not going to do another 20 podcast series :D

Toni Gröndahl

I agree but only because it's Mike & Casen, who add to the material greatly. Otherwise, describing the references just feels too superficial for me, so I can't wait to hear how it'll be handled here.

Matthew Jernberg

I understand what you're saying; sometimes, many philosophical references feel like fanservice just so you can 'get the reference.' That said, I still believe Automata has strong enough themes at its core to be an enjoyable experience for the podcast.

Weird Mammal

I felt that the philosophical underpinnings of Nier Automata were incredibly superficial and trite, so I hope that Mike and Casen's coverage will change my mind, because they find all sorts of connections that enliven my interest in what they cover.

Matthew Jernberg

Knowing full well that Xenosaga Episode 2 isn’t the best game on this list, it still gets my vote , if for no other reason, to get closer to that Episode 3 analysis. That will be EPIC!!!

James Green

I want ME2, but I've heard so many good things about Nier Automata, that I'd have to play along with it if it wins.

David Cockreham

I think RA is also highly attuned to the development history behind the games, and considers games made by the same team, with the same ethos, as “loose sequels” (i.e., Vagrant Story to Final Fantasy Tactics, Final Fantasy X to Final Fantasy VIII). I’d disagree with the idea that Nier Automata isn’t a “proper sequel” to Replicant / Gestalt though. If nothing else, the world is still very much dealing with the fallout from the events in the first game, and you almost can’t talk about what’s really going on without referencing the major plot beats in Replicant/Gestalt. Not to mention some key characters and terms have been brought back in Automata as well, especially near the end of the game.

Michs

Automata lost the previous sequels poll to Vagrant Story, so I don't think a strict definition of sequel is being applied to these choices. Its just a practical term to use in this particular context. Just something like the next game in the world's timeline so to speak. And likely more importantly, the continuation of that particular director/writer's project or vision, which is what the podcast usually emphasizes.

Hypodermic

One of these titles arent like the others~ Nier doesnt really seem to be a direct sequel like the other 3. By that I mean its not a continuation of the story from the previous game.

Daryn Raymer

That Would be something!

Tomas

Even if Automata wins, it is extremely unlikely that they’ll need to do this. If anything, they’ve already given their audience enough context about the Drakenguard games from the first Nier Replicant / Gestalt podcast. Automata follows way after the events of Replicant / Gestalt, so any links that the games might have with the Drakenguard games are tenous at best.

Michs

If you guys do Neir, you have to do 3 episodes for each of the drakenguard games.

David Monkell

I absolutely NEED it to be MGS2 literally just to hear Casen go nuts on dissecting the ending. PLEASE.

Dan Eda

Please be MGS2, aka the game that sadly predicted the future.

Zoric

Great choices! I'm inspired to dive into the Nier universe after watching the recent Automata anime

Frozen_flame45

Heck yeah Nier! Can't go wrong with any of these choices though.

Evan Richmond - TRPG Odyssey

I’d love to hear more about Mass Effect 2 :(

Josh Guerrier

Suikoden 1+2 Full Breakdowns when Remaster is released?

Dylan Massih

In terms of story, there are 5 main endings. The other 19 are joke ones. I think it won’t be that bad!

Michs

Tough choices, but went for Nier and Xeno 2. Nier, though, might be really difficult to cover because truly covering the story/plot requires getting all of the endings, right? All, what, 26 of them?

John Mason

Poor Mass Effect. It doesn't appear to have a chance. Pity.

ChocolateRob

Hoping Xenosaga II wins it (not so much for that game, but because Xenosaga III is amazing and can't wait until you cover that). Although as of now it looks like Nier Automata is winning. Just played that game in December and it was amazing so I will still enjoy that one in its place if it wins. Would your coverage spoil anything from Nier Replicant though? I'm one of the many who has played Automata but not Replicant...

Brian Shea

Nier is my number 1 but MGS 2 is a definite must down the line.

Brettmv87

Xenosaga is the only one I haven’t played on this list (and I won’t be playing the Xenosaga games anytime soon) so I’m going with Nier even though MGS2 is my personal favorite of the remaining titles. I just think Nier is objectively the best designed game of the three and one of the best games I’ve played in the past few years.

Gabriel Gutierrez

Voted for Mass Effect 2, but not surprised it's not winning, since it's probably got the least interesting story out of the 4 on the poll.

David Butt

Played Nier Automata a year ago and was blown away. MGS2 Would be very Interesting too regarding all the rage in the world of a.i nowdays.

Tomas

I absolutely adore Nier Automata, but would rather want to have Mass Effect 2. The love Mike shows for the game makes it even more enjoyable

AshYuri

Looking forward to your next analysis! Xenosaga 2 would be great, but also Neir Automata 😊

Sebastian Larsson

Quest 64 ;)

Oroness- (Hopeless Romantics)

Thank you guys for opening this up for all patrons. Look forward to your next analysis. All 4 games are great choices.

Psypher

I voted for Xenosaga and Mass Effect. Guess I just love space scifi ttilogies!

Edrees Hatef

I just found out some sequels I didn't know existed 👀

Mako

Lobotomy Corporation

Nunu

I have the same thinking, it's going to be something else heh.

Stephen Geraci

Lets get Xenosaga 2 out of the way for the big finale of 3!!!!

Joey Morsi

NieR!!!!

Karl Florida

Let’s go Mass Effect 2! Pull from behind! I do want to finally play Nier. It’s been in my Steam Library for years, but that Mass Effect podcast series was so good, and I’m glad I got to revisit and complete it with the Legendary Edition.

Alan Chapman

I know it's so amazing - these are good times - we're also looking forward to Mike's upcoming FF series

Michael R

Too many good choices 😭

Zarggg

Nier Automata and Metal Gear Solid 2 have so much rich, thematic material ripe for a podcast. And, honestly, I voted for Mass Effect 2 also because I just loved that game. Omg this was a sequels poll for the centuries.

Michs

God as much as I want a continuation of xenosaga….Auntomata is just UP there for me this is hard

Chet Hawley jr

Voted for MGS2 and ME2, though I'm not expecting either of the non-JRPG options to win. It'd be really cool to see complete coverage of the Mass Effect series in particular.

William VanZant

Omg. I could go with any of them. All great choices.

Hunter Springate

I dunno, I feel like I could listen to the FFVI series forever...

Chris Bard

Vote for ME2, because I want something to listen to right now, and Nier will wait till I finally get around to play it. Unfortunatelly I can't play it right now, because I play games in chronological 'batches', and Nier is in my Final Fantasy + others (Chrono Cross, Vagrant Story, Darkengard) batch, and I'm only on Chrono Cross, number 12 out of 40 (Automata is 36). So probably around 2026 for me :D But I'm sure Nier will be covered one day, so we can have something else earlier. :)

Krzysztof Pawełczyk

Mass Effect 2 is the only one I've completed, so I'll have to go with that! If only it had been released on the Switch as it was teased to I would happily play through it again. Great game. I tried to play Metal Gear Solid 2 a few years ago but couldn't understand the gameplay and gave up. Don't really want to go back to it, and I find the series overall a bit silly. Nier Automata could be interesting. Always thought it looks a bit cringe, but I've heard great things recently and probably have it on PS4 somewhere so will be happy to play along with that one. And then Xenosaga II... There's zero chance I'll ever play a Xenosaga game, but it was fun to listen along to the first one without a clue what was happening in story. Appreciate the book club format, but I would love clearer and more detailed playthrough recaps at the start of each episode so it's easier to follow when not playing along.

James Pearce-Kelly

Yes they already did. IIRC, it was the 2nd game they've covered for the new podcast format.

Gumiel

Man, I hope it's Nier!

Gumiel

Come on lads, let's get Xenosaga done!

Blake Walden

Come on lads, let's get Xenosaga done!

Blake Walden

Honestly I’m going to be happy with any of these, but if I had to choose one then it would have to be Xenosaga Episode 2!

Wesley Rhoads

Was Nier Replicant already covered? I never played the game but heard there are some connections between the two.

Apoema

Xenosaga II please!!!

Michael Todinca

I don't think we said Xenoblade was a remake of Xenogears. It's not. The Xenosaga series was an attempt to sort of "reboot" the Xenogears universe without stepping over the bounds of copyright infringement, but they only really ended up covering events that would have fit into episode 1 of the Xenogears timeline as detailed in Perfect Works. Xenoblade carries on some of the thematic legacy of Xenogears, but it is by no means a remake of Xenogears. I'm sure there were some jokes made about repeating the same material (references to Jung, Freud, etc.), but it isn't copying the same story.

Resonant Arc

Nier Automata; there's just so much depth to it. Just finished it myself a few months ago. I highly recommend the PC version to mod 60fps and enhanced graphics

Greg Harmon

Nier Automata has a good chance of beating Xenogears in terms of number of podcast episodes 😄 At least when taking into account the philosophical substance of the game.

Martin Roderus

That will be on our next "SNES RPGs" poll.

Resonant Arc

Man, great options across the board here. Won't be disappointed regardless of the outcome. Had to cast one vote for MGS2 though: so much fascinating stuff going on with that one I'd really love to hear you guys dive into.

soveoclock

Earthbouuuuund

Kevin Lyme

I'm so glad that these options are sequels that follow-up on prior episodes! Hopefully, we can eventually listen to the coverage for all of these series back-to-back.

Matthew Jernberg

A breakdown of NieR from the perspective of ideology would be fantastic.

Nathan

I finished listening to xenogears podcast and on there they talk abotu xenoblade being a remake of xenogears.. and then they did it again?.. since i have not played so there for not listen to the xenosaga podast yet.. Do they explain that anywhere else? what xenoblade copyed? also did they talk about if xenoblade 3 or X has anything to do with the xenogears outline?

ZanderZrantZ

Here is the poll we’ve been waiting for!!! Haha

Michael Acosta

Sons of Liberty for sure.

Mitchell Hammond

Shoooot, I want to hear all 1 2 and 3, can't choose

Chrisy Lee

I'm glad we could vote more than once, because that would have been a very tough choice, otherwise 😅

Kyle Kilgo

Xenosaga!!! 🤞🤞 Manifesting it now!!

Jordan Arredondo

man, all of these are good ones. Not a loser on the list lol

gg78cc