A Gamer Looks At 40
An exploration of the history of video games told through the stories of the every day people who lived it. Join me along with a rotating cast of friends, family, gaming journalists, and industry types as we share personal recollections from the last thirty years of gaming, one story at a time.
Episodes
One more for the Final Fantasy books, this one wrapping up the incredible experience that is Final Fantasy 9. On this episode, we discuss story beats, magical moments, players guides, potential remakes, and final thoughts. Join us, won't you?
STARRING (all handles from BlueSky)
Barry Carenza (@hawkhellfire)
Julian Titus (@julian_titus) of The Stage Select Podcast (@StageSelectPod)
Mekel Kasanova (@MekelKasanova)
Eric...
All aboard the Final Fantasy 9 train! After the cyberpunk leanings of FF7 and the emotional love story of FF8, Square again pivoted to the past for their game of the future. The result is a glorious blend of high fantasy, in depth character building, and an emotional connection that's among the best in the entire franchise. On this episode, we talk precious first impressions and the incredible cast.
STARRING (all handles from B...
Last week, we explored those vital first impressions and those crippling realizations of Final Fantasy 8. This week, we peel back the onion even further, discussing story, characters, card games, and what we feel would improve the experience if a re-remaster were ever to occur.
STARRING (all handles from BlueSky)
Barry Carenza (@hawkhellfire)
Julian Titus (@julian_titus) of The Stage Select Podcast (@StageSelectPod)
Mekel K...
According to the internet, fans, and anybody with opinions to share, Final Fantasy 8 is a C-tier entry in the franchise. Despite raking in millions of dollars and rave reviews upon release, this oft maligned experience doesn't have many supporters. Or does it? On this episode of A Gamer Looks at 40, we attempt to separate fact from fiction and examine those amazing first impressions along with those down the line realizations....
Greetings from the depths of my emotional turmoil! OK, not that bad, but it's been a tumultuous few months in the Life of Tucker and this episode aims to set the record straight on exactly where I've been up to. TRIGGER WARNING: unfiltered talk of self harm, suicidal ideation, and religion in this emotionally bare episode.
If you or someone you know is struggling with SI or SHI, help is a phone call / text / chat away at ...
Another week, another conversation with a fascinating collector of retro videogame stuff! This week, Gamer Ahmer and I discuss her white whale finds, beloved pieces she'll never part with, and the amazing friendships found in the retro gaming community. Thanks for listening!
STARRING:
Gamer Ahmer! Follow her adventures on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@GamerAhmer
My Website: agamerlooksat40.com
My Discord: https://discor...
The sun is shining, the weather's warm and Grandma Ethel's cleaning out the attic. May is the Season of Garage Sales and in honor of this glorious time of bargain hunting, we'll be chatting with collectors all month long. This week, I have a conversation with the first collector I ever knew, the one and only Joe Coiro of JoeCade on YouTube. In this episode, we discuss collecting as a kid, touching memories, and the e...
Time to talk about things! Join me as I answer a variety of questions from my friends on Discord, Twitter, and Blue Sky as well as share the immediate future of A Gamer Looks at 40. It's a fun show with some truly bizarre takes, all of them mine. Mwa ha ha ha ha!
SONG COVERS
KINGDOM HEARTS - Dearly Beloved | Classical Guitar Cover (Beyond The Guitar) by Beyond the Guitar - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xirqA74CI8g
My Website: ...
Demons, monsters and elemental gems, oh my! Released in the same year as Donkey Kong Country, Mega Man X, and Super Metroid, this Capcom side scroller was a buried under an avalanche of classic titles. But one Julian of The Stage Select Podcast rescued this game from the bowels of a bargain bin and discovered one of the best experiences on the system. Join us as we discuss Firebrand, the Virtual Boy and the joys of mid-90's vi...
Happy Start of Baseball! In honor of the beginning of the baseball season, my brother and I discuss a not-at-all bargain bin game that we still pop on today. With an enchanting mix of arcade speed and simulation depth, Ken Griffey Presents strikes the perfect balance of pick-up-and-play fun. An absolute blast of a game that I enjoyed discussing. Hope you dig the conversation!
STARRING:
Bobby Tucker
My Website: agamerlooksat40.com
It's finished! Eleven exhausting episodes later, we've completed our journey through Final Fantasy 7. On this concluding edition we finish up the odds and ends section with some talk about mechanics, playing with friends, and a touching final story you'll need to hang until the end to enjoy. Thanks for going on this journey with me!
STARRING (all handles from BlueSky or Twitter)
Kyle of the RPG Show (@TheRPGP...
It's almost over! After nearly three months of chatting, recording, and discussing, we're at the "random thoughts" section of the Final Fantasy 7 series. Join us as we chat materia, mini games, and that bizarre PC port of this world class RPG.
STARRING
Diana McQueen (@stormvexed on TikTok)
Greg Sewart of the Player One Podcast and Generation 16 (@sewart)
Ian of Nerds Abroadcast (@nerdsabroadcast)
James...
Last week, Barry Carenza shared some impassioned takes on Final Fantasy 7 as a mini franchise in the larger Final Fantasy universe. This week, we have a one on one conversation with Justin Hamm as a counter point. Ranking as his favorite game of all time, FF7 not only marked the beginning of a love for RPG's, it became the catalyst of a lifelong love of the medium in general.
STARRING
Justin Hamm of The Stage Select Podcast
SONG...
For the past few months, we've been speaking heaps of sugar about Final Fantasy 7. But it's not the perfect experience many fans my think. Taking up the position of someone less than enthusiastic about the game is co-founder of Premium Edition Games and co-host of the Nintendo Fuse podcast, Barry Carenza. On this episode, we talk about sky high expectations, FF7 as a franchise and the never ending, always chugging hype tr...
More than the pillars of Cloud, Sephiroth, and Aerith, Final Fantasy 7 is filled to the brim with memorable moments, both big and small. On this week's episode, we discuss everything from dens of ill repute to epic slap fests in our attempt to paint the broadest FF7 picture in podcast history. Thanks for listening!
STARRING (All handles from Twitter)
Eddie Varnell (@thatretrocode) of the Boss Rush Network (@BossRushNetwork)
As we continue down the road of dissecting Final Fantasy 7 like some bizarre Hojo experiment, we arrive at story and themes. From the opening tales of corporate greed and environmental espionage to the eventual themes of literal life versus death, there's a good deal to unpack in this PS1 classic. Listen, won't you?
STARRING (all handles from Twitter)
Eddie Varnell (@thatretrocode) of the Boss Rush Network (@BossRushNetwork...
When lost in the dueling seas of Cloud and Sephiroth, it's easy to forget there's an entire cast backing them up. From the drama of Aerith to the strong-willed Barret, there's plently of gold to be mined in Final Fantasy 7's supporting players. On this episode, we share insights, personal stories, and multiple moments when our jaws hit the floor as we explore the diverse and amazing cast of Final Fantasy 7.
STARR...
The two headed monster of Final Fantasy 7, Cloud and Sephiroth may be the ultimate one/two punch in the entire franchise. Two towering examples of style, power and intrigue, this dynamic duo takes control - and often overpowers - the balance of the cast. Is this for good, bad, or indifferent? Give this episode a listen to find out!
STARRING (all handles from Twitter)
Carson Clark (@DesireeKorrupt)
Diana McQue...
Welcome back to our multi-month exploration of Final Fantasy 7! This week, we continue to share our first impressions and initial thoughts about this incredible, enduring title. Many thanks to all my guests who helped make this possible!
STARRING (all handles from Twitter)
Diana McQueen (@stormvexed on TikTok)
Greg Sewart of the Player One Podcast and Generation 16 (@sewart)
Ian (@teacherbloke
James a...
Before FF7, our first impressions of a game were generally in a home. Huddled around a CRT TV in a friends basement or stuffed on the family couch, experiencing games for the first time was an intimate experience.
But with Final Fantasy 7, we had options. Store kiosks, demo discs, and even the occasional TV commercial. And as a result, our expectations were set accordingly. On this episode, we discuss the myriad of ways w...
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