The Game Informer Show

We finish our End of an Era coverage with a special edition podcast discussing the best games of the last generation. GI Show host Matt Helgeson is joined by GI editors Matt Bertz, Ben Reeves, Kim Wallace, and Kyle Hilliard for a wide-ranging show that touches on our process and reasoning in choosing the best games of the last generation. (Please visit the site to view this media)

In this week's Game Informer show we have an in-depth discussion about some of the week's biggest news topics and chart the appeal and breakout success of the MOBA genre. First up, GI news editor Mike Futter joins host Matt Helgeson to talk about some of the big stories of the week, including Uncharted creator Amy Hennig's new job at Visceral Games helming a new, unannounced Star Wars project, Amazon's foray into the Android console market, and new leader for Microsoft's Xbox division. In the second segment, Matt is joined by GI PC editor Daniel Tack and intern Cameron Koch to talk about Hi-Rez Games' excellent Smite, and a deeper discussion about the rise of the MOBA genre, from its origins to its bright future. (Please visit the site to view this media)

We've seen Batman: Arkham Knight in action and we're excited to talk about it. We've recorded this special edition of the podcast to go along with our April cover story on Rocksteady's final Arkham game. We've gathered some of the better questions from the community, attempted to answer them, and even added a new theory or two. Listen to the podcast below to hear Bryan Vore, Jeff Cork, and Ben Hanson talk exclusively and extensively about Batman: Arkham Knight. (Please visit the site to view this media) To learn more about Batman: Arkham Knight, stay tuned to our constantly updating hub of exclusive content by clicking on the banner below. You can also follow our Batman: Arkham Knight updates and other stories by following Game Informer on Twitter, Google+, and Facebook.

It's been a crazy week in virtual reality, from the unveiling of Sony's Morpheus to Facebook's huge acquisition of Oculus Rift. We give our take on this emerging market, and talk about some great new games. In the first segment, host Matt Helgeson is joined by GI editor in chief Andy McNamara and GI news editor Mike Futter to talk about Oculus Rift's Facebook deal, Sony's new VR headset, and the other competitors in this quickly evolving niche.  Next up, we have a trio of GI editors – Joe Juba, Matt Miller, and Daniel Tack – who stop by to give their opinions on some of the week's high-profile new releases: DIablo III: Reaper of Souls, BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea Episode 2, and Mercenary Kings. Finally, a surprise guest from Game Informer's past stops by to talk about Stardock's Galactic Civilization III (hint: it's not Darth Clark). (Please visit the site to view this media)

This week we discuss two high profile releases, and one indie gem. First up is Sucker Punch's PlayStation 4 exclusive Infamous: Second Son. It's one of the first really significant PS4 exclusives, and reviewer Andy Reiner stops by to tell us if it lives up to the hype. In the second segment, Joe Juba and Bryan Vore join host Matt Helgeson to talk about Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes, the controversial "prologue" to MGS V: The Phantom Pain. Many gamers are wondering if this short experience is worth a purchase, and Joe and Bryan are frank about their concerns and problems with the game. Finally, Tim Turi and Dan Ryckert are on hand to talk about Luftrauser, an infectious shooter that recalls some old school arcade classics with a new twist. (Please visit the site to view this media)

The Game Informer show breaks down three huge releases this week. First off, host Matt Helgeson and GI editors Matt Bertz, Dan Ryckert, Tim Turi, and Matt Miller discuss Respawn's epic multiplayer title Titanfall. In the second segment, PC editor Dan Tack and Andrew Reiner go in depth on the challenging Dark Souls II. Finally, we wrap things up with Dan Tack and GI editor in chief Andy McNamara talking about Blizzard's online collectible card game Hearthstone. (Please visit the site to view this media)

We break down South Park: The Stick of Truth, the latest chapter in The Walking Dead: Season Two, and ponder what Amy Hennig's departure means for Naughty Dog. First up is South Park. With numerous delays and changing hands between publishers THQ and Ubisoft, Obsidian's comedic RPG has had a troubled development. Frankly, we worried about it. Thankfully, Dan Ryckert and Ben Hanson are here to tell you why it's a triumph – no small thanks due to the heavy involvement of show creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker. In the second segment, host Matt Helgeson leads a discussion with Andy Reiner and Kim Wallace regarding some sad news: Uncharted creative director Amy Hennig has left Naughty Dog and apparently not under good terms. We talk about Hennig's considerable legacy and ponder the reasons for her departure. Also, we discuss what this might mean to the upcoming Uncharted game for PlayStation 4. Finally, Kim returns to talk about her review of The Walking Dead: Season Two – A House Divided. This chapter ups the tension considerably, and Kim says it can stand among the best chapters of the first season. Listen in to find out why. (Please visit the site to view this media)

We hope you've enjoyed our March cover story on Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes and The Phantom Pain and the month of exclusive content that we've been rolling out in our online hub, but we wanted to give the community a chance to ask any burning questions that we might have missed. We rounded up Metal Gear super-fan Joe Juba and the three editors that flew to Japan to speak with Hideo Kojima for the cover story Tim Turi, Dan Ryckert, and Ben Hanson to answer questions from our community about the upcoming games. We should warn you on a couple of fronts: this episode gets into some nitty-gritty details of Metal Gear lore and we do not spoil the end of Ground Zeroes. (Please visit the site to view this media) For more information on Metal Gear Solid V, Kojima Productions, and the Metal Gear saga, click our link below and visit our hub. Be sure to check back throughout the rest of February for a few more exclusive Metal Gear Solid stories. You can also follow our Metal Gear Solid V updates and other stories by following Game Informer on Twitter, Google+, and Facebook. There is also the official Metal Gear Solid Facebook page and Konami on Twitter.

We discuss the surprise closing of BioShock developer Irrational Games, and talk about Carbine Studio's promising new MMO WildStar. In the first segment, host Matt Helgeson is joined by Joe Juba and Matt Bertz to discuss the recent news that Irrational Games has closed up shop. BioShock creator Ken Levine will continue at 2K with a much smaller, 15-person team, but working on much smaller scale projects. We ponder the possible reasons for the news and what -- if any future -- the BioShock franchise has. The second segment is much cheerier, as we're joined by Carbine's Stephan Frost, design producer of the promising new MMORPG WildStar. Matt Miller and new GI PC editor Daniel Tack are on hand to ask Frost questions about the studio's vision for the game and gameplay details of the game's playable beta. Note: This is a bit short. We got hit with a huge blizzard and closed the office today. I had to use the two segments I was able to tape yesterday before the storm. We'll catch up on some of the new releases we missed next week. (Please visit the site to view this media)

We discuss the end of the Final Fantasy XIII trilogy, and the recent flap over Flappy Bird. In the first segment, GI's reviews editor Joe Juba stops by discuss his review of Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII. Joe is a lifelong Final Fantasy fan, but the XIII series has left him somewhat cold. We break down his feelings about its conclusion in detail, highlighting the game's strengths and weaknesses. Next up, Jeff Cork joins host Matt Helgeson to discuss the strange saga of Flappy Bird. (Please visit the site to view this media)

This week, we discuss a very diverse selection of games: the latest chapter in The Wolf Among Us, the JPRG Bravely Default, and the oddball indie Octodad: Dadliest Catch. First up is Telltale Games' long-awaited second chapter of The Wolf Among Us. In this case, "long-awaited" isn't just a cliche – it's been four months since the first chapter, which has had fans a bit concerned about the status of the episodic experience. Now that it's out, Kim Wallace reviewed it for Game Informer, and is on hand to discuss what this new chapter does right and wrong. Next up, Kim sticks around with host Matt Helgeson and the pair are joined by Jeff Marchiafava and Tim Turi to talk about the new 3DS JRPG Bravely Default. Its a new franchise, but it's got strong ties and similarities to the Final Fantasy series – as well as some interesting innovations in its turn-based combat system. Finally, Matt Miller and Ben Reeves are on hand to talk about divisive new indie game Octodad: Dadliest Catch. It's been getting a wide range of varying review scores, and Miller tells us why he thinks the game -- while admirably innovative -- doesn't fulfill its promise. (Please visit the site to view this media)

We're nearing the end of our month of exclusive coverage of Evolve, the next game from the developers of Left 4 Dead. With all of the information that we've released on the game so far, we wanted to give our community a chance to fill any gaps and ask one of the game's developers for more information. On this special edition of the podcast, we are joined by the co-founder of Turtle Rock Studios 2.0 and Evolve's lead designer, Chris Ashton. Listen to the podcast below or subscribe on iTunes to learn more about the variety of monsters in the game, how the game is more than just one multiplayer-only mode, and when you can expect to see gameplay footage. Also, we should point out that the music in the podcast is not from the game but from local musician Sam Keenan. (Please visit the site to view this media) Click on the banner below to enter our hub for exclusive content for Evolve that will be revealed throughout the month. You can also follow our Evolve updates and other stories by following Game Informer on Twitter, Google+, and Facebook.

On this week's episode, we talk about Double Fine's long-awaited Kickstarted adventure Broken Age, discuss the current YouTube controversy, and play Back of the Box Trivia. First up, Ben Hanson, Ben Reeves, and Kyle Hilliard join Matt Helgeson to discuss Broken Age. We talk about the game's quality, development delays, and the fascinating documentary that's chronicled the entire project. In the second segment, we bring back Back of the Box Trivia, hosted by mastermind Ben Hanson. Matt, Tim Turi, Dan Ryckert, and Kyle engage in tense trivia combat. Finally, GI news editor Michael Futter joins us via phone from his New Jersey lair, to discuss the controversy over Microsoft and EA possibly paying YouTube game personalities to mention their products favorably. (Please visit the site to view this media)

Our year-end picks are out in the wild, and now we're ready to have a freewheeling discussion about which game made the cut, and which games didn't. Host Matt Helgeson is joined by GI editor in chief Andy McNamara, Andy Reiner, Matt Bertz, and Joe Juba for a lengthy discussion of the best games of 2013. (Please visit the site to view this media)

The annual Consumer Electronics Show is taking place this week, and it brought with it some big announcements from the likes of Sony and Valve. Also, we got ourselves a shiny new PC editor. In the first segment, host Matt Helgeson is joined by Matt Bertz and Andy Reiner, as we discuss some of the cool announcements and gadgets from CES, most notably a bevy of new Steam Box models and Sony's ambitious streaming game service PlayStation Now. In the second segment, we're pleased to welcome a new member of Game Informer to the fold. Daniel Tack is our new PC editor, and we're happy to have him. You can read a bit more about Daniel in his introductory blog, then listen in to hear from him and his thoughts on PC gaming and his new gig. (Please visit the site to view this media)