If you don't know your BFGs from your super shotguns this might be exactly the DOOM for you, a great entry point for newbie Doomslayers.

Read our full review here: DOOM: THE DARK AGES gives you far more choice to play the way you like

A copy of DOOM: THE DARK AGES on PC was provided to SIFTER for the purpose of this review.

Pocket Casts: You can now rate the show on Pocket Casts, give us a five star review learn more by heading here https://pocketcasts.com/ratings

Apple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Smith, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Cat Jahne is Social Producer, Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia and Apple for their support of SIFTER.

Gianni pops on the nostalgia goggles for a trip down memory lane.

Read our review and check out all the screenshots here: THE ELDER SCROLLS IV: OBLIVION REMASTERED is almost exactly as you remember it and that's excellent

‍Pocket Casts: You can now rate the show on Pocket Casts, give us a five star review learn more by heading here https://pocketcasts.com/ratings 

Apple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Smith, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Cat Jahne is Social Producer, Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia and Apple for their support of SIFTER.

Read our review here: The Dark Queen of Mortholme: A Short but Brilliant Subversion of the Hero’s Journey

Pocket Casts: You can now rate the show on Pocket Casts, give us a five star review learn more by heading here https://pocketcasts.com/ratings

Apple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Smith, Adam Christou, Chris Button and Cat Jahne. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia and Apple for their support of SIFTER.

Did your favourite game make the cut this year? Let us know on Discord, or leave us a rating or review.

Read our written reviews for our 2024 picks on our website.

Pocket Casts: You can now rate the show on Pocket Casts, give us a five star review learn more by heading here https://pocketcasts.com/ratings

Apple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Smith, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia and Apple for their support of SIFTER.

From blushing at the grim reaper in the computer to analysing how women's sexuality is catered to in video games, this episode of Drop Rate has it all.

Pocket Casts: You can now rate the show on Pocket Casts, give us a five star review learn more by heading here https://pocketcasts.com/ratings

Apple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Smith, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia and Apple for their support of SIFTER.

Chris Button is joined by SIFTER's own Kyle Pauletto and freelance journalist David Smith (Rhunwords) as they make heads and tails of it all.

Clicking on things is fun, that's what CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS 6 delivers in spades.

Apple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.

Pocket Casts: You can now rate the show on Pocket Casts, give us a five star review learn more by heading here https://pocketcasts.com/ratings

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Smith, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

Chris Button and Gianni Di Giovanni share their thoughts on Ubisoft's take on the world of Star Wars, what worked, what didn't and why Massive is only the name of the studio that made it, not the world.

Read our full review here: STAR WARS OUTLAWS is a fun open world adventure that feels perfectly intimate and vast

Apple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Smith, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

Chris Button sits down with SIFTER Executive Producer Gianni Di Giovanni to unpack the mythical Underworld and see if HADES II lives up to the hype of its predecessor.

With two separate runs with slightly different mechanics and environment, so even from the get-go the game offers a lot even though it’s in early access. With plenty of polish to come and hours of playtime to even just scratch the surface, it’s looking good for whatever the final product turns out to be.

Apple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Borrett, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

Stephanie Panecasio (GamesHub) and David Smith (Kotaku Australia) join Drop Rate to unpack the many layers of this flashy action RPG. Stellar Blade's methodical and stylish combat consistently proves to be a highlight, while its derivative paint-by-numbers structure slows it down.

And that's even before talking about the platforming, well the less said, the better, but there is one thing we can all agree on, however: the gruesome boss designs rule.

Amidst the noise surrounding Stellar Blade, it doesn't necessarily do anything new. For the most part, it plays to its hard-hitting strengths, as familiar as they may be to anyone familiar with FromSoftware's catalogue but as far as homages and takes on well-worn formulas go, Stellar Blade is among the better examples.

Even if it doesn't take everyone's fancy.

A copy of STELLAR BLADE on PlayStation 5 was provide to SIFTER for the purpose of this review.

Apple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Borrett, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

Chris Button sits down with SIFTER Executive Producer Gianni Di Giovanni to explore the world of Fevrith, making allies and the unfortunately pervy character designs in overall wonderful game.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Borrett, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

Leah Williams (GamesHub) joins Chris Button on the latest episode of Drop Rate to race on chocobos, chill in Costa Del Sol and take the fight to Sephiroth

A copy of FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH on PlayStation 5 was provided to SIFTER for the purposes of this review.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Borrett, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

BANDLE TALE: A LEAGUE OF LEGENDS STORY captures the magic and whimsy of the lore behind one of League of Legends’ cutest and most mysterious races. You’ll craft, explore and converse with a sentient sock, and if that doesn’t convince you to play, maybe we’ll be able to with this episode of Drop Rate.

Drop Rate host Courtney Borrett is joined by Emily Spindler and Sofia Casanova as they discuss this charming RPG

A copy of BANDLE TALE: A LEAGUE OF LEGENDS STORY on PC was provided to SIFTER for the purposes of this review.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Borrett, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

It's all part of the shtick which really amps up the forever war jingoistic world of Super Earth as you blast across planets in the name of 'Managed Democracy'. There has to be sacrifice in the name of freedom right? Good, well jump in this pod soldier.

Drop Rate host Chris Button is joined by SIFTER's Adam Christou as they dig it just why everyone is playing this game.

A copy of HELLDIVERS 2 on PlayStation 5 and PC was provided to SIFTER for the purposes of this review.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Borrett, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to

Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

Charlie Kelly (Checkpoint Gaming) and Jam Walker (Kotaku Australia, GamesHub) join Chris as they visit Yokohama and Hawaii in search of madcap adventures.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Borrett, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

If you treat this new version as premium DLC for the game you already own, the cut content, commentary and new roguelike mode No Return makes for an enjoyable return to this series.

Chris Button sits down with SIFTER Executive Producer Gianni Di Giovanni as they enjoy a look behind the curtain.

A copy of THE LAST OF US PART II REMASTERED on PlayStation 5 was provided to SIFTER for the purposes of this review.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Borrett, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

• Mitch - HI-FI RUSH
• Fiona & Kyle: - THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: TEARS OF THE KINGDOM
• Adam - BALDUR'S GATE 3
• Courtney - FINAL FANTASY XVI
• Gianni - DREDGE
• Chris - ALAN WAKE 2

What is your favourite game released this year? Let us know by leaving us a review on your favourite podcast player and we'll give you a shout out when we return in 2024.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Borrett, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

Ruby Innes (Pocket Buds) and Adam Christou (SIFTER) join Chris for a big discussion about finding representation in Daisy, why elephant Mario is hot and the incredible sound design that wraps it all together.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Borrett, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

James O'Connor (Kotaku, Gameshub) and Fergus Halliday (Reviews,org) join Chris for a wild ride that pushes the boundaries of video games.

 You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

Fiona Bartholomaeus (SIFTER, RTRFM) joins Chris Button in an ultimate team up as they take on their experiences with webslinger.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

Find out if the track is full of potholes, or if Alice thinks Turn 10 Studios racing game can make up for lost time.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

Read our review of the game, then listen to Chris and Gianni share their thoughts.

A copy of ASSASSIN'S CREED MIRAGE on Xbox Series X|S was provided to SIFTER for the purpose of this review.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

Does it live up to the hype after years of development and delays? Well it depends on what type of player you are, but there is lots of fun to be had here.

Jess Zammit (Player2.net.au) joins SIFTER's own Gianni Di Giovanni for a galaxy spanning adventure.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou, Omi Koulas and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

The mech combat genre isn't for everyone, but if you're an ELDEN RING fan wanting to branch out into some of the best feeling combat yet, this might be your opportunity.

Omi Koulas (Checkpoint Gaming) joins Chris to discuss why this is was such a delight.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou, Omi Koulas and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

Twisting Greek Mythology into a modern day tale of existentialism with songs, Stray Gods follows Grace, a young woman suddenly thrust into godhood - all while being framed for murder.

Christie McQualter (GamesHub) and James Wood (WellPlayed) joined Drop Rate to discuss their nuanced perspectives on a game that will divide opinions. Narratively and thematically, Stray Gods resonates deeply, and the on-screen representation shines through the diverse talent behind the game. Musically, however, is where Stray Gods lands inconsistently.

A copy of STRAY GODS: THE ROLEPLAYING MUSICAL on PC was provided to SIFTER for the purpose of this review.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou, Omi Koulas and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

An absolute mouthful of a title aside, Rain Code delivers on the high stakes drama and convoluted murder mysteries expected of the talent behind the scenes. And while the overall presentation and strong aesthetic is arguably the best I've seen from this development team, not everything has progressed quite so linearly.

Taking the analysis even further, Oliver Brandt (GLFH, Vooks) and Jess Zammit (Player 2, Represent Me) discuss Rain Code in even more depth

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou and Omi Koulas. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

Sharing more in common at times with the Devil May Cry series and God of War reboots than its predecessors, Final Fantasy XVI is a fascinating shakeup of a long-beloved franchise. Many legacy touchstones persist, like the summons system – in addition to adorable Chocobos and Moogles – but the epic action-based combat is an unlikely highlight.

Series admirers Adam Christou (SIFTER, Triple R) and Persephone Ranson (GamesHub) join this episode of DROP RATE to discuss just how the Final Fantasy series got to this point, and why despite its problems, XVI captivates more than it grates.

We don't even mention naked chain-bound muscly protagonists, but that we were all definitely thinking of them.

You can listen to DROP RATE wherever you get your podcasts from, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

A copy of Final Fantasy XVI on PlayStation 5 was provided to SIFTER for the purpose of this review discussion.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by:

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou , Omi Koulas and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

Ruby Innes (Back Pocket) and Courtney Borrett (Power Up, Kotaku Australia) join us this episode to explain why this modern take on the classic game is one of the best in the series to revisit.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou , Omi Koulas and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

My name is Chris Button and I’ll be your host as we explore the biggest and also smaller new release video games on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch and PC. 

I’ll be joined each episode by some of the best games writers the internet has to offer and together we talk about how each game made us feel and importantly what it made us think.

So buckle up and get ready for some great conversations about games.

You can get every episode for free just search for Drop Rate and SIFTER on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, on YouTube or head to our website SIFTER.com.au.

--

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou and Omi Koulas. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

Check out the full list on our website: The Best Video Game Soundtracks of 2022 with Meena Shamaly

Support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by buying us a coffee on KoFi or some merch on the SIFTER STORE

Join the SIFTER Discord to be part of the conversation

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Omny Studio for their support of SIFTER.

Support the show: https://sifter.store

You can read a full write up of our favourites on the SIFTER website. SIFTER's 2022 Games of the Year

Support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by buying us a coffee on KoFi or some merch on the SIFTER STORE

Join the SIFTER Discord to be part of the conversation

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Omny Studio for their support of SIFTER.

Support the show: https://sifter.store

Fans of history and the evolution of culture are in for something pretty special as you walk the labyrinth in contemplation of God, each decision weighing heavily on you, each decision determining what survives and what gets painted over.

Read a written version of this story on the SIFTER website: PENTIMENT is one of the most surprising games of this year

Support the show: https://sifter.store

Read a written review on our website: GOTHAM KNIGHTS is a frustrating open world adventure which isn't as fun as just being Batman

A copy of GOTHAM KNIGHTS on PC and Xbox Series X|S was provided to SIFTER for the purpose of this review. 

Support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by buying us a coffee on KoFi or some merch on the SIFTER STORE

Join the SIFTER Discord to be part of the conversation

SIFTER is produced by Nicholas Kennedy, Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Omny Studio for their support of SIFTER.

Support the show: https://sifter.store

Adam Christou, Mitch Loh and Gianni Di Giovanni share their first impressions of Blizzard's once legendary game.

SIFTER is produced by Nicholas Kennedy, Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Thanks to Omny Studio for their support of SIFTER.

Join the SIFTER Discord to be part of the conversation

Support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by buying us a coffee on KoFi or some merch on the SIFTER STORE

Support the show: https://sifter.store

But this game is for better and worse the ultimate version of that 2013 title, which means if you've experienced Joel and Ellie's first story, you've played this excellent game.

Read our written review on the SIFTER website: THE LAST OF US PART 1 will make you wish this was your very first playthrough

Thanks to Edmond Tran of GamesHub for joining us on this episode

A copy of THE LAST OF US PART 1 was provided to SIFTER for the purpose of this review.

SIFTER is produced by Nicholas Kennedy, Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Thanks to Omny Studio for their support of SIFTER.

Join the SIFTER Discord to be part of the conversation

Support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by buying us a coffee on KoFi or some merch on the SIFTER STORE

Support the show: https://sifter.store

Chris Button (Byteside) joins Mainstream to discuss Massive Monster's excellent cult simulator.

Read our written review on the SIFTER website: CULT OF THE LAMB is devilishly addictive game with lots of fun systems to play with

A copy of CULT OF THE LAMB was provided to SIFTER for the purpose of this review.

SIFTER is produced by Nicholas Kennedy, Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Thanks to Omny Studio for their support of SIFTER.

Join the SIFTER Discord to be part of the conversation

Support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by buying us a coffee on KoFi or some merch on the SIFTER STORE

Support the show: https://sifter.store

Heavily influenced by the neon streets of Hong Kong and Kowloon walled city, the game doesn't meaningfully engage with the orientalist imagery in a deep level, as Sisi Jiang from Kotaku succinctly identifies, it can feel a bit uncomfortable.

Read our written review on the SIFTER website: STRAY is at it's best when you're just being a cat roving through the world

SIFTER is produced by Nicholas Kennedy, Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Thanks to Omny Studio for their support of SIFTER.

Join the SIFTER Discord to be part of the conversation

Support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by buying us a coffee on KoFi or some merch on the SIFTER STORE

Support the show: https://sifter.store

Read our written review on the SIFTER website: FIRE EMBLEM WARRIORS: THREE HOPES is a welcome return to Fódlan and a fun twist on the WARRIORS series

A copy of FIRE EMBLEM WARRIORS: THREE HOPES was provided to SIFTER for the purpose of this review.

SIFTER is produced by Nicholas Kennedy, Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Thanks to Omny Studio for their support of SIFTER.

Join the SIFTER Discord to be part of the conversation

Support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by buying us a coffee on KoFi or some merch on the SIFTER STORE

Support the show: https://sifter.store

SIFTER is produced by Nicholas Kennedy, Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Thanks to Omny Studio for their support of SIFTER.

Join the SIFTER Discord to be part of the conversation

Support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by heading to the SIFTER STORE

Support the show: https://sifter.store

NINTENDO SWITCH SPORTS is a slick sequel with plenty of innovation and polish that could become another cult classic.

Read our written review on the SIFTER website: NINTENDO SWITCH SPORTS is a stylish and fun multiplayer game, but online progression for cosmetics is a chore

A copy of NINTENDO SWITCH SPORTS was provided to SIFTER for the purpose of this review.

SIFTER is produced by Nicholas Kennedy, Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Thanks to Omny Studio for their support of SIFTER.

Join the SIFTER Discord to be part of the conversation

Support the show: https://sifter.store

Read our written review on the SIFTER website: TREK TO YOMI, a side scrolling samurai epic and a visual treat

A copy of TREK TO YOMI was provided to SIFTER for the purpose of this review.

SIFTER is produced by Nicholas Kennedy, Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Thanks to Omny Studio for their support of SIFTER.

Join the SIFTER Discord to be part of the conversation

Support the show: https://sifter.store

Step into the highschool drama of budding relationships, interschool rivalries in Sakura High School just before the world ends and you need to jump into the cockpit of a Sentinel robot to defeat the mechanised kaiju. 

Read our written review on the SIFTER website: A masterful branching scifi story, 13 SENTINELS: AEGIS RIM is a must play on Nintendo Switch

A copy of 13 SENTINELS: AEGIS RIM was provided to SIFTER for the purpose of this review.

SIFTER is produced by Nicholas Kennedy, Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Thanks to Omny Studio for their support of SIFTER.

Join the SIFTER Discord to be part of the conversation

Support the show: https://sifter.store

Fiona and Gianni explore this fun new adventure for the most powerful pink ball around which is out now on Nintendo Switch.

Read our written review on the SIFTER website: Get absorbed in KIRBY AND THE FORGOTTEN LAND

SIFTER is produced by Nicholas Kennedy, Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Thanks to Omny Studio for their support of SIFTER.

Join the SIFTER Discord to be part of the conversation

Support the show: https://sifter.store

Gianni a relative newbie to BORDERLANDS series joins Mitch a long time veteran as they enter the Wonderlands which performs a lot better on new consoles.

A copy of TINY TINA'S WONDERLANDS was provided to SIFTER for the purpose of this review.

SIFTER is produced by Nicholas Kennedy, Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Thanks to Omny Studio for their support of SIFTER.

• Join the SIFTER Discord
• Check out Lightmap our game developer interview podcast
• Check out Walkthrough our weekly video game news podcast

Support the show: https://sifter.store

READ OUR REVIEW: WEIRD WEST wants you to play creatively and experiment with its systems

WEIRD WEST wants to push back at you. It wants to make every step you take through its dust covered; occult landscape feel layered with consequence. Who are you?  How does the world react to you and your choices?  Are the people you’ve wronged going to get their revenge? Why did that witch give you a mysterious box and should you open it?

Adam joins Gianni to share this action RPG that plays more like an immersive sim. '

A copy of WEIRD WEST was provided to SIFTER for the purpose of this review.

SIFTER is produced by Nicholas Kennedy, Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Thanks to Omny Studio for their support of SIFTER.

• Join the SIFTER Discord
• Support SIFTER by buying our Australian made T-Shirts

Support the show: https://sifter.store

This action adventure game set in a world of spirits and magic, is an ambitious departure for Tango Gameworks (THE EVIL WITHIN) but while you can explore much of spooky Shibuya there isn't much motivation to do so, as you find yourself repeating similar tasks over and over.

Edmond Tran, Managing Editor of Gameshub joins Mainstream to share thoughts on a game that does a lot of things right, but feels conflicted in it's design. You can read Ed's review of GHOSTWIRE TOKYO here

A copy of GHOSTWIRE TOKYO was provided to SIFTER for the purpose of this review.

SIFTER is produced by Nicholas Kennedy, Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Thanks to Omny Studio for their support of SIFTER.

• Join the SIFTER Discord
• Support SIFTER by buying our Australian made T-Shirts

Support the show: https://sifter.store

This massive, open-world adventure-rpg continues to build on the legacy and foundation of FromSoftware's previous works in DARK SOULS and BLOODBORNE, throwing players into a dark fantasy world filled with rich lore and difficult boss fights and challenging encounters to overcome.

Sifter producer Adam Christou joins Gianni for a chat about his time in ELDEN RING, having just finished the game to completion, defeating every boss in the lands between over the course of 110 hours of gameplay.

Note: this is a very light chat as far as spoilers go, you should be fine to dive in with minimal discussion of locations, plot resolutions and lore. 

SIFTER is produced by Nicholas Kennedy, Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Thanks to Omny Studio for their support of SIFTER.

• Join the SIFTER Discord
• Support SIFTER by buying our Australian made T-Shirts

Support the show: https://sifter.store

An early contender for one of the most beautiful games ever produced this game takes the open world exploration and combat of the first game, and fills in the gaps to make a believable human world.

John Rogers of Gaming in the Wild joins Mainstream to share stories of this hard scifi world and the 4GB of captures taken in this stunning visual feast.

SIFTER is produced by Nicholas Kennedy, Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

• Join the SIFTER Discord
• Support SIFTER by buying our Australian made T-Shirts

Support the show: https://sifter.store

In a semi-open world where danger is all around you, this game feels like the closest to actually living the world of the anime series.

Mitchel Loh and Gianni Di Giovanni share their thoughts on their adventures in the ancient land of Hisui.

A review code of this game was provided to SIFTER by Nintendo Australia.

SIFTER is produced by Nicholas Kennedy, Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

• Join the SIFTER Discord
• Support SIFTER by buying our Australian made T-Shirts

Support the show: https://sifter.store

Your host on each episode of Walkthrough is Kyle Pauletto, an accomplished journalist with a keen interest in bringing you the best gaming stories each week 

THIS WEEK:

• Nintendo outlines 2022 and beyond in it's first Direct - Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes, Mario Kart 8 DLC, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Earthbound
• GTA V sells 160 million copies ahead of PS5 Xbox Series X re-release
• Activision Blizzard games will remain on Playstation after Microsoft acquisition
• EA won't release Sims 4 My Wedding Stories in Russia due to restrictions on LGBT+ content
• Halo composers try to requst injuction on release of Halo TV series due to remuneration dispute
• Inside the Team17 after announced then cancelled Worms NFT project
• Indie video game marketplace calls NFTs "a scam"

SIFTER is produced by Nicholas Kennedy, Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

• Join the SIFTER Discord
• Support SIFTER by buying our Australian made video game inspired shirts

Support the show: https://sifter.store

In this game you change form into bodybuilders, rats, mermaids and necromancers to complete quests, delve through dungeons and fight off the calamity facing everyone.

Adam is joined by guest reviewer Chantelle McColl (GamesHub, Byteside) to discuss this game with both fantastic and frustrating design elements that has work its way into their brains and their hearts.

SIFTER is produced by Nicholas Kennedy, Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

• Join the SIFTER Discord
• Support SIFTER by buying our Australian made video game inspired shirts

Support the show: https://sifter.store

• Gianni Di Giovanni has been loving the historical touches and puzzle solving narrative of THE FORGOTTEN CITY by Modern Storyteller
• Adam Christou has become lost in the beautiful desert world of science fiction adventure SABLE by Shedworks
• Daniel Ang has strapped on the armor and jumped head first onto Delta Halo in HALO INFINITE by 343 Industries.

SIFTER is produced by Nicholas Kennedy, Viv Thum, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

• Join the SIFTER Discord
• Support SIFTER by buying our merch

Support the show: https://sifter.store

• Nicholas Kennedy shares the genre-subverting MUNDAUN by Hidden Fields, a horror game that brought a lot of joy
• Fiona Bartholomaeus teams up with a rag tag crew in Marvel's GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY by Eidos-Montreal
• Mitchel Loh takes time to put everything in it's right place in UNPACKING by Witch Beam Games

SIFTER is produced by Nicholas Kennedy, Viv Thum, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

• Join the SIFTER Discord
• Support SIFTER by buying our merch

Support the show: https://sifter.store

With a semi open world structure, 343 Industries pulls from your memories of what HALO was like to play and reframes it in a modern context.

Guest reviewer Chris Button (Gameshub, Byteside, Mobile Arcade Club) joins Mainstream again to jump back into the shoes of the Master Chief.

SIFTER is produced by Nicholas Kennedy, Scott Quigg, Sarah Ireland, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh is our Senior Producer, Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Brian Fairbanks from Salty Dog Sounds composed the Mainstream theme music.

• Join the SIFTER Discord
• Support SIFTER by buying our merch

Support the show: https://sifter.store

Take on the role of an unnamed crow as you reap the souls of the dead, in a game that's part rogue-lite part, bullet-hell, part narrative adventure

Guest reviewer Chris Button (Gameshub, Byteside, Mobile Arcade Club) joins Mainstream to share his thoughts on a game he throughly enjoyed.

A copy of DEATH'S DOOR for Nintendo Switch was provided to SIFTER for the purpose of this review

SIFTER is produced by Nicholas Kennedy, Scott Quigg, Sarah Ireland, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh is our Senior Producer, Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Brian Fairbanks from Salty Dog Sounds composed the Mainstream theme music.

• Join the SIFTER Discord
• Support SIFTER by buying our merch

Support the show: https://sifter.store

SIFTER is produced by Nicholas Kennedy, Scott Quigg, Sarah Ireland, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh is our Senior Producer, Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Brian Fairbanks from Salty Dog Sounds composed the Mainstream theme music.

Support the show: https://sifter.store

Games journalist Chantelle McColl (GamesHub, Byteside) and METROID series veteran joins Mainstream to share her thoughts on the game.

A challenging entry into the series with lots of new features, there is plenty here to love, but some challenging controls and old fashioned legacy design in parts might leave some new players scratching their heads.

SIFTER is produced by Scott Quigg, Sarah Ireland, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh is our Senior Producer, Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Brian Fairbanks from Salty Dog Sounds composed the Mainstream theme music.

Support the show: https://sifter.store

A beautiful unparalleled visual feast that feels like you're playing in an animated feature film and an impressive debut, KENA: BRIDGE OF SPIRITS is not without it's limitations

James Morrison speaks to Adam Christou about what they loved and what left them wanting on this episode of our podcast Mainstream.

A copy of this game was provided to SIFTER for the purposes of this review.

SIFTER is produced by Scott Quigg, Sarah Ireland, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh is our Senior Producer, Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Brian Fairbanks from Salty Dog Sounds composed the Mainstream theme music.

Support the show: https://sifter.store

A copy of this game was provided to SIFTER for the purposes of this review.

SIFTER is produced by Scott Quigg, Sarah Ireland, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh is our Senior Producer, Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Brian Fairbanks from Salty Dog Sounds composed the Mainstream theme music.

Support the show: https://sifter.store

Pixel Sift is produced by Scott Quigg, Sarah Ireland, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh is our Senior Producer, Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Brian Fairbanks from Salty Dog Sounds composed the Mainstream theme music.

Support the show: https://sifter.store

Warhammer 40,000 Battlesector is that game, which has been released this week to rave reviews exploring the stories of the Blood Angels Space Marine chapter in their clashes with the beastial Tyranids.

WATCH A VIDEO VERSION THIS STORY HERE: Warhammer 40,000 Battlesector - How a small team in Western Australia made one of the best 40K games

Pixel Sift is produced by Scott Quigg, Sarah Ireland, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh is our Senior Producer, Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Brian Fairbanks from Salty Dog Sounds composed the Mainstream theme music.

Support the show: https://sifter.store

Pixel Sift is produced by Scott Quigg, Sarah Ireland, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh is our Senior Producer, Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Brian Fairbanks from Salty Dog Sounds composed the Mainstream theme music.

Support the show: https://sifter.store

Pixel Sift is produced by Scott Quigg, Sarah Ireland, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh is our Senior Producer, Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Brian Fairbanks from Salty Dog Sounds composed the Mainstream theme music.

Support the show: https://sifter.store

Pixel Sift is produced by Scott Quigg, Sarah Ireland, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh is our Senior Producer, Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Brian Fairbanks from Salty Dog Sounds composed the Mainstream theme music.

Support the show: https://sifter.store

Pixel Sift is produced by Scott Quigg, Sarah Ireland, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh is our Senior Producer, Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Brian Fairbanks from Salty Dog Sounds composed the Mainstream theme music.

Support the show: https://sifter.store

Speaking as part of the XRWA conference in Western Australia, John shared lessons from his decades in the games industry, how things have changed and what he thinks about the Bethesda acquisition by Microsoft of which Id Software the company he co-founded is now a part.

Pixel Sift is produced by Scott Quigg, Sarah Ireland, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Thanks to Salty Dog Sounds for some of our promo music.

Support the show: https://sifter.store

He shares what the competitive scene for Valorant is like, how it feels that esports events are coming back in person, and what he does to prepare for a match.

The Red Bull Campus Clutch is open to University teams across the countrywith online qualifiers which running from April 8 to April 16, and you can register on the Red Bull Esports website

Support the show: https://sifter.store

Pixel Sift is produced by Mitch Loh, Scott Quigg, Sarah Ireland, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Brian Fairbanks from Salty Dog Sounds composed the Mainstream theme music.

Support the show: https://sifter.store

Pixel Sift is produced by Scott Quigg, Sarah Ireland, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Mitch Loh, Daniel Ang, Viv Thum & Adam Christou. Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Brian Fairbanks from Salty Dog Sounds composed the Mainstream theme music.

Support the show: https://sifter.store

Gianni: Umurangi Generation by Tali Faulkner
Adam: Hades by Supergiant Games
Daniel: Ori and the Will of the Wisps by Moon Studios
Mitch & Fiona: Moving Out by SMG Studio

Pixel Sift is produced by Scott Quigg, Sarah Ireland, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Mitch Loh, Daniel Ang, Viv Thum & Adam Christou. Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Brian Fairbanks from Salty Dog Sounds composed the Mainstream theme music.

Support the show: https://sifter.store

Pixel Sift is produced by Scott Quigg, Sarah Ireland, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Mitch Loh, Daniel Ang, Viv Thum & Adam Christou. Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Brian Fairbanks from Salty Dog Sounds composed the Mainstream theme music.

Support the show: https://sifter.store

Pixel Sift is produced by Scott Quigg, Sarah Ireland, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Mitch Loh, Daniel Ang, Viv Thum & Adam Christou. Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Brian Fairbanks from Salty Dog Sounds composed the Mainstream theme music.

Support the show: https://sifter.store

Pixel Sift is produced by Scott Quigg, Sarah Ireland, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Mitch Loh, Daniel Ang, Viv Thum & Adam Christou. Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Brian Fairbanks from Salty Dog Sounds composed the Mainstream theme music.

Support the show: https://sifter.store

Thanks to Glumberland and popagenda for providing Pixel Sift with a review code for Ooblets.

Pixel Sift is produced by Scott Quigg, Sarah Ireland, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Mitch Loh, Daniel Ang, Viv Thum & Adam Christou. Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Brian Fairbanks from Salty Dog Sounds composed the Mainstream theme music.

Support the show: https://sifter.store

Senior lecturer at Massey University and lead author of the study Aaron Drummond said there has been a rise in exposure to violent video games, and that in the highest quality studies, the effect is so small that it is indistinguishable from zero.

You can read a written version of this story on the Pixel Sift website: Study of 21,000 participants finds violent video games have no significant effect on behaviour

This episode was reported by Jason Head and Mitchel Loh. Edited by Jason Head. Gianni Di Giovanni is the Executive Producer.

Support the show: https://sifter.store

Thanks to Metronomik and Five Star Games for providing Pixel Sift with a review code for No Straight Roads.

Pixel Sift is produced by Scott Quigg, Sarah Ireland, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Mitch Loh, Daniel Ang, Viv Thum & Adam Christou. Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Brian Fairbanks from Salty Dog Sounds composed the Mainstream theme music.

Support the show: https://sifter.store

In its place is PAX Online, a new digital festival that runs over 9 days between September 12 and 21, streaming content 24 hours a day.

Luke Lancaster of ReedPop Australia shared what it was like when he realised that physical conventions just wouldn't work in 2020 due to COVID-19.

Music in this episode is "Shopping for the Future" by Bit by Bit Bert and you can find it on itch.io

This episode of Pixel Sift is hosted, produced and edited by Executive Producer Gianni Di Giovanni

Support the show: https://sifter.store

Thanks to Mojang Studios, Double 11 and Microsoft Game Studios for providing Pixel Sift with a review code for Minecraft Dungeons.

Pixel Sift is produced by Scott Quigg, Sarah Ireland, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Mitch Loh, Daniel Ang, Viv Thum & Adam Christou. Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Brian Fairbanks from Salty Dog Sounds composed the Mainstream theme music.

Support the show: https://sifter.store

Chris Lee is a coach at the Chiefs Esports Club Academy, his job is to find the up and coming talent and shape them into professionals. 

He’ll be working with the Australian winner of the Red Bull Solo Q tournament, a unique format of the League of Legends game where two players face each other one on one, as they take their skills to the world.

Read a written version of this story here: Scouting for the next League of Legends champion: Coach Chris Lee of Chiefs ESC

This episode of Pixel Sift is hosted by Mitch Loh and produced by Gianni Di Giovanni. Music in this episode is Flute of the Traveler by Harris Heller

Support the show: https://sifter.store

Thanks to Microsoft Game Studios, The Coalition and Splash Damage for providing Pixel Sift with a review code for Gears Tactics.

‍NEWS LINKS

Kotaku: EA Is Releasing Command & Conquer And Red Alert's Source Code

USG: Ted Woolsey Remembers Final Fantasy 6, Evading Nintendo's Censorship Rules, and the Early Days of Localization

‍Pixel Sift is produced by Scott Quigg, Sarah Ireland, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Mitch Loh, Daniel Ang, Viv Thum & Adam Christou. Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Brian Fairbanks from Salty Dog Sounds composed the Mainstream theme music.

Support the show: https://sifter.store

‍NEWS LINKS

Polygon: Gaming friends share how playing together helps them survive quarantine

IGN: The Travis Scott Fortnite Event Is a Completely Immersive Experience

‍Pixel Sift is produced by Scott Quigg, Sarah Ireland, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Mitch Loh, Daniel Ang, Viv Thum & Adam Christou. Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Brian Fairbanks from Salty Dog Sounds composed the Mainstream theme music.

Support the show: https://sifter.store

They shared their experience on getting into professional gaming, whether esports has hit that mainstream moment yet, and what the future looks like.

Thanks to Harris Heller for use of the track "Trendy" in this episode.

You can find a written version of this story here: https://www.pixelsift.com.au/post/jordan-mays-elfishguy-brandon-langiano-raven-on-how-to-level-up-to-competitive-esports

Support the show: https://sifter.store

NEWS LINKS
Kotaku: Accomplishing Things In Animal Crossing Leaves Me Feeling Kinda Bummed
Gamasutra: A bevy of COVID-19 issues lead to delay in planned Final Fantasy XIV update

Pixel Sift is produced by Scott Quigg, Sarah Ireland, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Mitch Loh, Daniel Ang, Viv Thum & Adam Christou. Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Brian Fairbanks from Salty Dog Sounds composed the Mainstream theme music

Support the show: https://sifter.store

Hear how the soundtrack to iD Software's DOOM Eternal came together including the pumping tracks to the quiet ambience, how genre doesn't define Mick's work and why putting together a metal choir was one of the highlights of his career.

Head to our website to find a full written version of this story.

Thanks to Mick Gordon for use of the Doom Eternal sountrack in this story.

Presented by Daniel Ang, produced and edited by Gianni Di Giovanni.

Support the show: https://sifter.store

NEWS LINKS
Kotaku: PlayStation 5 Versus Xbox Series X: The Tech Specs
Itch: Wash Your Hands by Awkward Silence Games

Pixel Sift is produced by Scott Quigg, Sarah Ireland, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Mitch Loh, Daniel Ang, Viv Thum & Adam Christou. Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Brian Fairbanks from Salty Dog Sounds composed the Mainstream theme music

Support the show: https://sifter.store

NEWS LINKS
Kotaku: E3 2020's Host City, Los Angeles, Declares State Of Emergency
Polygon: Death Stranding and Control break BAFTA record with 11 award nominations each

Pixel Sift is produced by Scott Quigg, Sarah Ireland, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Mitch Loh, Daniel Ang, Viv Thum & Adam Christou. Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Brian Fairbanks from Salty Dog Sounds composed the Mainstream theme music

Support the show: https://sifter.store

Viv has been avoiding that death gong in Two Point Hospital, the spiritual successor to Theme Hospital by Two Point Studios ahead of its console release and Mitch has been picking the most colourful characters in Super Smash Brothers Ultimate by Nintendo so he doesn't lose track of them and they fall off the map.

NEWS LINKS
Rock Paper Shotgun: The Doom and Animal Crossing fandoms wish each other luck, are wholesome and lovely
Kotaku: Blizzard Is Working On Animated Overwatch, Diablo Adaptations For Netflix

Pixel Sift is produced by Scott Quigg, Sarah Ireland, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Mitch Loh, Daniel Ang, Viv Thum & Adam Christou. Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Support the show: https://sifter.store

Sarah has been darting and diving her way through team shooter Dirty Bomb by Splash Damage and Daniel has been teaming up to play his way through Left 4 Dead 2 by Valve introducing his brother to PC gaming at the same time.

NEWS LINKS
PC Gamer: Fallout 76 coming to Steam in April, with big human NPC expansion
Polygon: Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser leaving the company

Pixel Sift is produced by Scott Quigg, Sarah Ireland, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Mitch Loh, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Support the show: https://sifter.store

Adam has been carving up the frozen tundra in Capcom's Monster Hunter World: Iceborne, and Gianni has started collecting them all in the Pokémon-like monster collecting game Temtem which has just released into Early Access.

NEWS LINKS
Gamespot: Untitled Goose Game Devs Commit 1% Of All Future Earnings To Australian Indigenous Groups
Polygon: The mass Twitch exodus: Why streamers are leaving

Pixel Sift is produced by Scott Quigg, Sarah Ireland, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Mitch Loh, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Support the show: https://sifter.store

Scott has been "tossing a coin to his Witcher" as he and a lot of other people dive back into The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt by CD Project Red, and Mitch has taken to the mobile battlefields of Pico Tanks by Panda Arcade.

NEWS LINKS
Creative Bloq: Designers react to the new PS5 logo (and it's not pretty)
Kotaku: Australian Streamers Raise Over $350,000 For Bushfire Relief

Pixel Sift is produced by Scott Quigg, Sarah Ireland, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Mitch Loh, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Support the show: https://sifter.store

Gianni has been digging into the nostalgia mega-pack Halo Master Chief Collection with the launch of Halo: Reach, and the force is with Adam as he plays Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order.

NEWS LINKS
Polygon: The Game Awards 2019: All the news, trailers, and world premieres
IGN: Fortnite Star Wars Event Shows Off New Rise of Skywalker Clip

Pixel Sift is produced by Scott Quigg, Sarah Ireland, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Mitch Loh, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Subscribe for free to get each episode when it's released!

Support the show: https://sifter.store

This week Mitch has been playing Borderlands 3, a game that fans of the series are going to love and Daniel has stepped into the newly refreshed Metro 2033 Redux taking on post apocalyptic Russia for the first time.

‍NEWS LINKS
DualShockers: Batman: Arkham Legacy Rumored to be the Name of New Entry in the Series
Polygon: Overwatch fans are looking for lore in odd places — including cookbooks

Pixel Sift is produced by Scott Quigg, Sarah Ireland, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Mitch Loh, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Subscribe for free to get each episode when it's released!

Support the show: https://sifter.store

This week Gianni has been playing next entry in the massive franchise Pokémon Shield which is selling like hotcakes despite some initial backlash from fans, and Adam has jumped into Obsidian's next RPG The Outer Worlds, with a strong Fallout and Mass Effect styling.

NEWS LINKS
Vice Gaming: 'World of Warcraft' Changed Video Games and Wrecked Lives
Polygon: Half-Life: Alyx is Valve’s VR-exclusive, full-length prequel to Half-Life 2

Pixel Sift is produced by Scott Quigg, Sarah Ireland, Fiona Bartholomaeus & Mitch Loh, Daniel Ang and Adam Christou. Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Support the show: https://sifter.store

This week Gianni has been playing dreamy arcade game Sayonara Wild Hearts by Swedish developers Simogo, and Daniel has fired up the Xbox 360 to play Team Bondi's classic L.A. Noire.

Pixel Sift is produced by Scott Quigg, Sarah Ireland, Fiona Bartholomaeus & Mitch Loh. Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer.

Support the show: https://sifter.store