Episodes
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This week, Niki presents John with a long dissection of Days Gone, not even remotely a new video game. Still, it is welcome information which it is a game both of them missed when it came out five years ago. Did you know the main character's name is Deacon St. John? Now you do! Also:
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of ChornobylCall of Duty: Black Ops 6YIIK: A Postmodern RPGStar Wars BattlefrontBattlefieldTitanfallApex LegendsWe also gave The Game Awards on this one! You're welcome, Geoff! As always, we answer your HIVE QUESTIONS and it took us directly to the heart of All Elite Wrestling this week.
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This week, Niki is back and with them comes the revelation that Xbox has gone and found itself an official breakfast partner. That's right IHOP is the official breakfast partner of Xbox and Niki and John are going to bring you all the crucial details right here on this very podcast. In less vital news:
Nintendo's desired damages from Pocket PairEverything is Xbox (according to Phil Spencer)BalatroStar Wars OutlawsCall of Duty: Black Ops 6Dragon Age: The VeilguardPokémon Trading Card Game PocketAnd of course, all of your burning HIVE QUESTIONS are answered!
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Missing episodes?
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This week, Niki is on vacation and John is left to his own devices. After planning a 99 Potions reunion to discuss Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the Election happened! Between the emotional fallout from that and other scheduling issues, we're delaying that for a couple weeks.
So yeah! It's John, talking to you, dear listener, about video games.
But also...the Election. If you're bummed about it and don't want to hear it, I understand. You can skip to the 24 minute mark to get past it and onto Strauss Zelnick, Take-Two CEO, being way too excited about the Election and the company's sale of Private Division.
Also:
Switch 2's backward compatibilityDragon Age: The VeilguardMetaphor: ReFantazioAstro BotMarvel SnapJohn also answers your burning Hive Questions. Be good to each other, everyone! See you next week.
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This week, Niki and John explore the world of Champions Tactics: Grimoria Chornicles, an Ubisoft-published video game that wants you to shell out a preposterous amount of money on NFTs. Can you image a better time to be launching a game like this? Wow!
Also, the dynamic duo discuss:
the closure of Firewalk Studiosthe new Pokemon pack-opening gamethe Nintendo Music appCall of Duty: Black Ops 6Dragon Age: The VeilguardAnd much, much more. As always, your Hive Questions are answered, including John's admission of his worst ever Halloween costume. It's worse than you think!
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This week, Niki and John could not for the life of them remember the names of the peak Covid Call of Duty games, so they leaned into it for content. Gotta find inspiration where you can these days. Frank Underwood also makes his return the show! VGBees only does big guests. Also:
Hades 2 new updatesBalatroDave the DiverUFO 50Halo 2John enlists Niki to help him buy a new TV, which just depresses him. Why are TVs expensive?
As always, we answer your burning Hive Questions, including one about whether VGBees is a pro Mario Party publication.
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On this weeks' show, Niki and John go DEEP on the new NBA 2K25 DLC Gravity Ball. What does it mean for the franchise, its audience, and new players? Hope you like 50 minutes of exploring all of that!
But that's not all! There was a big third party partner Xbox Showcase that was actually pretty good, including:
Alan Wake II: The Lake HouseFBC FirebreakBlindfireCronos: The New DawnLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in HawaiiThere was a Pokemon leak, too! Busy week! And of course, we answer your burning Hive Questions.
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Editor's note: this week's episode contains an incredulous collective unpacking of an explosive investigative report about Roblox which goes into the many ways the game is dangerous for children. While not going into graphic detail about what was found in the report, it's still a troubling look into the different ways Roblox and its ownership have put children in danger.
This week, John & Niki are joined by none other than IGN's Michael Higham, VGBees' number one fan and supporter. Michael played all of Metaphor: ReFantazio and graced us with a deep dive on the game's vibes, story, mechanics, and much more. Seems like another banger in a year full of them. Also discussed:
Roblox and the Hindenberg Research reportNintendo AlarmoStarfield: Shattered SpaceElder ScrollsPersonaWe also answer your burning Hive Questions, including "what is the video game equivalent of Aaron Rodgers getting Robert Saleh fired?"
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This week, Niki goes deep on Starfield's DLC, Shattered Space. It's about the snake people, the most interesting part of the original Starfield. Does the DLC have the juice to get folks back into Todd's big space sandbox? Will John have a meltdown comparing the narrative depth and nuance of Tali's Pilgrimage quest in Mass Effect to what happens in Shattered Space? You'll simply have to listen to find out.
The dynamic duo also answers your burning Hive Questions, covering ground including:
naming pets after video game charactersworking on one game franchise for over a decadecomparing Randy Pitchford favorably to Neil Druckmann3D Mario games vs 2D Mario gamesthe Megalopolis video game of our dreamsthe best steward of a future AEW video gameand more!
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This week, Niki and John discuss their favorites so far in the year's most astonishing release, UFO 50. What's your favorite from the collection? Also:
Ghost of YoteiLegacy of Kain 1 & 2 RemasteredHell is UsOverwatchThe Legend of Zelda: Echoes of WisdomAs always, your burning questions from The Hive are addressed and answered!
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Nintendo decided to sue Palworld this week so Niki and John would have something to really dig into. Thanks, Nintendo!!!!!!!
Also this week:
Switch 2 possibly leakedConcord's team is in limboshockingly positive Dragon Age: The Veilguard previewsthe PSX-styled PS5 fleetthe breadth of UFO 50Your Hive questions are also answered and the podcast got emotional over the loss of communal spaces and arcades!
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This week, John breaks the news of Annapurna Interactive's staff resignation to Niki. They also break down the PlayStation 5 Pro reveal and talk about the 650 additional people laid off from Microsoft this week. As far as specific game chat:
Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade ClassicsPaper Mario: The Thousand Year DoorI Am Your BeastSuper Mario OdysseyAstro BotFinal Fantasy VIIISoulcaliburPower StoneAs always, we answer questions straight from The Hive!
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Niki has been blessed to have several days with Astro Bot and decided to tell John all about it, despite the fact that John can't play it for another few weeks. Tragedy. It sounds absolutely lovely and what a time for it, too. In addition to contemplating the overall state of games, the two discuss:
ConcordMarvel SnapBalatroWe also answer your burning questions from The Hive and wow, y'all really asked some good ones this week!
As always, you can join The Hive and ask us questions each and every week!
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Niki and John have a good old fashioned "hey are we separating art from artist now" conversation they didn't plan for when tackling the receptions to Black Myth Wukong, Star Wars Outlaws, and the inevitable Assassin's Creed Shadows. In lighter fare, the two also discuss:
Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door RemakeThe Legend of Heroes: Trails in the SkyAstro Botthe Double Dragon moviewho we'd put in Fortnite nextand much more!As always, we answer YOUR questions from The Hive! You can join The Hive right now and ask questions each and every week!
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This week, Niki and John celebrate the return of Peter Molyneux to the world of games with his main stage appearance at Gamescom Opening Night Live. We were just talking about needing more weird guys in games, and wow we got our wish! Will his game ever come out? How much did he actually make on that NFT game he probably used to fund this new game? Will he be sued by Microsoft even though "Albion" is not a trademarked name? This and much more:
Indiana Jones and the Great CircleCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 6Lynked: Banner of the SparkInZOIMasters of AlbionCivilization VIIBorderlands 4We also answer your Hive questions, like which celebrity should Hideo Kojima put in the next Death Stranding but is too scared to do so? Spoilers, there is one correct and immediately agreed-upon answer from your hosts!
As always, you can join The Hive to get your burning questions answered on the show each and every week!
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We have a big confession to make, gamers. John and Niki have watched videos and read articles about a video game called Deadlock, which Valve has sworn us to secrecy never to divulge its very existence. Consider it then, dear gamer, a privilege that we've chosen your ears as the recipient of our knowledge. If we disappear from this earth, you will know our sacrifice. Also:
2XKOMadden 25FortniteDragon Age: The VeilguardThe Plucky SquireWe also answer questions from The Hive and continue developing the all-important VGBees Census!
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This week, John and Niki are joined by former Video Lead at Game Informer Alex Van Aken to talk about the abrupt, ghoulish closure of the storied publication. It's a great chat that illuminates what the past few months has been like at the magazine as well as a bit of a dive into some history and memories of the brand. Alex also pulls the curtain back on his new supporter-funded project Viewport.
Also discussed:
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of WisdomThe Borderlands filmWolfeye's Dishonored/Prey-like new RPGCollege Football 25With Hive questions like:
When you do consider a game completed?What ancient game do you want to see a Balatro for?Does a LEGO minifig have fingers or thumbs?As always, you can join The Hive and ask us questions we'll tackle every single week!
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This week, Niki and John discuss a terrible week for Bungie employees, a terrible week for Jon Blow, and a terrible week for AI discourse in video games. All in all, it's a laugh riot for two straight hours! Also discussed:
Thank Goodness You're Here!Steamworld Heist IICollege Football 25Madden NFL 25NBA 2K25Also, Hive questions about:
Richard GarriottPeter MolyneuxShane McMahonBubsy (essentially)Grand Theft Auto (complete with thorough discussion about why the modern political nature of these games is so goofy and outdated)As always, become a member of The Hive to have your questions answered on the show!
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This week, Niki and John got way into it about Evo 2024, the brilliance of fighting games, and the way sports have (and haven't) infiltrated the industry's biggest event for the genre. Also:
No Man's Sky 5.0FlockDungeons of HinterbergThe crew also (clumsily) dissected the ramifications of Bethesda and World of Warcraft teams forming wall-to-wall unions this week. Seems particularly big in the face of Humble Games shutting down and the weird spin Ziff Davis put on the closure.
Hive questions include:
What's the gaming equivalent of saying Macbeth in a theater?Are curved monitors a scam?Who should write the Skibidi Toilet movie?This episode marked the debut of The VGBees Census, a new segment designed to pull biographical and taste information from our guests. This week's test subject was cohost Niki Grayson. Thanks Niki! Also, happy birthday Barley!
As always, you can join The Hive and ask questions in our Discord and we'll answer them on the show!
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This week, Niki and John tackle the most important news of the week, including:
whether Niki should see Longlegsnot wearing headphones on video callshanging doorsOh also video games, including:
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the GoddessBioshock InfiniteEmio - The Smiling ManIn hour two, they're joined by Secret Base's Kofie Yeboah, who is as excited as everyone else about the return of EA Sports' college football...aptly called College Football 25. John also asks about Skip Bayless, in what is likely the only time he will ever come in on this program. Thanks for your patience.
As always, join The Hive and ask questions and we'll answer them on the show!
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This week, Niki and John are joined by The Verge's Ash Parrish. On the agenda:
- our favorite jazz musicians
- which wines pair best with human aging
- disgusting Aperol
- Cody Rhodes' appalling chosen aesthetic
OH ALSO video games!
- Zenless Zone Zero
- Supermoves
- Xbox Game Pass tier changes
- Steam Deck
- 2K's rumored FIFA game
- College Football 25
- Riot's canceled platform fighter
As always, you can support VGBees by joining The Hive over at https://vgbees.com/join
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