Josh and Ben count down their top 5 games of 2020–2026 and their lists could not be more different. One brother stacked his with AAA heavy hitters like Elden Ring, God of War Ragnarok, and Baldur's Gate 3. The other went his own way with a family platformer and a racing game in the mix.

Along the way: the controversy of The Last of Us Part 2, why Doom Eternal is pure fun in game form, whether Hogwarts Legacy deserves its spot, Resident Evil Requiem's horror perfection, and two very different picks for the top spot. Two brothers, ten games, and plenty to talk about.

Takeaways

• Diverse gaming preferences
• Gameplay experience
• Platform exclusivity Diverse gaming preferences
• Impact of storytelling on game experience Diverse genre choices
• Gameplay experience is a key factor

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Top 5 Games
• 01:16 Gaming Preferences and Genre Diversity
• 02:03 Top 5 Games: Ghost of Tsushima
• 05:36 Top 5 Games: Hogwarts Legacy
• 12:40 Top 5 Games: Astrobot
• 16:13 Top 5 Games: Baldur's Gate 3
• 20:57 Gaming Preferences and Experiences
• 21:49 The Last of Us Part 2
• 28:49 Doom Eternal
• 38:46 Gameplay Experience and Criticisms
• 46:04 The Appeal of Forza Horizon 5
• 50:44 Elden Ring: A Magnificent World

We dive into the world of Assassin's Creed, starting with the first game — its story, revolutionary gameplay mechanics, and the impact it had on the gaming industry. From there we trace the evolution of the entire series: the early challenges and frustrations, the introduction of new elements and historical settings, and how the formula changed over time. Along the way we explore the real history behind the games, the shift into RPG territory, and the controversies surrounding the series' portrayal of diverse characters.

Takeaways

• Revolutionary gameplay mechanics such as free running parkour and viewpoint synchronization.
• The historical context and storytelling of the game set a new standard for the gaming industry. Evolution of gameplay
• Impact of historical settings Evolution of Assassin's Creed
• Historical Settings and Controversies

Chapters

• 00:00 The Story of Assassin's Creed
• 17:31 Revolutionary Gameplay Mechanics
• 19:58 Historical Context and Impact
• 22:23 Early Challenges and Frustrations
• 25:22 Evolution of Gameplay and Historical Settings
• 29:31 Assassin's Creed Two and the Ezio Trilogy
• 32:10 Assassin's Creed Three and Black Flag
• 37:15 Unity, Rogue, and Syndicate
• 41:29 Evolution of Assassin's Creed
• 43:15 Historical Settings and Controversies

The conversation delves into the historical accuracy and immersive gameplay of Kingdom 2. It covers the setting, character development, combat, skill points, crafting, and the world and narrative of the game. The writing and historical accuracy are also discussed, highlighting the attention to detail and the unique experience the game offers.

Takeaways

• Historical Accuracy
• Immersive Gameplay

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Kingdom 2
• 05:58 Character and Storyline
• 12:04 Combat and Weaponry
• 18:03 World and Narrative