Old Gamer’s Almanac

Halo: Combat Evolved (2001)

We haven't finished the Mass Effect series yet, but in preparation for this year's Halo Infinite release, we're playing through the original Halo trilogy! Today starts with our most nostalgic entry, Halo: Combat Evolved. This also firmly establishes the Bro Arc, which is apparently taking us through to the end of the year. We'll have to have a weeaboo cleanse in 2022
Music by nightcorey. https://soundcloud.com/nightcorey
Email us your thoughts on the ongoing list at oldgamersalmanac (at) gmail(dot)com. Or come talk to us on our main Discord (Space Cats Peace Turtles).

Mass Effect 2 (2010)

We return to our series on the Mass Effect Trilogy with the universally beloved second entry. The characters get real good, and the combat gets better. Is it one of the best RPGs of all time, as some people say?
Music by nightcorey. https://soundcloud.com/nightcorey
Email us your thoughts on the ongoing list at oldgamersalmanac (at) gmail(dot)com. Or come talk to us on our main Discord (Space Cats Peace Turtles).

Crusader Kings 3 (2020) [w/ EJ Sanders]

The Dadlands have consumed Matt, so this week we get to premiere our first of hopefully many episodes featuring a special guest. To start this, we invited our close friend and collaborator E.J. Sanders to talk with Hunter about the grand strategy game Crusader Kings 3. The most recent release from Paradox Interactive, this is the culmination of decades of dedication to a specific genre from one studio. So how does that stack up against some of the innovative pioneering games on our list?
 
Music by nightcorey. https://soundcloud.com/nightcorey
Email us your thoughts on the ongoing list at oldgamersalmanac (at) gmail(dot)com. Or come talk to us on our main Discord (Space Cats Peace Turtles).

OutRun (1986)

Published by Sega in 1986, designed by Yu Suzuki with music by Hiroshi Kawaguchi, Out Run is a timeless arcade driving game. How can a person even begin to compare a classic arcade cabinet car game to the likes of Mass Effect and Hyper Light Drifter? Well, you've come to the one place contractually obligated to answer that question. Also, expect more conversations about difficulty in video gaming in addition to great video game music.
Music by nightcorey. https://soundcloud.com/nightcorey
Email us your thoughts on the ongoing list at oldgamersalmanac (at) gmail(dot)com. Or come talk to us on our main Discord (Space Cats Peace Turtles).

War of the Monsters (2003)

Okay, this week we have to try something weird. So far we've been talking about what we would mostly consider "Good Games." But this isn't the Good Gamers Almanac, this is the Old Gamer's Almanac where we rank EVERY game, which means sometimes we have to dip into the seedy underbelly of gaming and try games that aren't so good. First up, War of the Monsters, a deeply forgettable game from the Playstation 2 featuring fighting kaiju. Only problem? Matt thinks it's actually pretty good...
Music by nightcorey. https://soundcloud.com/nightcorey
Email us your thoughts on the ongoing list at oldgamersalmanac (at) gmail(dot)com. Or come talk to us on our main Discord (Space Cats Peace Turtles).

Mass Effect (2007)

Finally, the list is getting complicated enough to start warranting genuine debate. And this week we kick off our first series we'll be diving into with Bioware's Mass Effect. Mass Effect redefined the western RPG in many way, but within that innovation are a handful of notable missteps. Where in the ranking will it fall and will Matt regret his argument for the rest of the show? Never fear, there are more Mass Effect games to discuss in the coming weeks, so be sure to stay tuned!
Music by nightcorey. https://soundcloud.com/nightcorey
Email us your thoughts on the ongoing list at oldgamersalmanac (at) gmail(dot)com. Or come talk to us on our main Discord (Space Cats Peace Turtles).

Hyper Light Drifter (2016)

It's time to begin ranking! Hyper Light Drifter is an indie darling from 2016 described as Link to the Past meets Hack and Slash. Combing smooth combat and generous exploration, does this game have what it takes to earn the temporary label of "Best Game of All Time, or is it doomed to "Worst."
Music by nightcorey. https://soundcloud.com/nightcorey
Email us your thoughts on the ongoing list at oldgamersalmanac (at) gmail(dot)com. Or come talk to us on our main Discord (Space Cats Peace Turtles).

Super Mario Bros. 3 (1988)

Welcome to the premiere of The Old Gamer's Almanac! We thrilled to kick off this new project. We are the definitive ranking of all video games ever, one week at a time. And here in the early days is when you'll especially feel that "one week at a time" aspect, because to kick things off, we don't really have anything to rank. But we decided to set a high bar for all other games to compete with by starting the show with Super Mario Bros. 3 for the Nintendo Entertainment System. Let's talk about the history of this game and why it deserves to be the only video game ever made, as far as our list is concerned.
Music by nightcorey. https://soundcloud.com/nightcorey
Email us your thoughts on the ongoing list at oldgamersalmanac (at) gmail(dot)com. Or come talk to us on our main Discord (Space Cats Peace Turtles).