This week, Sean is joined by Hayes Madsen, Trends Writer at Inverse Gaming (https://www.inverse.com/profile/hayes-madsen-85654992) and a freelance writer extraordinaire (Check out all his work in one place: https://muckrack.com/hayes-madsen).

Hayes has been writing a lot about and reviewed Final Fantasy XVI. Sean also has been playing as much as possible, so both of them give their thoughts on the game, what they enjoy about it (which is a lot about it,) and perhaps some things that are lacking about it as well.

Also on this episode, the guys discuss their favorite games from the latest Nintendo Direct, and thoughts on what's happened in the first two days of the Microsoft vs. FTC court case that could literally determine whether the Xbox and Activision-Blizzard-King merger actually goes through. Plus, Hayes gaming origins, Alan Wake 2 leading to the further lessening of physical gaming media, and more!

You can also watch this episode on the W2M Network Channel, please give us a like, comment, and follow over there too: https://youtube.com/live/hue52tYB18E

Timestamps:

00:00:30 START

00:01:55 Housekeeping

- Games We Are Playing -

00:03:00 Final Fantasy XVI Review

- Getting to Know Hayes -

00:36:30 Hayes Gaming Origins (His Favorite Games and Genres, What made him go into games journalism, his thoughts on where gaming is at today, and more!)

- Nintendo Keeps Rolling Along -

00:55:00 Thoughts and Favorite Games From the Latest Nintendo Direct

- Xbox vs. FTC First 3 Days -

01:03:30 The Latest with Xbox vs. FTC Showdown

- Smaller Newsbits

01:24:40 E3 2024 & 2025 May Be Canceled, Thoughts from Hayes about being at SGF 2023

01:30:45 Remedy Reveals that Alan Wake 2 is Digital Only so the game can be worked on till the launch

- The End -

01:36:05 Games Coming Out This Week (Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life, AEW Fight Forever, Rain Code) & Promo Time!

Links:

Hayes' Final Fantasy XVI Review: https://twinfinite.net/reviews/final-fantasy-xvi-review/

Hayes on the Cid & Clive Story in FF 16: https://www.cgmagonline.com/articles/editorals/cid-clive-final-fantasy-xvi/

Hayes article on FF 16 RPG Elements: https://kotaku.com/final-fantasy-16-xvi-rpg-combat-action-square-enix-ps5-1850567705

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