The Cane and Rinse videogame podcast

Leon, Tony and Karl abuse save-states to see SEGA Technical Institute's late era Mega Drive/Genesis game Comix Zone through to its 'choice' of endings. The panel - including the always welcome guest, SEGA expert and poet Dan Clark - as well as our brilliant community experience and discuss the title's impressive visuals, divisive audio and (euphemistically) 'challenging' gameplay, before attempting to decide whether or not they recommend you spend your time and money on this 20-year-old 16-bit title in 2015. Music used in this issue: Track 1: Episode 1, Page 1-2 by Howard Drossin Track 2: Into the Zone by Howard Drossin Cane and Rinse 194 was edited by Jay Taylor Do you have an opinion about this particular game or maybe about our podcast in general? Then why not venture into our forum and leave us your feedback. Whilst there you could also interact with our ever-growing and friendly community, in discussing past, present and future video games (and lots of other stuff too!) and perhaps even arrange some games with like-minded individuals. Sound good? Come and say hello at The Official Cane and Rinse forum

Josh, Ryan and Tony set up their microphones, for what was bound to be another enthralling issue of Cane and Rinse. "I wonder what Tony is going to say about this game's narrative?" Josh pondered. "It'll be interesting to discuss this game's use of puzzles and platforming, to define character relationships." Tony ruminated. "Shapes! Shapes! Shapes!" Ryan really liked shapes. And so our three intrepid podcasters set out to discuss these themes and more, as they tackled Mike Bithell's debut game, Thomas Was Alone. Music used in this issue: Track 1: Where Are You? by David Housden Track 2: Freedom by David Housden Cane and Rinse 194 was edited by Sean O'Brien

For the penultimate podcast in our current run of Halo shows Leon, Josh, Karl and Tony remember Reach. Did Bungie, Inc. pull out all of the stops for their 2010 franchise swansong? Did the game miss the green, cybernetic elephant-in-the-room presence of the Master Chief? Did those spaceship levels add anything to the experience? The panel, aided as always by the Cane and Rinse community, discusses their experiences and opinions of Halo: Reach. Cane and Rinse 193 was edited by Ryan Hamann

LucasArts (nee Lucasfilm Games) discovered buried treasure with their swashbuckling 1990 point-and-clicker, The Secret of Monkey Island. The Cane and Rinse crew of Leon, Brian, Karl, Ryan and a galley full of contributors don their fanciest pants and recall their time insult swordfighting on Melee Island(TM), the uneventful yet explosive voyage aboard the Sea Monkey and eventually exploring the lava-filled depths of the fabled Monkey Island itself, with nothing but the company of a disembodied head. So you want to be a pirate, eh? You look more like a flooring inspector. Music used in this issue: Track 1: Opening Theme by Michael Land and Patrick Mundy. Track 2: Le Chuck's Theme by Michael Land and Patrick Mundy. Cane and Rinse 192 was edited by Jay Taylor

Before FIFA, before Pro Evo (but after Kick Off), there was Sensible Soccer. 'Sensi' and its sequel Sensible World of Soccer (aka SWOS) dribbled around many of their computer footy predecessors' pitfalls, before assuredly bending a 25 yard curler into the back of the charm net. Leon, Darren, Karl and guest CJ Black (Twin Humanities et al) remember their time with the entire series, from the original with the broken goalkeepers all they way through console conversions, controversial sequels and the 2007 re-release of Sensible World of Soccer '96/'97 for Xbox Live Arcade. Music used in this issue: Track 1: Sensible Soccer Theme by Captain Sensible and Richard Joseph Track 2: Goalscoringsuperstarhero by Jon Hare and Richard Joseph, vocal by Jackie 'Jacks' Reed Cane and Rinse 191 was edited by Sean O'Brien

From Software switched personnel around for Dark Souls II, the first straight sequel in their Souls oeuvre. New directors brought new ideas that split fan reaction. 18 months after release, James, Sean and special guest CJ Black (Twin Humanities) welcome new faces of their own in Josh and Ryan to discuss the changes, their reactions and why on Earth anyone would remix a barely year-old game. Music used in this issue: Track 1: King Vendrick by Motoi Sakuraba and Yuka Kitamura Track 2: Majula by Motoi Sakuraba and Yuka Kitamura Cane and Rinse 190 was edited by Ryan Hamann

In the latest of our Halo series of podcasts, Leon, Karl, Tony and guest CJ Black revisit the franchise's 'odd one out', Halo 3: ODST. Not starring the Spartan Master Chief but rather several of the cast of Joss Whedon's Firefly as battle-hardened commandos in action on Earth between the events of Halos 2 and 3. The panel and contributing community members also recall the hub world which links the segments of the game together via a neo-noirish mystery plot and - of course (and repeatedly) - that OST. Music used in this issue: Track 1: Cast Aside by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori Track 2: Extra Firepower by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori Cane and Rinse 189 was edited by Jay Taylor

Stephen Cakebread's Geometry Wars may have started life as a Project Gotham Racing Easter egg but has since taken on an intensely glowing, neon life of its own. Leon, James, Ryan and guest Sinan Kubba trace the series back to its 2003 debut on the original Xbox before safely weaving their way through all the games up to and including most recent release, Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions Evolved on Vita in July 2015. Along with our contributors we try to establish what makes these games so moreish, and what being 'in the zone' actually means. Music used in this issue: Track 1: Deadline by Chris Mann Track 2: Evolved Theme by Chris Chudley Cane and Rinse 188 was edited by Sean O'Brien

In 2006, Rockstar Vancouver introduced us to Bulworth Academy and the adventures of the delinquent Jimmy Hopkins in the tabloid-baiting Bully (Canis Canem Edit). James, Ryan and Jay discuss whether the school-based escapade deserves a gold star or an after school detention? As always we also include our community's musings along with their Three Word Reviews. Music used in this issue: Track 1: Main Theme by Shawn Lee Track 2: Punishment by Shawn Lee Cane and Rinse 187 was edited by Ryan Hamann

With Valiant Hearts: The Great War, Ubisoft Montpellier took on the daunting task of making an accessible, informative interactive experience based around the First World War without doing a disservice to the grave source material. Leon, Tony and James, along with some superb contributions from the Cane and Rinse community, consider whether or not they achieved their lofty but noble goal. Music used in this issue: Track 1: No Hope by Peter McConnell & Daniel Teper Track 2: Main Theme by Peter McConnell & Daniel Teper Cane and Rinse 186 was edited by Jay Taylor

Halo 3 saw the Master Chief's debut on the Xbox 360, surfing in on a tidal wave of hype. Though Bungie didn't even quite manage to bestow the 'next gen' game with 'HD ready' graphics, Halo 3 arrived to stellar reviews and spectacular sales, not to mention more than a little piracy. Leon, Darren, Josh, Karl, Tony and a covenant of contributors remember 2007's frenzy of cat helmets and Forge modes, as well as ruminating upon their recent return to the game as part of The Master Chief Collection. Music used in this issue: Track 1: Never Forget by Martin McDonnell Cane and Rinse 185 was edited by Sean O'Brien

It's a sadistic and mind-bending romp through sci-fi horror as Ryan Hamann, James Carter, and Karl Moon discuss their journeys through the perilous and mysterious 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors. Its intricate story is carefully dissected and gameplay debated by the three morphically-linked hosts. So grab some Ice-9 on a hot summer afternoon and join us as we examine 999, read contributions from the community, and, of course, read a selection of Santa Word Reviews. Music used in this issue: Track 1: Extreme Extrication by Shinji Hosoe Track 2: Recollection by Shinji Hosoe Cane and Rinse 184 was edited by Ryan Hamann

As a follow up to their critically well-received first game Bastion, Supergiant Games came up with the distinctly stylised Transistor. Ryan, James and Sean sit down and discuss their histories with the game, the characters, gameplay and it's stunning soundtrack. As always there are contributions from our community along with our Three Word Reviews. Music used in this issue: Track 1: Cut Apart by Darren Korb Track 2: We All Become by Darren Korb & Ashley Barrett Cane and Rinse 183 was edited by Jay Taylor

A pair of PlayStation 2 games that, as we discover, were vital precursors to many rhythm action hits of the mid-to-late 2000s, including Guitar Hero, DJ Hero, Rock Band and - seemingly - several others, despite selling relatively few copies. In this podcast Leon, Josh and Karl give these early Harmonix games their due, and we also hear from some FreQuency and Amplitude playing correspondents. Music used in this issue: Track 1: Science Genius Girl by Freezepop Track 2: Everyone Says 'Hi' by Metro Remix by David Bowie Cane and Rinse 182 was edited by Sean O'Brien

With Halo 5: Guardians scheduled to arrive later this year, Cane and Rinse company drop from orbit down to the surface of the second Halo. It's easy to forget just what a big deal this release was for Bungie and Microsoft back in 2004. How do Bungie's design decisions and curtailed development fare over a decade on, and does Halo 2: Anniversary for Xbox One (part of The Master Chief Collection) make a return any more tempting? Leon, Tony, Darren, Karl and our community discuss. Music used in this issue: Track 1: Impart by Marin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori Track 2: Halo Theme (Gungniir Mix) by Marin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori featuring Steve Vai Cane and Rinse 181 was edited by Ryan Hamann