The Cane and Rinse videogame podcast

In the epic conclusion to our six part Metal Gear 25th Anniversary series Leon, Tony and Jay review 2008’s spectacular but polarising Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. A prematurely ageing Snake is sent by the UN to the war-torn Middle East in pursuit of Liquid who still plans to enslave the world. Cameos, Easter eggs, fan-service and inordinately long cut-scenes abound in what to some is Kojima's creative apex but others his self-indulgent nadir? This Issue, of course, features selections from the stirring MGS4 original soundtrack and as usual we also take your correspondence on the game along with your Three Word Reviews. Music used in this show is as follows: Track 1: Old Snake by Harry Gregson-Williams Track 2: Desperate Chase by Harry Gregson-Williams Track 3: The Best is Yet to Come by Rika Muranaka Track 4: Father and Son by Harry Gregson-Williams Cane and Rinse 49 was edited by Jay Taylor.

Melding the comic book stylings of Joe Madureira with Hebrew mythology while lifting structure and mechanics wholesale from other popular franchises, Vigil’s assured 2010 debut Darksiders caught reviewers and gamers by surprise as the sleeper hit of the year. Going on to sell North of a million copies, sequels would follow with Darksiders’ lead character War supplanted in each by one of his equestrian brothers, first Death in 2012 then Psoriasis in 2014’s next gen Darksiders 3 and finally, Thrush. Leon, Tony, Darren Forman and Karl are your review panel and as usual we also feature your Three Word Reviews of the game. Music used in this show is as follows: Track 1: Darksiders Theme by Mike Regan and Cris Velasco Track 2: War's Theme by Scott Morton Track 3: Uriel by Scott Morton Cane and Rinse 48 was edited by Sean O'Brien

Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP is a collaboration between designer Craig Adams, developer Capybara and musician Jim Guthrie. A ‘none more indie’, multiple high-concept piece which questions certain conventions of game design while paying homage to others. Released first in 2011 for iOS devices, this oblique title intrigues and charms many, but alienates others. Leon, Tony, James and Joshua discuss the game in full and there's also a contribution from the absent Karl. Furthermore we even squeeze in a handful of your Three Word Reviews. Look behind you - a Grizzled Boor! Music used in this show is as follows: Track 1: Lone Star by Jim Guthrie Track 2: Unknowable Geometry by Jim Guthrie Track 3: The Prettiest Weedby Jim Guthrie Cane and Rinse 47 was edited by Darren Gargette

“I don’t know about angels, but it’s fear that gives men wings.” Leon, Tony, James and Karl slo-mo dive – sideways – into their recording seats and review Finnish developer Remedy Entertainment’s second game, 2001’s Max Payne (published by 3D Realms/Rockstar). Mashing up film noir, Norse mythology, Hong Kong action movies and the bullet time made famous by The Wachowskis’ Matrix, Max Payne was one of the most flashy, desirable, and resource-hungry games of the year. In 2002 Remedy sold all franchise rights to Take Two Interactive and made a sequel for them, The Fall of Max Payne (released in 2003) which we also cover here. On top of this your Max Payne-related forum posts and Three Word Reviews. Better still, the film adaptation goes completely unmentioned. http://media.blubrry.com/caneandrinse/caneandrinse.com/podcast/cane_and_rinse_issue_forty_six.mp3   Music used in this show is as follows: 1: Main Theme by Kartsy Hatakka and Kimmo Hajastu 2: Byzantine Power Game by Kartsy Hatakka and Kimmo Hajastu 3: Max Payne 2 Main Theme by Kartsy Hatakka and Kimmo Hajastu Cane and Rinse 46 was edited by Sean O’Brien 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 videogames (and lots of other stuff too!) and perhaps even arrange some games with like-minded individuals. Sound good? Come and say hello at The Cane and Rinse forum Disappointing sales greeted Max Payne 3, Rockstar’s own take on Remedy’s action franchise, meaning that this may be the last in the series for quite some time at least. But is it any good? Darren Gargette finds out in this PC version Quick Rinse:

“Don’t get your hopes up… Not all humans… look as good as me!” Leon, Tony, Darren Gargette and Josh review Nintendo Software Planning and Development’s (so far) trilogy of Rhythm Heaven/Paradise/Tengoku games for Game Boy Advance, DS and Wii. The rhythm action genre was born, to all intents and purposes, in 1996 with NanaOn-Sha’s delightful Parappa the Rapper. The so-called BeMani craze evolved with increasingly elaborate mechanics and peripherals, however in 2006 Nintendo took the genre ‘back to basics’ with a minimalist, pocket friendly take on perfectly timed button pressing in Rhythm Tengoku. The panel also take a look back at the rhythm action genre as a whole and where this series fits in. Plus of course we share your forum posts and Three Word Reviews. http://media.blubrry.com/caneandrinse/caneandrinse.com/podcast/cane_and_rinse_issue_forty_five.mp3   Music used in this issue: 1: Frog Hop (Young Love Rock ‘n’ Roll) by Tsunku and Masami Yone 2: Donk Donk (Perfect Version) by Tsunku and Masami Yone Cane and Rinse 45 was edited by James Carter 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 videogames (and lots of other stuff too!) and perhaps even arrange some games with like-minded individuals. Sound good? Come and say hello at The Cane and Rinse forum In this accompanying Quick Rinse a groovy Gargette shows us around his favourite rhythm action game: Nintendo’s Rhythm Heaven Fever (or Beat the Beat: Rhythm Paradise if you prefer) on the US NTSC Wii.

“We abandoned our countries. Nothing more.” In the penultimate of our six Metal Gear 25th anniversary specials, Leon, Tony, James and Paul Rooney of Ready-Up arrive at the Central America of the 1970’s for Kojima Productions 2010’s Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker. Was attempting to follow up 2008’s epic ‘conclusion’ of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots with a handheld title a fool’s errand? And does the game work on home consoles as part of the HD Collection? Strap yourselves in, for this is another long one, as we explore in some detail the plot, gameplay and politics – sexual and otherwise – of the game. http://media.blubrry.com/caneandrinse/caneandrinse.com/podcast/cane_and_rinse_issue_forty_four.mp3   Music used in this issue: 1: Zero Allies! by Kazuma Jinnouchi 2: Sing by The Carpenters 3: Koi No Yokushi Ryoku by Nana Mizuki Cane and Rinse 45 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 videogames (and lots of other stuff too!) and perhaps even arrange some games with like-minded individuals. Sound good? Come and say hello at The Cane and Rinse forum Josh and James take a look at co-op in Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker… and completely mess it up: If you like these Quick Rinse videos you can find many more (plus a few other bits and bobs) over on the Official Cane and Rinse YouTube channel.

Leon, Tony, Darren Gargette and James get cute with Kirby's Epic Yarn. HAL Laboratories’ pink blob without attitude (unless you regard some of the US box art as canon) Kirby has starred in some twenty Nintendo games over the past two decades. 2010’s Epic Yarn (2011 in Europe, much to our chagrin) was developed by Good-Feel for HAL/Nintendo - a team previously best known for their educational titles on DS along with 2008’s moderately well-received Wario Land: Shake It (a.k.a Shake Dimension) on Wii. As always we also take your emails, your three word reviews and finish with a song (from the game). Music used in this show is as follows: Track 1: Title Screen by Tomoya Tomita Track 2: Butter Building by Tomoya Tomita Track 3: Melody Town by Tomoya Tomita Cane and Rinse 43 was edited by Darren Gargette

“Ha ha! I died again!” Leon, Tony, James and Josh discuss Capcom’s unusual afterlife puzzle adventure – Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective – from Shu Takumi, the designer who brought you the Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney/Turnabout Trial series of interactive courtroom dramas on GameBoy Advance and DS, and Kyoto’s Jupiter Corporation, the team behind Square Enix RPG, The World Ends With You (as well as a number of quality Picross games for Nintendo). Available for Nintendo DS and iOS platforms, Ghost Trick boasts some of the most opulent hand-drawn 2D animation around. As well as sharing our own views on the game, we also feature listener feedback, three word reviews and of course some of the music from the game. Please be warned: spoilers abound in this twisty tale of death, time travel, kismet, Sissel and Missle. http://media.blubrry.com/caneandrinse/caneandrinse.com/podcast/cane_and_rinse_issue_forty_two.mp3   Music used in this issue: 1: Main Theme by Masakazu Sugimori 2: Intermission by Masakazu Sugimori 3: 4 Minutes Before Death by Masakazu Sugimori Cane and Rinse 42 was edited by Sean O’Brien 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 videogames (and lots of other stuff too!) and perhaps even arrange some games with like-minded individuals. Sound good? Come and say hello at The Cane and Rinse forum

“If I become number one, will you do it with me?” Leon, Darren Forman, Josh and Sinan Kubba discuss the tenth game by Goichi Suda’s Grasshopper Manufacture – No More Heroes. The Wii original game released in 2007/2008 to some critical acclaim but pitiful sales. Since then this game has become something of a cult classic rewarded with an HD update in the shape of Heroes’ Paradise and a sequel – Desperate Struggle – also covered in this podcast. http://media.blubrry.com/caneandrinse/caneandrinse.com/podcast/cane_and_rinse_issue_forty_one.mp3   Music used in this issue: 1: Main Theme by Masafumi Takada 2: Pleather for Breakfast (Duel Against Ranked #2) by Masafumi Takada 3: Rank Up by Masafumi Takada Cane and Rinse 41 was edited by Sean O’Brien 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 videogames (and lots of other stuff too!) and perhaps even arrange some games with like-minded individuals. Sound good? Come and say hello at The Cane and Rinse forum

This week we discuss LostWinds and it’s sequel. Frontier Developments’ 2008 WiiWare launch title LostWinds remains one of the highest profile releases for that service, and has since been rewarded with a sequel – also covered here – in the shape of LostWinds: Winter of the Melodias. Both titles have more recently been ported to iOS. Leon, Tony, Darren Gargette and Josh play through the saga so far and discuss their findings. http://media.blubrry.com/caneandrinse/caneandrinse.com/podcast/cane_and_rinse_issue_forty.mp3   Music used in this issue: 1: Title Theme by Alistair Lindsay 2: Riveren Battle by Adam Hay 3: Melodia City by Adam Hay Cane and Rinse 40 was edited by Sean O’Brien 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 videogames (and lots of other stuff too!) and perhaps even arrange some games with like-minded individuals. Sound good? Come and say hello at The Cane and Rinse forum

“So this is the legendary Boss? We meet at last.” In the fourth of our six Metal Gear 25th anniversary series specials Leon, Tony, Darren Gargette, Josh Garrity and Ready-Up’s Paul Rooney are inserted into the Soviet jungle via HALO jump to talk turkey, tree frog and several taxa of fungi. Is 2004’s Bond-tinged, Sixties-set Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater the green sheep of the Metal Gear family or The Big Boss? http://media.blubrry.com/caneandrinse/caneandrinse.com/podcast/cane_and_rinse_issue_thirty_nine.mp3   Music used in this issue: 1: Snake Eater by Norihiko Hibino (vocal by Cynthia Harrell) 2: Way To Fall by Starsailor Cane and Rinse 39 was edited by Darren Gargette 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 videogames (and lots of other stuff too!) and perhaps even arrange some games with like-minded individuals. Sound good? Come and say hello at The Cane and Rinse forum Josh gives a lesson in survival in Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence (PlayStation 3 version shown, SD video). If you like these Quick Rinse videos you can find many more (plus a few other bits and bobs) over on the Official Cane and Rinse YouTube channel.

“I know, so much for clean underwear.” Take a trip with Tony, James and Josh as the Cane and Rinse team venture through a rift hole and emerge in the colourful, zany and inventively armed world of Ratchet & Clank. Expect an overview of the decade-old series and an in-depth look at Ratchet & Clank: A Crack In Time. Are you ready to get your Groovitron on? http://media.blubrry.com/caneandrinse/caneandrinse.com/podcast/cane_and_rinse_issue_thirty_eight.mp3   Music used in this issue: 1: Main Menu Theme by Boris Salchow 2: House Of Synth 4 by Boris Salchow Cane and Rinse 38 was edited by James Carter 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 videogames (and lots of other stuff too!) and perhaps even arrange some games with like-minded individuals. Sound good? Come and say hello at The Cane and Rinse forum Josh takes a look at a game he likes very much, Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time: If you like these Quick Rinse videos you can find many more (plus a few other bits and bobs) over on the Official Cane and Rinse YouTube channel.

“Ain’t seen anything like this before…” Grabbin’ pills! Leon, Tony, Darren Gargette and special guest David Turner of Joypod discuss Valve’s zombie opus Left 4 Dead and its sequel, whilst sharing out the med-packs and watch each others’ backs as the Cane and Rinse AI Director funnels them down the podcasting tunnel of love. http://media.blubrry.com/caneandrinse/caneandrinse.com/podcast/cane_and_rinse_issue_thirty_seven.mp3   Music used in this issue: 1: Main Theme by Mike Morasky 2: Witch by Mike Morasky 3: Tank by Mike Morasky Cane and Rinse 37 was edited by Sean O’Brien 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 videogames (and lots of other stuff too!) and perhaps even arrange some games with like-minded individuals. Sound good? Come and say hello at The Cane and Rinse forum Darren re-enters the world of Left 4 Dead on PC, showing the delights of both singleplayer and multiplayer, as well as something which smells like Minecraft: If you like these Quick Rinse videos you can find many more (plus a few other bits and bobs) over on the Official Cane and Rinse YouTube channel.

A different sort of a show of this Issue as Cane and Rinse returns to the ever-evolving world of DICE's Battlefield 3 online multiplayer. Leon hosts as hardened veterans Jay Taylor, Tom Bradstock and Don Johnston discuss the game experience then versus now, the tweaks, the server-based controversies, map packs, Premium and the future. Music used in this show is as follows: Track 1: The Dark by Johan Skugge and Jukka Rintamak Track 2: War by Edwin Starr Cane and Rinse 36 was edited by Jay Taylor

Leon, James, Karl and Sean emerge from the Vault to relive their time with Bethesda's Armageddon RPG Fallout 3. Was the mutation from Black Isle's isometric third person 2D to GameBryo's expansive first person 3D essential? We're also treated to some gruesome and hilarious Washington D.C. anecdotes and three word reviews from our fine listenership. Music used in this show is as follows: Track 1: Main Title by Inon Zur Track 2: Happy Times by Bob Crosby Track 3: I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire by The Ink Spots Edited by Sean O'Brien