Jimquisition

Podquisition 544: Wells Within Wells

·1 hr 30 min·5 clips
IO Interactive's showcase spent two hours on already-released DLC and a terrible game, then begged people to return for Mads Mikkelsen.
The episode begins with a humorous bit about having nothing to open the show with, leading into a discussion of video games. The hosts first tackle the IO Interactive showcase, describing it as a two-and-a-half-hour event that focused on a Hitman DLC already out and Mind's Eye, a game three days from release, with no mention of the anticipated James Bond game. They highlight the awkward moment when the audience left before a Q&A with Mads Mikkelsen. Next, they delve into Mind's Eye, criticizing its terrible gameplay, technical issues, and illogical plot, with Jim Sterling reading a draft review paragraph. The conversation then moves to the Nintendo Switch 2, with mixed feelings: Laura Kate appreciates it as a straightforward upgrade, while Jim Sterling laments the $80 price for Mario Kart World as a sign of executive greed. They discuss the game's design, including its open world and lack of reward variety. Other topics include Ball X Pit, a brick-breaker roguelite that Conrad Zimmerman finds tedious; Deltarune chapters 3 and 4, praised for their writing but criticized for episodic release delays; and Playdate games Wheelsprung and The Whiteout. The episode covers news about the SAG-AFTRA union reaching an agreement on AI guardrails after a year-long strike. It concludes with personal updates from the hosts, including Jim Sterling's work on Date Everything and upcoming projects.

As heard by us

A stubborn nesting-well joke opens into Switch 2 relief, scattered game talk, and a summer calendar already filling up.

The episode builds around a joke that will not quite let go: an empty well becomes a tiny well in a bucket inside a bigger well, stretching the opening bit until the panel can finally turn toward games. That delay ends up giving the conversation a useful rhythm.

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Why you'd press play

When the opening well runs dry, you still get Switch 2 relief, Ball x Pit heat, and a summer schedule filling fast.

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