The golden age of small games is officially back. In this episode of the Dual Comm Podcast, we kick things off with Haste—a tiny game with massive heart that might just be our game of the year. We dive into why it’s such a perfect session experience, how the new Disaster Mode changes things up, and what makes it feel like a future classic.
We also break down the Steam Next Fest demos and highlight our favorite upcoming indies, from VOID/BREAKER to Dead as Disco to Pipistello and the Cursed Yo-Yo. This Next Fest felt like a true renaissance for handheld-friendly, creative games that don’t waste your time—and we’re here for it.
Other topics include the reveal of the Xbox ROG Ally handheld, the rise of PC handhelds and how they’re reshaping where and how we play, and why Google Search is quietly becoming unusable. We talk about what’s broken, what’s changing, and how we’re shifting our habits away from algorithm rot and back toward intentional play.
Plus: the decline of live service FPS games and why Doom 2016 still looks incredible.
Subscribe to
@bbkdragoon
@EposVox
@lostsaves
@NeuroSpicy.Cooking
Chapters:
00:00:00 – Why Haste Is One of the Best Games of the Year
00:07:58 – Xbox’s New Handheld: ROG Ally X and What It Means
00:18:32 – Steam Next Fest Demos That Blew Us Away
00:38:51 – Game Preservation, Platform Walls, and Xbox on PlayStation
00:52:42 – Google Search Is Basically Broken Now
01:25:23 – Does Doom 2016 Actually Look Better Than The Dark Ages?
Listen & Subscribe:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dual-comm-podcast/id1781108219
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Ls95EviV2hcBBnufcZ5ZE
iHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/240902321
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1:50:06
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1:50:06
The Dark Ages Of Console Gaming?
Doom The Dark Ages looks great—but the way it’s being released tells us a lot about where console gaming is headed.
In this episode, we share our impressions of Doom's latest entry, the physical disc controversy, and how this all ties into the growing divide between PC and console ecosystems. We also break down why PC gaming in 2025 feels smarter than ever, the slow death of physical media (and who’s to blame), Xbox’s pricing moves, Nintendo’s new Switch terms, the rise of GameCube games on PC, and the future of game development.
Thanks for listening!
#gaming #gamingvideos
Subscribe to @EposVox and @lostsaves
Timestamps:
00:00:00 – Doom The Dark Ages First Impressions
00:29:00 – Doom TDA Isn’t Really on the Disc—And That’s a Problem
00:35:00 – The Death of Physical Media Is Hurting Console Gamers
00:42:26 – Why PC Gaming Makes So Much Sense in 2025
01:10:45 – GameCube Decomp Projects Are Wild
01:14:30 – Gears of War on PS5
01:24:30 – AA & Indie Games Shine on PC Handhelds
01:30:00 – There’s Still So Much to Love in Gaming
Subscribe on your favorite platform:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dual-comm-podcast/id1781108219
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Ls95EviV2hcBBnufcZ5ZE
iHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/240902321
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5752977a-04fd-4198-b7e3-2a25665b98fc
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1:36:16
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1:36:16
Expedition 33 and the Return of Amazing Games
Expedition 33 genuinely reminded us why we love games — not because it's a massive AAA production, but because it has soul, smart systems, and feels like it was made by people who actually care. That kicked off a much bigger conversation: are we entering a quiet renaissance of great AA games?
In this episode, we talk about how mid-budget games like Expedition 33 are doing what the big-budget blockbusters often don’t. These are games that respect your time, play great out of the gate, and remind you what makes gaming fun in the first place.
We also look at how Game Pass, especially on PC, is quietly delivering some of the best value in gaming right now — from day-one drops like Indiana Jones and the Oblivion Remaster to upcoming hits like Doom: The Dark Ages. Xbox Series X, though? It might be feeling a little left behind.
Subscribe to Lost Saves https://www.youtube.com/@lostsaves
Topics in this episode:
Expedition 33 and the rise of soulful AA games
Game Pass is quietly crushing it for PC players
Is the Xbox Series X already aging out?
Do you need to beat a game to truly appreciate it?
EA layoffs and why AAA development keeps struggling
The absurd state of mobile gaming in 2025
Our thoughts on the Marathon alpha and the direction of multiplayer FPS games
Timecodes:
00:00:00 Expedition 33 Is Incredible
00:15:00 – The Rise of Great AA Games
00:22:27 – Game Pass Is Quietly Delivering
00:29:00 – Is the Xbox Series X Already Aging Out?
00:40:39 – Do You Need to Beat a Game to Truly Appreciate It?
01:01:45 – EA Layoffs & the AAA Struggle
01:21:55 – The Wild State of Mobile Gaming
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dual-comm-podcast/id1781108219
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Ls95EviV2hcBBnufcZ5ZE
Subscribe on iHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/240902321
Subscribe on Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5752977a-04fd-4198-b7e3-2a25665b98fc
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1:35:34
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1:35:34
The Switch 2, $80 Games, and Growing Up as a Gamer
The Nintendo Switch 2 has finally been revealed, and we’ve got thoughts—on the hardware, the price point, and the $80 games. In this episode, we break down what we know about the next generation of Nintendo’s console and how it fits into the current gaming landscape. We also explore the growing tension between modern gaming habits and real adult life. Are games too long now? Are we forcing ourselves to play out of guilt? And is there a better way to experience games in 2025—maybe by going back to the past? From retro gaming to emotional burnout, this episode is all about finding meaning and balance in a hobby we love. #gaming #gamingvideos
Subscribe to Lost Saves https://www.youtube.com/@lostsaves
00:00:00 Switch 2 Reveal and Hardware Impressions
00:23:30 Switch 2 Price Point and Launch Game Expectations
00:39:35 The $80 Physical Game Prices
00:42:15 Why 2025 Might Be the Perfect Time to Play Old Games
00:57:54 Are You Still Playing Games Because You Enjoy Them?
01:09:00 How Gaming Changes When You Grow Up
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dual-comm-podcast/id1781108219
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Ls95EviV2hcBBnufcZ5ZE
Subscribe on iHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/240902321
Subscribe on Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5752977a-04fd-4198-b7e3-2a25665b98fc
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1:34:41
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1:34:41
PSVR in 2025, Retro Gaming, and Why the Old Internet Was Better
In this episode of the Dual Comm Podcast, we dive into a stacked lineup of topics that blend nostalgia, modern gaming tech, and internet culture.
PSVR in 2025 – Trying PlayStation VR for the first time a decade late! Does it hold up, or does the novelty wear off? We break down the best games (Ace Combat 7, Astro Bot Rescue Mission, Wipeout Omega Collection) and whether VR still has a future.
Retro Gaming in 2025 – Playing PlayStation 1 & 2 on original hardware still feels amazing. We discuss scalers like the Framemeister, OSSC, and RetroTINK, and why retro gaming delivers a distraction-free experience that modern games often lack.
The Old Internet Was Better – Why does the internet feel so different now? We reflect on the pre-algorithm era, how online spaces used to be more personal and exploratory, and what changed around 2017-2018. Can we ever go back?
Gaming Feels Better When You Earn It – Shoutout to TheRetroDen for an amazing take: https://youtu.be/br7TF52W8TA?si=ETq_HeFdv37BHe5y. Gaming feels more rewarding when it’s treated as a break after real-life productivity. We discuss whether gaming sessions become more fulfilling when they’re earned instead of being mindless escapism.
Join us for another deep dive into gaming, tech, and internet culture. Let us know your thoughts in the comments—do you still enjoy retro gaming? Is VR the future or a gimmick? And do you miss the old internet?
Subscribe to Lost Saves https://www.youtube.com/@lostsaves
Timestamps:
00:00:00 Intro
00:00:53 New Astro Bot Levels – Does It Still Hold Up?
00:05:02 Experiencing PlayStation VR for the First Time – 10 Years Late
00:18:28 Console VR vs. PC VR – Which Feels Better?
00:26:00 The Power of VR – How Depth Changes Everything
00:30:00 Playing PlayStation 1 & 2 in 2025 – Why It’s Still Incredible
00:40:00 What Is a Retro Scaler? How They Work & Why They Matter
00:50:00 The Joy of Retro Games – Timeless Gaming Without Distractions
00:58:57 Why the Old Internet Was Better – A Look Back
01:16:00 Gaming Feels More Fulfilling When It’s Earned
Subscribe:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dual-comm-podcast/id1781108219
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Ls95EviV2hcBBnufcZ5ZE
iHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/240902321
Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5752977a-04fd-4198-b7e3-2a25665b98fc
Welcome to the Dual Comm Podcast, hosted by bbkdragoon and EposVox, where gaming, tech, and life intersect in thoughtful and exciting conversations. As creators who grew up during the golden age of gaming, we dive into everything from nostalgic throwbacks and modern trends to the deeper connections games foster in our lives. Each show, we explore topics like multiplayer memories, the evolution of gaming culture, the latest in tech, and how games continue to shape the way we experience the world. Whether it’s debating old vs. new graphics, reliving LAN party glory days, or exploring the value of physical vs. digital media, we try to bring fresh perspectives to the table. Join us for casual chats, fun insights, and a celebration of what makes gaming and tech so impactful. Press start and listen now!