Between Levels Podcast

Control Resonant Review & Wolverine Debate ft. Jesse From DayOne | Between Levels Podcast Ep. 12

Between Levels is back with Episode 12! This week, Jesse from DayOne joins WheelieAverage and FightinCowboy, with Sarthe joining a little later in the show. The main event is Control Resonant. Having all reviewed Remedy’s latest game, we break down its new melee-focused combat, open-world structure, powers, build variety, puzzles and exploration, as well as Dylan Faden’s development as the new protagonist. We also compare our review scores and discuss why the combat has become one of the most divisive parts of the game. Before that, we revisit Marvel’s Wolverine, including its linear structure, player guidance and combat, before catching up on The Blood of Dawnwalker and Onimusha: Way of the Sword. Sarthe then joins us fresh from BlizzCon to talk about Warcraft Forever, why it has pulled him back into World of Warcraft, and whether this could be the right time for new players to jump in. Plus, we discuss how reviewers and creators decide what games to cover, what actually counts as a first-party game, studio reputations, the return of the Wheelie vs Cowboy For Honor argument, and the latest Mortal Shell II accessibility discussion.

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Onimusha: Way of the Sword Review & Dawnwalker Impressions | Between Levels Podcast Ep. 11

Sarthe is back from Gamescom for Episode 11 of Between Levels, joining WheelieAverage and FightinCowboy to talk about what he saw and played in Germany, including Tides of Annihilation and more. Then we dive into Onimusha: Way of the Sword. Cowboy has finished the game, Wheelie is near the end, and Sarthe has spent several hours with it. We discuss the combat, Issen system, difficulty, open areas, surprising humour, story and whether Capcom has delivered another must-play action game. We also go deep on The Blood of Dawnwalker. Wheelie and Sarthe have completed the game while Cowboy has started his first playthrough, leading to a huge discussion about its directional combat, vampire and human builds, witchcraft, the 30-day time system, genuine choice and consequence, multiple endings and how dramatically different two playthroughs can become. Plus, we update Fantasy Critic, predict review scores for Marvel’s Wolverine, Silent Hill: Townfall and Control Resonant, and finally choose the three winners of our Mortal Shell II Steam code giveaway. Our next giveaway will happen when Between Levels reaches 2,000 subscribers, when we’ll be giving away a PC copy of The Blood of Dawnwalker. Featuring WheelieAverage, FightinCowboy and Sarthe.

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Marvel’s Wolverine Hands-On & Gamescom’s Best Games ft. TheMavShow | Between Levels Podcast Ep. 10

Sarthe is away at Gamescom this week, so TheMavShow joins WheelieAverage and FightinCowboy for Episode 10 of Between Levels! We’re breaking down our favourite reveals from Gamescom Opening Night Live, including The Witcher 3 remaster, Tides of Annihilation, Warlock, Fable and plenty more, along with some of the games that left us a little less convinced. Then Mav and Cowboy give their hands-on impressions of FromSoftware’s The Duskbloods, explaining how its unusual multiplayer structure works, what surprised them after actually playing it, and when we think Nintendo could release the game. Finally, Wheelie has played three hours of Marvel’s Wolverine and gives his full hands-on impressions. We talk combat, optional stealth, Logan’s rage and healing mechanics, the more linear approach to storytelling, costumes and interchangeable claws, Jean Grey, Team X and whether Insomniac has successfully translated its Spider-Man formula into a Wolverine game. Plus, we answer your community questions, discuss whether Insomniac’s Marvel games are taking too much time and attention away from original PlayStation IP such as Ratchet & Clank, and get an unexpected Fantasy Critic update as Cowboy and Wheelie’s battle at the top gets increasingly competitive. Featuring: WheelieAverage FightinCowboy TheMavShow Check out TheMavShow: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMavShow Follow Between Levels: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BetweenLevelsPodcast X: @BtweenLevels Instagram: @betweenlevelspodcast TikTok: @betweenlevelspodcast

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Inside Mortal Shell II With the Developers | Between Levels Podcast Ep. 9

The developers of Mortal Shell II join Between Levels! For Episode 9, WheelieAverage, FightinCowboy and Sarthe sit down with Mortal Shell II co-founders Vitaly Bulgarov, Andrew McLennan-Murray and Anthony for an in-depth conversation about the making of one of our favourite Soulslikes of 2026. We discuss the huge leap from the original Mortal Shell to Mortal Shell II, how Cold Symmetry’s creative process works, why a bug accidentally turned playing as a sheep into a full feature, the game’s original roguelite beginnings, Shell design, lore, memories, difficulty, community feedback and how player telemetry influences balancing decisions. The team also talks about the future of Mortal Shell II, including the possibility of expanding the existing world with new areas, Shells, weapons and more — and even gives us an interesting answer when FightinCowboy asks the all-important question: where is Solomon? We also have a deeper discussion about the Slayer Seal, achievements and accessibility, why Cold Symmetry prefers diegetic difficulty options, maintaining creative freedom as development budgets grow and what the team has learned from the response to Mortal Shell II. 00:00 – Welcome to Between Levels Episode 9 00:47 – Meet the Mortal Shell 2 Developers 02:46 – The Stress of Launching Mortal Shell 2 04:24 – How Cold Symmetry Came Together 06:31 – Leaving AAA Behind & Building Games Differently 10:16 – “We Have To”: How the Sheep Became a Feature 12:17 – Mortal Shell Started as a Roguelite 17:13 – Community Feedback, Balance & Telemetry 25:28 – The Developers’ Favourite Shells 31:06 – How Mortal Shell 2’s Shells Are Designed 41:36 – Improving Mortal Shell 2’s Storytelling 48:01 – Night Mode, Horror Areas & Missable Content 52:42 – How the Lute Became a Weapon 56:18 – Bigger Budgets vs Creative Freedom 1:03:49 – Why Slayer Seal Disables Achievements 1:08:39 – Why Mortal Shell 2 Doesn’t Have Difficulty Options 1:10:21 – The Developers React to Mortal Shell 2’s Reception 1:17:01 – Mortal Shell 2 Steam Code Giveaway We’re giving away THREE Steam copies of Mortal Shell II! To enter, leave a comment telling us why you want to play Mortal Shell II and/or what you enjoyed most about this episode. This episode contains some light discussion of Mortal Shell II story, bosses and late-game content. Let us know what you think of Mortal Shell II and what you’d like to see from its post-launch future! Featuring: WheelieAverage FightinCowboy Sarthe Vitaly Bulgarov Andrew McLennan-Murray Anthony Follow Between Levels: X: @BtweenLevels Instagram: @betweenlevelspodcast TikTok: @betweenlevelspodcast

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Mortal Shell II Review: A MUST-PLAY Soulslike ft. Dom's RoundTable | Between Levels Podcast Ep. 8

Mortal Shell II is finally here, and WheelieAverage, FightinCowboy and Sarthe are joined by Dom from Dom’s RoundTable for the first full Between Levels review roundtable. The four break down Mortal Shell II’s enormous evolution over the original, including its combat, Shell system, build diversity, exploration, bosses, lore, difficulty, performance and technical state. They also discuss how it compares to games like Elden Ring, Lies of P and Nioh 2, the best Shell for new players, some completely broken builds, whether the beta’s technical issues have been addressed and whether Mortal Shell II is ultimately worth your time and money. The opening section is spoiler-free before a clear warning marks the beginning of the spoiler discussion. Plus, the hosts answer questions submitted by the Between Levels community and reveal their final verdicts on Mortal Shell II.

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Beast of Reincarnation Dropped the Ball | Between Levels Podcast Ep. 7

Beast of Reincarnation has excellent combat, impressive traversal and plenty of promising ideas—but almost every strength comes with a frustrating catch. In Episode 7 of the Between Levels Podcast, WheelieAverage, FightinCowboy and Sarthe break down where Beast of Reincarnation succeeds, where it completely drops the ball and why its repetitive enemies, reused bosses, limited progression and disappointing final hours prevent it from becoming something special. The conversation also turns into a heated discussion about the current state of Pokémon, whether Palworld has become the Pokémon experience fans actually wanted and why Game Freak’s latest release left the hosts so disappointed. Elsewhere, the trio updates the Between Levels Fantasy Critic league, discusses Marvel’s Wolverine, GTA 6’s unusual Netflix showcase, the Gears of War: E-Day beta and the upcoming WheelieAverage versus FightinCowboy For Honor showdown. They also discuss the excellent Mortal Shell 2 beta, whether game demos should make a full comeback, 007 First Light, the current Game of the Year contenders, Capcom’s incredible year, Phantom Dust and some of the best community comments from Episode 6. Let us know in the comments: What OpenCritic score do you think Mortal Shell 2 will receive? Subscribe for a new episode of Between Levels every week. Hosted by: WheelieAverage FightinCowboy Sarthe Follow Between Levels: X: @BtweenLevels Instagram: @betweenlevelspodcast TikTok: @betweenlevelspodcast

Our Top 5 Video Games of All Time | Between Levels Podcast Ep. 6

What are the greatest video games of all time? This week, WheelieAverage, FightinCowboy and Sarthe reveal and discuss their personal Top 5 Video Games of All Time. Some choices may be predictable, while others could raise a few eyebrows. From nostalgic classics and community-driven experiences to modern masterpieces, the hosts explain why games including Phantom Dust, Elden Ring, Nioh 2, Armored Core, Destiny, Shenmue, Alan Wake 2 and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 left such a lasting impression. The discussion explores how narrative, gameplay, music, exploration, replayability and the memories created with other players can transform a great game into a personal favourite. The hosts also debate nostalgia versus modern game design, the growing focus on optimisation over exploration and how gaming communities influence the way games are experienced and remembered. We also share Top 5 submissions from the Between Levels community, featuring several unexpected choices. What are your five favourite video games of all time? Follow Between Levels: YouTube: youtube.com/@BetweenLevelsPodcast X: @BtweenLevels Instagram: @betweenlevelspodcast TikTok: @betweenlevelspodcast Between Levels is a weekly gaming podcast hosted by WheelieAverage, FightinCowboy and Sarthe. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction and how the Top 5 lists work 00:20 – FightinCowboy’s number one: Phantom Dust 02:09 – Elden Ring and the joy of discovery 04:58 – Nioh 2 and the evolution of Soulslikes 12:12 – Armored Core’s legacy and latest instalment 21:17 – World of Warcraft, MMOs and community memories 23:04 – Nostalgia versus modern gameplay and graphics 26:49 – Turn-based games and narrative-driven experiences 34:50 – Shenmue’s legacy and Alan Wake 2 43:33 – Sarthe’s Top 5: Destiny, Clair Obscur and more 50:36 – Exploration, breaking mechanics and game design 55:44 – The community’s Top 5 submissions 1:03:35 – Competition, collaboration and community feedback 1:08:06 – Close calls, World of Warcraft and creative MMO PvP 1:14:25 – Optimisation versus exploration 1:17:28 – Final thoughts on our favourite games

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Soulslikes, $100 Games & The Future ft. Arc Knight & Keith Mitchell | Between Levels Podcast Ep. 5

Join WheelieAverage alongside special guests Arc Knight and Keith Mitchell as they dive into Soulslike games, upcoming releases, game development, rising prices and the realities of creating content in the gaming space. In this episode, we discuss Elden Ring and modded Soulslike experiences, some of the most frustrating enemies in Dark Souls and Bloodborne, fall damage and traversal mechanics, Mortal Shell 2, Blood of the Dawnwalker, Lords of the Fallen, GTA VI pricing, the importance of supporting indie developers, art direction versus hyper-realistic graphics and much more. Keith and Arc also share their experiences from across the gaming industry and offer advice for aspiring streamers and content creators looking to build genuine communities. Between Levels is a weekly gaming podcast bringing together different perspectives from across the gaming community to discuss the latest news, releases and trends shaping the industry. Follow Between Levels: Instagram: @betweenlevelspodcast TikTok: @betweenlevelspodcast X: @BtweenLevels Featuring: WheelieAverage Arc Knight - https://www.youtube.com/@ArcKnightt Keith Mitchell - https://www.youtube.com/@UCeiLjzNqtYKk-M8lRIW1BMg Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and guest lineup 02:00 Getting into Soulslikes and modded Elden Ring 08:00 The most hated enemies in Soulslike games 15:00 Fall damage, traversal and game design 22:00 Mortal Shell 2, Blood of the Dawnwalker and upcoming games 38:00 GTA VI, $100 games and the future of game pricing 51:00 AAA development, indie games and industry collaboration 1:05:00 Industry egos, consumer expectations and value 1:15:00 Advice for aspiring content creators and streamers 1:23:00 Community questions and what’s next for Between Levels

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Black Flag Resynced, DOOM & Echoes Of Aincrad ft. DreamcastGuy | Between Levels Podcast Ep. 4

WheelieAverage, Sarthe, and FightinCowboy are joined by special guest DreamcastGuy for Episode 4 of Between Levels. In this episode, we discuss Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced and how it revitalizes one of the franchise’s most beloved games, our disappointment with Echoes of Aincrad, and the Revelations DLC for DOOM: The Dark Ages. We also share our Fantasy Critic predictions for Mortal Shell 2 and Valor Mortis, discuss the future of physical media and digital game ownership, reflect on classic games including Skies of Arcadia and Final Fantasy VII, and reveal some of our most controversial gaming opinions and guilty pleasures. Check out DreamcastGuy: https://www.youtube.com/@DreamcastGuy Follow Between Levels: Instagram: @betweenlevelspodcast Facebook: Between Levels Podcast X: @BtweenLevels YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BetweenLevelsPodcast Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome and DreamcastGuy introduction 02:16 - Fantasy Critic League update 03:42 - DOOM: The Dark Ages Revelations review 05:58 - Boss challenges and DLC features 10:12 - Our disappointment with Echoes of Aincrad 15:47 - Game reviews, scores, and upcoming releases 24:20 - Mortal Shell 2 predictions and demo impressions 33:03 - Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced 36:48 - Combat, ship battles, and gameplay changes 44:27 - Why Black Flag remains so beloved 55:47 - Physical media and digital game ownership 1:07:44 - Our favorite games and guilty pleasures 1:24:49 - Popular games that missed the mark 1:28:58 - Nostalgic and guilty-pleasure picks 1:31:11 - Controversial gaming opinions 1:33:12 - Closing thoughts and thanks to DreamcastGuy

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The Best Soulslikes & The Death Of Physical Games | Between Levels Podcast Ep. 3

Join WheelieAverage, Sarthe, and FightinCowboy as they dive into Soulslike games, the future of physical media, digital-only gaming, horror game tropes, PC gaming, and the changing shape of the industry. In this episode, we discuss what actually makes a game a Soulslike, our favorite Soulslike experiences, Elden Ring, co-op and invasion mechanics, build crafting, modding, PlayStation's reported move away from physical game production, digital ownership, game pricing, PC gaming versus consoles, horror game design, The Dark Pictures Anthology, Fantasy Critic updates, and much more. Between Levels is a weekly gaming podcast bringing together three different perspectives from across the gaming community to discuss the latest news, releases, and trends shaping the industry. Follow Between Levels: Instagram: @betweenlevelspodcast Facebook: Between Levels Podcast X: @BtweenLevels Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/fbBIA8aOWss Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and host banter 03:24 Best Soulslike games and FromSoftware alternatives 07:38 What actually makes a game a Soulslike? 08:55 Multiplayer, co-op, and invasions in Souls games 11:21 Elden Ring and co-op experiences 13:45 Lords of the Fallen and modern co-op systems 16:04 Modding in FromSoftware games 18:22 Sarthe's favorite non-World of Warcraft game 20:07 Build crafting, lore, and Soulslike depth 22:13 Breaking game mechanics for fun 23:43 Game difficulty and player attitudes 25:33 Sleep schedules, ADHD, and gaming habits 32:35 PlayStation, physical games, and digital-only trends 36:41 Digital ownership and game pricing 40:16 Piracy, preservation, and the value of physical media 44:17 Esports and competitive gaming 50:06 All-digital consoles and the future of hardware 55:12 PC gaming, nostalgia, and hardware choices 1:02:30 How quickly can you tell if a game is for you? 1:09:45 Horror game tropes and genre evolution 1:15:30 The Dark Pictures Anthology discussion 1:20:02 Fantasy Critic updates and bid strategies 1:24:25 Channel updates and subscriber milestones 1:25:44 Upcoming episodes and future topics 1:26:40 Closing thoughts Follow for new episodes every week and leave your questions for future episodes. #GamingPodcast #Soulslike #EldenRing #PhysicalGames #BetweenLevels

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GTA VI Pricing, Valve's Steam Machine & Fantasy Critic | Between Levels Podcast Ep. 2

Join WheelieAverage, Sarthe, and FightinCowboy as they dive into some of the biggest topics in gaming, including GTA VI pricing, Valve's Steam Machine, Fantasy Critic, Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy, and the rising cost of gaming. In this episode, we discuss our Fantasy Critic draft strategies, impressions of Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy, GTA VI editions and microtransactions, Valve's Steam Machine pricing, graphics versus optimization, upcoming game releases, console pricing, and much more. Between Levels is a weekly gaming podcast bringing together three different perspectives from across the gaming community to discuss the latest news, releases, and trends shaping the industry. Follow Between Levels: Instagram: @betweenlevelspodcast Facebook: Between Levels Podcast X: @BtweenLevels Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome and episode overview 02:11 WoW stories and Cowboy's gaming anecdotes 04:51 Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy gameplay impressions 11:34 Upcoming game releases and the 2026 industry timeline 24:14 Fantasy Critic draft begins 36:11 Game pricing, hardware costs, and industry backlash 43:20 Graphics, optimization, and performance tech 55:10 GTA VI editions, pricing, and microtransactions 1:04:32 Rising console prices and upcoming hardware 1:17:46 Final game picks for the year 1:25:29 Valve's Steam Machine and hardware affordability 1:31:33 Closing thoughts and next steps Subscribe for new episodes every week and leave your questions in the comments for future episodes.

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Xbox, GTA VI & The Future of Soulslikes | Between Levels Podcast Ep. 1

Welcome to the very first episode of Between Levels. Join WheelieAverage, Sarthe, and FightinCowboy as they dive into some of the biggest topics in gaming, including Xbox's future, GTA VI, Summer Game Fest, and the future of Soulslike games. In this episode, we discuss Xbox's recent showcase, industry layoffs, GTA VI's impact on the gaming landscape, Mortal Shell 2, Lords of the Fallen 2, anime games, gameplay versus graphics, and much more. Between Levels is a weekly gaming podcast bringing together three different perspectives from across the gaming community to discuss the latest news, releases, and trends shaping the industry. Follow Between Levels: Instagram: @betweenlevelspodcast Facebook: Between Levels Podcast X: @BtweenLevels Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome to Between Levels 02:04 Upcoming Game Releases 03:21 Summer Game Fest Impressions 04:12 September & October Release Rush 05:26 Game Delays & Release Strategy 06:40 GTA VI's Shadow Over Gaming 07:56 Can Smaller Games Survive? 09:27 Xbox's Summer Game Fest Showcase 10:36 Innovation vs Established Franchises 11:30 Industry Rumors & Misinformation 12:41 Studio Acquisitions & Consolidation 14:11 Sony's Investment Strategy 15:31 Layoffs & Industry Restructuring 16:11 Gaming's Growth Problem 17:26 Are Soulslikes Here to Stay? 18:38 NFTs & Gaming Trends 19:33 Why Some Games Fail 21:03 The Death of the System Seller? 22:28 Graphics, Art Style & Immersion 23:05 Is Call of Duty Still King? 24:45 Understanding Gaming Communities 26:34 Realism vs Fun 27:10 Gameplay Over Graphics 28:52 Crimson Desert & Community Feedback 29:14 Evolve, Anthem & Games That Deserved Better 30:27 Mods & Community Support 31:12 Changing Consumer Habits 32:00 Rising Costs of Gaming 33:16 The Future of Gaming Technology 34:21 Why Gameplay Matters Most 35:52 The Power of Art Direction 36:39 Walking Simulators & Niche Genres 37:10 First Impressions Matter 39:32 Marketing & Expectations 40:43 Why Astro Bot Works 42:06 Storytelling in Games 44:02 Mortal Shell 2 & Modern Soulslikes 48:02 Pricing, Value & Expectations 50:34 Open World Design Challenges 52:27 Anime Games: Ambition vs Reality 55:42 Control Resonant Discussion 58:53 The Crowded Fall Release Schedule 62:12 Marketing, Hype & Mystery 66:38 FromSoftware's Untapped Potential 70:17 Developer Evolution & New Ideas 71:43 Gaming Through Parenthood 73:07 The Future of Between Levels 75:19 Final Thoughts & Community Questions Subscribe for new episodes every week and send us your questions for future episodes.

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