So much to talk about, but I've forgotten some of it. You guys were only involved in Ryan Davis part 1, and not the sequel, but I think you guys did a very commendable job in sharing what made Ryan so awesome. You also have video (audio) of baby Ryan doing his Gamespot reviews (miles away from how we saw him on Giant Bomb); so while you didn't know him as well as others did, you brought some cool stuff to the table.

OK, some notes.

1. Freedom Fighters was AWESOME and it needs a sequel/reboot/spiritual sequel/whatever

2. TETRIS is a fucking emotional roller coaster. It's just pixelated blocks. In the present, I'm playing entanglement. A lot prettier than Tetris, but it's not some visual phenomenon. It's my 2013 Tertris. Graphics are great, graphics are amazing, but you don't really need them to have a great gaming experience, or to tell a better story.

Meh! smegma... he lives... he lives

CHINA DON'T CARE.

Art isn't better art because it's more complex. Final Fantasy Tactics may be the best game ever. To this day it's still beautiful. All this talk about The Last Of Us being about it's looks is stupid. The game is not impressive visually because of it's engine. Like FFT, it's graphics works because of the passion poured into them. Combined with the story and gameplay you get immersed into it's world. For me, The Last Of Us is an incredible game in every respect. Others want a different kind of game. That's fine. But please, realize it's not about graphic engines. It's the love the game is made with that shines or doesn't shine through. Even if a game doesn't look nice, if it's made with heart, you will grow fond of it's appearance.

And by the way, film is the same. There are great movies with big budgets and great movies with small budgets. Doesn't matter how fancy the sets are or how evolved the CGI. It's the emotion it invokes. Bugs me when someone blows off a movie because of it's effects or animation. Heck, some movies aren't even about that. They'll only have a minute of CGI where it was simpler or more convenient. Then people rate it down several points on account of the CGI. Blarg. Guess my point is... don't focus on costs. Experience art with your soul.

While I am not very familiar with Ryan Davis, he seemed like a great person from the things I've heard lately. Sweet dreams Ryan.

Hi! I just wanted to say that I really love your podcast. I enjoy how you articulate your opinions and the jokes. I find myself quite entertained during my lunch breaks on Saturday at work, listening to your podcast. I also wanted to mention that Carolyn is my favorite at the table. At first, I didn't know what to really think of her. As I've listened to her, I just really respect her views and her place at GameSpot. Furthermore, she pushes games to strive for more than just the objectification of women and violence. As I grow into an older man (21), some of these recurring themes throughout all of gaming are becoming more mundane and repetitive. So hearing Carolyn push video games into becoming a higher form of art, it's inspiring to hear that from someone in the gaming community. More than anything, she's just respectful and eloquent in terms of her language use. Perhaps I've rambled, but I love the podcast and hope to see it continued.

Also, I just wanted to mention that I've been on this site since at least 2003 and I signed up for an account in 2004. Ryan Davis played an important role in the ascension of GameSpot as a news source in that time period. He will be sorely missed. Thanks for your time ladies and gents.

BTW, Smash Bros. was by far my favorite stream at EVO today... but it very well might be my favorite game of all time so I'm biased :P

Instead of playing The Last of Us, I'm playing Final Fantasy 7 and Fire Emblem 7... umad Tom?

Kevin's view. is always great he is really critic

I always find my view of gaming very close to Kevin's view. But I Think Crysis 3 was one of the bad games I played this year and it would be a horribly regrettable purchase for anyone else. Because regardless of the gameplay being good or bad the campaign spans only 5 hour on the hardest difficulty level, and the online play is hardly noticeable.

I bought Katamari Damacy today after remembering how good it is.

Another good episode, but this was one of the particularly good ones. Lots of interesting topics and good back-and-forth.

Oh yea Freedom Fighters was awesome! My favorite multiplayer game of that era, the only flaw was a lack of maps.

So refreshing to read a comments section on GS and not curl up into a tense ball of incredulous rage, sadness and disbelief.

And no this is not sarcasm, not after reading the comments on Carolyn's TLOU article and the new Xboc chief news piece.

Kevin and Tom, That has to be the best back and forth argument ever in gaming journalism! So entertaining!

I hope this isn't in poor taste. I was just wondering if anyone knew how this lovely man past away? He seemed awfully young.

"No David, don't interrupt, this is great" Thanks Peter, had the same reaction listening to that surreal argument xD

I'm happy with the unedited episodes though, there should be an outtakes one for the others!

Just saying, but Carolyn better be the one who reviews GTA5... she seems to be the only one who "gets" it. ;p

A good episode today. Just the lack of the intro and outro set a tone. Ryan Davis was properly celebrated and then nobody won the podcast. I'll be happy to get back to normal next week though.

BEAR CRUSH. Busted Kevin. lol.

Wait, what?! Ryan Davis is... ? Jeez, I'd been away again, and didn't even know...

Sigh, rest in peace, good sir.

I feel like I'm a bit of weirdo for this but.... I can't stand GTA. I'm so bored of the routine-ness of it all.

55:26 I know exactly what you mean Kevin, I currently have a HUGE crush on a GameSpot editor and you don't know who he is. Rest in Piece Ryan Davis, best moment was watching him call Tom McShea and Peter Brown idiots, such a great man. See you next week and this week is so sad.

I enjoy immensely whenever Ryse comes up in discussion simply for the reaction it gets.