Between Levels Podcast

About Between Levels Podcast

Between Levels is a weekly gaming podcast hosted by WheelieAverage, Sarthe, and FightinCowboy. Each week, the trio dives into the latest releases, gaming news, industry trends, and audience questions, bringing together three distinct perspectives from across the gaming community. From blockbuster launches and hidden gems to in-depth discussions and special guests, Between Levels is where passionate gamers come together to talk about the games that matter most.

Publisher

Between Levels Podcast

Category

leisure

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

19 Jun 2026

Latest episode

20 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

17 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   20 Oct 2026

   Final Fantasy Resonance Review Roundtable | Between Levels Podcast: The Bonus Level

   Welcome to The Bonus Level — an extra Between Levels episode outside of our normal numbered weekly podcast. WheelieAverage is joined by Dom from Dom’s Roundtable and Danreb Victorio from SmashPad for a special Final Fantasy Resonance review roundtable. Wheelie has finished the main story and spent around 40 hours with the game, Dom has put more than 70 hours into it and explored virtually everything, while Dan joins us from the middle of Chapter 6. That gives us three very different perspectives on Square Enix’s return to old-school, turn-based Final Fantasy. We discuss the HD-2D presentation, characters, story and the Vision system, which lets you combine abilities from iconic Final Fantasy characters in some ridiculous ways. We also get into Resonance attacks, the soundtrack, how successfully Square Enix transformed a former mobile game into a full premium release, endgame grinding, Espers, technical issues and whether Final Fantasy Resonance really is a must-play JRPG. Finally, we look beyond Resonance and ask where Final Fantasy should go next. Should Final Fantasy XVII remain 3D? Could turn-based combat make a full comeback? And what influence could games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 have on the future of the franchise? Featuring WheelieAverage, Dom’s Roundtable and Danreb Victorio of SmashPad. CHAPTERS 00:00 – Welcome to The Bonus Level 01:20 – The Final Fantasy Resonance Review Roundtable 02:11 – Wheelie’s Final Fantasy Resonance Impressions 03:07 – Danreb’s First Impressions 05:00 – Dom’s Thoughts After 70+ Hours 06:16 – How Wheelie Got Into Turn-Based Games 10:01 – The Vision System Explained 15:06 – Resonance Attacks & Breaking the Combat System 18:06 – The Problem With Unlocking Visions 19:28 – Final Fantasy Resonance Is a Museum for the Franchise 20:31 – Final Fantasy’s Iconic Music 23:39 – Gilgamesh & Classic Final Fantasy References 24:51 – You’d Never Know This Was a Mobile Game 28:18 – Is Final Fantasy Resonance a MUST-PLAY? 30:27 – What Doesn’t Work? 32:14 – The Endgame Grind 34:43 – The Hidden Vision That Makes Grinding Easier 36:20 – Taking 16 Turns & Dealing Over a Million Damage 37:03 – Are Espers Too Weak? 39:16 – Technical Issues 41:05 – Quality-of-Life Features We Want 42:43 – Why Fast Travel Works So Well 47:15 – Where Does Final Fantasy Go Next? 52:35 – Final Verdicts 56:43 – Guest Coverage & Outro

2. 

   16 Oct 2026

   Valor Mortis Impressions & Street Fighter Movie Reactions | Between Levels Podcast Ep. 16

   Valor Mortis takes centre stage this week as WheelieAverage, FightinCowboy and Sarthe dive into the game, its aggressive first-person combat, build crafting and some of the technical issues Wheelie encountered during his playthrough. Wheelie has finished Valor Mortis, while Cowboy is around five or six hours into the game and having a much more positive experience so far. We compare impressions, break down Cowboy’s parry-focused build and discuss what works — and what doesn’t. Wheelie also shares his thoughts on the new Street Fighter movie after attending a special screening with Paramount Pictures. That quickly turns into a much bigger conversation about video game adaptations, whether games are the best form of entertainment and why translating an interactive experience into film can be so difficult. We also discuss whether Castlevania needed to evolve, why franchises have to change, annual sports games recycling old features, Hogwarts Legacy, Lord of the Rings games, the Nemesis System and whether developers should prioritise accessibility or depth when adapting major IP. Later, we get into gaming fatigue and open-world design, including Rise of the Ronin, Nioh 3, Mad Max, Ghost Recon Breakpoint, Red Faction Guerrilla, Crimson Desert, Outer Wilds, Skyrim and Red Dead Redemption 2. Finally, we discuss Cyberpunk 2077’s remarkable recovery, whether No Man’s Sky did it even better and some of gaming’s seemingly endless development cycles. Featuring WheelieAverage, FightinCowboy and Sarthe.

3. 

   9 Oct 2026

   Phantom Blade Zero Hands-On & Hellraiser Is BRUTAL | Between Levels Podcast Ep. 15

   Phantom Blade Zero is getting closer, and after spending six hours with the latest build, Sarthe thinks it could be something very special. In Episode 15 of Between Levels, WheelieAverage, FightinCowboy and Sarthe dive deep into Phantom Blade Zero. Sarthe has now played the game five different times and breaks down its incredibly fluid combat, huge weapon variety, free respec system, level design, difficulty options, soundtrack and why S-GAME is so adamant that this is NOT a Soulslike. Cowboy hasn't played it yet, but Phantom Blade Zero has become one of his most anticipated games and everything Sarthe says only makes that anticipation worse. Wheelie also gives his impressions of Hellraiser, a survival horror game that combines familiar elements from games like Resident Evil and Silent Hill with an uncompromising approach to the body horror that defines Hellraiser. We also return to Gears of War: E-Day as Cowboy and Sarthe approach the end of the campaign, discussing its more open structure, co-op, horror influences and stunning Unreal Engine 5 visuals. Plus, we discuss the best video game music of 2026, 007 First Light, Star Wars: Galactic Racer, Forever Ago, Control Resonant and just how difficult choosing our Game of the Year is going to be. Featuring WheelieAverage, FightinCowboy and Sarthe.

4. 

   2 Oct 2026

   Gears of War: E-Day Is Xbox's Best Game Since 360 & Galactic Racer | Between Levels Podcast Ep. 14

   Gears of War: E-Day is finally here, and Wheelie thinks it might be Xbox's best game since the Xbox 360 era. In Episode 14 of Between Levels, WheelieAverage, FightinCowboy and Sarthe dive into Gears of War: E-Day, including why the preview may have shown one of the game's slowest sections, its early review scores and why games should be judged on what they actually are rather than what a reviewer wanted them to be. Wheelie's verdict? E-Day is a must-play. We then return to World of Warcraft Forever, with a major beta update bringing new levels, class changes and dungeons before getting into the growing controversy around streamer handouts, gold buying and whether Blizzard should be cracking down harder. Later, Wheelie and Sarthe give their impressions of Star Wars: Galactic Racer, including its incredibly fast racing, roguelike progression, build variety and multiplayer. Wheelie scored it 9.5/10, while Gears of War: E-Day earned his full 10/10. We also discuss Minecraft Dungeons 2, Castlevania, Phantom Blade Zero, Stranger Than Heaven, Fable, Final Fantasy VII Revelation and just how absurdly packed the next few months of gaming are. Featuring WheelieAverage, FightinCowboy and Sarthe.

5. 

   25 Sept 2026

   World of Warcraft Forever Is Taking Over | Between Levels Podcast Ep. 13

   World of Warcraft has officially taken over Between Levels. In Episode 13, WheelieAverage, FightinCowboy and Sarthe dive deep into World of Warcraft Forever, with Cowboy admitting he somehow managed around 50–60 hours of WoW in under a week. We break down why WoW is still so dangerously addictive, what makes Forever different, the classes and professions, PvP, pets, controller support and whether this is finally the perfect opportunity for completely new players to jump in. Wheelie is preparing to play WoW for the first time at launch, while Cowboy and Sarthe attempt to convince him that Hunter is the way to go. Then it's time for another Fantasy Critic update, with Fire Emblem, Control Resonant, Silent Hill: Townfall and plenty more affecting the standings before we ask the big question: Is 2026 one of the greatest years for video games ever? We also return to Control Resonant, including why some players are struggling with its progression and combat, whether Remedy went too far with its lack of hand-holding, and where it currently sits in our Game of the Year conversations. Finally, we dive into your community comments and revisit the ongoing debate over whether Wheelie talks too much trash or Cowboy and Sarthe keep twisting his words. Naturally, this ends with Cowboy challenging Wheelie to a one-handed World of Warcraft fight once they're both levelled. Featuring WheelieAverage, FightinCowboy and Sarthe. Chapters 00:00 – Welcome to Between Levels Episode 13 01:56 – World of Warcraft Has Taken Over the Podcast 03:00 – Cowboy Played 50–60 Hours of WoW in Under a Week 05:05 – Why World of Warcraft Is So Addictive 08:36 – Is WoW Forever Going to Be Massive? 09:21 – Cowboy’s Wife, Plants & Retirement Plans 😂 11:33 – Cowboy’s WoW Forever Character Plans 13:27 – Every WoW Class Explained to Wheelie 18:49 – What Class Should a New WoW Player Choose? 21:27 – Wheelie Chooses Hunter 22:03 – Hunting Rare Pets in World of Warcraft 26:31 – Why Wheelie Is Waiting for Launch 29:44 – WoW Controller Support & Accessibility 31:39 – Who Else Is Playing WoW for the First Time? 34:38 – Fantasy Critic Update 36:04 – Silent Hill: Townfall’s Review Score Surprises Us 37:31 – Sarthe Finally Checks His Fantasy Critic Team 39:19 – Can Cowboy Still Win Fantasy Critic? 45:01 – Is 2026 the Best Year for Video Games? 47:03 – Why Control Resonant’s Reviews Are So Divided 47:49 – Does Control Resonant’s Combat Start Too Slowly? 49:18 – Did Remedy Go Too Far With No Hand-Holding? 52:35 – Is Control Resonant Less Forgiving Than Souls Games? 53:09 – Cowboy Discovers How Healing Actually Works 😂 55:18 – How Broken Can Control Resonant Builds Become? 56:25 – Is Control Resonant a Game of the Year Contender? 57:25 – Pragmata Is Still Cowboy’s GOTY 58:59 – Community Comments 1:02:25 – Does Wheelie Talk Too Much Trash? 1:06:00 – Did Cowboy & Sarthe Actually Twist Wheelie’s Words? 1:07:43 – Why Between Levels’ Banter Works 1:09:41 – Cowboy Challenges Wheelie in World of Warcraft 1:10:12 – The One-Handed WoW Fight Is Happening 1:15:22 – Waiting for WoW Forever Launch 1:17:07 – Cowboy Starts Judging Kids’ Pull-Ups 😂 1:20:06 – Somehow We Ended Up Talking About Parenting 1:20:16 – Outro & What’s Coming Next

6. 

   18 Sept 2026

   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.

7. 

   4 Sept 2026

   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.

8. 

   28 Aug 2026

   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 (https://www.youtube.com/@TheMavShow) Follow Between Levels: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BetweenLevelsPodcast (https://www.youtube.com/@BetweenLevelsPodcast) X: @BtweenLevels Instagram: @betweenlevelspodcast TikTok: @betweenlevelspodcast

9. 

   21 Aug 2026

   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

10. 

    17 Aug 2026

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

11. 

    7 Aug 2026

    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

12. 

    31 Jul 2026

    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 (http://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

13. 

    24 Jul 2026

    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 (https://www.youtube.com/@ArcKnightt) Keith Mitchell - https://www.youtube.com/@UCeiLjzNqtYKk-M8lRIW1BMg (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

14. 

    17 Jul 2026

    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 (https://www.youtube.com/@DreamcastGuy) Follow Between Levels: Instagram: @betweenlevelspodcast Facebook: Between Levels Podcast X: @BtweenLevels YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BetweenLevelsPodcast (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

15. 

    3 Jul 2026

    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 (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

16. 

    26 Jun 2026

    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.

17. 

    19 Jun 2026

    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.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

6 ratings

Contact Between Levels Podcast

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