Combo Chain - A JRPG Podcast
42 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 2 ratingsCombo Chain is a games club podcast about JRPGs, and other related genres. Each episode talks about the mechanics, story and the game as a whole...but really, we're all here for the stories, right? And the zen-like appeal of grinding. Really, it's so good. Hosted by Paul M. Davis, Allisa James, and a rotating crew of guest hosts.
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Episodes
Ep 32: Live-a-Live
September 15, 2022 13:00 - 51 minutes - 46.6 MBSo a caveman, kung fu master, ninja, cowboy, tournament fighter, esper, robot, and a knight go into a bar and discover...a cosmic evil. We cover this long-obscure cult Super Famicom JRPG that only came to the west this year through a remaster. Both versions are a glimpse into a fascinating concept decades before its time, and the kind of risk-taking and wild experimentation that could be found in 16-bit JRPGS. Follow Allisa's writing here (https://linktr.ee/asjames) Please rate and review us ...
Ep 31: Radiant Historia
August 25, 2022 13:00 - 49 minutes - 44 MBWe bust out our flowcharts and get unstuck in time as we cover the time-traveling cult classic Radiant Historia. As a dying world contends with endless war and desertification, three heroes jump between multiple timelines to try and find a way forward. Both a throwback to classic JRPGs and an ambitious reformulation of them, Radiant Historia is a fascinating relic of the Nintendo DS era. Timeline flowcharts on Fandom (https://radianthistoria.fandom.com/wiki/Timeline) Follow Allisa's writing h...
Ep 30: Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
August 09, 2022 17:00 - 39 minutes - 26.3 MBRiver-kun comes for us all as we cover Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch. The collaboration between Level-5 and Studio Ghibli was the subject of a lot of anticipation but has a complicated legacy. We discuss Drippy-gate, collecting the 'mons, and the game's similiarities to Frozen spinoff media. Allisa James' work on Linktree (https://linktr.ee/asjames)
Ep 29: Fire Emblem: Three Houses w/ Six Dettmar
October 05, 2021 17:00 - 1 hour - 78.3 MBPick your best boy or girl and join us as we cover Fire Emblem: Three Houses with special guest Six Dettmar! With the help of Koei Tecmo, Intelligent Systems (and Nintendo) turned the franchise around after the questionable Fire Emblem Fates. The result was an ambitious mix of mature themes, meaningful character development, branching narrative paths, dating simulation, and, of course, anime chess. Six Dettmar's shows on Scanline Media (http://scanlinemedia.com/) Allisa James on Siliconera (...
Ep 28: 7th Dragon III Code: VFD
July 13, 2021 10:30 - 1 hour - 44.3 MBUnderrated and under-promoted, the absurdly titled 7th Dragon III: Code VFD didn't make much of a splash when it was released on the Nintendo 3DS. But there's plenty to love in the game, a mix of Rieko Kodama's sci-fi/fantasy aesthetic and Etrian Odyssey-esque dungeon crawling, even if you (like most westerners) missed the first two non-localized entries. Allisa and Paul take a deep dive into a mostly forgotten gem and find a game that's shockingly progressive (in its own problematic ways) as...
Ep 27: Octopath Traveler w/ Iyane Agossah
June 08, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour - 77.8 MBAs much of a storytelling experiment as it is a throwback to 16 and 32-bit JRPGs, Octopath Traveler is an ambitious, if flawed, entry in the genre. Journalist Iyane Agossah joins Paul and new full-time co-host Allisa James to discuss this anthology of eight loosely-connected stories, and how successful it is in its attempt to both innovate and call back to classic JRPGs. Iyane Agossah on Dualshockers (https://www.dualshockers.com/author/iyane-agossah/) Allisa James on GamePur (https://www.gam...
Ep 26: Nier Replicant ver.1.22474487139... w/ Alexander McConnell
May 25, 2021 15:00 - 3 hours - 92.9 MBIn our longest episode to date, we delve deep into the desperation, dualities, and despair of Yoko Taro's brilliant Nier Replicant ver.1.22474487139... We cover the ways this remake vastly improves on the original, its themes of miscommunication, body shame, and existential despair, and detail the story and how it diverges in its numerous replays. As a spoiler alert, we also touch on its connections to lore from Nier: Automata (which you should play immediately) and the Drakengard series (whi...
Ep 25: Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean w/ Robert
May 11, 2021 11:15 - 1 hour - 45 MBTake these broken wings and learn to fly again as we cover the underrated MonolithSoft JRPG, Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean. Set in a surreal world of disconnected islands, the GameCube classic is a perfect example of the wild and experimental JRPGs that we don't get very often anymore, with a unique deck-building battle system and fourth wall breaking hijinks. Baten Kaitos interview with Shinji Noguchi (https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/05/03/baten-kaitos-interview) Robert o...
Ep 24: Valkyrie Profile w/ Fletch
April 29, 2021 19:00 - 1 hour - 44.9 MBWe delve into Norse mythology and enter an world-shattering battle in the underrated PS1 classic Valkyrie Profile. The game hearkens back to an era when JRPGs could be as bizarre and experimental as they wanted to be, for better and worse. We unpack the epic saga and the unusual mechanics of this game that got lost in the shuffle of Square's major PS1 games, which has nontheless become highly influential. Show Notes Valkyrie Profile on Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valkyrie_Profile...
Ep 23: The World Ends With You w/ Allisa James (Fixed)
February 16, 2021 11:45 - 56 minutes - 36.2 MBImagine you're an ultra-hip Shibuya kid who suddenly finds you've been enlisted into a battle for your life—and possibly the fate of the world. The World Ends With You is a stunningly innovative JRPG that's been imitated in style, but rarely in gameplay. We're joined by Allisa James to discuss the Reaper's Game, this fascinating use of the DS hardware, and the rare time that Tetsuya Nomura displayed restraint. Black Girl Gamers (https://twitter.com/blackgirlgamers) Megaten Marathon (http://ww...
Ep 22: Tales of the Abyss w/ Robert
January 27, 2021 14:00 - 51 minutes - 33 MBTales of the Abyss is a bold game, particularly for a series as risk-averse as Tales. This game takes big chances from the jump, from its initially-unlikeable protagonist to its constant efforts to undermine the story tropes you expect in such a game. Robert joins us to discuss this PS2/3DS JRPG classic that doesn't get the credit it deserves, a game with a thrilling narrative that often subverts the genre's tropes.
Ep 21: Phantasy Star IV w/ Alexander McConnell
January 05, 2021 12:00 - 3 hours - 86.5 MBOne of the greatest, and perhaps most underrated, JRPG's of the 16-bit generation, Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium is a sci-fi epic with a narrative and mechanics before its time. Alexander McConnell joins us to discuss the definitive conclusion to this four game saga, delving into its epic scope, charmingly sleazy protagonists, magical cats, and dad joke-spouting aliens. Pledge drive time! We need your help covering the costs of hosting and producing Megaten Marathon and Combo C...
Ep 20: Eternal Sonata w/ Dani Siller
December 15, 2020 11:00 - 1 hour - 60.3 MBAs Composer Frédéric Chopin lies on his deathbed from tuberculosis, in a parallel universe he's an anime bad boy in a fantasy world, doing battle with an industrialized empire and nasty anthropormphised beans. Eternal Sonata may not be the strangest premise for a JRPG ever, but it's certainly in the running. In this episode, Dani Siller of Escape This Podcast and Solve This Murder joins us to unpack this truly bizarre curio of the PS3/XBox 360 era. Pledge drive time! We need your help coverin...
Ep 19: Final Fantasy X w/ Andy Reinhold
December 07, 2020 11:00 - 3 hours - 83.9 MBSharpen up those Blitzball skills 'cos we're heading back to Spira. Final Fantasy X expert extraordinaire Andy Reinhold joins Paul for a deep dive into the themes, characters, and misconceptions about one of the most unusual and abstract entries in the franchise. Join us as we explore the heady themes, investigate who the game's true protagonist is, and learn why that infamous laughter scene is actually good. Pledge drive time! We need your help covering the costs of hosting and producing Meg...
Ep 18: Skies of Arcadia w/ Robert
October 12, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 45 MBTake flight into an age of adventure, where swashbuckling sky pirates do battle with an unjust empire and ancient godlike figures. Skies of Arcadia is the product of Sega RPG royalty—Phantasy Star creator Rieko Kodama and the team behind Panzer Dragoon Saga. Released originally for the Dreamcast, and later on the GameCube, the game is a cult classic that deserves greater appreciation. Join Paul and Robert as we discuss its endless charms, its painfully dated faults, and how much it deserves a...
Ep 17: Star Ocean w/ Fletch
September 28, 2020 04:00 - 57 minutes - 41.6 MBAh, Star Ocean...the venerable sci-fi JRPG series that plays more like a bad episode of Star Trek TOS than the epic, interstellar adventure it's always aspired to. In this episode, Fletch and Paul delve into the madness that is the original Super Famicom entry in the series, try to figure out why a spacefaring adventure ends up as a sword and magic fantasy title, and wrap our heads around some truly mad twists. We also pour one out for the dearly departed (or deeply comprised) Tri-Ace. But in...
Ep 15: Yakuza Zero w/ Leland Cheuk
September 14, 2020 12:00 - 1 hour - 61.3 MBPaul and Leland Cheuk (https://lelandcheuk.com/) delve into the sordid (yet strangely wholesome) underbelly of Japanese life in this ep on Yakuza Zero. Topics include putting a chicken in charge at your law firm, how may thrusts the thrusting guy can make an hour, and the sopa opera excesses of the Tojo Clan and their subordinates. Show Notes Very Bad No Good Asian (https://lelandcheuk.com/books/ngvba-novel-crpress-2019/) (https://lelandcheuk.com/books/ngvba-novel-crpress-2019/) by Leland Che...
Ep 16: Ys: Memories of Celceta w/ Allisa James
September 09, 2020 13:00 - 43 minutes - 30.7 MBWe venture into a mysterious land with an even more mysterious forest in Ys: Memories of Celceta, recently re-released for the PS4. A fleet-footed action-RPG that doesn't outstay its welcome, Ys: Memories of Celceta is the game where the brave (and commonly amnesiac) Adol finally earns the hallowed title of Adventurer with a capital A. Topics include what makes a great action-RPG, the mess that is Ys canon, and the real-life occult origins of Ys lore. Show Notes DualShockers at PAX Online (ht...
Ep 14: Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII w/ Fletch
June 17, 2020 03:00 - 1 hour - 73.3 MBWith special guest Fletch in tow, we delve into one of the strangest, fascinating, and underrated Final Fantasy entires: Lightning Returns. Fletch and Paul sign the praises of a game that is over the top in all of the best ways, introduces innovative mechanics, and features best emotionless girl Lightning as the harbinger of the apocalypse for a delightfully ridiculous world. Unfairly maligned at its release, the game has become a cult classic in recent years, and for good reason. Join us as...
Ep 14: Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII
June 17, 2020 03:00 - 1 hour - 73.3 MBWith special guest Fletch in tow, we delve into one of the strangest, fascinating, and underrated Final Fantasy entires: Lightning Returns. Fletch and Paul sign the praises of a game that is over the top in all of the best ways, introduces innovative mechanics, and features best emotionless girl Lightning as the harbinger of the apocalypse for a delightfully ridiculous world. Unfairly maligned at its release, the game has become a cult classic in recent years, and for good reason. Join us as...
Ep 13: Final Fantasy 7 Remake w/ Allisa James
April 27, 2020 16:00 - 55 minutes - 37.3 MBIt's a slow news...season? Rest of the year? So Allisa and Paul take a deep dive into Final Fantasy 7 Remake, We also discuss Allisa's Trials of Mana review, the delay of Digimon Survive, and much more! Spoiler note: Listen out for a couple spoiler warnings before we discuss some endgame elements of Final Fantasy 7 Remake, and skip ahead to the time stamps we recommend if you haven't beaten the game yet! Please help support Megaten Marathon on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/Mirrorimagestud...
Ep 13: Final Fantasy 7 Remake
April 27, 2020 16:00 - 55 minutes - 37.3 MBIt's a slow news...season? Rest of the year? So Allisa and Paul take a deep dive into Final Fantasy 7 Remake, We also discuss Allisa's Trials of Mana review, the delay of Digimon Survive, and much more! Spoiler note: Listen out for a couple spoiler warnings before we discuss some endgame elements of Final Fantasy 7 Remake, and skip ahead to the time stamps we recommend if you haven't beaten the game yet! Please help support Megaten Marathon on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/Mirrorimagestud...
Ep 12: Persona 5 Royal & Bravely Default 2 Demo
April 04, 2020 20:00 - 1 hour - 45.4 MBAllisa has already beaten Persona 5 Royal for her Dualshockers review, so in this episode she talks about her takaways, how the new characters and mechanics change the base game, and whether its worth going back to for people who played the original. We also give our first impressions on the Bravely Default 2 demo, Trials of Mana, and run through some of the latest JRPG news. Please support us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/Mirrorimagestudios) Any amount will help us cover the hosting...
Ep 11: Megadimension Neptunia VII w/ Fletch
March 31, 2020 15:00 - 1 hour - 54.3 MBWith special guest Fletch, we take a deep dive into the infamous Neptunia series, where you play as moe girls who are the living embodiment of famous video game consoles. Specifically, we look at Megadimension Neptunia VII, the most refined and successful iteration of this bizarre but ultimately endearing franchise. If you're looking for a JRPG based on obscure jokes about game consoles, developers, niche genres and kusoge games, this is the game for you. Listen as Neptunia expert Fletch guid...
Ep 11: Megadimension Neptunia VII
March 31, 2020 15:00 - 1 hour - 54.3 MBWith special guest Fletch, we take a deep dive into the infamous Neptunia series, where you play as moe girls who are the living embodiment of famous video game consoles. Specifically, we look at Megadimension Neptunia VII, the most refined and successful iteration of this bizarre but ultimately endearing franchise. If you're looking for a JRPG based on obscure jokes about game consoles, developers, niche genres and kusoge games, this is the game for you. Listen as Neptunia expert Fletch guid...
Ep 10: Hands-On With Persona 5 Royal, and a Dragon Quest ATM
February 25, 2020 09:00 - 1 hour - 53.3 MB** Please consider supporting us on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/Mirrorimagestudios) ** In this episode, Allisa reports back from a preview event for Persona 5 Royal. We also discuss the new DLC campaign forn Fire Emble: Three Houses, a highly possible review of Yakuza 7, the great Junji Ito and his influence on a new indie game, the Persona 5 Scramble demo on the Switch, Lovecraft's racism, and the amazing Japanese-only Dragon Quest ATMs. Eurogamer previews Yakuza 7, says it has some of ...
Ep 9: Nomura's Burden and the Alliance Alive
February 19, 2020 18:00 - 1 hour - 40.7 MBFormat change! Allisa James and Paul join up for a new twice-monthly look at the latest JRPG news and releases. We look at Nomura's Burden, aka Kingdom Hearts, the controversy over Yakuza's JRPG makeover, and take a look at the PC release of The Alliance Alive HD. Not to worry—we'll still be doing the single game, deep-dive episodes, but every couple of weeks or so we're going to round up the latest in JRPG news, give first impressions on new releases, and chat about what we're playing (and w...
Ep 23: The World Ends With You w/ Allisa James
February 16, 2020 11:45 - 56 minutes - 36.2 MBImagine you're an ultra-hip Shibuya kid who suddenly finds you've been enlisted into a battle for your life—and possibly the fate of the world. The World Ends With You is a stunningly innovative JRPG that's been imitated in style, but rarely in gameplay. We're joined by Allisa James to discuss the Reaper's Game, this fascinating use of the DS hardware, and the rare time that Tetsuya Nomura displayed restraint. Black Girl Gamers (https://twitter.com/blackgirlgamers) Megaten Marathon (http://ww...
Episode 8: Xenoblade Chronicles (Part Two) w/ Allisa James
December 27, 2019 07:00 - 1 hour - 46.9 MBAllisa James and Paul take us through the epic conclusion of Xenoblade Chronicles—humans get turned into mechs, our characters see abstract astral visions, and they go to war with a god—this one's got it all, folks. Rarely does a JRPG with this much story stick the landing, but this one is the rare exception. And even more rarely does a game on underpowered systems like the Wii and the 3DS produce such vibrant worldbuilding. This one's special, folks. Show Notes Allisa on Dualshockers (https:...
Episode 8: Xenoblade Chronicles (Part Two)
December 27, 2019 07:00 - 1 hour - 46.9 MBAllisa James and Paul take us through the epic conclusion of Xenoblade Chronicles—humans get turned into mechs, our characters see abstract astral visions, and they go to war with a god—this one's got it all, folks. Rarely does a JRPG with this much story stick the landing, but this one is the rare exception. And even more rarely does a game on underpowered systems like the Wii and the 3DS produce such vibrant worldbuilding. This one's special, folks. Show Notes Allisa on Dualshockers (https:...
Episode 7: Xenoblade Chronicles (Part One)
November 29, 2019 22:00 - 1 hour - 43.6 MBAllisa James joins us once again to discuss one of the most influential and divisive JRPGs of the past decade—Xenoblade Chronicles. We discuss how such an epic game was created on such subpar hardware, Nintendo's shift from refusing to release the game stateside to treating it as a core franchise, and, of course, the power of the Monado. This game has so much story we had to split it in half! Look forward to part two, coming soon. Show Notes * Operation Rainfall (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki...
Episode 7: Xenoblade Chronicles (Part One) w/ Allisa James
November 29, 2019 22:00 - 1 hour - 43.6 MBAllisa James joins us once again to discuss one of the most influential and divisive JRPGs of the past decade—Xenoblade Chronicles. We discuss how such an epic game was created on such subpar hardware, Nintendo's shift from refusing to release the game stateside to treating it as a core franchise, and, of course, the power of the Monado. This game has so much story we had to split it in half! Look forward to part two, coming soon. Show Notes * Operation Rainfall (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki...
Ep 6: NIER
November 10, 2019 08:00 - 34 minutes - 22.4 MBPaul goes it alone for this episode and indulges in his inner Yoko Taro fanboy as he covers a game which is, like all Taro games, incredibly sad. NIER spans thousands of years, is a high fantasy JRPG, but at its heart, is the story of a father and a daughter tragically separated from one another by disease, regret, and millennia. Join Paul as Yoko Taro brings the pain as only he can. Show Notes https://nier.fandom.com/wiki/NieR_Gestalt https://canmom.github.io/nier/nier-timeline Theme song is...
Ep 5: Phantasy Star w/ Robert
October 29, 2019 19:00 - 51 minutes - 42.4 MBRobert and Paul take it back to the old school with the original Phantasy Star, a game that was ahead of its time when released in 1989. Learn why Paul's friends thought this was a game for girls, his first JRPG, and the tropes and plotlines that inspired three (excellent) sequels. Theme song is "Chiptronical" by Patrick de Arteagna (https://patrickdearteaga.com/chiptune-8-bit-retro/).
Ep 5: Phantasy Star
October 29, 2019 19:00 - 51 minutes - 42.4 MBRobert and Paul take it back to the old school with the original Phantasy Star, a game that was ahead of its time when released in 1989. Learn why Paul's friends thought this was a game for girls, his first JRPG, and the tropes and plotlines that inspired three (excellent) sequels. Theme song is "Chiptronical" by Patrick de Arteagna (https://patrickdearteaga.com/chiptune-8-bit-retro/).
Ep 4: Dragon Quest 8 w/ Allisa James
September 09, 2019 12:00 - 45 minutes - 33 MBAllisa James and Paul M. Davis try their hand at one of the most engaging and charming JRPG's, Dragon Quest 8. It's the type of game that renews your faith in the genre as a whole, and hides a deceptively complex battle system behind some of your favorite JRPG mechanics. Please support us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/Mirrorimagestudios) Show Notes Dragon Quest: PS2 vs. 3DS (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqAuS38Rlj8) Black Girl Gamers (http://theblackgirlgamers.com/) Megaten Marathon...
Ep 4: Dragon Quest 8
September 09, 2019 12:00 - 45 minutes - 33 MBAllisa James and Paul M. Davis try their hand at one of the most engaging and charming JRPG's, Dragon Quest 8. It's the type of game that renews your faith in the genre as a whole, and hides a deceptively complex battle system behind some of your favorite JRPG mechanics. Please support us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/Mirrorimagestudios) Show Notes Dragon Quest: PS2 vs. 3DS (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqAuS38Rlj8) Black Girl Gamers (http://theblackgirlgamers.com/) Megaten Marathon...
Ep 3: Fire Emblem: Awakening
September 04, 2019 14:00 - 1 hour - 42.2 MBDavide Flandra joins us to unpack the highly divisive Fire Emblem game that resurrected the franchise...Fire Emblem: Awakening. Why is it so strongly loved and loathed? Did Intelligent Systems sell their soul to give Nintendo the hit they demanded? Find out in the latest episode of Combo Chain! Show Notes: Support us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/Mirrorimagestudios) Megaten Marathon (http://megatenmarathon.com) Davide on Twitter (http://twitter.com/AccTheMoon) Theme song is "Chiptronic...
Ep 3: Fire Emblem: Awakening w/ Davide
September 04, 2019 14:00 - 1 hour - 42.2 MBDavide Flandra joins us to unpack the highly divisive Fire Emblem game that resurrected the franchise...Fire Emblem: Awakening. Why is it so strongly loved and loathed? Did Intelligent Systems sell their soul to give Nintendo the hit they demanded? Find out in the latest episode of Combo Chain! Show Notes: Support us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/Mirrorimagestudios) Megaten Marathon (http://megatenmarathon.com) Davide on Twitter (http://twitter.com/AccTheMoon) Theme song is "Chiptronic...
Ep 2: YS VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana
May 24, 2019 02:00 - 42 minutes - 33.7 MBPaul and special guest Robert get stranded on a mysterious island as we cover Lost...er, Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana. During our adventure, we discuss the great monster conspiracy to kill your characters, Adol's asexuality, our raft-building abilities or lack thereof, and much more. Support us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/Mirrorimagestudios) Show notes: Robert on Twitter (https://twitter.com/pewteriscuter) Megaten Marathon Ep 35: Tokyo Mirage Sessions ♯FE (http://www.megatenmarathon...
Ep 2: YS VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana w/ Robert
May 24, 2019 02:00 - 42 minutes - 33.7 MBPaul and special guest Robert get stranded on a mysterious island as we cover Lost...er, Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana. During our adventure, we discuss the great monster conspiracy to kill your characters, Adol's asexuality, our raft-building abilities or lack thereof, and much more. Support us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/Mirrorimagestudios) Show notes: Robert on Twitter (https://twitter.com/pewteriscuter) Megaten Marathon Ep 35: Tokyo Mirage Sessions ♯FE (http://www.megatenmarathon...
Ep 1: Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth
May 14, 2019 08:00 - 23 minutes - 16.6 MBWith little to none Digimon knowledge, Paul wades into the Digital Monster world with Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth. What he finds is a great JRPG, despite his ignorance, on this beta episode of Combo Chain. Going Digital - A Digimon Podcast (https://goingdigital.simplecast.com/) Theme song is "Chiptronical" by Patrick de Arteagna (https://patrickdearteaga.com/chiptune-8-bit-retro/). Help support Combo Chain! amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; amzn_assoc_tracking...