Best Westin Smiley Podcasts (2024)

1
Remasters, Reboots, And Remakes Part 2 — ROG 39 1:08:27

3y ago1:08:27

1:08:27

We continue our deep dive into the highs, lows, and business incentives of remasters, reboots, and remakes. What should we, the consumers, watch for when looking at these revitalized properties, and what should we skeptically examine prior to buying full force into the nostalgic charm they seem to evoke? Find out on this episode of Reflections on G…

1
Remasters, Reboots, and Remakes: THE HOLY TRIFECTA OF PROFIT — ROG 38 1:06:21

3y ago1:06:21

1:06:21

Take the old and make it new! A concept that has been around for decades, yet is taking on a new life with the release of game collections like the Spyro Reignited Trilogy, The Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, and the Resident Evil 2 and 3 Remakes. Today, we discuss the defining features of this trifecta of profit, and discuss various examples of s…

1
Sequels! — ROG 37 1:08:49

3y ago1:08:49

1:08:49

SO MANY SEQUELS. What makes them good or bad. well-received or hated? Is there a formula to a good and successful sequel or is it completely luck of the draw? Today, Reflections on Gaming takes on the difficult task of breaking down the essence of good and bad sequels, while looking at several case studies trying to find the KEY to good sequels. Jo…

1
Breath of the Wild Part 2: A Scathing Endorsement of a Terrible and Fantastic Piece of Trash Art — ROG 36 1:45:22

3y ago1:45:22

1:45:22

BOTW part TWO! Hooray! In this podcast we discuss our main gripes and praises of Breath of the Wild, and propose some changes to improve the series as it takes a new direction in the entries to come! Come join in on the discussion with us! Don't miss our streams every week, talk to us live! twitch.tv/reflectionsongaming Join in on the discussion an…

1
Breath of the Wild Part 1: First Impressions — ROG 35 1:06:38

3y ago1:06:38

1:06:38

Breath of the Wild, one of the most popular games of the past 5 years and a hallmark of Nintendo's library and the Legend of Zelda series. What do you we think of it? Do we think things? Let's find out! Spoiler: Yes, we do. In this podcast we discuss our first impressions of Breath of the Wild both before we ever played it and during our first play…

1
Effective Horror in Video Games — ROG 34 1:13:58

3y ago1:13:58

1:13:58

Jumpscares, tension, low-frequency rumblings, gore, body horror, torture, unrelenting monsters and nightmares; all of these things and more are found in horror in all media, but video games have the unique property of throwing you INTO the fray and requiring you to make split second decisions. What makes horror effective and good? What are examples…

1
Kingdom Hearts Retro Review; The Test of Time — ROG 33 1:08:17

3+ y ago1:08:17

1:08:17

How does the original Kingdom Hearts hold up today? What changes have been made between the original version and the Final Mix, and do those changes solve all possible problems? How does the gameplay, story, and overall tone stand against later changes in the series? At the core, what made Kingdom Hearts special, and does it still feel special toda…

1
Gaming Paraphernalia and Anti-Consumerism: Amiibo, Statues, Plushies; Oh My! — ROG 32 1:09:04

3+ y ago1:09:04

1:09:04

Gaming has permeated every facet of goods. T-shirts, candies, art prints, statues, plushies, screensavers, pins, and many many other items are made based on every video game you can think of! But as the market becomes increasingly saturated, there is always the danger of anti-consumerist practices encroaching on the market to save or make a quick b…

1
Game Reviews: Perks and Problems — ROG 31 1:09:31

3+ y ago1:09:31

1:09:31

How are we affected by the reviews we see online for games we have or haven't played? How do we feel about a game when we see reviewers completely trashing the game, giving the game the highest possible praise and an 11/10, or if reviewers are divided and are doing both? We discuss the effect of reviews and the importance of making your OWN decisio…

1
A "Measured" Critique of Rogue Galaxy — ROG 30 1:29:47

3+ y ago1:29:47

1:29:47

On this special 30th episode, we take a very "measured" look at a well-beloved JRPG from the Playstation 2: Rogue Galaxy. We "discuss" the "good" and the bad about this game, and take a very "level-headed" approach to this "review." Absolutely all the points we make are fully thought-out and represent our true feelings about the game, and we feel t…

1
Morality Systems in Video Games — ROG 29 1:02:37

3+ y ago1:02:37

1:02:37

What is good and bad, and how does a video game track the consequences of actions made by the player? A buzzword in video games just a few years ago, morality systems were extremely pervasive in the PS3 era. inFAMOUS, Mass Effect, The Witcher, and many others tried to implement morality systems to varying degrees of success. This week we discuss ma…

1
Rewards and Trophies in Gaming — ROG 28 1:14:07

3+ y ago1:14:07

1:14:07

How have rewards changed over the decades in gaming? How did we go from cheats permeating the entire industry to the vast overemphasis on trophies? We discuss the history and current state of rewards and trophies in video games, and suggest how rewards can be improved in the future on this episode of Reflections on Gaming! Follow us on social media…

1
The Rise and Continued Relevance of Dark Souls — ROG 27 1:05:12

3+ y ago1:05:12

1:05:12

What the heck is up with Dark Souls?? Why did it make such a huge splash when it first came out and why has it continued to remain in the consciousness of the internet gaming years after its rise to fame? We discuss this in terms of exactly what about the game itself has caused such a stir, and give our take on why it is still hailed as such a gem …

1
Dialogue and Decisions in Video Games — ROG 26 1:12:20

3+ y ago1:12:20

1:12:20

Choices govern everything about our lives, and their incorporation into video games has been a talking point for years at this point. In this episode of Reflections on Gaming, we analyze the different ways that choices are included in games, from the best to the worst, and discuss what we think could be FUTURE of player independence in games! Follo…

1
The Last of Us Part 2: The Good, the Bad, and the Really Dumb — ROG 25 1:18:05

3+ y ago1:18:05

1:18:05

The controversy surrounding TLOU Part 2 turned out to be blown completely out of proportion in the wake of the largest number of Game of the Year awards in history, many of the awards being people's choice awards as well. We dissect why TLOU Part 2 got panned by so many players and why that sentiment gained so much traction when they obviously didn…

1
Jak 3: Blue Eco Bugalee (Full Review + Series Retrospective) — ROG 24 1:04:54

3+ y ago1:04:54

1:04:54

A return! After a hiatus from podcasting for multitudinous reasons, we are back with the finale to our trio of Jak and Daxter Reviews! Upon our return we have ditched our (too) long-form reviews and condensed and distilled our thoughts on this game and the series in general. How does it stack up against its predecessors, and how does the game stand…

1
South Africa: Apartheid vs. Jim Crow — ILC 4 39:09

3+ y ago39:09

39:09

In this final installment of the International Legal Comparicast, Westin, with the help and expertise of David Pigott, a professor of history at Brigham Young University — Idaho, explores the history and modern-day repercussions of the Jim Crow laws in the United States and Apartheid in South Africa, while simultaneously comparing and contrasting t…

1
China: The International and Domestic Dimensions of Law — ILC 3 41:02

3+ y ago41:02

41:02

In this episode of the International Legal Comparicast, Westin analyzes China's system of domestic law in addition to China's behavior and interactions with international law. Though both of these topics are big enough to base entire podcasts on alone, together they create a fascinating microcosm of Chinese philosophy and attitude towards the world…

1
Jak 2 (FINALE) — Reflections on Gaming 23 1:07:06

3+ y ago1:07:06

1:07:06

The finale of our deep-dive into Jak II! In this episode we do a full retrospective of the entire game after discussing the final few missions and what we consider to be the best final boss in the series! Come reflect with us and enjoy our retrospection on a very enjoyable game of a bygone era. Follow us on social media! Discord: discord.gg/RWHb25t…

1
Jak 2 (Part 4) — Reflections on Gaming 22 1:06:38

3+ y ago1:06:38

1:06:38

In the penultimate episode of our review/deep-dive of Jak 2, we discuss not only the infamous races that have caused many a player to rage-quit, but the indisputably most difficult mission in the entire game! Which one? Listen and find out, then let us know about your experiences playing Jak 2! Follow us on social media! Discord: discord.gg/RWHb25t…

1
Saudi Arabia: Shar'ia and the Power of a Theocratic Monarchy — ILC 2 36:55

3+ y ago36:55

36:55

On this episode of the International Legal Comparicast, Westin takes a look at the legal system based heavily on the religion of Islam in Saudi Arabia. With the help of special guest and professional lawyer in Saudi Arabia, Paul Lockyer, Westin investigates how Shar'ia really works and gathers several examples of Shar'ia principles in action. If yo…

1
Jak 2 (Part 3) — Reflections on Gaming 21 1:17:41

3+ y ago1:17:41

1:17:41

In our third Jak 2 episode, we discuss the game's shift in story and first real boss fight! What did the developers at Naughty Dog (in our opinion) get right, get wrong, and what could be done to fix the things that we find problems with? Listen and find out, then let us know what You think! Follow us on social media! Discord: discord.gg/RWHb25t Tw…

1
Japan: The Past and Present of an Externally Shaped Legal Environment — ILC 1 32:51

4y ago32:51

32:51

In this first episode of the International Legal "Comparicast," Westin dives into the legal system of Japan and how it compares to the legal systems of the United States and Britain, among others. Interviewed in this podcast is Executive Director of the Center for Japanese Legal Studies at Columbia Law School, Nobuhisa Ishizuka. If you'd like to kn…

1
Jak 2 (Part 2) — Reflections on Gaming 20 1:13:56

4y ago1:13:56

1:13:56

Part 2 of our deep-dive into Jak 2! Runnin', gunnin', and flirtin' with Orange LIGHTNING. What else is in store? Come listen and find out! Follow us on social media! Discord: discord.gg/RWHb25t Twitter: twitter.com/ReflectionsonG1 IG: instagram.com/reflectionsongaming/ FB: www.facebook.com/reflectionsongaming Don't miss our streams every week! twit…

1
Jak 2 (Part 1) — Reflections on Gaming 19 1:11:17

4y ago1:11:17

1:11:17

Join us in part 1 of our deep dive into Jak II, a much darker departure from the Jak and Daxter formula that we discussed throughout our Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy deep dive! In this episode we talk about the overall feel of the game and the many changes they made to the world, characters, and tone of the game and dive into the first coup…

1
Dandara: A Twist on a Familiar Mechanic — Reflections on Gaming 18 1:04:21

4y ago1:04:21

1:04:21

Dandara by Long Hat Studios is a, frankly, unremarkable game in every dimension except for one. We discuss why this game is worth talking about about playing because of this ONE unique, mind-bending mechanic. Listen, learn, and play! Don't miss our streams every week! twitch.tv/reflectionsongaming Join in on the discussion and reflect with us! Send…

1
Board Games: an Introduction — Reflections on Gaming 17 1:16:13

4y ago1:16:13

1:16:13

Games aren't constrained just to the digital world. Come explore some of our favorite board games as we expound on the varied genres, types, sizes, and difficulties that exist in the world of board games! We have loved playing board games for years and years, and there is so much to talk about. Come listen and maybe, just maybe, discover your NEW f…

1
Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy (Part 4: Finale) — Reflections on Gaming 16 1:14:10

4y ago1:14:10

1:14:10

Part 4 and the FINALE of our Jak and Daxter deep-dive! (NOTE: Due to having moved and figuring out the new environment, the sound quality is somewhat less than general. Please bear with us as we work out the kinks!) We discuss the final hub area as well as the final levels and final boss of the game, and take an overall retrospective look at the qu…

1
Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy (Part 3) — Reflections on Gaming 15 59:08

4y ago59:08

59:08

Part 3 of our Jak and Daxter: TPL deep-dive! What makes Rock village different from the first hub area, and what stands out as the best and worst parts of each of the three main levels you can access here? Westin and Jordan discuss each of these topics and relive some of their favorite (and least favorite) memories of playing through these levels r…

1
Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy (Part 2) — Reflections on Gaming 14 1:16:01

4y ago1:16:01

1:16:01

We continue our deep-dive dissection of Jak and Daxter the Precursor Legacy! In this episode, we dissect the power cells and overall design of each level in the first main hub of the game. What were its successes and failures, and how could the game have been improved in these early levels? Come join in the discussion as we continue our look at thi…

1
Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy (Part 1) — Reflections on Gaming 13 1:21:50

4y ago1:21:50

1:21:50

The first game of the Jak and Daxter franchise kicked off a generation with its release, and began a franchise beloved by many. What made these game so great? What did they do well, and what improvements could be made upon them? Join us in the first part of our deep dive into one of our favorite games, and stick around as we analyze each of the oth…

1
Finding the Fun in Action-RPG's — Reflections on Gaming 12 1:06:28

4y ago1:06:28

1:06:28

What do the Witcher, Skyrim, and the Legend of Zelda have in common? They all fall under the umbrella of this increasingly popular and influential genre of games. Jordan and Westin dive deep into what defines A-RPGs as a genre and why they've become so prolific in recent years. How is an A-RPG different from an RPG, and what makes them so fun? All …

1
The Aesthetics of Hyper Light Drifter — Reflections on Gaming 11 1:00:38

4y ago1:00:38

1:00:38

Hyper Light Drifter is a game that, while imperfect, leans into its aesthetic with great success. We discuss what makes an aesthetic good and what differentiates it from graphics, music, or any other single aspect of a game's design today on Reflections on Gaming! Check out Hyper Light Drifter here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/257850/Hyper_L…

1
Finding the Fun in Roguelites — Reflections on Gaming 10 1:06:40

4y ago1:06:40

1:06:40

What distinguishes a rogueLIKE from a rogueLITE, and why does it matter? What are the defining characteristics of roguelites, and what makes them a blast to play? We look not only at the history and current state of roguelites, but also some of the more unorthodox examples of roguelites as we discuss how the genre is changing and evolving. You won'…

1
Call of Duty vs. F.E.A.R. — Reflections on Gaming 9 59:17

4y ago59:17

59:17

Why do we feel Call of Duty is overrated, and what are our thoughts on F.E.A.R., a relatively unknown and undiscussed FPS? What makes a game "overrated" or "underrated?" We discuss some broad questions about how games are seen and considered in the public eye, and focus specifically on two games to investigate some of those questions with a case st…

1
Different Types of Players — Reflections on Gaming 8 1:10:11

4y ago1:10:11

1:10:11

What kind of games do you enjoy to play, and who do you enjoy to play them with? How do you play video games? We explore several theories that try to explain why people play the games they do the way they do. You can probably learn a little bit about what kind of gamer you are, and stick around to the end to hear some suggestions that appeal to sev…

1
Finding the fun in First-Person Shooters — Reflections on Gaming 7 1:01:42

4y ago1:01:42

1:01:42

Why are FPS games some of the most popular, lucrative, and talked about games in the gaming industry? What do Call of Duty, Titanfall, and Fortnite all do to rope in players and keep millions of people coming back for more day after day? Westin and Jordan explore these topics as they dive deep into the history, mechanics, and appeal of the FPS genr…

1
Finding the Fun in RPGs — Reflections on Gaming 6 1:05:34

4y ago1:05:34

1:05:34

What are the defining characteristics of one of the most expansive game genres? What makes RPGs great and what are some missteps from RPGs of the past? Westin and Jordan discuss these questions and several more on this episode of Reflections on Gaming as they talk about one of their favorite types of games in the industry today! Reflect with us and…

1
Reality Check: Nintendo — Reflections on Gaming 5 1:29:40

4y ago1:29:40

1:29:40

What have been the business practices of one of the big three game developing companies over the last 35 years, and what have been the longstanding effects of those practices? How have the practices changed? What does the future hold? Westin and Jordan discuss their personal feelings about Nintendo and how they conflict with general sentiment regar…

1
Finding the Fun in Ratchet and Clank — Reflections on Gaming 4 1:11:43

4y ago1:11:43

1:11:43

Reflect with us and send us YOUR thoughts about Rift Apart at reflectionsongaming@gmail.com! Follow us on social media! Twitter: https://twitter.com/ReflectionsonG1 IG: https://www.instagram.com/reflectionsongaming/ **NOTE** This episode was recorded in advance. Jordan's prediction about playing as the female lombax was made prior to it being confi…

1
Recent Reflections: Game Marketing and Conferences — Reflections on Gaming 3 1:09:03

4y ago1:09:03

1:09:03

With the impacts of COVID-19 still impacting everybody around the world, how did the gaming industry still manage to have an E3 style conference filled to the brim with gameplay, game announcements, and console reveals? Jordan and Westin discuss how game marketing has changed and how it operates today, including why these game developer conferences…

1
Death Stranding and What Makes a Game "Fun" 59:06

4y ago59:06

59:06

How did a walking simulator from the mind behind Metal Gear Solid manage to make money and engage so many players? What makes games like the Vanishing of Ethan Carter, Animal Crossing, and Zelda all fun to play, despite their vast differences? Join Jordan and Westin as they discuss these questions and more. Join the conversation by sending YOUR tho…

1
Our Favorite Games and the Last of Us 2 Controversy 1:22:23

4y ago1:22:23

1:22:23

This episode we discuss some of our favorite games, including those that others don't like quite as much, and tackle the recent controversy that has cropped up due to the Last of Us 2 leaks over the last several weeks. Let us know how you liked the podcast, what we can improve, and what YOUR favorite games are at: reflectionsongaming@gmail.com! Mes…

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