Best hotcyder Podcasts (2024)

1
The Bureau: XCOM Declassified (w/ TehSnakerer) 4:49:27

12d ago4:49:27

4:49:27

On this episode of Bullet Time, our miniature mini-series on 2K Marin comes to a close with their second and final release: 2013’s The Bureau: XCOM Declassified. James and guest host TehSnakerer open the book on this redacted part of XCOM history, digging into its initial prototypes and development hurdles, before a much needed autopsy of this alie…

1
Bioshock 2 (w/ Sputnik 34) 2:53:38

19d ago2:53:38

2:53:38

On this episode of Bullet Time, we begin our shortest mini-series focusing on the work of Novato based developers 2K Marin, beginning with their 2010 shooter sequel Bioshock 2. Video maker Sputnik34 returns for this return to the dystopia of Rapture. We ask whether Irrational's underwater paradise lost its lustre without the vision of its great lea…

1
The Darkness II (w/ Zac Frazier) 3:29:06

26d ago3:29:06

3:29:06

On this episode of Bullet Time, Jackie Estacado returns in Digital Extremes’ 2012 follow up to The Darkness, aptly titled The Darkness II. Also returning is video maker ZacFraizer to join James in discussion of this lateral sequel that’s as good as the first but in a very different way. The two also talk about the career of FPS stalwarts Digital Ex…

1
The Darkness (w/ Zac Frazier) 4:18:47

1M ago4:18:47

4:18:47

On this episode of Bullet Time, video maker ZacFraizer makes his triumphant return for one of the better games covered on the pod so far: Starbreeze’s 2007 shooter The Darkness. This episode goes long, and includes a spoilered section between 02:16:00 and 03:22:00. In this bumper length runtime we talk developer history, the origins of The Darkness…

1
Judge Dredd: Dredd vs. Death (w/ StokedMatty) 3:09:30

1M ago3:09:30

3:09:30

On this episode of Bullet Time, returning guest Matty from YouTube channel Stoked joins James and guest host TehSnakerer to dispense justice on the streets of Mega City One with Rebellion Development’s 2003 shooter Judge Dredd: Dredd vs. Death. The three dig into the comic’s history and previous adaptations, Maxim’s games journalism, and for some r…

1
Redfall (w/ Jesse Guarascia) 2:00:28

2M ago2:00:28

2:00:28

On this episode of Bullet Time, we bite back against the undead horde in Arkane Austin’s 2023 shooter Redfall. Special guest Jesse Guarascia from the NoClip crew returns to join James and guest host Kevin from PixelLit. Content warning: this podcast begins with terrifying Italian-American accents. NoClip Crew: https://www.youtube.com/@NoclipCrew Pi…

1
Transformers: Dark Of The Moon 4:29:43

2M ago4:29:43

4:29:43

On this episode of Movies We Like, Sweed, Snake and James return to talk Transformers: Dark Of The Moon from director Michael Bay. We appreciate the blending of real-world history and sci-fi nonsense, practical setpieces, Bay poking fun at himself, and Sweed spotlights some of the film's exciting merchandise.…

1
Boiling Point: Road To Hell (w/ ChariotRider) 3:34:34

2M ago3:34:34

3:34:34

On this episode of Bullet Time, returning special guest ChariotRider joins us for another TehSnakerer’s choice as we look at DeepShadows’ 2005 game Boiling Point: Road To Hell. An ambitious blend of GTA and Deus Ex set in a south american conflict, the three discuss the game’s recent re-release in light of titles that have come out in its wake, and…

1
Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen 2:41:10

2M ago2:41:10

2:41:10

On this episode of Movies We Like, Sweed, Snake and James return to talk Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen from director Michael Bay. What this film lacks in coherent plot and exciting set-pieces, it makes up for in dogs boning.

1
High On Life (w/ Wyatt Joseph) 1:56:47

3M ago1:56:47

1:56:47

On this episode of Bullet Time, we take on the G3 Cartel with a talking gun in Squanch Games’ 2022 shooter High On Life. Special guest Wyatt Joseph from sister podcast Coyote Time joins James and guest host Kevin from PixelLit to unpack a problematic lead visionary, talk comedy writing in games, and 2001’s How High starring Method Man and Redman. W…

1
Movies We Like presents Transformers (2009) 3:31:55

3M ago3:31:55

3:31:55

Movies We Like is a podcast about movies we like. On this episode, Sweed, Snake and James talk Transformers (2009) from director Michael Bay and producer Steven Spielberg. The heart-warming, coming-of-age story of a car from outerspace helping a teenage boy get laid.

1
The Punisher (w/ StokedMatty) 3:05:18

3M ago3:05:18

3:05:18

On this episode of Bullet Time, special guest Matty from YouTube channel Stoked joins James and guest host TehSnakerer to welcome back Frank and returning developer Volition with 2005’s The Punisher. Along the way, the three discuss a strange pre-MCU era of Marvel properties, police brutality as arcade asides, how this game laid path towards the Sa…

1
Ape Escape 2:03:24

3M ago2:03:24

2:03:24

On this episode of Coyote Time, Wyatt and James chase time-displaced simians in Sony Interactive Entertainment’s 1999 game Ape Escape. The two talk the game’s innovative control scheme, Sony’s abundance of platform mascots, Jungle music, and for some reason Paul Thomas Anderson’s Magnolia. Wyatt on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY6T1h6v…

1
007 Legends (w/ Webster) 3:24:06

4M ago3:24:06

3:24:06

On this episode of Bullet Time, special guest Sam Webster returns to bond with James over James Bond with Eurocom’s 2012 shooter 007 Legends. A playable celebration of the super spy’s 50 years film history, retold in the style of a COD: Modern Warfare inspired FPS starring Daniel Craig. The two talk setpieces, awkward stealth, slippery ice and unfo…

1
Super Princess Peach 2:27:39

4M ago2:27:39

2:27:39

On this episode of Coyote Time, Wyatt and James take a trip to Vibe Island with Tose’s 2005 game Super Princess Peach. This game marked the first star-turn from video games’ perennial damsel-in-distress ahead of her return to the spotlight in this year’s Princess Peach: Showtime! The pair discuss how this early experiment compares, changes made to …

1
Scorn (w/ Sputnik 34) 2:25:17

4M ago2:25:17

2:25:17

On this episode of Bullet Time, we venture into bio-mechanical nightmares with Ebb Software’s 2022 adventure game Scorn. Special guest Sputnik34 joins James and guest host Kevin from PixelLit to chop it up on HR Giger, awkward combat, and handsome squidwards. Sputnik on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Sputnik34 PixelLit: https://www.pixellitpod.c…

1
Crash Twinsanity (Coyote Time Preview) 1:58:37

4M ago1:58:37

1:58:37

On this brand new series Coyote Time, video maker Wyatt Joseph joins James on an exploration of the platformers that missed their marks. In this inaugural episode, the two join forces to tackle Traveller’s Tales 2004 game Crash Twinsanity. An ambitious rework of Naughty Dog’s famous franchise, how does the game hold-up in light of Crash’s recent re…

1
Urban Chaos: Riot Response (w/ Webster) 2:47:14

4M ago2:47:14

2:47:14

On this episode of Bullet Time, we take a zero-tolerance approach to crime in Rocksteady Studios’ 2006 shooter Urban Chaos: Riot Response. Special guest Sam Webster and returning guest host Tehsnakerer join James to look at the oft-forgotten first game from the developers behind the Batman Arkham series. Is it good satire? Is it a good shooter? Was…

1
Trespasser (w/ ChariotRider) 3:30:51

11M ago3:30:51

3:30:51

On this episode of Bullet Time, returning special guest ChariotRider welcomes TehSnakerer and James to DreamWorks Interactive’s 1997 game Trespasser, the third entry in the Jurassic Park franchise. Although a technical marvel for its time, were Trespassers developers so preoccupied with whether or not they could make the game that they didn’t stop …

1
Aliens: Colonial Marines (w/ PixelLit) 2:17:45

11M ago2:17:45

2:17:45

On this episode of Bullet Time, we go on a bug hunt with Gearbox’s 2013 shooter Aliens: Colonial Marines. Kevin and Phil from Pixel Lit join James on an expedition through one of the most notorious FPS games of recent memory, in an effort to discern who was really responsible for its development, what went wrong, and whether the final release holds…

1
Red Faction (w/ HeavyEyed) 2:35:15

11M ago2:35:15

2:35:15

On this episode of Bullet Time, Returning guest Mitch Cramer from YouTube channel HeavyEyed, and returning guest host Tehsnakerer join James to liberate mars in 2001’s Red Faction. The three talk about destructibility, the game’s rapid pace, and the state of written video game reviews at the turn of the millennium. Mitch on YouTube: https://www.you…

1
Metroid Prime Hunters (w/ DarkFry) 2:30:54

11M ago2:30:54

2:30:54

On this episode of Bullet Time, we go head-to-head with Nintendo Software Technology’s 2006 shooter Metroid Prime Hunters. Special guest @Darkfry (host of podcast Video Gems) joins James and guest host Ben to examine this spinoff of a Metroid spinoff, and in a first for the podcast a fully actualised portable FPS game. The three discuss annoying pl…

1
Free Radical Design Power Rankings 1:20:44

1+ y ago1:20:44

1:20:44

In this special series finale, James and Tehsnakerer present their Free Radical Design Ltd power rankings. Once and for all, they’ll decide which game covered in the mini-series deserves to be remembered by future generations. TehSnakerer: https://www.youtube.com/user/tehsnakerer hotcyder: https://twitter.com/HotCyder Patreon: https://www.patreon.c…

1
Homefront: The Revolution 3:29:15

1+ y ago3:29:15

3:29:15

Our Free Radical Design mini-series comes to a close with 2016’s Homefront: The Revolution. James and guest host TehSnakerer dissect this open-world reboot that passed from THQ to Crytek before landing in the hands of a now rebranded Dambuster Studio. The pair rank its place in the pantheon of Ubisoft collectathons, the state of AAA shooters, and a…

1
Haze (w/ AboveUp) 2:41:04

1+ y ago2:41:04

2:41:04

Our Free Radical Design mini-series reaches its first major casualty with 2008’s Haze. Special guest AboveUp joins James and guest host TehSnakerer to dissect what went wrong with the supposed Halo Killer that ended up killing its developers. Listen to hear a mild-mannered podcast host get radicalised into a gamer, thanks to Haze’s tortured develop…

1
TimeSplitters: Future Perfect (w/ Purposeless Rabbitholes) 3:21:39

1+ y ago3:21:39

3:21:39

Our Free Radical Design mini-series reaches its titular game with 2005’s TimeSplitters: Future Perfect. Special guest Charlie from YouTube channel Purposeless Rabbitholes joins James and guest host TehSnakerer to go long on this end to the TS Trilogy. The three cover everything from their favourite MP characters, Future Perfect’s many mechanical fl…

1
Second Sight (w/ Minimme) 2:01:58

1+ y ago2:01:58

2:01:58

Our Free Radical Design mini-series goes deep into a psychic conspiracy with 2004’s Second Sight. Special guest Minimme joins James and guest host TehSnakerer to chat about this title’s narrative ambitions, Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy, and main character John Vattic’s sheer nerd power. A spoiler warning that the game’s very neat plot twist wil…

1
TimeSplitters 2 (w/ MrHammers) 2:40:23

1+ y ago2:40:23

2:40:23

Our Free Radical Design mini-series continues with TimeSplitters’ immediate sequel, aptly titled TimeSplitters 2. Special guest MrHammers joins James and guest host TehSnakerer to discuss multiplayer map memories, who’d win in a hypothetical deathmatch, the games of 2002, and James makes a case for why this title should be the Tetris of FPS games. …

1
TimeSplitters 2:06:15

1+ y ago2:06:15

2:06:15

For this new mini-series, we take a look at the work of Nottingham based Free Radical Design Ltd. Formed by ex-Rare staffers responsible for the groundbreaking GoldenEye 007, we travel back in time to their very first solo release: 2000’s Timesplitters. James and guest host Tehsnakerer do their best to avoid comparing this game to its successor, de…

1
Blood (w/ Chris Franklin) 1:40:09

1+ y ago1:40:09

1:40:09

On this episode of Bullet Time, we go to war on vicious cultists with 1997’s Blood, the first (person) shooter from Monolith Productions. Special guest Chris Franklin from the YouTube channel Errant Signal joins James and guest host Kevin to dig into the game’s horror influences, Blood’s place in the shooter canon, its Nightdive remaster, and wheth…

1
Clive Barker's Jericho (w/ PimsCrypt) 1:52:12

1+ y ago1:52:12

1:52:12

On this episode of Bullet Time, special guest and horror expert* Pim from YouTube channel PimsCrypt joins James and guest host HeyItMeBen to venture into the horror of MercurySteam’s 2007 shooter Clive Barker’s Jericho. As the three explore the terrifying realm of the box, they discuss Miyamoto’s toilet design, the Xbox 360 era, and Ben grades Jame…

1
50 Cent: Blood on the Sand (w/ Mitch Cramer) 2:04:24

1+ y ago2:04:24

2:04:24

On this episode of Bullet Time, special guest Mitch Cramer from YouTube channel HeavyEyed forms a new G-Unit with James and guest host TehSnakerer to discuss Swordfish Studio’s 2009 shooter 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand. Along the way, the three celebrate the game’s arcade sensibilities, NBA2K16 Livin' da Dream, and what prestige shooters could have b…

1
Raven Software Power Rankings 1:03:11

1+ y ago1:03:11

1:03:11

In this special series finale, James and guest host Kevin (from PixelLit) present their Raven Software power rankings. Once and for all, they’ll decide which game covered in the mini-series really sums up what is So Raven. PixelLit: https://www.pixellitpod.com/ hotcyder: https://twitter.com/HotCyder

1
Singularity (w/ Jesse Guarascia) 1:33:48

1+ y ago1:33:48

1:33:48

Our Raven Software mini-series comes to a close with their final original title: the time-bending FPS Singularity. Special guest Jesse Guarascia of the NoClip Podcast joins James and guest host Kevin (from PixelLit) to dissect the games overly ambitious origins, demand Phil Spencer bring back the prototyped Baby Gun, and feel a sense of ennui at th…

1
Wolfenstein (w/ Jacob Geller) 1:40:23

1+ y ago1:40:23

1:40:23

Get Psyched! Our Raven Software mini-series finally tackles one of the biggest names in video games: Wolfenstein! No, not Wolfenstein 3D, or Return to Castle Wolfenstein, or the games in the New Order series, but the now legally unavailable 2009’s Wolfenstein. Special guest Jacob Geller joins James and guest host Kevin (from PixelLit) to talk about…

1
Quake 4 1:37:49

1+ y ago1:37:49

1:37:49

Our Raven Software mini-series trundles on as we hit their first big misfire: 2005’s Quake 4. James and guest host Kevin (from PixelLit) do their best to put a positive spin on a game that stars mash potato Billy Corgan in Chocolate Hell, and debate whether this fourth outing in the groundbreaking Quake series is actually a work of subversive geniu…

1
Die Hard: Vendetta 4:53:08

1+ y ago4:53:08

4:53:08

Welcome to the party, pal! On this festive edition of Bullet Time, James and co-hosts Kevin (from PixelLit) and TehSnakerer take an extensive look at Bits Studio's 2002 licensed shooter Die Hard: Vendetta (featuring Reginald VelJohnson as Sgt. Al Powell). The three do their best Alan Rickman impressions, their worst Arnold Schwarzenegger impression…

1
Jedi Knight III: Jedi Academy (w/ Aranock) 2:00:49

1+ y ago2:00:49

2:00:49

Our Raven Software mini-series returns to a galaxy far, far away with 2003’s Jedi Knight III: Jedi Academy. Special guest Aranock joins Jedi Padawan James and guest sith Kevin (from PixelLit) to crush on this successor to Jedi Outcast. We ask: did Jedi Academy lay the groundwork for Superhero Games? Did this game inspire the Call of Duty devs to ma…

1
Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast (w/ Questing Refuge) 2:11:16

1+ y ago2:11:16

2:11:16

Our Raven Software mini-series goes into hyperdrive with 2002’s Dark Forces III: Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast. Special guest Willow from the Youtube channel Questing Refuge join James and guest host Kevin (from PixelLit) to talk about the greatness of its lightsabre, the not so greatness of its shooting and platforming, and bemoan not making any Ou…

1
Star Trek: Voyager - Elite Force (w/ iamerror) 1:15:25

1+ y ago1:15:25

1:15:25

Our Raven Software mini-series boldly goes where no podcast has gone before(?) with 2000’s Star Trek Voyager: Elite Forces. Evelynn from the Youtube channel IamError once again joins James and guest host Kevin (from PixelLit) to help them find a positive word to say about the game. Collector John: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChmiUboO0fmvJZYhjm…

1
Soldier of Fortune 1:46:37

1+ y ago1:46:37

1:46:37

Our Raven Software mini-series heads into dangerous territory with 2000’s Soldier of Fortune. James and guest host Kevin (from PixelLit) take aim at the controversy surrounding this release, but mostly poke fun at the exploits of the game’s real-world mercenary John Mullins. PixelLit: https://www.pixellitpod.com/ hotcyder: https://twitter.com/HotCy…

1
Hexen II 1:51:33

1+ y ago1:51:33

1:51:33

Our Raven Software mini-series continues with 1997’s sequel to Hexen, aptly titled Hexen II. James and guest host Kevin (from PixelLit) play Devil and Angel respectively to this ambitious but awkward follow-on, talk about how the box-art calls to mind a terrible promotional shot, the rockstar power of John Romero, and an American explains to a Brit…

1
Heretic/Hexen (w/ iamerror) 2:04:28

2y ago2:04:28

2:04:28

For our first mini-series, we take a look at the work of Wisconsin based Raven Software. Best known today for working on the Call of Duty franchise, we start our exploration of their early releases with two collaberations with FPS Pioneers id Software: 1994s Heretic and 1995s Hexen: Beyond Heretic. Special guest Evelynn from the Youtube channel Iam…

1
Outlaws (w/ ChariotRider and Zac Frazier) 2:17:21

2y ago2:17:21

2:17:21

On this episode of Bullet Time, we’re out for frontier justice with LucasArts’ 1997 shooter Outlaws. James is joined by special guests ZacFraizer and ChariotRider to talk about this fond favourite of yesteryear. Thes cowboys also discuss orangutan proportions, remaking nuketown in other FPS games, and postcard 3D, whilst James officiates who'll be …

1
Geist (w/ Razbuten) 1:24:31

2y ago1:24:31

1:24:31

On this Halloween appropriate episode of Bullet Time, we exorcise N-Space and Nintendo’s 2005 shooter Geist. Special guest Razbuten joins James and guest host Ben to ask whether Nintendo will ever attempt a mature leaning FPS title again. The boys also learn how enormously popular Cricket videogames were in the month of August 2005. Razbuten on You…

1
Black (w/ Hamish Black) 1:59:34

2y ago1:59:34

1:59:34

On this episode of Bullet Time, we take aim at Criterion Games’ 2006 shooter BLACK. Aptly named special guest Hamish Black from the YouTube channel Writing on Games joins James and guest host TehSnakerer to discuss the game that was to do for the FPS what Burnout did for Racing Games. Along the way, the three discuss Hideo Kojima's Breaking Bad, mi…

1
Legendary (w/ Nevyn Holmes) 1:56:49

2y ago1:56:49

1:56:49

On this episode of Bullet Time, we open Pandora’s box to unleash SparkUnlimited’s 2008 shooter Legendary. Special guest Nevyn Holmes joins James and guest host Kevin (from PixelLit) to explain how the podcast was inspired by this middling release, turning cogs, the missed potential of this cool set up, and the joy of bad games. Dinoberry Press: htt…

1
Bullet Time Announcement 0:46

2y ago0:46

0:46

Bullet Time is the video game podcast that analyzes the shooters that missed their mark: the would be Halo-Killers, the modern military masquareders, and the bygone innovators. Every episode, our hosts and a revolving cast of guests will dig into the developer histories, cultural context, game feel and set-pieces of these oft forgotten gems. Expect…

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