This week on The Game Deflators Podcast, John and Ryan deliver an episode that feels less like a recap and more like a conversation you’d expect to find in the pages of a gaming magazine—equal parts convention coverage, critical reflection, collector musings, and retro analysis.
The Energy of PAX West 2025
Ryan kicks things off with a detailed walkthrough of his time at PAX West 2025, bringing listeners onto the show floor with him. His highlights paint a picture of a convention buzzing with creativity, from inventive indie projects to a handful of unexpected surprises. It’s not just a list of games—it’s a reminder of why events like PAX matter: they’re where the future of gaming sneaks into view before the rest of the world catches on.
Final Fantasy VI: A Classic with Cracks
From the neon energy of PAX, John pivots to the reflective weight of Final Fantasy VI. His playthrough finale prompts the kind of editorial critique you rarely hear in casual conversation. The game’s reputation as one of the greatest RPGs of all time is well-earned—its sprawling cast and layered storytelling still resonate decades later. Yet John isn’t afraid to point out where the cracks show. For all its brilliance, the ending underwhelms, reminding us that even masterpieces can fall short of perfection.
Neva: Beauty in Stillness
John then shifts into the world of Neva on PS5, and here the editorial voice takes on an almost lyrical tone. The game is breathtakingly beautiful, drenched in artistry and emotion, but it moves at a pace that demands patience. Neva is less about the adrenaline rush and more about slowing down, absorbing its world, and letting the weight of its story linger.
Collecting, Cardboard, and Tariffs
The conversation changes gears as John and Ryan slide into Magic: The Gathering pickups. What might sound like simple bragging quickly turns into a look at collecting culture itself—the thrill of the hunt, the excitement of finding something unexpected, and the way these shared experiences connect communities. That dovetails into a practical but important discussion about de minimis tariff changes. For collectors who import from places like Video Games Plus or PlayAsia, these shifts directly impact what they buy, how they buy, and whether a niche import is worth the cost.
Crash Bandicoot 2: Nostalgia vs. Reality
To close, the guys put on their critic hats for the Inflation Deflation Challenge, revisiting Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back. This isn’t just a trip down memory lane—it’s a critical reevaluation. The sequel improved on the original in almost every way, with tighter controls and more inventive level design, but the central question remains: does it hold up today, or are we letting nostalgia color the verdict? The debate is thoughtful, engaging, and the perfect capstone to an episode that balances past and present.
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Permission for intro and outro music provided by Matthew Huffaker http://www.youtube.com/user/teknoaxe 2_25_18
