Shows
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #231: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants UnleashedDoes it display turtle power?Move over Xbox Game Pass "Surprise Me" button, one of our hosts has taken control of game selection. If Chris can get away with putting his thumb on the scale, Tom figures he will do the same. As a consequence, our dynamic duo will be checking out the platforming beat 'em up developed by Aheartfulofgames and published by Outright Games. Tom has been in the fight with these terrific terrapins since he was six years old and while his investment in the franchise has waxed and waned over the last 35 years, his...2025-06-1927 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #227: As Dusk FallsNight begins... at least historically.The Xbox Game Pass "Surprise Me" button is regularly employed to choose the next game our hosts must play. It is fitting that the interactive fiction title chosen for this episode will make Tom and Chris make a number of their own choices, leading each of them to potentially unique experiences. Developed by London-based Interior Night, this is currently their only published work, but fear not, these developers have plenty of experience elsewhere with interactive fiction. Will they be able to leverage their prior body of work to craft a compelling indie...2025-05-2225 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #224: Ben 10: Power TripHow many aliens fit in a wristwatch?The purpose of using the Xbox Game Pass "Surprise Me" button in game selection is to ensure that our hosts play games that they would never normally experience. The third person action adventure title developed by PHL Collective and published by Outright Games that was chosen for this episode is a perfect presentation of that purpose. Chris and Tom were too old to be the target audience for the original show when it debuted in 2005 and they've only gotten older since! Chris has some kids now, so perhaps he has...2025-05-0123 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #223: Trials of ManaIt only took 25 years to get it localized!Developed by Xeen and published by Square Enix, this third-person action RPG remake of the third entry in the Mana series is the first time that story is officially available for Western audiences. Despite his well-established love of nineties RPGs, Tom never got around to playing the famous SNES installment of the franchise. Three decades later, he will discover if he should have given this lauded franchise a fair shake way back when... or at least at some point during the intervening years! Will Mana live up to the...2025-04-2424 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #218: BalatroIt was nearly called Joker Poker.Chris wants to play a roguelike? For you longtime listeners, I'm sure that sounds borderline inconceivable, but here we are with his thumb on the scale, pushing our duo to investigate the deck-builder developed by LocalThunk and published by Playstack. Available everywhere and now included with Xbox Game Pass, this indie title was crafted by a single anonymous developer and has been nominated for spades of awards. Critics and players alike are saying it's a modern classic and that has set expectations high for our hosts. Will Chris be proven right...2025-03-2022 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #190: Crash Bandicoot: N.Sane TrilogyN.Sane in the Neo Cortex!
For this episode, our duo tackles a collection of remasters of the first three entries in the famous platformer series originally developed by Naughty Dog. Revitalized by Vicarious Visions and now available on Xbox Game Pass, it is finally time for our hosts to take them for a spin. Tom is a fan of both developers and Chris even interned at Vicarious Visions, so it seems both of them will be challenged to fight back some personal bias with this one. On the other hand, Tom was raised as a Nintendo...2024-09-0524 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #189: UnravelSwing, swing from the tangles of your yarn body.
Our hosts travel back in time to 2016 to experience the puzzle platformer crafted by the Swedish developer Coldwood Interactive and published by Electronic Arts. Both Tom and Chris have played their fair share of puzzle games, and both have extensive experience with platformers, but this title managed to slip past them. The Xbox Game Pass "Surprise Me" button has been alerted to this oversight and has taken the necessary steps to correct it posthaste! Has the game aged well in the intervening time? Does anyone still craft things...2024-08-2919 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #183: Call of the Wild: The AnglerWe once caught a fish this big!
Randomly selected by the Xbox Game Pass "Surprise Me" button, this gone fishin' simulator was developed by Expansive Worlds, part of the Avalanche Studios Group. Speaking of expanding the group, Tom and Chris have brought along CJ of Player One Podcast for this episode. As a game developer himself, CJ will bring along a unique perspective when it's time to discuss the details of everyone's first hour angling those simulated fish. With only minimal real world fishing experience between them, Tom and Chris are bound to learn a few things...2024-07-1834 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #182: Open RoadsIs this technically even a game?
Developed by Open Roads Team and published by Annapurna Interactive, this walking simulator was randomly selected by the Xbox Game Pass "Surprise Me" button. As a consequence, Tom and Chris must dedicate an hour of their lives to begin unraveling the mystery centered on a skeleton in grandma's closet. Thankfully the skeleton is not literal, though the closet is, and so are a bunch of drawers and armoires and other such places that one's grandparents may elect to stash their secrets. Will our hosts discover enough tantalizing tidbits that they feel...2024-07-1122 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #180: Orcs Must Die! 3The first two attempts clearly failed.
Developed and published by Robot Entertainment, this fourth(!) entry in the action-tower defense franchise was randomly selected by the Xbox Game Pass "Surprise Me" button. Following their standard procedure, Tom and Chris must spend an hour behind the controls and then decide if they will continue playing afterwards. With Chris on the PC and Tom on the Xbox Series S, how divergent will their experiences be due to the genre? Will slaying countless hordes of orcs prove entertaining or exhausting? Will the multitude of levels and game modes provide enough variety...2024-06-2722 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #179: Immortals of AveumTrade in your bullets for magic missiles.
Chris is pleased that he and Tom were tasked with an atypical first-person shooter for this episode. Developed as the debut title of Ascendant Studios, former Dead Space and Call of Duty game designers have taken those gun-toting mechanics and transformed them into firing magical spells instead. Were they successful in the conversion or was the essence lost in translation? We know Chris must be a little biased, but perhaps that will just balance out Tom's distaste for tackling first person shooters with a controller. Each have played for an...2024-06-2026 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #177: Senua's Saga: Hellblade IICan we still call it random if Chris demands it?
Determined to play a series in order, Chris has decided that this episode will focus on a certain action-adventure game developed by Ninja Theory and published by Xbox Game Studios. After being dispatched to play Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice for an earlier episode of the podcast, Chris found his first hour so enjoyable that he was motivated to finish the whole game! With the sequel now out and available to play on Game Pass, his desire was clear. Will this sequel build on everything he enjoyed about the first installment...2024-06-0632 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #170: The QuarrySummer camp ended and then the murders began.
Tom and Chris arrived at Hackett's Quarry and were tasked with spending an hour with the interactive drama turned survival horror title developed by Supermassive Games. Dubbed the spiritual successor to Until Dawn, this game enlists the talents of many horror film veterans to portray the cast of counselors and their antagonists. With a reported 186 possible endings, how will the experiences of our two hosts diverge as they play through the first hour of this narratively branching game? With a clear focus on story, will an hour be enough...2024-04-1824 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #167: WartalesWar, what is it good for? Tales, apparently.
It feels like the Xbox Game Pass "Surprise Me" button may have confused "random" with "next alphabetically" when it selected this tactical role-playing game developed by Shiro Games as its choice for this episode. In either case, Tom and Chris are honor bound to comply, so they have embarked on a mercenary journey through this fantasy medieval world. With no main story or mandatory quest line, the focus here is on sandbox survival gameplay that's punctuated by turn-based combat on a tactical map. Will that be enough to keep our...2024-03-2825 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #163: Bloodstained: Ritual of the NightThe protagonist's surname might be Belmont.
We put it to a vote and our listeners have spoken. For this episode, Tom and Chris investigate the new-to-gamepass metroidvania developed by ArtPlay and published by 505 Games. Spearheaded by Kogi Igarashi and assisted by a number of other Castlevania alumni, this title sits squarely in the realm of spiritual successor. You won't find Dracula or any Belmonts here, but the theme and mechanics are sure to remind you of that highly regarded franchise. With that nostalgia well in hand, will the game still be unique enough to stand on its...2024-02-2925 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #160: PalworldA world filled with monster pals that skirt copyrights and trademarks.
With thanks to a coworker, Pocket Pair’s monster-collecting survival game has been on Tom’s radar for quite some time now. So, when a close friend learned it was coming to Xbox Game Pass and immediately requested that he and Chris cover it in an episode, Tom was ready to give the Surprise Me button another day off. With an unofficial tagline of “Pokemon With Guns!” that succinctly captures both the similarities and the more adult themes of this game, the question remains if it will del...2024-02-0827 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #159: Those Who RemainTurn on lights to survive the night.
It’s been a minute since the Xbox Game Pass "Surprise Me" button made Chris play a horror game, so Michael from Bits of Time stepped up to course-correct by requesting this Indie Psychological Horror developed by Camel 101. With a narrative told from a first-person perspective and sinister environments shrouded in darkness, this is one that is likely to keep Chris on the edge of his seat. Fortunately for the game, Tom gets to weigh in with his thoughts on his first hour of gameplay too. Will he be more fo...2024-02-0120 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #153: Persona 5 TacticaThe spin-off to the series that is itself a spin-off!
We move away from a tactical shooter with RPG elements and on to a tactical RPG with shooting elements for this episode of 1H1D. Selected by our special guest Slade from The Game Club Podcast, this episode focuses on the latest spin-off of the beloved series developed by Atlus. With a plot that takes place concurrently with the events of the main game, this side-story adopts a different art style and combines it with grid-based tactical combat to deliver a novel experience for the franchise. Will...2023-12-2130 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #151: Watch Dogs 2Presumably referencing people and not dobermanns.
In a surprising twist, neither of our hosts have yet to play Ubisoft Montreal's 2016 action-adventure, making it fair game as the subject for this episode of 1H1D. Set in a fictionalized version San Francisco, the game puts you in the shoes of a hacker looking to take down the city's big brotheresque surveillance system. The astute will note that Ubisoft is no stranger to open-world action-adventure games, so they may be wondering how this one stacks up against the developer's other franchises. With just one hour to form their decision...2023-12-0726 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #140: Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom - Prince's EditionThe mice are attempting a coup, what do you do?
The prince of Ding Dong Dell has just assumed the role of king after his father’s untimely demise, but the boy’s reign is cut short in the opening moments of this action role-playing game developed by Level-5 and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. As an outsider transported from present day Earth to this fantastical world, the player arrives in the middle of the coup and is tasked with protecting the boy from those who wish him harm. With an opening salvo like that, will Tom and...2023-09-2123 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #139: Sea of StarsJust the composer’s name alone has Tom intrigued.
If you want to request a game for our hosts to play, mentioning that it was “inspired by Chrono Trigger” is a strong place to start, but noting that Tom’s favorite composer contributed ten tracks to the soundtrack might be an even more powerful strategy. Amazingly, both are true in the case of this retro-inspired indie role-playing game developed by Sabotage Studio, requested by Chris Coplien from the Retro Hangover Podcast. Conveniently, he was also available to be the special guest for this episode, so if the recommen...2023-09-1429 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D BONUS: StarfieldA game chosen by our hosts, so it doesn't count!
Sometimes a game comes out that both our hosts are itching to try, but the Xbox Game Pass "Surprise Me" button is far too random to cooperate. Of course, they could play the game and not make an episode about it, but why waste "premium" content? Behold, an unnumbered bonus episode of 1H1D centered on the highly anticipated Sci-Fi Action RPG from Bethesda! It's the developer's first new IP in twenty-five years and has taken them a decade to develop! Clearly expectations are running high, but...2023-09-1031 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #138: My Time at PortiaWas it a good time or more like doing time?
Korean developer Pathea Games set out to combine elements of action role-playing games and cute casual sims when it released this title across all current consoles in 2019. Whether or not they were successful in the attempt is the subject of some debate. Fortunately for you, dear listener, the Xbox Game Pass “Surprise Me” button has decided to have our hosts visit the quiet hamlet of Portia and report back on the experience. The standard hour is unlikely to reveal the full depth of any simulation game, but it s...2023-09-0724 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #137: BesiegeCalled to craft contraptions of chaos!
When game selection is left to the whims of our favorite randomizer, it is safe to expect something unexpected. For this episode, the Xbox Game Pass “Surprise Me” button has selected the strategy sandbox developed by the small indie team at Spiderling Studios. The game was originally built for the PC but it was recently heavily reworked for the Xbox console. With Chris crafting on his PC and Tom testing it out on his console, it should be illuminating to hear them compare their divergent experiences. Regardless of the platform, both of o...2023-08-3120 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #136: Monster TrainAll aboard this crazy train… to Hell!
The Xbox Game Pass “Surprise Me” button has made its decision and our hosts must now play an hour of the acclaimed roguelike deck-building game developed by Shiny Shoe. As you may already know, Chris is not a fan of roguelikes and Tom is not a fan of card games, so it’s not looking too hopeful for this hybrid of both. Perhaps with their expectations set sufficiently deep in the underworld, the mandated hour with this title will end up surprising them both. Will the multitude of positive reviews from cri...2023-08-2422 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #135: MoonlighterFighting evil by moonlight, running a shop by daylight.
With so many roguelikes in their rearview, our hosts had to make sure they had not already played this one when the Xbox Game Pass “Surprise Me” button selected it for this episode. By focusing gameplay on running a shop and having the player both figuratively and literally “moonlighting” as an adventurer, this title developed by Digital Sun stands out against other third-person action roleplaying games. Traditionally the mandated hour is enough to get a good feel for the game loop of rougelikes, but this title aims to eschew t...2023-08-1725 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #134: ExoprimalExosuits AND Dinosaurs? Sounds like something Tom wrote.
Considering the subject matter, this title was on Tom’s radar long before it was requested by The Elder Trolls Gaming Podcast for this episode, which conveniently features them as our special guests. Developed and published by the gaming juggernaut known as Capcom, this title has our hosts strapping into exosuits and battling it out with dinosaurs! Clearly expectations are going to be running high on this one, so it will be interesting to see if Capcom can deliver on the hype. With a focus on multiplayer mayhem, will To...2023-08-1029 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #133: SignalisWhat happens when you cross Resident Evil with Stanley Kubrick?
Sometimes the Xbox Game Pass “Surprise Me” button picks a title that one of our hosts was secretly hoping to play. Well, this third-person survival horror game developed by rose-engine and published by Humble Games is a prime example of that! Considering his track record with horror games, you may be surprised to discover that it was Chris that was rooting for this one, but we assure you that’s the truth. How will this game measure up with his expectations? Will some nostalgia for the early days o...2023-08-0319 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #132: AstroneerBe an astronaut and an engineer, simultaneously.
The Xbox Game Pass “Surprise Me” button has “spoken” and Tom and Chris have once again answered its call. In this sandbox adventure title developed and published by System Era Softworks, the player takes on the role of a space explorer that must dig into the planet to activate an alien gateway. Unlike some similar planet-exploring titles, the design here is decidedly more family-focused... which is probably best exemplified by the game’s smooth and colorful art style and its collaborative drop-in, drop-out multiplayer. With the bulk of the game hinging on...2023-07-2725 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #131: Chicory: A Colorful TaleIf you give a dog a paintbrush…
Art Class is on the menu for this episode of 1H1D! The “Surprise Me” button has chosen the indie adventure game developed by Greg Lobanov and published by Finji, and thus our hosts must spend an hour exploring the colorful title. This may not be the first game where Tom and Chris need to bring color back to a desaturated world, but it is the first one starring a dog with an oversized paintbrush. With that key feature in mind, it will be interesting to see how the game’s painti...2023-07-2023 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #130: Rubber BanditsThe pun in the name is just the beginning.
The Xbox Game Pass "Surprise Me" button proves it is aptly named with its selection for this episode. Neither Tom nor Chris had ever heard of this random physics-based action title developed and published by Flashbulb, but now they are honor-bound to give it a fair shake. A quick glance reveals that the gameplay appears very simple and fast-paced, but will that be enough to capture the attention of our hosts, or will they be desperately waiting for their mandated hour to conclude? With lots of competition for...2023-07-1322 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #129: Cassette BeastsThe "Surprise Me" Button hears Tom’s prayer.
Tom has been quite curious about this role-playing game developed by Bytten Studio and, to his delight, the Xbox Game Pass “Surprise Me” Button has seen fit to choose it as the subject of this episode. Unapologetically inspired by the Pokemon video game series, the gameplay focuses on monster collection and turn-based battles. In the interest of changing things up and differentiating itself from the family-friendly franchise, however, this game sets its sights on a more mature audience by promising a more adult story and alleged improvements to the pocket...2023-07-0628 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D Interviews: Marie Marquet & Romain ClaudeWhat's better than an interview? Make it two for one!
In this special episode of 1 Hour 1 Decision, Tom and Chris interview Marie Marquet & Romain Claude, Creative Directors and co-founders of Splashteam. If their studio isn't familiar to you, these are the folks that created the innovative puzzle-platformer Tinykin reviewed in episode # 103. Tom and Chris will now take their standard review format and use it to learn all about these two designers and their French indie studio. Join us for this special episode to get the inside scoop on their design process, favorite games, and what it is...2023-07-0226 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #128: DordogneIt’s French, so it’s only natural that you butcher the pronunciation.
Hot off the press, this episode focuses on the new adventure game developed by Umanimation and published by Focus Home Interactive. The narrative centers on the main character’s childhood memories of the titular region of France and is depicted through hand-painted watercolor landscapes. The style evokes the works of whimsical creatives like Hayao Miyazaki, and our hosts will need to investigate and report back if their hour-long foray into the game captures that same sense of wonder. If so, will Tom and Chris want t...2023-06-2923 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #127: Shadowrun: Dragonfall - Director's CutIt’s running and falling, but with shadows and dragons.
For a change of pace, the Xbox Game Pass “Surprise Me” button has selected the tactical role-playing game developed by Harebrained Schemes for this episode. If the title did not give it away, this game is set within the Shadowrun universe, which is actually best known as the setting of the long-running cyberpunk tabletop RPG. As a single-player game, will this console RPG be able to capture that tabletop experience? Will a single hour be enough time for our hosts to really sink their teeth into the game a...2023-06-2224 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #126: Slime Rancher 2How do you hog-tie a slime?
When your games are selected randomly, it’s inevitable that you will encounter some interesting picks. For this episode, the Xbox Game Pass “Surprise Me” button has decided that our hosts will be trying out the first-person vacuum-shooter developed and published by indie studio Monomi Park. The game centers on Beatrix LeBeau as she rolls up her sleeves and gets back to ranching slimes. Apparently she was successful in the first game, but our hosts honestly wouldn’t know because they haven’t played that game either. Will their lack of prior ranc...2023-06-1521 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #125: CRICKET 22Allegedly, you gotta know what a crumpet is to understand cricket.
The Xbox Game Pass "Surprise Me" button has spoken. Despite its name and the fact that it was developed by Big Ant Studios, this title has nothing to do with insects. If you live outside the United States, you may already be familiar with the sport, but rest assured that our two hosts are completely clueless on the matter. The absolute worst Ninja Turtle, which coincidentally is also Chris's favorite, once famously said that "Nobody understands cricket!" Let's see if a mandated hour of exposure to...2023-06-0821 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #124: Minecraft LegendsWho put all this lore in our sandbox?
Developed by Mojang Studios in conjunction with Blackbird Interactive, a hybrid action strategy game set in a familiar voxel world is the subject of this episode. While the concept continues to feel unique, the truth is that both of our hosts have played a few similar hybrid strategy games in their day. How will this game measure up to those fond memories? One key difference that is sure to impact their decision making is that Tom and Chris have embarked on this journey together! Will an hour of cooperative...2023-06-0125 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #123: Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus and ButterflyWait, aren’t Hibiscus and Butterfly varieties of tea?
After a rapid burst of shooters, the Xbox Games Pass “Surprise Me” Button has decided to give our hosts a break, replacing fast paced gunplay with casual conversation and coffee construction. In this visual novel title developed by Toge Productions and published by Chorus Worldwide Games, the action is making drinks for a variety of fantastical characters in an alternate reality version of Seattle. With a title that screams it's a sequel, will it matter that our hosts never played the original? Join Tom and Chris as they talk a...2023-05-2520 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #122: Battlefield 1: RevolutionThe 1 must be for the war, ‘cause this is hardly the first Battlefield.
The Xbox Game Pass “Surprise Me” button is on a roll and has our hosts playing another first-person shooter this episode. Instead of a fictious depiction of WWII, however, this game developed by DICE focuses on a far more realistic version of the first world war. With a multitude of stories strung together into an anthology of sorts, this game’s campaign is decidedly different than most. Beyond that, the game also hosts a multitude of multiplayer modes, a steady staple of the series. With jus...2023-05-1822 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #121: Wolfenstein: YoungbloodTake a spin with this spin-off of the franchise that spawned a genre!
The Xbox Game Pass “Surprise Me” button has taken the reins once again, and this time it has directed our dynamic duo to tackle a first-person shooter developed by MachineGames and Arkane Studios. It seems only fair for expectations to run a bit high when you consider that the original Wolfenstein effectively created the first-person shooter genre. That said, this much more recent title has already been out for a few years and the reviews are decidedly mixed. With the option to play the enti...2023-05-1122 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #120: The Last Case of Benedict FoxIs mixing Lovecraft together with anything a good idea?
Our hosts are back at it with a special request! To make it even MORE special, this one is exclusive to the Xbox Series X/S! That should be enough to intrigue most, but if you are not yet convinced, know that this episode focuses on the “fantastical Lovecraftian Metroidvania” developed by Plot Twist and published by Rogue Games Inc. It promises to be full of mystery and cosmic horror as players traverse a curious mansion with their demonic sidekick. What more could our hosts possibly desire? Well, prob...2023-05-0431 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #119: Phantom AbyssIs it possible to make a single-player MMO?
The Xbox Game Pass “Surprise Me” button has selected the massive asynchronous multiplayer title developed by Team WIBY and published by Devolver Digital for this episode. Asynchronous multiplayer is a pretty fancy way to say that the game is played solo, but the presence of other players is felt throughout the experience. For reference, think about doing a time trial against a "ghost" in your favorite racing game and then imagine there were a bunch of those time trial "ghosts" all moving through the level at same time. Will this...2023-04-2724 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #118: Before We LeaveWe promise to give a final decision [insert game title here].
This episode is about the hexagonal city-builder developed by Balancing Monkey Games. Never heard of the studio? Neither had our hosts… but this New Zealand based team is on a mission to make peaceful, inclusive games and this here is their debut. As you may have noticed, the Xbox Game Pass “Surprise Me” button has a tendency to task our hosts with investigating these seemingly niche titles and that is certainly part of the fun. For this episode, our hosts will dive into the world of the su...2023-04-2023 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #117: ManeaterWhoa-oh, here she comes!
For this episode, our usual duo is joined by the trio from Play Along Podcast to discuss a certain shark-centric action game developed and published by Tripwire Interactive. With oh-so-many delicious(?) hosts in the water, this one is sure to be a feeding frenzy of opinions! Tom and Chris are forever hooked to their one-hour time limit, but our three guests have been set free of this restriction. How will this extra time impact their final decisions? Join us for a dip and find out if this game sinks or swims!
...2023-04-1331 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D Interviews: Chris ChanceyOur hosts spend an hour... speaking with a game designer!
In this special episode of 1 Hour 1 Decision, Tom and Chris take some time to interview Christopher Chancey, President & CEO of ManaVoid Entertainment. If you are a fan of this show, you will recognize ManaVoid as the company behind Rainbow Billy: The Curse of the Leviathan, which we covered on episode # 109. Join our hosts as they flip their script and use their usual format to learn all about this Canadian game designer. Can he explain why those Xbox file sizes are larger than their PC counterparts? Will he...2023-04-0954 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #116: Lost in RandomThis show gets lost there all the time!
In a fitting move, the Xbox Game Pass “Surprise Me” button has randomly selected this aptly titled third-person action-adventure game. As the final game developed by Zoink before it was absorbed into Thunderful Development, this title has some decidedly indie sensibilities, including both literal dice rolls and card mechanics integrated into its otherwise action-style combat. Considering his appreciation of physical board games and his general aversion to digital card games, it will be interesting to see how Tom reacts to this particular mix. Join him and Chris as they roll...2023-04-0622 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #112: LapinApparently, it’s the French word for rabbit.
The tried-and-true Xbox Game Pass “Surprise Me” button is in control and has selected the so-fresh-it’s-not-technically-done indie platformer created by Studio Doodal for this episode. Information on this indie developer is particularly sparce but it appears they plan to specialize in creating story-driven games with compelling background lore. Will this narrative focus complement the precision platforming, or will it prove distracting? Is it even fair to judge a game while it is still in the early access phase? The “Surprise Me” button certainly thinks it is… so Tom and Chris must...2023-03-0921 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #111: EvilleAre you an innocent villager or a vile conspirator?
The Xbox Game Pass "Surprise Me" button has selected the murder mystery social deduction game from German indie developer VestGames as the subject of this episode. In this online game, players are assigned a random role as either a villager or a conspirator and then must work to eliminate the other group. The game is full of hidden information, so investigation and deduction are the main thrusts of the gameplay. With just an hour on the clock to learn the game and make their decision, Tom and Chris...2023-03-0220 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #110: Chained EchoesInspired by 90’s JRPGs, one man decided to make his own.
Once again, game selection was left to our listeners and the result of that poll was this turn-based, 16-bit-style RPG developed by Matthias Linda. It turns out that if you exclude some of the backgrounds and the music, basically everything else was done by this one individual. His intent was to capture the feelings of playing those games back in the 90’s and reviews suggest that he was successful in the attempt. After some time on other platforms, the game has made its way to Xbox Game Pass and land...2023-02-2326 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #108: The Evil Within 2With just a glance at the title, you know Chris must be thrilled.
In a not-so-surprising move, the Xbox Game Pass “Surprise Me” button has resumed torturing poor Chris by choosing a third person survival horror game. Developed by Tango Gameworks, this selection also happens to be a sequel to a game that neither of our hosts have ever played. It seems obvious that the deck is stacked against this title, but with both solid critical reviews and a lineage that traces back to the Resident Evil series, will the final decisions prove surprising? As usual, the game...2023-02-0924 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #107: Monster Hunter RiseInstead of balls, you hunt these monsters with literal swords and shields.
Always on the hunt for their next game, our hosts put this episode's selection up to a vote and the winner was this action roleplaying game developed and published by Capcom. While this is apparently the sixth mainline entry in the series, it turns out there are basically quadruple that many entries in total! You might be surprised to learn that despite his self-professed love of monsters, Tom has curiously avoided this entire franchise since its inception nearly twenty years ago. Chris, on the other...2023-02-0228 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #105: Dragon Age IIIt took Tom twelve years to try this sequel.
The Xbox Game Pass “Surprise Me” button has made some interesting choices in the past, but the random selection of this action RPG developed by BioWare shall prove to be a decisive one. Tom played Dragon Age: Origins and its expansion (Awakening) back when they launched in 2009 and 2010 respectively. Then BioWare dropped this sequel just sixteen months after the original had hit store shelves. With such a short development cycle, could they possibly capture the same magic it had taken them five whole years to harness for the firs...2023-01-1928 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #104: OlijaSurprisingly, this has nothing to do with the spirit board.
Devolver digital takes center stage once again as the Xbox Game Pass has selected the side-scrolling platformer developed by Skeleton Crew Studios for this episode. With the game's story focused on a shipwrecked sailor on a quest to get home and most of the development handled by a single individual (Thomas Olsson), we have a feeling we know where the studio got its name. To be honest, that's basically all we know about this title, as it has completely flown under the radar of both Tom and...2023-01-1223 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #103: TinykinChris is excited and Tom has never heard of this one.
The Xbox Game Pass has led our hosts to a number of games published by tinyBuild, but this is the first time they are tackling a game crafted by the French indie developer Splashteam. In this action-adventure platformer, players take on the role of Milo as he collects hundreds of cute little critters and uses their powers to solve puzzles and ultimately return home. Will the game’s 2D characters traversing a 3D environment end up being a blessing or a curse? Will the game loop pr...2023-01-0522 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #102: Let's Build A ZooThis game is not based on that film with the similar sounding title.
The Xbox Game Pass “Surprise Me” button has decided it is time to manage a zoo once again. This time, however, it has selected the retro-styled simulation sandbox developed by Springloaded. Like the retro zoo simulation games that inspired it, this title has you managing the staff, attractions, and amenities of your own custom-built zoo. Unlike those games, this title also has you breeding rare creatures and, when that’s not enough to entertain your guests, you can take a page out of the Jurass...2022-12-2224 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #101: Exo OneIs this the lost alien child of Journey and Marble Madness?
Earning its name, the Xbox Game Pass “Surprise Me” button has made an eccentric choice for this episode. This dubiously categorized “sci-fi adventure game” developed by Exbleative revolves around an alien spacecraft that must traverse different planets on a journey toward an unclear objective. The worlds themselves are procedurally generated and traversal is left to the player’s discretion, so no two players will have the exact same experience. Tom and Chris have both given the game the obligatory hour and come to a decision. Will they be se...2022-12-1518 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #100: Vampire SurvivorsWould you believe surviving is impossible and there are no vampires?
The show has reached episode 100 and it seems only fitting that the game chosen for this landmark episode is another roguelike! Can you feel how thrilled Chris must be with this turn of events? The show must go on and in this roguelike side-scroller developed by Luca Galante, the player is tasked with surviving as long as possible as endless waves of non-vampire enemies fill the screen. It’s a bullet hell game, but the enemies are the bullets… and none of those “bullets” are vampires. Fun fact...2022-12-0823 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #99: Frog Detective: The Entire MysteryThe complete trilogy starring a frog and his trusty magnifying glass.
The Xbox Game Pass library is full of indies and oddities that could easily be overlooked. Fortunately for you, dear listener, our hosts are honor bound to investigate these titles when fate selects them. On the docket for this particular episode is the first-person comedy adventure trilogy designed and crafted by Grace Bruxner. Broken up into a series of cases, the player takes on the role of an aptly named amphibious gumshoe and attempts to solve mysteries that only the second-best investigator can solve. Well, obviously...2022-12-0120 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #98: Hardspace: ShipbreakerBreaking ships in space is hard work and apparently also a game.
Tom and Chris take on listener request Dave Jackson from Tales From the Backlog and attempt the “action-adventure” simulation developed by Blackbird Interactive for this episode. After their day jobs, they each must boot up their gaming machine of choice and begin their second shift by chopping up spaceships. Will this game loop make for a fun experience, or will it end up feeling more like a literal second job? Unlike their indentured characters, our hosts are only on the hook for an hour before they...2022-11-1824 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #94: Two Point CampusOur hosts attended college together, but can they manage one?
Back in the saddle, the “Surprise Me” button takes the reigns and picks something our hosts definitely would not have picked themselves. On this episode, Tom and Chris have been tasked with playing an hour of the second simulation title developed by Two Point Studios. Unlike the studio’s prior game about running a hospital, this one focuses instead on a college campus. While our hosts have some experience with one of those, they definitely missed the class about managing them. Will their prior experience with games like C...2022-10-1323 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #93: DEATHLOOPCan you break the loop? Are you sure you should?
The “Surprise Me” button takes a break this episode as our hosts investigate another listener request. Up for review this time is Arkane Lyon’s first-person shooter about being caught in a time loop. As you may have guessed, this loop is definitely linked to death. More specifically, it resets on the player’s death and can only be broken by assassinating a set of key characters before the day is done. How exactly this is accomplished is left to the player to decide and any knowledge gathered...2022-10-0625 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #92: Far Cry 5Explore the wilderness, fight animals, maybe join a cult...
Against all odds, Tom has somehow managed to avoid a certain Ubisoft developed first-person shooter franchise in its entirety. Considering the number of entries that exist in this popular franchise, it did seem inevitable that he would be playing one of them eventually and the Xbox Game Pass “Surprise Me” button has decided that now is the time. In classic 1H1D fashion, the game selected is obviously not the first in the series, but allegedly the plots of these titles do not require knowledge of prior events. This...2022-09-2924 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #90: A Plague Tale: InnocenceThis disease is totally bubonic... and you play as kids.
We left the game selection for this episode up to our listeners and they have spoken! The winner of the pole was the action-adventure stealth game developed by Asobo Studio and published by Focus Home Interactive. As the title suggests, it is a game about deadly pathogens and a couple of children who end up caught in the crossfire. Sounds familiar, right? Well, it was released in 2019, so perhaps it was accidentally foreshadowing events to come... or maybe it's just a good example that history repeats itself...2022-09-1522 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #89: SnowRunnerThey once ran through the mud, now it's time for snow.
Perhaps you will find it fitting that the Xbox Game Pass “Surprise Me” button has taken this opportunity to bring us back to the beginning of it all. MudRunner was one of the very first titles we explored on 1H1D and now it is time to take a look at the truck driving simulation sequel developed by Saber Interactive. Will their fond memories of MudRunner taint their reaction to this title or will Tom and Chris find the game loop genuinely improved in this next iter...2022-09-0825 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #88: Hellblade: Senua's SacrificeJourney into Helheim and avoid sharp objects located there.
Numerous individuals have recommended this Ninja Theory developed action-adventure title to Chris, so it is only fitting that the Xbox Game Pass "Surprise Me" button followed suit and selected it as the game for this episode. With its Norse mythology based narrative and metaphorical exploration of psychosis, this is sure to be a doozy of an experience. Will Tom and Chris find themselves fully immersed in Senua's journey? If so, will they end up placing that under their likes or dislikes? It's time to start the episode and...2022-09-0125 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #87: Umurangi Generation Special EditionFeel like taking photos while the world ends around you?
When Chris indicated that the Xbox Game Pass “Surprise Me” button had selected this title for the next episode, Tom was dubious that the string of syllables he had uttered were in fact a game. Well, it turns out Chris is not a liar and there is indeed a first-person photography game developed by Origame Digital available on Xbox Game Pass with that very title. In this simulation style game, the objective is to complete a series of “bounties” by exploring the environment and taking creative photographs that mat...2022-08-2518 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #86: PowerWash SimulatorWhen you enjoy cleaning so much that you do it for fun!
For this episode, our hosts have been tasked with checking out a first-person simulation title developed by FuturLab and published by Square Enix Collective. This is definitely the kind of game that would generate a cult following, so it makes a certain amount of sense that our listeners would request that Tom and Chris take a crack at it. Will cleaning buildings really feel that satisfying? Will their experience running a virtual power washing business for an hour lead them to rethink their careers? Give...2022-08-1823 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #85: Naraka: BladepointIt’s a place of torment, but is that figurative or literal?
Once again the Xbox Game Pass “Surprise Me” button is in control of game selection and for this episode it has chosen the battle royale title developed by 24 Entertainment and published by NetEase Games Montreal. With over eighty games reviewed here at 1H1D, we were due for an entry in this increasingly popular genre and it is fitting that this one happens to be a new addition to the Game Pass lineup. With its focus on massive online multiplayer mayhem, how will our hosts feel a...2022-08-1124 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #83: Outer WildsWe get this one and Outer Worlds mixed up a lot.
The Xbox Game Pass "Surprise Me" button sure does like to pick games published by Annapurna Interactive. This one is the first-person adventure game developed by Mobius Digital where you play as an explorer traveling through your solar system to learn secrets of an ancient alien race and discover why they mysteriously disappeared. With a focus on exploration and a mechanic where your character retains all knowledge upon their death, this game seems like a better fit for our hosts than other games with roguelike mechanics...2022-07-2820 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #78: Going UnderIt has nothing to do with Australia or a medical procedure.
Uh oh! It looks like our hosts are back to playing roguelikes again! For this episode, our duo has been tasked with playing an action RPG variant developed by Aggro Crab and published by Team17. Will this title's focus on humor and its bright color palette set it apart from the many other roguelikes they have already encountered? Will a plot focusing on an unpaid intern forced to battle the ghosts of failed startups resonate with our players or feel too much like revisiting past trauma...2022-06-2318 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #75: We Happy FewIf you aren’t literally full of joy, the other citizens will take notice… and kill you.
On this episode, we hand control back over to the Xbox Game Pass “Surprise Me” button and find ourselves faced with an action-adventure survival horror video game developed by Compulsion Games. Chris appears to have been extra targeted this time because the game allegedly has roguelike elements as well. If you ask us, that’s a lot of genre-splicing and it makes us wonder if the execution will live up to the ambition. With an alternate 1960’s setting and a healthy dose...2022-06-0220 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #74: BugsnaxWould you rather eat a snack bug or a bug snack?
The mere premise of this first-person adventure game sounds absurd… and then you find out that it comes from the same zany studio that brought you Octodad. The team over at Young Horses combined bugs and snacks into the game’s eponymous creatures and now a listener has tasked our hosts with sampling this unusual offering. Will the colorful art style and unique premise prove delectable, or will it leave a bad taste in their mouths? Historically, games involving bugs lean toward horror, but this game defi...2022-05-2622 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #73: GreedfallThe wiki says this game was developed by spiders…
The Xbox Game Pass “Surprise Me” button is back in control and it has selected an action role-playing game developed by Spiders for this episode! Okay, so it turns out that “Spiders” refers to a French game developer and not a group of arachnids that have achieved sentience and the capacity to program a video game. This is probably good news for our hosts, especially after all that time they spent killing virtual spiders a few episodes ago. Regardless of the game’s origin, Tom and Chris are admittedly i...2022-05-1925 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #72: Cities: SkylinesSimCity may be gone, but that left a vacancy for a spiritual successor.
Once upon a time, a game called SimCity was synonymous with the sim game genre. Of course, that was before its final entry totally bombed, souring the brand recognition of a storied franchise. Seizing their opportunity, this power vacuum in the city sim space was filled by a certain city-building game developed by Colossal Order and published by Paradox Interactive. Will this 2015 title be able activate the nostalgia centers in the brains of our hosts? Is it divergent enough from the SimCity formula to...2022-05-1218 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #71: Battlefield Hardline: Ultimate EditionWe head to Miami to tackle a different kind of war... the one on crime.
Imagine our surprise to learn that the subject of this episode would be a Battlefield title that wasn't set during a world war. As their final contribution to the world of video games before receiving their marching orders from EA, Visceral Games developed and released this First Person Shooter all about being a cop and immersing yourself in one of those great TV crime dramas that your dad probably likes to watch. The question is whether or not that will translate into...2022-05-0522 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #70: Kill It With FireSpiders? Why’d it have to be spiders?
Generally speaking, we would not advocate killing critters of any kind, but there’s no pacifist playthrough for this first-person action game developed by tinyBuild. In fact, killing bugs is just a small piece of the utter mayhem that Tom and Chris were tasked with committing for their mandated hour with this title. Will these virtual spiders prove as difficult to catch as their real-world counterparts? More importantly, will the missions feel different enough to keep the gameplay interesting and our hosts itching for more when the hour is up...2022-04-2818 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #69: Art of RallySome say racing is an art form, this game seeks to prove it.
It’s been a little while since our hosts were last behind the wheel and the Xbox Gamepass “Surprise Me” Button is looking to correct that oversight. On this episode, our dynamic duo takes on the stylized racing sim developed by Funselektor Labs. With plenty of cars to choose from and even more stages to drive, it seems likely that Tom and Chris will each have a favorite combination that is unique to their playstyle. What will that look like for each of them and wh...2022-04-2121 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #68: Weird WestIt’s like Ultima or Fallout, except it’s a western with fantasy and horror elements.
Game requested by friend of the show WanderingDutch!
Apparently this game takes its name from a term used to describe the hybrid genres of fantasy Western, horror Western and sci-fi Western. To be honest, this whole concept is news to our hosts, but that won’t stop them from trying out this action role-playing game developed by WolfEye Studios. With bounty hunters at the forefront of the narrative and parallels to the classic Ultima series, we know that at least one of our hosts is alr...2022-04-1427 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #67: Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIIIThe final chapter of a trilogy that they never started.
When you let the Xbox Game Pass “Surprise Me” Button randomly pick the games, you are bound to play some sequels. On this episode, the button ramps up the absurdity by making our hosts play the final game in the action role-playing game trilogy developed by Square Enix. Will Tom and Chris stand any chance of enjoying this game with two full games of lore missing from their collective consciousness? Will the gameplay mechanics be engaging enough to overcome this substantial handicap? The Fabula Nova Crystallis subseries has a devoted fanb...2022-04-0724 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #66: The RiftbreakerIt's basically the combination of two of our favorite childhood things.
If you grew up playing games in the 90's, then you are probably familiar with Starcraft. If you watched cartoons in the 90's, then you probably also know about Exosquad. While this base-building, survival game developed by EXOR Studios has no official ties to either of those properties, it sure does evoke fond memories of both. Will an hour of gameplay prove this game worthy of those feelings? Now that their guard is down, will the Xbox Game Pass "Suprise Me" button finally reveal its master plan to eliminate...2022-03-3123 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #65: InfernaxThis one isn’t horror, but the countless ways that you die are pretty horrifying.
What happens when a knight comes home, only to find it plagued by unholy magic? Well, you can find out if you settle in to play this metroidvania style game developed by Berzerk Studio. The formula for this experience starts with the classic side-scrolling action you know and love and combines it with contemporary levels of player driven character advancement and finally adds a healthy dose of gore. Will this prove to be an ideal mix for our aging, nostalgia-sensitive hosts? Will Chris just be gl...2022-03-2419 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #64: Dead Space 2Let’s take horror and put it in space, what could go wrong?
The Xbox “Surprise Me” button seems hell-bent on giving Chris a heart attack. For its latest assassination attempt, it has selected the science fiction survival horror game developed by Visceral Games. Both of our hosts have somehow managed to avoid this title even though it was released over a decade ago, but they can no longer close their eyes and pretend that it does not exist. Will playing it a decade late make it less scary? Will a look back at one of Visceral’s best loved games ma...2022-03-1720 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #63: Bug Fables: The Everlasting SaplingTom’s favorite Pokemon are bug type… that may be relevant later.
After the “Surprise Me” button’s attack on Chris, we thought it would be best to let the audience pick the game for this episode. The result is this role-playing title developed by indie studio Moonsprout Games. There is some obvious inspiration from Paper Mario, but in this game the main characters are all bugs searching for a source of eternal youth. When you consider the average lifespan of the protagonists, it does seem like a pretty good time investment. Speaking of being short on time, Tom...2022-03-1022 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #62: Resident Evil VII: BiohazardDid you know Resident Evil is called Biohazard in Japan? Now you do.
The “Surprise Me” button is back in control and clearly the first item on the agenda is to give Chris a heart attack. Developed and published by Capcom, this seventh numbered entry in the horror franchise is actually something like the twenty fourth in the series. How is that even possible? Well, the franchise has been around since 1996 and has had a number of spinoffs and remakes, but the important thing to note about this one specifically is that it is regarded as a retu...2022-03-0322 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #61: Telling LiesWhen we hear “full motion video” we immediately think of Night Trap.
On this episode, we turn control of the game selection over to our listeners and an unusual title is the reward. Developed by Sam Barlow and Furious Bee, this game is an interactive film that plays out as a “desktop thriller” where the player must unravel a mystery by watching video clips stored on a stolen hard drive. It is certainly a departure from the usual games thrust on our hosts and there are a number of questions to tackle as a result. How will Tom & Ch...2022-02-2423 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #60: Super Lucky's TaleHe kind of looks like Miles “Tails” Prower, doesn’t he?
Lucky is a different fox with just one tail, well two if you count the “tale” for which this game is named. In either case, the Xbox Game Pass “Surprise Me” button has selected the third person 3D platformer developed by Playful Studios as the focus of this episode, so our hosts are honor bound to play it for an hour and report back with their findings. They know that reaction to this title was mixed upon its release, but that was quite a long time ago. Will the...2022-02-1720 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #59: EMBRWe are done watching fires, now it’s time to fight them… for profit!
Is it possible that the “Surprise Me” button is learning? With the AI back in control of the game selection, our hosts have been tasked with fighting fires in this frantic first-person multiplayer title developed by Muse Games. Will Tom and Chris be able to work together to climb the ranks and become truly uber firefighters… or is it more likely that they get in each other’s way, resulting in even greater chaos? Once their hour of allocated game time is up, how likely a...2022-02-1020 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #58: FirewatchIs the objective to watch fires or to stop them?
On this episode, our hosts give the “Surprise Me” button a break and take on a random request from listeners like you! More specifically, they each spent an hour with the “alone in the woods” yet somehow “dialogue rich” adventure game developed by Campo Santo. Will the story-focused, single-player experience capture their hearts? Will the delivery of the plot via chose-your-own-adventure text and walkie-talkie voiceover be compelling enough to make the game stand apart from other entries in the genre? Tom and Chris have played the hour and now they...2022-02-0321 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #57: Lonely Mountains: DownhillIf there are multiple mountains, why are they lonely?
It appears that 2019 was a big year for downhill mountain biking video games. Our hosts previously reviewed Descenders and now the Xbox Game Pass “Surprise Me” button has also selected this similar sounding 2019 game developed by Megagon Industries. With an isometric view and stylized visuals, will this game do enough differently to escape the surface comparison? Will the retro feel of this downhill game remind Tom and Chris of their days with games like SkiFree? Most importantly, will they want to keep playing this game once their mandated hour...2022-01-2719 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #56: Curse of the Dead GodsIf they are already dead, how are they cursing anyone?
The “Surprise Me” button is back in control and has quickly returned to tormenting Chris by picking another rougelike! This time our hosts take on the isometric dungeon crawler from Passtech Games, however, so perhaps the die-and-try-again elements will spice up the classic formula instead. Whatever their preconceived notions may have been, the rules state that Tom and Chris still have to spend an hour playing the game before making their final decision. Now that the time is up and the controllers have been put down, will they...2022-01-2023 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #54: Scarlet NexusAn action RPG with anime DNA... sounds familiar.
Word on the street is that the "Surprise Me" button is supposed to be random, but this game sure has some similarities with others that it has selected for the show. How will this action role-playing game developed by Bandai Namco Studios and Tose stack up against those others? Will both of our hosts end up picking the same protagonist, or will they opt for different paths through game? With just an hour allowed to make a decision, do Tom & Chris have the patience for more anime? What about...2022-01-0624 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #53: The Procession to CalvaryThis game was not made by Terry Gilliam, but it sure does look like it was.
If you thought dating your weapons was out there, buckle up for this bizarre point and click adventure designed by Joe Richardson. The game puts you in the role of a knight looking to kill just one more person… but the war is over and it’s time for peace. Luckily, the big-bad perpetrator of the war has escaped, so it’s probably fine if you track him down and kill him. On your way, you will solve puzzles and enjoy classi...2021-12-3019 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #51: Hollow Knight: Voidheart EditionEmbrace your role as bug knight and vanquish other bugs, but only the bad ones… right?
That Xbox Game Pass “Surprise Me” button sure seems to love these indie titles! On this episode, our hosts reflect on the hour they spent with the metroidvania action-adventure game developed and published by Team Cherry. This acclaimed game has seen a few revisions over the years and this particular release on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in September of 2018 came with additional balancing, bug fixes, and a new menu style. Will any of that matter to two people who have never touche...2021-12-1622 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #50: Yakuza Kiwami 2Been spendin’ most our lives livin’ in a gangsta’s paradise… in Japan!
This is what happens when Sega takes the Dragon game engine and uses it to remake a PS2 title from 2006. The all-knowing internet claims that this is an action-adventure game, but it looks like our hosts may be of a different opinion on the matter. Adding to the intrigue, Chris has warned that cutscenes will probably play a major role in the hour the boys are allowed to experience. With time as the enemy, what will their actual playtime look like? The Xbox “Surprise Me” button...2021-12-0919 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D: THRILLING THIRTY-TWO!We are doing that sweet sixteen bracket thing, but this time with twice games!
We checked and we are pretty confident this is not a term used elsewhere, so there won't be any confusion this time! On this VERY special episode, we have Wandering Dutch join us to recap the next 32 games that we've played here on 1H1D. Did we double the number of games to up the ante or did we just forget to do a bracket after the second batch of sixteen games? Give this special episode a listen and you may learn that...2021-11-2543 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #48: UndertaleThis game has a sizable cult following, but does it deserve it?
The epitome of an indie game, this title was virtually entirely created by one person, Toby Fox. Strictly speaking, it is a 2D role-playing game about a child who has fallen into the underground and wants to return to the surface world, encountering all manner of strange monsters along the way. Beyond that, most of the decision making on how to navigate those encounters is left to the player, which leads to some interesting results. Will the narrative grab a hold of our hosts and...2021-11-1822 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #47: AI: The Somnium FilesWhat happens when the AI replaces your eye?
This mystery adventure game was both developed and published by Spike Chunsoft, who are probably best known for their contributions to the Pokémon and Dragon Quest franchises. This game is decidedly unlike those others, however, and the jury is out on how our hosts would classify this game's genre. Living somewhere between an old school point and click game like Myst and a more modern visual novel game like Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, this game is unlike most games that our hosts tend to play. We suppose that's b...2021-11-1120 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #45: Farming Simulator 19After simulating goats, it was only natural to simulate the whole farm.
It's hard to know where this entry falls in the vast array of Farming Simulator titles that have been released since 2008. What is known is that they were all developed by Giants Software and their gameplay revolves around managing a farm. Will an utter lack of agricultural knowledge mean that our hosts are completely out of their depth or will the game show them the ropes? The longevity of this series implies that the gameplay must be compelling to millions of players, but will Tom...2021-10-2820 min
1 Hour 1 Decision (1H1D)1H1D #41: ForagerTraditionally you need to leave your home to forage, this game solves that.
With the Xbox Game Pass “Surprise Me” button at the wheel, every game selection is a surprise! For this episode, Tom and Chris have spent an hour with HopFrog’s hybrid idle adventure game. Like many other incremental games, this one is known for being both simple and grindy, so that is sure to shape their feelings about this distinctly indie title. Will our hosts enjoy the break from their daily lives or will this game feel too much like actual work? How will they r...2021-09-3023 min