Gamertag Radio

In this non-spoiler review, Danny Peña, Riana Manuel-Peña, and Parris Lilly break down their early hands-on impressions and deep dives into Remedy’s latest release, Control Resonant.   From its expanded open-world Manhattan setting and deep combat mechanics to its incredible soundtrack and customizable assist options, the team discusses why Control Resonant stands out as a potential contender f...

Danny Peña speaks with ASUS's Whitson Gordon to discuss the official announcement and details of the limited edition ROG Xbox Ally X20 20th Anniversary model!  Whitson shares insights from Gamescom, detailing the device's standout features—including its hot-off-the-press 7.4-inch OLED display with variable refresh rate (VRR), TMR joysticks, rubberized grips, micro SD Express support, and transf...

In this episode of Gamertag Radio, Riana Manuel-Peña and Tony Polanco deliver their non-spoiler review, first impressions, and gameplay breakdown of Insomniac Games' Marvel’s Wolverine for the PlayStation 5! Tony shares his thoughts after 100% completing the game, joining Riana for a deep dive into how Insomniac handles Logan’s story, brutal combat mechanics, and team dynamics. In this discus...

Gamertag Radio's Danny Peña speaks with Square Enix directors Naoki Hamaguchi and Teruki Endo to discuss Final Fantasy VII Revelation, the third and final chapter in the remake trilogy.  The team reflects on the 10-year journey of rebuilding Final Fantasy VII, balancing nostalgic battle design with modern action RPG mechanics, and landing the plane for this legendary story. Danny also dives int...

NVIDIA GeForce DLSS 5 is officially here, and NBA 2K27 is the first title to take advantage of it! Following early leaks and initial controversy surrounding how the tech works, I had the chance to get hands-on experience both at Gamescom and at home on my RTX 5090 rig. In this segment, sponsored by NVIDIA GeForce, I break down how developer Visual Concepts actually implemented DLSS 5 into NBA ...

In this episode of Gamertag Radio, hosts Danny Peña and Riana Manuel-Peña team up with MediaWise (https://www.poynter.org/mediawise/programs/g-a-m-e/) to explore the impact of online misinformation and toxic culture within video game spaces. They are joined by lead web developer at Poynter, Jay Tillery and veteran 3D artist Del Walker. The panel discusses how rumors spread rapidly across social...

At Gamescom, Parris Lilly catches up with Lead Combat Designer from Rebel Wolves, to discuss the immersive combat systems in The Blood of Dawnwalker. He breaks down the design behind the game's directional sword fighting, optional accessibility options like Omni-blocks, and how the team balanced combat difficulty to keep players engaged. The conversation also covers player customization, skill ...

Fresh back in Los Angeles after Gamescom, Danny Peña and Parris Lilly break down their hands-on theater presentation and impressions of The Witcher 3 Remaster and its massive new story expansion, Songs of the Past! In this episode, Danny and Parris discuss: The Witcher 3 Remaster Announcement – Their reaction to the surprising Opening Night Live announcement, free current-gen upgrades, includ...

Parris Lilly and Danny Peña share exclusive hands-on impressions of the upcoming Fable reboot straight from Gamescom! In this video, Parris breaks down his 45-minute hands-on combat demo from Playground Games: Combat Breakdown – Swordplay, ranged mechanics, spell casting, and fighting through skeleton swarms and ghoul mini-bosses. Difficulty Scaling – Playing through the demo on default and ...

Parris Lilly and Danny Peña share hands-on impressions and co-op details for State of Decay 3 from Gamescom! In this video, Parris breaks down his 45-minute hands-on gameplay session playing State of Decay 3 for the first time: Co-Op & World Host Mechanics – How persistent co-op worlds work, host permission controls, and managing friends in your survivor group. Scavenging & Gameplay – Explor...

Danny Peña and Parris Lilly return to Gamer Tag Radio to break down two unique indie titles that stood out during their playtime at Gamescom: ONTOS – From the developers behind SOMA, this sci-fi psychological horror mystery puts players in high-stakes environments filled with puzzles, branching paths, and tricky scenarios. Danny shares his hands-on experience solving the demo's puzzles, discov...

Danny Peña and Parris Lilly break down their hands-on impressions and previews of three major upcoming titles from Gamescom: Chronos: Lazarus – First hands-on impressions with the new expansion! Danny and Parris discuss the faster pacing, new traversal and stealth mechanics (like short-range teleporting and invisibility), difficulty tweaks, and Bloober Team's evolution of the series. Chronicl...

Danny Peña spoke with Eric Damien-Vernay (Brand Director for Might & Magic at Ubisoft) about bringing back an iconic strategy classic in the Heroes of Might and Magic III Remake! In this interview, we dive into why Ubisoft is modernizing the game for new and veteran players alike, including new quality-of-life features, customizable preset playstyles, campaign improvements, and automation opti...

Interview with the Director Xiangyu "XY" Luo to talk about his upcoming action RPG, Showa American Story! Inspired by 80s pop culture, post-apocalyptic tropes, and B-movie directors like Quentin Tarantino, Takashi Miike, and Takeshi Kitano, this title blends humor, violence, and nostalgia. In this interview, Mr. Luo details the protagonist quest to find her sister in a post-apocalyptic world, ...

Danny Peña sat down with Jack Hoppis (Technical Designer at Infinity Ward) and Beatriz González (Production Director at Digital Legends) to discuss bringing Call of Duty to the Nintendo Switch 2! We break down crossplay and cross-progression, unique Switch 2 control options like gyro and mouse controls, and the beta feedback leading into launch. Plus, we get details on map dynamics like Killbl...

We sat down at Gamescom with industry legend Tim Willits, Chief Creative Officer at Saber Interactive and former id Software veteran (Doom, Quake, Wolfenstein), for an in-depth developer interview! In this conversation, Tim breaks down how Saber Interactive approaches massive IP adaptations including their upcoming Hellraiser game made in direct collaboration with creator Clive Barker, as well...

In this podcast exclusive interview, we sat down with Leslie Harwood (Principal Scene Coordinator) and Jessica Harra Campbell (Design Director) from Telltale Games to discuss the long-awaited development of The Wolf Among Us 2! During our exclusive interview, the dev team breaks down the decision behind their major tech reset—shifting away from Telltale's proprietary engine to Unreal Engine wh...

Danny Peña sat down with AJ Grand-Scrutton, CEO of Dlala Studios and Director/Co-Writer of Murals, to discuss their brand-new isometric action-adventure title! After building hit multiplayer experiences like Battletoads and Disney Illusion Island, Dlala Studios is pivoting to their first single-player game in 13 years. In this interview, AJ breaks down the creative process of building an origi...

We sit down with the teams at Evil Empire and Konami to discuss the development of Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse. In this interview, Lead Level Designer Sandro Bordi, Marketing Director Béranger Dupré, and the Konami team break down how they balanced nostalgia for longtime fans with accessibility for newcomers. They explore: The Whip-Centric Gameplay: Modernizing traversal, combat, and explora...

During Gamescom 2026, Danny Peña sat down with Michael Yum, CEO and co-founder of PM Studios, to chat about publishing, supporting indie games, and bringing back The Wolf Among Us 2. Michael discusses what PM Studios looks for in developer partnerships, why physical game preservation and collectors' editions matter, and how their new platform, PANEX, aims to unite PlayStation, Nintendo, and Xbo...

Exclusive! Live from the Xbox booth at Gamescom, the team catches up with Jason Ronald (Vice President of Next Generation at Xbox) to break down major news for physical game collectors. Xbox is launching a new feature for Xbox Insiders that allows players to convert physical discs into digital licenses directly tied to their accounts. In this episode, we cover: How it works: How inserting yo...

We got our hands on Crazy Taxi World Tour at Gamescom! In this episode of Gamer Tag Radio, Danny Peña and Riana Manuel Peña share their full hands-on preview, first impressions, and gameplay breakdown after spending nearly an hour with the game. From exploring the Germany map to testing out new traversal mechanics like Crazy Drift, Crazy Boost, and Crazy Stop, we cover everything this updated ...

Danny Peña and Riana Manuel Peña share their hands-on impressions of Stranger Than Heaven from Sega's press event in Los Angeles! From developer balance updates and revamped boss fights to the game's unique combat mechanics, photorealistic visual style, and 50-year narrative arc, we break down what makes this upcoming RGG Studio title stand out. Subscribe to Gamer Tag Radio for gaming previews...

Danny Peña, Parris Lilly, and Riana Manuel-Peña sit down to share their hands-on impressions of the single-player campaign preview for Gears of War: E-Day! The team dives deep into playing Chapter 1 and parts of Act 2, highlighting key gameplay updates, performance on Xbox Series S vs. PC, new class-based mechanics, and the return to the series' dark, gritty roots. In this episode, we cover: ...

Danny Peña and Parris Lilly break down all the major announcements from NVIDIA's GeForce event at Gamescom! From the rollout of DLSS 4.5 Ray Reconstruction to the new RTX Spark laptops and GeForce NOW upgrades, here is everything you need to know about the future of PC gaming graphics. (Sponsored segment by NVIDIA GeForce) In this episode, we cover: DLSS 4.5 & Ray Reconstruction: Upgrades to...

Podcast exclusive! Danny Peña sits down with industry veterans Jerry Hook (former Xbox Live co-creator and Bungie executive) and Scott Brodie (design director and Xbox Live Arcade pioneer) from Team Metal / Probably Monsters to discuss their upcoming Gothic action RPG, Crimson Moon. In this exclusive interview, Jerry and Scott open up about leaving massive AAA studios to craft a focused, high-...

Danny Peña sits down with Gamescom co-founder Felix Falk to break down what makes the world's largest gaming event tick. From record-breaking exhibitor numbers to the massive growth of indie games and the evolution of international reach, get an insider's look at how the event comes together. In this episode, we cover: Record Growth: Gamescom's sold-out exhibition space, over 1,600 exhibitors...

The crew discusses their upcoming trip to Gamescom in Cologne, Germany, and dives into rumors and realistic release timelines for Bethesda's highly anticipated The Elder Scrolls VI. Danny, Paris, and Pete get into a heated discussion about Rockstar Games potentially locking an extended look of Grand Theft Auto VI behind a timed Netflix exclusivity window. Was the Xbox One really as bad as peopl...

In this episode of Gamertag Radio, Danny Peña and Riana Manuel Peña dive deep into their hands-on review of Splatoon Raiders for the Nintendo Switch 2! Danny breaks down why he believes it is easily the best exclusive title on the Switch 2 so far, praising its highly addictive single player adventure, massive customization, and slick drop-in co-op mechanics. Meanwhile, Riana shares her perspect...

Danny Peña and Riana Manuel-Peno share their hands-on impressions of Capcom's upcoming action-adventure game, Onimusha: Way of the Sword! Danny details his experience from a recent preview event in Los Angeles, including a tough boss battle and exclusive footage of the game running on the Nintendo Switch 2. Meanwhile, Riana talks about her experience playing the game at Summer Game Fest as a ne...

On this episode of Gamertag Radio, Danny Peña and Parris Lilly debunk the internet rumors about Xbox leaving Steam, discuss Rockstar's silent marketing approach for Grand Theft Auto 6, and react to Nintendo's recent releases, including hands-on impressions of Splatoon Raiders. Plus, a deep dive into the stacked late-2026 release schedule from Marvel’s Wolverine and Control Resonant to The Blood...

The GTR crew got early hands-on access to the Gears of War: E-Day multiplayer beta! Join Danny Peña and Riana Manuel-Peña as they break down their experience testing out the brand-new 12-player Horde Siege Mode, updated gameplay mechanics, and full-launch details. From coordinating across three 4-player squads to testing out the new character classes (Assault, Breacher, Marksman, and Medic), we...

This week on Gamertag Radio, most horror fans are used to playing Silent Hill in third-person, but Silent Hill: Townfall changes how you play the series. Now a first-person experience, it's more terrifying and atmospheric than ever before. In this episode, Danny Pena shares his hands-on impressions and interviews with Jon McKellan (Writer and Director, Screen Burn) and Motoi Okamoto (Silent Hil...

Danny Peña and Parris Lilly give their spoiler-free reactions live from The Grove in Los Angeles right after seeing Spider-Man: Brand New Day! From Jackie Chan’s stunt team handling the ground-breaking fight choreography to the incredible dynamic between Tom Holland and Jon Bernthal’s Punisher, we break down why this street-level, adult Peter Parker story might just be the best live-action Spi...

This week on Gamertag Radio. Meet Mara Junot, the iconic voice behind Storm in Marvel’s Fighting Souls. From radio DJ to superhero legend, Mara reveals how she's breaking barriers for diversity in gaming. Dive behind the scenes as she shares audition secrets, balancing hero vs. villain roles, and essential advice for aspiring voice actors. Key Takeaways & Highlights Secret Auditions: Voice ac...

The Gamertag Radio crew reviews Halo Campaign Evolved! Danny, Parris, and Riana break down the Unreal Engine 5 visuals, modern mechanics like sprint, and the brand new bonus prequel missions featuring Sergeant Johnson. Plus, they share platform performance details and discuss what this means for the future of Halo. Episode Highlights Visuals & Engine: Built in Unreal Engine 5 (4K, 60+ FPS) fe...

This week on Gamertag Radio, Last week, Sony Pictures invited me to the Spider-Man: Brand New Day press conference with the cast and filmmakers. Truly grateful for the opportunity. Tom Holland Zendaya Jacob Batalon Sadie Sink Jon Bernthal Director Destin Daniel Cretton Producer Kevin Feige Producer Amy Pascal Here are some of the quotes from the press conference: Tom Holland on Peter's isola...

This week on Gamertag Radio, Xbox’s strategy is shifting, and the future of Halo, Fallout, Game Pass, and exclusives is all on the table. In this episode, Danny and Parris break down what’s changing and what’s still unclear. All this and more only on GTR! In this episode: The real reason Microsoft is slow on the exclusives and whether Xbox will play the long game or just fold Sony’s push for ...

This week on Gamertag Radio, Danny Peña reviews Denshattack! Find out why this is one of 2026's best games.

This week on Gamertag Radio, the whole crew is back! Gaming’s getting expensive, chaotic, and all digital. From Sony killing physical discs in 2028 to Microsoft’s disc-to-digital plans, layoffs, and price hikes. Paris Lily, Peter Toledo, and Danny Peña break down how inflation, exclusives, and corporate moves are turning a hobby into a luxury. In this episode: How Sony’s 2028 digital-only shi...

This week on Gamertag Radio, Danny and Riana share their hands-on impressions of Orbitals, an upcoming game for Nintendo Switch 2.

Xbox layoffs and a shifting hardware market are reshaping gaming fast. In this episode on Gamertag Radio, Danny Peña and Riana break down what’s happening behind the scenes, why the industry feels more uncertain than ever, and what it means for the future. Send us questions - fanmail@gamertagradio.com | Speakpipe.com/gamertagradio (http://speakpipe.com/gamertagradio) or 786-273-7GTR. Join our ...

Nintendo invited Danny Peña to NYC for a private Splatoon Raiders hands-on event. On this week’s Gamertag Radio, he breaks down single-player, multiplayer, weapon upgrades, and everything you need to know. Send us questions - fanmail@gamertagradio.com | Speakpipe.com/gamertagradio (http://speakpipe.com/gamertagradio) or 786-273-7GTR. Join our Discord - https://discord.gg/gtr chat with other GT...

This week on Gamertag Radio, Joe Dietsch of Wolf Haus Games shares the wild story behind JOIN US. A darkly funny cult-building game where you recruit followers, survive chaos, and race the end of the world. From a solo indie idea to the Xbox Game Showcase, this episode dives into the satire, strategy, and behind one of the weirdest co-op games in the works. Send us questions - fanmail@gamertag...

This week on Gamertag Radio: an interview with Team Clout & Mundfish Powerhouse about their new horror game, ILL. Discover how four friends turned a simple idea into a game inspired by classics like Resident Evil, Silent Hill, and more. Send us questions - fanmail@gamertagradio.com | Speakpipe.com/gamertagradio (http://speakpipe.com/gamertagradio) or 786-273-7GTR. Join our Discord - https://di...

In this special episode of Gamertag Radio, Danny and Riana discuss the ongoing gaming industry crisis, Xbox layoffs, studio closures, skyrocketing AAA development costs, and why even award-winning games struggle to make money. They explore the harsh realities of Game Pass economics, consumer behavior, and how the entertainment industry (including Hollywood) is shifting. A passionate conversatio...

In this interview, we sit down with Danira Karović Lačević, Lead Producer at Mad Head Games (a Saber Interactive studio), to talk about Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival. We discuss the game’s development, story, horror design, and what fans can expect from this new Hellraiser title.

The GTR crew is back to discuss the gaming industry’s latest changes with Xbox, plus topics like exclusives, rising costs in gaming, Nintendo Direct announcement about The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and other topics. Danny, Parris, and Pete also answer listener questions and more, only on Gamertag Radio! Send us questions - fanmail@gamertagradio.com | Speakpipe.com/gamertagradio (http://...

Out of Words Interview

Blood Dungeon Interview with Messhof