I talk about RPGs a lot on Amazing Gamers, and I recently realized I've been overlooking my beloved second genre-- turn-based strategy games.

That changes today!

The grand pubah of that genre-- in my book anyways- is Civilization 6, and I decided it's time to pay homage to its greatness. I might also have mentioned my favorite ways to play it and win, and there's definately something in there about Canada becoming the tourism capital of the world once hockey is discovered.

This game is a classic. If you like the chat, hit me up with your experiences. I need to connect with more turn-based strategy fans.

It could just be recency bias, but Nathan just had to share why Trails of Cold Steel 2 was the best RPG he'd played in a long time.

This discussion highlights how the game is similar to Final Fantasy 6, while also highlighting the Trails depth and worldbuilding that make this series so special.

Hit me up with your Trails story in the comments!

Nathan closes out 2025 with a solo story about riding it out and figuring it out during the holidays.

This is a true story: I really did lose everything the day after Christmas...but it turned out fine. Better than fine, really.

Well...except that one part where I missed out on the best beer in Vermont, and quite possibly the world. Sigh.

Thanks again to everyone who listened to the show and participated in our conversations this year.

Looking forward to more in 2026!

What was your best family gaming experience of 2025? That's the question put to Nathan, Aly and Gwent in the latest episode of Amazing Gamers.

There was a lot of love for Legend of Zelda, Echoes of Wisdom; We closed out with what we're looking forward to in 2026.

We also touched on finding common ground in gaming with the kids, teaching through games ("never lead a trash mob into a boss fight"), and those moments that remind one why not all games are marked E for everyone.

A certain sidequest involving Cid from Final Fantasy 16 might have come up.

Dynasty Warriors, Persona 3, Tetris 99, and Silksong also entered the chat, and we touched on how some games inspire art and others inspire frustration.

Nathan also tells the story of why his kids bought their own Joycons.

Just how Meta was Metaphor? The Scholars of Nebelheim reconvened for this episode to discuss the metaphorical aspects of this new Atlus classic, while also exploring the historical context of Utopia and what those two works have in common.

Facts brought some Utopia/Metaphor easter eggs to the discussion, Nathan provides some background on the Thomas More of history, and we attempted to rank Metaphor in the pantheon of Atlus RPGs.

The power of Zelda has brought the Amazing Gamers podcast out of hiatus!

In this conversation I caught up with former colleague Dana (Comics In Boston on Instagram) to discuss the Zelda series; favorites, last one we played; and biggest miss in the series (sorry Ocarina of Time fans).

We might have also digressed into least favorite video game moments (Looks at Mega Man falling straight down after getting hit by something). I also discovered that Castlevania64 exists.

I might have also scratched an inch: shared my thoughts on that whole discourse that Tears of the Kingdom is too similar to BOTW.

Dana also hung in there for my off the wall Who Would Win questions. He’s a stand-up guy like that.

Was FF7 Rebirth good?

Will the finale for the new FF7 trilogy stick the landing?

And what should that look like?

The Scholars of Nibelheim @damned-writer.bsky.social, @gwentchamp.bsky.social, and @wandererssong.bsky.social tackled the big questions on Amazing Gamers 🎉👏🙏

It was a great conversation that somewhat restored my hope for the series.

There's epics, and then there's epic fails.

Where does Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth fall on that spectrum?

To start the second season of Amazing Gamers, I turned to @highleyginger.bsky.social for some thoughtful perspectives.

We discussed some other epics that popped (or did not) as well.

I may also have contrasted Final Fantasy 7 Re series and Trails (apologies in advance).