Then — Max Frequency

An archive to be for the Now page.

August 3, 2026

I made my own odyssey down south to Ft. Lauderdale to see The Odyssey in IMAX 70MM. I took the Brightline train. I've never been on a train outside of the NYC subway or the Atlanta airports "plane train." Trains are cool. Trains are good.
The Odyssey in its "intended" format was worth every second. Remarkable experience and I am thrilled I had the time and opportunity to make the trek.
Since I had six total hours on the train to myself, I took advantage and did a little "idea review." I went through all the drafts and ideas in my folder and assessed them. I deleted ones that felt dead to me and refreshed myself on ones forgotten. I walked away with five that really excite me in this season of life.
One idea in particular is something I haven't really done before and I think can be a successful and satisfying business. I've realized in these past few weeks and months how I need to step it up and provide more. Time to buy a domain.
I also traveled in classic style by playing Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles on my PSP. Handheld systems used to be handheld and so focused. I wish my battery didn't die on the trip back. I probably would have beat it.
School is beginning to ramp back up and more structure will return to our schedule. I could use more structure.
Reading
- We the Animals by Justin Torres
Watching
- PsychOdyssey
Playing
- Marathon
- The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
- Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles

July 27, 2026

That app I mentioned last week? I released it. It's a macOS app for capturing and recording your modded 3DS. It suits my needs quite well and I hope it suits anyone else inside this tiny portion of an odd Venn Diagram.
My PSP battery was replaced and juiced up. Rondo of Blood at 30fps does not feel great.
X-Men '97 season 2 is not really hitting the same way. The last two episodes have been divergent and lackluster. But The Bear's final season is hitting every episode. We only have one to go, but I am confident in saying this is an all-timer for myself. Also, the soundtrack for season five—especially The Bear "Finale" piece—is perfect.
I also started watching the Double Fine documentary PsychOdyssey per the recommendation of my friend Tomas Franzese. I've never played a Double Fine game, but I might remedy that after I finish this.
Speaking of Tomas, a new episode of The Max Frequency Podcast is in the proverbial editing bay and will be out as soon as I can. I did publish the S2E10 - God of War - Sons of Sparta episode of Chapter Select. I am quite proud of our discussion in that one.
Personally, it has been an unrelenting season. My dad has serious back pain, my wife's grandfather passed away, we had $1000~ in unexpected car repairs. It's been a rough go this last month.
Reading
- The Odyssey by Homer, Translation by Emily Wilson
Watching
- X-Men '97, Season 2
- The Bear, Season 5
- PsychOdyssey
Playing
- Marathon
- The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
- Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles

July 20, 2026

Last week did not go the way I thought. The biggest change up was I had an idea for an application for macOS and have been building it with Claude Fable. The process is remarkable and fast. I hope to release it this week to the very, very tiny Venn Diagram of potential users.
The Odyssey did go the way I thought though. Incredible. We saw it in 70mm at a local theater I've driven past countless times in the near 20 years I have lived here. I cannot believe I have never gone before. Time to make it up for sure.
There was a projection issue though during the film, but the theater comped everyone free tickets to see it again. So guess what Abby and I are doing this Sunday afternoon?
Not to make this particular entry all about The Odyssey, but I also bought tickets to go down south and see it in real 70mm IMAX in a couple weekends. Turns out a train goes directly to Fort Lauderdale, so I will also be taking a train for the first time.
In other news, that app development has derailed all other creative efforts. Combined with a whirlwind couple of weeks at home, I am drained to the bone. The calendar is clearing though? Space is on the horizon. I would like to get back to Zelda and perhaps start another pledge game. Maybe The Ico & Shadow of the Colossus Collection or Sin & Punishment: Star Successor?
I have another wave of episodes lined up for The Max Frequency Podcast. I am also almost done with editing Chapter Select's episode on Sons of Sparta. Speaking of CS, got myself a new PSP battery and have started the remake of Rondo of Blood. Slowly but surely.
Reading
- The Odyssey by Homer, Translation by Emily Wilson
Watching
- X-Men '97, Season 2
- The Bear, Season 5
- Abbott Elementary
Playing
- Marathon
- The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
- Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles

July 13, 2026

Wow. A lot has happened in the past two weeks. I published my latest essay—Moments. Please go give it a read.
I played and beat Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus. It was one of my pledge games for the year and given the disheartening news of physical games on PlayStation, I decided to play on my CRT and my PS2. The game is so short! Maybe I need to play more old games.
That hasn't stopped me from playing Marathon though.
I am indeed watching X-Men '97 and The Bear. Both continue to be excellent. The Bear is an all-timer for me.
I have been having tons of fun with the Game Library project. Nearing 150 entries live on the site. I added a fun little random "Game of the Day" future to the home page to surface this project and my collection to readers. I think it is a good ol' time. I really need to do a proper blog post about the latest on it.
My next essay is in the pre-writing phase. I am trying to figure out how to gel a couple of ideas together. Eager to write it though.
Reading
- The Odyssey by Homer, Translation by Emily Wilson
Watching
- X-Men '97, Season 2
- The Bear, Season 5
- Abbott Elementary
Playing
- Marathon
- The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

June 29, 2026

I've been spending all my writing time working on a new essay and my Game Library. I almost have my entire DS collection cataloged. I have loved digging back into this project. I know my memories are slipping and sources of truth are vanishing, so getting this information down is great for me.
Speaking of a new essay, it's in the edit and review phase. If all goes well, it'll be out this week. I might make it a simple video—one take with simple cuts kind of energy—but we shall see. Either way, the work is being published.
I have fallen so far behind on editing podcasts. There are two MFP episodes and two Chapter Select episodes in the hopper. Heck, the episode for Resident Evil Requiem has been edited for months. I don't know what is wrong with me. Expect good audio in your ears this week.
I haven't been watching a lot of TV. Abby started Abbott Elementary, so I catch episodes of that. It's pretty funny, especially when married to a teacher. I guess not watching TV is what happens when you don't pay for all the streaming services. I might be re-upping for Disney+ though to watch X-Men '97.
Reading
- The Odyssey by Homer, Translation by Emily Wilson
Watching
- N/A
Playing
- Marathon
- The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
- *Forza Horizon 6

June 22, 2026

A full blown, open-to-close Disney day for the Roberts family and Eloise first time to really soak up the experience. She had been before, but only as a baby. Four years old is a remarkable age to take a kid to Disney.
I beat 007 First Light and stayed up until 2:30 AM one night doing so. Between it and Marathon, I am going to have a tough time picking a Game of the Year. Remarkable experience top to bottom.
A few weeks ago, I used Claude's Fable model to take photos of my game collection and make entries for my Game Library. Making the pages and filling out the properties helped tremendously and inspired me to fill out entries and get back to this massive catalog effort. I should write a proper post, but that page and system is really coming together.
I traded in some games and reacquired some long desired childhood games—Pokémon Platinum and The Sly Collection. I feel really good about the decision and may write about it too. Who knows.
I finished Transcription which was poetic, heady, and spacial. While that structure confused me at times, the language was intoxicating. It also highlights a level of anxiety I have never experienced. I'm not sure I left the book feeling better than when I started, but I did learn. Perhaps that means I was better at the end.
Therefore I started Emily Wilson's translation of The Odyssey for obvious reasons.
Reading
- The Odyssey by Homer, Translation by Emily Wilson
Watching
- N/A
Playing
- Marathon
- The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
- *Forza Horizon 6

June 15, 2026

I feel like I wrote excellent articles last week. I got in that E3 flow; perhaps it'd be better to describe it as a summer flow. I write more in these months I think. I published my review for Mina the Hollower, which is a game that broke my heart. I also wrote about AI in game development, the leak and reveal of Ocarina of Time, and the return to exclusives. I hope you all give them a read.
Abby was out of town this weekend, which meant a good ol' fashioned Daddy Daughter Day on Saturday. It was quite successful and I took Eloise to the movie theater for the first time to see Ponyo. It was an absolute joy to share a place and activity I cherish with her for the first time. Here's to a lifetime of movie Daddy Daughter days.
Speaking of movies, I snagged 70mm tickets for The Odyssey next month. Let's goooooooooooooo.
This weekend also meant I couldn't play 007 First Light because the PS5 Pro is in the detached garage. So, I brought my Switch 2 in the house with the Genki Shadow Dock 3 and started Echoes of Wisdom. After Mina, I wanted more top down action and this game has been on my list for a long while. It's excellent so far.
The next step of my great Pokémon migration is DS to 3DS. Wish me luck.
Reading
- Transcription: A Novel by Ben Lerner
Watching
- N/A
Playing
- 007 First Light
- The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
- Forza Horizon 6

June 8, 2026

It was my 32nd birthday last Friday. I had a very nice time with my family, feeling loved, and making these killer chicken sandwiches—seriously, they were worth every bit of prep. I also realized that I was given the most video games in 15+ years? I was given Forza Horizon 6, Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection, Persona 3 Reload, and 007 First Light. I even have a promised copy of Star Fox on the way too.

I've been trying very much to be disciplined in my purchases these last few years. It may sound silly in regards to video games, but God is blessing me beyond His abundance in my every day. I didn't ask for nor expect any of these. He takes care of our family's genuine needs every day. This is above and beyond and personal. He does care about you individually and specifically.
The summer E3 video game magic is winding down. I missed every show live this year, which is a bummer because I didn't see them with friends. I had to watch the ASL stream of Summer Game Fest, which was not ideal. Good stuff all around. I long for live demos and more gameplay, but it feels like those days will never come back.
I have barely been able to play Marathon this week and I feel like I am missing out. It's harder to commit the time this past week with so much else going on. And I want to play other things. I started 007 First Light just last night and man oh man it feels refreshing to play a big budget, single-player action adventure game. It feels like I am reclaiming the hobby part of my gaming. Reclaiming it from ambitions and overhead and work and complexity.
My new essay is difficult to write. I have an accountability partner though. I will publish this one.
I am still reading Is A River Alive? and wholeheartedly recommend it. I am nearing the end. It is a majestic book.
I also started the process of trying to migrate my Pokémon from the GBA through the DS and 3DS eras to Pokémon Home. It's a fun project and I marvel at the Pokémon Company's dedication to carryover, support, and longevity.
Reading
- Is A River Alive? by Robert Macfarlane
Watching
- Spy X Family
- Bluey
Playing
- *Marathon

May 25, 2026

The magic of E3-season is in the air and I am getting excited. I'll be editing and publishing my annual predictions episode this week. I love this time of year.
The end of season 1 of Marathon is a real highlight and fun time. All the gear is flying out. Teams are having a blast. Cannot wait for Season 2 starting next week.
REDACTED from my last update is Mina the Hollower. It also very good. I won't be hitting embargo, but I don't mind when that happens anymore. My reviews are better when I have a proper amount of time and can fully form my thoughts. Rushing is a disservice to the developer, myself, and–most importantly–you. I hope you look forward to my thoughts on the game.
Summer is here and the family feels busier than ever with Eloise being in more activities.
Reading
- Is A River Alive? by Robert Macfarlane
Watching
- Spy X Family
- Bluey
Playing
- Marathon

May 18, 2026

It has been a fraught couple of weeks. Motivation is low. And it feels like the busiest time of the year. Insert treading water analogy here.
That said, I should hopefully be receiving a new game to review this week. I am excited to have another one. The real question is how will I balance REDACTED and Marathon.
I've got a tiny stack of podcasts to edit. Sorry for the slow turnaround Chapter Select fans.
I turn 32 in three weeks and I am not sure how I feel about that.
Reading
- Is A River Alive? by Robert Macfarlane
Watching
- Spy X Family
- Bluey
Playing
- Marathon

May 4, 2026

My Marathon review is complete. Please read it.
I bought my first set of Sonos speakers. Snagged two refurbished Era 100s during an Earth Day sale. Yeah. I think I'm cooked.
I cannot figure out setting up my DS Pico. Spent pretty significant time on it. I think the next step is to re-dump my DS games. I can't figure it out and its more disappointing than frustrating.
I've decided to just write and publish a few essays instead of turning them into videos. I don't seem to have the bandwidth to make videos right now. I do have the bandwidth to think and write though.
Reading
- Is A River Alive? by Robert Macfarlane
Watching
- Spy X Family
- Bluey
Playing
- Marathon

April 27, 2026

I feel woefully behind. Behind on my review for Marathon, behind editing a podcast about Resident Evil 9, behind in tasks around the house, behind on my pledge games for 2026. A state of falling forward in hopes of catching up.
Marathon is still incredible. My review is sitting around 5,000 words at the moment.
Painting our room has begun. Samples went up last night actually.
Also, I got a rice cooker for the first time and a new toaster oven, which is replacing our OG Black & Decker that a friend gave us as a wedding present. Nearly 9 years strong. RIP little guy, but I am very excited.
Eloise starts swim lessons this week. Dance may become a thing. We are entering a whole new phase of life.
Reading
- Is A River Alive? by Robert Macfarlane
Watching
- Spy X Family
- Bluey
Playing
- Marathon

April 13, 2026

I finished Wool. What an absolute banger.
My office is still in shambles and setting up new networking gear this weekend did not help. But hey! Now my kitchen actually has a reliable wi-fi signal!
I did finally try Cryo Archive in Marathon this weekend. I continue to be obsessed with this game. And yes, I am working on my review. Going sort of Dickensian with it? I have the outline laid out and began writing the first draft last week.
I think I'll be painting my room very soon. The last time I painted was my office three years ago. At least I won't be sleeping in a pink room anymore.
I'm struggling with my creative output and balance with it. It feels like not enough hours in the day. And I was feeling this before Marathon, but that certainly doesn't help.
I have to admit that "West Wing Wednesdays" are kaput. We haven't watched The West Wing in months.
Reading
- Is A River Alive? by Robert Macfarlane
Watching
- Invincible, Season 4
- Bluey
Playing
- Marathon
- God of War: Sons of Sparta
- Final Fantasy VII

March 30, 2026

Marathon has consumed my life.
I am very close to wrapping up Wool and it is shocking to me how much better the book is than the show. I know that's the standard in adaptations, but my goodness. This book rules.
We recorded the Chapter Select episode for Resident Evil Requiem. My current plan is to edit it bit by bit this week. I really need to get back to Sons of Sparta...
My office is almost put back together. I got a new monitor last week as well. Here's a picture of Final Fantasy III running off my SNES on my CRT, my OLED, and my new monitor. I may have also decided to inch closer toward a PC gamer and play Marathon on it...
- Maybe I should make a new office tour video?
Reading
- Wool by Hugh Howey
Watching
- The West Wing, Season 3
- Bluey
Playing
- Marathon
- God of War: Sons of Sparta
- *Final Fantasy VII

March 23, 2026

I spent the back half of the week and the weekend sick as a dog. It was like my brain was trying to push an elephant through my sinuses. I did play more Final Fantasy VII on my Vita though...
My new episode of MFP with Myke Hurley was a success and a joy to create. I hope you give it a listen!
I did beat Resident Evil Requiem. We should be recording that episode of Chapter Select this week? Excited to finally talk about it with Logan and guests.
We did finally start Bluey with my daughter. Abby and I were laughing more than she was. I see why this show is as popular as it is. It reminds me of a fruity cocktail; so delicious you don't even notice the alcohol. Must be vigilant in boundaries and not just binging the whole of it.
I decided to rip my office apart and rearrange my entire entertainment set up. It's a mess, but I like the new look and it should (hopefully) make capture easier and prevent the bugs I had been getting lately.
Reading
- Wool by Hugh Howey
Watching
- The West Wing, Season 3
- Bluey
Playing
- Marathon
- God of War: Sons of Sparta
- Final Fantasy VII

March 9, 2026

Launched the brand new design for Max Frequency. I love it.
Resident Evil Requiem and Marathon continue to fill my brain when I am not playing them.
I have fallen woefully behind on my Memento / TLOUPII video essay. It is because of the games and podcasts that have come about due to their arrival. Except a newsletter about it this week.
I am recording a new episode of The Max Frequency Podcast this Friday and cannot wait to get it in your "podcatcher" of choice.
Reading
- Wool by Hugh Howey
Watching
- The West Wing, Season 3
- Nirvanna The Band The Show
Playing
- God of War: Sons of Sparta

March 2, 2026

Feel like I am drowning in tasks to accomplish for shows, personal and professional work, and family. Everything feels like it is stacking up like a wobbly tower of blocks.
I think the new blog design is settled. I am working on a big post about the redesign (by my count it is version 5.0 of my blog) and I think a casual video tour to go with it before I flip all the switches, mostly because I suspect this will be very disruptive.
Work last week was filled with edits and tasks that took far longer than anticipated. It really threw me off to so off the mark with the demands of each task.
Resident Evil Requiem and Marathon have the sauce. God of War: Sons of Sparta does not.
This Friday I am going to see a school musical with Abby. I love seeing kid productions. They give me life.
I loved having the time on Saturday to write about all the leadership changes at Xbox from the week prior. There is something intoxicating about a deep dive piece. Also good to have one to test against the new design.
Reading
- Wool by Hugh Howey
Watching
- The West Wing, Season 3
- Nirvanna The Band The Show
Playing
- God of War: Sons of Sparta
- Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies via the Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy
- Final Fantasy VII

February 23, 2026

Last week I did use Claude Code to work on a new blog design idea. I'll have more when I write a proper blog post on the new site, but this has changed the game for me and I am finally getting all the features I have wanted in a blog for the last 13+ years.
Sickness was short, thank goodness. Eloise bounces back much faster than me though.
God of War: Sons of Sparta is progressing nicely. An interesting game the deeper I get into it.
I am feeling a smidge overwhelmed with all the Chapter Select gaming in front of me alongside this video essay. It feels like a lot of converging events and tasks. One thing at a time though...
I did get a guest for The Max Frequency Podcast locked in though. We're recording in a couple weeks. I cannot wait. Another bucket list item checked off.
Reading
- Wool by Hugh Howey
Watching
- The West Wing, Season 3
- Nirvanna The Band The Show
Playing
- God of War: Sons of Sparta
- Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies via the Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy
- Final Fantasy VII
- Swordship

February 16, 2026

Progress on the essay is going clip by clip. I am very happy with the process this go around. I'm editing section by section. New approach and I think it works for these longer videos.
I have fallen in the hole of Nirvanna The Band The Show all before seeing The Movie. A good hole to fall down. Although, someone did try to steal my car while I was at the theater, so that sucked the joy out of the evening.
I've been using Claude Code at work a lot to develop an idea we've had for a long while. Originally my approach was to bolt pieces together, but I have pivoted to a full from scratch approach and it seems to be working well. I kind of want to bring that approach to the blog maybe...
God of War: Sons of Sparta threw off plans for Rondo of Blood. Logan and I want to tackle that first and then Resident Evil Requiem for Chapter Select and then get into Castlevania.
Sickness has come for the home and all three of us have been struck. Parenting is so much more difficult when you are sick too.
Reading
- Wool by Hugh Howey
Watching
- The West Wing, Season 3
- Nirvanna The Band The Show
Playing
- Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies via the Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy
- Final Fantasy VII
- Swordship
- God of War: Sons of Sparta

February 9, 2026

My script for that Memento/TLOUPII essay is in review, so recording and editing can start this week. I need to write a Memory Card newsletter about this, but feeling great about the progress.
Bird By Bird is complete and an all-timer for me. One I will revisit for sure over the remainder of my life.
My modded New 3DS XL returned to me and it is glorious.
I did, indeed, watch Tenet again. I have officially given in and declared it as my favorite Nolan film.
I should be playing Rondo of Blood this week. Really debating the PSP remake of it...
Reading
- Wool by Hugh Howey
Watching
- The West Wing, Season 3
Playing
- Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies via the Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy
- Wii Fit
- Final Fantasy VII

January 28, 2026

Finally published the finale of Chapter Select Season 7 - Metroid Prime. I am dreading writing the behind the scenes article. I am looking forward to Rondo of Blood. I haven't played that in 4~ years.
Working on a video essay script about Memento and The Last of Us Part II Remastered, so you know it will be a banger. Roughly half way through the first draft. My goal is to have a second-ish draft ready for review by the end of the week.
This week I started, of all things, Wii Fit. I figured $5 at a mom and pop shop was cheaper than a gym membership. I have a goal to play these official Nintendo fitness games. I'm curious.
Wanting to finish Bird By Bird this week. Should be starting Wool soon. Abby and I now have our own little two-person book club and that's what we are starting with.
I've been Preparing the Way™ for my newly modded New 3DS XL with a capture card. I was very nervous to send such a valuable system off in the USPS (and still am nervous), but it should be back Saturday. I want to play with it and write about the mod. I'll still need to build a Raspberry Pi for output to the TV and my Retro-TINK 4K, but baby steps. I also set up direct 4K capture of my Quest 3S. I think that means I can record every console I own now.
Might watch Tenet tonight...
Reading
- Bird By Bird by Anne Lamott
Watching
- The West Wing, Season 3
Playing
- Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies via the Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy
- Wii Fit
- Final Fantasy VII