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We’re back after a two-week hiatus, and after tackling PAX West 2026, we have plenty to discuss on Spectator Mode Podcast Episode 233.

This week, we break down why PAX West 2026 was a disappointment from a media and convention standpoint, including empty show floors, missing hardware vendors, outdated demos, limited media access, and a growing tabletop presence that continues to push video games further into the background.

Thankfully, the games delivered. We share our hands-on impressions of Gundam Rogue Orbit, Final Fantasy VII Revelation, Final Fantasy Resonance, Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World, Persona 4 Revival, and several promising indie games. We also discuss PlayStation reportedly dropping Kojima’s Physint, Xbox stepping in as its new partner, PlayStation’s continued focus on live-service games, and the Nintendo Switch 2 VRR update that improves Elden Ring in docked mode.

Was PAX West 2026 still worth attending, or is the convention losing what once made it special? Let us know what you think in the comments.

Timestamps:

0:00 Podcast return and Gundam Rogue Orbit
1:16 Hands-on impressions and Gundam builds
4:15 Switch 2 VRR update and Elden Ring
6:10 Switch 2 handheld grip options
7:06 PlayStation drops Physint and chases live service
8:22 Xbox becomes Physint’s new partner
10:04 Why live-service games require constant investment
15:04 PlayStation’s shifting audience and ecosystem problems
21:04 PAX West’s disappointing convention setup
21:43 Empty floors and crowded indie developers
25:16 Limited media access and outdated demos
32:44 Delayed media hour and line-cutting frustrations
36:03 Dark halls, weak booths, and missing vendors
40:39 Concerns over PAX’s future after COVID
43:14 Tabletop focus leaves video games behind
47:36 Lenovo’s missing Legion Go and hardware exhibitors
53:00 Friday demos at NIS America
53:20 Gobble’s consumable scythe platforming
54:11 The Grim Reapers puzzle mechanics
55:06 Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 early build
55:37 Saturday at FURYU and Square Enix
55:45 Crime Light and Animalith previews
57:48 Square Enix’s private media presentations
58:32 Dragon Quest Monsters creature fusion impressions
1:00:01 Final Fantasy VII Revelation hands-on
1:02:30 Queen’s Blood returns with deeper story content
1:05:11 Exploring Mideel and rapid airship travel
1:06:36 Fit system jobs and party customization
1:10:40 Mai’s guidance and sensory overload concerns
1:14:41 Final Fantasy Resonance and Dragon Quest Monsters
1:15:21 Speedrunning the Wind Shrine boss
1:16:23 Resonance attacks, staggering, and party strategy
1:20:20 Interviewing Resonance’s director and producer
1:23:04 Persona 4 Revival and Sunday indie games
1:23:33 Persona 4’s dungeon and battle demos
1:24:08 New engine, expressive models, and All-Out Attacks
1:27:44 Student projects and Backyard Baseball

Check out our PAX West 2026 content over at https://www.theouterhaven.net/pax-west-2026-coverage-hub/.

For more gaming news, reviews, previews, interviews, and convention coverage, visit The Outerhaven:
https://www.theouterhaven.net/


#PAXWest2026 #FinalFantasyVIIRevelation #GundamRogueOrbit #SpectatorModePodcast #GamingPodcast

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