Gaming In The Wild - Video Game Reviews artwork

Gaming In The Wild - Video Game Reviews

230 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 days ago -

A chill video games podcast about interesting and creative games, from indie to AAA. Your host: Iceland-based games critic John Rogers.

Follow the show on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitch to stay in touch and keep up with new episodes - find links at http://gaminginthewild.com.

Gaming In The Wild is a listener-supported. You can support the show at http://patreon.com/gaminginthewild to join the listener community, and get bonus episodes and other fun perks.

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Episodes

205: Dragon's Dogma 2, Playdate, GDC & PAX East News

March 23, 2024 17:26 - 32 minutes - 30.4 MB

This week's show is a grab bag episode. We start off with a few updates, some Dragon's Dogma chat, a look at FFVII REbirth's fidelity patch, and some first impressions of the Playdate console. The back half of the show is some impressions of demos from GDC & Pax East. Games covered: The Wreck, Whitewater Wipeout, Casual Birder, Mars After Midnight, Harold Halibut, Hauntii, Animal Well, Phantom Spark, SandLand, Always In Mind, Anger Foot, Sorry We're Closed. And check out my Youtube channel...

Bonus Pod: A Short Essay On Horizon Zero Dawn

March 17, 2024 17:16 - 9 minutes - 8.37 MB

I've been making a few video essays over on YouTube lately, and had a couple of requests for them to be added to the podcast feed. So I'm trying it out. If you're on Spotify, you can watch video with this episode, and if not, I hope you enjoy the audio here. This one is a short essay about the Horizon series, which seems blessed with high sales and critical reception, but cursed in being critically overshadowed by era-defining games that released just weeks away. The YouTube video for anyo...

204: FFVIIR Intermission & Rebirth, Summerhouse, Geometry Survivor

March 16, 2024 17:30 - 30 minutes - 58.8 MB

This week's show looks at FFVIIR Intermission and the newly released Rebirth, a cute cabin builder called Summerhouse, and a bullet heaven called Geometry Survivor. In the roundup: WASD Live, Enshrouded, Solium Infernum, Snufkin; Melody of Moominvalley, Pepper Grinder, and Floramancer: Seeds & Spirits. I also talk about the fun of making YouTube videos about games. See some recent videos about things like video game stories, the lasting appeal of Horizon Zero Dawn, and indie games with poc...

203: Balatro, FFVIIR, Pacific Drive, Expeditions: A Mudrunner Game

March 09, 2024 18:03 - 28 minutes - 26.5 MB

This week's show is a roundup episode. There are some thoughts after seeing credits on FFVIIR, and impressions of Pacific Drive, Akka Arrh, and Expeditions: A Mudrunner Game. We run through the March indie releases, and finish with a review of the addictive joker poker phenom Balatro. I also talk about being laid off in the video game industry, and about the process of making more stuff for the pod's YouTube channel. And a big thank you to the show’s 67 patrons, including the newest member...

202: Interview - Ultros Dev Hugo Bille, On Making The First Gardenvania

March 01, 2024 11:37 - 1 hour - 118 MB

This week's show is an interview with Hugo Bille from Hadoque, the developers of Ultros. We talked about video game ecosystems, Metroidvania design tricks, audacious gardening mechanics, and lots more. And a big thank you to the show’s latest patrons, ScheiGuy and NikolaiAtKnight, If you'd like to join them in supporting the show on Patreon, you can do so from $1 per month at http://patreon.com/gaminginthewild. Patrons get access to a catalogue of bonus episodes, and an invite to the show’s D...

202: Interview - Ultros Dev Huge Bille, On Making The First Gardenvania

March 01, 2024 11:37 - 1 hour - 118 MB

This week's show is an interview with Hugo Bille from Hadoque, the developers of Ultros. We talked about video game ecosystems, Metroidvania design tricks, audacious gardening mechanics, and lots more. And a big thank you to the show’s latest patrons, ScheiGuy and NikolaiAtKnight, If you'd like to join them in supporting the show on Patreon, you can do so from $1 per month at http://patreon.com/gaminginthewild. Patrons get access to a catalogue of bonus episodes, and an invite to the show’s D...

201: Ultros

February 23, 2024 11:13 - 1 hour - 60.1 MB

Ultros is a dazzlingly creative indie game that revitalises the Metroidvania genre. The prismic visuals and symphonic score are a sensual treat, and the game’s ingenious ecosystem slowly blooms into a map-spanning meta-puzzle that demands patience, observation, curiosity, and creativity. It's the first must-play game of 2024. In the roundup: Nintendo Direct, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, Ender Lilies, and more. And a big thank you to the show's newest patron, ScheiGuy! Join them and 60 other...

200: Keepin' It 200 - Q&A Special

February 18, 2024 00:40 - 1 hour - 63.1 MB

Gaming In The Wild podcast is four years old and 200 episodes deep this week! To celebrate the landmark, the show's patrons and listeners suggested a Q&A episode. So I opened up the floor, and had over 50 questions submitted from Discord and social media, about video games, film, travel, books, Iceland, and life generally. Which video game smells worst? What games would I take into space to introduce aliens to humanity? Have a listen to find out. Thank...

199: The Best of Next Fest - Ultros, Flock, Beastieball, Hauntii, & More

February 10, 2024 20:33 - 42 minutes - 39.1 MB

This week I dived into Steam Next Fest, covering demos for: Ultros, Flock, Beastieball, Hauntii, Albatros, Arco, Summerhosue, Pacific Drive, Pepper Grinder, Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley, ZAU, and more.  And as always, many thanks to the show’s 56 patrons! If you'd like to join them in supporting the show on Patreon, you can do so from $1 per month at http://patreon.com/gaminginthewild. Patrons get access to a catalogue of bonus episodes, and an invite to the show’s lovely Discord communi...

198: Go Mecha Ball, Armored Core VI, Feb Releases, & More

February 03, 2024 14:30 - 50 minutes - 46.5 MB

This week's episode starts with a look at the month ahead, including new and upcoming PS+ and Game Pass additions, Steam Next Fest, and some highlights of the Feb release calendar. In the roundup: new twin-stick shooter Go Mecha Ball, the Constance demo, and Armored Core VI: Fires Of Rubicon. And as always, many thanks to the show’s patrons! If you'd like to join them in supporting the show on Patreon, you can do so from $1 per month at http://patreon.com/gaminginthewild. Patrons get access...

198: Armored Core VI, Go Mecha Ball, Feb Releases, & More

February 03, 2024 14:30 - 50 minutes - 46.5 MB

This week's episode starts with a look at the month ahead, including new and upcoming PS+ and Game Pass additions, Steam Next Fest, and some highlights of the Feb release calendar. In the roundup: new twin-stick shooter Go Mecha Ball, the Constance demo, and Armored Core VI: Fires Of Rubicon. And as always, many thanks to the show’s patrons! If you'd like to join them in supporting the show on Patreon, you can do so from $1 per month at http://patreon.com/gaminginthewild. Patrons get access t...

197: Demo Roundup: Beastieball, Helskate, The Cub, Harold Halibut, & More

January 27, 2024 17:12 - 33 minutes - 30.8 MB

This week’s show is a roundup episode of some newly available Steam demos. Namely: Beastieball, Helskate, Harold Halibut, and The Cub. In the roundup: the Immortality Design Works book, and Prince of Persia - The Lost Crown. And as always, many thanks to the show’s 59 patrons! If you'd like to join them in supporting the show on Patreon, you can do so from $1 per month at http://patreon.com/gaminginthewild. Patrons get access to a catalogue of bonus episodes, and an invite to the show’s lovel...

196: Lies Of P

January 20, 2024 18:34 - 53 minutes - 49.3 MB

Lies of P is a deeply impressive Soulslike with tight combat, beautiful environments, and a nightmarish gothic-horror world. It makes some welcome player-friendly tweaks to FromSoft's punishing formula, but is held back when it adheres to the genre's dogma. In the roundup: Sephonie, Suica Game, En Garde. And many thanks to the show’s 58 patrons! If you'd like to join them in supporting the show on Patreon, you can do so from $1 per month at http://patreon.com/gaminginthewild. Patrons get a...

195: The 2024 Indie Game Preview

January 13, 2024 19:59 - 59 minutes - 54.4 MB

It's time for the big indie game preview for 2024! Ganes featured (24, funnily enough): The Cub, Ultros, Pacific Drive, Open Roads, Mina The Hollower, 1000xResist, Harold Halibut, Still Wakes The Deep, Nine Sols, No Rest For The Wicked, Nivalis, Earthblade, Animal Well, The Plucky Squire, Hyper Light Breaker, Summerhouse, Neva, Pepper Grinder, Sword of the Sea, Henry Halfhead, Schim, Naiad, Death Trash, Hollow Knight: Silksong. And many thanks to the show’s 58 patrons! If you'd like to jo...

194: GOTY 2023 - John's Games Of The Year

January 06, 2024 21:35 - 1 hour - 67 MB

2023 was a great year for games, and after three great guest episodes covering the big swings, hits, and misses of the year, it's time to share my own favourite games of 2023. The list has been laboured over, and feels a bit less critically tidy and a bit more personal than previous years. I hope you enjoy it – I truly loved all of these games. And as always — many thanks to the show’s 57 patrons! If you'd like to join them in supporting the show on Patreon, you can do so from $1 per month at...

193: GOTY 2023 #3 - Blinkoom's Games Of The Year & The Listener Vote

December 29, 2023 20:42 - 2 hours - 285 MB

This week's episode is a big one! It's the third in the 2023 Games of the Year series, with special guest Steve aka Blinkoom of the Indie Quest & Polykill podcasts. We run through Steve's game's of the year, before revealing the results of the Discord/patron GOTY vote. Here's where to find Steve: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Blinkoom Polykill: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1351234 Indie Quest: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1425403 And many thanks to the show’s patrons! If you'd like ...

192: GOTY 2023 #2 - Ciarán Daly's Games Of The Year 2023

December 22, 2023 15:13 - 1 hour - 164 MB

This week's GOTY special brings return guest Ciarán Daly to talk about his games of 2023, including Small Saga, DREDGE, Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and more. We also talk about Lies of P, Remnant 2, Starfield, Wild Hearts, Assassin's Creed Mirage, Marvel's Midnight Suns, Hypnospace Outlaw, and more. Here's a link to BlockBusters!, a game jam game that's mentioned: https://dotbigbang.com/game/0c4038a5fe064711ba339b1e1c2bbd74/dbb-summer-jam-2023---blockbusters And many thanks to all the sho...

191: GOTY 2023 #1 - Brad Gallaway's Games Of The Year 2023

December 16, 2023 23:30 - 2 hours - 149 MB

It's GOTY season, and what better way to kick things off than with special guest and friend of the show Brad Gallaway, co-host of the So... Videogames Podcast. We went long and had a great conversation about everything from big hitters like Zelda, Starfield, and Cyberpunk 2077 2.0 to indie gems like Lamplighter's League, DREDGE, Birth, and many more. And as always, many thanks to all the show’s patrons! If you'd like to join them in supporting the podcast on Patreon, you can do so from $1 ...

190: A Highland Song, Backpack Hero, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, The Game Awards 2024

December 09, 2023 14:49 - 55 minutes - 51.1 MB

This week's bumper episode runs through the big winners at The Game Awards 2024, with a rundown of my top 10 new game announcements, including Pony Island 2, Big Walk, Lost Records, and more. I also give in-progress reviews of three games I've been playing: Inkle's A Highland Song, Ubisoft's Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, and a viral Kickstarter hit called Backpack Hero. And many thanks to all the show’s patrons! If you'd like to join them in supporting the show on Patreon, you can do so fr...

189: Pizza Tower, Sludge Life 2

December 03, 2023 15:07 - 50 minutes - 95 MB

Sludge Life 2 is an extremely welcome sequel that gives us more of the original’s winning formula. It’s an improbably enjoyable game that mixes high-speed first-person parkour with tagging, urban exploration, puerile humour, a wavy soundtrack, and a bleak world full of hilarious NPCs just trying to get through life. In the roundup: Jingle Jam 2023, A Highland Song, December releases, Backpack Hero, and more. And many thanks to the show’s 59 patrons! If you'd like to join them in supporting...

188: 1000xRESIST, Teardown, Worldless, Coral Island

November 26, 2023 22:34 - 37 minutes - 35 MB

This week's show is a little grab bag of demos and new releases, including Teardown, Coral Island, Wordless – and a super intriguing sci-fi mystery game called 1000xRESIST. In the roundup: Sludge Life 2. And many thanks to Steve, the show’s new patron! If you'd like to join them in supporting the show on Patreon, you can do so from $1 per month at http://patreon.com/gaminginthewild. Patrons get access to a catalogue of bonus episodes, and an invite to the show’s friendly Discord community....

187: Goodbye Volcano High

November 17, 2023 22:41 - 44 minutes - 85.1 MB

Goodbye Volcano High is a lushly produced visual novel about a high-school band at the end of the world. Playing as a hot goth dino called Fang, we navigate crushes, fallouts, band practice, and roleplaying sessions, all via dialogue choices & light rhythm gameplay. It’s an absorbing story game lit up by sparkling writing, sensuous art, and a dreamy guitar-pop soundtrack.  Also: The Game Awards nominees – Starfield SNUBBED! :') And many thanks to the show’s 56 patrons! If you'd like to joi...

186: Alan Wake II

November 11, 2023 19:09 - 56 minutes - 108 MB

A blockbuster sequel long in the offing, Alan Wake II offers an original, cutting-edge audio-visual presentation. But its ambition as a showpiece and a spectacle is mirrored by a surprising lack of creativity in other areas, that makes it a uniformly dull – and sometimes frustratingly illegible – gameplay experience. In the roundup: Goodbye Volcano High, Thirsty Suitors, November release. And many thanks to the show’s 56 patrons! If you'd like to join them in supporting the show on Patreon, y...

185: Jusant, Alan Wake II

November 04, 2023 13:43 - 42 minutes - 39 MB

Jusant is a chill, mechanically innovative climbing game, in which a nameless protagonist climbs a huge rock tower in a dry, deserted word. The wordless story adds some intrigue, and the methodical, tactile, handhold-by-handold climbing really shines. Also: first thoughts on Remedy's Alan Wake II. And many thanks to the show’s 53 patrons! If you'd like to join them in supporting the show on Patreon, you can do so from $1 per month at http://patreon.com/gaminginthewild. Patrons get access t...

185: Jusant

November 04, 2023 13:43 - 42 minutes - 39 MB

Jusant is a chill, mechanically innovative climbing game, in which a nameless protagonist climbs a huge rock tower in a dry, deserted word. The wordless story adds some intrigue, and the methodical, tactile, handhold-by-handold climbing really shines. Also: first thoughts on Remedy's Alan Wake II. And many thanks to the show’s 53 patrons! If you'd like to join them in supporting the show on Patreon, you can do so from $1 per month at http://patreon.com/gaminginthewild. Patrons get access t...

184: Mario Wonder, ROG Ally, Game Shopping In Tokyo

October 29, 2023 13:36 - 46 minutes - 43.4 MB

This week I talk about the fun experience of visiting video game hotspots in Tokyo, my experience as a PC gaming newbie with the ROG Ally handheld, and playing the opening hours of the imaginative, colourful, supremely entertaining Super Mario Bros Wonder. And many thanks to the show’s 53 patrons! If you'd like to join them in supporting the show on Patreon, you can do so from $1 per month at http://patreon.com/gaminginthewild. Patrons get access to a catalogue of bonus episodes, and an inv...

183: Nour: Play With Your Food, Forza Motorsport, Chants of Senaar

October 20, 2023 19:00 - 34 minutes - 32 MB

Nour: Play With Your Food is a bizarre physics-driven rhythm game that's all about... well, playing with food. The player rains food items into a scene, hitting buttons in time to responsive music, and… seeing if anything happens? As it all devolves into a chaotic spectacle, sometimes it seems like there's a game structure trying to emerge. Ultimately, not much is clear – except that it’s fun. In the roundup: some first impressions of sensible racer Forza Motorsport, and a quick look at the...

182: Under The Waves

October 13, 2023 19:00 - 42 minutes - 39.3 MB

Under The Waves is a narrative-driven underwater adventure about a deep-sea diver dealing with loss. It shines brightest during its mesmerising ocean-floor exploration in a tiny submersible craft, which made for some epic moments. In the roundup: Dead Space Remake, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, The Crew Motorfest, and more.  And many thanks to the show’s 52 patrons! If you'd like to join them in supporting the show on Patreon, you can do so from $1 per month at http://patreon.com/gaminginthewil...

181: Cocoon

October 07, 2023 00:28 - 43 minutes - 40.5 MB

Cocoon is an enigma. As a green-winged bug, we hop between dimensions, facing puzzles that are in turn intricate and frustrating. It’s slick, polished, and impressive, but uneven, demanding, and narratively vague. In the roundup: Station To Station, Wargroove 2, Under The Waves, Jusant, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Alan Wake 2, Spider-Man 2, and other October release highlights.  And many thanks to the show’s 50 patrons! If you'd like to join them in supporting the show on Patreon, you can do ...

180: Gunbrella, Baldur's Gate 3, Cyberpunk 2.0

September 29, 2023 23:25 - 44 minutes - 41.3 MB

Gunbrella is slick, snappy, vibey action-platformer with a surprisingly affecting story, and some welcome adventure game elements. It’s heavy on style, and short in runtime. In the roundup: Baldur's Gate 3 impressions at 4hrs played, Cyberpunk 2077 2.0, Cocoon, Saltsea Chronicles. And many thanks to the show’s 50 patrons! If you'd like to join them in supporting the show on Patreon, you can do so from $1 per month at http://patreon.com/gaminginthewild. Patrons get access to a catalogue of ...

179: Starfield Wrap-Up, Sayonara Wild Hearts

September 23, 2023 18:50 - 58 minutes - 112 MB

This week’s show rounds off an epic four episode-spanning review of the game with some final thoughts and – after a spoiler break – some chat about endgame and NG+. In the roundup: Gunbrella, Sayonara Wild Hearts, and Moonstone Island. And many thanks to the show’s 50 patrons! If you'd like to join them in supporting the show on Patreon, you can do so from $1 per month at http://patreon.com/gaminginthewild. Patrons get access to a catalogue of bonus episodes, and an invite to the show’s lovel...

179: Starfield Wrap-Up, Gunbrella, Sayonara Wild Hearts

September 23, 2023 18:50 - 58 minutes - 112 MB

This week’s show rounds off an epic four episode-spanning review of the game with some final thoughts and – after a spoiler break – some chat about endgame and NG+. In the roundup: Gunbrella, Sayonara Wild Hearts, and Moonstone Island. And many thanks to the show’s 50 patrons! If you'd like to join them in supporting the show on Patreon, you can do so from $1 per month at http://patreon.com/gaminginthewild. Patrons get access to a catalogue of bonus episodes, and an invite to the show’s lo...

178: More Starfield, Sony & Nintendo's Directs, Solar Ash, & More!

September 16, 2023 18:51 - 1 hour - 63.6 MB

Starfield is a huge game! Now 70 hours in, this week's show goes into more of the game's systems: ship combat, ship building, base building, quest types, crew members and NPCs, and some fun story-stuff spoiler chat after a big ol’ spoiler warning. In the roundup: Mythforce, Chants of Senaar, Nour: Play With Your Food, The Pale Beyond, Solar Ash, and all the September releases: Cocoon, Cyberpunk 2077 2.0, Gunbrella, Fae Farm, Mineko’s Night Market, and more.  And many thanks to the show’s 5...

177: Starfield

September 10, 2023 00:57 - 57 minutes - 53.7 MB

We have liftoff! Starfield is the long-awaited spacefaring RPG that's dizzying in its scope, depth, variety and possibility. It’s also an uneven and characteristically idiosyncratic Bethesda experience - but 40 hours in, my journey has been packed with awe-inspiring moments, and has inspired a very pure kind of gaming satisfaction. As always, many thanks to the show’s 49 patrons. If you'd like to join them in supporting the show on Patreon, you can do so from $1 per month at http://patreon....

176: Fort Solis & Starfield

September 02, 2023 18:11 - 57 minutes - 52.8 MB

Fort Solis is an atmospheric sci-fi mystery set on the dark side of Mars. It ramps up the suspense masterfully in the opening stages, and has an interesting story to tell, but is held back by some narrative ambiguity, egregious QTEs, and somewhat basic gameplay. Also: Starfield impressions, three hours in, and a first look at Sea of Stars. And many thanks to the show’s latest patron, Cousin Jack! If you'd like to join them in supporting the show on Patreon, you can do so from $1 per month ...

175: Shotgun King, Adore, Gamescom '23 Most-Wanted

August 25, 2023 21:53 - 46 minutes - 87.8 MB

Shotgun King - The Final Checkmate is a unique turn-based roguelike that’s a mutant form of shotgun chess. It’s very light on content, but the brilliant concept, ever-evolving ruleset, and affordable price make it an indie oddity worth experiencing. Punkcake Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/punkcake Great Punkcake interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGxYOu4YeXc  In the roundup: Adore mini-review, Horizon: Burning Shores, Gamescom Opening Night Live, The Future Games Show, Pacific D...

174: Meg's Monster, Tomorrow And Tomorrow And Tomorrow

August 19, 2023 21:56 - 47 minutes - 89.7 MB

This week's episode is about Meg's Monster, a patron recommendation that turned out to be delightful. It's a simple, short & sweet pixel art adventure, that distinguishes itself from the pack with some enjoyable writing, and an emotional story that'll tug at your heartstrings. There's also a book review in this episode. "Tomorrow, And Tomorrow, And Tomorrow" by Gabrielle Zevin is an engrossing piece of literary fiction located in the world of game development, that might be of some interest...

173: Venba

August 12, 2023 22:12 - 42 minutes - 39 MB

Venba is a striking visual novel that sensitively explores the experience of an young Indian couple emigrating to Canada, and the life events that follow. It has excellent audio-visual presentation and rich subject matter, but the compressed narrative seems to skip key events, before an abrupt ending. In the roundup: Pikmin 4, Luigi’s Mansion 3, and Stray's arrival on Xbox. And many thanks to the show’s 46 patrons! If you'd like to join them in supporting the show on Patreon, you can do s...

172: Prodeus, Axiom Verge, Yoshi's Island, August Release Roundup

August 04, 2023 23:50 - 47 minutes - 44.3 MB

This week's episode is a mixed bag roundup about high-octane retro Doom-like shooter Prodeus (and Doom 64), cult Metroidvania Axiom Verge, some Nintendo classics, and more. In the roundup: August releases including Armored Core VI, Sea of Stars, Blasphemous 2, Shotgun King, Book of Hours, A Guidebook Of Babel, Wrestlequest, Stray Gods, and lots more. Links from the episode: The original Cloud Gardens review episode: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gaminginthewild/episodes/72-Clo...

171: Have A Nice Death, The Last Worker, Koa & The Five Pirates Of Mara, & More

July 29, 2023 17:05 - 45 minutes - 41.8 MB

Have a Nice Death is an enjoyable roguelike with slick and satisfying moment-to-moment gameplay, top notch combat, and pinpoint platforming. As a roguelike, though, its various systems are oddly named, ill-explained, and muddled-seeming. In the roundup: Cyberpunk 2077 (again!), Grimoire Groves, The Last Worker, Dave The Diver, Koa & The Five Pirates Of Mara. And many thanks to the show’s latest patrons: Reid, Chris & Ahti. If you'd like to join them in supporting the show on Patreon, you c...

170: Oxenfree II: Lost Signals

July 22, 2023 15:29 - 47 minutes - 43.6 MB

Seven years in the making, Lost Signals is Night School's difficult second album. It starts strong by playing the hits, and shines in its atmosphere and dialogue system, but fades where it should crescendo. In the roundup: ASUS ROG Ally, Dead Space 2023, FFXIII, Venba, Dave The Diver. And many thanks to the show’s latest patron, Arti! If you'd like to join them in supporting the show on Patreon, you can do so for $1, $3 or $5 per month at http://patreon.com/gaminginthewild. Patrons get acc...

169: Final Fantasy XVI

July 14, 2023 23:17 - 1 hour - 60.8 MB

Final Fantasy XVI is a dark fantasy action adventure that tells its epic story via impressively cinematic cut-scenes, sleek, kinetic combat, and spectacular set pieces. Some poor quest design made the story drag, but the characters and combat never got old. In the roundup: Final Fantasy XIII, Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Dave The Diver. The Digital Foundry FFXVI review I mention in the show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Oyjldkh5kE   And the Kyle Bosman video I mention: https://youtu.b...

168: Coffee Golf, July Indie Games

July 08, 2023 18:19 - 40 minutes - 37.7 MB

Coffee Golf is an improbably compelling and addictive daily phone game. Each day, you get a new five-hole golf course. It takes luck, skill, and strategy to get around the course, and whittle down your stroke count to get the best possible score. Also, for bonus fun – listen out for a 4.2 earthquake that happened while I was recording! Also in this episode: a July indie game roundup, including Synapse, GYLT, Oxenfree II: Lost Signals, Venba, Viewfinder, The Wandering Village, Immortals of A...

167: Gerda: A Flame In Winter

June 30, 2023 22:36 - 37 minutes - 34.8 MB

Gerda: A Flame in Winter is an excellent choice-based story game set in Nazi-occupied Denmark towards the end of WWII. The compelling story is packed with ethical quandaries that have real impact on the story, and the stakes are high as your moment-to-moment decisions can have life or death consequences. In the roundup: Annapurna Showcase – Lorelei & The Laser Eyes, Cocoon, To a T, Lushfoil Photography Sim , Thirsty Suitors, Flock, Ghostbike, Blade Runner 2033: Labyrinth. And many thanks t...

166: Dordogne

June 23, 2023 10:00 - 44 minutes - 41.2 MB

This week's review is a short, beautiful game that tells a compact, emotional story. Its watercolored visual style and ambience are breathtaking, and perfectly capture the feeling of loosely-remembered childhood summers. But the gameplay is often a chore—sometimes literally. In the roundup: FFXVI, Nintendo Direct, Super Mario Bros Wonder, Gerda: A Flame In Winter. And many thanks to all the show’s patrons! If you'd like to join them in supporting the show on Patreon, you can do so from $1 ...

165: Harmony: The Fall Of Reverie, Summer Game Fest Roundup

June 14, 2023 23:05 - 1 hour - 117 MB

Harmony: The Fall of Reverie is an ambitious and substantial visual novel that plays with a broad spectrum of ideas about hope, chaos, capitalism, community, mysticism, and the power of collective belief. However, the story succeeds despite the game's structure, as I'll go into in the episode. In the roundup: FFXVI and Viewfinder demos, Tales of Arise, and my picks from Tribeca Games Fest, Xbox Showcase, Wholesome Direct, PC Gaming Show, and all the others. Including: A Highland Song, Night...

164: Adios, Hoa, Summer Game Fest & Day of the Devs

June 09, 2023 21:21 - 55 minutes - 51.6 MB

This episode, we start with a look at all the cool indie games revealed at Day of the Devs, then move onto two reviews: the simple, colourful platform game Hoa, and the compelling mobster story of Adios. In the roundup: Summer Game Fest, Day of the Devs, Summerhill, Saltsea Chronicles, Beastieball, Viewfinder, Cocoon, Sludge Life 2, Baby Steps, Talos Principle 2, Retro Gadgets, Mars First Logistics, Hyper Light Breaker, Under The Waves, Alan Wake II, Spider-Man 2. And many thanks to all th...

163: Ravenlok, After Us, Humanity

June 02, 2023 23:27 - 44 minutes - 40.8 MB

On a little Zelda sabbatical, this week's episode rounds up a few recent indie games. The featured review is Ravenlok – a short, charming fairytale adventure in which we enter a fairytale kingdom through a magic mirror, and take up a quest to liberate the realm from an evil queen. It’s a simple comfort-food video game with plenty of heart and some colourful, fantastical visuals. In the roundup: After Us, Humanity, The Talos Principle, and a June release roundup with Dordogne, Mask Of The Ro...

161: The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Pt 2, with Ciaran Daly

May 26, 2023 20:42 - 1 hour - 107 MB

This week's episode picks up where we left off with Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom. With special guest Ciaran Daly, we run through the Rito Village quest, and talk about our first steps into The Deep, our hits and misses in device building and puzzle-solving, and more. In the roundup: The Playstation Showcase, with Alan Wake II, Sword of the Sea, Neva, The Plucky Squire, AC Mirage, Talos Principle II, and more. And many thanks to the show’s latest patrons, Wayne and John! If you'd like to jo...

160: The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

May 20, 2023 00:21 - 58 minutes - 111 MB

Tears Of The Kingdom is Nintendo’s impossible sequel. How do you follow up the best game of all time? Their answer was to expand it in all directions. Tears of the Kingdom uses the miraculous Breath of the Wild as its foundations, soaring high and plunging deep to create an astounding adventure in which the possibilities stretch as far as the horizon.  Note: this show covers the intro, opening sky island area, and landfall sections of the game. I tried to be sensitive about spoilers, and no...

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