Pixelated Playgrounds

In this podcast Josh and Bryan hit the road! … And the road hits back! While crisscrossing the fictional countryside in YCJY Games' Keep Driving both of our hosts recorded their fair share of stories and this podcast was the perfect opportunity to share them with each other, and with all of you! Borrowing inspiration from Oregon Trail and injecting a healthy dose of 2000's era coming-of-age nostalgia, Keep Driving generates stories that will inevitably resonate players of a certain vintage.Aside from being a potent ‘interesting-situation' generator, Keep Driving is also a compelling resource management game as the player strives to keep all the needs of your driver and passengers topped up while battling against the trials and tribulations on the road. Flat Tires, Check Engine Lights, and Low Gas indicators come for us all, but Bryan and Josh did their best to keep moving down the road. So listen in as we recount our stories of life behind the wheel…Three Word Reviews:Bryan - Down Memory LaneJosh - Farewell to YouthSongs Used:Westkust - SwirlCrystal Boys - GoldCrystal Boys - NightlifeZimmer Grandioso - HometownsZimmer Grandioso - Cowboy PillsWestkust - 0700Fucking Werewolf Asso - The Tito Beltran MassacreWestkust - DrownWestkust - WeekendsHoly Now - Wake Up

Bryan and Josh recently took off the gloves and picked up a katana to play Shogun Showdown, a kinetic turn-based tactics game that has you dispatching waves of enemy warriors through careful positioning and timely deployment of combat skills. Sporting roguelike and deckbuilding elements along with a strong Japanese-inspired pixel art aesthetic, Shogun Showdown is surprisingly deep for operating on a 1-dimentional battlefield. Like most of the guys' favorite roguelikes, the game allows the player a great deal of choice in how you build out your own ninja and each run is always giving the player a new view into how to best take out your samurai and ninja foes. So dodge that incoming ninja star and tune into Bryan and Josh's discussion on the finer points of ninja tactics as they discuss Shogun Showdown!Three Word Reviews:Bryan - Combat Dancing PoemJosh - One Dimensional Greatness

You're on a path in the woods, and at the end of that path is a cabin. And in the basement of that cabin is a Podcast… I mean Princess. In this episode Bryan, Josh, and Clint steel their nerves and descend the staircase to discuss Slay the Princess. Developed by Black Tabby Games and released for PC in 2024, Slay the Princess was developed as a side project to support the ongoing development of their other game Scarlet Hollow. And what a side project it is! Boasting a dizzying variety of possible outcomes, Slay the Princess is a fascinatingly broad and cerebral visual novel that explores a lot of interesting themes in a very economical approach to storytelling and a stylish black and white hand-drawn aesthetic. However, what starts as merely a provocative 4th wall breaking narrative eventually gives way to something even more surreal and captivating. So grab your dagger… I mean headphones… and listen in as the guys explore the multitude of ways to Slay the Princess! But remember: Its a love story…Show Notes:The Egg by Andy WeirThree Word Reviews:Bryan - Personality Uncertainty PrincipleJosh - Power of StoryClint - What Just Happened

Have you ever wanted to play a turn-based city builder that's inspired by Luck be a Landlord and Islanders? That's drenched in a stylish cyberpunk aesthetic and boasts intricate tactical depth? One with a dark sense of humor and killer hip-hop inspired soundtrack? Well you're in luck! Josh's latest game, Neongarten, is releasing on April 22nd, 2025 on Steam! As is tradition, Bryan and Josh sat down to record a podcast about the game, its inspirations, and the process of creating it. Neongarten was a novel experience for Josh to develop for a variety of reasons, not least of which was working in 3d and a new engine, Godot. This time around Josh also partnered with Goblinz Publishing to take the game to the next level. With the initial prototype finishing up just ahead of the birth of his second child, Neongarten has been a game that's grown alongside his own family and alongside his own craft as a game developer. So listen in as Bryan interviews Josh about how he riffed, fixed, and remixed his way to creating the game he envisioned those many months ago, and check it out when it releases on April 22nd, 2025!Show Notes:Neongarten Steam PageGoblinz PublishingTinyMass GamesNeongarten's Composer, Joel Kent, is part of AudimusDex is the album that helped inspire the game

In this episode Bryan and Josh welcome host of Tales from the Backlog, Dave Jackson, to discuss Persona 4 Golden! Bryan's played Persona 5, Josh has played Persona 3, so now they're meeting in the middle and asked Dave to join for a wide ranging discussion that starts with an analysis of the studio's evolving approach to game design then pivots to a deep dive of Persona 4 Golden's characters, combat mechanics, and broader themes. The Persona series is an interesting game for multiple reasons, not least of which are its design priorities which focus on atypical areas such as UI design and Music, and writing. By the same token analyzing a social / life sim game from 2008 in 2025 is not without its pitfalls including the sometimes clumsy handling of representation and other social issues. Even so, the artistry of the game's stylish design and writing, combined with a unique take on themes of personal growth rooted in Jungian psychology, are certainly with the price of admission.Show Notes:Dave's Podcast - Tales from the BacklogPersona 4 ReincarnationThree Word Reviews:Bryan - Experience Myriad TruthsJosh - Solid Detective StoryDave - Jungian Scooby Doo

In this atypical episode of Pixelated Playgrounds Josh and Bryan talk through a couple of “Game Poems”. A “Game Poem” (as defined by Josh) is “An experimental/artsy/short game or some combination therein. A game that the player can play once, for five or thirty minutes, and experience a distinct sort of message." Two such games are Every Day the Same Dream, released in 2009 by Molleindustria and Every Day the Same Dream released in 2020 by Cecile Richard. Every Day the Same Dream bills itself as a game about alienation and refusal of labour, while Under A Star Called Sun is described as a sci-fi bitsy game about grieving, holding on to fading memories, and carrying the world on your shoulders. Both are able to be played in 5-10 minutes or less and are readily available online, so if you've ever been wary to listen because of our spoiler policy, now is the time to subvert it!Bryan and Josh also take a tangent into the history of browser games and reminisce a bit on some of their favorites, so boot up your ancient laptop that still has a running version of Flash and listen in to this episode on Game Poems!Show Notes:Every Day the Same DreamUnder A Star Called SunMolleindustriaThe Actor and the Audience by Josh GaleckiI Am Sitting in a Room by Alvin LucierThree Word Reviews:Under A Star Called SunBryan - Smelling Digital RosesJosh - Actor and AudienceEvery Day The Same DreamBryan - Potent Fading MemoryJosh - Treachery of Memory

Horizon Zero Dawn and its sequel Horizon Forbidden West have had an uphill battle to become some of the most successful AAA open world games. The first entry released alongside The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and the follow-up came out just ahead of Elden Ring, two games that are not just direct competitors for the Horizon series, but also genre re-defining titles. Yet, much like the series' protagonist, Aloy, the Horizon games have persisted. They have eventually found their audience and have delivered some of the best Open World gaming the current generation has seen as of 2025. While the Horizon games on their face are a visual feast focused on hunting down robotic dinosaurs in a stunning post apocalypse, what lies beneath the surface is what kept Bryan and Clint coming back for more. A sweeping sci-fi story with ambitious and surprising writing drives Horizon's cybernetic heart forward. That and a surprisingly deep combat system that forces you to use all parts of the robotic buffalo. In this podcast Clint and Bryan discuss the sweeping story told across both Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West before focusing in on the finer points of the more recent entry. So grab your bow and spear and tune your focus in to Pixelated Playgrounds as we discuss the Horizon Series!Three Word Reviews:Bryan - Defying Human NatureClint - Giant Robot Dinosaurs!

The indie game space is full of creative and inspiring projects. Projects that spark joy. Projects that make you feel a sense of awe, or joy, or wonder…. and then there are some that are just plain unhinged. In this episode Bryan and Josh discuss two games that are very different, but equally unhinged: Arctic Eggs and CLICKOLDING.Arctic Eggs by the Water Museum puts you in the shoes of a nameless, faceless, drone in a post apocalyptic antarctica with but one remit: cook eggs for the people. From there it… goes places….CLICKOLDING by Strange Scaffold was originally on Josh and Bryan's list to cover in the Halloween timeframe but instead of being scary it was more just unsettling, so they held off to find an equally oddball game to discuss in tandem. The purpose of the game is simple: The man in the corner of your hotel room wants you to click a tally counter and he wants to watch you click it. Its a surreal and sometimes upsetting experience that takes only 40 minutes or so to complete.So sit down, have an egg, and start clicking as we talk through the deeply strange experiences of Arctic Eggs and CLICKOLDING!Three Word Reviews:Arctic EggsBryan - End Times VibingJosh - A Compelling GravityCLICKOLDINGBryan - Clicking Through ItJosh - A Harsh Light

There was probably no greater end of the year gaming surprise in 2024 than the release of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Clint's skepticism about swapping out Harrison Ford for Troy Baker was only matched by Bryan's confusion about what this game was supposed to be drawing comparisons to Dishonored and Hitman, while being developed by the studio behind Wolfenstein, Machine Games, and the producer of the last several Elder Scrolls games, Todd Howard. It turns out Baker delivered the performance of the year as Indiana Jones and the game itself turned out to be a sprawling and pitch perfect first person 3d adventure game with stealth, puzzling, and a not-insignificant amount of using improvised weaponry against fascists: Truly the most appropriate thing for Indiana Jones to be doing.So Bryan, Josh, and Clint set off on their respective journeys to uncover the mysteries of the Great Circle. Clint's took a long a circuitous route through all manner of optional side content, Bryan's was a bit more on the straight and narrow, and Josh's ended a bit prematurely. Regardless of where they ended all three of our hosts enjoyed the sites, sounds, and hi-jinks they got up to along the way. So pull up your old timey phonograph and listen in the guys discuss Indiana Jones and the Great Circle!Three Word Reviews:Bryan - Museum Worthy AdventureJosh - Scenes and SignpostsClint - An Instant Classic

Happy New Year! This year Bryan, Josh, and Clint tried something a bit different… which every other video game podcast on earth is already doing: We recorded our Games of the Year for 2024! So listen in as the guys discuss the top 5 games they enjoyed in 2024 among others and take a look forward to 2025 and just generally chill out and reminisce on a year of gaming!Here's what we talked about:Look back at 2024 / Plans for 2025Games we have our eyes on to coverGames you missed in 2024 and still want to playThe Top 5's5's4's3's2's1'sHonrable Mentions— — — Spoiler Wall — — — ...................The 5'sClint Game #5 - Stellar BladeJosh Game #5 - DotAGEBryan Game #5 - Metaphor: ReFantazioThe 4'sClint Game #4 - Black Myth: WukongJosh Game #4 - Tiny GladeBryan Game #4 - Final Fantasy 7 RebirthThe 3's Clint Game #3 - Warhammer 40k: Space Marine 2Josh Game #3 - ArcoBryan Game #3 - Elden Ring: Shadow of the ErdtreeThe 2's Clint Game #2 - Final Fantasy 7 RebirthJosh Game #2 - Animal WellBryan Game #2 - 1000xResistThe 1's Clint Game #1 - Helldivers 2Josh Game #1 - 1000xResistBryan Game #1 - Unicorn Overlord

Black Myth Wukong is perhaps the least ‘under the radar' game to have ever caught Clint and Bryan by surprise. As the breakout single player offering from GameScience, a team of former Tencent employees hailing from China, Wukong is certainly a game that is entering the 3rd person action genre during a moment of particularly stringent demands for both novelty and quality. Luckily for us, Black Myth: Wukong succeeded on both counts to provide an extremely polished action game experience borrowing some mechanical flourishes from the Soul-like genre and infusing a high level of care for its source material: the 500 year old Chinese classic, Journey to the West. While neither Clint nor Bryan have much exposure to that source material aside from what has been adapted previously to suit western audiences (see Dragon Ball, etc.) both were quite impressed with the cinematic quality on display with this particular adaption. So join Clint and Bryan for a quick drink from the gourd as they chat about the experience and spectacle that is Black Myth: Wukong!Three Word Reviews:Bryan - Senational Simian StorytellingClint - Top-notch Monkey Business

In this episode, Josh and Bryan don their pixelated sombreros and head into the Mesoamerican wilderness to check out the latest in indie tactical greatness with Arco! Boasting some snappy writing, inventive tactical gameplay, and truly gorgeous pixel artistry, Arco has a lot on offer. Arco is the product of Polish pixel artist Franek Nowotniak (one of Josh's pixel artist idols), Australian game developer Max Cahill, Spanish composer and sound designer José Ramón "Bibiki" García, and Mexican developer Antonio "Fayer" Uribe, and published by Panic Inc. While it initially did not have the commercial success the team hoped for, it has begun to quickly rack up awards and nominations as we near the end of 2024. It can be tough to break through in today's indie landscape, with so many high quality games coming out every week, but Arco is beyond a shadow of a doubt a game that is worth your time. From the compelling “inverse Western” story which conveys a unique perspective on the history of the colonization of the Americas, to the novel tactical mechanics which integrate player choice in a profound and intriguing way, you will not find many games that feel as tight and well integrated as Arco. So saddle up and join Bryan and Josh on their quest for revenge, er I mean, discussion as they journey through Arco!Three Word Reviews:Bryan - Personal Pixelated Parables Josh - Fresh Tactical Take

This episode Clint, Josh, and Bryan pledged their eternal service to the Emperor and suited up in some fancy new blue power armor to defend humanity in Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2! While only one of us has played the series' first entry, the Warhammer atmosphere and Saber Interactive's tight and polished co-op gameplay pulled all three of the guys through to victory. Its rare in today's video game release landscape to get a well-scoped and extremely high fidelity co-op campaign like Space Marine 2's, so if you are a fan of co-op PVE, enjoy the Warhammer Universe, or just like stomping around as a giant space marine then be sure to check this one out! So suit up with Bryan, Josh, and Clint as they face down the Tyranid scourge in Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2!Three Word Reviews:Bryan - Epic Cooperative Crusade Josh - Big Boots, FilledClint - Gears of Warhammer

Have you ever asked yourself what quirky humor forward take on a breach and clear tactics game featuring wizards might look like? Well about 8 years ago Tom Francis of Suspicious Developments did just that, and what started as a throw away in-joke amongst colleagues is now one of the most impressive and enjoyable indie games of 2024. Bringing his signature wit in the writing and character development along with a tactics sandbox that is polished to a mirror shine Tactical Breach Wizards is a step in the right direction for everything Francis and his studio have been building towards with their previous outings. So hop on your tactical broomstick and set your assault wand to stun as Bryan and Josh flex their magical mastery with Tactical Breach Wizards!Three Word Reviews:Bryan - Tom's Tactics Triumph Josh - Terrific, Brief, Witty

Join Josh and Bryan as they flex their design skills, mostly unsuccessfully, and still manage to create incredibly charming scenes with Townscaper and Tiny Glade. Both of these games offer a different take on the ‘city painting' or ‘diorama design' genre of creative game. With little to no direction, and a not insignificant helping hand extended to the player, both of these games interpret the player's design decisions and render them into utterly gorgeous structures, landscapes, and villages. Townscaper, released in 2021, is the passion project of the developer Oskar Stålberg, who also created Bad North among other projects. It allows the player to create a tiny seaside town with just a few clicks. Tiny Glade was released in 2024 and offers the player the opportunity to create a cozy castle or village diorama set in the variety of seasons with a truly impressive camera mode with which the player can then share and experience their creation. So join Bryan and Josh, and lets get creative!Three Word Reviews:TownscaperBryan - Needs a ChecklistJosh - Building with OomphTiny GladeBryan - Daily Creative MeditationJosh - Cup of TeaShow Notes:Web version of TownscaperFlurdeh's Youtube ChannelJosh's Latest Game: Neongarten

Its been a while since Bryan and Josh sat down and recorded a podcast about a good old fashioned Narrative Game… enter 1000xResist, the narrative game that Bryan brought to Josh after being completely blown away by the game's incredible economy of storytelling and deep, varied themes. Needless to say, both were enthralled with Sunset Visitor's foray into game development and the lengthy conversation they had is testament to the deep read the game received, and deserves. At its heart 1000xResist is a walking sim about a society of clones existing in a post apocalypse an unknown number of years after an alien invasion. The clones are all descended from a young woman who was immune to the disease that the alien Occupants brought. What makes it unique (among many things) is its attention to cinematography, captivating theming, and frequent narrative swerves. Its an incredible work of storytelling, featuring unique exploration of multiple key topics including: family, immigration, resistance, illness, oppression and more. So join Bryan and Josh in praising the ALLMOTHER that this game graced our PC's and listen in for an in depth, spoiler-filled discussion of the experience. Hekki Almo, Hekki Grace!Three Word Reviews:Bryan - Break the CycleJosh - Watch and RememberShow Notes:Devised Narratives

In this podcast Bryan and Josh dive into two minimalistic, manic roguelikes: Tiny Rogues and SNKRX! Tiny Rogues by RubyDev a fantasy rogue-lite dungeon crawler that plays in the bullet hell genre, complete with twin-stick controls. It also boasts some lite RPG elements and a cornucopia of classes to choose from. The ability to end up with a completely wild and enjoyably broken build in Tiny Rogues is extremely entertaining, and kept both Bryan and Josh coming back to see how far they could advance in the game's meta-progression layer. Next up, with SNKRX the guys build a snake out of RPG party classes and sent them to battle against colorful pellet enemies. SNKRX is the more minimalist of the two, sporting only colorful, pill-shaped enemies on a black background for your multi-colored ‘snake' to defeat, but the depth of build variety and enjoyable synergies to discover were enough to make this a game that was easy to return to over and over. So get ready to give it ‘one more run' with Josh and Bryan as they talk through Tiny Rogues and SNKRX!Three Word Reviews:Tiny RoguesBryan - Bountiful Build Variety Josh - Bite-sized Bullet BalletSNKRXBryan - Snakes Sneaking SynergiesJosh - Sneaky Snakey SnackShow Notes:SNKRX's post-release log - a327ex

Things are heating up over at Pixelated Playgrounds HQ, but that just because Bryan and Josh have been playing firefighting / cat saving platformer, Nuclear Blaze! Created by Sébastien Bénard, one of the developers behind the excellent Dead Cells, Nuclear Blaze was originally designed for Bénard's child as he noticed a striking lack of firefighter focused video games. Bénard and his studio Deepnight games, took on the mission of creating a game that his child could play, creating Nuclear Blaze with a built in ‘Kids Mode' as well as a more difficult ‘Hold my Beer' mode for players seeking a greater challenge. Sporting some eye-popping pixel art and a novel fire spreading mechanic, Nuclear blaze is a short and sweet platformer with a lot to admire. So grab your hose and helmet and skydive into the depths of Nuclear Blaze with Josh and Bryan.Three Word Reviews:Bryan - He's on FiiiiirreeeJosh - Fun Fiery Explosion

After a development cycle spanning almost a decade, Unicorn Overlord released in March of 2024 to the joy of Ogre Battle fans everywhere! Two of those fans, namely Bryan and Josh, picked up the game and dug right in. With Vanillaware's signature art and polish on full display Unicorn Overlord makes a stunning first impression and backs it up with an incredibly deep and complex battle system which is fitting for the titles which inspired it. It has been over 25 years since Ogre Battle 64 released for the Nintendo 64, and while Unicorn Overlord does not reach the narrative heights of Ogre Battle or Tactics Ogre, it certainly has enough going for it that folks craving a real time tactical RPG will have plenty to sink their teeth into. So pour yourself a mug of ale and sit down beside the fire with Bryan and Josh as they discuss their experience leading a revolution in Unicorn Overlord!Three Word Reviews:Bryan - Tinkering Against TyrannyJosh - Somehow Too Much

In this episode Josh and Bryan go down a rabbit hole with 2024 indie hit, Animal Well. What starts off as a non-violent, platforming based metroidvania game, quickly gives way to a truly mysterious and intricately puzzle-driven experience. As the first solo endeavor from developer, Billy Basso, as well as the first title for game game's publisher, Big Mode, Animal Well is a triumph critically, commercially, and perhaps most importantly, in terms of sheer novelty and design polish. So grab your bubble wand and hop on over to listen to Bryan and Josh puzzle over the incomparable Animal Well!Three Word Reviews:Bryan - Magnificent Mystifying MenagerieJosh - Play and Discovery

Before 2020, Square Enix had been dancing around the question of how to do justice to a Final Fantasy 7 remaster for over a decade, and with the release of Final Fantasy Remake they finally answered that question. Using a state of the art combat system, a faithful re-interpretation of the source material (with some twists!), and a stunning meta-commentary on what it means to re-make a game, Final Fantasy 7: Remake was a stunning experience that both Clint and Bryan loved. Four years later, with the release of its sequel, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, they sat down to record a podcast on their experience with the two recent Final Fantasy 7 games, with a focus on Rebirth and its impeccable road trip vibes.The amount of additional context and pathos Square were able to bring to the first disc of the original Final Fantasy 7 alone was enough to excite Bryan and Clint for Rebirth, but they could not have imagined the sheer scale that would be on display with Rebirth's portion of the story. Overall these two games have Bryan and Clint eagerly anticipating the continuation of this endeavor. So get on your chocobo and ride along with Bryan and Clint as they talk through FInal Fantasy 7 Rebirth!Three Word Reviews:Bryan - Dream Road TripClint - Not Just Nostalgia

Bryan and Josh recently spent some time managing a series of settlements in rogue-like city builder and prophecy-defier, DotAGE. Long time project of solo game developer, Michele Pirovano, DotAGE is wonderful little management sim with bright cheerful pixel art, sharp entertaining writing, and a level of ease and polish that you do not often see in the worker placement genre of games. What really sets the game apart though is the game's prophecy and apocalypse mechanics, which sets up a series of compelling problems for your fledgling settlement to grapple with. So grab yourself a roast chicken and settle in for a conversation about the hope and despair that Josh and Bryan experienced as they tested their fate playing DotAGE!Three Word Reviews:Bryan - Pixels, Prophecy, PersonalityJosh - No Golden PathLinks:Josh's interview with Michele Pirovano

Bryan and Josh continue their race down memory lane for the Sonic series with a look at Sonic the Hedgehog 1 and 2! Both of the guys have a long history with these titles and were excited to take a look back at the character's origins. While the original Sonic the Hedgehog was certainly an impressive debut for the Sega mascot, it did not have quite as much of the series' signature speed as one might expect. Meanwhile Sonic the Hedgehog 2, refined and solidified what would become the standard-bearer for the ‘momentum platformer'. So lace up your red kicks and join us in ‘Nostalgia Nights Zone' for this discussion of Sonics first two titles.Three Word Reviews:Sonic the Hedgehog: Bryan - Gotta Learn PatienceJosh - Solid First StepsSonic the Hedgehog 2: Bryan - Hot-dogs and HappinessJosh - One to Remember

Its time for another Casino Cast with Josh and Bryan! Last time we tackled dice (Dicey Dungeons) and slots (Luck be a Landlord), so this time around we are tackling cards with recent world-beating indie success, Balatro, and more dice with the extremely compelling roguelike, Slice & Dice. Balatro is a game that at this point needs no introduction: The run based score-beating roguelike using the language of poker has captured the hearts and minds of critics and players of all stripes due to its extremely compelling mechanical twists and accessible presentation. Slice & Dice, on the other hand, takes cues from party based roguelikes but represents each of your ‘heroes' as one 6 sided die. The complexity the game layers in from that simple premise is remarkable, but what truly captured Bryan's admiration is the game's stellar iOS port. Great games come in many shapes and sizes, but not every game can claim to be great on such a wide variety of form factors.The casino continues to be a rich vein for roguelikes to experiment with, so pull up to the table and put on your poker face as Josh and Bryan engage in some table talk on these two great games!Three Word Reviews:Balatro: Bryan - Hedge Your Bets, Josh - Bait, No HookSlice & Dice: Bryan - New Mobile Standby, Josh - Fully Loaded Dice

Bryan and Josh recently got stuck in a time loop out in deep space and wound up playing a lot of cards trying to fight their way out… in other words: For this episode they played Cobalt Core! Even in a crowded genre like the roguelike deckbuilder, sometimes a game can do so many things right (and a few things transcendently) that it breaks through the noise to become a new favorite. Rocket Rat's second game (and second IGF nominee) was such a game. What it brings to the table in terms of novel mechanics and quick satisfying gameplay loops, is supported in spades by some truly outstanding music by composer Aaron Cherof and charming writing by the team. So buckle in and get ready for another loop with Bryan and Josh as they discuss the intergalactic hi-jinks of Cobalt Core! Three Word Reviews: Bryan - Mid-row and MusicJosh - Deep Space Decks

In this podcast the whole crew squads up to play the latest and greatest in Co-Op PVE action, Helldivers 2! As soon as word of the game's rock solid mechanics and exceedingly fair live service implementation reached his ears, Clint boarded his Hellpod and shot like a literal bullet into the fray. His enthusiasm eventually spread to Bryan and Josh, and the team welcomed back seasoned Helldiver and re-appearing guest, Andy, to round out our 4 person discussion. This game has a fascinating evolving storyline… both in the game and in real life, so keep in mind we had this discussion around mid-April if recent events are not referenced. Now grab your standard issue Super Earth Listening Aparatus and strap in for Helldive into this discussion of the mechanics, theming, and co-op goodness that make Helldivers 2 an experience to remember!Three Word Reviews:Bryan - Solidarity Supersedes SweatinessJosh - Pressure, Pacing, DirectionClint - Democratize with FriendsAndy - Helldivers Never Die

In this episode, Bryan and Josh dip their toes into the idle/incremental game space! Three idle games have been chosen: Universal Paperclips, SPACEPLAN, and (the) Gnorp Apologue. All are quite different manifestations of the idle/incremental game and each has its own strengths and unique offerings to explore. Universal Paperclips (2017) was created by Frank Lantz of New York University and has been acclaimed as one of the best of the genre. It features a unique retelling of the paperclip maximizer thought experiment. SPACEPLAN (2017) was developed by Jake Hollands and published by Devolver Digital and features striking visuals and a relaxing synth-heavy soundtrack. Finally, (the) Gnorp Apologue (2023) is the game that spurred the conversation on idle games to begin with and as its description states: “is a game where you help small beings called gnorps get rich”. Its also quite visually interesting any layers in some unique ‘management game' style mechanics. So listen in while Bryan goes to make some dinner and Josh stares with wrapped attention at his computer screen and they jointly put together their thoughts on this varied and interesting genre.Three Word Reviews: Universal Paperclips: Bryan - Existential Thought Experiment / Josh - An Argument AgainstSPACEPLAN: Bryan - Perfect Entry Point / Josh - Waiting for Story(the) Gnorp Apologue: Bryan - Prestige Incremental Management / Josh - Spectacle, Strategy, Screensaver

Aspiring linguist Josh and professional guess-and-checker Bryan recently made their way up the tower featured in 2023's indie puzzle game Chants of Sennaar! Along the way they marveled at the game's superb use of color, clever language puzzles, and occasionally regrettable use of stealth mechanics. At its heart, Chants of Sennaar is a game about culture and communication, so what better way to celebrate this wonderful game than through an in depth discussion about its design, themes, and artistry. Listen in as Josh and Bryan decipher the secrets of the Tower and make their way to the top of the class in 5 different (completely fictional) languages!Three Word Reviews: Bryan - Stratification, Translation, UnificationJosh - Language as Playspace

Isometric Games' Tunic, released in 2022, is a game that delivers stronger than almost any other title on the promise of a genuine feeling of discovery. From you moment that you are dropped onto the isometric, flat color-shaded beach with nothing but the ethereal soundtrack by Lifeformed and Janice Kwan to keep you company, you are expected to start exploring. To start learning about the game's various rules, systems, and secrets… because the game will not teach you about any of them itself! Tunic a modern title focused on the early 90's idea of learning about a game through playground rumors and half understood foreign instruction manuals. Its a game that rewards looking beyond what's immediately apparent on the screen and experimenting with every suspiciously placed object. On top of all of that, Tunic is also a formidable isometric combat experience. So squeeze through that secret passage into your Chamber of Podcast Listening and join Bryan and Josh for a spoiler-filled discussion of Tunic and its incredible in-game instruction manual!Three Word Reviews: Bryan - Game about GamingJosh - Lost and Found

Climb to new heights with Josh and Bryan as they ascend the tower, learn its history, and rediscover a love of climbing while playing Jusant! Developed by the narrative powerhouse studio, Don't Nod, Jusant puts the player in the shoes of a lone wanderer who must ascend a desolate tower filled with remnants of a civilization long past with only their little blue blob buddy and an endless endurance for gripping hard surfaces. Its a truly majestic game, from the vistas afforded as you look back on your progress to the sweeping soundtrack, and both Bryan and Josh enjoyed every minute of their trek up the tower. So grab your rope and climbing spikes and join in for a journey up the tower in Jusant!Three Word Reviews: Bryan - Lesson in PatienceJosh - To New Heights

In this episode Bryan and Josh cover The Witness from Jonathan Blow… sort of. Actually they cover The Looker, which is a loving homage/scathing satire of Blow's game and at the price of Free and the runtime of about 60 minutes, comes highly recommended by the guys. Good satire is hard to find and that is doubly so in the video game sphere, but developer Bradley Lovell hits the mark with The Looker which is just packed with jokes both written and mechanical. Listen in as Bryan and Josh do their best to not just repeat their favorite jokes.Warning: Spoilers for the Witness abound!Three Word Reviews: Bryan - More Gaming SatireJosh - Don't Look Down

Join Bryan, Josh, and Clint for a journey through the Forgotten Realms as they cover the breakout D&D simulation CRPG, Baldur's Gate 3! Larian Studios has a long history with RPGs but in 2023 they outdid themselves to create what many considered to be 2023's Game of the Year. Despite a time gap of over 20 years since the last entry, Baldur's Gate 3 holds true to what made the originals special while adding in a healthy dose of modern convenience and quality of life for the 5th Edition outing. So gather your party and listen in as Clint joins in for the finale of the journey Bryan and Josh started back at the beginning of 2023 as our book club adventuring party discusses Baldur's Gate 3!Three Word Reviews: Bryan - Larian's Legendary Legacy Josh - A Translation PerfectedClint - Isometric RPG Resurgence

In this episode Josh and Bryan play the aggressively random, and often unbeatable “Immersive Sim for People Who Hate Immersive Sims”, Mosa Lina by Stuffed Wombat. Its a unique experience that markets itself as a response to the current trend of Immersive Sim design, where abilities are often part of a "Lock and Key" system, where every ability is a tool that is meant to overcome a single type of problem. Mosa Lina's randomness guarantees that the player will need to make use of whatever tools are currently at their disposal to retrieve (or destroy) their target and return to the start. Its a brave experimental approach that speaks not only to the developer's design ethos but also to their commitment to the goal of the project. So join Josh and Bryan as they struggle, sometimes helplessly, to surmount the challenges and discuss the merits of Mosa Lina!Three Word Reviews: Bryan - Relax and ResolveJosh - Spirit of Play

What do you get when you cross the mechanical sensibilities of a casual MMO / mobile game developer with the aesthetics and charm of an indie game studio, then top it off with a dash of abnormally high production value? In the case of Dave the Diver, it is a tasty frozen cocktail of relaxing, tropical fun! For this podcast, Josh and Bryan retire to the tropics and try their hand at sushi restaurant operation / scuba diving. The publisher of several MMO megahits, Nexon, tried their hand at a casual game and took the gaming community by storm in 2023. Listen in as Bryan and Josh do their best to roll up what makes this potent combination of fishing, restaurant management, and undersea adventure a game worth diving deep into.Three Word Reviews: Bryan - Deeper Restaurant SimJosh - Deep Sea Stardew

I think most people knew we were in for something special with the Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, but I don't think anyone quite realized how special. Navigating a six-year-long development cycle that included a pandemic, the Zelda Team has once again ascended to new heights (and new depths) to bring the world an astonishing follow-up to the beloved Breath of the Wild. Keeping the same sense of exploration and discovery while flexing their narrative muscles in new ways, Tears of the Kingdom keeps what made predecessor great while bringing in new and compelling ideas for the Zelda series. Hyrule has never been more alive or more familiar, and yet somehow it feels completely novel at the same time. So join Bryan, Josh, and Clint as they build themselves a makeshift podcasting vehicle and launch into a discussion of the mechanical, narrative, and thematic aspects of what made Tears of the Kingdom truly shine.Three Word Reviews: Bryan - Ascending, Despite EverythingJosh - Against All OddsClint - It Finally ClickedShow Notes:Playing with Nature: On “Tears of the Kingdom” as EcofictionEiji Aonuma, Zelda's mastermind, is at the peak of his power - The Washington PostMaking Tears of the Kingdom: Inside The Legend of Zelda's finest hour

Bryan and Josh were feeling a bit nostalgic and with the recent re-release of the Sonic classics through Sonic Origins, so they decided to revisit an old favorite: Sonic and Knuckles 3! Actually two games released months apart in the same year, this one-two punch of 90's mascot platformer mayhem put a smile on both of their faces as they recalled the joy of going fast, the frustration of running into hidden spike traps, and the universal understanding that playing as Tails is “Little Brother Mode”. So put on your hammer pants and lace up your bright red sneakers, its time for a brisk run with Bryan, Josh, and Sonic 3 & Knuckles!Three Word Reviews: Bryan - Nostalgic Sensory OverloadJosh - A Personal BestShow Notes:Tower of PowerInsaneintherainmusic's Jazz Arrangement of Hydrocity Zone

In the 20+ years since its release, many would consider Baldur's Gate 2 to be the pinnacle of the CRPG genre. Widely recognized as having laid the groundwork for Bioware's future endeavors in the RPG space with Mass Effect and Dragon Age, Baldur's Gate 2 stands tall to this day with its innovative scenario design, immersive and complex world building, and engaging (if sometimes overly complex) implementation of 2nd Edition Dungeons and Dragons combat. Bryan has been through the streets of Athkalta before, but Josh joins him for another trip to the Forgotten Realms as they both continue their year of Baldur's Gate, and ready themselves to close out the trilogy. Its worth mentioning that the inclusion of Throne of Bhaal as an expansion turns this into a game that can easily push into 100 hour territory, so please enjoy this relatively brief tour of what this CRPG classic has on offer. Now gather your headphones, and venture forth!Three Word Reviews:Bryan - Masterpiece Meets MicromanagementJosh - An Era Defined

Dome Keeper is the genre mash up of Mining Game and Tower Defense that Bryan and Josh did not know they needed! Beneath the elegant elevator pitch and striking visual style exists a game that is truly a diamond in the rough. Created by Dresden-based indie game company, Bippinbits, Dome Keeper is their second commercial outing and first to break out on steam in a big way. By crafting a compulsive and immersive game loop that relies on shuttling back and forth between an alien-world mine and the laser-equipped dome you used to defend it, the team has created one of the finer ‘one more round' experiences the guys can remember in their collective rogue-lite experience. Listen in as Bryan and Josh dig deep to bring you a discussion of Dome Keeper's mechanics, aesthetics, and the precise engineering that makes it more than the sum of its parts.Three Word Reviews:Bryan - Extractive Addictive UnexpectedJosh - Once More, Descend

The Last of Us Part 2, Naughty Dog's follow up to the critically acclaimed The Last of Us, is a challenging game that tells a challenging story about many challenging topics. It's well known that the game's director Neil Druckmann said “If The Last of Us was about love, then its sequel is about hatred.” The game asks the player to introspect in ways that most games don't, and takes bigger swings, while making bolder narrative choices than almost any project of similar scope and budget. Far from being a straightforward revenge story, The Last of Us Part 2 puts you in the shoes of a new protagonist for fully half of its runtime and expands both mechanically and narratively on its predecessor. The game received a lot of criticism during its release for… so many things, but going back a few years later Bryan and Clint are hoping to come at this game with relatively fresh eyes. So join in as they discuss the narrative beats that make this a unique entry in the AAA landscape, and try to understand better what makes this tale of revenge, empathy, and forgiveness a game for the ages.Three Word Reviews:Bryan - Hatred and ForgivenessClint - Stop the Hate

Mr. Saitou is a beautiful and brief slice of life game with a charming world and even more charming characters. The success of its light-hearted tone is, however, underwritten by the seriousness of its premise. Mr. Saitou, is a salaryworker. He toils away in front of a computer screen for all hours, goes out for a meal he's too tired to consume, and stumbles home in a tired, drunken stupor. Next thing we know, he's collapsed and we're in a hospital. After meeting a young boy named Brandon in his hospital room, he learns about a fictional character the kid has drawn named Mr. Saitou: a llamaworm who works an important job making buttons for the tunnels that other llamaworms traverse. After waking up in the dream-world of the llamaworms, Saitou and Brandon set off on a journey to the crystal caverns. Mr. Saitou, its worth noting, is a sidequel to another game, Rakuen, both of which were created by game developer and singer-songwriter Laura Shigihara.Three Word Reviews:Bryan - The Little ThingsJosh - Llamaworm Looking GlassClint - Lackluster Llama Drama

In 2013 the Indie gaming scene was going strong and interesting projects were everywhere… if you knew where to look for them. This was a time before the widespread population of indies on Steam, and as such many projects were less commercial in nature. One such project, that eventually went on to be a finalist for the Excellence in Design award at the 2013 Independent Games Festival was Starseed Pilgrim. On the surface it is a Pixel art Puzzle platformer, under the surface it is a mystery, wrapped in an enigma, sprinkled with intrigue and vague snippets of poetry. The crux of the experience of playing Starseed Pilgrim is figuring out just what Starseed Pilgrim is asking you to do. So join Josh and Bryan as they simultaneously cultivate a symphonic block garden and repeatedly fail to make meaningful progress, but still have fun - and many revelations - along the way.Three Word Reviews:Bryan - Bridge Too FarJosh - Path Not Taken Josh will be speaking at Roguelike Celebration 2023

In August of 2023 Josh released another game! Within a Dead City is a tiny ‘Majesty-like' with a striking color palette and a moody vibe. For those that haven't played Majesty, the crux of the game is you hire a group of heroes (that you do not directly control, but can influence via bounties and spells) in order to explore the land and eradicate the local fauna (aka monsters). Within a Dead City puts its own spin on this idea placing you in charge of a guild tasked with exploring a long abandoned city. While auto-battlers have come more into vogue in recent years, the combination of these ideas with a lightweight strategy/4x game creates a unique and compelling loop. Its a lovely little package and executes well on providing a quick hit of 'kingdom management' you can play easily over a lunch break. As is tradition, Bryan took an opportunity to interview Josh on the process of creating the game, the lessons learned, and knowledge gained in his first launch working with a publisher. Thanks for listening and rest assured we will be back in the next few weeks with our regularly scheduled programming.Show Notes:Within a Dead City - Steam PageMajesty Gold - Steam PageTiny Mass GamesLoSpec Color Scheme - Oil 6Kenney Assets

Last Epoch has been in Early access since 2018, a snowball of an ARPG, slowly gathering steam as it descends the mountain to eventually rest at the side of some of the all time great hack and slash RPGs. Bryan and Josh have both played a fair few of what they hoped would be the ‘successor to Dialbo II”, and most (all?) have come up short. But Eleventh Hour Games' Kickstarter game turned long-term project is making a run for the crown. Boasting some innovative mechanics, a novel world design concept, and some extremely entertaining, if familiar, classes to play with, Last Epoch plows through a lot of the problems that most games in this genre run headlong into. Not satisfied with smashing into the brick wall of similarity, its a title that forges some interesting new paths for the genre, and does so on the back of being a single player experience for the first four plus years of its development cycle. Listen in for Bryan and Josh's time travelling exploits in the world of Eterra, but stay for the in-depth discussion of what makes a great hack and slash game stand the test of time.Three Word Reviews:Bryan - Crafty Dungeon CrawlerJosh - Respect the Respec Show Notes:Josh's 2020's GOTY List Feat. Last Epoch

In this episode Josh and Bryan take to the high seas in 2023's breakout debut from Black Salt Games: Dredge! The potent combination of fishing simulator and Lovecraftian horror had them instantly hooked and eager to explore the Marrows and its surrounding environs (as well as their capacity to generate fishing related puns). Dredge's light, yet effective touch with storytelling and its subtly creepy atmosphere make it an easy recommendation for anyone who is interested in what it means to quickly put your players in a specific Mood. Aside from this the mechanics offer a simple and compelling loop that keeps the player on the line for the game's entire runtime. So grab your rod and reel and join Bryan and Josh as they discuss what makes Dredge one of 2023's most prized catches.Three Word Reviews:Bryan - Hooked on HorrorJosh - Mood Over Mechanics

Join Josh and Bryan as they navigate through a wide sampling of the historical events, political intricacies, military conquests, and fascinating narratives that Europa Universalis IV has to offer. Paradox's magnum opus grand strategy game has you inhabiting different nations and experiencing their unique circumstances as you navigate the political landscape of Europe (and beyond) from 1444 to 1821, during the emergence of the nation-state. So grab your virtual map, prepare your armies, and get ready to dive into the captivating world of Europa Universalis IV. Whether you're seeking strategic advice from relative veteran, Josh, or simply looking to share in Bryan's perspective as a relative newcomer, the crew is here to discuss what it takes to conquer new horizons and forge your own historical legacy in the EU4.Three Word Reviews:Bryan - Historical Guided TourJosh - By Other MeansShow Notes:A Collection of Unmitigated Pedantry - Teaching Paradox

In this episode, Josh and Clint receive their owls and set off to achieve their destiny in the Wizarding World with Hogwarts Legacy. Sadly, Bryan, a lowly muggle (and new father of 2 at the time of recording) could not make it for this one, but listen in as Josh and Clint uncover the secrets, spells, and adventures that await players at Hogwarts. Josh and Clint have a long history with the Harry Potter world as fan of the books and go in depth on the world-building, spellcasting system, and the vast open-world environment that provided an excellent sense of exploration and discovery. So grab your wand, put on your robe, and listen in as Josh and Clint explain what makes Hogwarts Legacy a magical experience.Three Word Reviews:Clint - A Magical ExperienceJosh - A Legacy Fulfilled

Gather your party because this episode we are venturing forth into the Forgotten Realms with Bioware's classic Dungeons and Dragon's adaptation, Baldur's Gate. As they gear up for Baldur's Gate 3, Bryan and Josh are starting with an exploration of the rich mechanics and storytelling that make Baldur's Gate, and its expansion Tales of the Sword Coast, an iconic entry in the CRPG space to this day. Baldur's Gate's transition of D&D into the digital realm hews very close to it's 2nd Edition roots, though this is unique and may have been a selling point to its core audience in 1997, it is not without its shortcomings from an accessibility perspective in a modern context. Listen in as we dissect the combat, adventuring, exploration, and context of this title within the broader history of gaming to determine what makes Baldur's Gate a true role-playing gem. So grab your swords, spellbooks, and a tankard of ale as Pixelated Playground delves into the secrets and stories behind this venerable title.Three Word Reviews:Bryan - Low Level LegendJosh - Dated Design DifficultiesShow Notes:GDC Europe 2010: Baldur's Gate: A 10 Year Retrospective

How do you follow up on one of the most celebrated open world games of all time? In 2018, Rockstar gave us their answer with the release of Red Dead Redemption 2. An instant classic, this juggernaut of AAA production value and storytelling gave us what remains one of the most well realized open worlds ever created. The production of an experience of this depth and breadth is not without its pitfalls and shortcomings from a labor standpoint, but the end result is a truly ground-breaking entry not only for Rockstar as a studio but for the medium as a whole. So join Bryan, Josh, and Clint as they journey through the representational American frontier with Dutch and the gang. Bring some trail mix… its going to be a long ride with lots of exposition along the way.Three Word Reviews:Bryan - Nature of Man Josh - Slow Burn GunslingerClint - Unprecedented and Unparalleled

This episode is something a little bit different. If you had told us we would manage to stick with making a podcast through 100 episodes, I do not think any of us would have have believed you. The fact that this occurred in the midst of our trio weathering a global pandemic, having a collective 5 children, and achieving a bunch of other life and career milestones, its safe to say we would have written that possibility off entirely. However, against the odds we're celebrating the podcast hitting 100 episodes! So we're going to take an opportunity to thank all of our listeners and talk about some of our favorite experiences over the course of the life of the podcast. The good times, the bad, and all the games we played along the way. So If this is your first episode we'd recommend going back and listening to a pod or two of your favorite games we've covered, and if you're still with us then listen in as we recount some highlights from our first century and talk through how and why we started the podcast in the first place. We've always treated this podcast as a fun side-project and collective excuse to talk in depth about a hobby we love, but in hearing from our listeners over the course of the last few years we've also come to realize that we have a great audience who have been quick to let us know the positive impact our conversations have had on their day to day lives. Whether the podcast is a companion to your daily commute, a distraction to help you through a long work shift, or a companion while playing your favorite games we're happy you've chosen us. So thank you for listening, and for bearing with us as we continue to seek out new experiences to share with all of you. Take Care and Keep on Gaming!

In keeping with its incredible run of Resident Evil Remasters, Capcom's latest outing sought to remaster perhaps the most beloved game in the series, Resident Evil 4. Bryan has had his eye on playing Resident Evil 4 in one form or another since the book club first played Resident Evil 7 years ago, so when this remaster finally launched Bryan and Clint jumped in with both feet. Its always risky revisiting and remaster a highly acclaimed title, but this team proved it was up to the task. The 2023 re-imagining of Resident Evil 4 is not just a wonderful retelling of a truly classic survival horror experience, but an elevated and updated take on a truly classic set of environments, mechanics, and characters. So listen in as Bryan and Clint drive out to a remote Spanish village and get into all kinds of trouble along the way.Three Word Reviews:Bryan - Worth the WaitClint - Never Buying Again

Even in the year 2022, which was overflowing with excellent narrative-driven games, Citizen Sleeper stands out as a uniquely strong experience. In Citizen Sleeper, the second game from Jump Over The Age, the player takes on the role of the titular ‘Sleeper', a human whose mind has been digitized and put into a robot body to work in the service of the Essen-Arp corporation. You are on the run from Essen-Arp and have just arrived on a space station called Erlin's Eye. Utilizing a novel dice-based mechanic and drawing on dystopian science fiction, you navigate a series of events and interactions to fight for your freedom and survival. Some of our favorite video game experiences seamlessly draw together their narrative, mechanics, and theme to an effect greater than the sum of its parts, Bryan and Josh both feel that Citizen Sleeper is an exemplar in this regard. Tune in to hear why!Three Word Reviews:Bryan - Precarity, Personality, PositivityJosh - Paycheck to PaycheckShow Notes:Fireside Chat with Austin Walker & Gareth Damian Martin - LudoNarraCon 2022