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Episode 265: Gaming Slump or Burnout? Jul 05, 2026

Show notes

This week we are talking about how to deal with gaming slumps, especially if you've never experienced one before.
What We're Playing
DoS2
Dispatch
Legends co-op in Ghost of Yotei
Slay the Spire 2
What We're Reading
Kin by Tayari Jones
Carl's Doomsday Scenario by Matt Dinniman
Steering the Craft by Ursula K. Le Guin
Spring, Summer, Asteroid, Bird: The Art of Eastern Storytelling by Henry Lien
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
Strange Houses by Uketsu
What We're Drinking
Matcha Hazy IPA by Embolden + Water
Migraine Coffee (aka 5 shot oatmilk latte)
*Code received for streaming and review purposes

Episode 264: Summer is Coming, What Are We Packing? May 09, 2026

Show notes

This week we're talking about summer and travel gaming because it's that time of year!
What We're Playing
Pokopia
Slay the Spire 2
Ghost of Yotei
DnD Year 5
What We're Reading
Cleopatra by Saara El-Arifi
Steering the Craft by Ursula K. Le Guin
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
Artemis by Andy Weir
What We're Drinking
Sixth Glass by Boulevard Brewing Company
Diet Coke
*Code received for streaming and review purposes

Episode 263: Relooted: A Conversation with Nyamakop's Sithe Ncube Feb 25, 2026

Show notes

This week we're talking with Sithe Ncube from Nyamakop about their new puzzle platformer, Relooted!
Art Institute of Chicago Holds Stolen Sacred Nepali Artifacts:
How Nepali antiquities got to Chicago museum
English professor's discovery sounds international art alarm
'Give us back our gods': Inside Nepal's Museum of Stolen Art
Black Voices in Gaming Interview with Relooted Team (mentioned on podcast)
What We're Playing
Relooted
South of Midnight
Dispatch
Star Wars Outlaws
Abiotic Factor
Indika
What We're Reading
1984 by George Orwell
Tailored Realities by Brandon Sanderson
The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin
The Awakening of Roku by Randy Ribay
Dispatches from Planet 3 by Marcia Bartusiak
When Trees Testify: Science, Wisdom, History, and America’s Black Botanical Legacy by Beronda L. Montgomery
What We're Drinking
Coffee
Water
Sparkling water
*Cut us some slack it was early morning
*Code received for streaming and review purposes

Episode 262: We Can't Wait!: Things We're Excited for in 2026 Feb 25, 2026

Show notes

This week we're talking about the things that we are most looking forward to in 2026!
What We're Playing
Divinity Original Sin II
Little Nightmares III
Star Wars Outlaws
Undusted
Octopath Traveler 0
Final Fantasy Tactics
Fox Curio’s Floating Bookshop
What We're Reading
When the Moon Hatched by Sarah Parker
The Great Mann by Kylie Davis Lurie
Sky Full of Elephants by Cebo Campbell
When Trees Testify: Science, Wisdom, History, and America’s Black Botanical Legacy by Beronda L. Montgomery
What We're Drinking
Get Toasty Hot Chocolate Porter - Trademark Brewing
Pistachio Milk Latte
*Code received for streaming and review purposes

Episode 261: It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Giftmas: Gift Giving Ideas for 2025 and Beyond Dec 14, 2025

Show notes

This week, as we are wrapping up the winter. gift giving season, we are talking about some of our favorite gift giving ideas!
What We're Playing
Team Fight Tactics
Ghost of Yōtei
BO7 *
Arc Raiders,
Moonlighter 2*
Sopa: Tale of the Stolen Potato*
What We're Reading
The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Boradbent
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
The Great Mann by Kylie Davis Lurie
What We're Drinking
Almanac Smooches Chocolate Stout
Hard Mountain Dew *Code received for streaming and review purposes

Episode 260: It's Like Deja Vu All Over Again: Games We Replay Oct 04, 2025

Show notes

This week we are talking about the games we keep playing or replaying and why.
What We're Playing (Selections)
Silksong
Peak
Metaphor ReFantazio
Quartet*
Bravely Default: Flying Fairy
Borderlands 4
Dying Light: The Beast
Fallout 76
What We're Reading
Katabasis by R.F. Kuang
Japanese Books (Genki 1; Kanji Look and Learn; Practical Japanese 1)
Heir by Sabaa Tahir
Silo by Hugh Howey
What We're Drinking
Coffee and Slice Ginger Ale
2Towns. Ciderhouse Comsic Crisp
CranRaspberry Lemonade
*Code received for streaming and review purposes

Episode 259: We've Been Where?: Let's Catch Up! Sep 04, 2025

Show notes

This week we are chatting and catching up after an (unintentional) summer hiatus!
What We're Playing (Selections)
Peak
Expedition 33
Tiny Bookshop*
Discounty*
Birdigo*
Metaphor ReFantazio
Cult of the Lamb
Repo
Final Fantasy I and II
What We're Reading
Brindlewood Bay TTRPG
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
Pet by Akwaeke Emezi
Katabasis by R.F. Kuang
Japanese Books (Genki 1; Kanji Look and Learn; Practical Japanese 1)
Steering the Craft by Ursula K. Le Guin
Writing the Other by Nisi Shawl and Cynthia Ward
Faeries (25th edition) by Brian Froud
Good Faeries and Bad Faeries by Brian Froud
Faeries on the Faultlines by Iris Compiet
A New Dictionary of Fairies by Morgan Daimler
What We're Drinking
Boulevard Brewing Co. Wood Baron Barrel-Fresh Ale
Cherry Hard Cider
accidental raspberry lemonade slushie *Code received for streaming and review purposes

Episode 258: Don't Answer That Phone: Atomfall Spoilercast May 19, 2025

Show notes

This week we've all played Atomfall. by Rebellion and we're talking about the experience!
What We're Playing
Atomfall*
Blue Prince
Sunderfolk
R.E.P.O.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Fallout 76
What We're Reading
Fledgling by Octavia Butler
Model Home by Rivers Solomon
What We're Drinking
Sneaky Sneaky
Sprecher Orange Dream
Xila by Flor de Luna
*Code received for streaming and review purposes

Music to My Ears? Videogame and Music Pairings Apr 30, 2025

Show notes

This week we're talking about games and videogame pairings. Not specifically the music from the specific videogames, but music that we pair with the specific games that we are playing or thinking about.
What We're Playing
Atomfall*
South of Midnight*
Nobdy Saves the World
Split Fiction
Minecraft
Fallout 76
What We're Reading
Fahrenheit-182 by Mark Hoppus
Model Home by Rivers Solomon
What We're Drinking
Great Notion Blueberry Muffin Tart Sour
Water
Cold Brew Coffee
*Code received for streaming and review purposes
What We Paired
Victoria
“You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid” The Offspring – Fallout New Vegas
“Rox in the Box” The Decemberists – Don’t Starve Together
“Hiding in the Blue” The Fat Rat & Riell – Minecraft
“Feed the Machine” Poor Man’s Poison – Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
“Mothman (Cryptid)” Rat Wyfe – Fallout 76
Lord of the Rings soundtrack – Warlords Battlecry 3
“Mezmerize” (album) System of a Down – Final Fantasy VIII
Jordyn
"Kingdom Fall" Clare Wyndyam - FFXV
"Two Roads" Janani K. Jha - Life is Strange, Life is Strange: Double Exposure
"Here, Before, Now, and After" Morgan Clae - Kena: Bridge of Spirits
LoTR - particularly Concerning Hobbits, Old Friends, Into the West - Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom
"Same Old Energy" + "Burn Your Village" (Explicit) Kiki Rockwell; "The Consequence of Imagination is Fear" Junie and the Hutfriends - Little Hope
Sam
Bad Ass Women Playlist: Call of Duty
Writing: Black Ops 6 Paratext Playlist: Call of Duty
Be Real Black For Me Playlist: Mafia III
Gregorian Chant Playlist: Metaphor ReFantazio
South of Midnight OST: Literally EVERYTHING right now (but moving to Minecraft and farming sims?)
Bastion OST: Playing over Bastion (But not the Build A Wall level)

Episode 256: Does that Go With Red, White, or...Paperback?: (Video)Game and Book Pairings Mar 28, 2025

Show notes

This week we talk about book and game pairings. If you like these games you might like these books! Errata: Sam said The Monsters We Defy by Justina Ireland and she meant to say by Leslye Penelope
What We're Playing
Monster Hunter Wilds
Assassin's Creed Shadows*
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
What We're Reading
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
A Glimmer of Death by Valeria Wilson Wesley
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
What We're Drinking
MARS the Y.A. Japanese Whiskey
Cold brew coffee with cold foam
What We Paired
Jordyn
1. The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson and The Devil in Me by Supermassive
2. Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake and Queen by Midnight published by Derrington Press
3. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Orwell Keeping an Eye on You by Osmotic Studios
4. The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton and What Remains of Edith Finch by Giant Sparrow
5. The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor and Lies of P by Round8 Studios
Sam
1. Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler and Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah and Freedom Wars Remastered by Bandai Namco
2. Trail of Lightning and Storm of Locusts by Rebecca Roanhorse and Monster Hunter Wilds by Capcom (Middle Grade: Race to the Sun by Roanhorse and Monster Hunter Stories 1&2 by Capcom)
3. The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang and Avowed by Obsidian
4.What the River Knows by Isabel Ibanez and Tomb Riader by Crystal Dynamics
5. Ophie's Ghosts by Justina Ireland and The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope and Spiritfarer by Thunder Lotus Games
Sam's Honorable Mentions
1. Devil in the Blue Dress by Walter Mosley and L.A. Noire by Team Bondi
2. Dread Nation by Justina Ireland and The Poisons We Drink by Bethany Baptiste and South of Midnight by Compulsion Games
*Code received for streaming and review purposes

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