JK! Games!

Latest Episodes:

Top 3 Indie Games of 2025 | JK! Games Podcast ft. No Small Games Dec 24, 2025

Show notes

2025 was an absolutely stacked year for indie games...so we brought friends.
This week on JK! Games, we’re joined by Emily and Kate from No Small Games to break down our Top 3 Indie Games of 2025. Each of us brings three picks, we go around the horn from third to first, and talk about why these games stood out in 2025.
🔗 NoSmallGames Instagram
🔗 NoSmallGames Bluesky

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JK! Games! is a weekly gaming podcast where we bring you the news and reviews we actually care about.

Our recurring play-along series — One More Game — is our version of a video game book club. We choose one title, set checkpoints, and break it down over multiple episodes. Currently Dave the Diver!

You can:
• Play at your own pace
• Stay spoiler-light
• Or dive deep with us

Whether you’re Easy Mode or Expert, you belong in the conversation.

Join our Discord to play along and share your theories each week.

Want to show us some love? Click Me!

10 Games That Shaped Us | JK! Games! Dec 16, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of JKG, Jerica, Josh, and Kayla take turns counting down the 10 games that shaped them as gamers — from childhood favorites to the experiences that defined our tastes, habits, and gaming personalities.
This isn’t a “best of all time” list — it’s a deeply personal draft covering the games that stuck with us and influenced our gaming tastes.
Whether you grew up on consoles, PC, handhelds, or all of the above, this episode is about the games that leave a mark — and why we still carry them with us.
JK! Games! is the gaming podcast where we bring you the news and reviews we care about, hosted by Jerica, Kayla, and Josh.
VGBC (Video Game Book Club) is our rotating deep-dive series focused on one game at a time — played together, discussed together, broken down one level at a time.
Timecodes
00:00:00 – Start
00:02:15 – Housekeeping
00:10:06 – Discussion Start

Support the show

JK! Games! is a weekly gaming podcast where we bring you the news and reviews we actually care about.

You can:
• Play at your own pace
• Stay spoiler-light
• Or dive deep with us

Whether you’re Easy Mode or Expert, you belong in the conversation.

Join our Discord to play along and share your theories each week.

Want to show us some love? Click Me!

I’ve Never Played Metroid… So We Talked About It. - Jerica Dec 09, 2025

Show notes

Jerica played a Metroid game for the first time, so naturally she needed backup.
Josh and Jordan (aka Cognitive Clips) join me to break down our first impressions of Metroid Prime 4 Beyond, with Jordan bringing longtime Metroid knowledge and Josh coming in already "in the know" about the series.
We talk about:
– How it feels to jump into Metroid as a total newcomer
– What the game explains well vs. what it might expect from you
– Movement, atmosphere, and that classic Metroid vibe
– Whether Metroid Prime is a good entry point if you’ve never touched the franchise before
If you’ve ever looked at Metroid and thought “this looks cool but is it empty?”, this one’s for you.

Support the show

JK! Games! is a weekly gaming podcast where we bring you the news and reviews we actually care about.

You can:
• Play at your own pace
• Stay spoiler-light
• Or dive deep with us

Whether you’re Easy Mode or Expert, you belong in the conversation.

Join our Discord to play along and share your theories each week.

Want to show us some love? Click Me!

Dispatch Episodes 7 & 8 – The Finale Spoilercast Nov 18, 2025

Show notes

In this finale episode of our Dispatch Video Game Book Club, Jerica, Kayla, Josh, and Patrick dive into Episodes 7 & 8 with a full spoiler breakdown. We cover every major moment — the Invisigal confrontation, the emotional fallout, the Astral Pulse decision, the final showdown with Shroud, and how our endings differed.

We also look back on all eight episodes to discuss the choices that mattered most. Oh and we talk about what we would want from a Season 2!

Timecodes:
00:00:00 – Start
00:03:39 – Housekeeping
00:11:28 – Josh’s Game
00:23:00 – Episode 7 Breakdown (Full Spoilers)
01:04:00 – Episode 8 Breakdown (Full Spoilers)
01:56:00 – Game-Wide Reflection (Now That It’s Complete)

Support the show

JK! Games! is a weekly gaming podcast where we bring you the news and reviews we actually care about.

You can:
• Play at your own pace
• Stay spoiler-light
• Or dive deep with us

Whether you’re Easy Mode or Expert, you belong in the conversation.

Join our Discord to play along and share your theories each week.

Want to show us some love? Click Me!

Dispatch Episodes 5 & 6 – The Turning Point Before the Finale Nov 11, 2025

Show notes

We’re in the second-to-last stretch of Dispatch, and Episodes 5 & 6 shift everything.
We discuss pacing, emotional build-up, gameplay tension, and then we break down the two major choices that define this part of the story — including how they changed how we see these characters going into the finale.
Timecodes:
00:06 – Intro
03:05 – Housekeeping
08:05 – Game: Real or AI
19:19 – Introduction & Context
23:38 – First Impressions (Spoiler-Free)
25:32 – Gameplay & Interactivity (Spoiler-Free)
37:48 – Spoiler Discussion (Episodes 5 & 6)
1:18:00 – Themes, Theories & Predictions (Heading into the Finale)
1:38:04 – Closing Thoughts

Support the show

JK! Games! is a weekly gaming podcast where we bring you the news and reviews we actually care about.

You can:
• Play at your own pace
• Stay spoiler-light
• Or dive deep with us

Whether you’re Easy Mode or Expert, you belong in the conversation.

Join our Discord to play along and share your theories each week.

Want to show us some love? Click Me!

Dispatch Episodes 3 & 4 – Why This Game Hit 1 Million Players So Fast Nov 04, 2025

Show notes

Jerica, Kayla, and Josh dive into Dispatch Episodes 3 & 4 to unpack how this narrative thriller hit 1 million players in 10 days—plus our thoughts on gameplay, choices, and what’s next.

Timecodes:
0:00 – Start
6:45 – Introduction
12:48 – First Impressions
18:57 – Gameplay and Interactivity
35:45 – Spoiler Discussion
1:22:03 – Themes & Closing Thoughts

Support the show

JK! Games! is a weekly gaming podcast where we bring you the news and reviews we actually care about.

You can:
• Play at your own pace
• Stay spoiler-light
• Or dive deep with us

Whether you’re Easy Mode or Expert, you belong in the conversation.

Join our Discord to play along and share your theories each week.

Want to show us some love? Click Me!

Dispatch Episodes 1 & 2 - Is The Story Good? Oct 29, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of JK! Games!, Jerica, Kayla, and Josh dive into the tension-filled world of Dispatch for our latest Video Game Book Club series. We’re breaking down Episodes 1 and 2—covering our first impressions, gameplay reactions, and the choices that might have consequences?

We start with our initial thoughts on Dispatch’s presentation and tone before diving into how its interactive mechanics impact the experience. Then, we move into full spoiler territory to unpack the story beats, key decisions, and theories for where the next episodes could go.

Timecodes:
00:00 – Intro
00:07:57 – First Impressions
00:23:12 – Gameplay and Interactivity
00:29:47 – Quick Time Events
00:37:17 – Spoiler Section: Story and Outcomes
00:42:57 – Superhero Games Tangent
01:15:07 – Themes, Theories, and Predictions
01:26:00 – Outro

JK! Games! is the gaming podcast where we bring you the news and reviews we care about, hosted by Jerica, Kayla, and Josh.
VGBC (Video Game Book Club) is our rotating deep-dive series focused on one game at a time—played together, discussed together, broken down one level at a time.

Support the show

JK! Games! is a weekly gaming podcast where we bring you the news and reviews we actually care about.

You can:
• Play at your own pace
• Stay spoiler-light
• Or dive deep with us

Whether you’re Easy Mode or Expert, you belong in the conversation.

Join our Discord to play along and share your theories each week.

Want to show us some love? Click Me!

VGBC: Silent Hill f – Finale + Spoilercast | Full Review & Breakdown | JK! Games! Podcast Oct 14, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of JK! Games!, Jerica and Kayla are joined by Patrick for the grand finale of our Silent Hill f Video Game Book Club. We’ve reached the end of the nightmare and we’re unpacking it all — gameplay, atmosphere, and story — before diving into a full spoiler discussion and review.
Silent Hill f left a lasting mark. We explore how the game captures the essence of the series while carving its own identity — and whether that ending truly landed.
Timecodes:
00:00:00 – Start
00:04:54 – Intro
00:13:00 – Easy Mode: Overall Gameplay & Experience (Non-Spoiler)
00:32:20 – Scarecrow Puzzles and Gameplay Highlights
00:43:31 – Normal Mode: Atmosphere, Themes & Presentation
00:56:35 – Expert Mode: Story, Characters, and Spoilers
01:31:00 – Review Segment: The Final Verdict
JK! Games! is the gaming podcast where we bring you the news and reviews we care about, hosted by Jerica and Kayla.
VGBC (Video Game Book Club) is our rotating deep-dive series focused on one game at a time—played together, discussed together, broken down one level at a time.

Support the show

JK! Games! is a weekly gaming podcast where we bring you the news and reviews we actually care about.

You can:
• Play at your own pace
• Stay spoiler-light
• Or dive deep with us

Whether you’re Easy Mode or Expert, you belong in the conversation.

Join our Discord to play along and share your theories each week.

Want to show us some love? Click Me!

VGBC: Silent Hill f – Part 2 | Mid-Game Impressions & Thematic Connections | JK! Games! Podcast Oct 07, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of JK! Games!, Jerica and Kayla return to the fog for Part 2 of our Silent Hill f Video Game Book Club series. We’re halfway through the nightmare and unpacking how the game’s story, pacing, and tone evolve as the world opens up.
We start with a discussion on the use of flowers in video games—and how Silent Hill f turns beauty into dread—then dive into our first impressions of Ghost of Yotei, before checking in on our current progress through Silent Hill f. Finally, we close out with an Expert Mode segment exploring how the game’s themes have impacted our experience.
Timecodes:
00:00:00 – Start
00:08:58 – Flowers in Video Games
00:26:14 – Easy Mode: First Impressions of Ghost of Yotei
00:32:55 – Normal Mode: Silent Hill f Current Progress
00:55:22 – Expert Mode: Silent Hill f Themes and Connections
JK! Games! is the gaming podcast where we bring you the news and reviews we care about, hosted by Jerica and Kayla.
VGBC (Video Game Book Club) is our rotating deep-dive series focused on one game at a time—played together, discussed together, broken down one level at a time.

Support the show

JK! Games! is a weekly gaming podcast where we bring you the news and reviews we actually care about.

You can:
• Play at your own pace
• Stay spoiler-light
• Or dive deep with us

Whether you’re Easy Mode or Expert, you belong in the conversation.

Join our Discord to play along and share your theories each week.

Want to show us some love? Click Me!

VGBC: Silent Hill f – Part 1 | What Makes Silent Hill… Silent Hill? | JK! Games! Podcast Sep 30, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of JK! Games!, Jerica, Kayla, and Josh dive into the haunted fog for Part 1 of our Silent Hill f Video Game Book Club series. Whether you're a longtime fan or a total newcomer to the franchise, this episode breaks down what actually makes a Silent Hill game feel like Silent Hill.
We start with a cursed icebreaker game (Josh’s "Fact or Farse"), then unpack the themes, tone, and environments that define the series. We also share our first impressions of Silent Hill f’s mechanics, pacing, and storytelling—and ask "IS SILENT HILL BACK?!'
Timecodes:
00:00:00 – Start
00:06:50 – Icebreaker Game: Fact or Farse
00:20:30 – Easy Mode: What Makes Silent Hill… Silent Hill?
00:49:10 – Normal Mode: First Impressions of Silent Hill f
01:09:00 – Expert Mode: Thematic Deep Dive
JK! Games! is the gaming podcast where we bring you the news and reviews we care about, hosted by Jerica and Kayla.
VGBC (Video Game Book Club) is our rotating deep-dive series focused on one game at a time—played together, discussed together, broken down one level at a time.

Support the show

JK! Games! is a weekly gaming podcast where we bring you the news and reviews we actually care about.

You can:
• Play at your own pace
• Stay spoiler-light
• Or dive deep with us

Whether you’re Easy Mode or Expert, you belong in the conversation.

Join our Discord to play along and share your theories each week.

Want to show us some love? Click Me!