PODCAST

Pixelated Playgrounds

Taking one game per month (old, new and everything in between) and talking though an in-depth examination of narrative, mechanics, theme, and the interplay between the three.

leisure video games

All Episodes

Caves of Qud

Pixelated Playgrounds ·

2022/07/15

Long running open world roguelike project, Caves of Qud by Freehold games, has been in continuous development since its early access release on Steam in 2015… and it shows! Cave of Qud is a dense, interconnected, and unique experience with an unforgettable setting that comes across through its signature lo-fi aesthetic. Bryan and Josh set out to explore Qud’s post-post-apocalyptic radioactive jungles and caverns and came away with more stories than they can count, but listen in to their discussion

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Ynglet

Pixelated Playgrounds ·

2022/06/30

Ynglet is an interesting little game that is sometimes called an ‘anti-platformer’ or ‘platformer without platforms’. Part puzzle platformer, part digital music tool, it rides the line between audiovisual art installation and indie video game with style. Either way its a fun time with a truly magical algorithmically generated score. So listen in as Bryan and Josh race through the intriguing and playful soundscape of Ynglet!Three Word Reviews:Bryan - Feel the FlowJosh - Joyous Space DolphinShow

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Wildermyth

Pixelated Playgrounds ·

2022/06/15

Wildermyth combines deep tactical combat with storylines that span generations of heroes, and Bryan and Josh enjoyed every minute of their offbeat epic mythologies. This included but was not limited to: heroes turning into crows, uncovering spellbooks of forgotten gods, and being inducted to an order of magical turtles. Wildermyth’s recreation of the tabletop, improvisational style of storytelling interweaves characters' traits, histories, and relationships, with the world's ongoing events. The

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Before Your Eyes

Pixelated Playgrounds ·

2022/05/30

Before Your Eyes is a breezy indie game with a simple premise: Blink your eyes, time advances. As you live the protagonist Benjamin’s life you begin at birth and time only moves forward when you blink by using facial recognition software and your webcam. Quite handy that such a game would release in 2020 right after everyone with a remote job had recently acquired such a device. What follows is an emotional story about parenting, expectations, love, and loss. The blinking mechanic ties into the

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Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice

Pixelated Playgrounds ·

2022/05/15

In 2017, longtime console developer Ninja Theory decided to buck their normal trend of partnering with publishers and take a risk by self-publishing their upcoming project, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice. The project was taking other risks as well: wading into the turbulent waters of portraying mental illness on screen, and taking big swings on new technology with their sound design. What emerged is a project that clearly shows great care in those areas of importance, but was perhaps a little

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Unpacking

Pixelated Playgrounds ·

2022/04/30

Listen in as Bryan, Josh, and Clint unpack last year’s indie darling, Unpacking! Despite not having a central conflict or antagonist to speak of, Unpacking nonetheless tells a compelling story about growing up, moving out, and learning to live with others (and yourself). Combine that with absolutely gorgeous pixel art, a catchy yet subtle soundtrack, and a hefty dose of nostalgia and you have a special experience on your hands. Join the book club crew for a breezy discussion that includes some of

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Sifu

Pixelated Playgrounds ·

2022/04/15

Slowclap’s second major outing, Sifu, is a fascinating game. On the surface it is a kung-fu action brawler with choreography that makes you feel like you’re directing a martial arts movie. Then it layers in a more fantastic element where the protagonist is reborn a bit older each time they are defeated. The real grace note of the whole experience, however, is the the game’s ability to slowly train the player to overcome increasingly demanding scenarios. By the end of the experience it does truly

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Hero's Hour

Pixelated Playgrounds ·

2022/03/31

Hero’s Hour is a clever pixelated iteration on the Heroes of Might and Magic formula that sports some eye-catching pixel graphics and a manic, yet extremely satisfying auto-battler combat system. Created by Benjamin Haur of ThingOnItsOwn, this is part homage to a beloved classic and part thoughtful evolution on some of the core mechanics that make the series (now regrettably controlled by Ubisoft) so appealing. At the time we recorded this (way back in Fall 2021) the game was only out on itch.io,

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Carrion

Pixelated Playgrounds ·

2022/03/15

Thanks to its arrival on the Xbox Gamepass platform, Bryan, Clint and Josh summoned their inner monster and played through the ‘reverse-horror’ metroidvania, Carrion! A great time was had by all as this interesting twist on a power fantasy encouraged creative play and invoked feelings of mischievous and sometimes sinister glee. Making your way through the sprawling depths of Relith Science Corps always fun in the moment to moment, though the act of exploration itself left the book club crew wanting

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Casino Cast! ft. Dicey Dungeons and Luck be a Landlord

Pixelated Playgrounds ·

2022/02/28

In recent years the 'deck builder roguelike' has become a crowded genre unto itself. One that Josh and Bryan really enjoy! While cards make a great framing device for a roguelike, In this podcast Bryan and Josh look at the roguelikes that take their inspiration from other games at the casino in our first 'Casino Cast' featuring Dicey Dungeons and Luck be a Landlord!Three Word Reviews:Dicey Dungeons: Bryan - Generously Crafted Roguelike Josh - A Paradise LostLuck Be a Landlord:Bryan - Second Screen

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Halo: One to Infinity

Pixelated Playgrounds ·

2022/02/15

For this podcast Bryan, Josh, and Clint don their best shiny green power armor and launch into a wide-ranging discussion of the entire run of the venerable FPS franchise, Halo! At first we thought we might revisit Halo: Combat Evolved since we were nearing the 20th anniversary. Then we thought we’d add in a discussion on Halo: Infinite since it has made waves with Bryan and Clint recently. Finally the crew made the decision to “Finish the Fight” and touch on the rest of the franchise as well. So

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Outer Wilds

Pixelated Playgrounds ·

2022/01/30

If you have followed indie games at all over the course of the past several years, then odds are you have played or at least heard of Outer Wilds. A school project that became a Seaumas MacNally Grand Prize recipient at IGF in 2015, and then went on to be one of the most critically acclaimed games released in 2019. The team at Mobius Digital deserve every bit of that praise they received, because Outer Wilds is a truly special game. With superb physics simulation, an engrossing and complex mystery

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Inscryption

Pixelated Playgrounds ·

2022/01/15

Card games and the secluded wilderness seem like a natural fit. You’re out camping with your friends, the day is over and everyone is gathered around the fire. Someone pulls out a deck of cards… …or … after your long day of hiking you pass out and are suddenly awakened in a mysterious cabin with nothing but a strange glowing pair of eyes beckoning you towards your first hand of a card game that may be your last.Inscryption’s framing device is certainly evocative, but its far from the most

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Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy

Pixelated Playgrounds ·

2021/12/31

In 2021 when Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy launched for PC and current gen consoles, Bryan was experiencing a bit of Marvel fatigue. This made him initially skeptical when Clint urged him to play the latest Marvel video game property, saying it was one of his top games of the year. After learning more and seeing it was a linear 3rd person single player-focused action game (an increasingly rare genre these days), Bryan joined Clint in playing the game and absolutely loving it. Guardians of the

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Back 4 Blood

Pixelated Playgrounds ·

2021/12/15

In 2008, Turtle Rock studios brought a new kind of multiplayer experience to video gaming with Left 4 Dead. You and your friends took control of a group of four survivors and try to navigate a world overflowing with undead in a chaotic first person cooperative campaign. Thirteen years later and Turtle Rock are revisiting the idea with Back 4 Blood. We found that it iterated on the formula nicely in some places, and seems to have lost the plot a bit in others. Additions like the deck management

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A Plague Tale: Innocence

Pixelated Playgrounds ·

2021/12/01

In 2019, Asobo Studio released A Plague Tale: Innocence, a story about a brother and sister navigating a plague and war torn 14th century France. Just months later the world would experience its own major pandemic event. For months after that Bryan and Clint had put off playing A Plague Tale, but during the Fall of 2021 they managed to play through and both are extremely happy they did. Providing a affecting emotional story (with a few supernatural elements to spice things up), A Plague Tale pulls

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Paradise Killer

Pixelated Playgrounds ·

2021/11/23

Someone’s murdered Paradise and Bryan and Josh are on the case! Paradise Killer literally drops you into the shoes of Lady Love Dies, who is investigating one of the most bizarre and otherworldly mysteries that one could imagine. The game immediately sets you free to explore a city full of convoluted history and conspiracy, dripping in sun-drenched style, and set to the tune of a relaxing and evocative soundtrack. Kaizen Game Works first outing is not a perfect game, but it is an excellent ride that

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Deathloop

Pixelated Playgrounds ·

2021/11/15

Join Bryan and Clint for a podcast on the latest game from Arkane Studios, Deathloop! It has all of their Arkane favorites: flavorful distinctive environments, a deep intriguing backdrop, and interlocking systems of stealth, combat and exploration to name a few, but it also brings plenty of new ideas all its own. Whether you’re breaking the loop or protecting it there’s plenty to love on the island of Blackreef. So pull up a chair, or perhaps, join us in our 70’s style conversation pit to hear how

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01:06:01

Resident Evil Village

Pixelated Playgrounds ·

2021/10/31

Its that spooky time of year and everyone playing games is looking for something to match the spirit of the season! The latest entry in Capcom’s long running, and often remastered Resident Evil series is Resident Evil Village. Clint, a longtime Resident Evil fan, and Bryan, a relative newcomer, both weigh in on the merits and shortcomings of this 2021 release. Sticking with the first person perspective from RE7, Village takes Ethan winters to a remote European hamlet where he squares off against

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00:41:12

Pumpkin Jack

Pixelated Playgrounds ·

2021/10/15

The air is getting cooler, the days are getting shorter… and Josh, Bryan, and Clint are getting spooky with Pumpkin Jack! Pumpkin Jack is a 3d action/platformer with a ton of spooky-scary Halloween vibes. It’s a love letter to the 3d platformers of yesteryear and is absolutely dripping with character and some gorgeous visuals. To add to its impressiveness, it is largely the work of solo-developer Nicolas Meyssonnier. We love to see small studios succeed at their goals and this project absolutely

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