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This week Amy and Moody talk about turn-based RPGs. That's it. That's the whole show. Enjoy!

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:15:50 - Cool things we like

0:23:13 - Turn-based RPGs never went anywhere

1:05:03 - Indie Game of the Week - The Remake of the End of the Greatest RPG of All Time (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2809660/The_Remake_of_the_End_of_the_Greatest_RPG_of_All_Time/)

1:09:40 - Let's check out IGN's Top 25 JRPGs of All Time

1:58:39 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

We're raising money for Safe In Our World: https://www.justgiving.com/page/wag2025

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Subscribe to Amy's video essay channel: youtube.com/@itsmeamykate

Support the show - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz Bluesky @VitzPatel

Amy and Vitz have both finished Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and they've both fallen head over heels in love with it. Moody wants to talk about Giant Bomb going independant. We also deployed a brand new segment for the podcast.

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:11:47 - Cool things we like

0:22:39 - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Review

0:52:26 - Moody is worried the game has been overhyped

1:07:03 - Indie Game of the Week - over the hill (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2929250/over_the_hill/)

1:12:35 - Giant Bomb Is Back & Independant

1:39:49 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

We're raising money for Safe In Our World: https://www.justgiving.com/page/wag2025

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Subscribe to Amy's video essay channel: youtube.com/@itsmeamykate

Support the show - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz Bluesky @VitzPatel

This week Moody finally returns to the podcast! Both he and Amy want to talk about the Xbox price rises and what they (and everything else) signal about the games industry going for, and Vitz talks about the Grand Theft Auto VI trailer.

Apologies for the audio quality in parts - Discord decided to suck when we recorded.

(Also I forgot to turn most of my lights on. I like to think that as I disappear further into darkness it's an apt metaphor for the games industry - Amy)

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:11:06 - Amy blows everyone's minds by revealing that all PS3s play PS1 discs

0:19:50 - Lamenting the decline of good collector's editions

0:26:05 - The game industry as we know it is collapsing

1:24:07 - Indie Game of the Week - Agni: Village of Calamity (https://store.steampowered.com/app/3151360/Agni_Village_of_Calamity/)

1:28:28 - GTA 6 had another trailer

1:46:05 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

We're raising money for Safe In Our World: https://www.justgiving.com/page/wag2025

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Subscribe to Amy's video essay channel: youtube.com/@itsmeamykate

Follow along with Amy's backlog progress (including her raw thoughts on the game's she plays) throughout 2025 here: https://tinyurl.com/amysbacklog

Support the show - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz Bluesky @VitzPatel

This week Amy made her own list of the most influential games of the 2000s for her and Vitz to talk through, and Vitz went to the recent PlayStation Concert in London and had some thoughts.

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:13:46 - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 First Impressions

0:24:53 - 25 of the most influential games of the 2000s

1:15:51 - Indie Game of the Week - Welcome To Brightville (https://store.steampowered.com/app/3541250/Welcome_to_Brightville/)

1:20:33 - Vitz's experience at the PlayStation Concert

1:51:44 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

We're raising money for Safe In Our World: https://www.justgiving.com/page/wag2025

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Subscribe to Amy's video essay channel: youtube.com/@itsmeamykate

Follow along with Amy's backlog progress (including her raw thoughts on the game's she plays) throughout 2025 here: https://tinyurl.com/amysbacklog

Support the show - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz Bluesky @VitzPatel

This week Vitz unpacks their feelings on the Last of Us season 2 and Amy runs through Game Informer's most influential games of the 1990s from 1999. Apologies for the missing intro.

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:02:31 - Vitz's Last of Us season 2 thoughts

0:31:58 - Indie Game of the Week - Neo Junk City (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2378230/Neo_Junk_City/)

0:37:56 - Game Informer’s “15 titles of the 1990s that forever changed video games”

1:33:38 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

We're raising money for Safe In Our World: https://www.justgiving.com/page/wag2025

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Subscribe to Amy's video essay channel: youtube.com/@itsmeamykate

Follow along with Amy's backlog progress (including her raw thoughts on the game's she plays) throughout 2025 here: https://tinyurl.com/amysbacklog

Support the show - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz Bluesky @VitzPatel

Amy and Vitz have both been playing Blue Prince and Amy has become obsessed. Vitz also watched the Mario Kart Direct and Amy goes through Game Informer's best games of 2002.

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:15:15 - Blue Prince Review (mild spoilers ahead)

1:01:25 - Indie Game of the Week - Crescent County (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2202650/Crescent_County/)

1:06:38 - Mario Kart World Direct thoughts

1:28:15 - We review Game Informer Magazine's 2002 Game of the Year top 10

1:53:32 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

We're raising money for Safe In Our World: https://www.justgiving.com/page/wag2025

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Subscribe to Amy's video essay channel: youtube.com/@itsmeamykate

Follow along with Amy's backlog progress (including her raw thoughts on the game's she plays) throughout 2025 here: https://tinyurl.com/amysbacklog

Support the show - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz Bluesky @VitzPatel

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:22:19 - Vitz sold their Switch, Amy has a Resident Evil problem

0:35:50 - Atomfall Review

1:03:39 - Indie Game of the Week - Janet DeMornay Is A Slumlord (and a witch) (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2168480/Janet_DeMornay_Is_A_Slumlord_and_a_witch/)

1:08:58 - GT Sophy 2.1 Review

1:19:40 - BAFTA’s Most Influential Games of All Time Poll Concludes

1:59:57 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

We're raising money for Safe In Our World: https://www.justgiving.com/page/wag2025

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Subscribe to Amy's video essay channel: youtube.com/@itsmeamykate

Follow along with Amy's backlog progress (including her raw thoughts on the game's she plays) throughout 2025 here: https://tinyurl.com/amysbacklog

Support the show - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz Bluesky @VitzPatel

This week Amy and Vitz discuss just one topic: the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct and its aftermath. We go into our thoughts on the Direct itself, the Switch 2 specs, all of the games, and the revelations about Nintendo's pricing.

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:17:15 - Nintendo Switch 2 reveal (part one)

0:58:50 - Halftime

1:01:25 - Nintendo Switch 2 reveal (part two)

1:36:33 - The aftermath

2:00:38 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

We're raising money for Safe In Our World: https://www.justgiving.com/page/wag2025

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Subscribe to Amy's video essay channel: youtube.com/@itsmeamykate

Follow along with Amy's backlog progress (including her raw thoughts on the game's she plays) throughout 2025 here: https://tinyurl.com/amysbacklog

Support the show - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz Bluesky @VitzPatel

This week Amy talks about the new game discoverability game Ludocene, we discuss our favourite moments from the latest Nintendo Direct (Everybody's Golf let's go chat), and Moody wants to talk F1 25.

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:21:24 - Ludocene could change the game for discoverability

0:59:35 - Indie Game of the Week - Paper Animal Adventure (https://store.steampowered.com/app/1982120/Paper_Animal_Adventure/)

1:07:30 - The (Final?) Nintendo Switch Direct reactions

1:46:59 - There's a new F1 game this year, the deluxe edition hurts Amy's head

2:04:56 - OpenCwitic Head-To-Head

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

We're raising money for Safe In Our World: https://www.justgiving.com/page/wag2025

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Subscribe to Amy's video essay channel: youtube.com/@itsmeamykate

Follow along with Amy's backlog progress (including her raw thoughts on the game's she plays) throughout 2025 here: https://tinyurl.com/amysbacklog

Support the show - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz Bluesky @VitzPatel

This week Vitz wants to talk about Baldur's Gate 4, Amy talks about her lukewarm impressions of 15 hours of Avowed, and Moody wants to talk about Ubisoft (for some reason). We're all also very tired.

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:22:54 - Hasbro Is "Very Interested" In Baldur's Gate 4

0:46:57 - Indie Game of the Week - .45 Parabellum Bloodhound (https://store.steampowered.com/app/3014650/45_PARABELLUM_BLOODHOUND__Cyberpunk_Active_Time_Action)

0:54:10 - Amy's Avowed Impressions

1:26:25 - Ubisoft is looking for new investors

2:00:25 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

We're raising money for Safe In Our World: https://www.justgiving.com/page/wag2025

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Subscribe to Amy's video essay channel: youtube.com/@itsmeamykate

Follow along with Amy's backlog progress (including her raw thoughts on the game's she plays) throughout 2025 here: https://tinyurl.com/amysbacklog

Support the show - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz Bluesky @VitzPatel

This week the crew talk about the rumoured Xbox handheld. Is it real? Is it coming this year? Who is it for? They also talk about the ever expanding influence of generative AI throughout gaming.

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:18:45 - Xbox Handheld? Next gen console speculation?

0:53:25 - Indie Game of the Week - Eyes Never Wake (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2526200/Eyes_Never_Wake/)

0:57:13 - Sony Is Doing Something Stupid Again

1:18:06 - Xbox desperately scrambles to make AI relevant to its business

1:54:19 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Follow along with Amy's backlog progress (including her raw thoughts on the game's she plays) throughout 2025 here: https://tinyurl.com/amysbacklog

Support the show - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz Bluesky @VitzPatel

This week Amy talks about some cool indie game demos she played during the recent Steam Next Fest, Moody wants to talk about renting a PS5, and Vitz wants to discuss how much creative freedom PlayStation studios have in picking their own projects.

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:23:47 - Amy's favourite Steam Next Fest demos (links below)

0:51:10 - You can rent PlayStation 5's in the UK now

1:24:00 - No more Last of Us games?

1:45:19 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

Next Fest links:

The Horror At Highrook: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2836860/The_Horror_at_Highrook/

Promise Mascot Agency: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2585830/Promise_Mascot_Agency/

Deck of Haunts:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3179730/Deck_of_Haunts/

Into The Restless Ruins: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2877770/Into_the_Restless_Ruins/

Static Dread: 15 Nights at the Old Lighthouse: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3298940/Static_Dread_15_Nights_at_the_Old_Lighthouse/

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

We are raising funds for Safe In Our World! Click the link to head to our Just Giving page and please consider donating, or sharing the link: https://www.justgiving.com/page/wag2025

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Follow along with Amy's backlog progress (including her raw thoughts on the game's she plays) throughout 2025 here: https://tinyurl.com/amysbacklog

Support the show - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz Bluesky @VitzPatel

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:21:31 - WB Games lays off closes three studios, including Monolith

1:08:28 - Indie Game of the Week - Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2377280/Eriksholm_The_Stolen_Dream/)

1:11:38 - Pokemon Day 2025 News Reactions

1:35:55 - Amy’s Backlog Project Update #1

1:58:39 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Follow along with Amy's backlog progress (including her raw thoughts on the game's she plays) throughout 2025 here: https://tinyurl.com/amysbacklog

Support the show - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz Bluesky @VitzPatel

This week we discuss our next charity fundraiser and all of its stretch goals, Vitz reviews the Portal Revolution mod and Moody tries to predict what will happen in the next Pokemon Presents direct.

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:21:16 - Announcing our next charity fundraiser

0:54:06 - Indie Game of the Week - Tanuki: Pon's Summer (https://store.steampowered.com/app/3218570/TANUKI_Pons_Summer/)

0:58:26 - Vitz reviews Portal Revolution

1:13:52 - Moody predicts Pokemon Day 2025

1:42:39 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

We are raising funds for Safe In Our World! Click the link to head to our Just Giving page and please consider donating, or sharing the link: https://www.justgiving.com/page/wag2025

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Follow along with Amy's backlog progress (including her raw thoughts on the game's she plays) throughout 2025 here: https://tinyurl.com/amysbacklog

Support the show - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz Bluesky @VitzPatel

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:24:03 - PlayStation State of Play thoughts

1:09:54 - Indie Game of the Week - Moth Kubit (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2257830/Moth_Kubit/)

1:13:58 - What would happen if we were in charge of Secret Level season 2 (and season 3)?

1:43:19 - Football Manager 25 has been cancelled

2:00:56 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Follow along with Amy's backlog progress (including her raw thoughts on the game's she plays) throughout 2025 here: https://tinyurl.com/amysbacklog

Support the show - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz Bluesky @VitzPatel

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:23:36 - Talking Nintendo Switch software sales & its legacy

1:04:44 - Indie Game of the Week - Inkression (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2965930/Inkression/)

1:07:43 - Are £70 resulting in lower sales?

2:08:47 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Follow along with Amy's backlog progress (including her raw thoughts on the game's she plays) throughout 2025 here: https://tinyurl.com/amysbacklog

Support the show - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz Bluesky @VitzPatel

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:15:36 - Xbox Developer Direct Thoughts

1:06:38 - Indie Game of the Week - Mother Machine (https://store.steampowered.com/app/1555980/Mother_Machine/)

1:10:55 - PlayStation re-organises its C-Suite executives

1:46:13 - Ender Magnolia: Bloom In The Mist Review

2:01:21 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Follow along with Amy's backlog progress (including her raw thoughts on the game's she plays) throughout 2025 here: https://tinyurl.com/amysbacklog

Support the show - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz Bluesky @VitzPatel

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:21:09 - Nintendo revealed the Switch 2

0:52:29 - Indie Game of the Week - The Mermaid Mask (https://store.steampowered.com/app/1696770/The_Mermaid_Mask/)

0:56:29 - PlayStation cancels more live service games

1:35:14 - Fantasy Critic Draft & Update

2:02:24 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

You should watch Vitz's new quiz show Pixel Pop Stars! You can catch episodes live at twitch.tv/vitzpatel or later on YouTube at youtube.com/vitzpatel

Follow along with Amy's backlog progress (including her raw thoughts on the game's she plays) throughout 2025 here: https://tinyurl.com/amysbacklog

Support the show - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz Bluesky @VitzPatel

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Extended intro where we catch up after 3 weeks away

0:59:06 - Most anticipated games of 2025 (and probably beyond)

2:15:29 - The great 2025 pizza bet

2:18:45 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Check out the Words About Games Diaries blog at wordsaboutgames.net

Support our work on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky & Instagram @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz everywhere @VitzPatel

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:22:31 - Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth (Game of the Year)

0:29:31 - Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree (Game of the Year)

0:38:06 - Metaphor ReFantazio (Game of the Year)

0:47:25 - Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

0:51:04 - The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered

0:53:15 - Pacific Drive

0:59:48 - Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

1:05:21 - Alone In The Dark

1:07:19 - Dragon's Dogma 2

1:10:31 - Crow Country

1:12:51 - Animal Well

1:16:26 - 1000xRESIST

1:20:48 - Arco

1:22:48 - Astro Bot

1:30:47 - Witchfire

1:33:39 - The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

1:39:37 - Silent Hill 2

1:44:59 - Super Mario Party Jamboree

1:47:03 - Diceomancer

1:50:25 - Marvel Rivals

1:53:51 - Our favourite games that were new to us in 2024

1:54:23 - A Short Hike

1:55:52 - Hades

1:57:52 - Pokemon Violet

2:01:38 - Halo: Reach

2:04:01 - Final Fantasy VI

2:06:33 - Judgment

2:09:08 - Parasite Eve

2:11:57 - Cyberpunk 2077

2:15:17 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

We're raising money for Special Effect! Donate to help an awesome cause and help us hit milestones that will turn into awesome livestreams (and eventually awesome YouTube videos): https://justgiving.com/page/wagspecialeffect2024

Follow along with Amy's backlog progress (including her raw thoughts on the game's she plays) throughout 2025 here: https://tinyurl.com/amysbacklog

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Check out the Words About Games Diaries blog at wordsaboutgames.net

Support our work on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky & Instagram @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz everywhere @VitzPatel

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:14:12 - My First Gran Turismo Review

0:30:35 - Do AAA games have a quality control problem?

1:15:44 - Indie Game of the Week - Sleight of Hand (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2857810/Sleight_of_Hand/)

1:22:14 - Fantasy Critic 2024 final check-in

1:44:40 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

We're raising money for Special Effect! Donate to help an awesome cause and help us hit milestones that will turn into awesome livestreams (and eventually awesome YouTube videos): https://justgiving.com/page/wagspecialeffect2024

Follow along with Amy's backlog progress (including her raw thoughts on the game's she plays) throughout 2025 here: https://tinyurl.com/amysbacklog

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Check out the Words About Games Diaries blog at wordsaboutgames.net

Support our work on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky & Instagram @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz everywhere @VitzPatel

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:14:55 - Amy’s Guide To Backlogging & Healthy Gaming Habits (if you have brain gremlins like her)

1:08:19 - Indie Game of the Week - Dante's Ring (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2988030/Dantes_Ring/)

1:12:00 - Celebrating 30 Years of PlayStation

1:58:02 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

We're raising money for Special Effect! Donate to help an awesome cause and help us hit milestones that will turn into awesome livestreams (and eventually awesome YouTube videos): https://justgiving.com/page/wagspecialeffect2024

Follow along with Amy's backlog progress (including her raw thoughts on the game's she plays) throughout 2025 here: https://tinyurl.com/amysbacklog

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Check out the Words About Games Diaries blog at wordsaboutgames.net

Support our work on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky & Instagram @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz everywhere @VitzPatel

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:18:54 - Are There Too Many Games?

0:53:12 - Indie Game of the Week - Exo Rally Championship (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2262020/Exo_Rally_Championship/)

0:59:18 - Is a PlayStation handheld a good idea?

1:24:30 - Moody attempts to ruin Amy's life

1:29:14 - Vitz's Cyberpunk 2077 Early Impressions

1:44:59 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

1:55:36 - Amy is annoyed by the Xbox digital storefront

We're raising money for Special Effect! Donate to help an awesome cause and help us hit milestones that will turn into awesome livestreams (and eventually awesome YouTube videos): https://justgiving.com/page/wagspecialeffect2024

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Check out the Words About Games Diaries blog at wordsaboutgames.net

Support our work on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky & Instagram @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz everywhere @VitzPatel

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:15:33 - The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Review

0:35:14 - Gran Turismo 7's latest update disappointed Vitz

0:41:58 - Our chill out games & how we figure out what games we're in the mood for

1:14:45 - Indie Game of the Week - Assassinvisible (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2207460/Assassinvisible/)

1:18:51 - Amy wants game recommendations

1:53:55 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

We're raising money for Special Effect! Donate to help an awesome cause and help us hit milestones that will turn into awesome livestreams (and eventually awesome YouTube videos): https://justgiving.com/page/wagspecialeffect2024

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Check out the Words About Games Diaries blog at wordsaboutgames.net

Support our work on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky & Instagram @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz everywhere @VitzPatel

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:23:02 - Metaphor ReFantazio Review

0:58:31 - Indie Game of the Week - Acts of Blood (https://store.steampowered.com/app/3031890/Acts_of_Blood/)

1:04:15 - moody's rant

1:08:44 - Phil Spencer says no "red lines" over any Xbox game coming to Nintendo or PlayStation

1:43:35 - Yakuza creator Nagoshi says the era of game size being most important is coming to an end

2:02:45 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

We're raising money for Special Effect! Donate to help an awesome cause and help us hit milestones that will turn into awesome livestreams (and eventually awesome YouTube videos): https://justgiving.com/page/wagspecialeffect2024

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Check out the Words About Games Diaries blog at wordsaboutgames.net

Support our work on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky & Instagram @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz everywhere @VitzPatel

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:18:48 - Life Is Strange: Double Exposure Review (Full spoiler alert)

1:20:56 - Indie Game of the Week - Thysiastery (https://store.steampowered.com/app/3140180/THYSIASTERY/)

1:23:02 - Amy's thoughts on the Silent Hill 2 remake (full spoiler alert)

1:43:14 - Assassin's Creed boss discusses "devastating" impact of Shadows' diversity and inclusivity backlash

1:58:50 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

We're raising money for Special Effect! Donate to help an awesome cause and help us hit milestones that will turn into awesome livestreams (and eventually awesome YouTube videos): https://justgiving.com/page/wagspecialeffect2024

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Check out the Words About Games Diaries blog at wordsaboutgames.net

Support our work on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky & Instagram @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz everywhere @VitzPatel

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:18:11 - The ESA is the greatest enemy of game preservation

0:44:52 - Indie Game of the Week - Hollywood Animal (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2680550/Hollywood_Animal/)

0:49:59 - the three prongs

0:54:52 - Sony shuts down Concord developer Firewalk Studios

1:15:09 - Ubisoft stealth released an NFT game

1:37:44 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

We're raising money for Special Effect! Donate to help an awesome cause and help us hit milestones that will turn into awesome livestreams (and eventually awesome YouTube videos): https://justgiving.com/page/wagspecialeffect2024

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Check out the Words About Games Diaries blog at wordsaboutgames.net

Support our work on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky & Instagram @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz everywhere @VitzPatel

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:17:38 - Amy’s Top Steam Next Fest Demos (links below)

0:57:09 - Shawn Layden: "AA is gone and that's a threat to the ecosystem going forward"

1:44:22 - Ubisoft responds to report Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown development team disbanded

2:04:25 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

Steam Next Fest links:

- Keep Driving (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2756920/Keep_Driving/)

- To Kill A God (https://store.steampowered.com/app/3015820/To_Kill_a_God/)

- Tenebris Somnia (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2121510/Tenebris_Somnia/)

- Beastieball (https://store.steampowered.com/app/1864950/Beastieball/)

- Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2442460/Citizen_Sleeper_2_Starward_Vector/)

- 30 Birds (https://store.steampowered.com/app/1708770/30_Birds/)

- Pager (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2810550/PAGER/)

- Spilled! (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2240080/Spilled/)

- Letalis (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2396200/Letalis/)

- While Waiting (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2449160/While_Waiting/)

We're raising money for Special Effect! Donate to help an awesome cause and help us hit milestones that will turn into awesome livestreams (and eventually awesome YouTube videos): https://justgiving.com/page/wagspecialeffect2024

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Check out the Words About Games Diaries blog at wordsaboutgames.net

Support our work on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky & Instagram @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz everywhere @VitzPatel

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:15:02 - Riot Games & Bandai Namco are doing layoffs like d***heads

0:30:19 - Gran Turismo 4 Spec II mod is great

0:39:45 - Pokemon developer Game Freak suffers massive leak

0:51:35 - Indie Game of the Week - Galaxy Hearts (https://tinyurl.com/yscavz5u)

0:55:49 - Football Manager 25 delayed to March 2025

1:13:49 - Alien Isolation 2 announced

1:23:30 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

We're raising money for Special Effect! Donate to help an awesome cause and help us hit milestones that will turn into awesome livestreams (and eventually awesome YouTube videos): https://justgiving.com/page/wagspecialeffect2024

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Check out the Words About Games Diaries blog at wordsaboutgames.net

Support our work on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky & Instagram @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz everywhere @VitzPatel

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:15:08 - Silent Hill 2 Review

0:44:58 - Witchfire Early Access Impressions

0:59:42 - Indie Game of the Week - The Diner at the End of the Galaxy (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2577420/The_Diner_at_the_End_of_the_Galaxy/)

1:04:31 - Metaphor ReFantazio First Impressions.

1:28:49 - Moody's Astro Bot Thoughts

1:38:18 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

We're raising money for Special Effect! Donate to help an awesome cause and help us hit milestones that will turn into awesome livestreams (and eventually awesome YouTube videos): https://justgiving.com/page/wagspecialeffect2024

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Check out the Words About Games Diaries blog at wordsaboutgames.net

Support our work on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky & Instagram @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz everywhere @VitzPatel

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:13:10 - Final Fantasy VII Rebirth concert & retro game hunting in London

0:58:44 - Indie Game of the Week - Fading Skies (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2809200/Fading_Skies/)

1:04:20 - Roughly one million games are launching this month

1:30:21 - A general chat about the state of gaming in 2024

2:06:14 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

We're raising money for Special Effect! Donate to help an awesome cause and help us hit milestones that will turn into awesome livestreams (and eventually awesome YouTube videos): https://justgiving.com/page/wagspecialeffect2024

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Check out the Words About Games Diaries blog at wordsaboutgames.net

Support our work on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky & Instagram @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz everywhere @VitzPatel

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:16:26 - State of Play September 2024 thoughts

1:06:46 - Indie Game of the Week - Windstorm: The Legend of Khiimori (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2697000/Windstorm_The_Legend_of_Khiimori/)

1:12:55 - Don't Nod bets on Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, as multiple projects fail to meet expectations

1:30:55 - 'We don't think Hi-Fi Rush 2 is going to make us money:' Krafton CEO says Tango Gameworks acquisition is about legacy

1:41:22 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

We're raising money for Special Effect! Donate to help an awesome cause and help us hit milestones that will turn into awesome livestreams (and eventually awesome YouTube videos): https://justgiving.com/page/wagspecialeffect2024

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Check out the Words About Games Diaries blog at wordsaboutgames.net

Support our work on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky & Instagram @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz everywhere @VitzPatel

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:08:53 - The games industry crash continues

0:30:06 - Final Fantasy 16 producer asks fans to please not make "offensive" or "inappropriate" PC mods

0:38:58 - Indie Game of the Week - check out our Steam curator page (https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/)

0:43:17 - The game industry is becoming an innovation wasteland (via GameDeveloper.com)

1:08:42 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

1:14:46 - Fantasy Critic Check-In

We're raising money for Special Effect! Donate to help an awesome cause and help us hit milestones that will turn into awesome livestreams (and eventually awesome YouTube videos): https://justgiving.com/page/wagspecialeffect2024

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Check out the Words About Games Diaries blog at wordsaboutgames.net

Support our work on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky & Instagram @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz everywhere @VitzPatel

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:13:25 - Vitz got an Astrobot platinum

0:35:53 - Amy has been obsessed with Arco & Tactical Breach Wizards

0:59:37 - Indie Game of the Week - The Witch's Bakery (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2967950/The_Witchs_Bakery/)

1:06:28 - The PS5 Pro starts at £700, doesn't really do much

1:48:03 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

The Witch's Bakery Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sunnylabgames/witch-bakery-paris-2d-adventure-rpg

We're raising money for Special Effect! Donate to help an awesome cause and help us hit milestones that will turn into awesome livestreams (and eventually awesome YouTube videos): https://justgiving.com/page/wagspecialeffect2024

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Check out the Words About Games Diaries blog at wordsaboutgames.net

Support our work on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky & Instagram @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz everywhere @VitzPatel

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:15:55 - PlayStation axes Concord after less than two weeks

0:44:58 - Sony execs claim the company isn't creating enough original franchises

1:05:53 - Indie Game of the Week - Selfloss (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2996080/TAMASHIKA/)

1:08:56 - Moody's Halo: Reach review

1:34:11 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

We're raising money for Special Effect! Donate to help an awesome cause and help us hit milestones that will turn into awesome livestreams (and eventually awesome YouTube videos): https://justgiving.com/page/wagspecialeffect2024

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Check out the Words About Games Diaries blog at wordsaboutgames.net

Support our work on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky & Instagram @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz everywhere @VitzPatel

0:00:00 - Intro

0:21:35 - The Star Wars tangent...

0:26:34 - ...that leads to the Star Wars: Outlaws tangent...

0:27:46 - ...that leads to the David Cage tangent

0:37:04 - Why Does The World Need A PS5 Pro?

1:07:25 - Indie Game of the Week - Detective Dotson (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2450840/Detective_Dotson/)

1:12:18 - A Prominent Accessibility Advocate Worked With Studios and Inspired Change. But She Never Actually Existed.

1:34:30 - Dino Crisis and Monster Hunter are the exact same game, apparently

1:55:35 - Phantom Spark Impressions

1:58:05 - Screamer 2 Impressions

1:59:55 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

We're raising money for Special Effect! Donate to help an awesome cause and help us hit milestones that will turn into awesome livestreams (and eventually awesome YouTube videos): https://justgiving.com/page/wagspecialeffect2024

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Check out the Words About Games Diaries blog at wordsaboutgames.net

Support our work on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky & Instagram @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz everywhere @VitzPatel

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:25:19 - The Black Myth: Wukong ‘No Feminist Propaganda, No COVID-19 Discussion’ Email Is Real

0:45:16 - The Serious Lack Of Critical Thinking & Media Literacy In The Gaming Community

1:14:17 - Indie Game of the Week - Hela (https://store.steampowered.com/app/3161310/Hela/)

1:17:53 - There Was No Pokemon Z-A News At The Pokemon World Championship

1:44:36 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

We're raising money for Special Effect! Donate to help an awesome cause and help us hit milestones that will turn into awesome livestreams (and eventually awesome YouTube videos): https://justgiving.com/page/wagspecialeffect2024

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Check out the Words About Games Diaries blog at wordsaboutgames.net

Support our work on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky & Instagram @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz everywhere @VitzPatel

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:23:05 - Tango Gameworks Is Back Baby

0:40:00 - Dungeons of Hinterberg Review

0:57:29 - Indie Game of the Week - Rue Valley (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2126190/Rue_Valley/)

1:05:07 - We Raised Over £300 And Counting For Special Effect

1:36:14 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

1:45:10 - Fantasy Critic Check-In

We're raising money for Special Effect! Donate to help an awesome cause and help us hit milestones that will turn into awesome livestreams (and eventually awesome YouTube videos): https://justgiving.com/page/wagspecialeffect2024

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Check out the Words About Games Diaries blog at wordsaboutgames.net

Support our work on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky & Instagram @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz everywhere @VitzPatel

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:21:15 - Why Do So Many Video Game Adaptations Miss?

1:00:26 - Indie Game of the Week - Castaway (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2564860/Castaway/)

1:05:31 - Moody gave us too much power (Amy asks him if he's ever considered which Pokemon is tastiest)

1:23:30 - Game Reviews Are An Absolute Mess

2:00:57 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

We're raising money for Special Effect! Donate to help an awesome cause and help us hit milestones that will turn into awesome livestreams (and eventually awesome YouTube videos): https://justgiving.com/page/wagspecialeffect2024

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Check out the Words About Games Diaries blog at wordsaboutgames.net

Support our work on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky & Instagram @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz everywhere @VitzPatel

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:23:45 - Our Favourite Performances In Games (#LevelUpTheContract)

1:04:37 - Indie Game of the Week - Arsonate (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2822980/ARSONATE/)

1:08:01 - Bungie has now laid off a quarter of its employees in the past year

1:33:12 - How To Git Gud…At Racing Games

1:47:35 - Elden Ring (Shadow of the Erdtree spoilers)

1:57:22 - No Man's Sky

2:00:56 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

We're raising money for Special Effect! Donate to help an awesome cause and help us hit milestones that will turn into awesome livestreams (and eventually awesome YouTube videos): https://justgiving.com/page/wagspecialeffect2024

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Check out the Words About Games Diaries blog at wordsaboutgames.net

Support our work on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky & Instagram @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz everywhere @VitzPatel

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:17:28 - Are battle passes actually any good?

0:42:52 - How to "git gud"

1:19:45 - Indie Game of the Week - CORPUS EDAX (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2017610/CORPUS_EDAX/)

1:22:10 - Twitch Reinstates Trump

1:39:04 - Fridge Poetry

1:44:25 - Gran Turismo 7 Update 1.49

1:50:53 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

We're raising money for Special Effect! Donate to help an awesome cause and help us hit milestones that will turn into awesome livestreams (and eventually awesome YouTube videos): https://justgiving.com/page/wagspecialeffect2024

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Check out the Words About Games Diaries blog at wordsaboutgames.net

Support our work on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky & Instagram @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz everywhere @VitzPatel

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:18:08 - Amy finished Elden Ring

0:24:04 - Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Review

0:55:20 - Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree spoilers start here

1:15:06 - Indie Game of the Week - Silver Pines (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2333000/Silver_Pines/)

1:22:13 - Ian Bell’s GTRevival Becomes “Project Motor Racing”, Switches Publisher to GIANTS

1:39:47 - Microsoft DEI Lead Blasts Company in Internal Email After Team Is Reportedly Laid Off

2:05:38 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

We're raising money for Special Effect! Donate to help an awesome cause and help us hit milestones that will turn into awesome livestreams (and eventually awesome YouTube videos): https://justgiving.com/page/wagspecialeffect2024

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Check out the Words About Games Diaries blog at wordsaboutgames.net

Support our work on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky & Instagram @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz everywhere @VitzPatel

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:21:53 - Xbox Game Pass

0:58:47 - Indie Game of the Week - Strange Antiquities (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2885870/Strange_Antiquities/)

1:02:38 - How can we fix the games industry?

1:29:36 - Amy's trip to NERG

1:53:02 - Elden Ring

2:01:50 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

We're raising money for Special Effect! Donate to help an awesome cause and help us hit milestones that will turn into awesome livestreams (and eventually awesome YouTube videos): https://justgiving.com/page/wagspecialeffect2024

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Check out the Words About Games Diaries blog at wordsaboutgames.net

Support our work on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky & Instagram @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz everywhere @VitzPatel

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:15:38 - Working hard to like the Star Wars: Jedi games

0:20:35 - Collecting Final Fantasy

0:22:34 - Nintendo's ideal future Amiibo strategy

0:27:57 - Moody's 40k trip to Japan

0:37:49 - New Life Is Strange Game Charges $30 For Early Access

0:59:43 - Indie Game of the Week - Roman Sands Re:Build - (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2231460/Roman_Sands_REBuild/)

1:03:39 - Dragon Age: The Veilguard has awesome difficulty options

1:11:13 - Helldivers 2 Director: "A game for everyone is a game for no-one"

1:20:50 - Difficulty options and accessibility are two different things

1:37:58 - Moody got a GB Operator

1:46:48 - Elden Ring

2:01:01 - Forza Horizon 4

2:04:04 - Hades

2:08:34 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

We're raising money for Special Effect! Donate to help an awesome cause and help us hit milestones that will turn into awesome livestreams (and eventually awesome YouTube videos): https://justgiving.com/page/wagspecialeffect2024

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031-Words-About-Games/

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Check out the Words About Games Diaries blog at wordsaboutgames.net

Support our work on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky & Instagram @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz everywhere @VitzPatel

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:23:35 - The latest Nintendo Direct shows that Nintendo's B-Team runs circles around other manufacturer's A-Teams

0:56:26 - Indie Game of the Week - The Posthumous Investigation (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2466900/The_Posthumous_Investigation/)

0:59:40 - The Elden Ring difficulty discourse is hilarious

1:01:36 - Alone In The Dark (2024) Review

1:11:32 - Forza Motorsport Update 9 broke Vitz

1:17:19 - Alan Wake 2: Night Springs is weird (and great)

1:21:45 - Moody is bringing Pokemon back (to his living room)

1:28:35 - everything is fine

1:29:14 - The original Resident Evil trilogy is available on GOG

1:31:10 - Dino Crisis tops player poll of series Capcom fans want to see come back

1:36:13 - EA execs earned $60 million in 2024 [because of mass] layoffs and office closures

1:42:01 - Shawn Layden: Publishers need more patience

2:05:04 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

We're raising money for Special Effect! Donate to help an awesome cause and help us hit milestones that will turn into awesome livestreams (and eventually awesome YouTube videos): https://justgiving.com/page/wagspecialeffect2024

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031/

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Check out the Words About Games Diaries blog at wordsaboutgames.net

Support our work on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky & Instagram @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz everywhere @VitzPatel

We're raising money for Special Effect! Donate to help an awesome cause and help us hit milestones that will turn into awesome livestreams (and eventually awesome YouTube videos): https://justgiving.com/page/wagspecialeffect2024

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031/

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Support our work on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky & Instagram @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz everywhere @VitzPatel

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:13:29 - Housekeeping

0:15:23 - Overall thoughts on the weekend of games

0:27:47 - Thoughts on Summer Game Fest 2024

0:38:57 - Summer Game Fest 2024 highlights

1:02:07 - Amy's Rapid Fire Indie Game Recommendations (Day of the Devs, Devolver Digital, Wholesome Direct, Latin America Showcase, Women-Led Games Showcase, Future Games Show, PC Gaming Show)

1:30:45 - Thoughts on the Xbox Games Summer Showcase

1:34:37 - Xbox Games Summer Showcase 2024 highlights

2:04:20 - Amy misses E3 & thinks showcases need post-show deep dives & developer interviews

2:12:31 - Dragon Age: The Veilguard gameplay reveal thoughts

We're raising money for Special Effect! Donate to help an awesome cause and help us hit milestones that will turn into awesome livestreams (and eventually awesome YouTube videos): https://justgiving.com/page/wagspecialeffect2024

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031/

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Support our work on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky & Instagram @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz everywhere @VitzPatel

The podcast gang chat about the latest State of Play, the sheer disappointment of the Silent Hill 2 remake, becoming The Veilguard in Dragon Age, Crow Country, and more.

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:15:01 - Housekeeping

0:22:06 - State of Play thoughts

0:58:18 - Silent Hill 2 trailer :(

1:11:39 - pop quiz!

1:13:28 - Indie Game of the Week - Tiny Bookshop (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2133760/Tiny_Bookshop/)

1:16:33 - Dragon Age lives!

1:28:06 - Geoff Keighley hopes Nintendo will participate in Summer Game Fest one day

1:34:22 - Like A Dragon: Yakuza TV series coming to Prime later this year

1:43:34 - milkshaked

1:44:10 - Abubakar Salim addresses "fever pitch" of racism received after launch of Tales of Kenzera: Zau

1:55:15 - Crow Country Review

2:01:18 - Half-Life 1 & 2

2:09:46 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

We're raising money for Special Effect! Donate to help an awesome cause and help us hit milestones that will turn into awesome livestreams (and eventually awesome YouTube videos): https://justgiving.com/page/wagspecialeffect2024

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031/

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Support our work on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky & Instagram @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz everywhere @VitzPatel

The podcast gang are here this week to talk about what they think we'll see, and what they want to see, out of the next couple of weeks of gaming showcases (note: this episode was recorded prior to the PlayStation State of Play and Silent Hill Transmission).

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:14:08 - Summer Game Fest Predictions

1:13:51 - Indie Game of the Week - Aikyam (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2363840/Aikyam/)

1:20:21 - Sony apologizes after completely botching interview with Naughty Dog boss Neil Druckmann

1:34:21 - ‘Last of Us’ Season 2 Casts Jeffrey Wright as Isaac, Reprising His Video Game Role

1:39:24 - Yakuza: Like A Dragon

1:45:36 - The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

1:48:31 - Another Crab's Treasure

1:51:07 - Yu-Gi-Oh: Master Duel

1:54:44 - Assetto Corsa Competizione

1:59:37 - Gran Turismo 7 Update 1.48

2:02:06 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head

We're raising money for Special Effect! Donate to help an awesome cause and help us hit milestones that will turn into awesome livestreams (and eventually awesome YouTube videos): https://justgiving.com/page/wagspecialeffect2024

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031/

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Support our work on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky & Instagram @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz everywhere @VitzPatel

Vitz and Moody take over for the first section of this episode thanks to technical issues, and the very end of the podcast also basically falls apart. I'd apologise for that, but Discord is turning into a worse and worse product as time marches on.

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:06:00 - Call of Duty 2024 will launch into Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft has reportedly decided

0:17:46 - IGN Entertainment acquires Eurogamer, GI, VG247, Rock Paper Shotgun and more

0:27:49 - Ubisoft headcount declined by 1,700 on the path to its highest net bookings ever

0:36:40 - Indie Game of the Week - Until Then (https://store.steampowered.com/app/1574820/Until_Then/)

0:37:55 - Amy returns

0:39:24 - What games are we most looking to playing in 2024 and beyond?

1:49:07 - Paper Mario remake confirms companion is trans after references removed from original 2004 translation

1:52:50 - OpenCritic Head-To-Head (this is where Discord basically dies, feel free to stop watching/listening here)

We're raising money for Special Effect! Donate to help an awesome cause and help us hit milestones that will turn into awesome livestreams (and eventually awesome YouTube videos): https://justgiving.com/page/wagspecialeffect2024

Check out our Indie Game of the Week Steam curator page to see all of our previous selections: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7857031/

Want to hang out with us while we play games? Head over to twitch.tv/wordsaboutgames and drop us a follow!

Support our work on Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/wordsaboutgames

Follow Amy Kate on Bluesky & Instagram @itsmeamykate

Follow Moody on Bluesky @dafyddmoody

Follow Vitz everywhere @VitzPatel