Explore every episode of the podcast Lost Sparks Gaming
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Are Collector's Editions Dead? Plus Gears E-Day Chat
Something feels different when a game gets its hooks in you, and we’ve both got that feeling this week. We kick off with a surprisingly deep chat about IKEA’s “Xbox inspired” accessories, why the collaboration looks cool but the missing branding is confusing, and how easily gaming merch slides from tasteful to strange. From there we detour into travel whiplash, saving LEGO builds for Christmas, and the never ending “where is my order?” struggle.
On the games front, we’re all over the map in the best way. Steve is back in the Uncharted Collection, reminding us why Uncharted 2 and Uncharted 3 still nail pacing, puzzles and blockbuster set pieces, even when the occasional old school bug shows up. Stu digs into Pokemon ZA and the way it retools the classic Pokemon formula with more active combat and a very different capture and battle flow. We also shout out two very different Xbox Game Pass wins: Shell Diver for that quick upgrade loop addiction, and Forever Ago for a slower, emotional story that lingers.
Then it’s time for the big one: Gears Of War E Day. We talk campaign feel, how fluid it is compared with older Gears, how incredible it looks on OLED, what works in the semi open sections, and the little design quirks that can still get you killed. After that we hit Controller Corner, Microsoft Rewards, and the news topics we cannot ignore: collector’s editions that do not include the game, a new Call of Duty sub franchise, GTA 6 spoiler panic, PS6 AI frame generation patents, and Epic’s AI pivot after layoffs.
If you enjoy honest gaming chat with hype where it’s earned and scepticism where it’s needed, hit subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode with a mate. What are you playing right now that you cannot stop thinking about?
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Gears of War E-Day finally lands and it does exactly what we hoped: it looks incredible, it feels punchy, and it sends our adrenaline through the roof. We talk through our first hour with the campaign, what works straight away, and why the multiplayer can leave you feeling like you’ve chugged a stack of energy drinks. If you’ve been waiting for a big Xbox Game Pass moment, this is the one we can’t stop thinking about.
We also go to the other extreme with Nintendo Switch 2 and Pokémon Pokopia, a cosy, zen take on the Pokémon universe that’s all about rebuilding, attracting Pokémon, and playing at your own pace. From there we get into what we’ve been playing across platforms, including Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resync, Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy, Wolverine on PS5 Pro, and the tactical highs and frustrating difficulty spikes of Star Wars Zero Company.
Then we get a bit too real about collecting, because Controller Corner returns with limited edition hardware, plus a warning sign for anyone tempted by vinyl and gaming merch. We also unpack Disc-to-Digital, the future of physical games, and the uncomfortable backdrop of industry layoffs, including concerns around Xbox studios even as Gears launches to strong reviews. Add in Uncharted rumours, the argument for longer console generations, and a chunky free 007 First Light DLC update, and you’ve got a packed gaming podcast that balances hype with the bigger questions.
If you enjoy the chat, subscribe, share it with a gaming mate, and leave us a review so more people can find the show. What game has your attention right now: something cosy or something chaotic?
Support the Podcast by using our Affiliated links, it costs you no extra:
Wolverine has been hyped for years, so when the reviews landed as “mid”, I didn’t want to write it off on hearsay. We’re missing the usual podcast this week because Steve isn’t very well, so I’ve recorded a quick, honest check-in that starts as a Wolverine game review and turns into something bigger: how we buy games, how much risk we accept, and why physical media still matters.
I explain why I chose a physical disc over a digital download, how UK pricing can swing between Amazon UK and PlayStation Direct, and why resale value changes the psychology of spending £70 on a new release. If I can finish a game and sell it on, I’m more willing to take a punt. If discs disappear and we head towards a digital-only future, I’m far less likely to gamble on anything with mixed word of mouth, even when I really want to love it.
Then we get into the gameplay. The controller feels great and the visuals are solid, but playing Spider-Man on a PS5 Pro right before Wolverine makes the gaps hard to ignore. I talk about the “rails” feeling, the sense that it could have been more open, and why the combat leans into button mashing with forgiving inputs that reduce challenge and consequence. I’m uploading the full playthrough to YouTube in bite-sized parts, so you can see exactly what I mean before you spend your money.
If you’ve played Wolverine, I want your take. Subscribe, share the episode with a mate who’s on the fence, and leave a review to help more UK gamers find us, then drop a comment with your verdict: physical disc or digital download?
Support the Podcast by using our Affiliated links, it costs you no extra:
GTA 6 doesn’t just look bigger, it looks smarter. We sit down after the extended look and properly mull over what Rockstar is building, because the footage hints at a game where relationships, systems, and moment-to-moment detail finally feel as important as set-piece missions. Jason and Lucia aren’t just two playable characters you swap between; we talk about how their partnership could shape the story, change how missions play out, and give GTA 6 real replay value through choices that actually matter.
Before we get there, we catch up on what we’ve been playing and testing across PlayStation and Xbox: trying PlayStation Plus for the month, bouncing off Big Walk when we realise it’s designed around co-op voice chat, poking at Fortnite’s new gaming-themed season, and jumping into Robocop on Game Pass. We also chat about the Call of Duty beta, why it’s tempting, and why it still struggles to win a day-one purchase when GTA is on the horizon. There’s also a quick look at a new A Plague Tale prequel that leans into Tomb Raider-style traversal and cinematic adventure.
Then it’s full GTA 6 deep dive: a more reactive Vice City, better animations and gunplay, smarter police with witnesses and disguises, richer interiors, and the “everyday life” layer like clothes, fitness, cash vs bank, and vehicle storage that could make the world feel lived in. We also debate the big practical question: do you buy GTA 6 on Xbox for achievements and your existing ecosystem, or on PS5 Pro for the best performance?
Subscribe, share the episode with a mate who’s counting the days to GTA 6, and leave us a review. What do you think: will GTA 6 change what we expect from open world games?
Two hours of wheelspins. A retro Call of Duty campaign that still hits harder than most modern shooters. And a week of news where Xbox turns up with McDonald’s UK rewards, IKEA gaming cushions, and a proper attempt to bridge physical discs with digital ownership. If you like your gaming chat grounded in what people actually play and how they actually live, we’ve got you.
We start with what we’ve been playing and why we keep drifting back to “comfy slippers” games when time is tight. Stephen revisits Call of Duty World at War for its gritty World War II atmosphere, then surprises himself by finishing Watch Dogs and finding its hacking and surveillance story more relevant in today’s AI and tracking-heavy world. We also talk about when games lose us, from Darksiders boredom to Planet Crafter’s cryptic progression, and why good guidance is not a dirty word.
From there we jump into the good stuff: the Gears E-Day beta and how co-op design can feel fresh again, plus Stuart’s deep dive into Forza Horizon 6 as a living, breathing social platform complete with auctions, community creations, and an absolutely ridiculous wheelspin marathon. Then it’s Gamescom highlights, the PS3 price spikes, and the bigger question hanging over everything: are we buying games or renting licences?
Hit subscribe for more weekly gaming talk, share this with a mate who still loves older games, and leave us a review with the one game you always return to when you just want to switch off.
Your favourite hobby should not feel like a luxury purchase, yet that is exactly where console gaming in the UK seems to be heading. We start with the fun stuff: what we are playing right now, why going back to Final Fantasy X still lands emotionally, and how the PlayStation Portal can actually shine when your home network is set up well. We also talk about the pull of older games, the reality that some classics have not aged gracefully, and why sometimes you just want comfort gaming rather than the newest shiny release.
Then we jump into Halo Combat Evolved rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5, including the nostalgia hit, the gorgeous presentation, and the part nobody warned us about: the difficulty spikes, especially in the new missions. We chat about sales across platforms, what Halo on PS5 could mean for the future, and why we still crave something genuinely new from the franchise, not just another remaster.
From there, it is full obsession mode with Forza Horizon 6. We break down the wheel spin grind, skill point farming, car mastery loops, and the oddly satisfying logic of turning time into credits, credits into cars, and cars into more wheel spins. If you have ever chased achievements, tried to “complete” a car list, or felt the pull of one more run, you will recognise yourself.
We finish with big industry stories: Xbox Series X and Series S price rises in the UK, the wider tech cost squeeze driven by the AI arms race, Sony refusing to budge on ending PlayStation physical discs, and the worrying push towards adverts in games. We also dig into the rumoured Xbox disc-to-digital feature as a possible compromise for ownership in a digital-only future. If you care about Game Pass, PlayStation Plus, physical media, resale value, and what the PS6 era might cost, this one is for you. Subscribe, share the episode with a mate, and leave us a review so more gamers can find the show.
A single crash shouldn’t be able to erase a week of progress, but that’s exactly what pushes us into a proper rant about Forza Horizon 6. We go from happily “mopping up” online races, rivals, seasonal challenges and car photos to the kind of save sync rollback that makes you question the whole idea of always-online progression. If you’ve ever chased a clean lap, a three-star speed trap, or that one last achievement, you’ll understand why this one stings.
From there, we zoom out to the bigger picture of subscription gaming. Game Pass still shines when it puts weird and wonderful games in front of you, and we’ve got a stack of examples: Junkster’s charming platforming and building puzzles, Quarantine Zone’s Papers, Please-style infection checkpoint with brutally final choices, and Moss delivering that rare cosy platformer energy where two hours disappear in a blink. We also talk first-hour, no-commentary uploads for games like Doom DLC and Assassin’s Creed Black Flag, plus why we’re considering showing gameplay footage on the video version of the pod.
Then it’s news time: Xbox layoffs and fan backlash, a reported Halo multiplayer cancellation, GameStop shrugging at physical game discs, and Bethesda teasing Fallout 3 and Fallout New Vegas remasters while Fallout 5 sits on the horizon. We round it out with the latest PS Plus catalogue additions including Rise of the Ronin and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, and the real question underneath it all: which subscription model actually respects your time and money?
If you enjoy the show, subscribe, share it with a mate, and leave us a review. Do you want the video version to keep our faces on screen, switch to gameplay footage, or mix both?
A lighthouse keeper searching for his son, a LEGO Gotham that feels oddly like Arkham, and a game that literally asks you to dig a hole until you hit the surprise at the bottom. That’s the kind of week we’ve had, and it turns into a bigger chat about why “chill gaming” matters when life is busy, hot, and your free time comes in 20-minute slices.
We talk about Fortnite’s latest chapter and the reality of streaming when tech decides to betray you. Then we get into what’s actually worth your time: 007 First Light as a standout modern James Bond game with proper set pieces, smart stealth, gadgets, and combat that makes you think, even if the hand-to-hand balance can feel brutal. LEGO Batman gets a lot of love, too, not just for the humour but for the open-world structure, co-op-friendly design, and the way it weaves movie moments into something that still feels fresh.
There’s a big Forza Horizon 6 “mop-up” session as well: clearing races, hunting XP boards, chasing speed zones, and finding that sweet spot between relaxing progress and full-on frustration. We also shout out Will Follow The Light for its calm, spooky puzzle-walking-sim vibe, and we admit A Game About Digging A Hole is far more addictive than it has any right to be, especially as an easy Game Pass-style palate cleanser.
The mailbag question hits home: is dropping games to easy mode cheating, or just sensible? From there, we tackle the bigger gaming industry news: reports about Sony moving away from physical discs, GTA 6 going digital-first and the money it could pull in, Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4 not landing on Game Pass day one, and worrying signs around Xbox restructuring and layoffs. We end on the big one: should PlayStation and Xbox embrace PC ports and a more open future, or are we heading into a more expensive, locked-down era?
Subscribe, share the episode with a mate, and leave us a review if you want more honest gaming chat like this. Where do you stand on easy mode and digital-only games?
AR glasses that put a “TV” in front of your eyes sound like sci-fi nonsense until you try to picture them on a flight, on a train, or in a hotel room with a handheld. We talk through the ROG X-Real glasses, how they connect over USB-C, what surprised us about using them, and why this kind of portable gaming tech is starting to feel genuinely practical. We also get nerdy about the home setup side, docking a handheld into a proper capture and streaming chain with HDMI switching and a 4K capture card.
Game chat is stacked this week. Lego Batman lands as a real joy, with Arkham-flavoured combat, stealth, brilliant voice work, and that “one more objective” pull after the credits. Forza Horizon 6 remains the perfect comfort game for clearing maps, chasing seasonal rewards, and zoning out in the best way. We also check back in on the James Bond game, where the stealth and set pieces sing, but the scraps can be punishing, and we make the case for a photo mode because the visuals deserve it. Plus: Junkster arrives on Game Pass and completely wins us over with comic-book levels, clever building and an adorable robot lead.
Then we get serious. We recap the big showcase moments and pivot into the tougher headlines: Lunar Abyss layoffs, rumoured Microsoft studio shutdowns, and what all this means for the future of Xbox and exclusivity. If you care about Game Pass, Xbox hardware, and where the industry is heading, there is a lot to chew on here. Subscribe for more, share the episode with a mate, and leave us a review: what game or piece of kit has surprised you most this year?
Sunday’s Xbox Showcase is looming and we’re not waiting quietly. With Anthony back on the mic for the first time in six years, we turn Episode 183 into a proper pre-show predictions party, but we start with the stuff that actually shapes our weeks: the games we’re playing and why they’re working for us right now.
Steve brings Lunar Abyss to the table, a Game Pass sci-fi shooter with horror vibes, clean gunplay, and that perfect “ten hours and done” pacing. Anthony is deep into Lego Batman and explains why it feels like a genuine Batman celebration, from a surprisingly Arkham-like open Gotham to joyful film callbacks, including a moment that goes full 1989 with Prince on the soundtrack. Then we get swept straight back into Forza Horizon 6, comparing road completion madness, seasonal beauty in Japan, and the practical tricks that stop the map from turning into a stressful icon soup.
We also talk about 007 First Light and why it nails the Bond fantasy from the opening seconds, with a confident blend of cinematic action and IO-style sandbox thinking. After a quick reaction to PlayStation’s State of Play highlights, we lay down our Xbox Showcase predictions: will Xbox finally drop the Call of Duty back catalogue on Game Pass, show proof of life for Blade, tease OD with Kojima, or surprise us with a Fallout 3 or New Vegas remaster? And yes, we go there with Banjo-Kazooie, plus a Forza Horizon 6 DLC wish that involves Mount Fuji and maybe even Godzilla.
If you listen on YouTube, tell us where in the world you’re tuning in from, then share your own Xbox Showcase bingo picks. Subscribe, share the episode with a mate, and leave a review so more people can find the pod.
Sound effects have entered the chat, and we are dangerously excited about it. Stuart upgrades the whole recording setup with a Shure SM7B and a Rodecaster Duo, which means cleaner audio, live mixing, and a slightly worrying number of buttons we want to press mid-sentence.
From there, we dig into one of the most underrated “gaming budget” tools around: Microsoft Rewards. We share our current points totals, what they convert to in pounds, and the simple daily routine that turns Game Pass playtime and Bing tasks into Xbox gift cards. It is not life-changing money, but it is real money, and it can absolutely take the edge off a new game, a DLC upgrade, or that purchase you would otherwise talk yourself out of.
On the games front, we get properly stuck in. Steve finishes Mouse PI For Hire and explains why he loves the world and story but feels the loop drags late on, then jumps into Trepang 2 for a short, intense run-and-gun blast. The big unanimous winner is Mixtape, a tight narrative Game Pass experience packed with music, nostalgia, and that specific heartbreak of friends splitting up as life moves forward. We also vent about Droid Tycoon’s BB-8 event: the hype is real, the teaser is great, and the payoff leaves us asking what live events should actually reward. Stuart also shares early impressions of Ghost of Yotai, plus we answer a listener email with standout PlayStation and Nintendo picks to balance out the Xbox-heavy run.
We round things off with news: Steam Machine rumours and pricing, new Xbox Insider features like boot-up visuals and gamer score badges, Discord Nitro bundling a starter Game Pass trial, the Forza Horizon 6 leak crackdown, GTA 6 platform messaging, and GameStop’s wildly rejected eBay bid. Subscribe to the next show, share this with a mate who loves Game Pass, and please leave us a review so more people can find the podcast.
A tiny daily habit can end up paying for your games, and we get specific about how. We’re comparing notes on Microsoft Rewards points, what actually moves the needle, and why a simple routine of Game Pass tasks and Bing dailies can quietly turn into real voucher value over time. If you’ve ever wondered whether the grind is worth it, we break down what we’re seeing in the UK and how it fits into everyday play.
Then we get properly stuck into what we’ve been playing. Steve wraps up Replaced with a fair look at its emotional payoff, repetitive combat, and the bits that still land hard for a “free with Game Pass” title. We also talk about the surprise hit Vampire Crawlers and that dangerous “one more run” loop, plus a paid highlight with Mouse PI For Hire, a noir shooter dripping with style, sharp writing, and a very cheesy Prohibition twist. I also share first thoughts on Aphelion as a calmer sci-fi climbing and exploration game when you just want to switch your brain off.
We round it out with Fortnite’s Star Wars content and why Droid Tycoon feels like a perfectly engineered time sink, then hit the headlines: Game Pass pricing changes and Call of Duty timing, the bizarre GameStop buying eBay rumour, Sony’s PS5 digital licence check clarification, an Atomfall TV adaptation, and Valve’s new Steam Controller. If any of that sparks a strong opinion, come tell us what you think and help the show grow: subscribe, share it with a mate, and leave us a review.
GTA Online still pulling in absurd money more than a decade on should make every gamer pause, because it shapes everything from game budgets to subscription pricing. We start lighter though, jumping back into Fortnite duos for the first time in ages and immediately turning into two blokes chasing quests, rivals points, and a laugh while getting shot at from every angle. It’s chaotic, nostalgic, and a good reminder that gaming feels better when you’re not doing it alone.
Then we get properly nerdy with a full Microsoft Rewards points update. We walk through the daily routine, the weekly bonuses, how the points translate into real GBP value, and what it takes to realistically save towards the next Xbox console. If you’ve ever wondered whether Xbox points are worth the effort, or how people are effectively funding games and hardware, we put the numbers on the table and talk about what happens when Microsoft tweaks the system.
After that we swap recommendations and quick reviews, from the bizarre brilliance of Thank Goodness You’re Here to early thoughts on Replaced, plus a shout for Mini Shot Adventures as a seriously moreish little Game Pass gem. We close with the week’s gaming news: rumours around Game Pass pricing and future tiers, BAFTA Games Awards 2026 winners, Metro 2039’s reveal, new Xbox Series X|S update features, and what PlayStation Plus is offering this month.
If you enjoy the show, subscribe, share it with a mate, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or a comment on YouTube so more people can find Gamers Of The Lost Spark Podcast.
Fortnite has a new obsession, and it’s not just another skin. Rivals mode in Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 2 turns the match into a proper hunt, with mid-game showdowns, new tools for movement, and just enough chaos to make every win feel earned. We talk through what the Rivals mechanic does well, where it could get frustrating, and why it still feels like classic Fortnite even when the pressure ramps up fast.
From there, we zoom out to the kind of gaming that fits real life. We chat about Plucky Squire’s brilliant storybook-to-3D design and why it’s perfect for a quiet morning session, then share a more painful first look at Satisfactory, where unclear guidance and punishing setbacks can drain the fun. It’s a simple question with a big knock-on effect for players: do you want a game that gives you freedom, or a game that respects your time with clearer direction and faster recovery from mistakes?
News-wise, we dig into the PS5 price increases in the UK, including the PS5 Pro price jump, and what that means for anyone trying to buy into console gaming right now. We also cover the rumour mill around Disney possibly buying Epic Games and what that could mean for Fortnite and Unreal Engine. On the Xbox side, we run through highlights from the latest showcase and look ahead to the Xbox Game Showcase 2026 on 7 June with a Gears of War E-Day Direct straight after. Finally, we round out with Nintendo Switch 2 talk, including reported production cuts and a Europe-focused move towards replaceable batteries, driven by right-to-repair rules.
If you enjoy thoughtful gaming chat with a bit of banter, subscribe, share the show with a mate, and leave us a review so more people can find us.
Consoles are meant to be simple, so why does the future keep trying to turn them into PCs? We’re back with a proper catch-up on what we’ve been playing and what the latest gaming news says about where everything is headed. From the comfort of replaying Kingdom Hearts to the joy of having games fit around real life, we talk about why convenience is not a gimmick, it’s the whole point.
We start with handheld habits and “sofa gaming”, including Ste's renewed love for PlayStation Portal Remote Play after updates and a smoother experience at home. Then we get honest about modern comfort loops: Fortnite dailies, battle pass FOMO, Reload chaos and the way collaborations can pull you back in. With the new season arriving, we break down the rivals theme, confirmed Looney Tunes characters, the end of surfing, and the big talking point that will annoy a lot of players: reduced V-Bucks rewards.
From there, we move into sequels and surprises. High On Life 2 delivers laughs and weirdness, but not every new mechanic lands. Planet of Lana 2 looks beautiful and feels smart, yet it can also make you want to uninstall when you overthink a puzzle for an hour. We finish by zooming out to the industry: PS6 and Xbox Project Helix rumours, the tension between console identity and PC flexibility, a stacked Game Pass drop list including Resident Evil 7, and a UK lawsuit that could reshape how people think about PlayStation Store digital game pricing.
If you enjoy thoughtful gaming chat with a real-world perspective, subscribe, share the episode, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
What game has been your comfort replay recently? Text the show and let us know.
The mics are live again after six years, and the first thing we admit is simple: our gaming lives changed. Kids, night shifts, early mornings, and stolen half‑hours reshaped what feels possible—so we leaned into the games and platforms that fit. Fortnite went from punchline to lifeline, a daily ritual that kept friends talking through lockdown. Game Pass quietly rewired our habits, turning curiosity into a superpower and making cloud sessions on phones, iPads, and laptops feel natural instead of novel.
We compare the realities of modern play: the ROG Ally’s punchy freedom versus the clarity of a big screen, the PS Portal’s beautiful limitations, and why the Switch 2 still makes sense for busy players. Then we dive into March’s Game Pass highlights—F1 25, Planet of Lana 2, Hollow Knight Silk Song—and how Netflix‑style discovery works when your free time arrives in unreliable bursts. Along the way, Animal Crossing gets its due as the oddly perfect co‑op memory maker, while Borderlands 4 holds its looter comfort spot on the backlog.
The industry conversation gets frank. Xbox leadership changes spark talk of AI’s role in development and what a 2026 roadmap might deliver with Fable, Forza Horizon 6, a Gears prequel, and potential AMD‑powered hardware. We push back on the idea that AI can replace human creativity, even if it speeds up the tools. On the other side, Sony’s reported shift away from widespread PC ports hints at a firmer “come to our console” stance—right as rumours of Starfield on PS5 and GTA 6 in the PlayStation backend heat up. Expect marketing deals, PS5 Pro positioning, and a lot of debate about where exclusivity still matters.
More than anything, this feels like a reset with purpose. We’re here to map gaming around real life: smart sessions, generous services, hardware that travels, and communities that keep us laughing. If that sounds like your world too, hit play, share it with a friend, and tell us what you’re downloading tonight. Subscribe, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, and drop a comment on YouTube—what game got you through the last few years?