Explore every episode of the podcast The Tyranny of Thumbs

This is Part 2 of the same night.

If you listen closely you can hear the exact moment where McCoy's "2" beers hit and he becomes not sober. Then we deliberate about whether or not we should go to bed and then we go to bed.

Episode 2

From ben via email:

• Ever been tempted by a Half Life/ Orange Box week?
• Which one of you, if any, has a beautiful luxurious beard? Or is it, as I suspect, that there is a communal beard that you share in rotation every week. 

From James via email:

• What is the game that has most impacted you to date (that you still reflect on)?
• What game would you like to memory wipe and play again?
• How would the podcast change if you suddenly got corporate sponsorships, etc.?
• How has your choice in game to play been affected by the podcast?

From Curtis via email:

• James, did you have time to finish Disco Elysium? Any final thoughts?
• What are some of the all-time favorites and/or most formative games for everyone?

From Mercedes via email:

• Obviously you guys love video games, but what other hobbies do you guys enjoy?
• What are some of your favourite books/ tv shows/ movies?
• Any plans to release more group playthroughs?

Hello everyone! Our Q&A is finally here! A big warm thank you to all who submitted questions. It really does mean the world to us. 

For the very astute among us, you may notice a couple things right away:

1) This is a Part 1. We have been known to take our time with our responses to things. And that is on display here.

2) We did not get to every question. Contrary to Zoe's declaration. Even on the upcoming Part 2. So be on the lookout for a follow up, to the follow up. When will this be? That sounds like a scheduling nightmare I wouldn't count on that being right away.

Episode 1

From Scott via email:

• (Based on Still Wakes the Deep episode) If you were able to give your ideal game pitch, what would the game be and to who would you make the pitch, seeing that they would be the best to carry out your idea (e.g. Naughty Dog, The Chinese Room, Giant Sparrow, or maybe try to get a one on one with Lucas Pope?)?
• (Based on Neva): Stars in the night sky sometimes seem to get brighter, sometimes dimmer, or sometimes fade out entirely: here in 2024, is there a game that stands out that you think you would either raise or lower its ranking from when you reviewed it?
• Is there a game that you think would be worth a second shot, either one that fizzled out (Starfield) or one that you rated low that might be worth another look, like seeing if you actually hated a book from school for the book or because high school said you had to read it?
• Is there anything on the horizon that has your interest gaming-wise, either one that would end up on the podcast or one that you’d play for yourself? (Full disclosure: asking this as I am still watching the trailer for Dispatch which hits a ton of buttons for me)

From Ben via email:

• As the darlings of indie darlings what do you think AI is going to do to the current AAA/indie funding models/ the industry in general? How do you think the balance between creation and curation is going to be affected?
• What music do you play to when you aren’t listening to in-game music (if such a thing happens)? I mean obviously one would never be so disrespectful to Darren Korb but you know, other games maybe
• What do you think of Bungie’s possible demise (again)?

Reminder! Q&A next week, you know for James. Come out and support J.$ with a question so he can focus on finals, and if you write in via tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com then you will receive a patented "🙏" at some random time, probably.

Editor's Note: So it turns out that our titles must be 5 characters long and Neva is 4... I thought about "Neva!" but I'm gunna instead try to pull off "Neva " so if that messes things up I'm deeply sorry.

Edit on Edit: That didn't work. Oh no. I'm consulting people. Wait how did I do it for Gris? This is not fair! Wow the discourse is popping off here. James nailed some shit and we got there boys. Check the title.

We love you all.

This week Elena is back and Zoe is handholding the mic in a new setup... oh and James is streaming the game. Prepare yourselves.

Also, it's a fun opportunity for us to actually dive further into the game now that we've had our initial impressions out of the way in Ep. 1!

Oh and submit your Qs for Q&A to support James and his finals week!

With a podcast that definitely could have been an email, we ask you, our listeners, to submit questions, comments and concerns!

Seriously though! Write a question!

tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com

Take care of yourselves out there, we appreciate you.

The one we nearly lost to the storm...

It's more Golden Idol people. H.Y.P.E.

This is the one where we all take a break and just play our home games. Whatever brings us joy. Oh and Gabe joins us!

This week we talk about:

• James: Balatro, The Bazaar
• Zoe: Grim Fandango
• McCoy & Elena: Ghosts of Tsushima
• Gabe: COD 6, Space Marine II, Vermintide II

Next week: Rise of the Golden Idol

The thrilling conclusion to our Spooky Games Month: Still Wakes the Deep aka Still Haunts Our Nightmares.

Somehow we convinced ourselves that this game was totally gunna be like Dear Esther. And well... you prolly know how this is about to go. Luckily we had each other's company to help guide us through.

Spooky Games Month:

• Indika
• Felvidek
• Still Wakes the Deep

This week we go on an adventure... into Shakespearian play?

(Also we open this week with some Keenan story telling beef for the hardcore)

Spooky Games Month:

• Indika
• Felvidek
• Still Wakes the Deep

Now this game is something like you've never seen before. What an absolute banger out of nowhere. MUST PLAY IF YOU LIKE ARTSY BS.

If you don't know what this game is, the trailer will help you be correctly confused (but intrigued) as to what this game is.

Many tracks are really interesting on the soundtrack but here is one McCoy's been Jamming on. It's like Dark Trap music. Here is one Zoe linked and said it's just odd this is part of the game.

Spooky Games Month:

• Indika
• Felvidek
• Still Wakes the Deep

We back and instead of James being sick it's McCoy! Let's Go!

Also check out the Game List for October aka Spooky Games Month:

• Indika
• Felvidek
• Still Wakes the Deep

Editor McCoy's Note on the Release Schedule:

Ok, so listen we started recording on Tuesday so I edit on Wednesday and release on Thursday. Does this work for you? If you need me to make a release on Wednesday morning we can talk about it. It's just like, more work and more turn around and like, listen... aren't you just happy there is an episode this week at all? It's a low bar but we cleared it.

There is literally no way anyone remembers how to do any of this right. Grace is requested.

And also, we back baby.

And also, what a game.

"Elden Ring is done."

- McCoy, 2024

Could such words be real? Tune in for an extremely worn-down set of travelers who are finally ready to put their foolish ambitions to rest.

We finally dive into the long-awaited Elden Ring DLC and boy do we have a variety of experiences. Did you know that Gabe plays this game on NG+7? Holy mother of god. He gives some advice on whether or not he thinks that's a good call (Spoilers: He does not).

We also talk a bit about the community reaction, which while it started off incredibly positive has fallen to "mixed" in the one week since launch.

The podcast today starts with a conundrum:

What podcast to Re-Release this week between Control and Dear Esther?

Starting off you get a reflective contemplative editor McCoy trying to solve that problem live on air. He comes in a little "I got this" and ends "Ok, I got a bit humbled and I totally didn't have this". It's a nice journey that ends up delivering some presence, some value, some stories, and overall just proves Editor McCoy deserves his own podcast.

Also, forgive the audio quality, you have no idea the production setup required to make this episode work back in the day, and also... I was young and didn't know what I was doing back then. I still don't know what I'm doing now, but I'm not young anymore.

The long-awaited sequel to Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is finally here and we've re-released enough content to figure out how to align our schedules and lives to play it together. Join us for a rather illuminating discussion of the themes of this game, that at least I can say, leveled me up a lot compared to when I had just finished it and was sorta wondering what the heck was going on.

Also, editor McCoy, who essentially barely existed before the re-release era, is now sad as he looks ahead and realizes there isn't as much space for him as there once was.

Editor McCoy takes a backseat to a busy life this week and mostly gets out of the way for an awesome Re-Release of Elden Ring's Seamless Coop Mod. If you like Elden Ring, you've got to at least hear what this mod had to offer. I can't begin to explain how impactful on our entire crew this was.

Also, just a kind note to those playing or planning to play Senua's Saga II. The opening to that game is intense so be sure to give yourself time before bed. I know I wasn't sleeping after that. Yikes.

So, if the first Elden Ring Re-Release was here is how it all started then this time it's here is how it all ended.

It's time.

"All is not as it seems"

- Shivers

--

Be sure to check out Instagram because Elena only knows one type of content and that's pure🔥!  (Also she gives more real-time updates on how much we are throwing the schedule)

Tentative Schedule:

We got a plan from helpful folks over at the Disco Elysium subreddit... and it's gone. That's to say, we've had to make small adjustments for life reasons but we are marching forward... 

Week 1: Play days 1

Week 2: Play until you get into the next landmass and meet some characters. A nice taster.

Week 3: Some went off into sidequests, some yolo'ed the main story. But one thing is for sure, the divergence is real in this section.

Week 4: It's time to dive into the story if you have been avoiding it. It's time.

Week 5: We close it out, boys. The sun is setting and it's scary out here in the night.

General tips that the community wanted to share as we dive in:

• Always keep one skill point on hand to unlock white checks at all times, otherwise you can softlock yourself accidentally.

• Make sure you're able to pay for your room on Day 2 with 20 réal or you will be softlocked.

• Don't look up spoilers and embrace failed checks!

While we attempt the final lap for Disco Elysium this week, we leave you with a time capsule of when Elden Ring first came out. While not forever ago, it feels like a different world.

This week, we actually start to get into the main story. And that means we start to pull at the threads of what felt just moments ago like a fully cohesive tapestry of everyone's alibi... but wait.... was that a lie? What does that mean?

--

Be sure to check out Instagram because Elena only knows one type of content and that's pure🔥!  (Also she gives more real-time updates on how much we are throwing the schedule)

Tentative Schedule:

We got a plan from helpful folks over at the Disco Elysium subreddit... and it's gone. That's to say, we've had to make small adjustments for life reasons but we are marching forward... 

Week 1: Play days 1

Week 2: Play until you get into the next landmass and meet some characters. A nice taster.

Week 3: Some went off into sidequests, some yolo'ed the main story. But one thing is for sure, the divergence is real in this section.

Week 4: It's time to dive into the story if you have been avoiding it. It's time.

Week 5: We close it out, boys. The sun is setting and it's scary out here in the night.

General tips that the community wanted to share as we dive in:

• Always keep one skill point on hand to unlock white checks at all times, otherwise you can softlock yourself accidentally.

• Make sure you're able to pay for your room on Day 2 with 20 réal or you will be softlocked.

• Don't look up spoilers and embrace failed checks!

While we take our sweet time with Disco, enjoy a legendary episode from our archives in preparation for Senua's Sacrifice 2.

I'll leave you with a quote that's been resonating with me from Disco Elysium this week as we've been digging into the main story more...

But you would still prefer if we didn't take her away?

That's right, if we didn't take care of the people who end up here, this place would just be a couple of ruins and some cargo containers

-Titus Hardie

This week, after some light hiatus in our actual real lives, we dive back into Disco Elysium. Where we both enjoy the game and discuss how like... you know... how hard it is to pick up a game like this after putting it down. 

--

Be sure to check out Instagram because Elena only knows one type of content and that's pure🔥!  (Also she gives more real-time updates on how much we are throwing the schedule)

Tentative Schedule:

We got a plan from helpful folks over at the Disco Elysium subreddit... and it's gone. That's to say, we've had to make small adjustments for life reasons but we are marching forward... 

Week 1: Play days 1

Week 2: Play until you get into the next landmass and meet some characters. A nice taster.

Week 3: Some went off into sidequests, some yolo'ed the main story. But one thing is for sure, the divergence is real in this section.

Week 4: It's time to dive into the story if you have been avoiding it. It's time.

Week 5: ????

General tips that the community wanted to share as we dive in:

• Always keep one skill point on hand to unlock white checks at all times, otherwise you can softlock yourself accidentally.

• Make sure you're able to pay for your room on Day 2 with 20 réal or you will be softlocked.

• Don't look up spoilers and embrace failed checks!

We've never re-released an episode before, be gentle. McCoy was afraid but James was fearless.

We'll be back for more Disco Elysium next week and with more exciting news on those Insulindian Phasmids

This week, after some light hiatus in our actual real lives, we dive back into Disco Elysium. Where we both enjoy the game and discuss how like... you know... how hard it is to pick up a game like this after putting it down. 

--

Be sure to check out Instagram because Elena only knows one type of content and that's pure🔥!  (Also she gives more real-time updates on how much we are throwing the schedule)

Tentative Schedule:

We got a plan from helpful folks over at the Disco Elysium subreddit... and it's gone. That's to say, we've had to make small adjustments for life reasons but we are marching forward... 

Week 1: Play days 1

Week 2: Play until you get into the next landmass and meet some characters. A nice taster.

Week 3: ??

Week 4: ?? (I mean this could keep going)

General tips that the community wanted to share as we dive in:

• Always keep one skill point on hand to unlock white checks at all times, otherwise you can softlock yourself accidentally.

• Make sure you're able to pay for your room on Day 2 with 20 réal or you will be softlocked.

• Don't look up spoilers and embrace failed checks!

Hello everyone!

We finally caved and decided to play Disco Elysium (Thanks... James). Oh boy, it's a great game everyone, buckle up. I also say buckle up because like... it's gonna take us a minute. Kindness sensors activate!

Be sure to check out Instagram because Elena only knows one type of content and that's pure🔥!  (Also she gives more real-time updates on how much we are throwing the schedule)

Tentative Schedule:

We got a plan from helpful folks over at the Disco Elysium subreddit... and it's gone. That's to say, we've had to make small adjustments for life reasons but we are marching forward... 

Week 1: Play days 1

Week 2: Play until you get into the next landmass and meet some characters. A nice taster.

Week 3: ??

Week 4: ?? (I mean this could keep going)

General tips that the community wanted to share as we dive in:

• Always keep one skill point on hand to unlock white checks at all times, otherwise you can softlock yourself accidentally.

• Make sure you're able to pay for your room on Day 2 with 20 réal or you will be softlocked.

• Don't look up spoilers and embrace failed checks!

Forgive, we started off this episode REALLY slowly (we were all exhausted from daylight savings and epic halo this weekend) but we got there in the end boys.

This is a game that has been bubbling behind the surface for a lot of us and it's time to finally put it out and give it its praise.

This week we finish Tunic and boy does this game shift styles in the second half. I'm glad we stuck with it to see what more it has in store for us. Also, we watch a speed run too, which frankly is something we should be doing more because it's just fun to watch the game you just toiled over get broken apart.

(Also I tried to edit this week with Craig files in hopes it would capture the accidental Ba-Dum-Tis that got fired off in Discord, but alas, it wasn't captured. So you just get Craig audio and since the audio wave forms didn't give away culprit, they are very much still at large)

This week we are joined by Matt to play some Tunic! Zoe, James, and our listeners have been scouting this one so we finally figured out how to align on playing it. 

At the beginning of the episode, there is a spoiler-free zone where we try to explain why you might play this game that has received so much buzz but also no one wants to spoil it for you.

We'll come back next week for the full send spoilers and all-game talk after completing the game. See you then.

This week we finally finish up and get to talking about Deadly Premonition! Which is almost certainly a game of all time.

But also like... for the bingo card:

• Did we release this one on time? That can't be right
• Quick, who do you think has a technical issue this time?
• Do you think James liked this Good/Bad game or did he have an overwhelming desire to call the police the entire time?

"This week it's time for something sorta kinda different"

- Zoe

This week we answer your questions! What a wild world we live in. Thank you all so much for submitting questions and for the kind words.

(Also thanks for tolerating some tech issues that really got at our mentals this week. Your patience and kindness is always appreciated.)

This week, in what almost certainly could have been an email (but you know this ain't how we roll), we put a quick message about our plans for the new year, ask for your listener questions, and give our game forecast so people can actually know what's going on and get their game related emails in before we've already recorded!

• Submit your questions
• Games
  • Deadly Premonition
  • Tunic
  • Lies of P
  • ____ something else, I just can't remember what.
• Take Care of Yourself

Day 3

Personal Award: McCoy’s personal award & top episodes

Shoutouts from 2022

• Sherlock Holmes Chapter One
• Dishonored
• Everspace
• Control
• Elden Ring
• A Bird Story
• Finding Paradise
• Imposter Factory
• Spiritfarer
• Astroneer
• Don’t Starve
• Green Hell
• Subnautica
• Citizen Sleeper
• Mutazione
• Cult of the Lamb
• War Tales

Best Game (Top 5)

• Burnhouse Lane
• Dead Space
• Adios
• Atomic Heart
• Castle Crashers
• The Case of the Golden Idol + DLCs
• Stray
• Dead Cells
• Darkest Dungeon II
• Elden Ring Seamless Co-op
• Fallout 3
• Starfield
• CyberPunk 2077 (2.0 + Phantom Liberty)
• The Pale Beyond
• Soma
• Dredge

Day 2

Personal Award: Zoe’s personal award & top episodes

Best Visuals: Games we couldn’t help but marvel at

• Burnhouse Lane
• Dead Space
• Adios
• Atomic Heart
• Castle Crashers
• The Case of the Golden Idol + DLCs
• Stray
• Dead Cells
• Darkest Dungeon II
• Elden Ring Seamless Co-op
• Fallout 3
• Starfield
• CyberPunk 2077 (2.0 + Phantom Liberty)
• The Pale Beyond
• Soma
• Dredge

Best Atmosphere: Games that give off good (or not so good) “feels”

• Burnhouse Lane
• Dead Space
• Adios
• Atomic Heart
• Castle Crashers
• The Case of the Golden Idol + DLCs
• Stray
• Dead Cells
• Darkest Dungeon II
• Elden Ring Seamless Co-op
• Fallout 3
• Starfield
• CyberPunk 2077 (2.0 + Phantom Liberty)
• The Pale Beyond
• Soma
• Dredge

Personal Award: Elena’s personal award & top episodes

Biggest Surprise: Games that exceeded or subverted our expectations

• Burnhouse Lane
• Dead Space
• Adios
• Atomic Heart
• Castle Crashers
• The Case of the Golden Idol + DLCs
• Stray
• Dead Cells
• Darkest Dungeon II
• Elden Ring Seamless Co-op
• Fallout 3
• Starfield
• CyberPunk 2077 (2.0 + Phantom Liberty)
• The Pale Beyond
• Soma
• Dredge

Biggest Disappointment: Games that missed the mark despite the hype

• Burnhouse Lane
• Dead Space
• Adios
• Atomic Heart
• Castle Crashers
• The Case of the Golden Idol + DLCs
• Stray
• Dead Cells
• Darkest Dungeon II
• Elden Ring Seamless Co-op
• Fallout 3
• Starfield
• CyberPunk 2077 (2.0 + Phantom Liberty)
• The Pale Beyond
• Soma
• Dredge

Day 1

Best Narrative: Games that tell a great story

• Burnhouse Lane
• Dead Space
• Adios
• Atomic Heart
• Castle Crashers
• The Case of the Golden Idol + DLCs
• Stray
• Dead Cells
• Darkest Dungeon II
• Elden Ring Seamless Co-op
• Fallout 3
• Starfield
• CyberPunk 2077 (2.0 + Phantom Liberty)
• The Pale Beyond
• Soma
• Dredge

Personal Award: James’ personal award & top episodes

Best Collective & Multiplayer Experience: The best of the ToT Group Playthroughs

• Burnhouse Lane
• Dead Space
• Castle Crashers
• Elden Ring Seamless Co-op
• Soma

Best Game We’re Still Playing: The games that got us into the Discord

• Elden Ring Seamless Co-op
• TFT
• Halo Infinite
• Plate Up
• Among Us
• Call of Duty

DAVE THE....

.... DIVER

Starting the new year off strong! Thank you everyone for being so kind. May you start the New Year as strong as we hope to.

For the next couple weeks we are going to be releasing GOTY in place of normal podcasts to give us some breathing room to finish Deadly Premonition.

We. Out. Here.

This week we finally get around to talking about Dredge and it's lovely. We've definitely all been vibing on it for the past couple of weeks, in our own way, and it's been exactly what we needed. No doubt about that.

Happy Holidays everyone. Thank you all so much.

Also, hey, Gabe shared with us this FIRE mashup... So, I gotchu dog:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feJ7PWlVms8

"Ultimately in this game. You play as a moth" - James

"The existential dread of being human, that’s the real horror." - Gabe

A Story Analysis of Soma (By YouTuber Gingy)

This week it's first impressions of Soma, a game so scary it's basically taking us 3 weeks to bring ourselves to play it through. Who knew Spooky Games Month was just going to be us afraid of turning on the videogame?

We are very light on spoilers but more so we talk vibes and the "Safe" mode.

The playlist:

Chill Beats to Freeze To - The Pale Beyond Ambient Mix

We returned from a trek on the ice with James... Still no sign of Gabe though. Last time we saw him he was drunk in a bathroom just muttering to himself that "he was the captain now" and laughing to himself.

The playlist:

Chill Beats to Freeze To - The Pale Beyond Ambient Mix

This week it's time for a long slow exhale as we embark on the journey into the pale beyond.

Also this week we lost like at least 2 crew members so it's down to a cozy Elena, Zoe and McCoy.

The one where we finish where we started. You know like just a quick 2 hours of fire.

Look I know we were late this week, but did we not deliver in the end??

As mentioned in the episode, there will be a follow-up episode to finish this one off as we hit time. Fire episode though so enjoy that :D

Welcome to the one where McCoy is SUPER sick. Forgive!

In this episode, we cover jumping back in to Cyberpunk after all these years of development as we reacquaint ourselves with the game systems in preparation for a deeper dive into Phantom Liberty.

We really don't cover the DLC but mostly just how Cyberpunk has changed. Warning though, spoilers for the main game are sprinkled in this episode as we talk about resuming back into this game world where we left off.

One. Last. Time.

It's finally time, again. (Reuploaded)

It's finally time.

We drop everything to play the final Golden Idol DLC and wrap up with our final thoughts on that game now that we've got it all done/dusted/solved.

Spoilers but, what a delight that game has been!

"What a series"

- Gabe

Join us this week for more wasteland adventures... and also for a window into Elena's love life. Spoilers, she totally loves Gale now and she never even thinks about Asterion anymore.