Crossplay Conversations: A Video Game Podcast

Episode Notes This week, the whole crew joins the fun to discuss their time playing the delightful new Switch 2 release Pokémon Pokopia! If you're attending PAX East check out Jacob alongside with friends of the show on GAME-PARDY: A PAX East Quiz Show (Hosted by Adam Gumbert) on March 26th and VIDEO GAME TRIVIA: Judgement Hour on March 28th! Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 1:44 - Ice Breaker Question: What is the best Pokémon spin-off game? 11:57 - Pokopia Overall Impressions 20:39 - How does Pokopia compare to other cozy games? 31:58 - Tips & Tricks for new players jumping in 38:47 - Is Pokopia the reason to buy a Switch 2 if you haven’t already? 46:25 - Our plans for Pokopia and predictions for future expansions 56: 11 - Outro Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social CantPause on Instagram Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast Video Game Trivia

On this (nice) new episode of the show, the crew runs through their favorite demos from the February 2026 Steam Next Fest. They also kick off the show with early impressions of Pokémon Pokopia! Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 1:35 - Icebreaker Question: "How are things in Pokémon Pokopia (early game impressions so far)?" 9:00 - Steam Next Fest Demo Rally! 9:50 - Moto Rush Reborn by Balltoro Games 12:20 - Collector’s Cove by VoodooDuck 15:35 - Replaced by Sad Cat Studios 19:10 - Denshattack by Undercoders 22:00 - Super Meat Boy 3D by Sluggerfly, Team Meat 25:20 - Outbound by Square Glade Games 30:35 - Phonopolis by Amanita 34:55 - Cursed Words by Buried Things 36:05 - RACCOIN: Coin Pusher Roguelike by Doraccoon 39:30 - Vampire Crawlers by Poncle by Nosebleed Interactive 42:40 - Atmosfar by Apog Labs 45:45 - Esoterric Ebb by Christoffer Bodegård 47:30 - ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies by ZA/UM 50:45 - Forbidden Solitaire by Grey Alien Games/Night Signal 51:50 - The Eternal Life of Goldman by Weappy Studio 53:00 - Shoutout Speed Round (Links in Description) 1:00:15 - Outro From the Speed Round: Last Man Sitting by DoubleMoose Games Scott Pilgrim EX by Tribute Games Everything is Crab: The Animal Evolution Roguelite by Odd Dreams Digital Cropdeck on Steamk by Piotrek The Dungeon Experience by Jacob Janerka, Simon Boxer, Bone Assembly Wanderburg by Randwerk Gambonaza by Blukulélé Gumboat God by Janson RAD Lelu by jamierowan Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast

On this episode, the crew runs through their impressions of Hermit and Pig and the new demo of Fishbowl! They also plan out their Steam Next Fest plays and share them with you! Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 3:00 - Icebreaker Question: "What Steam Next Fest Demos will we be jumping into?" 8:20 - Hermit and Pig Review 19:20 - Fishbowl Preview 26:20 - Outro & PAX East 2026 Plans Steam Next Fest Demos Discussed During the Episode: Denshattack! Thrifty Business Titanium Court Cursed Words The Mermaid Mask The Eternal Life of Goldman Replaced Lelu Helix: Descent N Ascent Gambonanza Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast

Episode Notes This week, Luke and Joseph discuss their time playing 4 recent indie releases including Big Hops, Mio: Memories in Orbit, Cairn, and Love Eternal! Games Discussed During the Episode: Big Hops - Luckshot Games Mio: Memories in Orbit - Douze Dixièmes Cairn - The Game Bakers __ Love Eternal - brlka Episode Resources: Joseph’s Mio: Memories in Orbit Review on CantPause Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 4:48 - Ice Breaker Question: If you were to describe your personality using an indie game, what game would you select and why? 8:54 - Big Hops 16:04 - Mio: Memories in Orbit 25:48 - Cairn 37:53 - Love Eternal 46:10 - Outro Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social CantPause on Instagram Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast Video Game Trivia **

This week, the crew runs through their most anticipated indie games of 2026 with special guest RoganPlaysGames! Get your wishlists ready and find links to all of the games covered in the episode below. Games Discussed During the Episode: Neverway by Coldblood Inc. Blighted by Drinkbox Studios Reanimal by Tarsier Studios Astrobotanica by Space Goblin Studio Ontos by Frictional Games The Remake of the End of the Greatest RPG of All Time by Coin Drop Games, Lucas Immanuel, jucobee, Kyle Chuang Good Boy by Observer Interactive The Eternal Life of Goldman by Weappy Studio Lost and Found Co by Bit Egg Inc. Toem 2 by Something We Made Replaced by Sad Cat Studios Fishbowl by imissmyfriends.studio Orbitals by Shapefarm Planet of Lana 2 by Wishfully Denshattack! By Undercoders Slay The Spire 2 by Mega Crit Mina the Hollower by Yacht Club Games Darwin’s Paradox by ZDT Studio Mixtape by Beethoven and Dinosaur Virtue and a Sledgehammer by Deconstructeam and Selkie Harbour Call of the Elder Gods by Out of the Blue Games Shantytown by Erik Rempen Forbidden Solitaire by Grey Alien Games, Night Signal Entertainment Mr. Sleepy Man by Devin Santi Bonus from 2025: OVERLOOK by omidjm Follow RoganPlaysGames: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RoganPlaysGames Instagram: instagram.com/roganplaysgames TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@roganplaysgames Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 4:29 - Icebreaker Question: What are you pulling out of your big backlog in January? 13:25 - First Round Picks28:56 - Second Round Picks 44:18 - Third Round Picks1:01:18 - Final Round Picks1:19:38 - Speed Round Shoutouts 1:23:40 - Outro Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social CantPause on Instagram Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast Video Game Trivia

This week, the crew wraps up their 2025 Game of the Year series by debating a variety of award categories. Stay tuned until the end of the episode for the reveal of the Crossplay Conversations Top 10 Games of 2025! Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 2:50 - The Luke Lewis Chill Out With a Coffee on a Rainy Weekend Afternoon Award 25:11 - Hooper’s Puzzle Paradise Award 41:51 - Claire’s Creatively Cozy Award 57:40 - Best Music 1:12:05 - Best Visuals Technical 1:30:52 - Best Visual Art Direction 1:36:59 - Spoilers: The Drifter 1:37:45 - End of Spoilers: The Drifter 1:42:35 - Best Narrative 2:00:15 - Our Top 10 Games of 2025 Reveal Video 2:15:51 - Outro Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social CantPause on Instagram Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast Video Game Trivia

This week, the crew kicks off their 2025 Game of the Year series by debating a variety of award categories. From the vast puzzle rooms of the Mount Holly Estate in Blue Prince to branching narratives of Dispatch and so much more, there’s a game here for everyone. Let’s close out 2025 in style. Stay tuned for the next episode for the reveal of the Crossplay Conversations Top 10 Games of 2025! Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 4:20 - Best Gameplay Loop 42:41 - Most Underrated Game 1:17:07 - The Business Boy’s 2025 Bit of Bad Business 1:58:11 - Outro Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast

Episode Notes This week, Jacob and Luke give their thoughts on the 2025 Indie Game Awards! Please note that this episode was recorded before the IGA Team announced that they would be retracting awards for Debut Game, Game of the Year, and one of the Indie Vanguard recipients. If you would like to learn more about the process for the decision you can view the statement by the IGA Team below: Episode Resources: IGA Eligibility Statement: https://www.indiegameawards.gg/faq Our Blue Prince Review & Spoilercast: https://youtu.be/In647FS-reU?si=jb7dIcWAdHqIcIJ- Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 1:47 - Icebreaker Question: How are you enjoying playing Expedition 33? 8:56 - The GOTY category 11:38 - Indie Game Awards overall thoughts and breaking down our highlights of the night 13:47 - The Indie Vanguard Class of 2025 16:12 - Double Aggro Crab win!!17:20 - Solo Development19:24 - Best Narrative 24:03 - Bite-Sized 26:29 - Gameplay Design30:53 - Best Visuals 32:43 - Best Music 36:47 - Emotional Impact 41:05 - Showcase Award Categories and Community Picks 46:49 - Our Crossplay Conversations Game of the Year Awards 52:57 - Outro Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast Video Game Trivia **

Episode Notes This week, Joseph and Luke give their thoughts on the 2025 Game Awards! From award winners to game announcements, the crew unpacks their reactions. Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 1:11: Ice Breaker Question: What are your overall thoughts on the Game Awards 2025? 5:25: Breaking down the winners 31:42 - Announcement highlights 1:04:42 - Outro Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast Video Game Trivia Check out our podcast host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free with no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-51cd63 for 40% off for 4 months, and support Crossplay Conversations: A Video Game Podcast.

This week, Jacob and Luke dive into five 2025 indie games that you may have missed as they prep for Indie Game Awards! Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro 1:40 - Icebreaker: What’s a trend in gaming that you think 2025 will be remembered for? 9:40 - Tall Trails 15:05 - Discounty 20:00 - The King is Watching 25:10 - Megabonk 29:45 - Absolum 34:00 - Housekeeping & Outro We only have 2 shows left for 2025! Tentatively, here's what we have left: 12/16 - The Game Awards 2025 Debrief On or before 12/23 - The Indie Game Awards 2025 Debrief Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast Check out our podcast host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free with no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-51cd63 for 40% off for 4 months, and support Crossplay Conversations: A Video Game Podcast.

Episode Notes This week, the crew gives their review on five recent fall releases including: Hollow Knight: Silksong, Hades II, Ball x Pit, Keeper, and Sword of the Sea! Get those wishlists ready and prepare for some good game discussion as the crew prepares for Game of the Year voting. Games Discussed During Today’s Episode: Hollow Knight Silksong Hades II BALLxPIT Keeper Sword of the Sea Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 1:55 - Ice Break Question: What’s your gaming game plan going into the end of 2025? 11:55 - Hollow Knight: Silksong 20:12 - Hades II 30:39 - Game Awards GOTY Predictions 38:08 - Ball x Pit 45:45 - Keeper 53:11 - Sword of the Sea58:57 - Outro Additional Episode Resources: Support Jacob and the crew via Extra Life: https://www.extra-life.org/participants/561753 Check out Joseph’s New CantPause Video: https://youtu.be/gzMEdUrzRNc?si=JFxbnZ7eWc_sZ_UG Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast Video Game Trivia

Episode Notes This week, the crew builds a list of the 16 best games to play during the month of October! From horrific scares to a cozy fall vibe, this discussion has a game for everyone. Pour a hot beverage, sit back, relax, and let’s get spooky. Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 1:34 - Ice Breaker Question: What video game would you like to dress up as for Halloween? 7:01 - How do we fare with spooky games? 10:07 - Defining our list approach/format 12:11 - Building the list 54:04 - Narrowing it down to the top 16 1:18:21 - Outro Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast

This week, Joseph, Claire and Luke finally dive deep on Blue Prince! This is a no-holds-barred spoiler-filled chat! If you're looking for something lighter about Blue Prince, check out our Game of the Year So Far show (Ep. 48)! Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 2:00 - Icebreaker: Where is Blue Prince on your GOTY list? 7:00 - Final Spoiler Warning 7:10 - Hour/Day Counts 16:20 - The Post-Game Approach 26:00 - The Story of Blue Prince 31:30 - Joseph's Story Speedrun 43:30 - The "Does X Matter" Section 51:45 - Ah-Ha Moments 1:05:30 - Optimizing our Runs 1:09:45 - The Final Exam 1:16:15 - Outro Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast

This week, Jacob and Luke are joined by Kate Hunter (aka Katerblossom) from No Small Games and Travis Colenutt from the Left Behind Game Club to test-drive our brand new format: the 5 Tens! We break down 5 topics over ten minutes each and this week it's five short indie game reviews. The games are And Roger, Dark Queen of Mortholme, Many Nights a Whisper, No I'm Not a Human and Henry Halfhead! Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 7:20 - Explaining the Five Tens 8:10 - And Roger 26:15 - Dark Queen of Mortholme 35:30 - Many Nights a Whisper 48:00 - No, I'm Not a Human 1:00:50 - Henry Halfhead 1:11:30 - Choosing One 1:16:00 - Outro Listen to Kate's show No Small Games and her appearance on Geeks and Grounds here: Geeks and Grounds: Chants of Sennar No Small Games: Many Nights a Whisper March 2025 Mini Indie Roundup Listen to Travis on the Left Behind Game Club and Cutscenes! Left Behind Game Club: Indika Cutscenes Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast

On this bonus episode of the show, Jacob breaks down his 30-hour journey through the upcoming FINAL FANTASY TACTICS - The Ivalice Chronicles with help from Luke! Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 2:00 - Jacob's History with SRPGs and FF: Tactics 3:40 - High-Level Impressions about the Game 6:15 - QOL Improvements with the Remaster 8:50 - Voice Acting 11:45 - Gameplay Deep Dive (Units, Jobs, Battles) 18:50 - An Aged Foundation 26:00 - The Story 27:40 - Outro Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast

This week, the crew breaks down their favorite games from PAX West 2025. From new indie gems to impressions on the latest titles from CAPCOM, this episode has a game for everyone. Sit back, relax, and get those wishlists ready! Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 3:50 - How was PAX West 2025 overall, and how did it compare to previous shows? 8:47 - Jacob’s Game of the Show: Terrible Lizards 13:33 - Luke’s Game of the Show: Block for Babies 17:43 - Joseph’s Game of the Show: No Stone Unturned 21:52 - Claire’s Game of the Show: Fallen Tear: The Ascension 26:00 - Capcom Preview Impressions: Pragmata, Resident Evil Requiem, and Onimusha: Way of the Sword 37:51 - Rollergirl 42:27 - Negative Space 45:02 - Bubsy 4D 49:24 - The Secret of Weepstone 53:40 - War of the Western Deep 59:58 - Black Jacket 1:02:08 - Swap Meat 1:07:00 - Opus: Prism Peak 1:10:25 - Speed Round Picks 1:25:24 - Outro Wishlist the Games Discussed During Today’s Episode: Terrible Lizards - WDR Studios LLC Blocks for Babies - BunkSoft Interactive LLC No Stone Unturned - Wise Monkey Entertainment Ltd. Fallen Tear: The Ascension - Winter Crew Studios Pragmata - CAPCOM Resident Evil Requiem - CAPCOM Onimusha: Way of the Sword - CAPCOM Rollergirl - Pushing Vertices Negative Space - Tier 87 Games Bubsy 4D - Fabraz The Secret of Weepstone - Talesworth Game Studio War of the Western Deep - Sunsgrove Studios Black Jacket - Mi'pu'mi Games GmbH Swap Meat - One More Game Opus: Prism Peak - SIGONO INC. Kirby AirRiders - Nintendo Pokemon Legends: Z-A - Game Freak Unbeatable - D-CELL GAMES Cartomantic - Ash Makes Games Away from Home - Squishy, Cameron Smith-Randick Rogue Labyrinth - Tea Witch Games Song of Maka - Silverjay Studio Valor Mortis - One More Level Additional Show Resources: Jacob’s PAX West 2025 Video Game Trivia Panel featuring Joseph and Lukehttps://youtu.be/wm6WEZFjosA?si=z8GppJr55novR85Q Joseph’s No Stone Unturned PAX West 2025 Preview Articlehttps://www.cantpause.com/p/no-stone-unturned-has-hints-of-undertales Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast

Episode Notes This week, the crew breaks down their time going hands-on with some upcoming titles from Xbox including Hollow Knight: Silksong on the ROG Xbox Ally X, High on Life 2, Invincible VS, Super Meat Boy 3D, There are no Ghosts at the Grand, and NINJA GAIDEN 4. Look forward to one additional episode this week with the annual Crossplay Conversations Best of PAX West episode. Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 2:52 - Hollow Knight: Silksong on the ROG Xbox Ally X 6:30 - High On Life 2 8:25 - Invincible VS 13:15 - Super Meat Boy 3D 18:11 - There are no Ghosts at the Grand 21:52 - NINJA GAIDEN 4 25:18 - Outro Check Jacob’s PAX West 2025 Video Game Trivia Panel featuring Joseph and Luke: https://youtu.be/wm6WEZFjosA?si=z8GppJr55novR85Q Note: We enjoyed hearing Ralph Ineson in High in Life 2 and not Ralph Finnes. Big Ralph fans here at Crossplay Conversations. - Jacob Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast