dotzip

Oh to be a little guy with a fan on your head talking to Sylvia.Today we're talking about Formless Star by splendidland! A game about meeting 61 creatures and maybe a secret 62nd.Get Formless Star on itch.io!!! Follow splendidland's work on their website!Discussed in the episode:Creativity in the Age of AI by Ariadne J. Markou for Michigan Sociological Review30 Years of Tamagotchi Jam on itch.io---Support us on Ko-fi!Visit our website!Follow us on YouTube!Follow the show on Bluesky!Check out The Worst Garbage Online!---Art by Tara CrawfordTheme music by _amaranthineAdditional sounds by BoqehProduced and edited by AJ Fillari---Timecodes:(00:00) - dot.army (01:40) - Another one for the girls (02:55) - Studio pedigree (04:17) - What is Formless Star (05:35) - Finding all the little guys (06:40) - The game is cute :) (08:38) - The game is about curiosity (10:22) - Getting out of our spaceship on spoiler planet (10:40) - Sylvia's Song (13:10) - Favorite animals (20:42) - The 61st creature (28:52) - The music!!! (30:38) - Big Takeaways (30:43) - Robin's Big Takeaway (33:06) - Kim's Big Takeaway (38:31) - Creativity is magic (45:47) - Good game (46:53) - Time for bed ★ Support this podcast ★

Today AJ does ONE FINAL RECAP of their time at PAX East 2026. If you want to hear AJ's thoughts with worse audio and less forethought, you can listen to their dot.trip episodes on Kofi ~ https://ko-fi.com/dotzip ~. The rest of this month's eps will be member exclusives!Discussed in the episode:AJ on The Content Mill talking about PAXNever Post's Team Chat: We Won't Make Video and You Can't Force Us (Paywalled)Support Never Post!AJ, Brendon, Gianni, and Phil streaming the Godzilla RPG with LanFest! on YouTube (audio is iffy at times)Godzilla: The Roleplaying Game by IDW Games on Kickstarter is still taking late pledges!Indie Press Revolution's websitePlus One EXP's websiteSoothwardens by Navaar JacksonDown We Go by Plus One ExperienceThe Prince of Hounds by Jay DragonMythic Bastionland by Chris McDowallQuinns Quest Reviews: Mythic Bastionland! on YouTubeKala Mandala Playbook by Munkao and Centaur GamesNo Small GamesUnderplayedSix One IndieCrossplay Conversations and Left Behind Game Club: A Video Game PodcastGianniDicrosta on Twitch70% Complete (Phil Bothun)---Support us on Ko-fi!Visit our website!Follow us on YouTube!Follow the show on Bluesky!Check out The Worst Garbage Online!---Art by Tara CrawfordTheme music by _amaranthineAdditional sounds by BoqehProduced and edited by AJ Fillari---Timecodes:(00:00) - Intro (00:07) - It's another podcast (01:08) - Making stuff (04:12) - Talking about PAX (05:21) - It's TTRPG time baby (05:44) - Godzilla the TTRPG (10:33) - More TTRPGs (10:49) - Indie Press Revolution (11:16) - PlusOneEXP (11:42) - Soothwardens by Navaar Jackson (12:28) - Down We Go by Marcus Linderum and Plus One Experience (15:25) - The Prince of Hounds by Jay Dragon (16:29) - Mythic Bastionland by Chris McDowall (17:52) - Kala Mandala by Munkao and Centaur Games (19:41) - I love games! (19:59) - I met so many folks!!! (23:02) - That's the recap! ★ Support this podcast ★

When you think about it the ocean is kind of like space.Today we're talking about In Other Waters by Jump Over the Age! A game about the wonder and devastation of ecological science, and good menus.Get In Other Waters on Steam, Humble, GoG, or Nintendo Switch!!! Follow Jump Over the Age's work on their website!Discussed in the episode:Listen to Leaving the Party!!!In Other Waters is about exploring an alien ocean through an AI interface by Nicole Carpenter for PolygonIn Other Waters, ft. Gareth Damian Martin by Bad End: A Videogame Podcast'Citizen Sleeper' dev on how players’ bodies shape the story by Robin<3 for inverseHow ecological adventure In Other Waters's planet-wide mystery gives players hope by Joel Couture for Game Developer---Support us on Ko-fi!Visit our website!Follow us on YouTube!Follow the show on Bluesky!Check out The Worst Garbage Online!---Art by Tara CrawfordTheme music by _amaranthineAdditional sounds by BoqehProduced and edited by AJ Fillari---Timecodes:(00:00) - Day dreams (dreams you have that are what your day is going to be) (01:26) - Chase NAILS the intro (01:54) - What is In Other Waters (04:17) - High level thoughts (09:55) - Cheering at the UI (15:36) - The line to Citizen Sleeper (19:42) - Early game spoilers (21:33) - Shoutout to Amos Roddy (22:09) - Where to begin spoiling... (24:03) - Diving deeper (30:16) - Graphics are environmental metaphor actually (39:00) - In the end (50:01) - Big Takeaways (50:05) - Robin's Big Takeaway (54:18) - Chase's Big Takeaway (56:45) - We win! (57:10) - Thanks for finding the ending of the episode ★ Support this podcast ★

Just-- Wh-- Man....Today we're talking about Soul of Sovereignty by GGDG! A game about needing to see the good in someone else and pretty flowers. This game was suggested by Amet! If you'd like to suggest a game head over to our website!Get Soul of Sovereignty on itch!!! Follow GGDG's work on their website!Discussed in the episode:Cucumber Quest by GGDGSoulSov Chapter 1-3 OSTs on Bandcamp---Support us on Ko-fi!Visit our website!Follow us on YouTube!Follow the show on Bluesky!Check out The Worst Garbage Online!---Art by Tara CrawfordTheme music by _amaranthineAdditional sounds by BoqehProduced and edited by AJ Fillari---Timecodes:(00:00) - We are friends!!!!! (00:39) - Fri-day night (01:30) - Thank you Amet for the suggestion! (03:35) - What is Soul of Sovereignty (06:45) - SPOILERS IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT EVENTS IN THE BEGINNING (11:47) - The intro is good and so is everything!!! (14:17) - It's not done yet technically! (15:51) - FINAL SPOILER WARNING (16:12) - Welcome to spoilers (16:35) - The turn (18:52) - Selfish virtue and deadly kindness (24:04) - The story is painful (29:49) - Where does the story go from here? (31:14) - Audience surrogate (32:15) - It's time to talk about Them. (37:32) - Flashback stuff (38:56) - AJ and Kim bait (45:22) - THE STORY IS PAINFUL!!!!!!!! (47:31) - We haven't even talked about The Trials (48:42) - There is just so much we haven't touched on (53:53) - They're both hot (54:48) - Whoops it's Big Takeaways (55:09) - KAJ's Takeaway (01:00:14) - Good (01:01:01) - Thank you for listening :) ★ Support this podcast ★

We’ve all had unrequited feelings for one of our best friends at the hot springs, right? Right????Today we're talking about A Year of Springs by npckc! A game about the endless complexity of being a woman and sending cute lil emojis.Get A Year of Springs on Steam or itch!!! Follow npckc’s work on their website!Discussed in the episode:A YEAR OF SPRINGS soundtrack on Bandcamp---Support us on Ko-fi!Visit our website!Follow us on YouTube!Follow the show on Bluesky!Check out The Worst Garbage Online!---Art by Tara CrawfordTheme music by _amaranthineAdditional sounds by BoqehProduced and edited by AJ Fillari---Timecodes:(00:00) - Someone make a good way to take screenshots (01:07) - Lifeguard Off-Duty (02:07) - Who is npckc? (03:16) - What is a Year of Springs (05:21) - Hard to not spoil! (08:23) - General subject matter (12:18) - Beep boop (12:25) - One Night, Hot Springs (18:07) - Endings (22:45) - The difference in perspectives (25:36) - Last Day of Spring (29:03) - Presents for transgender women (30:56) - The texting is good! (32:25) - Spring Leaves No Flower (37:40) - An unexpected shift (42:32) - Why is it so hard to be a woman!!!!!! (44:14) - I guess I gotta talk to my boyfriend... (45:22) - Endings (46:47) - This one is for the girls (51:07) - The Epilogue (52:39) - Getting a new start (55:46) - Big Takeaways (55:56) - Kim's Big Takeaway (59:26) - Robin's Big Takeaway (01:04:17) - Good game!!! (01:04:23) - Kim attempts the outro ★ Support this podcast ★

BzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzToday we're talking about Time Flies by Playables! A game about being a fly and then being another fly.Get Time Flies on Playstation, Switch, Steam, Epic, or the App Store!!! Follow Playables work on their website!Discussed in the episode:EYEZMAZERobin's piece on Time Flies for InverseAllegheny Cemetery: The story behind the Egyptian mausoleum and sphinx by Joaquin Gonzalez for 90.5 WESA---Support us on Ko-fi!Visit our website!Follow us on YouTube!Follow the show on Bluesky!Check out The Worst Garbage Online!---Art by Tara CrawfordTheme music by _amaranthineAdditional sounds by BoqehProduced and edited by AJ Fillari---Timecodes:(00:00) - We needed this (01:22) - A Kim approved intro (02:18) - What is Time Flies (09:00) - The sound design (10:18) - The art (12:18) - A not spoiler spoiler (12:34) - How many secrets did we find? (13:41) - Standout stuff (23:55) - Min/Maxxing life expectancy (30:08) - How are we feeling about death? (41:14) - A quick mechanical thing (42:39) - Big Takeaways (42:45) - Kim's Big Takeaway (44:58) - AJ's Big Takeaway (47:15) - Robin's Big Takeaway (49:31) - How do I live a life like the fly? (52:35) - Check the show notes! (53:17) - Thank you for listening! ★ Support this podcast ★

Send help.Today we're talking about the February 2026 Next Fest! Discussed in the episode:Games that will almost certainly be covered by dotzipUnhomely - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2941990/Unhomely/I’m Making a Monster - https://store.steampowered.com/app/4047160/Im_Making_a_Monster/Brain goes burrVHOLUME - https://store.steampowered.com/app/4131730/VHOLUME/Tileweaver - https://store.steampowered.com/app/4006200/Tileweaver/Cursed Words - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3856460/Cursed_Words/Pachincro - https://store.steampowered.com/app/4200890/Pachincro/The Loopler - https://store.steampowered.com/app/4150860/The_Loopler/The Magus Circle - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2796640/The_Magus_Circle/Runeomicon - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3160570/Runeomicon/Modulus - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2779120/Modulus/Raccoon - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3784030/RACCOIN_Coin_Pusher_Roguelike/I love whatever is wrong youRewind 99 - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3977290/Rewind_99/Busbound - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2095420/Bus_Bound/Nightfall Cafe - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3816920/Nightfall_Cafe/All Will Rise - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3165340/All_Will_Rise/ (on Kickstarter: All Will Rise: a narrative courtroom deck-builder )AtmosFar - https://store.steampowered.com/app/1798230/ATMOSFAR/West - https://store.steampowered.com/app/4302000/West/Shoutout to Newgrounds.comChipmatic - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3780950/Chipmatic/Mining Merchant - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3744080/Mining_Merchant/Maybe that zoloft didn't block ALL my emotionsHozy - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3326230/Hozy/Memento - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2474770/Momento/inKONBINI - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2723430/inKONBINI_One_Store_Many_Stories/A Study In Blue - https://store.steampowered.com/app/4280150/A_Study_in_Blue/Deep Snow Delivery - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3281970/Deep_Snow_Delivery/This one's on the computerLost Wiki: Kozlovka - https://store.steampowered.com/app/4018950/Lost_Wiki_Kozlovka/Human.exe - https://store.steampowered.com/app/4016270/Humanexe/MMO 98 - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3907940/MMO_98/Secrets of Suburbia - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3111050/Secrets_Of_Suburbia/What the fuck (affectionate)Panthalassa - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2955720/Panthalassa/WOODROT - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3896040/WOODROT/THREE VERSES³ - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3139120/THREE_VERSES/Burden Street Station - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3126340/Burden_Street_Station/Feast for the EyesPetrichor - https://store.steampowered.com/app/4168440/Petrichor/Phonopolis - https://store.steampowered.com/app/1206070/Phonopolis/ (nocaps on YouTube: i played every game by Amanita Design)Titanium Court - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2364580/Titanium_Court/Helix: Descent N Ascent - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2736370/Helix_Descent_N_Ascent/Pluto - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3057670/Pluto/HYPNOS - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2861210/HYPNOS/The dotzip award for the most questionable idle animationsSuper Alloy Crush - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3092360/Super_Alloy_Crush/Hot girl walksDreamcore: Rabbit Hole - https://store.steampowered.com/app/4149700/Dreamcore_Rabbit_Hole/Plum Road Tea Dream - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3206340/Plum_Road_Tea_Dream/Walk the Frog - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3336240/Walk_The_Frog/nophenia - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3979330/nophenia/Gloomveil - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3156020/Gloomveil/Women su...

i ain't interpreting all that. i'm happy for you tho. or sorry that happenedToday we're talking about Eclipsium by Housefire! A game about walking around and unspeakable things happening to your hand.Get Eclipsium on Steam!!! Follow Housefire's work on their website!Discussed in the episode:AJ on The Worst Community ReportAJ's 2025 Game of the Year video on YouTubeEclipsium (Original Game Soundtrack) by Hudson Bikichky on BandcampAJ's playthrough of the beginning of Eclipsium on YouTubeFinding Emilie by Radiolab---Support us on Ko-fi!Visit our website!Follow us on YouTube!Follow the show on Bluesky!Check out The Worst Garbage Online!---Art by Tara CrawfordTheme music by _amaranthine and check out his new project Foster Hope!Additional sounds by BoqehProduced and edited by AJ Fillari---Timecodes:(00:00) - Listen to AJ on The Worst Garbage Community Report :-) (01:45) - Welcome to the game (03:31) - What is Eclipsium? (04:58) - What'd we think (08:30) - Bugs? (10:00) - The music!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The sound!!!!!!!!!! (13:10) - The hand and the things done to the hand (15:42) - Heading to spoilers (16:11) - Chase wants to talk about the images (20:01) - Kim wants to talk about judgment (22:48) - Robin wants to talk about it literally (25:16) - AJ wants to talk about the opting-in (27:24) - What death means and religious imagery (34:21) - Going to the panopticon (47:27) - They can't ALL be PT!!! (50:03) - An actually interesting series of hallways (56:47) - Big Takeaways (56:59) - AJ's Big Takeaway (59:42) - Chase's Big Takeaway (01:04:08) - Kim's Big Takeaway (01:06:19) - Robin's Big Takeaway (01:09:39) - The end of the game hot damn (01:09:57) - Thanks for listening! ★ Support this podcast ★

Guy whose only played Sayonara Wild Hearts: "I'm getting a lot of Sayonara Wild Hearts energy in this game."Today we're talking about Toroa: Skycall by Atawhai Interactive! A game about gliding and just hangin' out.Get Toroa: Skycall on Steam!!! Follow Atawhai Interactive's work on their website!Discussed in the episode:The sourdough shaping video that AJ talked about by Matthew James Duffy on YouTube Shorts(tm)TWG Steam Curator PageMaking Kin with the Machines, Archer et al. from the Journal of Design and Science by MIT PressRoyal Albatross Centre ---Support us on Ko-fi!Visit our website!Follow us on YouTube!Follow the show on Bluesky!Check out The Worst Garbage Online!---Art by Tara CrawfordTheme music by _amaranthineAdditional sounds by BoqehProduced and edited by AJ Fillari---Timecodes:(00:00) - The end of a 20 minute conversation (02:31) - We're not fighting!!! (03:43) - fort.nite ???? (05:52) - Oh right the podcast (06:12) - What is Toroa: Skycall (07:36) - This game feels AMAZING (10:21) - The MUSIC (11:38) - The game is steeped in culture (13:46) - Talking to other animals (17:02) - Songs of the sea have been dulled by the drums of progress (21:48) - The game wants you to just hang out (23:05) - Bird heaven???? (28:49) - Everything is connected (33:57) - You get where you're going (35:57) - Made with love (36:31) - Everything is connected!!! (37:15) - Big Takeaways (37:17) - Kim's Big Takeaway (42:31) - AJ's Big Takeaway (47:09) - Help the Northern Royal Albatross!!! (47:38) - Thank you for listening! ★ Support this podcast ★

This is a sports game! Well it's a game that centers around a sport... Er, it's a game that has a sport as a central narrative piece... uh...Today we're talking about despelote by Julián Cordero and Sebastián Valbuena! A game about soccer and tuning out the adults in your life.Get despelote on Steam, Switch, or Playstation!!! Follow Julian's work on his website! Follow Sebastián on his website!Follow Matt on his YouTube channel, Flow State!Discussed in the episode:A Sportslike Manifesto by Grapefruit GamesDespelote review: miraculous slice-of-life soccer game pulls a hat trick by Moises Taveras for Digital TrendsAdditional links:Despelote with Moises Taveras by Tales from the Backlog on YouTube---Support us on Ko-fi!Visit our website!Follow us on YouTube!Follow the show on Bluesky!Check out The Worst Garbage Online!---Art by Tara CrawfordTheme music by _amaranthineAdditional sounds by BoqehProduced and edited by AJ Fillari---Timecodes:(00:00) - The sausage gets made (00:19) - Babby's first intro (01:34) - The Sports Corner (04:20) - What is despelote? (08:13) - Sportslike (11:24) - Witholding the big stuff (13:35) - Making it back to the bench (14:36) - The first ten minutes (18:39) - Standout moments (26:07) - Being a child among adults (31:24) - What happened... (32:43) - Turn the game on! (35:06) - Crossing narrative lines (37:22) - The very end (41:11) - Big Takeaways (41:16) - Matt's Big Takeaway (44:12) - Robin's Big Takeaway (46:27) - Chase's Big Takeaway (49:43) - Thank you Matt for coming on! (49:53) - Chase attempts an outro ★ Support this podcast ★

Would you mind picking me up a mystery skull while you're out?Today we're talking about Dépanneur Nocturne by KO_OP! A game about getting little treats and going to the washroom.Get Dépanneur Nocturne on Steam!!! Follow Ko_OP's work on their website!Discussed in the episode:_amaranthine's (Jake's) new project Foster Hope on bandcamp!---Support us on Ko-fi!Visit our website!Follow us on YouTube!Follow the show on Bluesky!Check out The Worst Garbage Online!---Art by Tara CrawfordTheme music by _amaranthineAdditional sounds by BoqehProduced and edited by AJ Fillari---Timecodes:(00:00) - Eldot Ring (00:21) - ahem (00:34) - Snow day!!!!!! (01:38) - What is Depanneur Nocturne? (02:31) - This is a game about existing in a new place (10:11) - The backroom (11:25) - Going to the washroom (15:31) - Sharing little secrets (18:27) - The cashier (23:01) - Our big takeaways for our beautiful partner (29:40) - Big Takeaways (29:53) - AJ's Big Takeaway (31:42) - Robin's Big Takeaway (33:16) - A beautiful game about going shopping (33:52) - Thanks for listening! ★ Support this podcast ★

In this one AJ and Robin experience every human emotion at once!Today we're talking about The Sea Will Claim Everything by Jonas Kyratzes! A game about a sentient house and needing to read more philosophy. This game was suggested by Alex! If you'd like to suggest a game head over to our website!Get The Lands of Dream collection on Steam!!! Follow Jonas Kyratzes' work on their website!Discussed in the episode:The Sea Will Claim Everything walkthrough and review on jayisgames.com (for the love of god don't click anywhere else around the website lol)Emergence blog post on Jonas Kyratzes' websiteFear of Twine: Zombies and Elephants (Verena Kyratzes) on YouTubeLife Support by Veran Kyratzes---Support us on Ko-fi!Visit our website!Follow us on Twitch!Follow the show on Bluesky!Check out The Worst Garbage Online!---Art by Tara CrawfordTheme music by _amaranthineAdditional sounds by BoqehProduced and edited by AJ Fillari---Timecodes:(00:00) - Remember that you have free will (00:52) - The podcast intro equivalent of waking up in a pitch dark hotel room (01:43) - The saga of The Lands of Dream (04:52) - What is The Sea Will Claim Everything? (08:09) - It's goofy! (14:12) - Some advice (14:59) - Some of the first text things you see (15:18) - "The Sea Will Claim Everything, part II" by Chris Christodoulou, The Sea Will Claim Everything (17:41) - Welcome to Underhome (24:43) - Out into the world (31:46) - The Isle of Stars (34:20) - The Isle of Becoming (38:58) - "Grains of Sand" by Chris Christodoulou, The Sea Will Claim Everything (40:36) - Saying "No" (40:49) - "Victory March" by Chris Christodoulou, The Sea Will Claim Everything (41:15) - Saying "No" (43:36) - The Oracle (47:41) - Goodbye (48:28) - "The Sea Will Claim Everything, part II" by Chris Christodoulou, The Sea Will Claim Everything (52:31) - The packaging (52:47) - SPOILERS FOR GREAT GOD GROVE (52:59) - The packaging (54:21) - All abooooard! (54:27) - AJ's Big Takeaways (56:59) - Robin's Big Takeaway (58:42) - Hoo baby that's a video game (59:14) - A little bit of diving (01:00:34) - Thank you for listening! ★ Support this podcast ★

Sometimes every single part of the game is so good that you simply can't articulate it completely.Today we're talking about Sayonara Wild Hearts by Simogo! A game about playing a pop album and therapeutic movement!Get Sayonara Wild Hearts everywhere!!! Follow Simogo's work on their website!Discussed in the episode:Sayonara Wild Hearts Analysis – Use of Tarot in Game Design and Narrative by Angie for Backlog CrusaderAdditional links:Fading Memories (Demos and unused tracks from Sayonara Wild Hearts) on YouTubeHow Simogo built Sayonara Wild Hearts' best stage by Matt Leone for Design RoomTeddy Girls: The Style Subculture That Time Forgot by Laura Havlin for AnOther (fashion that inspired SWH's design)---Support us on Ko-fi!Visit our website!Follow us on Twitch!Follow the show on Bluesky!Check out The Worst Garbage Online!---Art by Tara CrawfordTheme music by _amaranthineAdditional sounds by BoqehProduced and edited by AJ Fillari---Timecodes:(00:00) - Fem unc? (01:26) - Welcome to 2026! (02:05) - Welcome to 2026 (correct version)! (03:06) - What is Sayonara Wild Hearts? (04:55) - How was it? (12:56) - Spoilers (13:38) - Favorites? (18:54) - The effect of switching stuff up so much (24:04) - There are levels to this game (25:18) - The game is good and we don't know what else to say (31:08) - Big Takeaways (31:29) - Chase's Big Takeaway (34:33) - AJ's Big Takeaway (35:14) - Robin's Big Takeaway (37:17) - It's a good one! (40:00) - Think about sleeping and hire Robin ★ Support this podcast ★

Welcome Robin to dotzip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!In this one we pick 11 games that we'll be playing over the next few months! Don't forget there's a NextFest in there too! Hah ha ! Hehe! Ho hoh!!!!Check out AJ's video about their top 12 games of 2025!!!Discussed in the episode:PODCAST: felvidek (2024) by Leaving the PartyEclipsium is G O O D dotzip stream archiveCucumber Quest by gigi d.g.The Slate! (check the website for the release order!):The Sea Will Claim everything - https://store.steampowered.com/app/337720/The_Lands_of_Dream/(suggested by Alex!)Sayonara Wild Hearts - https://store.steampowered.com/app/1122720/Sayonara_Wild_HeartsDespelote- https://store.steampowered.com/app/2367820/despelote/Eclipsium - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2419670/Eclipsium/A Year of Springs - https://store.steampowered.com/app/1688580/A_YEAR_OF_SPRINGS/Before your eyes - https://store.steampowered.com/app/1082430/Before_Your_Eyes/Soul of Sovereignty (prelude) - https://gigidigi.itch.io/soulsov (suggested by Amet!)In Other Waters - https://store.steampowered.com/app/890720/In_Other_Waters/Cr33p - https://try-froggery.itch.io/cr33pToroa: Skycall - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2003490/Toroa_Skycall/ Depanneur Nocturne - https://store.steampowered.com/app/1285160/Depanneur_Nocturne/Hypnagogia - https://sodaraptor.itch.io/hypnagogiaHypogea - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2980260/Hypogea/Formless Star - https://splendidland.itch.io/formless-star ---Support us on Ko-fi!Visit our website!Follow us on YouTube!Follow the show on Bluesky!Check out The Worst Garbage Online!---Art by Tara CrawfordTheme music by _amaranthineAdditional sounds by BoqehProduced and edited by AJ Fillari---Timecodes:(00:00) - DS(N)i(ece) (02:16) - How do we podcast again? (02:35) - BIG EPISODE! (06:00) - Welcome to fart.piss! (06:03) - Selections begin! (06:58) - The Sea Will Claim Everything (08:39) - Sayonara Wild Hearts (12:05) - despelote (14:07) - Eclipsium (19:19) - A Year of Springs (21:21) - Before Your Eyes (24:39) - Soul of Sovereignty (prelude) (26:12) - In Other Waters (28:08) - Cr33p (29:51) - Toroa: Skycall (31:33) - Depanneur Nocturne (33:10) - hypnogogia (34:41) - Hypogea (35:53) - Formless Star (39:13) - The lineup! (40:00) - February NextFest Cometh (40:50) - Thanks for listening! ★ Support this podcast ★

Surprise! Kim and AJ sat down and discussed their games of the year in the context of the themes that jumped out to them! What will be crowned Theme of the Year by the end of it?? Only one way to find out!---Discussed in the episode (🚨Spoilers for games and themes, but no spoilers for the TOTY winner🚨):Themes of the year spreadsheetExercising Power and Control in the Face of Hegemonyof the DevilMichel Foucault and the panopticism theory of disciplinary power on WikipediaQ-UpLeilaFACEMINEROccludeFaustian bargain on BritannicaThe Dark Queen of MortholmeÖooCentumDEAD LETTER DEPTKnown MysteriesFear and The MindEclipsiumThe Children of ClayWithout a DawnPhoenix SpringsInterstate 35Life's Weird, Huh?EclipsiumCentumMini Mini Golf GolfOcclude (or not)Strange JigsawsUnfair FlipsQ-UpA Pizza Delivery***Why Do We Puzzle?Strange JigsawsThe Worst Puzzle of All-Time | Design Delve on YouTubeYour HouseOccludeLeilaIs This Seat TakenDark Queen of MortholmeÖoo(and Bubumbu)Work is TerrifyingConstanceDEAD LETTER DEPTChildren of ClayQualiaFACEMINERThe Dark Queen of MortholmeQ-UpA Pizza Deilvery(and Easy Delivery Co.)Environment's FuckedKnown MysteriesFACEMINERCentumMini Mini Golf GolfArtificial? Intelligence??? (slash Technology)FACEMINERQualiaMaking Kin with the Machines by Jason Edward Lewis, Noelani Arista, Archer Pechawis, and Suzanne Kite for Journal of Design and Science Mini Mini Golf Golf CentumQ-UpPhoenix SpringsChatGPT made me delusional by Eddy Burback on YouTubeof the DevilDEAD LETTER DEPTLegacyHades 2Carimara: Beneath the forlorn limbsInterstate 35Phoenix SpringsMini Mini Golf GolfYour HouseSometime It's Just Nice to Go FishingCast n ChillPEAKUnfair FlipsSubscribe to our Kofi to see AJ's playthrough!Kabuto ParkQ-Up(and like all of the other games on this list)---Visit our website!Support the show on Kofi!Follow us on Twitch!Follow the show on Bluesky!Check out The Worst Garbage Online!---Art by Tara CrawfordMusic by _amaranthineAdditional sounds by BoqehProduced and edited by AJ Fillari---Timecodes:(00:00) - Hey remember RAMs??? (00:47) - Check out ZOTY if you haven't yet! (01:09) - GOTY but make it dotzip (02:33) - Structure of the episode (03:15) - The year of Discrete Experiences (08:50) - A very good place to start (Hegemony) (09:00) - Exercising Power and Control in the Face of Hegemony (12:30) - Q-Up SPOILERS (16:02) - Exercising Power and Control in the Face of Hegemony (32:23) - Fear and The Mind (35:36) - Eclipsium SPOILERS!!! (41:29) - Fear and The Mind (43:09) - Life's Weird, Huh? (47:16) - Centum SPOILERS!!! (50:14) - Life's Weird, Huh? (51:01) - Why Do We Puzzle? (57:12) - Why do we puzzle? (derogatory) (58:37) - Work is terrifying (01:04:41) - Environment's Fucked (01:11:01) - Cleanse the palette or keep digging the hole? (01:11:33) - Artificial? Intelligence??? (slash Technology) (01:28:11) - Legacy (01:41:35) - Sometimes It's Just Nice to Go Fishing (01:49:36) - Crowning the Theme of the Year (01:51:37) - TOTY is the bag! (01:52:06) - Hey that's it. See you next year! ★ Support this podcast ★

Today we're talking about 44 video games by a bunch of different people! Join us as we arbitrarily draft all the games we've played this year! Thank you so much for listening! See you next year!!!!!---Discussed in the episodevideo game.---Visit our website!Support the show on Kofi!Follow us on Twitch!Follow the show on Bluesky!Check out The Worst Garbage Online!---Art by Tara CrawfordMusic by _amaranthineAdditional sounds by BoqehProduced and edited by AJ Fillari---Timecodes:(00:00) - Picking the order (00:55) - Welcome to the Zip of the Year 2025!! (01:23) - How we do this (03:23) - AJ is nervous (04:51) - The ZOTY begins (05:38) - Game #1 (09:44) - Game #2 (12:07) - How bartering works (12:49) - Game #2 (cont.) (20:35) - Game #3 (27:21) - Game #4 (34:12) - Game #5 (38:06) - Chase gives AJ a gift (40:23) - Game #6 (46:55) - Game #7 (57:27) - Game #8 (01:01:46) - Unsettling implications of a core element of ZOTY (01:02:22) - Piss #9 (01:06:42) - Game #10 (01:11:15) - Game #11 (01:17:00) - Game #12 (01:21:43) - Game #13 (01:24:07) - Game #14 (01:27:11) - Game #15 (01:32:01) - Intermission (01:33:47) - It's been 2 weeks (01:34:15) - Game #16 (01:38:02) - Game #17 (01:40:11) - Game #18 (01:42:58) - Game #19 (01:46:13) - Game #20 (01:49:25) - Game #21 (01:50:55) - Game #22 (01:54:17) - Game #23 (01:56:44) - Game #24 (02:00:50) - Game #25 (02:02:15) - Game #26 (02:04:13) - Game #27 (02:06:13) - Game #28 (02:09:33) - Game #29 (02:11:52) - Game #30 (02:16:40) - Game #31 (02:19:03) - Game #32 (02:20:50) - Game #33 (02:22:47) - Game #34 (02:25:40) - A flag (02:26:06) - Game #35 (02:28:09) - Gmae #36 (02:30:10) - Game #37 (02:31:46) - Game #38 (02:32:52) - Game #39 (02:33:54) - A proposal (02:34:55) - Game #39 (cont.) (02:37:26) - Game #40 (02:38:32) - A false alarm (02:39:19) - Game #41 (02:40:03) - Game #42 (02:41:48) - Game #43 (02:43:50) - Game #44 (02:45:35) - Welcome to Call of Doty 1.5 (02:47:04) - A quick GOTY shoutout! (02:48:01) - Themes????? (02:53:54) - Kim reveals her final bargaining chip (02:56:06) - Thank you so much for listening!!!! ★ Support this podcast ★

Alton Brown is BACK makin' Good Eats-style videos on YouTube. I really think th-- what? Oh right this podcast is about video games sorry.Today we're talking about Bubumbu by An Otter Team! A game about solving puzzles and making a penguin happy by giving it a little bowtie.Get Bubumbu on Steam. Follow An Otter Team's work on their website!Discussed in the episode:Wikipedia page for The Missing Piece by Shel SilversteinDaniel Sloss’ ‘Jigsaw’ Is Causing Tons of Break Ups 💔 Graham Norton Show on YouTubeWilla's thread about her playthrough of Dispatch on Bluesky---Support us on Ko-fi!Visit our website!Follow us on Twitch!Follow the show on Bluesky!Check out The Worst Garbage Online!---Art by Tara CrawfordTheme music by _amaranthineAdditional sounds by BoqehProduced and edited by AJ Fillari---Timecodes:(01:00) - Who are you? Why are you here? (01:52) - What is Bubumbu (04:54) - The base level of a puzzle game (07:35) - Games as toys (08:37) - The game is good! (09:09) - Spoilers?? (10:21) - Spoilers OVER (11:45) - Big Takeaways (11:56) - Kim's Big Takeaway (13:59) - Chase's Big Takeaway (23:41) - We're done talking about the video game now (23:48) - Pluribus (26:32) - The act of consuming in community (30:45) - Chase has played some Dispatch (40:54) - Wrapping up (43:06) - ZOTY is comin! ★ Support this podcast ★

What would you do if your boss was actually a giant bug? Something to think about.Today we're talking about Sub-Verge by Interactive Tragedy, Limited! A game about listening to people and trying not to drown. Get Sub-Verge on Steam or itch.io. Follow Interactive Tragedy, Limited's work on their website!Links:Subtle Mind - A Sub-Verge prequel by Zach Dodson on Steam---Support us on Ko-fi!Visit our website!Follow us on Twitch!Follow the show on Bluesky!Check out The Worst Garbage Online!---Art by Tara CrawfordTheme music by _amaranthineAdditional sounds by BoqehProduced and edited by AJ Fillari---Timecodes:(00:00) - drop.zip (00:30) - Interactive tragedy-likes (01:13) - What is Sub-Verge? (05:12) - There are multiple endings (05:59) - Trying to pick the right order (14:02) - The player can only decide who pulls (15:54) - What the game is "about" (17:56) - Spoilers (17:57) - The Mind (20:46) - How the story is doled out (22:27) - Krake 2025 (27:25) - Some friction (29:27) - High level story chat (34:06) - The endings (40:15) - The game is bleak! (42:29) - The game is good (44:32) - Big Takeaways (44:52) - Chase's Big Takeaway (51:46) - AJ's Big Takeaway (57:57) - A Noam Chomsky cliffhanger (58:17) - Thank you for listening<3 ★ Support this podcast ★

Members got a special segment about the Wikipedia page on Tier Lists this week. Like and Subscribe to our Ko-fi for exclusive content like that. (Also shoutout to our friends on Total Party Skill (a good podcast) for drawing attention to the page!!!)Today we're talking about Pine: A Story of Loss by Made Up Games! A game about learning how to let go and replacing the grass in your roof so it doesn't leak.Get Pine: A Story of Loss on Steam, Switch or iOS. Follow Made Up Games' work on their website!Links:Pine: A Story of Loss OST by Blankfo.rms on Steam---Support us on Ko-fi!Visit our website!Follow us on Twitch!Follow the show on Bluesky!Check out The Worst Garbage Online!---Art by Tara CrawfordTheme music by _amaranthineAdditional sounds by BoqehProduced and edited by AJ Fillari---Timecodes:(00:00) - Kim is a sports muse (01:30) - Welcome to Wifeguy Fall (02:09) - What is Pine: A Story of Loss (04:28) - A whittle segment (06:35) - A word-light narrative (09:04) - How the game handles shows grief (13:15) - Very beautiful game (13:28) - Spoilers! (13:29) - They added a FIFTH season!!!!!!!!! (14:57) - The music (16:40) - Winter (18:03) - Embracing the grief (26:40) - dotzip's Greatest Hits (28:04) - Big Takeaways (28:07) - Kim's Big Takeaway (29:22) - AJ's Big Takeaway (31:09) - A story of Live Laugh Love (34:08) - ZOTY is COMIN' ★ Support this podcast ★

It's really hard to type when your entire body has been hollowed out by a video game.Today we're talking about and Roger by Tearyhand Studio! A game about waking up in a strange place and going to a bakery. Get and Roger on Steam or Switch. Follow Tearyhand Studio's work on their Steam page!Links:One of 2025's Best Games, And Roger, Is About God, Love, and Loss by Patrick Klepek for RemapAnd Roger Is A Short, Moving Game About Family by Riley Macleod for AftermathAnd Roger Review - When Actions Speak Louder by Marcus Stewart for Game Informer and Roger Is One Of 2025’s Most Special Games, And It’s Cheap by Kenneth Shepard for Kotaku---Support us on Kofi!Visit our website!Follow us on Twitch!Follow the show on Bluesky!Check out The Worst Garbage Online!---Art by Tara CrawfordTheme music by _amaranthineAdditional sounds by BoqehProduced and edited by AJ Fillari---Timecodes:(00:00) - being.real (01:14) - Surprise the episode is here! (01:48) - and Roger (02:27) - Okay this episode you do actually have to do the homework pls (05:18) - When we realized what was going on (07:12) - We have to get into spoilers sorry lmao (07:53) - SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (08:01) - The clock (10:01) - The horror (11:55) - How the core mechanic tells the story (17:29) - There is no closure (18:37) - Roger (27:07) - The religion (31:01) - The unique perspective of the game (38:09) - The name of the game (38:35) - Big Takeaways (38:38) - SPOILERS FOR WITHOUT A DAWN | Kim's Big Takeaway (41:45) - Chase's Big Takeaway (47:01) - AJ's Big Takeaway (49:14) - Hoo man.. ★ Support this podcast ★

"Git gud"? How about "git empathetic"? "Git compassionate"?Today we're talking about The Dark Queen of Mortholme by Mosu! A game about killing the hero and killing the hero and killing the hero and killing the hero and waiting for the hero and killing the hero and killing the hero and waiting for the hero and... waiting.......... for the hero.............. and......................... waiting..................................Get The Dark Queen of Mortholme on Steam or itch.io. Follow Mosu's work on their itch page!Discussed in the episode:Extinction Burst on Wikipedia---Support us on Kofi!Visit our website!Follow us on Twitch!Follow the show on Bluesky!Check out The Worst Garbage Online!---Art by Tara CrawfordTheme music by _amaranthineAdditional sounds by BoqehProduced and edited by AJ Fillari---Timecodes:(00:00) - Pugoween (01:11) - Become a member for the jumpscare-cut (02:08) - What is The Dark Queen of Mortholme? (06:38) - Commentary on the commentary (10:44) - The mechanics (13:24) - Very minor spoiler (14:16) - Bonding with the hero (16:27) - Where do Ornstein and Smough eat lunch? (18:29) - The mentorship arc (22:17) - The personality of the Queen (25:14) - NOT Chase's Big Takeaway (27:45) - Big-Sized Takeaways (28:39) - Hello (31:50) - Kim's Big Takeaway (36:35) - Chase's Big Takeaway (41:54) - AJ's Big Takeaway (51:30) - We've perservered to the end of the episode! ★ Support this podcast ★

Sometimes the game makes you feel so bad that you can't make a joke about it.Today we're talking about Without a Dawn by Jesse Makkonen! A game about being alone and looking out the window.Get Without a Dawn on Steam.🚨CONTENT WARNING: HALLUCINATIONS, PARANOID DELUSIONS, OBSESSIVE THINKING, SELF-HARM, DISTURBING IMAGERY🚨Discussed in the episode:Interview with Jesse Makkonen by Wayne Goodchild for EnebaAdditional links:Without a Dawn is a haunting campfire story by Phil Bothun for 70 Percent Complete---Support us on Kofi!Visit our website!Follow us on Twitch!Follow the show on Bluesky!Check out The Worst Garbage Online!---Art by Tara CrawfordTheme music by _amaranthineAdditional sounds by BoqehProduced and edited by AJ Fillari---Timecodes:(00:00) - dot.hang out (00:39) - Chase is BACK (03:36) - You don't have to play all the games we do!!!! (05:41) - It's still Octoadber, baby (06:12) - What is Without a Dawn (07:03) - BIG CONTENT WARNINGS!!!! CHECK THE SHOW NOTES!!!!! (08:22) - ASCII art!! (10:56) - How this game handles delusions (16:22) - Ringo is in this game (16:37) - What's the PJ situation (17:19) - The blinds (18:22) - What is happening and is it important? (21:22) - The ending (30:07) - Why not a vampire? (33:11) - Big Takeaways (33:13) - AJ's Big Takeaway (35:37) - Kim's Big Takeaway (37:02) - Chase's Big Takeaway (45:03) - Wa-hoo! ★ Support this podcast ★

It just dawned on me that all of the spooky games this year are about having a job.Today we're talking about The Cabin Factory by International Cat Studios! A game about walking around scary BUT NOT HAUNTED cabins and also haunted cabins.Get The Cabin Factory on Steam.CONTENT WARNING: CHILD ABUSE. Nothing is shown, but it is addressed repeatedly throughout the narrative of the game.Discussed in the episode:AJ and Tara's 'The Cabin Factory' stream on Youtube---Support us on Kofi!Visit our website!Follow us on Twitch!Follow the show on Bluesky!Check out The Worst Garbage Online!---Art by Tara CrawfordTheme music by _amaranthineAdditional sounds by BoqehProduced and edited by AJ Fillari---Timecodes:(00:00) - Become a member for the 'SCLUZIES (01:39) - Kim has squashed the beef wellington (04:11) - dot.wine (06:16) - What is The Cabin Factory (09:07) - This is a haunted house (15:37) - There's a story! And a littel dance! (17:18) - Some of the setups (19:39) - Specific story spoilies (20:51) - The second ending (25:26) - More cabin setups (28:40) - Big Takeaways (28:50) - Kim's Big Takeaway (30:26) - AJ's Big Takeaway (31:25) - Shoutout to Octoadber ★ Support this podcast ★

Help...Today we're talking about The October 2025 Next Fest!The demos:CiniCross - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3933120/CiniCross/Bladesong - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2305640/Bladesong/Slots & Daggers - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3631290/Slots__Daggers/Relooted - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3255890/Relooted/The Cave Diver - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3004390/The_Cave_Diver/Don't Stop, Girlypop! - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2610650/Dont_Stop_Girlypop/Effulgence RPG - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3302080/Effulgence_RPG/Skate Story - https://store.steampowered.com/app/1263240/Skate_Story/Key Fairy - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2878580/Key_Fairy/The Séance of Blake Manor - https://store.steampowered.com/app/1395520/The_Sance_of_Blake_Manor/Mosaic of the Strange - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3444650/Mosaic_of_the_Strange/No Players Online - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2701800/No_Players_Online/LOVE ETERNAL - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3010610/LOVE_ETERNAL/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/Q-Up - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3730790/QUP/Palm Simulator 2 - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3887240/Palm_Simulator_2/Truckful - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3090810/Truckful/Bus Bound - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2095420/Bus_Bound/Shroom and Gloom - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3271280/Shroom_and_Gloom/---Support us on Kofi!Visit our website!Follow us on Twitch!Follow the show on Bluesky!Check out The Worst Garbage Online!---Art by Tara CrawfordTheme music by _amaranthineAdditional sounds by BoqehProduced and edited by AJ Fillari---Timecodes:(00:00) - dot.bev (03:04) - Video games? (07:44) - We got demos! (08:08) - Cinicross (13:18) - Bladesong (16:45) - Slots & Daggers (21:09) - Relooted (25:33) - The Cave Diver (29:31) - Don't Stop, Girlypop! (34:15) - Effulgence RPG (38:19) - Skate Story (44:10) - Key Fairy (47:57) - The Seance of Blake Manor (53:46) - Mosaic of the Strange (56:58) - No Players Online (01:00:39) - Love Eternal (01:03:15) - The Remake of the End of the Greatest RPG of All Time (01:06:37) - Q-Up (01:13:54) - Palm Simulator 2 (01:16:11) - Truckful (01:17:15) - Bus Bound (01:19:51) - Shroom and Gloom (01:22:56) - Another Next Fest down! (01:24:32) - Thank you for listening! ★ Support this podcast ★

Hello, if you are reading the show notes I want you to know that I (AJ) had to rerecord my entire side of the podcast because of an audio issue. It was one of the most out-of-body experiences I've ever had and I hope you can't tell. Thank you for being here<3Today we're talking about Last Report by Monopixel Games! A game about working at a national park and drinking from your big coffee mug.Get Last Report on Steam. Keep up with Monopixel Games on their Steam page!Content warning at the top of the game:This game features scenes with flashing lights and intense violence, including blood, murder, and hanging, strong language, and occasional references to alcohol.Discussed in the episode:Do not click this before AJ's burden is revealed. Actually, if you do I am certain it will not make any sense.---Visit our website!Follow us on Twitch!Follow the show on Bluesky!Check out The Worst Garbage Online!---Art by Tara CrawfordTheme music by _amaranthineAdditional sounds by BoqehProduced and edited by AJ Fillari---Timecodes:(00:00) - dot.Asynchronous?? (05:07) - THE ENERGY!!!!!!!!!!!! (06:05) - What is Last Report (08:24) - Deak-Job-likes (12:21) - This genre of horror (18:42) - Happy OcTOADber! (18:58) - Playing a game about being a nice dude (20:49) - So much work went into this game!!! (24:59) - Douglas isn't back yet... (27:01) - Your computer changes (31:58) - Seeeeecrets (33:17) - Why you have to keep doing the reports (33:56) - The Last Report (37:38) - The Void (41:48) - Kim's epiphany (42:57) - AJ's great burden, lifted (50:20) - AJ's Big Takeaway jumpscare (56:34) - Kim's Big Takeaway (01:04:11) - The Last Chapter Marker ★ Support this podcast ★

No YOU forgot that we call it Octoadber.Today we're talking about DEAD LETTER DEPT. by Mike Monroe and Belief Engine! A game about typing and having a super normal dayjob.Get DEAD LETTER DEPT. on Steam! Check out Belief Engine's other work on their website!---Support us on Kofi!Visit our website!Follow us on Twitch!Follow the show on Bluesky!Check out The Worst Garbage Online!---Art by Tara CrawfordTheme music by _amaranthineAdditional sounds by BoqehProduced and edited by AJ Fillari---Timecodes:(00:00) - dot.pitch (03:37) - Send us your letters. You have to guess the address (05:05) - What is Dead Letter Department? (08:04) - Getting something out of the way (09:48) - How do you know this is Fresno? (11:00) - The mail looks SO REAL???? (13:19) - Spooky rating (14:28) - A message from later in the episode (14:34) - Possibly spoilers depending on your tolerance! (15:23) - Giving up the STATS (16:19) - Bing bong: Spoilers (18:21) - Do the metrics effect the story? (20:06) - When stuff starts getting... worse (25:51) - The Sin Eater (28:15) - Some specific moments (29:54) - The ending (34:56) - The text (44:11) - Big Takeaways (44:13) - Kim's Big Takeaway (46:08) - AJ's Big Takeaway (52:22) - Dead Letter Department! (53:14) - Happy Octoadber! ★ Support this podcast ★

This week is our first SUPER-ZIPPY. Submit super-zippies on our website below :)Today we're talking about shutdown. by kalechips! A game about making choices when you have none. This game was suggested by Bluzo! If you'd like to suggest a game you can do so on our website!Play shutdown. for FREE on itch.io! Check out kalechips' other work on their itch page!---Support us on Kofi!Visit our website!Follow us on Twitch!Follow the show on Bluesky!Check out The Worst Garbage Online!---Art by Tara CrawfordTheme music by _amaranthineAdditional sounds by BoqehProduced and edited by AJ Fillari---Timecodes:(00:00) - Subscribe to the Kofi to hear AJ talk about public radio! (00:42) - The vibes today are W I L D (01:31) - What is shutdown.? (02:13) - Spoiler warning for the qualia episode lol (02:59) - Thank you bluzo for recommending!!!!!! (04:08) - Enter: Super Zippies (06:03) - This game is interesting! (08:38) - The endings (10:21) - BIG QUALIA SPOILER ALERT (10:54) - The game is so dark man (13:42) - SURPRISE it's AJ's Big Takeaway (15:06) - Kim's Big Takeaway (17:33) - Shutting down the episode ★ Support this podcast ★

I can't believe I wasted my one wish on THIS podcast... should've at least wished for TWO podcasts......Today we're talking about Many Nights a Whisper by Selkie Harbour and Deconstructeam! A game about practicing until you say "Fuck it. Pepperoni pizza".Get Many Nights a Whisper on Steam or itch.io! Check out Selkie Harbour's other work on their itch page! Check out Deconstructeam's other work on their itch page!Check out all of Robin's link on her website!Listen to Girl Mode Episode 126 - A Beautiful Summer on Trash Island to hear about Selkie Harbours other games!---Support us on Kofi!Visit our website!Follow us on Twitch!Follow the show on Bluesky!Check out The Worst Garbage Online!---Art by Tara CrawfordTheme music by _amaranthineAdditional sounds by BoqehProduced and edited by AJ Fillari---Timecodes:(00:00) - dot.Steve (01:08) - Robin is back again! (02:03) - What is Many Nights a Whisper? (03:36) - AJ didn't know what this game looked like (06:11) - The mix of time periods (10:21) - The gamefeel (tm) (21:52) - How did we feel about the ritual? (30:21) - The order of the wishes (33:53) - The power of the sillier wishes (36:33) - How to go back (38:34) - The excrutiating weight of granting wishes (41:37) - *That* wish and autonomy (51:27) - What is the sibling of death? (56:37) - The final wish (01:00:09) - The day of the ritual (01:03:44) - Now what? (01:08:35) - Big Takeaways (01:09:16) - Chase's Big Takeaway (01:14:21) - AJ's Big Takeaway (01:18:42) - Robin's Big Takeaway (01:22:55) - Check out more Selkie Harbour games! (01:23:41) - Thanks Robin!!!! (01:24:09) - Tell your friends! Join the discord! Send us some money! ★ Support this podcast ★

Imagine if your child gave you a box that made you look back on every tough thing you've ever done. Kinda messed up tbh...Today we're talking about Leila by Ubik Studios! A game about drifting through the shores of your life and doing little puzzles.Get Leila on Steam, Switch, or Playstation! Check out Ubik Studios' other work on their website!Quote from the dev about the possibly triggering imagery in one part of the game:One chapter in the game contains self-harm gore, but the player is given the option to skip the chapter with a trigger warning before entering the chapter. Don't worry, we will give you a non-violent summary of the chapter you skipped, so you won't miss the story.Discussed in the episode:Ophelia (painting) by John Everett Millais on Wikipedia---Support us on Kofi!Visit our website!Follow us on Twitch!Follow the show on Bluesky!Check out The Worst Garbage Online!---Art by Tara CrawfordTheme music by _amaranthineAdditional sounds by BoqehProduced and edited by AJ Fillari---Timecodes:(00:00) - Hear the full convo on our Kofi ;) (00:36) - Our first not funny intro (01:26) - What is Leila (05:32) - The art and visual presentation (07:39) - Real person voice acting (08:47) - Being vague about the mechanics and puzzles (11:12) - How we feel about the puzzles (GOOD they are good puzzles) (13:56) - How this game handles its trigger warning (21:16) - Looking into the spoiler box (21:59) - The Coffee Shop (24:10) - Going on the computer (32:01) - The difference in the flow of the story (32:57) - Child and Teen stories (42:24) - TW: General discussion of self-harm and body/identity dysmorphia (45:59) - TW: Descriptions of gore (56:36) - Life sprouts again (58:01) - Shouting out the writing (59:09) - The Dollhouse (01:01:16) - Leyla and Majnun (01:05:30) - The Brain (01:13:10) - Coming back to yourself (01:16:35) - Do something for tomorrow (01:18:20) - Connect with the world (01:20:18) - Dancing in the woods (01:27:24) - Big Takeaways (01:27:31) - AJ's Big Takeaway (01:29:18) - Kim's Big Takeaway (01:32:50) - Thank you for dancing in the woods with us! ★ Support this podcast ★

Finally a NICE game about GOOD things!!!Today we're talking about Kabuto Park by Doot and Zakku! A game about summer vacation and fighting children for bragging rights.Get Kabuto Park on Steam or itch.io! Check out Doot Tiny Games' other work on their itch page! Jill's links on Linktree - https://plottwists.carrd.co/ Listen to Paws and Clause! - https://pod.link/1685879748 Listen to In Sequence! - https://pod.link/1830499236 Discussed in the episode:Listen to AJ on the Wavelengths podcast!Insect Fighting on Wikipedia---Support us on Kofi!Visit our website!Follow us on Twitch!Follow the show on Bluesky!Check out The Worst Garbage Online!---Art by Tara CrawfordTheme music by _amaranthineAdditional sounds by BoqehProduced and edited by AJ Fillari---Timecodes:(00:00) - Listen to AJ on Wavelengths :) (02:15) - JumpsCARE intro with Jillian!!!! (03:31) - Another Doot Tiny Games game!!! (05:35) - What is Kabuto Park? (08:05) - Insect fighting is real! (09:54) - The video game is good (13:05) - How the game works (24:03) - Favorite bug/child?? (29:53) - Becoming the bug champion (31:40) - The art!!!! (34:13) - Big Takeaways (34:18) - AJ's Big Takeaway (35:34) - Jill's Big Takeaway (36:50) - Kim's Big Takeaway (41:25) - That's the game!! (41:42) - Find Jill!!! (44:55) - Thank you for listening! ★ Support this podcast ★

A sad game about generational cycles of trauma??? Not on this podcast.Today we're talking about The Wake: Mourning Father, Mourning Mother by Somi! A game about decoding messages left by a loved one and split-flap displays.Get The Wake: Mourning Father, Mourning Mother on Steam! Check out Somi's other work on their website and listen to our No Case Should Remain Unsolved episode with Lex!---Support us on Kofi!Visit our website!Follow us on Twitch!Follow the show on Bluesky!Check out The Worst Garbage Online!---Art by Tara CrawfordTheme music by _amaranthineAdditional sounds by BoqehProduced and edited by AJ Fillari---Timecodes:(00:00) - Maybe this will be a chill one (00:51) - dirt.zip (01:48) - What is The Wake: Mourning Father, Mourning Mother (06:52) - Continued appreciation of puzzle games that want to be solved (08:32) - What about the journal? (12:05) - Game is sad! Have fun! (12:40) - S P O I L E R T I M E (12:54) - Broad story strokes (19:05) - How could a child know this? How could a parent? (22:58) - The epilogue (23:50) - Puzzle/story highlights (26:31) - *Get*ting it (31:17) - The title of the video game (32:53) - Big Takeaways (32:58) - Kim's Big Takeaway (34:33) - AJ's Big Takeaway (38:14) - You don't have to DIE to stop a cycle (39:02) - Thank you for listening<3 ★ Support this podcast ★

Okay yes we're doing more "thinking" today sorry. Someday we'll play Solitaire or something.Today we're talking about qualia by CMY2K! A game about deciding who is human anMEOWMEOWMEOWMEOWMEOWMEOWMEOWMEOWMEOWMEOWMEOWMEOWMEOWMEOWMEOWMEOW.Get qualia FOR FREE on Steam or play on itch.io! Check out CMY2K's other work on their website or on Kit Corsac's film review site!Discussed:Listen to Kim on Can't Let It Go!ChatGPT-Induced Psychosis and the Good-Enough Therapist by Lisa Marchiano LCSW for Psychology Today---Visit our website!Follow us on Twitch!Follow the show on Bluesky!Check out The Worst Garbage Online!---Art by Tara CrawfordTheme music by _amaranthineAdditional sounds by BoqehProduced and edited by AJ Fillari---Timecodes:(00:00) - Listen to Kim on Can't Let It Go!!! (00:25) - dot.mp3 (03:28) - Kim went first this time (04:12) - What is qualia? (08:58) - The questions that are asked (12:56) - This game has an intranet (13:56) - A message from intellica (15:29) - Kim's take on the game | Spoilers (19:47) - Looking at the lunch menu (24:37) - The endings (25:30) - FUCK (26:36) - The endings (36:01) - Can you choose to change it? (39:45) - A message from CMY2K (41:06) - At the end of the universe... (46:43) - Kim reads about the AMT study (48:23) - SURPRISE it's Big Takeaways (50:13) - What the dev thinks of robots (55:56) - AJ's Big Takeaway (58:46) - Let us know if you've experienced qualia ★ Support this podcast ★

Gang I don't even know what to say. Maybe just mark this episode as "listened" and do something else (don't do that, that's a reference to the game pls don't go we need more people to talk about this game with PLEASE)Today we're talking about Centum by Hack the Publisher! A game about being human and seeing how it all ends.Buy Centum on Steam, Switch, or Playstation! Check out Hack the Publisher's other work on their website!---Support us on Kofi!Visit our website!Follow us on Twitch!Follow the show on Bluesky!Check out The Worst Garbage Online!---Art by Tara CrawfordTheme music by _amaranthineAdditional sounds by BoqehProduced and edited by AJ Fillari---Timecodes:(00:00) - Read the Starving Saints dude PLEASE (02:15) - A game with a powerful energy (03:46) - What is Centum??????????? (15:40) - How to tell if you'll like this game (20:22) - So uh... Centum the video game? (20:44) - What do we think happened? (21:50) - What was your profile? (25:48) - A game *about* games??? No way (28:04) - BeMK (29:02) - Trying to get back to what we think happened (51:46) - This was kind of a waste of time wasn't it? (54:44) - Kim's Big Takeaway (01:01:06) - AJ's Big Takeaway (01:06:42) - Are we living in a cultural moment? (01:10:43) - Please talk to us about this game thank you!!!!!!!!! ★ Support this podcast ★

I had a funny joke to put here, but then Kim mentioned Marvel's Avengers(tm) and I forgot what it was.Today we're talking about of the Devil episode 0 by Nth Circle Studios! A game about proving someone's innocence and confusing rookie detectives. This game was suggested by (co-host of today's ep) bluzo! If you'd like to suggest a game head over to our website!Buy of the Devil on Steam! Check out Nth Circle's other work on their Linktree!Follow bluzo on Bluesky!Listen to The Worst Community Report!Discussed in the episode:The TWG Game Jam entries on itch.ioalong an extremity by Emily and Amet for the game jamNth Circle's Tumblr ARG---Visit our website!Support us on Kofi!Follow us on Twitch!Follow the show on Bluesky!Check out The Worst Garbage Online!---Art by Tara CrawfordTheme music by _amaranthineAdditional sounds by BoqehProduced and edited by AJ Fillari---Timecodes:(00:00) - Goldfish memory for spoilers (00:28) - Welcome bluzo! (01:20) - What is of the Devil? (03:20) - How this game does cyberpunk and worldbuilding (11:33) - The legal stuff is GOOD (13:33) - Morgan and the world (22:23) - The game has bars (25:04) - If you're interested HOP OFF NOW (26:34) - And spoilers shall appear | Spoilers (29:17) - Light spoilers for episode 1 (29:47) - The plot (35:31) - The reveals and the stakes (41:34) - Is there discourse (44:57) - Telling bluzo she can talk about The Hundred Line (48:32) - Check out the TWG Game Jam! (51:46) - Big Takeaways (51:57) - AJ's Big Takeaway (57:01) - bluzo's Big Takeaway (01:00:08) - Kim's Big Takeaway (01:03:46) - More people should play this game!!!! (01:05:31) - Talking about how much we like the game again (01:08:07) - Thank you bluzo!!! (01:10:52) - Thanks for listening<3 ★ Support this podcast ★

Chase is officially a dad, so Kim and AJ are trying their best to fill the void by building a bunch of secret rooms in the podcast.Today we're talking about YOUR HOUSE by PATRONES & ESCONDITES! A game about lifting each other up and pressing a button enough times to make a door open.Buy YOUR HOUSE on Steam, iOS or Android! Check out PATRONES & ESCONDITES' other work on their website!Discussed in the episode:ATEEZ(에이티즈) - ‘Guerrilla’ Official MV on YouTubeUnmemory by PATRONES & ESCONDITES on iOS, Android, and SteamThe trailer for Catch That Kid on YouTubeYOUR HOUSE Trivia - Part 1 and Part 2 on Steam---Visit our website!Support the show on Ko-fi!Follow us on Twitch!Follow the show on Bluesky!Check out The Worst Garbage Online!---Art by Tara CrawfordTheme music by _amaranthineAdditional sounds by BoqehProduced and edited by AJ Fillari---Timecodes:(00:00) - Talking about Guerilla by ATEEZ (01:05) - Congratulations to the Allharts!!! (01:33) - Hey welcome to the show (03:38) - Anyway this episode of the podcast (05:09) - What is YOUR HOUSE (08:33) - AJ could've been better at this game (10:28) - The narrative of Debbie (17:12) - The way the writing is used (21:29) - You've found all the secret keys to open the spoilers portion of the episode | Spoilers (21:59) - Puzzles we liked | Spoilers (27:35) - HOT TAKES (31:40) - Speaking of my house | Spoilers (32:28) - More puzzles | Spoilers (35:21) - AJ has beef with the piano | Spoilers (37:23) - Even more puzzles | Spoilers (38:47) - The narrative | Spoilers (43:20) - The thematic elements of the game | Spoilers (48:12) - Big Takeaways (48:41) - AJ's Big Takeaway (55:35) - Kim's Big Takeaway (01:00:31) - Please intereact with us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ★ Support this podcast ★