A speedrunner, first-person shooter crossed with a parkour platformer, Neon White is upon us and it's glorious. Join Stace and John as they detail and dissect their experience the game in a bid to understand what's going in Ben Esposito's lates

After 200 hours, our Elden Ring review

May 10th, 2022 42m 24s

After 200 hours in Elden Ring, our very own Stace Harman has some thoughts and we're ready to 'review' it.We cover the ups and the downs, the memorable bosses, the sense of engagement, worldbuilding, narrative design and more.Come and get invol

Are you playing as yourself when you play video games?

Apr 26th, 2022 50m 43s

When playing a video game, how are you embodying the character onscreen? Are you playing as yourself and making decisions based on how you think you'd act in a given situation, or are you acting as the character as it's written for you?Maybe th

Remaking Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver

Apr 20th, 2022 46m 36s

This week Stace and John are remaking Legacy of Kain: Soul Revear, 1999's PlayStation classic and a game that had so much to offer through its narrative, gameplay and aesthetic. Join us for in rediscovering Soul Reaver by designing how it could

What getting the Platinum Trophy has taught me about Returnal

Apr 12th, 2022 39m 26s

Returnal can be a difficult game to play, understand and unlock the Platinum Trophy for. Having achieved the latter, how is the context, interpretation and playing of the game altered?Join John Robertson and Stace Harman as chat returning to R

Late to the party w/ Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

Apr 5th, 2022 44m 21s

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, it's one of the most beloved, most respected and most reverred games of all time. For many it's comfortably the finest Star Wars game ever released.And yet, despite having worked in the games industry for

Let's talk about Doki Doki Literature Club...

Mar 29th, 2022 46m 51s

John and Stace are talking about Doki Doki Literature Club this week on Gaming: The Podcast. A seemingly 'normal' visual novel, Doki Doki has some surprises and ideas up its sleeve that make it something altogether more subversive and challengi

Finding the joy in trashy games...

Mar 22nd, 2022 47m 10s

With the launch of Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin, Stace and John ask themselves: Why do we enjoy trashy, B-movie style games?There are games that are crying out to be rejected and forgotten due to their inadequicies. And yet, in so

Is Elden Ring better for being easier?

Mar 16th, 2022 45m 12s

Is Elden Ring the easiest of From Software's Soulsborne games? This is the question that has consumed many since Elden Ring's launch and it's a topic that is much deeper than it can seem on the surface.In this episode Stace and John discuss Eld

On Elden Ring's first 50 levels

Mar 8th, 2022 53m 20s

John and Stace discuss their experiences of Elden Ring's first 50 levels and how the game presents itself in such a way as to offer challenge, spectacle and the opportunity to experiment in a way that feels both grand and intimate.Discussion co

How do you play Elden Ring?

Mar 3rd, 2022 44m 4s

Elden Ring is a game of choices. Your class, your weapons, your tactics, your story - every choice you make is met with a response that alters and defines your journey through the game.Stace and John discuss these choices and their outcomes an

Is Horizon Forbidden West better than the original?

Feb 22nd, 2022 42m 59s

Coming into Horizon Forbidden West, Stace was a huge fan of the Horizon franchice and John was not. Both have now played Forbidden West and, predictably, have quite a lot to say about it. Does Horizon Forbidden West offer a superior experience

Lost Ark and Sifu

Feb 15th, 2022 40m 14s

Lost Ark and Sifu take top billing this week, meaning we've got your MMORPG and your roguelite bases covered. Stace and John discuss Lost Ark's launch, its scope and the pros and cons of its free-to-play funding model, before moving on to Sifu

Where are we with roguelikes and lites?

Jan 25th, 2022 48m 15s

Does a game need persistent player upgrades in order to be fun and relevant? This is at the heart of the question around whether or not you prefer roguelikes or roguelites.Roguelikes include persistent upgrades, roguelikes do not.Join Stace and

Repetition in Video Games is Great

Jan 18th, 2022 43m 1s

Repetition in video games, it seems to be a love hate kinda thing. Either you're smitted for the grind and the slow, steady progress or you hate the very thought or retreading the same ground over and over.On this episode of Gaming: The Podcast

Why does Demon's Souls' opening work so well?

Jan 11th, 2022 46m 10s

John and Stace discussing the opening hour(ish) of Demon's Souls: How does it work? Why does it work? What does it establish? How does it teach you?We recommend that you familiarise / refamiliarise with the opening of Demon's Souls before liste

Video Game Resolutions 2022

Jan 5th, 2022 51m 6s

John and Stace are back for 2022 with their resolutions for a new year in gaming, all which are likely to have been broken by March. Their picks range from attaining achievements in specific games to giving more attention to certain forms of ga

Game of the Year 2021

Dec 21st, 2021 1h 19m

John and Stace reveal their favourite games of the year. Will it be Deathloop or Loop Hero? Resident Evil Village or Psychonauts 2? Valheim or Death's Door?Full list of game of the year 2021 candidates:Psychonauts 2DeathloopResident Evil Villag

5 Essential Gaming Questions

Dec 14th, 2021 1h 11m

This week on Gaming: The Podcast John and Stace answer five questions that are often asked of them on social media:What is your favourite series?Which is the series that you've played the most?Which series would you love to see make a return?Wh

The Making of 20 Double Fine Years

Dec 7th, 2021 48m 58s

This week on Gaming: The Podcast John and Stace are joined by designed Richard Cowan and Double Fine's James 'Spaff' Spafford to discuss the making of 20 Double Fine Years, our book celebrating the history, games, people and creativity of Doubl

Death's Door: Peace Through Combat & Exploration

Nov 16th, 2021 50m 52s

This week on Gaming: The Podcast John and Stace discuss the way in which Acid Nerve's Death's Door using its design of exploration and combat to create an atmosphere of peace in a harsh, unforgiving world.Gaming: The Podcast is released every T

Metal Gear Solid 2's Tanker: The quintessential MGS sequence?

Nov 9th, 2021 46m 9s

Its the final part of our Metal Gear Solid trilogy, in which John and Stace discuss the qualities, themes and design of Metal Gear Solid 2's opening Tanker sequence. Has there been a better opening to video game sequel?Points of discussion incl

Why do we love Metal Gear Solid's Shadow Moses facility?

Nov 2nd, 2021 40m 18s

Welcome to the second episode in Metal Gear Solid podcast trilogy. This week John and Stace focus on Metal Gear Solid 1's Shadow Moses facility location and how it has come to occupy such a revered place in the history of great video game setti

The Genius of Metal Gear Solid's Opening

Oct 26th, 2021 40m 28s

Where does Metal Gear Solid rank in the history of great video game opening sequences?This week John and Stace discuss the opening hour of the original Metal Gear Solid (1998), from the initial cut-scene to the Revolver Ocelot boss fight. The s

What's the best weapon in gaming?

Oct 20th, 2021 34m 48s

This week John Robertson and Stace Harman discuss what makes a great video game weapon and talk through some of their favourite examples.Does a great weapon need to make sense within the world it exists? Does it need to play a role in the narra