The Staying In Podcast - four pals talk video games, board games, movies, and nonsense (Staying In)

In this episode Kris (@DigitalStrider) recounts his experience of ice climbing, Dan (@ThisDanFrost) makes his first foray into Dungeons and Dragons and Peter (@XeroXeroXero) tries to convince the others to become financial mavericks in Adventure Capitalist. Plus: how does the Global Game Jam work? Is M. Night Shyamalan's new film Split any good? Why is Kris' face the best thing to keep you warm at night? Find out all this and more by Staying In.

For links to topics covered - http://stayingin.podbean.com/ Find us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/StayingInPod

Kris (@DigitalStrider) and Peter (@XeroXeroXero) helm Episode 36 of Staying In, as they talk about ground-breaking walking simulators, brand new mobile games, cutting edge cinema, and farming tools from the Iron Age.

We've been making our first tentative steps into Albion Online the MMO from Sandbox Interactive, finding out what remains of Edith Finch in What Remains of Edith Finch, and discovering that we are simply not good enough at games to beat Miles & Kilo.

Plus lots of chat about Baby Driver, imagining what Driver Baby might look like, and examining the scarily familiar world of The Circle.

Did you know we have a Steam Curator page? You do now! Did you know we have a BoardGameGeek page? This you also now know!

For links to topics covered - http://stayingin.podbean.com/ Find us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/StayingInPod

It's Sam (@MrSamTurner) and Peter (@XeroXeroXero) hosting Episode 29 of the show so - shock! horror! - there's plenty of chat about intricate card games and curious indie video games.

The pair discuss their first impressions of Fantasy Flight's excellent RPG and LCG hybrid Arkham Horror: The Card Game, examining how it avoids ludonarrative dissonance through smart use of H.P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu mythos.

Sam's visited Sugar & Dice, a superb board game cafe in Liverpool. This then makes for a good excuse to talk about why venues like this are so positive for fans of dice and meeples.

Meanwhile, Peter's been playing Crowtel Renovations from SinksAdventure, in which you guide a hotel owner (that is a crow) through multiple stages of strikingly thoughtful platforming.

If that weren't enough, there's also chat about hot new multiplayer video game Borderlands 2 from 2K Games and Gearbox Software on PS4, the correct pronounciation of David Guetta, a growing obsession in Forensic Files and a totally real person called Cindy Pancake.

As noted in the intro, if you'd like to vote for us in the British Podcast Awards (which is super quick and easy to do) then head to britishpodcastawards.com/vote to do exactly that. We'd really appreciate it!

For links to topics covered - http://stayingin.podbean.com/ Find us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/StayingInPod

The gang's all here for more chat about the very best geek stuff. Peter Willington (@XeroXeroXero) convinces everyone to play The Battle of Polytopia, Dan Frost (@ThisDanFrost) & Sam Turner (@MrSamTurner) dissect Netflix’s Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, and Kris Darby (@DigitalStrider) recounts a ridiculous story about giving Jon Snow his lunch tokens.

For links to topics covered - http://stayingin.podbean.com/ Find us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/StayingInPod

Immediately there's a run-in with a mundane genie, then we ask a very important question about super powers, and Alix (@EruditeWolf) gets her glasses all rose-tinted after playing Fable: The Lost Chapters. Peter (@XeroXeroXero) can't grasp what tennis is but does know he loves Disc Jam, Sam (@MrSamTurner) meanwhile waxes nostalgic about PlayStation Move, and Dan (@ThisDanFrost) gets arty with a new graphics tablet and pen. Plus one of us has a highly embarrassing incident in a public toilet.

For links to topics covered - http://stayingin.podbean.com/ Find us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/StayingInPod

Daniel Frost (@ThisDanFrost), Peter Willington (@xeroxeroxero), and special guest George Osborn (@GeorgeOsborn) from The Deep Lying Podcast (@TheDeepLyingPod) record a strategy and management games special! The chaps kick off with quite possibly one of the geekiest games ever: Football Manager 2017 and we hear all about its complexities, rewarding depth, and surprising accessibility for non-football fans. And then we try to build a pacifist empire with Bapu Gandhi in Civilization VI, discussing the changes and improvements from the previous outing and why it's basically the ultimate board game.

Also, the baby iguanas from Planet Earth II :(

For The Deep Lying Podcast - http://deeplyingpodcast.co.uk/ For links to topics covered - http://stayingin.podbean.com/ Find us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/StayingInPod

Who loves all things Gloom? Lisa Mart does! Find out why as she joins Sam (@MrSamTurner), Kris (@DigitalStrider), and Peter (@XeroXeroXero) to talk about everything games and geekery: from how Arkham Horror: The Card Game is the perfect way to prepare for a half marathon, to why Peter's stressing out with the responsibility of car ownership in Jalopy.

There's also the end of Pandemic Legacy: Season 1, a delicious bit of New York Slice, graphic novel organising, and sorting a music collection by the weather. Plus old fashioned sweets, more phonics than you care to mention, the true hierarchy of crisps, and Portuguese tea.

And as we mention at the top of the show, we have a competition we're running through June, so give the podcast a listen for how to enter for your chance to win some awesome games on Steam!

For links to topics covered - http://stayingin.podbean.com/ Find us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/StayingInPod

Sightseeing in Paris and the best ride at Disneyland, getting caught up in Escape from the Aliens from Outer Space, more Pandemic (it wouldn't be a show without Pandemic!), a chance meeting with Sean Bean, marvelling at 7 Wonders and 7 Wonders: Duel, the uncanny Star Wars: Rogue One and the anachronistic Commodore Cinema in Aberystwyth, plus the very poshest baby names... all this and more on this episode of Staying In, featuring Kris Darby (@DigitalStrider), Daniel Frost (@ThisDanFrost), Sam Turner (@MrSamTurner), and Peter Willington (@xeroxeroxero).

For links to topics covered - http://stayingin.podbean.com/ Find us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/StayingInPod

Dan, Kris, and Tom discuss Star Wars, Nando's, Daredevil, Uncharted, Burgle Bros and more.

Daniel Frost (@ThisDanFrost), Sam Turner (@MrSamTurner), Peter Willington (@xeroxeroxero) and Kris Darby (@DigitalStrider) discuss New Year's resolutions, offensive food, childhood nicknames and more.

For links to topics covered - http://stayingin.podbean.com/ Find us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/StayingInPod

It's a bit of a Bristol special this episode, as Alix Briskham (@EruditeWolf), Kris Darby (@DigitalStrider), and Peter Willington (@XeroXeroXero) talk about their ultra geeky day out in the South West. They take in all the best geek haunts in the city, including Excelsior, 8Bit Planet, Forbidden Planet, and Chance & Counters.

Naturally, tons of board games got played, including Go Cuckoo!, Marrying Mr. Darcy, Sheriff of Nottingham, Obama Llama, Escape from the Aliens in Outer Space, and Mysterium. Plus there's talk about ghosts, the best cartoon food, and the importance of a good breakfast - which apparently shouldn't include a "non-newtonian version of bacon".

By the way, if you like what we're upto and think we should get a shiny award for it, then we'd love for you to vote for us in the British Podcast Awards. You've got until 28th April to lend us your support, by visiting - https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/vote

Finally: a quick apology to anyone who got spammed by our podcast feed over the last few days. Totally not our fault, actually an issue with our podcast hosting service, but still a little bit annoying for you we're sure, so thanks for your patience!

For links to topics covered - http://stayingin.podbean.com/ Find us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/StayingInPod

We finally get round to talking about Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 as a group, as Dan (@ThisDanFrost) leads a nice chat about why we enjoyed it so much and how it's a breath of fresh air. Kris (@DigitalStrider) and Peter (@XeroXeroXero) have both been playing even more Star Realms, which is impressive considering they've been sinking a load of time into two other games too: namely Onirim and Yakuza 0.

We touch upon a lovely little game called Spot It!, get pleasantly disoriented by Inherent Vice, discuss the sensational TV show The Sniffer (while writing our own version, but with doggos), confuse a man from a Tesco, and delve deeper into the pub crisp mythos.

Quick reminder! We have a competition we're running that finishes at the very end of July, so make sure to get your entry in quick if you're planning on doing so.

For links to topics covered - http://stayingin.podbean.com/ Find us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/StayingInPod

Kris Darby, Dan Frost, and Peter Willington talk about why Pixel Cup Soccer 16 is one of the best football games in years, recall the day they climbed Snowdon, discuss Captain America: Steve Rogers #1, and whether reading in the bath is okay. Plus a very embarrassing Vine.

Kris Darby (@DigitalStrider), Daniel Frost (@ThisDanFrost), Sam Turner (@MrSamTurner), and Peter Willington (@xeroxeroxero) open their Secret Santa gifts, while contemplating the origin of mince pies. Then there’s chat about Crash Bandicoot, The Last of Us Part 2, and Death Stranding, plus a shocking revelation about Chop Chop Master Onion.

For links to topics covered - http://stayingin.podbean.com/ Find us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/StayingInPod

Kris Darby (@digitalstrider), Sam Turner (@MrSamTurner) and special guest Stella (@stellalune) from Stella's Tomb Raider Site commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Tomb Raider series. Topics range from the challenges of writing a walkthrough, to marathon gaming, and the joys of keeping chickens.

If people want to get involved in Extra Life they can contact Stella through her website or visit the team's Extra Life page.

If you are interested in the 20 Years of Tom​​b Raider, which Stella contributed to, you can find it here.

For links to topics covered - http://stayingin.podbean.com/ Find us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/StayingInPod

Sam Turner (@MrSamTurner), Daniel Frost (@ThisDanFrost), Kris Darby (@DigitalStrider), and Peter Willington (@xeroxeroxero) give our impressions of Sorcery! 4 from Inkle, we discuss what makes a great multiplayer game, determine the correct number of sausages a normal human being should eat in one go, and there's a load of Great British Bake Off chat too.

Like everyone else at the moment, we're talking about American Gods in this episode, celebrating the return of "appointment to view" television with Neil Gaiman's wonderful new work. There's also chat about how TV can be accessible to new audiences by following the examples of "adventure of the week" stories such as those found in Red Dwarf and Doctor Who.

Sam (@MrSamTurner) and Kris (@DigitalStrider) both get to talking about Batman: The Telltale Series as well as Breakfast Games™, while Peter (@XeroXeroXero) goes through the minefield of social mores that is lending video games to your friends.

Plus we take to the stars, as Kris explains why him and his partner are regularly dipping into No Man's Sky, and Peter and Sam have a galactic-sized discussion about Star Realms and why it's so stellar.

In the show we mention that we think you'll really like We're Not Wizards, so if you fancy giving it a listen then do try the episodes that Sam and Peter have appeared on.

For links to topics covered - http://stayingin.podbean.com/ Find us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/StayingInPod

For our landmark 30th episode we kick things off with a round of The Ikea Game™. Then we discuss how Android, iPhone, and iPad strategy and democracy game Subterfuge made us trust each other much much less.

Sam (@MrSamTurner) and Kris (@DigitalStrider) recount their journey through an actual real life plague town to Alix (@EruditeWolf) and Peter (@XeroXeroXero), as well as touching upon a host of new board games.

Then one of us learns a valuable lesson on how to talk to children, and Dan (@ThisDanFrost) receives some top advice about his life-changing news.

For links to topics covered - http://stayingin.podbean.com/ Find us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/StayingInPod

We've not talked about wrestling since Episode 4, so we thought it high time to return to the topic, and this time we've brought in Simon Miller (@SimonMiller316) to provide expert insight into the world of WWE. With Dan (@ThisDanFrost) in Simon's corner you've basically got the ultimate tag team for insight into SummerSlam, the business behind the brawling, and the ludicrous high prices of wrestling gear.

After that, Sam (@MrSamTurner) and Kris (@DigitalStrider) talk Dunkirk and explain why you have to see it in IMAX to do it justice, then there's a slightly less solemn, but still ever-so serious bit where Peter (@XeroXeroXero) makes a heartfelt apology to a game developer.

If that weren't enough, there's also ab chat, we explain why Captain Sonar should be on your radar, the board game Luchador! Mexican Wrestling Dice, a report on Memoir '44, an absolutely gigantic spider, and one utterly amazing Jewish wedding.

A huge thanks to Simon for appearing on the show. If you're not already, you should definitely be watching The Miller Report, as well as his wrestling work with WhatCulture Wrestling, and consider supporting him on Patreon too.

For links to topics covered - http://stayingin.podbean.com/ Find us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/StayingInPod

It's the first ever completely "in-person" recording of the podcast, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Sam (@MrSamTurner), and Peter (@XeroXeroXero) gathered round a table to speak into microphones about games we've been playing over a weekend together.

We've been faffing about with a Ricoh Theta S, so we discuss the practical merits of 360 images and video, as well as how that medium might translate into a horror movie.

It's not all high technology chat, as we talk about our experiences with the massive Lord of the Rings tabletop game War of the Ring, we walk through our most recent RPG tale of the fantastic Dread, and argue that Dark Stories is the best worst game. We've also been playing a lot of the Ticket to Ride app while in different parts of the UK, which we contrast with our time with Ticket to Ride Europe which we also played that weekend.

As if that weren't enough, there's details of a trip to Greece, the worrying song lyrics found in Grease, Greek country line dancing, and a new contender for best crisp (also from Greece).

And hey, we played oh so many more games over the weekend than we got to talk about, but we snapped loads of photos of them using the camera and uploaded them to Twitter. Pop on over to @StayingInPod to see images of

Oh My Goods!, Colt Express, Ticket to Ride Europe, Flick 'Em Up, Captain Sonar, and Star Realms. You can even find moments of us recording and setting up, plus if you pop on over to our YouTube channel you can watch an unedited 360 video clip from the recording. If you've got a VR headset you can physically look around the room as we record, and if you don't you can still use a mouse to navigate about!

For links to topics covered - http://stayingin.podbean.com/ Find us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/StayingInPod

It's a matter of life and death and sheds for Sam (@MrSamTurner), and a matter of taste for Peter (@XeroXeroXero) and his Rainbow Drops, in our 34th episode. It's also a matter of fact that Kris (@DigitalStrider) thinks Wonder Woman is the best DC movie in years, and Dan (@ThisDanFrost) not wanting a Nintendo Switch after E3's game reveals should probably be a matter for the authorities.

There's heated debate over the merits of the Xbox One X and gold-plated HDMI cables, before cooling off with some cucumber water... or was it a lime...?

Plus one of us has gone all retro and purchased themselves a lovely new copy of Shenmue for the Dreamcast.

And for anyone affected by the issues raised in our discussion of RAS Syndrome, feel free to GTFO out.

Finally, a big congratulations to the winners of our Steam game competition that ran throughout June - winners have now been contacted via e-mail.

For links to topics covered - http://stayingin.podbean.com/ Find us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/StayingInPod

Maybe put the kids to bed before listening to this episode, as Sam (@MrSamTurner) and Peter (@XeroXeroXero) get into the specifics of a rather racey incident at Greggs. On top of that there's all sorts of chat about cutting off your finger, singing karaoke, the song "Just the Two of Us", some dodgy 80s pop culture references, and oh-so-much more.

For links to topics covered - http://stayingin.podbean.com/ Find us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/StayingInPod

Reviews of adorable worker placement Cardboard Alchemy’s Flamecraft, infuriating memory bluffing game That's Not a Hat! from Ravensburger, the mighty and massive Mage Knight: Ultimate Edition from Vlaada Chvátil and WizKids, classic competitive card game Dutch Blitz, and the brilliant narrative-driven adventure Star Trek: Resurgence from Dramatic Labs.

All that, and a body pillow, on Ep191.

00:00 - Nobody puts Kris in the corner... except Kris

07:33 - Flamecraft

10:40 - That's Not a Hat!

17:24 - Dutch Blitz

22:28 - Mage Knight: Ultimate Edition

39:57 - Star Trek: Resurgence

On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

The best board games to play remotely, how Back 4 Blood is a modern Left 4 Dead with deck building, we head to a Welsh village Chasing Static, you’ve got to love That Old Wallpaper’s strangely compelling theme, and The Decagon House Murders uses the howdunit format to great effect. Plus, a rich vein of stuff.

00:00 - A “job lot”.

06:06 - A question from our pal Ben Tucker: what are the best board games to play remotely?

16:35 - Back 4 Blood.

27:47 - Chasing Static.

39:52 - The Decagon House Murders.

49:43 - That Old Wallpaper.

All that, and some ASMR, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about. Go check it out, if you like.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

00:00 – It’s time to investigate.

05:06 – Ms. Marvel is wonderful. It’s a celebration of cultural identity, with nuance, laughter, wisdom, community… we love it.

28:30 – Lifting the curse with shuffleboard at the Bristol Craft Beer Festival.

32:36 – Disney Villainous from Prospero Hall and Ravensburger is genuinely kind of incredible. The art and component quality is staggering, the asymmetrical play works really nicely, and it’s easy to teach to new players.

49:16 – Crescent Moon is from Osprey Games, Steven Mathers and Navid Rahman. It’s a slightly weird proposition, having a very specific player count. But the asymmetry is streamlined, the game leans into its theme to great effect, and the whole thing has us wanting to play it over and over.

All that, and why we’re bonkers for pollen, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about. Go check it out, if you like.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

Andor is Disney+’s new Star Wars series and it’s a fantastic Brechtian political spy drama that doesn’t rely on lightsabers, K3 from Helvetiq is an abstract game that’s a cross of Chess, Connect 4, and programming, and Akropolis from Gigamic is a very quick tile laying boardgame we just love. Plus New Year’s resolutions and predictions for 2023 based on movies.

00:00 - What will 2023 bring? Let’s consult the movies!

03:52 - New Year’s Resolutions.

16:36 - K3

20:46 - Akropolis (also thanks to Play The Game HQ for their brilliant guide)

29:29 - Andor

46:42 - 2022 and Soylent Green

All that, and doubtful space elevators, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about. Go check it out, if you like.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

00:00 - A show called Best Home Cook, and what's interesting about being with the The Hairy Bikers in-person.

04:57 - What's it like playing The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt - Complete Edition on the move with the Switch version? We'll tell you.

09:20 - We're back to talking about Assassin's Creed Odyssey, and some digital sightseeing in Greece.

10:22 - We toss a coin to the Witcher TV series.

31:11 - A final (???) Charity Miles Update. It's a stonker.

36:05 - Achtung! We review the Blitzkrieg! board game by Paolo Mori.

48:26 - In typically bang-on-trend fashion, we discuss hit new board game The Royal Game of Ur which was first released *checks notes* 4500 years ago. Plus the digital adaptation by Sullivan Bousiniere.

All that, and a very quick meringue, Kris (@DigitalStrider), Sam (@MrSamTurner), and Peter (@XeroXeroXero).

Links - StayingInPodcast.com

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Twitter - @StayingInPod

Facebook - @StayingInPodcast

Steam Curator - http://store.steampowered.com/curator/28314572/

BoardGameGeek - https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamepodcast/41888/staying

00:00 - The Mallen Streak.

03:56 - Hype for Horizon Forbidden West from Guerrilla Games, and the slight weirdness of it being from the same team behind Killzone.

10:05 - As always, we answer the important question of the day, chiefly: is Lady Dimitrescu from Resident Evil Village everything she’s cracked up to be?

25:57 - Archive 81 is watching people watching people, and we can’t stop watching. Spooky, mysterious, and a lovely addition to your TV watching watchlist.

33:21 - The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is the perfect entry point to Capcom’s visual novel courtroom series.

46:17 - Iki is an ancient philosophy about how to live, and also a gentle gem of a worker movement boardgame from Sorry we are French, via Hachette.

All that, and papa’s eaten us all, with Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist is over on Spotify, and gathers together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

Movies and television? Yes. Video games? Yes. Board games? Yes. This episode of the podcast has it all. Movie and TV reviews include Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (it’s very very good) and The Last of Us (it is also very very good), tabletop-wise we dig into the excellent Kingdomino Origins from Coiledspring Games, and head out to explore Pikmin Bloom from Niantic. Plus, cordial.

00:00 - The perils of strong squash

07:51 - Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

18:24 - Kingdomino Origins

27:46 - Pikmin Bloom

38:24 - The Last of Us

54:19 - Visiting the Moon

All that, and quoting Confucius, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about. Go check it out, if you like.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

00:00 - Case. Closed. (thanks, McVitie’s)

07:13 - Kris rides a horse.

10:13 - An arctic whatnow? Thoughts on completing Tough Mudder.

15:34 - War Boys VI kicks off with V-Commandos.

17:56 - More drama, strategy, and conflict, with the Undaunted Series (especially Undaunted: Normandy).

21:16 - And yet more War, with the Boys, as we take to the battlefield with Hogs of War The Miniatures Game.

30:20 - Nope is a conversation - an essay, maybe - and the less you know about it going in, the better.

41:57 - It’s a Floodgate Games special, with the expectedly excellent puzzley dice game Sagrada, and the brilliant passive aggressive decorate-em-up Décorum.

All that, and the right way up for a chocolate digestive, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about. Go check it out, if you like.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

Airecon was absolutely amazing, and we have many gifts we’ve brought back for you, including Nidhoggr Mead, uh, mead, and Honey Badger Games tea, accessible character sheets and Roll Table for 2 from Fights and Fancy, and the short, strategic, simple, and sneaky Ominoes from YAY Games. But that’s not it, oh no! There’s also jumping aboard the space bus and tearing through the universe in Wormholes from AEG, and deducing the machinations of a mastermind in Tragedy Looper: New Tragedies from WizKids Games, as well as the perfect little pub game - Kluster from Borderline Editions (via Games Crusade). Plus, miracles.

00:00 - Warning: lots and lots of Airecon chat ahead.

02:00 - Nidhoggr Mead.

09:22 - Tea from Honey Badger Games.

12:30 - Accessible character sheets and Roll Table for 2 from Fights and Fancy.

15:53 - Ominoes from YAY Games.

26:02 - Oh no! We’re going to have to play Twilight Imperium 3rd Edition, aren’t we?

30:13 - The First Miracle of Airecon.

34:53 - The Second Miracle of Airecon.

38:20 - Wormholes from AEG.

45:50 - Kluster from Borderline Editions (thanks to Games Crusade for showing us it).

50:02 - Tragedy Looper: New Tragedies from WizKids Games.

All that, and the future location of a blue plaque, with Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about. Go check it out, if you like.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

We start off by ranking the Mission: Impossible films (you will be upset by some of the placings), then get straight into a breakdown of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Then it’s on to Jury Duty - the show, not the obligation - and finally Alderac Entertainment’s push your luck game Cubitos.

All that, plus beige flags, on Ep179, out… NOW!

00:00 - Ranking the Mission: Impossible films

09:11 - Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

26:50 - Cubitos

42:04 - Jury Duty

52:29 - Beige flags

On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero) and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

00:00 - An adventure in AI Dungeon, aka The Halfpipe Chronicles.

07:12 - A technological trip into the wonderful world of PSVR, the perils of VR horror, and exploring all the new experiences to have in virtual reality.

20:23 - Brikks is the "analogue Tetris", and yet another banger from our fav, Wolfgang Warsch.

31:00 - More from The Halfpipe Chronicles.

36:25 - Looking for the antithesis to imperious games like Settlers of Catan? We've got it for you, it's the frightfully good Spirit Island.

46:41 - Adam has a great question for us for this episode: "with the next generation of consoles on the horizon, never mind what they look like, how do you think they will differentiate the disc cases from current hardware disc cases?" Thanks pal!

52:05 - The penultimate chapter of that classic epic: The Halfpipe Chronicles.

All that, and some ollie watching, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Links - StayingInPodcast.com

Instagram - @StayingInPod

Twitter - @StayingInPod

Facebook - @StayingInPodcast

Steam Curator - http://store.steampowered.com/curator/28314572/

BoardGameGeek - https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamepodcast/41888/staying

00:00 - Loyd Grossman impressions and other things that show our age.

05:55 - Some of our favourite things to enjoy during lockdown so far have been the comforting certainty of MasterChef and the relationship-testing Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

11:30 - "To have theatre in the house is amazing" - National Theatre Live at home is a thing of wonder and a super accessible way of seeing the stage.

16:19 - The Darby Family Quiz, and a very prescient video game-doing-good: Kind Words (lo fi chill beats to write to).

27:06 - 1 Survives is an indie gem from Tip the Table Games that blends set collection with slasher horror, and is a perfect opener to a spooky games night.

34:53 - NSV and Phil Walker-Harding's Silver & Gold is keeping the roll and write (or is that flip and write?) addiction going.

42:45 - Our question this episode comes from our pal @baileyneil, who asks "as a solo player of console games and a non-board game player: are there any great board games for solo playing?"

All that, and Lady Macbeth on a trampoline, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Sam (@MrSamTurner), and Peter (@XeroXeroXero).

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

00:00 - Forgetting names and confusing idioms.

03:10 - A graduation, but whose graduation?

06:10 - Making rum, plus the sweetly thematic Fort from Leder Games, in which you pretend to be kids building bases, using pizza and toys to curry favour with Icky and Sticky.

17:44 - Al's FINEST wine and socially distanced martial arts.

21:52 - From humble packaging comes something we had a ton of fun with; Coiledspring’s Anomia is an extremely good party game.

30:50 - Twin It. Love it.

33:11 - Enola Holmes is fantastic, and Millie Bobby Brown brings a welcome level of handiness to the character.

38:42 - Back to school.

41:10 - Our time with Basic Fantasy Role-Playing Game pretty much started with a total party wipe. And it. Was. Awesome. It’s glorious.

All that, and the wonderful Richard from the We’re Not Wizards podcast (@werenotwizards), with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Sam (@MrSamTurner), and Peter (@XeroXeroXero).

Tea-based playlists. Spotify. A match made in heaven. So pop to our Spotify playlist page for those.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Quick note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

00:00 - Top tips for job interview success.

04:14 - Secret Santa, part 1 - powered by Mr Lister's Quiz Shootout from Big Potato Games (plus a little bit on Thousand Year Old Vampire too).

12:45 - Looking at ladders on the loo.

15:21 - Secret Santa, part 2 - with thoughts on Fungi/Morels.

24:16 - Abandon All Artichokes from Gamewright is a light and breezy deck building game that everyone who likes board games should own.

33:51 - Gather nine people, pay $450, and spend a couple of days studying lean methodologies, and you’ll be ready for GetKanban, a surprisingly entertaining education tool crossed with a board game.

42:12 - Saashi & Saashi’s Coffee Roaster is an informative, innovative, and very very premium solitaire bag building game that’s taught us a whole bunch about the brew (and taken up a large portion of a table).

50:23 - Secret Santa, part 3 - and a compromising look at Kompromat from Helvetiq.

01:01:16 - Like social deduction games? Enjoy video games? Been living under a rock for the last month? We reckon you’ll be pleased to hear about Innersloth’s Among Us. And if you don’t, you’re sus.

01:11:48 - Secret Santa, part 4 - plus expanding on Colt Express with Marshal & Prisoners from Ludonaute, and a cowboy hat.

01:17:55 - Probably the best launch game on PlayStation 5, a showcase for the new hardware, and a love letter to the history of PlayStation: we talk ASTRO's Playroom and get all misty-eyed for the Multitap.

All that, and Collect No Carrots, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero) and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Quick note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

00:00 - A festive crop top and a weekend at Willington’s.

13:40 - Secret Santa, Part 1.

19:06 - Exit: The Mystery of the Ice Cave is an absolute treat: it has great puzzles and an excellent, slow burn narrative. It’s sold out this year, but fingers crossed for another one from Kosmos in 2022.

30:18 - Secret Santa, Part 2.

35:09 - Hawkeye often plays a supporting role in the MCU but in his new series - which is Planes, Trains and Automobiles by way of The Avengers - he’s put centre stage. It’s a lot of fun, with a good mix of humour and action.

47:24 - Secret Santa, Part 3.

56:26 - Twenty Twenty Twix.

All that, and a can of Ollie’s, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Interested in picking up Peter's Call of Cthulhu one-on-one scenario The Catcott Collection? You can find it via TitanMoth.com or get it direct from DriveThruRPG.

We have a lovely Spotify Playlist we’re constantly updating with music inspired by all the things we waffle on about.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

00:00 - An update on some PlayStation IAP problems.

07:24 - SOMEONE has become a Certified Beer Server with the Cicerone program. Can you guess who?

15:08 - We play a spot of the phenomenal party game Herd Mentality from Big Potato, which are the same folks behind Don’t Get Got, which we talked about back in Episode 95.

26:52 - A desire to get into woodworking, and a love of astronomy? ... or was it astrophysics? ... or was it astrology?

31:51 - Dan's Haircut and a Glastonbury story.

38:42 - Alley Cat Games’ Pocket Sub, Gamelyn Games’ Ultra-Tiny Epic Galaxies, and the appeal of small box games.

All that, and learning the impossible, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Sam (@MrSamTurner), and Peter (@XeroXeroXero).

OH! AND! We mention at the end some tea-themed Spotify playlists we've made, so go check them out if the feeling takes you.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Quick note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

It is Autumn. We chirp on about Troika! from the Melsonian Arts Council, head back in time to the Stone Age (board game), take a look at the Open and Play series from Kosmos with particular attention centred on Monster 12 and Allie Gator, and try to resist growling “I’m Batman” while chatting about Batman: The Audio Adventures.

All that, and more talk about lawnmowers than is strictly necessary, on Ep184.

00:00 - Slapped by September

03:47 - Troika!

24:13 - Lawnmowers

26:35 - Stone Age

33:26 - Kosmos Open and Play

36:02 - Monster 12

38:27 - Allie Gator

42:57 - Batman: The Audio Adventures

On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero) and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

00:00 - The Peter-Minute-Ton.

03:23 - Lockdown hair cuts.

08:03 - Break the Code is a fantastic deductive puzzle experience, but what's not fantastic is losing a bit of it under some decking.

28:23 - We're divided on Devs. Is it some of the best television of the year? Or is it boring and, at times, a bit clichéd?

39:59 - Ion Fury is highly evocative of days-gone-by playing Duke Nukem 3D and Blood, so much so that we talk a bit about retro shooters and their revival.

50:17 - Callum Elcombe provides our question for the episode, which is "I have 2 Audible credits, any recommendations? I'm into good modern day crime fiction, and geek culture thrillers like Ready Player One, Daemon, Reamde". Thanks pal!

All that, and Gregg Wallace's slippery aubergines, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Sam (@MrSamTurner), and Peter (@XeroXeroXero).

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

We get scammed by sellers on Temu counterfeiting boardgames by “Oink Games”, “Hasbro”, and “Mattel”, get roleplaying with Critical: Sanctuary - Season 1 from Hachette, sip tea at Davenports of Cheshire, go shopping at Jokkmokk: The Winter Market from WizKids, and Fly Home! and Fish 'n' Flip with Helvetiq.

All that, and sunshine during the cold, on Ep187.

00:00 - Winter Summer Holiday

04:12 - Davenports

07:56 - Counterfeit boardgames from sellers on Temu

32:44 - Critical: Sanctuary - Season 1

44:17 - Jokkmokk: The Winter Market

50:16 - Fly Home!

57:01 - Fish 'n' Flip

On this episode were Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero) and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

A mega massive wrap up of all our favourite things we discovered in 2024, including: Codenames, Duolingo, The Rise of the Golden Idol, Thank Goodness You're Here!, Thunder Road Vendetta, Hundreds of Beavers, Essen, Balatro, Midnight Mass, One Shot RPGs, Dungeon Crawler Carl, Deadloch, The Lord of the Rings Adventure Book Game, Wilmot's Warehouse, Godzilla Minus One, Cyberpunk 2077, Tomb Raider I-III Remastered, Death's End, and the works of Simon Stålenhag.

All that, yes ALL THAT, and the pants option always available, on Ep214.

00:00 - Approaching a Sweep

03:18 - Codenames and Duolingo

07:23 - The Rise of the Golden Idol and Thank Goodness You're Here!

11:49 - Thunder Road Vendetta and Hundreds of Beavers

15:52 - Essen, Balatro, and Midnight Mass

20:45 - One Shot RPGs, Dungeon Crawler Carl, and Deadloch

29:39 - The Lord of the Rings Adventure Book Game

33:34 - Wilmot's Warehouse

40:50 - Godzilla Minus One and Cyberpunk 2077

44:37 - Tomb Raider I-III Remastered and Death's End

53:30 - The works of Simon Stålenhag

On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about.

Links to everywhere you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

00:00 - Pogs are back, maybe?

05:20 - Ready at Dawn’s The Order: 1886 was an early title on the PlayStation 4 that lots of people seem to have slept on… but they shouldn’t have, as gorgeous-looking steampunk shooty bang bangs are the order of the day.

20:08 - Having a hair cut in the same way a cake is iced.

21:44 - War Boys VI: The Road to Valhalla; it’s that time of the year again, when we play a whole bunch of wargames. We got a little bit of time with the gigantic Hogs of War: The Miniatures Game, but quickly moved on to Godtear, a combination of competitive miniatures game and DOTA. We had a blast.

42:34 - Rent, Shuffle and Roll is a board game rental service that’s the Netflix of tabletop games. We’re really impressed with the service, especially because it’s the perfect way to try games before you buy… games like Fury of Dracula.

53:51 - Robin Z popped us a question.

All that, and The Whiff of Dracula, with Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about. Go check it out, if you like.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

00:44 - A truly astonishing DPD Delivery.

05:39 - A big discussion on party games, why they're great, and the reasons 20 Second Showdown from Big Potato Games is one of the greatest.

24:48 - The wonderfully fast 6 nimmt!, playing 7 Wonders in under five minutes using the app version, and Bristol's Clifton Rock Slide.

45:13 - Our pal @Fatboy_Rob asks which is better, Toy Story 4 or Toy Story 3, and we give our expert opinion.

51:57 - Donut County is a story of quadcopters and the satisfaction of putting the correct shaped blocks into the correct shaped holes.

All that, and Barry's dilemma, with Kris (@DigitalStrider), Sam (@MrSamTurner), and Peter (@XeroXeroXero).

Links - StayingInPodcast.com

Instagram - @StayingInPod

Twitter - @StayingInPod

Facebook - @StayingInPodcast

Steam Curator - http://store.steampowered.com/curator/28314572/

BoardGameGeek - https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamepodcast/41888/staying

00:00 - The great debate, aka “do you eat or drink soup?”

02:49 - The Batman, a spoiler-free review.

25:50 - AireCon: origins.

37:04 - AireCon: the bring and buy sale.

42:09 - AireCon: meeting up with Hachette, and playing Sobek 2 Players (Catch Up Games) and Ganymede (Sorry we are French).

44:25 - AireCon: our thoughts on Switch & Signal (Kosmos).

58:00 - The Batman, more thoughts, but with loads and loads of spoilers.

All that, and semantic enigmas, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about. Go check it out, if you like.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

00:00 - Shoot for the Stars: Round 1.

05:04 - justfortherunofit asks us a very important question. Crumbs…

13:34 - Shoot for the Stars: Round 2.

14:18 - RRR has the best bromance, has the best disclaimer, and just might have the best set of abs.

25:49 - Shoot for the Stars: Round 3.

27:44 - Oceans uses the world of science in conjunction with cardboard fishies to create a lightly educational engine builder.

39:28 - Shoot for the Stars: Round 4.

42:26 - It’s been years in the making, but now Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman is on our screens and it’s a dream come true.

57:26 - Do we need a sign-off? Alright then.

All that, and two squeezes and out, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about. Go check it out, if you like.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

Marvel’s Star Wars homage / Kevin Bacon delivery vehicle The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special gets dissected, boardgame reviews of Luna Capital (place tiles, build an engine, reach the Moon) and Lacrimosa (Mozart’s dead, figure out his legacy), and going back to a genre-definer with Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Plus we enter The Christmas Zone, and give each other our traditional Secret Santa gifts.

00:00 - The Christmas Zone.

07:01 - Secret Santa: Part 1.

13:56 - Luna Capital and Lacrimosa.

26:46 - Secret Santa: Part 2.

29:56 - Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.

43:36 - Secret Santa: Part 3.

47:42 - The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special.

58:47 - Secret Santa: Part 4.

All that, and a bloated mass of content, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about. Go check it out, if you like.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

00:00 - H. G. Wells, a true literary genius?

05:04 - TwentyPlenty.

11:15 - Don't Get Got from Big Potato Games is a mix of silly party fun and intense paranoia that demands creative thinking and social nous to outwit your loved ones.

33:30 - Jojo Rabbit is Taika Waititi's darkly-tinged comedy about why hate is so stupid, and while it can be an uncomfortable watch, it's a worthy one.

45:46 - In an energetic mood? Then Amanita Design's Chuchel - a riotous combination of puzzler and point-and-click adventure for mobile and PC - is for you.

All that, and some rather "unique" CVs, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Sam (@MrSamTurner), and Peter (@XeroXeroXero).

Links - StayingInPodcast.com

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Steam Curator - http://store.steampowered.com/curator/28314572/

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00:00 - The Egg Saga.

09:40 - A trip to Vale Street in Bristol, and leaving the house for a curry.

12:28 - Ghost of Tsushima, Akira Kurosawa, and the satisfaction of feeling powerful when playing as a samurai.

22:37 - An amazing quad biking adventure in Greece. Top tip: check your headlights before setting out.

28:23 - Set dressing the house and tackling the play-it-at-home escape room Art Heist, from The Fantastic Factory’s TRAPPED series.

38:00 - Sabotage is yet another absolute humdinger of a board game from Fowers Games, and how to spend an extra £500 on it by buying a brand new table. Plus when Kris met Tim on We’re Not Wizards.

49:55 - Getting our cartographer juices flowing by making overworld maps for Basic Fantasy Role-Playing Game by using Hex Kit by Cone Of Negative Energy as an “inspiration generator”.

01:03:17 - The debate continues.

All that, and Waterloo, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Sam (@MrSamTurner), and Peter (@XeroXeroXero).

Looking for tea-themed Spotify playlists? Of course you are (???), so pop to our Spotify playlist page for those.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Quick note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

Funselektor’s deeply authentic top down racer art of rally, taking a trip down Shared Memory’s Animal Well, more thoughts on The Haunting of Hill House, and why you really should watch the monstrous Godzilla Minus One. All that, and a Dirty Gibson, on Ep201.

00:00 - A stag do in Bristol

08:48 - art of rally

22:53 - Animal Well

33:31 - The Haunting of Hill House

45:16 - Godzilla Minus One

58:20 - Godzilla titles are wild

On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Peter (@XeroXeroXero) and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

We take a trip into the mysterious in the dark sci-fi They Cloned Tyrone, chat about the completely endearing Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, and if that weren’t enough, it’s off to war with Undaunted: Battle of Britain from Osprey Games.

All that, and sleeping in Deep Heat, on Ep185.

00:00 - Hugo’s 3rd but not his 3rd birthday party

07:52 - Kris sleeps in Deep Heat, plus The Cinematic Orchestra

14:41 - They Cloned Tyrone

27:34 - Marcel the Shell with Shoes On

37:54 - Undaunted: Battle of Britain

56:35 - The Fast and the Furious in Japanese

On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

A full report on our trip to the biggest board game show in the world - Spiel Essen - plus our favourite games from the show; Gibberers by Hobby Japan, The Chronicles of Berg by Rybysel Games, and Final Girl by Van Ryder Games. Then back at home we catch up with The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2.

All that, and lightning striking twice, on Ep210.

00:00 - Spiel Essen

16:15 - Gibberers

26:04 - The Chronicles of Berg

33:33 - Final Girl

48:30 - The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2

On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

Doing it live with Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Live In Concert, stacking shelves in CMYK’s Wilmot's Warehouse, travelling with Catch Up Games’ Faraway, and being lied to with Odd-Meter’s Indika.

All that, and teasing a child, on Ep208.

00:00 - How do you define “relax”?

05:24 - Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Live In Concert

11:16 - Wilmot's Warehouse

27:59 - Indika

45:42 - Faraway

On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

00:00 - The foundations of a hot tub.

03:03 - Coiledspring Games’ Photosynthesis sets a new standard for gateway games and feels like it might genuinely be a good option for getting people into the hobby. Plus we get talking about how challenging that actually is.

21:57 - A sauna. The Red Zone. Fika.

34:11 - Hot Lap League reminds us, very deliberately, of TrackMania Turbo which we covered back on Ep4. This slick racer brings time trial-based high precision competitiveness to Android and iOS, and we’re here for it.

45:33 - A very VERY funny joke. Oh and our thoughts on new book-turned-TV-series Reacher.

56:31 - Free Radicals from WizKids Games sure isn’t a gateway game, but its bold use of colours is admirable, and even if it does get utterly silly at times that’s all part of the fun.

All that, and a silent scream, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about. Go check it out, if you like.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

00:00 - We talk skin care regime and why it’s important for us fellas.

07:45 - Ready Brek: it’s good.

09:41 - The latest Dr Strange movie is out, we’ve seen it and, generally, we like it - it’s a solid entry in Marvel’s cinematic universe and expands on some of the concepts that have been developed over the last few films. Plus horror.

33:01 - Merchants & Marauders is Z-Man Games’ highly thematic title all about pirates and privateers (and a little bit of “cronch”). It’s a big sandbox of roleplaying, deal-making, and battling, and we like it.

42:51 - The Accord.

44:55 - PlayStation Plus is… fine? But is it good enough when compared to similar services?

50:14 - Joe Richardson’s follow up to Four Last Things is The Procession to Calvary, another point and click journey through a hilarious renaissance world, formed of real paintings from the era.

All that, and thir-hy-si, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about. Go check it out, if you like.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

We’ve smashed through the single page RPGs Pride and Extreme Prejudice and Crash Pandas from Rowan, Rook and Decard, and also gotten to the tabletop the kid-friendly The Colour Monster from Devir and Kosmos and Stomp the Plank from The Flying Games and Hachette. Plus a closer look at Color Gray Games and Playstack’s stupendous sequel The Rise of The Golden Idol.

All that, and, yes, it’s one of His, on Ep212.

00:00 - A Cold Snap

05:51 - The Rise of The Golden Idol

29:39 - Pride and Extreme Prejudice

38:45 - Crash Pandas

43:28 - The Colour Monster

46:40 - Stomp the Plank

53:12 - Secret Santa

On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

00:00 - Lightbulb moments.

03:20 - Dining out at the cinema and why Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is a fantastic kung fu movie, with a more-grounded physicality in a universe where everyone has laser beams shooting out their eyes.

21:49 - What’s bigger than Kris's lunchbox? Being a VIP.

25:42 - We’ve been spending lunch breaks playing Mazescape Labyrinthos from Devir. The premise is very simple - just find your way through a maze - but that’s only the beginning, and the game builds and builds upon this idea to result in a satisfying solo experience.

33:44 - Imagine a crossword puzzle crossed with Scrabble; that’s Wordscapes from Peoplefun Games. It’s simple, light fun, testing and improving your vocabulary skills in a free-to-play mobile game where the hand of the monetiser is rarely felt (if you turn off the ads).

44:36 - A huge thank you to Mark (@lithiumproject) for sending us a question for this episode, which is: what are the best two player board/card games?

All that, and taking a cup of tea hostage, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

00:00 - The magpie.

08:18 - A birthday and a dirge.

20:54 - Relaxed yet competitive, chilled yet tense, Celtic is a set collection game for the family from The Plastic Soldier Company and Pegasus Spiele that, on paper, shouldn’t work, but it really does. And why there’s a lot of value in going back to old board game mechanics.

35:03 - Most manga is rubbish. Finding good manga for grown ups is difficult. But Space Brothers from Kodansha? It’s consistently excellent, slice of life sci-fi. Plus: more manga recommendations.

46:15 - Michaela Kienle and Michael Menzel’s Legends of Andor, published by Kosmos, is absolutely incredible: it’s sprawling and epic, completely approachable, perfect for the whole family, and something to savour.

All that, and a shower, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero) and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Quick note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

Jumping deep into Davy Jones' Locker: The Kraken Wakes after PudKat Games’ successful Kickstarter, the warboys scope out Osprey Games’ General Orders: World War II, going intergalactic with The Marvels, and the incredible Mints or Mince from Big Potato Games.

All that, and a lot of talk about potatoes, on Ep188.

00:00 - Eating Toffee Potatoes (aka Caramelised Danish Potatoes) and decadent roasties.

06:56 - The horrors of eating in your first year of University

09:46 - Davy Jones' Locker: The Kraken Wakes

26:04 - The Marvels

39:33 - General Orders: World War II

55:56 - Mints or Mince

On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

It’s back to the good old PlayStation One days with reviews of Tomb Raider I-III Remastered: Starring Lara Croft (Aspyr) and PSX horror Incident at Grove Lake (ToothandClaw). Then there’s thoughts on Accomplices (Hachette), the PlayStation Portal (Sony), and Cards vs Gravity (Big Potato Games). All that, and the best things from the 90s, on Ep198.

00:00 - Four Stag Dos, Three Weddings

07:06 - Tomb Raider I-III Remastered

13:32 - Incident at Grove Lake

24:30 - Accomplices

33:48 - The PlayStation Portal

49:13 - Cards vs Gravity

On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

And since I forgot to put a joke in last week, here’s an extra (unrequested) one for you: I went to a circus recently; the action was in tents.

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

Our Flag Means Death is a romantic comedy (with emphasis on the romance) of pirates and gentlemanliness, hot off our RRR kick we’ve fallen hard for Eega, and we have thoughts on modern horror Barbarian. We get investing in property with Rebuilding Seattle by WizKids, scope out just how much love has gone into Sniper Elite: The Board Game by Rebellion Unplugged - a hidden movement board game based on the video game - and Prospero Hall smashes it yet again with The Rocketeer: Fate of the Future from Funko Games. Plus a gaming weekend of fun.

00:00 - Sam and Dan's gaming weekend of fun.

14:22 - Eega and Barbarian

21:24 - Rebuilding Seattle

35:05 - Sniper Elite: The Board Game

42:00 - The Rocketeer: Fate of the Future

48:55 - Our Flag Means Death

All that, and the tuna bus, with Kris (@DigitalStrider) and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about. Go check it out, if you like.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

With three absolutely massive topics; a review of Assassin’s Creed Mirage (Ubisoft), a review of Dune: Part 2, and a look at Pocket Quest 2024 (DriveThruRPG). All that, with a very British opening, on Ep197.

00:17 - Tea talk

06:00 - Assassin's Creed Mirage review

23:07 - Pocket Quest 2024 (and 21: High Stakes Heists)

43:33 - Dune: Part 2 review

On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero) and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Here's a joke for you: did you hear about the new drill technology? It's groundbreaking. 

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

00:00 - Slipmington. Patent pending.

09:03 - What little we know about wine, and what we love about Stonemaier Games' Viticulture Essential Edition, a relaxing worker placement in which you run a vineyard.

23:30 - Escape room games at home, including Sherlock Holmes from The Panic Room, and Exit: The Game - Theft on the Mississippi.

32:31 - Recreating the PC point and click adventure in a tabletop game, via Adventure Games: Monochrome Inc.

44:45 - The birbs in Tiny Bird Garden makes us feel #blessed, and it's the toyetic clicker for mobile and PC that we didn't know we wanted.

53:09 - Batman: Arkham VR puts you in the cowl of The Caped Crusader really well, we just wish there was a little bit more.

All that, and a visit from the croissant fairy, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Sam (@MrSamTurner), and Peter (@XeroXeroXero).

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Quick note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

00:00 - “I’ll allow a Magnum”.

08:34 - It’s been in development Hell, but Uncharted’s tale of stealing a lost treasure is fun. It stumbles here and there, but the thrill of seeing the series on the screen, and some fleeting moments of excellence, means we’re excited for the inevitable sequel.

19:00 - The Blustery Day.

27:09 - Being back in the world of Aloy is lovely, as long as you’ve played the first game… and we have, so we’re really enjoying Horizon Forbidden West. And gosh it looks glorious with some incredible acting and character animations.

35:06 - High Score lets you gamble in a safe space (it’s a push your luck dice game), with that typical level of polish and quality you’d expect from Reiner Knizia and Kosmos.

39:43 - Almadi is from Funnyfox, via Hachette, and while it’s a teensy bit like Carcassonne, a smidgen like Wingspan, but it’s definitely its own experience.

44:42 - Roll Camera!... oh my word. This is quite possibly the most well-implemented themes-to-mechanics board game we’ve played. Completely co-operative, it’s your job to make a “successful” film from five scenes… but what does “successful” mean?

54:37 - Taking a moment to say thank you.

56:36 - Paratopic is an absurdly high quality cheap thrill from Arbitrary Metric and Baltoro Games. It’s smart and creepy, with looks ripped straight out of the late PS1/N64 era, and Silent Hill sensibilities.

All that, and the origins of Poirot’s moustache, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist is over on Spotify, and gathers together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

00:00 - DIY, Oodies, a birthday, and an aversion to wool.

05:51 - PlayStation 4 corker The Order: 1886 (as discussed in Ep156) continues to impress.

10:24 - Everdale (last chatted about in Ep136) is closing down its servers, and now we’re in a sentimental mood, discussing games experiences now gone forever.

17:10 - A special early look at the asymmetrical, pirate-themed board game Ahoy from Leder Games. Lighter than Root, but scratches that itch in a very similar way.

28:51 - Dungeons, Dice & Danger is Ravensburger and Richard Garfield’s new roll and write, and it manages to give maths real personality. This isn’t “just another” roll and write, this is something special.

45:09 - One Page Dungeon Contest is an annual RPG adventure writing competition, asking writers to create a system-agnostic piece of content that fits on a single side of A4, and it’s a great time.

55:57 - Binge shaving.

All that, and Fat Willy's, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about. Go check it out, if you like.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

00:00 - Sleeping with Stephen Fry.

05:56 - It’s coming home. We’re going out.

09:00 - Marvel’s latest TV series - Loki - has aesthetics that are very reminiscent of A Clockwork Orange but, secretly, it’s the best Doctor Who series yet.

24:43 - The Willington Variants.

26:52 - We get into meditation with Mondo’s A Gentle Rain, an unbearably simple-sounding game, from Kevin Wilson, a person who we thought didn’t make simple games, but who has created a purposefully meditative game that really is an exemplary piece of design.

40:52 - Imperium Classics and Imperium Legends from Osprey Games are part of a set of superb and very generous deck builders that really get across the feeling of building a civilization. Plus giggling about murder, and people we look like from history.

All that, and a lovely spot of ASMR, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

00:00 - Using Lara Croft-esque flares for romantic photography.

03:30 - No matadors whatsoever.

05:04 - We had a fantastic time at the UK Games Expo this year, and the organisers did a brilliant job of making it feel as welcoming and safe as possible. Last year’s digital version - which we did a… unique?… video for was all well and dandy, but it’s wonderful to meet up in person and get hyped again for board games. Plus, we spill the tea on the attendees of The Festival of Quilts.

09:34 - Kris’s booty.

16:56 - We popped over to a booth run by Kingdom Gaming of Northampton at UKGE, as they were running Flesh and Blood, a TCG from Legend Story Studios that’s really starting to pick up a lot of plaudits, for one key reason: it’s real good. There’s a satisfying tension between playing cards and keeping them, a great back-and-forth between attack and defence, and a huge reduction in the amount of frustrating luck seen in similar games.

26:51 - Another great find at UKGE was Stop the Train! from Escape Plan Board Games. Fans of Werewolf will be right at home, but there’s more than enough here to set it apart from the classic social deduction games, with a train track providing a visual reminder of time running out, and individual conflicting goals casting suspicion left, right, and centre.

31:44 - Themeborne’s Escape the Dark Castle was at UKGE in a big way, so we took the opportunity to give it a go, and we’re super glad we did. It’s a mix of Choose Your Own Adventure and deck-based dungeon crawl, by way of the OSR; grim and perilous adventures, unique enemies and characters, and just the right combination of tactical nuance, ease of play, and some very flavourful writing.

37:51 - It’s always a pleasure to catch up with Bez at a show, someone who is perhaps one of the most prolific and consistent game designers with their ELL Deck (the new name for Wibbell++, which we’ve previously covered). We got to play a new game - possibly created at the show itself! - called Coupell, a “flip and write” that will put your vocabulary to the test.

42:14 - “You get a lot of game for your money” is a phrase we think is going to be synonymous with Merv: The Heart of the Silk Road, from Osprey Games. Pop on a spiced tea and take in the beautiful art, all while building an economic engine in an ancient city.

50:41 - The very deliberately named Masters of the Universe: Revelation TV series has an amazing cast, an incredible soundtrack, and a compelling storyline that successfully draws and builds upon 130 episodes of lore.

All that, and He-Man’s colleagues, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

00:00 - Willington Day, our favourite seasons, and the number five.

03:46 - "You couldn't read it".

07:04 - Super Arcade Football is from OutOfTheBit - of Super Arcade Racing (as heard on Ep77) fame - and it’s a delightful “jumpers for goal posts” game that feels like a spin on Sensible Soccer, but given a modern fit and finish.

28:57 - WizKids’s latest is Greece Lightning, which is somewhat of a racing board game simulation of Wacky Races in that it requires deviousness, cunning, and a little bit of luck.

40:43 - We’ve been chomping through Midnight Mass, which has a Jamesian “pleasing terror” to it, and is, in many ways, more unsettling than Midsommar. Perfect for a bit of Hallowe’en spookin’.

All that, and some unacknowledged hiccups, with Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Oh and hey! Give our Spotify Playlist set a go if you’re after something else to listen to after this episode. Lots of good stuff in there.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

00:00 - Hot dogs: awkward sandwiches?

03:08 - Is it Cake? Well? Is it?

08:09 - Cryptid: Urban Legends from Osprey Games shakes things up and presents a very different two player experience to the original. It’s tense, mechanically tight, and encourages repeat play.

21:52 - The worldwide shortage of Lorne Sausage.

24:14 - Darby DNA.

27:51 - Our review of Sobek: 2 Players from Hachette and Catch Up Games. It’s a set collection game that breezes by in about 20 minutes, with bright and colourful art, and hints of other classics like 7 Wonders Duel, Jamaica, and Juicy Fruits.

40:33 - Nostalgia reigns with The Matrix Resurrections and Ghostbusters: Afterlife.

54:02 - House of Food

All that, and stacking lasagne, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Sam (@MrSamTurner), and Richard (@WereNotWizards).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about. Go check it out, if you like.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

00:00 - Kris's birthday, celebrated not with a song, but a goldfish.

10:09 - Just to be clear, The Bear is not for kids; it’s an intense black comedy drama, shot on a small budget, all about the pressures of running a sandwich shop.

27:27 - Coffee Talk is from Toge Productions and has you brewing up hot beverages for fantasy creatures. It’s a pretty laid back visual novel, and it’s perfect for bedtime.

41:04 - Context is key, and sits at the heart of Immortality, an interactive movie (of sorts) from Sam Barlow, Half Mermaid, and Netflix, all about a movie starlet gone missing.

56:56 - Indeterminate growers.

All that, and sandwiches, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost) and Kris (@DigitalStrider).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about. Go check it out, if you like.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

00:00 - A couple of rounds of toast before bed.

04:51 - Kris’s Special Place, aka Board Beans Cafe.

12:07 - Helvetiq and Coiledspring Games’s GoTown reminds us of Silk and Fluxx, but it has a sense of internal logic that calms the crazy and makes it all make sense in the end. Another “throw it in the bag” game, if ever we saw one.

19:31 - First there was Scrabble, then there was Bananagrams, and now there’s Inkling, an astonishingly good, super accessible word game from Osprey Games that’s an exercise in word chaos.

28:23 - The Expanse and its expansion Doors and Corners from WizKids feels, in some ways, like Geoff Engelstein’s take on Twilight Struggle. It’s got politics, it’s got intrigue, and it’s got some of the same mechanics, but it’s also got science fiction and a more compelling, streamlined experience, and if those things sound good to you, it’s well worth a look.

45:44 - Call of the Sea comes from Out of the Blue and Raw Fury. It’s a brighter, more beautiful take on the Mythos, with touchpoints like Myst, The Witness, and Silent Hill, all the while reminding us of Lovecraft’s ghost written and Dreamlands work.

All that, and The Great British Public, with Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

It’s a board game extravaganza, with big chat and in-depth reviews of Horrified - Greek Monsters and Mycelia from Ravensburger Games, and The Adventures of Robin Hood from Thames & Kosmos. All that, and a stagless stag, on Ep202.

00:00 - The appendix is the essence of man

07:05 - Stag

09:58 - The Adventures of Robin Hood

27:46 - Horrified - Greek Monsters

41:07 - Mycelia

57:32 - Subscriptions

On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

On the tabletop, us four oldies take to the battlefield with the deeply strategic and surprisingly accessible Battalion: War of the Ancients from Osprey Games, and dive beneath the waves in Pacifica from Thames & Kosmos. Meanwhile, in the courtroom, we take a look at Capcom’s shockingly generous compilation Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy, and then pronounce judgment on Marvel’s latest, Captain America: Brave New World.

All that, and getting some paint on the brush, on Ep219.

00:13 - A PVA glue subscription?!

07:35 - Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy

20:18 - Painting miniatures

23:23 - Battalion: War of the Ancients

40:05 - Pacifica

46:39 - Captain America: Brave New World

On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

Big reviews of escape room video game Escape Academy by Coin Crew Games and Ravensburger’s Tolkien-em-up The Lord of the Rings Adventure Book Game, plus thoughts on MugenGaming’s Kiri-ai: The Duel. All that, and many more…? on Ep195.

00:00 - The sanctity of the line and mildly threatening birthday songs

08:50 - Escape Academy

23:29 - Another one indoctrinated

26:23 - The Lord of the Rings Adventure Book Game

47:38 - Kiri-ai: The Duel

1:02:34 - See you at AireCon 2024!

On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider) and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

00:00 - When is a broom not a broom?

07:00 - A spoiler-free discussion about The Last of Us Part II.

27:12 - Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition is deeply profound, philosophical, and beautiful.

36:49 - Redesigning the teasmade for the 21st century.

41:27 - Beyond Burgers: The Best.

46:46 - Treachery in Beatdown City shattered expectations in the most fascinating of ways.

All that, and some very sweet dreams, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Sam (@MrSamTurner), and Peter (@XeroXeroXero).

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Quick note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

On this episode of our gaming and geek culture podcast, we’ve got video game reviews of mysterious adventure This Bed We Made from Lowbirth Games, as well as character platformer Kirby and the Forgotten Land from Nintendo, plus a board game review of evolutionary tile-place-em-up In the Footsteps of Darwin from Hachette.

All that, and curious culinary currencies, on Ep204.

00:00 - Themed restaurants.

07:08 - Kirby and the Forgotten Land.

22:32 - In the Footsteps of Darwin.

38:00 - This Bed We Made.

48:45 - The wedding.

On this episode were Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

00:00 - Listener pal Ben asks us for some gaming recommendations for new parents; exactly which games CAN you play with one hand? 

10:27 - Manchester played host to Tabletop Gaming Live 2022, so naturally we were in attendance too. What a great event!

17:56 - We only get to speak about Quarto from Hachette for a little bit, but that’s fine because our feelings about it are simple: you should for sure play it.

19:20 - Osprey Games delivers the goods yet again with Village Rails. In it, you’ll usher in modernity and the age of steam by building a network across the British countryside.

27:14 - You can feel the money dripping off the screen when you watch The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, which we’re enjoying a fair bit - but is there a danger in “fantasy” become “mundane”?

43:42 - Acram Digital are one of the greats when it comes to digital tabletop adaptations, and that’s definitely the case with the excellent Unmatched: Digital Edition.

58:42 - We made you a game! You can get What's Better than a Hot Tub? from DriveThruRPG now. Also: Staying In Bingo anyone?

All that, and an inappropriate aubergine, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about. Go check it out, if you like.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

A globetrotting episode, as the lads head around Bavaria on Segways, including a trip to the legendary FUNtainment, Hofbräuhaus, and Neuschwanstein Castle. Then we get some mucky fun in with Dirty Pig (or Drecksau) from Kosmos, look back at reMEmber from Pegasus Spiele, become one with nature with Happy Bee from Helvetiq and Coiledspring Games, and annoy all the right people with the Barbie movie.

All that, plus a farewell to underwear, on Ep182.

00:00 - An international flavour

03:55 - Hofbräuhaus, Neuschwanstein Castle, and Segways in Bavaria

26:10 - a trip to FUNtainment

33:40 - Dirty Pig or Drecksau

38:22 - reMEmber

44:49 - Happy Bee

48:52 - the Barbie movie

On this episode were Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero) and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

00:00 - Alexa, play Staying In Podcast!

07:11 - Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown is… just completely out there! We explain why, even if you don’t care all that much about flying games, you need to invest some time in Bandai Namco’s latest entry in the series.

16:44 - Learning, adapting, and trying again is the order of the day in foxy isometric adventure Tunic from Tunic Team and Finji. Like Zelda? Like Heaven’s Vault? You need to play it.

26:41 - The mean, green Marvel machine rolls on with She-Hulk: Attorney at Law now streaming. The TV show comic book adaptation joins the rest of Disney’s line up as an excellent addition, and below its jade-coloured surface is a season of depth and surprises.

37:03 - A while back, Games Workshop took Blood Bowl and made Blitz Bowl, a faster-paced, beginner-friendly take on the core idea of fantasy American football (emphasis firmly on fantasy). With Ultimate Edition now out, we take a look at the previous iteration: Season 2.

49:55 - Fog of Love implies awkwardness, but results in hilarity and enjoyable (?) compromise from its players. We go into how Floodgate Games achieves this and why you should find a very good friend to play it with you.

60:00 - Voicing video game characters. Groovy.

All that, and our forward operating base, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about. Go check it out, if you like.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

With our refined palettes we get our teeth into the spooky dexterity needed for Dropolter (Oink Games), and our stinkin’ paws on After Us (Catch Up Games). Then we make a wish for Eight Billion Genies (Image Comics) and set our sights on Achtung Panzer! Blood & Steel Starter Set (Warlord Games).

All that, and The Mitch and Lynn Man, on Ep199.

00:00 - Very fine dining

09:32 - Dropolter board game review

15:12 - Eight Billion Genies comicbook review

27:35 - Achtung Panzer! Blood & Steel Starter Set tabletop wargame review

47:41 - After Us board game review

On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero) and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

00:00 - A letter to DEFRA.

03:56 - Thor: Love and Thunder is Taika Waititi second go with the Asgardian and while it’s lost a bit of the danger felt in Ragnarok it’s still distinctive and well worth watching.

23:32 - FUT! We dip our football-booted toe into the wonderful world of perfect chemistry, aka FIFA Ultimate Team, thanks to Mr. Jones.

43:45 - Eating biscuits the right way… or was it the wrong way?

49:32 - We get on board with, er, Get on Board: New York & London; a roll and write where everyone shares and contributes to the same play space, from Coiledspring Games.

55:13 - Two roll and write reviews in one episode? Oh yes! And it’s Hachette’s Trek 12: Himalaya, with robust core game and a well thought out legacy mode.

58:41 - Pete's fan is from John Lewis.

All that, and when it’s too early for a slushie, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about. Go check it out, if you like.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

We find out why Fireside Games’ co-op boardgame Castle Panic remains a masterpiece and how its wonderfully welcoming all-ages version My First Castle Panic brings in younger players while remaining entertaining for adults. Then a look at why the sheer amount of planning for a weekend playing Avalon Hill’s Civilization has been an early part of the overall joy of running this epic length event game. And the reasons why 100 years of Nosferatu has done nothing to take the sting out of the vampire’s bite.

All that, and Nora going door-to-door, on Ep216.

00:00 - Two Tuna Buses in a row, plus our favourite bedtime readers

08:48 - Nosferatu

26:01 - Preparing for Civilization

44:29 - Castle Panic and My First Castle Panic

On this episode were Kris (@DigitalStrider) and Peter (@XeroXeroXero).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

Storytelling-strong, narrative-rich video games are the catch of the day, with reviews of Still Wakes the Deep from The Chinese Room, as well as Don’t Nod’s Jusant, plus we go hands-on with Courtisans by Pandasaurus Games.

All that, and what’s up, doc, on Ep203

00:00 - Wedding prep

08:23 - Jusant

23:40 - Still Wakes the Deep

42:16 - Courtisans

On this episode were Kris (@DigitalStrider) and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

Spookily funny party game Ghosts Can't Draw (Big Potato Games), strategic sci-fi in Undaunted 2200: Callisto (Osprey Games), the frighteningly good Agatha All Along, and a David Mitchell mystery series called Ludwig; there’s loads of great geek stuff stuffed into just under an hour of audio.

All that, and tooth chat, on Ep211.

00:00 - Dental Battleships

05:52 - Ghosts Can't Draw

16:22 - Undaunted 2200: Callisto

31:17 - Agatha All Along

43:40 - Ludwig

On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

00:00 - An alternative to exercise?

04:23 - A trip to Yorkshire and an unusual use of steam trains.

09:37 - Master Word is a cross between legacy game, word game, and deduction game, from Scorpion Masque and Coiledspring Games. You’re going to absolutely love it, just like we did.

14:42 - Muffin Time is by the people behind the popular web series asdfmovie and Big Potato Games. We talk about why the Trap Cards are so smart, how it keeps you on your toes at all times, and why you shouldn’t sleep on using the all-powerful blank cards.

26:31 - Hazelight Studios once again proves they’re the leaders in co-op video games experiences, with It Takes Two for PC and consoles. It’s a game for couples, in more ways than one, and when it’s not dropping new mechanics, it’s making you laugh uncomfortably with its dark sense of humour.

42:45 - At an hour long, Wide Ocean Big Jacket demonstrates a rare economy of storytelling in gaming. A well-scoped story, delicately told, with natural dialogue and eminently relatable characters; you really do need to play Turnfollow’s short and sweet adventure for PC and Nintendo Switch.

52:25 - We Make Someone’s Dreams Come True with the competition results from our previous episode about Forks in the Timeline.

All that, and the bath bomb backlog, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.