The Tyranny of Thumbs (5 Player Characters)

Where are we droppin, boys (and Elena)?

 

Ubisoft good, EA bad? This week we play Apex Legends and Adam feels dirty about it... but at least we aren't playing Fortnite? Maybe we should play Fortnite... While Zoe is away and Gabe is sick, we pull in Elena as a last minute ringer. She, being our resident fish clicking expert, tells us what a Battle Royal is like to play if you can't hit anyone... spoilers... almost everyone admits their experience isn't too far off. McCoy tries to claim that he in fact can hit people, tells a humblebrag story about winning but fails to tie it back to any substantive point... It's a riot...

This week on the Tyranny of Thumbs we find ourselves once more in the depths of Rapture. This time with 200% more cyclone trap! And Saving? What is this? 

Also this week, Adam takes a break from the podcast to realize his dreams of playing games that aren't Bioshock for once in the past 2 months. We all wish him luck. It won't be easy.

 

The section we played for this episode:

Start of the game to the start Dionysus Park

Next week, we finish this bad boy!

 

If you have a question or just want to talk some smack about how poorly we did XYZ you can hit us up on our emails:

tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com for those of you who update your computers and like to stay current.

sponsoredbyvisual@gmail.com for those of you who remember the good old days and don't want to give them up just yet.

This week on the Tyranny of Thumbs we find ourselves on our final journey into Rapture. This time with feeling. Can we make it? Do we lose our sanity as was the destiny of so many who inhabit rapture? Tune in to find out.

 

The section we played for this episode:

From the start of Dionysus Park to the gripping conclusion.

 

Next week for something completely different! Next week kicks off our Spooky Games Month where we choose spooky games of all shapes and sizes for the month of October!

• Week 1: 3 (short!) games in one! The Static Speaks My Name, Pony Island and Eversion.
• Week 2: Layers of Fear
• Week 3: Detention
• Week 4: Yomawari N.A.
• Week 5: Deceit

 

If you have a question or just want to talk some smack about how poorly we did XYZ you can hit us up on our emails:

tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com for those of you who update your computers and like to stay current.

sponsoredbyvisual@gmail.com for those of you who remember the good old days and don't want to give them up just yet.

This week on the Tyranny of Thumbs we dive into both the Burial at Sea DLCs for Bioshock Infinite. Tune in to hear what we thought about them... but like spoilers... If you loved rapture, these DLCs an absolute must.

Also this week, James returns to keep the rest of us in line, we learn why couples counseling is valuable for more than just couples as Adam and McCoy learn to play nice and finally those who choose to stay to the end will witness Adam actually using the rating system. What an episode! What a world we live in!

 

If you have a question or just want to talk some smack about how poorly we did XYZ you can hit us up on our emails:

tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com for those of you who update your computers and like to stay current.

sponsoredbyvisual@gmail.com for those of you who remember the good old days and don't want to give them up just yet.

This week we start Bioshock Infinite and all pretend that Bioshock 2 never existed. Isn't that the way God intended?

 

Section:

Start of the game up until the Finkton Docks.

 

James, our fearless outreach expert, is off on assignment and because he isn't here I feel it is my responsibility to link our socials:

 

Twitter

Email: sponsoredbyvisual@gmail.com

This week on the Game Club Podcast you get a front-row seat to see what happens when two people love each other. No... it isn't that... It's that they fight about politics at the dinner table... Right? Isn't that love?

 

The section we played for this episode:

Finkton Docks to the start of Emporia.

 

James, our fearless outreach expert, is still off on assignment and because he isn't here I feel it is my responsibility to link our socials:

Twitter

Email: sponsoredbyvisual@gmail.com

After last week's episode, we all come prepared for war. You know all those football players with the black paint under their eyes? That's us.

Ready or not though, nothing could have prepared us for what we were about to experience... Which was essentially all of us sitting down and shutting up while Zoe, our fearless leader, guides our simple minds into the promise land of understanding. Adam, some would say the false shepherd, chooses not to follow the prophet.

 

The section we played for this episode:

From the start of Emporia to the end.

Next week we are on to the Burial at Sea DLC!

 

James, our fearless outreach expert, is still off on assignment and because he isn't here I feel it is my responsibility to link our socials:

Twitter

Email: sponsoredbyvisual@gmail.com

This week on a podcast that might be better utilized if lit on fire to keep warm on a day only slightly below freezing, we play an old classic Bioshock.

Most of us have played it, so we all huddle around James (who is playing this wonderful game from our childhood for the first time) as we all slowly come to the realization that he didn't have our same childhood experience. It breaks the hearts of grown adults.

Join as we try to figure out what it means to play a longer game in the game club format, would you kindly.

 

Music Used

• Welcome to Rapture

This week on the Game Club we dive deeper into Bioshock.

 

Warning though, there are some really hot takes in this episode. Like at one point Keenan posits that roads are good for getting places. I KNOW RIGHT?

 

Music

• Cohen's Masterpiece

This week we played from Olympus Heights all the way to the thrilling(?) conclusion!

 

Warning to all new listeners who decided to skip directly to episode 3 of our Bioshock playthrough and then approximately another minute in! Don't go. James is making an annoying noise but we swear the podcast is good! Please don't unsubscribe... instead write your hate mail to sponsoredbyvisual@gmail.com! Now there is an idea!

This week we play another indie game choice from Adam... Wait!? Don't go? Damnit... These games are really killing our "growth potential"

 

You can get the original Cave Story free online! Or you can buy Cave Story + on almost as many platforms as Skyrim... What? You are sick of that joke? Why don't you write this then?

 

Music by Doukutsu Monogatari:

Mimaga Town

(but check out some other rockin tracks like "Balrog's Theme" and "Meltdown 2 (Sand Zone)")

This week on something Zoe has started titling her audio files as "Bound by Games" episode 8, we play Celeste.

 

Should you choose to look up, you might be able to catch a glimpse of Adam laughing maniacally on the top of Mount Celeste as the rest of us struggle to pass simple challenges like... literally the first screen. I mean there was like... what two jumps? That's not nothing!

 

 

This week on the Game Club Podcast we play the first "Walking Simulator" Dear Esther.

Adam said it best, this was a game that, perhaps most of all we've played so far, directly benefited from having a game club discussion after playing it. There was a lot to dig into both in the game and around it so it was really nice to meet our minds together and try to sort this whole thing out. It was really fun. What a strange and lovely game. Thanks, everyone for taking the time. It meant a lot to me.

 

Music by Jessica Curry:

I have Begun my Descent

The Beginning

 

Take it easy, Dad.

This week on... ok we don't have a name yet... what do you think of Bound by Games? Anyways, this week we play Doki Doki Literature Club. The keen listener will be able to discern each host's dating preferences and tendencies by reverse engineering the girls they choose in this dating simulator.

Whether they choose:

Monika, the popular kid organizing the book club who you've always thought was out of your league.

Yuri, a quiet romantic who appreciates the subtlety in the art of writing.

Sayori, your neighbor and close friend since as far as you can remember.

Natsuki, a cutesy but standoffish ("Tsundere" type... what is this pokemon?) who just doesn't see why YOU need to be here at all.

But honestly, once you get to know them all, I think we can all agree there is only one viable choice. Just Monika.

Just Monika.

Just Monika.

Just Monika.

 

This is one from the archives. Just kidding, that doesn't make any sense but I've always wanted to say that. Maybe one day we can disappoint our listeners by rehashing old episodes. We'll need to be around for much longer to accomplish any sort of podcaster goal like that one.

This episode we talk about Donut County by Ben Esposito. Shout out to our special guest Linnea! A friend of the podcast our game dev drama correspondent. Note though, she is not associated with us in any way and actually doesn't even know who we are or how she ended up on the podcast. Internet safety kids.

 

Soundtrack by Daniel Koestner & Ben Esposito

• Quack Anthem
• Breaking Anthem

The gang is back. This week it becomes clear no one can speak French/Spanish or even English as approximately 3/4ths of the episode is dedicated to trying to understand how to pronounce the word "Gris." Is it Gris? Or is it Gris? Perhaps its Gris? The world may never know. Let us know in the comments. Like comment/subscribe/donate/swipe right/super like/retweet if you know the answer.

This week we take a break from hardcore narrative games with hardcore discussions only suited for hardcore gamers and we opt to play something light-hearted: Human Fall Flat.

Do you ever miss the days when you would occasionally drop something or even just straight up fall over for no apparent reason? Being an adult means you mostly don't fall over anymore and when you do... boy is it not fun. What if I told you I could sell you the nostalgic experience of not knowing how to operate your body properly? Well... to be fair, I can't... but No Brakes Games can with Human Fall Flat!

This week on The Tyranny of Thumbs (you have no idea how hard it is for me to type Tyranny correctly... yikes) we slowly and steadily march further into our Spooky Games Month. This time with Layers of Fear. For those curious, this is one of those actually scary games. So... it isn't for the faint of heart. Unless you are Gabe. Even though he wasn't bragging, he wasn't scared. I was. James bought 10 nightlights on amazon SAME DAY delivery because of this game so proceed with caution.

• Deliberations Episode: The one where we decide the list!
• Week 1: 3 (short!) games in one! The Static Speaks My Name, Pony Island and Eversion.
• Week 2: Layers of Fear
• Week 3: Detention
• Week 4: Yomawari N.A.
• Week 5: Deceit

Spooky Games Month hype video here! Check it out!

 

If you have a question or just want to talk some smack about how poorly we did XYZ you can hit us up on our emails:

tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com for those of you who update your computers and like to stay current.

sponsoredbyvisual@gmail.com for those of you who remember the good old days and don't want to give them up just yet.

 

Last and least at the same time:

Our Instagram, Twitter and Youtube that we are squatting on and haven't done anything with (yet). Just imagine all the cool content we could put up there! Remember, everyone has to do their part... so for now if you could imagine the cool stuff on there that would help us a lot!

What you have in your hands is a very special extremely experimental one-off minisode.

The premise is simple:

The five of us (and Linnea) enter a cold dark room with 30+ spooky/horror/Halloween themed games and no one is allowed to leave until we have 5 weeks of spooky games chosen. Some would say certain members of us are still there, arguing with only ourselves, looking for others to haunt or perhaps grieving the loss of our very favorite game that didn't make the cut.

List of Spooky Games Entries:

• Year Walk
• Observation
• Layers of Fear
• Subnautica
• Yomawari N.A.
• Sunless Sea
• The Long Dark
• Inside
• Don't Starve
• Cultist Simulator
• Night in the Woods
• Oxenfree
• Contradiction
• Super Seducer
• Night Trap
• Five Nights at Freddy's
• Sally Face Ep. 1
• Pony Island
• Kraven Manor
• Amnesia: The Dark Descent
• Penumbra: Overture
• Unturned
• The Forest
• Deceit
• Sas 4
• Postal Redux
• Yet Another Zombie Defense Game
• Zombie Defense
• Atom Zombie Smasher
• We Know The Devil
• Beckett
• Dead Space
• F.E.A.R.
• DEADBOLT
• Minecraft
• The Static Speaks My Name
• Outlast

 

If you have a question or just want to talk some smack about how poorly we did XYZ you can hit us up on our emails:

tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com for those of you who update your computers and like to stay current.

sponsoredbyvisual@gmail.com for those of you who remember the good old days and don't want to give them up just yet.

This week on the Tyranny of Thumbs we take a break! No game this week, just come by and chill with us as we talk about the games we play when there isn't the Game Club. Oh, and McCoy rants about Youtube's design that is actively fighting against the user's ability to organize their content and with it their thoughts. If you listen closely you will note that no else cares even a little bit.

Hype Videos are raining from the sky! (It must have been because of that one 5 star review that liked one :D. How could we stop after that encouragement?)

• The OG (The Bioshock 2 Big Sisters Boss Battle)
• Eversion
• Yomawari: Night Alone
• Layers of Fear

If you have a question or just want to talk some smack about how poorly we did XYZ you can hit us up on our emails:

tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com for those of you who update your computers and like to stay current.

sponsoredbyvisual@gmail.com for those of you who remember the good old days and don't want to give them up just yet.

 

Last and least at the same time:

Our Instagram, Twitter and Youtube that we are squatting on and haven't done anything with (yet). Just imagine all the cool content we could put up there! Remember, everyone has to do their part... so for now if you could imagine the cool stuff on there that would help us a lot!

This week on the Game Club we play Risk of Rain 2.

 

 

You thought there was going to be a clever podcast description, didn't you? Not today, McCoy is on strike. Odd though, he hasn't listed any terms or even shown up to picket so no one really knows what his deal is with this one. Maybe he is taking his sweet time to make the absolute best protest sign and he just didn't feel it was up to his standards yet. Maybe he objects to the new sponsor Visual? Who can know? 

This week we all put on our Indiana Jones hat and did what he did best: throw women across pits of spikes, forcing her to soak up all the traps along the way and finally ask for a kiss because our health pool is low. You know normal Indiana Jones stuff. 

Despite what this intro is having you believe, this is actually not another podcast about ethics in videogames, instead, it's a podcast all about Spelunky! The first non-tile based Rogue-Like game. Boy, do we owe this game a lot. Not enough for me personally to play it another minute past our 3 hours but... hey... thanks for your contribution. Now... where did I put Dead Cells?

This week on The Tyranny of Thumbs we've closed our eyes as we steadily march deeper into our Spooky Games Month. This time with Detention. I know there were some of us left scratching their head when this game made it through the grueling deliberations episode, especially in the face of games like Inside, We Know the Devil and of course, Year Walk. But, without a doubt, this game surpassed all of our expectations and proved it had every right to make the list. What a pleasant surprise for all of us... all of us except one. Poor James, still sleeping with an industrial-grade floodlight as a nightlight from last week's Layers of Fear episode, dug deep once again and could only muster the strength to say one thing "When will Spooky Games Month be over?" Sorry buddy, as you can see below we have a little bit left to go.

Spoilers for the Podcast: No one fights today. I'll leave that up to you if you think that is a good or bad thing.

• Deliberations Episode: The one where we decide the list!
• Week 1: 3 (short!) games in one! The Static Speaks My Name, Pony Island and Eversion.
• Week 2: Layers of Fear
• Week 3: Detention
• Week 4: Yomawari N.A.
• Week 5: Deceit

Spooky Games Month hype video here! Check it out!

 

If you have a question or just want to talk some smack about how poorly we did XYZ you can hit us up on our emails:

tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com for those of you who update your computers and like to stay current.

sponsoredbyvisual@gmail.com for those of you who remember the good old days and don't want to give them up just yet.

 

Last and least at the same time:

Our Instagram, Twitter and Youtube that we are squatting on and haven't done anything with (yet). Just imagine all the cool content we could put up there! Remember, everyone has to do their part... so for now if you could imagine the cool stuff on there that would help us a lot!

Why hello there!

This week on The Tyranny of Thumbs (you have no idea how hard it is for me to type Tyranny correctly... yikes) we dive headfirst into our Spooky Games Month. Here we play a bunch of scary(ish... kinda) games for the month of October.

We didn't nail the name down before starting because you know... professionalism... so we leave it up to you, the listener to decide which name they like best. Then, after you have chosen, we ask that you replace that name in your mind every time you see us write or say Spooky Games Month from here on forward. Look, I know that sounds like a lot of work but we ALL have to contribute here.

• Spooky Games Month
• Tyranny of Terror
• Terror of Thumbs
• Spooky Games Month: Thumbs

 

Oh hey! I almost forgot to mention our epic Bioshock 2 boss battle gameplay compilation hype video! Check it out here! Trust!

 

Welcome to our Spooky Games Month where we choose spooky games of all shapes and sizes for the month of October!

• Week 1: 3 (short!) games in one! The Static Speaks My Name, Pony Island and Eversion.
• Week 2: Layers of Fear
• Week 3: Detention
• Week 4: Yomawari N.A.
• Week 5: Deceit

 

If you have a question or just want to talk some smack about how poorly we did XYZ you can hit us up on our emails:

tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com for those of you who update your computers and like to stay current.

sponsoredbyvisual@gmail.com for those of you who remember the good old days and don't want to give them up just yet.

 

Last and least at the same time:

Our Instagram, Twitter and Youtube that we are squatting on and haven't done anything with (yet). Just imagine all the cool content we could put up there! Remember, everyone has to do their part... so for now if you could imagine the cool stuff on there that would help us a lot!

This week we realize that Yomawari: Night Alone is the Dark Souls of scary games and yet we also simultaneously find out that scary games and Dark Souls don't really mix. Wanna find out why? Listen to this episode that you already clearly have queued up on your iPhone or something!

• Deliberations Episode: The one where we decide the list!
• Week 1: 3 (short!) games in one! The Static Speaks My Name, Pony Island and Eversion.
• Week 2: Layers of Fear
• Week 3: Detention
• Week 4: Yomawari N.A.
• Week 5: Deceit

Spooky Games Month hype video here! Check it out!

 

If you have a question or just want to talk some smack about how poorly we did XYZ you can hit us up on our emails:

tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com for those of you who update your computers and like to stay current.

sponsoredbyvisual@gmail.com for those of you who remember the good old days and don't want to give them up just yet.

 

Last and least at the same time:

Our Instagram, Twitter and Youtube that we are squatting on and haven't done anything with (yet). Just imagine all the cool content we could put up there! Remember, everyone has to do their part... so for now if you could imagine the cool stuff on there that would help us a lot!

For the first episode of "The Good the Bad and the Indie Bullsh*t Adam Likes" we venture into the endless soundscape of Starseed Pilgrim. Many question their sanity. Some try to run.

This week on The Good the Bad and the Indie we explore the age old debate of how many humans can you shove into a room to talk about AI before you start to talk about stuff you don't understand. Hint... we pass that number.

 

KT Nelson on Twitter:

AMAZON, 1998: hello we sell books but online

AMAZON, 2023: please return to your Primehouse for your nightly Primemeal, valued Primecitizen

This week on The Good the Bad and the Indie we explore the inner workings of the critic creator relationship. Both within Davey and Koda but also within ourselves. Look out for Gabe dropping a bombshell halfway through the episode that Davey and Koda are two sides of the same person and observe everyone else slowly trying to wrap their heads around this as the "Correct" interpretation. If you listen closely you can hear the sounds of frustration as people start throwing out their notes.

Oh hey... I used a tin can to record this audio clip... does that make this game art?

This week we play Chapters 1-4 of The Cat Lady. Perhaps the most divisive game yet.  If you listen carefully you can hear Gabe (and Zoe) explain how infuriating it is to watch McCoy solve puzzles, James getting caught red-handed asking for the homework and, if you listen hardest of all, you may be able to pick up on the subtle theme that Adam didn't really like this game.

Tune in next week for the exciting conclusion of the podcast temporarily named Can These Friends Keep It Civil While They Slowly but Surely Lose Respect for Each Other. Find out next time!

 

Music Credit:

Inside by Warmer

The Cat Lady OST - Menu Theme

This week on our beer review podcast we talk all about how 9% beers can catch you off guard whilst at family. Which, of course, leads you to talking politics and you swear you are yelling not because you are frustrated but simply because your uncle is hard of hearing... Look, I know it LOOKS bad but honestly, he just couldn't hear me. 

Hi, welcome to our second episode for The Cat Lady. In this episode, we search for answers. Can Adam truly play more of this game without throwing his computer out the window? Where does James draw the line when ransacking innocent people's houses for the greater good? Finally, can McCoy fit the entirety of his foot in his own mouth or only 93%? 

If you want to know the answers to these questions you'll have to tune in to find out!

 

Intro Music:

Don't Follow The Light - The Cat Lady OST (Composed by Michal Michalski for the Cat Lady original soundtrack.)

This week on something that will possibly have a different name... like Save Point Game Club or Checkpoint Game Club... or GamsWithJams... *shudder* we play The Gardens Between. Look out for James who had a bad week and likes to take it out on poor indie/artsy games. Just kidding... but really. Actually though, it wasn't just James.

This week we played The Ground Gives Way. This episode is the equivalent of watching a movie in science class because your teacher was too hungover to teach anything. Sure, it may not have been part of the curriculum but hey how many times since then have you referenced Gattaca to sound smart? I bet you're glad you didn't cut that class!

Also, the astute listener will be able to pick up on the subtle but clear sound of Adam losing all respect for his co-hosts as he realizes that 3/4 people didn't play the tutorial and were wondering why they were lost. Don’t worry though, James “I’m just gunna quit” Herold doesn’t notice it over the faint sound of his keyboard clicking from the run he was in at the time.

This week everyone learns why intros are good and what happens if McCoy is let loose to wreak havoc on the beginning of the show. Seriously? Who let that guy on here. What a train wreck. Other than that we discuss To the Moon, why it made 1/5th of us cry, why the other 4/5ths are callus monsters and lastly, we nod politely as Adam makes bold claims about how he "actually likes" narrative games.

Game:

To the Moon by Free Bird Games

Soundtrack:

[Artist: Kan. R. Gao, Laura Shigihara Album: To the Moon OST]

• For River - Piano (Johnny's Version) 
• Teddy

 

It's time.

"All is not as it seems"

- Shivers

--

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

 

Tentative Schedule:

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

Week 1: Play days 1

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

It is done. And my god, it's good.

 

Shoutout to James for his block. Now it's time for something a little different FROM control...

It's finally time.

"While you were out partying, Zoë was studying the blade"

 

As the rest of life speeds by with an almost staggering pace, Zoë's been silently honing her combat skills and what we've got for you here is the proof to show for it. This is a podcast from the top of the mountain. Join McCoy and Zoë as they (drunk on victory wine) discuss this iconic game and Zoë's first foray into a "Souls-Like".

 

Oh and stay till the end of this podcast if you want to hear Zoë's updated boss tier list (warning there might be some trash takes in there because everyone is totally drunk at this point.)

 

It was a long hard fought journey, but at the end of the day, nothing could stand in our way:

Zoë Learns Dark Souls (YouTube Playthrough)

 

Victory Achieved

 

Would you believe it? We've elevated our Instagram to something we actually use!!! Check it out for updates on our latest podcast and some silly screenshots (maybe sorta sometimes at least). We might even use it for other purposes too. How cool is that?

 

If you have a question or just want to talk some smack about how poorly we did this week you can hit us up on our email:

tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com

 

Oh! And IF YOU LIKED THE SHOW BUT UNDER NO OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES feel free to drop us a 5 star rating on iTunes (or wherever your local podcasts are sold)

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

 

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

• Indika
• Felvidek
• Still Wakes the Deep

Editor McCoy's Note on the Release Schedule:

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

This week we all celebrate the triumphant return of James (AKA J.$) with a tactics/puzzle game Into the Breach! Special shoutout to Rafael as our resident Don't Starve expert for not only his contributions to this episode but for promptly putting James in his place about Don't Starve's artstyle. It was about time someone did it.  

Would you believe it? We've elevated our Instagram to something we actually use!!! Check it out for updates on our latest podcast and some silly screenshots (maybe sorta sometimes at least). We might even use it for other purposes too. How cool is that?

 

If you have a question or just want to talk some smack about how poorly we did this week you can hit us up on our email:

tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com

 

Oh! And IF YOU LIKED THE SHOW BUT UNDER NO OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES feel free to drop us a 5 star rating on iTunes (or wherever your local podcasts are sold)

It's been another week and we are back at it again. Wow. This game is massive. Listen as we slowly come to realize just how insignificant we all are in comparison to this game.

Perhaps it's time to loosen some of the gameplay spoilers around this game and start to share mechanics and strats. It's a tough world out there and we are all out there on our own journey to defeat this game.

Do we need all the help we can get? Maybe, it's hard to say... McCoy keeps home-ruling things as "not allowed" (like summons or coop or even jumping heavy attacks) so maybe he's just on his own journey?

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

 

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

Welcome to the first (last?) "filler" episode with just Elena and McCoy. While the crew is hard at work playing Burnhouse Lane and not crying afterward, have a nice fireside chat about Phoenix Point (a game from the makers of XCOM).

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

 

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

It's a madhouse in here. In this episode, and in what might be the largest group we've recorded with yet, we talk about our first impressions of this hotly anticipated title Cyberpunk 2077. Did we just play a game on release? That's odd.

 

In terms of spoilers, we mostly don't talk story in this episode and when we do, we talk only up to the end of Act 1 or "The Heist" mission.

 

Would you believe it? We've elevated our Instagram to something we actually use!!! Check it out for updates on our latest podcast and some silly screenshots (maybe sorta sometimes at least). We might even use it for other purposes too. How cool is that?

 

If you have a question or just want to talk some smack about how poorly we did this week you can hit us up on our email:

tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com

 

Oh! And IF YOU LIKED THE SHOW BUT UNDER NO OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES feel free to drop us a 5 star rating on iTunes (or wherever your local podcasts are sold)

The playlist:

Chill Beats to Freeze To - The Pale Beyond Ambient Mix

 

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

Join a slightly smaller crew as we continue to dive into Cyberpunk 2077. This time we complete up to Act 2 and some key sidequests we wanted to touch on.

 

Official Side Quest List (Updated the list in order of importance, IMO)

1. Both Sides Now
2. Sinnerman (two-parter)
3. Any romantic pathway that you have taken on???
4. The Hunt (must complete I Fought The Law prior)
5. Dream On
6. Don't Lose Your Mind (must complete all Epistrophy quests)
7. Violence - (two-parter)

Would you believe it? We've elevated our Instagram to something we actually use!!! Check it out for updates on our latest podcast and some silly screenshots (maybe sorta sometimes at least). We might even use it for other purposes too. How cool is that?

 

If you have a question or just want to talk some smack about how poorly we did this week you can hit us up on our email:

tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com

 

Oh! And IF YOU LIKED THE SHOW BUT UNDER NO OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES feel free to drop us a 5 star rating on iTunes (or wherever your local podcasts are sold)

A spiritual Successor to Obra Dinn. Need anyone say more?

This marks the start of Rafael's Block!

• Astroneer
• Don't Starve
• Don't Starve: Together
• Green Hell
• Subnautica

Oh, and TRUST ME there is no Elden Ring in this episode...

And we're back! Put on the relaxing Game of Thrones track on youtube and chill as you listen to us decide what games we want to play in the next bunch of weeks for the podcast (and spooky games month!?).

 

Would you believe it? We've elevated our Instagram to something we actually use!!! Check it out for updates on our latest podcast and some silly screenshots (maybe sorta sometimes at least). We might even use it for other purposes too. How cool is that?

 

If you have a question or just want to talk some smack about how poorly we did this week you can hit us up on our email:

tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com

 

Oh! And IF YOU LIKED THE SHOW BUT UNDER NO OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES feel free to drop us a 5 star rating on iTunes (or wherever your local podcasts are sold)

This week we start the end of our Supergiant Games block with... Pyre.

 

"What does Freedom mean to you, reader?"

"Freedom is living without Fear. To be able to indulge one's curiosities and passions, at least the ones that cause no harm to others, without the constant threat of judgment and reprisal. Freedom means not being made a criminal for what you know, or whom you love, or what you choose to think, or not to think." - Volfred

 

Pyre Episodes:

1. Up till 3 Loops
2. 3 Loops to End

Supergiant Games Block:

• Bastion
• Transistor
• Pyre

(We already did Hades... like twice!)

 

Spoiler Warning for Last of Us: Part II

1:21:44 -> 1:23:50

 

 

If you have a question or just want to talk some smack about how poorly we did this week you can hit us up on our email:

tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com

 

Follow us on Instagram for updates on podcast releases and the occasional random thing we feel like throwing up there.

 

Oh! And IF YOU LIKED THE SHOW BUT UNDER NO OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES feel free to drop us a 5 star rating on iTunes (or wherever your local podcasts are sold)

Amazeballs everyone. Welcome to the thrilling conclusion of our Life is Strange playthrough where we discuss episodes 3-5. Also in this episode, McCoy explains why James is essentially a math proof and Gabe has a trash take on the level of the OG.

 

Did we hammer the point home hard enough that we have a playthrough on YouTube for Life is Strange?

 

Would you believe it? We've elevated our Instagram to something we actually use!!! Check it out for updates on our latest podcast and some silly screenshots (maybe sorta sometimes at least). We might even use it for other purposes too. How cool is that?

 

If you have a question or just want to talk some smack about how poorly we did this week you can hit us up on our email:

tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com

 

Oh! And IF YOU LIKED THE SHOW BUT UNDER NO OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES feel free to drop us a 5 star rating on iTunes (or wherever your local podcasts are sold)

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

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

 

A Story Analysis of Soma (By YouTuber Gingy)

Does anyone even read this?

I'm self-aware... just like The Messenger...

 

Would you believe it? We've elevated our Instagram to something we actually use!!! Check it out for updates on our latest podcast and some silly screenshots (maybe sorta sometimes at least). We might even use it for other purposes too. How cool is that?

 

If you have a question or just want to talk some smack about how poorly we did this week you can hit us up on our email:

tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com

 

Oh! And IF YOU LIKED THE SHOW BUT UNDER NO OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES feel free to drop us a 5 star rating on iTunes (or wherever your local podcasts are sold)

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

- Zoe

 

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

 

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

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

--

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

 

Tentative Schedule:

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

Week 1: Play days 1

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

Week 3: ??

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

 

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

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

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

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

Day 2

Personal Award: Zoe’s personal award & top episodes

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

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

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

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

Personal Award: Elena’s personal award & top episodes

Biggest Surprise: Games that exceeded or subverted our expectations

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

Biggest Disappointment: Games that missed the mark despite the hype

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

And now for something a little different. This episode we sit down to strategize for what our podcast looks like during quarantine (or at least for the next 8 weeks). If you like getting a bit of a behind the scenes sneak peek at our organization, enjoy! If not, I'll see you for Downfall coming up next week!

 

Take care of yourselves.

-----  

Would you believe it? We've elevated our Instagram to something we actually use!!! Check it out for updates on our latest podcast and some silly screenshots (maybe sorta sometimes at least). We might even use it for other purposes too. How cool is that?

If you have a question or just want to talk some smack about how poorly we did this week you can hit us up on our email:

tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com

Also, I'm contractually obligated to mention we "technically" have a Twitter... But we don't use it... yet!

 

Oh! And IF YOU LIKED THE SHOW BUT UNDER NO OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES feel free to drop us a 5 star rating on iTunes (or wherever your local podcasts are sold)

The "what if this was actually just it's own podcast lol" episode.

 

We/McCoy decided to split this recording up into two episodes so that way the fans can get to what they want. This time. Like I'm not doing work like this again. Don't get used to it.

Resurrected from the dead, Gabe joins us this week to talk about the Dead Space Remake (and to help us not be scared).

This week we play a game that people simply couldn't stop playing and that's the spookiest part of it all. In this episode, we check back in on the gang and how their experience with Hades has evolved into 1.0.   Spooky Games Month:

• Phasmophobia
• Observation
• Hades (Follow Up)
• Hellblade

Would you believe it? We've elevated our Instagram to something we actually use!!! Check it out for updates on our latest podcast and some silly screenshots (maybe sorta sometimes at least). We might even use it for other purposes too. How cool is that?

 

If you have a question or just want to talk some smack about how poorly we did this week you can hit us up on our email:

tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com

 

Oh! And IF YOU LIKED THE SHOW BUT UNDER NO OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES feel free to drop us a 5 star rating on iTunes (or wherever your local podcasts are sold)

This week we gather to discuss the exciting conclusion to The Council. You may be aware that are those among us who have had their doubts as to how this game will possibly tie this story up... but fear not... on this week's episode we painstakingly review each diverging storyline and what can ONLY be described as this game's flawless landing.

Mother? Father?? Sister??? What the hell is going on!!!!

 

Wanna play along? Here is our adjusted schedule:

• Week 1: Episode 1
• Week 2: Ep. 2 -> Ep. 3.1
• Week 3: Ep. 3.2 -> Ep. 5

-----  

Hype Videos are raining from the sky! (It must have been because of that one 5 star review that liked one :D. How could we stop after that encouragement?)

• The OG (The Bioshock 2 Big Sisters Boss Battle)
• Eversion
• Yomawari: Night Alone
• Layers of Fear
• Post Spooky Games Month

Would you believe it? We've elevated our Instagram to something we actually use!!! Check it out for updates on our latest podcast and some silly screenshots (maybe sorta sometimes at least). We might even use it for other purposes too. How cool is that? 

If you have a question or just want to talk some smack about how poorly we did this week you can hit us up on our email:

tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com

Also, I'm contractually obligated to mention we "technically" have a Twitter... But we don't use it... yet!

 

Oh! And IF YOU LIKED THE SHOW BUT UNDER NO OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES feel free to drop us a 5 star rating on iTunes (or wherever your local podcasts are sold)

This week we board the Obra Dinn to find out what happened to its ill-fated crew. In the process of doing that though, what we really find is a masterpiece that flew under the radar for many. 

Join us for the "One Person Wonders" block where we play a series of games all made by one developer and marvel at what can be only described as the talent gulf between these people and... us.

• Return of Obra Dinn
• Undertale
• Stardew Valley

 

-----  

Hype Videos are raining from the sky! (It must have been because of that one 5 star review that liked one :D. How could we stop after that encouragement?)

• The OG (The Bioshock 2 Big Sisters Boss Battle)
• Eversion
• Yomawari: Night Alone
• Layers of Fear
• Post Spooky Games Month

Would you believe it? We've elevated our Instagram to something we actually use!!! Check it out for updates on our latest podcast and some silly screenshots (maybe sorta sometimes at least). We might even use it for other purposes too. How cool is that? 

If you have a question or just want to talk some smack about how poorly we did this week you can hit us up on our email:

tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com

Also, I'm contractually obligated to mention we "technically" have a Twitter... But we don't use it... yet!

 

Oh! And IF YOU LIKED THE SHOW BUT UNDER NO OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES feel free to drop us a 5 star rating on iTunes (or wherever your local podcasts are sold)

Did we say the Drunkisode was the season-ender? Whoops, we forgot about a little thing called Game of The Year. In these series of episodes we go through the games we played on the podcast this year and have them duke it out in a host of categories including:

1. Best Narrative
2. Best Collective Experience 
3. Biggest Surprise
4. Biggest Disappointment
5. Best Visual Experience
6. Worst Game 
7. Best Game 

 

On this episode:

Best Visual Experience

• Gris
• The Cat Lady
• Tacoma
• Doki Doki Literature Club
• The Gardens Between
• The Ground Gives Way
• Celeste
• Donut County
• Papers Please
• To the Moon
• Dear Esther
• Layers of Fear
• Detention
• Yomawari NA
• Heavy Rain

 

Worst Game 

• The Gardens Between
• The Cat Lady
• Starseed Pilgrim
• Black Bar
• Layers of Fear
• the static speaks my name 
• BioShock Infinite
• Heavy Rain

 

Best Game 

• Starseed Pilgrim
• Beginners Guide
• Tacoma
• Gardens Between
• Doki Doki
• Ground Gives Way
• Apex Legends
• Celeste
• Cat Lady
• Human Fall Flat
• Spelunky
• Donut County
• Gris
• To the Moon
• Risk of Rain 2
• Cave Story
• Dear Esther
• BioShock
• BioShock II
• BioShock Infinite
• BioShock Infinite DLC
• the static speaks my name
• Pony Island
• Eversion
• Layers of Fear
• Detention
• Yomawari
• Black Bar
• Orwell: KAEOY
• Papers Please
• Baba is You
• Heavy Rain

 

-----  

Hype Videos are raining from the sky! (It must have been because of that one 5 star review that liked one :D. How could we stop after that encouragement?)

• The OG (The Bioshock 2 Big Sisters Boss Battle)
• Eversion
• Yomawari: Night Alone
• Layers of Fear
• Post Spooky Games Month

Would you believe it? We've elevated our Instagram to something we actually use!!! Check it out for updates on our latest podcast and some silly screenshots (maybe sorta sometimes at least). We might even use it for other purposes too. How cool is that? 

If you have a question or just want to talk some smack about how poorly we did this week you can hit us up on our email:

tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com

Also, I'm contractually obligated to mention we "technically" have a Twitter... But we don't use it... yet!

 

Oh! And IF YOU LIKED THE SHOW BUT UNDER NO OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES feel free to drop us a 5 star rating on iTunes (or wherever your local podcasts are sold)

This week we start off Spooky Games Month with a little bit of a different approach when it comes to attempting to stomach scary games... What if we played a co-op horror game? Would that protect us enough from the scary or will we all run away with our tail between our legs? I would say "Find out on this week's episode" but like... I bet you can guess how this went down.   Spooky Games Month:

• Phasmophobia
• Observation
• Hades (Follow Up)
• Hellblade

 

 

Would you believe it? We've elevated our Instagram to something we actually use!!! Check it out for updates on our latest podcast and some silly screenshots (maybe sorta sometimes at least). We might even use it for other purposes too. How cool is that?

 

If you have a question or just want to talk some smack about how poorly we did this week you can hit us up on our email:

tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com

 

Oh! And IF YOU LIKED THE SHOW BUT UNDER NO OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES feel free to drop us a 5 star rating on iTunes (or wherever your local podcasts are sold)

This week we get together to talk about a project we've been working on for a little while now... getting everyone into Valorant! This week James, Zoë, Elena, Rafael, and McCoy all talk about their experience learning the game as well as playing in a 5 stack together. We try to give some tips and some reality about that experience and how much work it can be... but... oh boy... when you put in the work it's so much fun!

 

For those who care, I refuse to spell the game VALORANT in caps. I just do.

 

 

If you have a question or just want to talk some smack about how poorly we did this week you can hit us up on our email:

tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com

 

Follow us on Instagram for updates on podcast releases and the occasional random thing we feel like throwing up there.

 

Oh! And IF YOU LIKED THE SHOW BUT UNDER NO OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES feel free to drop us a 5 star rating on iTunes (or wherever your local podcasts are sold)

Ok, it's actually more a what you been up to / what's on your mind episode. It's actually nice. I swear.

 This week for the mainline podcast we take a break and go golfing. Feeling awfully presidential! Is that offensive now? Sorry, I thought that was just what presidents do. Look, I've never golfed ok. I don't know what I'm talking about. And neither do we really... on this week's episode of Tyranny of Thumbs.  

Would you believe it? We've elevated our Instagram to something we actually use!!! Check it out for updates on our latest podcast and some silly screenshots (maybe sorta sometimes at least). We might even use it for other purposes too. How cool is that?

If you have a question or just want to talk some smack about how poorly we did this week you can hit us up on our email:

tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com

Also, I'm contractually obligated to mention we "technically" have a Twitter... But we don't use it... yet!

Oh! And IF YOU LIKED THE SHOW BUT UNDER NO OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES feel free to drop us a 5 star rating on iTunes (or wherever your local podcasts are sold)

Should we go out for cigars and whiskey tonight?

When my child's strength faltered, and the last breath was drawn / My light revived Ori, a new age had dawned.   This week on the podcast we dive into James' long-awaited pick Ori and the Blind Forest (can you believe there was life before Mass Effect?). If nothing else, do yourself a favor and listen to the soundtrack on YouTube. But, if you are up to the challenge of a platformer, why not give this one a try? We all did. Come by and hear about it (or don't... look it's your life and I fully believe it is not up to me to command you to listen.... just you know... if you want to!)  

Would you believe it? We've elevated our Instagram to something we actually use!!! Check it out for updates on our latest podcast and some silly screenshots (maybe sorta sometimes at least). We might even use it for other purposes too. How cool is that?

If you have a question or just want to talk some smack about how poorly we did this week you can hit us up on our email:

tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com

Also, I'm contractually obligated to mention we "technically" have a Twitter... But we don't use it... yet!

Oh! And IF YOU LIKED THE SHOW BUT UNDER NO OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES feel free to drop us a 5 star rating on iTunes (or wherever your local podcasts are sold)

So what is up with Magic...? We don't know... Let's find out!

 

I know we prefaced this in the show but like... we are NOT professional magic players we are, in fact, a generalist gaming podcast. We have essentially no idea what we are doing and should be considered wrong at all times before ever being considered right. You have been warned.

 

Enjoy our: "Magic from the perspective of complete outsiders... (and James) the podcast"

 

 

If you have a question or just want to talk some smack about how poorly we did this week you can hit us up on our email:

tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com

 

Follow us on Instagram for updates on podcast releases and the occasional random thing we feel like throwing up there.

 

Oh! And IF YOU LIKED THE SHOW BUT UNDER NO OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES feel free to drop us a 5 star rating on iTunes (or wherever your local podcasts are sold)

“The one where McCoy actually edits the start of the episode”

• Astroneer
• Don't Starve/Don't Starve: Together
• Green Hell
• Subnautica

While there might actually be no Elden Ring in this episode... there are references to Among Us in... say unsavory ways...

DAVE THE....

.... DIVER

 

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

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

We. Out. Here.

The start of our Supergiant Games block is here...

"I dig my hole, you build a wall"

• Bastion
• Transistor
• Pyre

(We already did Hades... like twice!)

 

 

If you have a question or just want to talk some smack about how poorly we did this week you can hit us up on our email:

tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com

 

Follow us on Instagram for updates on podcast releases and the occasional random thing we feel like throwing up there.

 

Oh! And IF YOU LIKED THE SHOW BUT UNDER NO OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES feel free to drop us a 5 star rating on iTunes (or wherever your local podcasts are sold)

Did we say the Drunkisode was the season-ender? Whoops, we forgot about a little thing called Game of The Year. In these series of episodes we go through the games we played on the podcast this year and have them duke it out in a host of categories including:

1. Best Narrative
2. Best Collective Experience 
3. Biggest Surprise
4. Biggest Disappointment
5. Best Visual Experience
6. Worst Game 
7. Best Game 

 

On this episode:

Best Collective Experience 

• Apex Legends
• Human Fall Flat
• Risk of Rain 2
• Heavy Rain
• Baba is You
• Dear Esther

 

Biggest Surprise

• Dear Esther
• the static speaks my name
• Spelunky
• Detention
• Doki Doki Literature Club 
• Orwell: Keeping an Eye on You 
• The Cat Lady
• To the Moon 
• Apex Legends
• Black Bar
• BioShock Infinite DLC

 

Biggest Disappointment

• The Gardens Between
• BioShock Infinite
• Starseed Pilgrim
• Yomawari N.A.
• Cave Story
• Deceit

 

Also Featuring:

• James’ “FUCK THIS GAME” Award
• The Game Zoe played through the most
• McCoy’s “The Most Cat Lady” Award

 

-----  

Hype Videos are raining from the sky! (It must have been because of that one 5 star review that liked one :D. How could we stop after that encouragement?)

• The OG (The Bioshock 2 Big Sisters Boss Battle)
• Eversion
• Yomawari: Night Alone
• Layers of Fear
• Post Spooky Games Month

Would you believe it? We've elevated our Instagram to something we actually use!!! Check it out for updates on our latest podcast and some silly screenshots (maybe sorta sometimes at least). We might even use it for other purposes too. How cool is that? 

If you have a question or just want to talk some smack about how poorly we did this week you can hit us up on our email:

tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com

Also, I'm contractually obligated to mention we "technically" have a Twitter... But we don't use it... yet!

 

Oh! And IF YOU LIKED THE SHOW BUT UNDER NO OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES feel free to drop us a 5 star rating on iTunes (or wherever your local podcasts are sold)

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

It isn't about the destination, or rather the completed work, but instead, it's about

 

 

Would you believe it? We've elevated our Instagram to something we actually use!!! Check it out for updates on our latest podcast and some silly screenshots (maybe sorta sometimes at least). We might even use it for other purposes too. How cool is that?

 

If you have a question or just want to talk some smack about how poorly we did this week you can hit us up on our email:

tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com

 

Oh! And IF YOU LIKED THE SHOW BUT UNDER NO OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES feel free to drop us a 5 star rating on iTunes (or wherever your local podcasts are sold)

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

 

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

This week... Journey.

Delightful.

 

Would you believe it? We've elevated our Instagram to something we actually use!!! Check it out for updates on our latest podcast and some silly screenshots (maybe sorta sometimes at least). We might even use it for other purposes too. How cool is that?

 

If you have a question or just want to talk some smack about how poorly we did this week you can hit us up on our email:

tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com

 

Oh! And IF YOU LIKED THE SHOW BUT UNDER NO OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES feel free to drop us a 5 star rating on iTunes (or wherever your local podcasts are sold)

Best Narrative Experience: Games that tell a great story

• Firewatch
• The Council
• Detroit: Become Human
• Undertale
• Mass Effect 1
• Mass Effect 2
• Mass Effect 3
• Return of the Obra Dinn
• Hades
• Downfall
• Year Walk
• Ori and the Blind Forest
• Lorelai
• COD: Modern Warfare Campaign
• What Remains of Edith Finch
• The Vanishing of Ethan Carter
• Observation
• Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
• Mirror’s Edge
• Life is Strange
• Cyberpunk 2077
• SUPERHOT
• Gorogoa
• Darkest Dungeon
• The Last of Us
• The Last of Us Part II

 

 

If you have a question or just want to talk some smack about how poorly we did this week you can hit us up on our email:

tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com

 

Follow us on Instagram for updates on podcast releases and the occasional random thing we feel like throwing up there.

 

Oh! And IF YOU LIKED THE SHOW BUT UNDER NO OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES feel free to drop us a 5 star rating on iTunes (or wherever your local podcasts are sold)

We've just finished up playing card games against people... what if we played a card game against an owl? This week we played Ring of Pain a card game rogue-like with a circle mechanic that has to be seen to be... believed? Understood? I don't know.... but check it out!

 

 

If you have a question or just want to talk some smack about how poorly we did this week you can hit us up on our email:

tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com

 

Follow us on Instagram for updates on podcast releases and the occasional random thing we feel like throwing up there.

 

Oh! And IF YOU LIKED THE SHOW BUT UNDER NO OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES feel free to drop us a 5 star rating on iTunes (or wherever your local podcasts are sold)

Wait... are we back!?

 

We commit to getting this playthrough out within the next calendar year.

- Tyranny of Thumbs

This week we end our Supergiant Games block and I can say that none of us saw this ending coming... wait was this episode description clickbait? I guess you'll have to listen to find out.

 

"Holy crap this blew my mind" - Rafael

• Pyre - Game Audio Review - The Sound Architect

 

"What does Freedom mean to you, reader?"

"Freedom is living without Fear. To be able to indulge one's curiosities and passions, at least the ones that cause no harm to others, without the constant threat of judgment and reprisal. Freedom means not being made a criminal for what you know, or whom you love, or what you choose to think, or not to think." - Volfred

 

Pyre Episodes:

1. Up till 3 Loops
2. 3 Loops to End

Supergiant Games Block:

• Bastion
• Transistor
• Pyre

(We already did Hades... like twice!)

 

 

If you have a question or just want to talk some smack about how poorly we did this week you can hit us up on our email:

tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com

 

Follow us on Instagram for updates on podcast releases and the occasional random thing we feel like throwing up there.

 

Oh! And IF YOU LIKED THE SHOW BUT UNDER NO OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES feel free to drop us a 5 star rating on iTunes (or wherever your local podcasts are sold)

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

The end is near. And no I don't mean the Cyberpunk inspired future we all see coming... I mean the end of our Cyberpunk 2077 podcast series!

 

As this game wraps up, you'll be amazed to hear just how many people had their final impressions changed by the ending. In both directions.

 

Also, our resident game completionist Zoë reports back on what it means to do all the side quests and all the gigs. Tune in to the end for the final verdict in her official Diamonds to Rough ratio report.

 

If you have a question or just want to talk some smack about how poorly we did this week you can hit us up on our email:

tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com

 

Follow us on Instagram for updates on podcast releases and the occasional random thing we feel like throwing up there.

 

Oh! And IF YOU LIKED THE SHOW BUT UNDER NO OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES feel free to drop us a 5 star rating on iTunes (or wherever your local podcasts are sold)

Join us this week for our Darkest Dungeon 2 impressions podcast. We are all still getting our feet wet with the game but so good so far.

1. Episode 1: Play through Chapter 8
2. Episode 2: Play till end

Please remember that there are spoilers in this podcast! Not only in literally every episode, but like, especially so in the second of two parts... of a story game...

 

The question we are all wondering is:

"Does this game throw so hard it catches its own throw?"

On this Episode:

• Best Game: The Official ToT Game of the Year (Top 5) 
  • Call of Duty: Zombies
  • Cyberpunk 2077
  • Eastshade
  • Hearthstone
  • Magic: the Gathering Arena
  • Ring of Pain
  • The Outer Wilds
  • Loop Hero
  • Bastion
  • Transistor
  • Pyre
  • Valorant
  • Life is Strange: Before the Storm
  • Journey
  • Unravel
  • Abzu
  • The Messenger
  • Iris.Fall
  • The Unfinished Swan
  • Florence
  • Superliminal
  • Contradiction
  • Pokemon Unite
  • Slime Rancher
  • Deep Rock Galactic 
  • Blacksad: Under the Skin
  • Outer Wilds: Echoes of the Eye
  • Prey
  • Inscryption
  • A Plague Tale: Innocence
  • Halo: Infinite
  • Boyfriend Dungeon

 

GOTY Breakdown:

• Episode 1
  • Best Narrative Experience: Games that tell a great story
• Episode 2
  • Personal Award: James’ personal award; James top episodes you should listen to
  • Best Collective Experience: The best of the ToT group playthroughs
  • Best Multiplayer Game: The games that made quarantine less lonely
  • Best Game We’re Still Playing: Games with continuous experience that we keep on playing
• Episode 3
  • Personal Award: Zoe’s personal award; Zoe top episodes
  • Personal Award: Brandon’s personal award
  • Best Visuals: Games we couldn’t help but marvel at
  • Best Actually Recent Game (2020-2021)
• Episode 4
  • Personal Award: Rafael’s personal award; Top podcast episodes
  • Biggest Surprise: Games that exceeded or subverted our expectations
  • Biggest Disappointment
• Episode 5
  • Personal Award: McCoy’s personal award; Top podcast episodes
  • Presentation of Podcast Trophies
  • Best Game: The Official ToT Game of the Year (Top 5) 
• Episode 6
  • Best Game (Part 2)

And we're back! The first official game podcast of 2021 is here. And it's... COD ZOMBIES. Woah. Did we need a break from GOTY? Did we need a break from Cyberpunk? I'll never tell.

 

Also fun fact, punctuation for this episode title will likely be the hardest thing I'll think about today.

 

 

If you have a question or just want to talk some smack about how poorly we did this week you can hit us up on our email:

tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com

 

Follow us on Instagram for updates on podcast releases and the occasional random thing we feel like throwing up there.

 

Oh! And IF YOU LIKED THE SHOW BUT UNDER NO OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES feel free to drop us a 5 star rating on iTunes (or wherever your local podcasts are sold)

“Let's dive in...”

• Astroneer
• Don't Starve/Don't Starve: Together
• Green Hell
• Subnautica

There was some Elden Ring in this episode... Just at the beginning!

This week our Supergiant Games block continues with... Transistor.

"Look, whatever you're thinking, do me a favor; don't let go."

• Bastion
• Transistor
• Pyre

(We already did Hades... like twice!)

 

Spoiler Warning for Last of Us: Part II

1:21:44 -> 1:23:50

 

 

If you have a question or just want to talk some smack about how poorly we did this week you can hit us up on our email:

tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com

 

Follow us on Instagram for updates on podcast releases and the occasional random thing we feel like throwing up there.

 

Oh! And IF YOU LIKED THE SHOW BUT UNDER NO OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES feel free to drop us a 5 star rating on iTunes (or wherever your local podcasts are sold)

This week... or more like for many weeks prior to this and skipping recording... we've been playing the Elden Reem Seamless Coop Mod. It's honestly amazing and it's entranced us all over again. Will Elden Ring be GOTY every year until the next game is released from From?

 

Maybe.

Everspace... You may have seen the ads for it on steam. I know James did because he wanted to play it. Tune in this week for another episode in James' block "I'm getting games off of other people's lists but not McCoy's list"

This week we all sit down around the TV (or what might be Discord) and watch McCoy "do war crimes." It's a heavier than normal episode this week as we dive into the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare's campaign and think about depictions of war and violence in media. Who would have thought a Call of Duty game would make you think...   Oh, and Gabe is back!   Deliberations Game List:

• FTL
• Darkest Dungeon
• Slay the spire
• Call of Duty Campaign
• What remains of Edith Finch
• The Vanishing of Ethan Carter
• Pit People
• HellBlade (Week 1)
• HellBlade (Week 2)
• Mirror's Edge
• Mass Effect Andromeda????

 

Would you believe it? We've elevated our Instagram to something we actually use!!! Check it out for updates on our latest podcast and some silly screenshots (maybe sorta sometimes at least). We might even use it for other purposes too. How cool is that?

 

If you have a question or just want to talk some smack about how poorly we did this week you can hit us up on our email:

tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com

 

Oh! And IF YOU LIKED THE SHOW BUT UNDER NO OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES feel free to drop us a 5 star rating on iTunes (or wherever your local podcasts are sold)

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

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

 

Spooky Games Month:

• Indika
• Felvidek
• Still Wakes the Deep

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

 

Spoilers but, what a delight that game has been!

This is Part 2 of the same night.

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

 

Episode 2

 

From ben via email:

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

 

From James via email:

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

 

From Curtis via email:

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

 

From Mercedes via email:

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

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

 

Seriously though! Write a question!

tyrannyofthumbs@gmail.com

 

Take care of yourselves out there, we appreciate you.

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

 

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

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

 

We love you all.