As Summer comes to a close, here's what we've been up to at Pixelated Playgrounds! Most recently, @jgalecki.bsky.social and I braved the underworld in Hades II! New protagonist, new weapons, a crafting system so deep it feels cluttered at times, but hey, that Hades loop still hits!

Hades 2 — Pixelated Playgrounds

In this episode Josh and Bryan are talking about Hades II, developed and published by Supergiant Games and released in September 2025 for Windows and Mac, alongside Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, with ...

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@jgalecki.bsky.social and I just finished talking about the utterly singular experience that is Titanium Court as well, so look forward to that in your pod-catcher of choice in the near future.

This month Josh and I investigated Esoteric Ebb, a narrative RPG where you play the world's worst cleric; Resurrected and memory-fuzzy, probing a tea shop explosion 5 days before a city's 1st election. Features Disco Elysium DNA, Pratchett-esque wit, and is currently my top game of 2026. Listen in!

Esoteric Ebb — Pixelated Playgrounds

In this episode of Pixelated Playgrounds, Bryan and Josh head to the polls in Esoteric Ebb! Developed by Swedish solo developer Christoffer Bodegård and published by Raw Fury, Esoteric Ebb is a narrat...

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Had a great time talking Stray with Dan and guesting on his most excellent podcast! Give it a listen for a shared appreciation of cyberpunk cat shenanigans.

The Greatest Story Ever Played @storyeverpod.bsky.social · 4mo ago

New episode out now! @bsushi.bsky.social and I go on a cat adventure in Stray. Come explore this unusual city with us! open.spotify.com/episode/4F3g...

On the latest episode @jgalecki.bsky.social and I discussed @simogo.com's Lorelei and the Laser Eyes! Its a heady experience, so listen in as we reflect on experiencing confusion, discovery, and creeping unease… a discussion that aims to be as thoughtful and layered as the game we’re unpacking.

Lorelei and the Laser Eyes — Pixelated Playgrounds

In this episode, Bryan and Josh check into the Hotel Letztes Jahr to discuss Lorelei and the Laser Eyes. Developed by Simogo and published by Annapurna Interactive, the game marks a clear step in the ...

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Have you ever felt like you're attempting to summit an impossibly high mountain? If so, join Clint and I as we discuss the climb up to the existential peak of Kami as we plot our route through the harrowing journey that is @thegamebakers.com's Cairn!

Cairn — Pixelated Playgrounds

In this episode of Pixelated Playgrounds, Bryan and Clint begin our ascent with Cairn , the 2026 climbing survival game from The Game Bakers. Drawn in by early buzz, we both quickly found ourselves a...

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Always a pleasure to join Dave on Tales from the Backlog! It was a great discussion!

Dave Jackson | Tales from the Backlog@realdavejackson.bsky.social · 6mo ago

What even is a soulslike deckbuilder anyway? In today's new episode, @bsushi.bsky.social joined me to discuss if @theouterzone.bsky.social pulled it off (they did!) and much more. As always, no spoilers for a while- enjoy! LISTEN: talesfromthebacklog.fireside.fm/208 WATCH: youtu.be/1JjoVeh4oSs

We dropped our latest 'cast a bit early (it was a certain host's sons' favorite game and it happens to be his birthday!), so listen in as Clint and I unpack Astro Bot! Its a truly joyful experience that pays homage to Playstation history while being a standout platformer in its own right!

Astro Bot — Pixelated Playgrounds

In this episode Bryan and Clint dive into Astro Bot, the 2024 PlayStation 5 platformer developed by Team Asobi and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Building on the foundation of the pack-i...

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In our latest podcast Josh and I did a deep dive (drive?) on Promise Mascot Agency, which blends open-world driving, management sim mechanics, visual novel storytelling, and yakuza crime drama into an experience that was my Game of the Year in 2025. Its earnest, stylish, and has impeccable vibes.

Promise Mascot Agency — Pixelated Playgrounds

On this episode Bryan and Josh drive into Promise Mascot Agency, developed by Kaizen Game Works, the team behind Paradise Killer. Released in April 2025 for Windows, Switch, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, ...

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Here's what's coming to Tales from the Backlog in March! @indiequestpod.com takes over the guest chair for a few episodes, @th3hoopman.bsky.social makes his debut, and @bsushi.bsky.social is back for another great indie. Hope you're excited for these!

Clint and I recently had a lengthy conversation about Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, which made each of our top 5 games of 2025. Listen in as we examine the series’ fixation on historical accuracy, immersion, and realism, and how its simulation of everyday medieval life grounds the game’s themes.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II — Pixelated Playgrounds

In this episode, Bryan and Clint ride off into Kingdom Come: Deliverance II. Picking up directly after the first game, Warhorse Studios’ historical RPG returns us to early 15th-century Bohemia, follow...

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@bsushi.bsky.social Just listened to your 2025 GOTY episode. Quite liked your no.1… I went long on PMA with the composer of the soundtrack. You might like it 🙂 www.dialoguetree.cc/episodes/032...

Dialogue Tree | 032: Some dreams come true: Alpha Chrome Yayo on Promise Mascot Agency

Promises made, promises kept. My game of the year, and the man who made that happen. Alpha Chrome Yayo: https://alphachromeyayo.bandcamp.com/ Promise Mascot Agency OST: https://kaizengameworks.band...

dialoguetree.cc

Happy New Year! To kick things off in 2026 we recorded a quick episode on our individual Top 5 Games of the Year for 2025! So listen in as the guys discuss the top 5 games they enjoyed in 2025 among others, take a look forward to 2026, and just generally chill out and reminisce on a year of gaming!

Games of the Year 2025 — Pixelated Playgrounds

Happy New Year! To kick things off in 2026 we recorded a quick episode on our individual Top 5 Games of the Year for 2025! So listen in as the guys discuss the top 5 games they enjoyed in 2025 among o...

pixelatedplaygrounds.com

To close out 2025 Bryan, Josh, and Clint finally arrive in Pharloom and dive deep into Hollow Knight: Silksong! So join us as we explore and break down Team Cherry’s world of bugs, beasts, beauty, and bosses.

Hollow Knight: Silksong — Pixelated Playgrounds

In this episode of Pixelated Playground s , Bryan, Josh, and Clint finally arrive in Pharloom and dive deep into Hollow Knight: Silksong . We all fell in love with Hollow Knight when it launched in...

pixelatedplaygrounds.com

Do you like loops? Do you like Pits? Do you like novel takes on the roguelite genre? If you answered 'yes!' to any of these, check out the latest Pixelated Playgrounds discussion on Loop Hero (2021) and Ball x Pit (2025)!

Loop Hero and Ball x Pit — Pixelated Playgrounds

In this episode of Pixelated Playgrounds, Josh and Bryan dive into a Roguelite Roundup double feature with Loop Hero (2021) and Ball x Pit (2025), exploring how each game twists genre conventions in i...

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Happy to be among some great company in this list! Thanks @storyeverpod.bsky.social!

The Greatest Story Ever Played @storyeverpod.bsky.social · 9mo ago

My PocketCasts Playback has some great shows included. If you haven't listened to them, you are missing out! Follow them here: @gametillfive.bsky.social, @bsushi.bsky.social, @dovetail.bsky.social, @leftbehindgameclub.bsky.social, @tftblpod.bsky.social, @nosmallgames.bsky.social

In this episode of Pixelated Playgrounds, Josh and I dive into 'and Roger', a short but emotionally powerful experience from developer TearyHand Studio. I'd highly recommend you go in blind to this ~1 hour long experience. It is incredibly moving.

and Roger — Pixelated Playgrounds

In this episode of Pixelated Playgrounds, Bryan and Josh dive into and Roger , a short but emotionally powerful experience from developer TearyHand Studio. Initially framed as a horror story, the gam...

pixelatedplaygrounds.com

In the latest episode Josh and I discuss Clair Obscur Expedition 33! Its an incredible game with an equally remarkable story of its inception and development. So listen in as we discuss one of my favorite games of 2025, and a truly special RPG experience! For Those Who Come After!

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 — Pixelated Playgrounds

In this episode, Bryan and Josh dive deep into Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the 2025 dark fantasy RPG from French studio Sandfall Interactive and published by Kepler Interactive. This is the first out...

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For we who come after, Pixellated Playgrounds (@bsushi.bsky.social @jgalecki.bsky.social) just dropped a Clair Obscur episode. I love this show! www.pixelatedplaygrounds.com/bookclub/cla...

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 — Pixelated Playgrounds

In this episode, Bryan and Josh dive deep into Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the 2025 dark fantasy RPG from French studio Sandfall Interactive and published by Kepler Interactive. This is the first out...

pixelatedplaygrounds.com

Pixelated Playgrounds (@bsushi.bsky.social @jgalecki.bsky.social) is one of my very favourite pods. They do spoilerful, amiable, thoughtful reviews, and hearing them gently disagree & tussle over the mechanics of Pyre was super fun. pixelatedplaygrounds.com/bookclub/pyre

Pyre — Pixelated Playgrounds

In this episode Josh and Bryan are talking about Pyre developed by Supergiant Games and released in 2017 for PC, Mac, Linux, and PlayStation 4. Pyre is considered by some to be Supergiant’s most ex...

pixelatedplaygrounds.com

To close out October, @jgalecki.bsky.social and I discussed Supergiant's most experimental game to date: Pyre! If you've been feeling like you've been stuck in the Downside lately, give it a listen and stick around for a discussion of the game's underlying message of change worth fighting for.

Pyre — Pixelated Playgrounds

In this episode Josh and Bryan are talking about Pyre developed by Supergiant Games and released in 2017 for PC, Mac, Linux, and PlayStation 4. Pyre is considered by some to be Supergiant’s most ex...

pixelatedplaygrounds.com

In our latest podcast, @jgalecki.bsky.social and I explore the fictional retro console compendium of UFO 50! Its blend of unique twists on classic retro gaming concepts and intriguing meta-fiction kept us guessing about what would come next with each cartridge we dusted off! Enjoy!

UFO 50 — Pixelated Playgrounds

In this episode Bryan and Josh are diving into UFO 50, the long-awaited indie collaboration from Derek Yu, Jon Perry, Eirik Suhrke, Paul Hubans, Ojiro Fumoto, and Tyriq Plummer. It collects fifty orig...

pixelatedplaygrounds.com

Lots of excellent follows in here, check it out!

John • Gaming In The Wild@gaminginthewild.com · 11mo ago

A starter pack of my favourite video game podcasts, critics, and commentators, and a few developers too. go.bsky.app/3qQVv5S

In our most recent episode of Pixelated Playgrounds, Josh and I reflected on Monument Valley and how it stood apart from its peers on iOS through its artfulness, elegance, and serenity. Short game summer is coming to a close, so we'll be diving into some longer form titles in the coming months!

Monument Valley — Pixelated Playgrounds

In this episode of Pixelated Playgrounds , Bryan and Josh explore the impossible geometry of Monument Valley , the 2014 iOS puzzle classic from ustwo games that transformed the mobile landscape with...

pixelatedplaygrounds.com

In this episode of Pixelated Playgrounds, Josh and I dive into the cozy corner of gaming with two titles redefining what it means to “play” in the background: Rusty’s Retirement and Spirit City: Lo Fi Sessions www.pixelatedplaygrounds.com/bookclub/spi...

Spirit City: Lo Fi Sessions and Rusty's Retirement — Pixelated Playgrounds

In this episode of Pixelated Playgrounds, Bryan and Josh dive into the cozy corner of gaming with two titles redefining what it means to “play” in the background: Rusty’s Retirement, the low-screen-re...

pixelatedplaygrounds.com

Are you interested in: 1) 5 year old Indie Gems that feel strangely prescient? 2) Photography simulators with an unexpected amount of technical depth? 3) Lo-Fi aesthetics and music to match? If you answered Yes to any of these, check out our latest podcast on Umurangi Generation!

Umurangi Generation — Pixelated Playgrounds

In this episode of Pixelated Playgrounds , Bryan and Josh dive into Umurangi Generation , the vibrant, potent, and subversive photography game from Māori developer Naphtali Faulkner. Set in a near-f...

pixelatedplaygrounds.com

‘You're on a path in the woods, and at the end of that path is a cabin. And in the basement of that cabin is a Podcast… uh, I mean Princess.’ In this episode Bryan, Josh, and Clint steel their nerves and descend the staircase to discuss Slay the Princess!

Slay the Princess — Pixelated Playgrounds

You're on a path in the woods, and at the end of that path is a cabin. And in the basement of that cabin is a Podcast… I mean Princess. In this episode Bryan, Josh, and Clint steel their nerves and de...

pixelatedplaygrounds.com

My friend and co-host, @jgalecki.bsky.social, has a game out today! Its a turn-based city builder inspired by Luck be a Landlord and Islanders, and its great! If you want to hear more about it, listen to us chat about its development & mechanics on the podcast. Neongarten is available Now on Steam!

Neongarten

Pixelated Playgrounds · Episode

open.spotify.com

Neongarten releases in three days! To celebrate, my podcast (Pixelated Playgrounds) did an episode covering the game. It was fun to chat with @bsushi.bsky.social and do a deep dive on my own work. Check it out! www.pixelatedplaygrounds.com/bookclub/neo...

Neongarten — Pixelated Playgrounds

Have you ever wanted to play a turn-based city builder that’s inspired by Luck be a Landlord and Islanders ? That’s drenched in a stylish cyberpunk aesthetic and boasts intricate tactical depth? On...

pixelatedplaygrounds.com

This episode of Pixelated Playgrounds is special not just because we’re covering the excellent Persona 4 Golden, but also because Dave Jackson of @tftblpod.bsky.social joined us for the discussion! Listen in for a deep dive on the game’s characters, mechanics, themes, and it’s excellent music.

Persona 4 Golden

Pixelated Playgrounds · Episode

open.spotify.com