Just a Game Podcast

In this episode, Sarah and Barnaby talk about Dispatch, created by Ad Hoc studio! Spoiler free to start, and then diving more into the story and characters - join us as we discuss this episodic, choice based, adventure game!Podcast chapters and spoilers[00:00 - 05:32] Hello! And what are we playing? (Ghost, Hades 2, Dispatch!)[05:32 - 14:54] Dispatch - Spoiler free section[14:54 - 18:57] Spoilers begin! Favourite characters[18:57 - 25:48] In-game choices[25:48 - 30:35] Replay value, and strength of writing[30:35 - 36:32] Romances[36:32 - 42:09] Endings & scope[42:09 - 46:17] Season 2 predictions[46:17 - 51:53] Mechanics and dispatching[51:53 - 53:39] See you next time!

In this episode, Sarah and Barnaby catch up after the new year, and chat about the games that deserve to be on your radar for 2026. Keep your wishlist's handy - there are some great games already announced for this year. Let's dive in!This episode is spoiler free! (But as always, use the chapters below if you're keen to hear nothing about certain games...)Podcast Chapters[00:00 - 04:58] Did we manage to play our Christmas games?![04:58 - 09:16] Round Up of 2025 games (Barnaby)[09:16 - 11:14] Round Up of 2025 games (Sarah)[11:14 - 12:49] The Spreadsheet![12:49 - 15:28] Games rolling over & Barnaby makes a resolution![15:28 - 17:54] We should probably at least mention GTA6...[17:54 - 25:00] Upcoming 2026 games! (The Big Studios)[25:00 - 32:00] Upcoming 2026 games! (Indie's)[32:00 - 35:33] 2026 landscapeLinks from today's episodeExtra CreditsVideo Game Difficulty is Hard (But It Doesn't Have To Be) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ru5iSgiV84 People Make GamesThe Rockstar Workers Fired Before They Could Finish GTA 6 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9nOwjeznjI

In this episode, Sarah and Barnaby bring their final games, and battle it out for the last 5 places on the Just a Game Top 10 games list! Happy Christmas, and Happy Holidays!This episode is spoiler free! (But as always, use the chapters below if you're keen to hear nothing about certain games...)Podcast Chapters[00:00:00 - 00:05.46] Welcome! Barnaby is in trouble... (XCOM & Control Resonant)[00:05.46 - 00:07.55] Recap of the existing games on the list[00:07.55 - 00:11.07] Outer Wilds[00:11.07 - 00:14.17] Horizon Zero Dawn[00:14.17 - 00:17.24] Inscryption[00:17.24 - 00:21.33] The Witcher 3[00:21.33 - 00:25.05] Crash Bandicoot 2[00:25.05 - 00:29.09] Inside[00:29.09 - 00:33.07] Person 5 Royal[00:33.07 - 00:36.27] Astrobot[00:36.27 - 00:42.38] Final Fantasy 10[00:42.38 - 00:47.18] Clair Obscur Expedition 33[00:47.18 - 00:49.22] Round up[00:49.22 - 01:10.57] Now we must choose![01:10.57 - 01:15.39] The final list

In this episode, Sarah and Barnaby tee up the first half of their Top Ten video games of ALL TIME! We will be battling it out for the last five spots in the next episode..... Plus! We share the games we're planning to play over the holidays. This episode is spoiler free! (But as always, use the chapters below if you're keen to hear nothing about certain games...)Podcast Chapters[00:00 - 08:00] Hello! And what are we playing? (Thank Goodness You're Here, Ghost of Tsushima, XCOM)[08:00 - 10:05] Kicking off our Top Ten list[10:05 - 13:24] Overcooked 2[13:24 - 16:21] The Last of Us Part Two[16:21 - 19:04] Baldurs Gate 3[19:04 - 21:56] Hades[21:56 - 25:20] Mass Effect 2[25:20 - 28:15] What games is Sarah playing this Christmas?![28:15 - 33:01] What games is Barnaby playing this Christmas?![33:01 - 34:58] The list completes...on Christmas Day!

In this episode, Sarah and Barnaby dive into the many reasons we are compelled to replay video games! Got a huge backlog of games but started up that other game again for a 5th run through? You're in the right place friend. Welcome!Podcast chapters[00:00 - 05:15] Hello! And what are we playing? [05:15 - 10:26] Capitalism![10:26 - 12:35] Nostalgia[12:35 - 16:36] Romance options[16:36 - 18:57] Recapturing a feeling & foresight[18:57 - 20:27] Game design specifically for replays[20:27 - 24:50] New Game +[24:50 - 28:53] Trophies[28:53 - 32:26] Challenge[32:26 - 37:39] One more run vibes (XCOM, Baldurs Gate 3, Persona 5)[37:39 - 48:07] Should we be replaying games?[48:07 - 50:29] Closing out

In this episode, Sarah and Barnaby discuss the deck-building, strategy puzzle game that is Blue Prince! Join us as we get into how the game made us feel, our favourite puzzles, and how the story and mechanics can retain and/or lose the player as the game progresses. SPOILER WARNINGWe start this episode spoiler free, and then dive in to full spoilers. Use the episode chapters below (not the auto-generated ones!) to help you skip the bits you're not ready to hear yet!Podcast Chapters[00:00 - 06:06] Hello! And what are we playing? (FF7 Rebirth, Cryptmaster, Dispatch)[06:06 - 12:11] SPOILER FREE - What is Blue Prince?![12:11 - 15:16] SPOILER SECTION BEGINS[15:16 - 20:16] Our experience with the story[20:16 - 28:33] Can a story this piecemeal stick the landing? [28:33 - 43:09] Favourite puzzles and secrets![43:09 - 53:17] When the going gets hard - what changes would we make to the game?[53:17 - 59:05] Final thoughts