Just a Game Podcast

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Sarah and Barnaby dive into difficulty settings. When they're included by game creators, difficulty settings help a game reach a wider audience so that more people can enjoy all aspects of a game from story, to exploration, to combat. But what does that mean for the games intended experience? How do settings enhance or reduce what a player can get out of a game? And why does what difficulty setting you use seem to matter so much? Please check the podcast chapters below for spoiler warnings. (Not the auto-generated chapters!)Podcast Chapters:[00:00 - 06:23] Hello and what are we playing?! (Banishers & Silk Song)[06:23 - 11:09] Why do games have difficulty settings?[11:09 - 21:26] Reducing difficulty[21:26 - 26:53] Increasing difficulty[26:53 - 30:00] Game play style as difficulty[30:00 - 33:37] The one time Sarah completed a brutally hard game[33:37 - 35:12] Flow state and the reward of challenge[35:12 - 37:20] Why some games don't offer difficulty settings[37:20 - 41:12] Platformers and difficulty[41:12 - 43:46] Arcade games & the rise and fall of difficulty in home gaming[43:46 - 49:20] Vocal opinions on difficulty settings[49:20 - 53:41] SPOILER Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth anecdote (we discuss the ending)[53:41 - 55:13] Enjoy your games![55:13 - 57:30] Thanks for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Sarah and Barnaby close out their three-part exploration of The Last of Us Part 2 video game. We're in Act Three! Join us as we unpack the culmination of this epic, harrowing and inspiring story. Spoiler Warning!We will discuss story moments from the entire video game, including the finale. If you haven't played the full game of TLOU2, THERE WILL BE SPOILERS!Podcast chapters:[00:00 - 04:03] Hello! And what are we playing? (Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden)[04:03 - 12:56] The Farm[12:56 - 17:59] Lev, Abby & the Rattlers[17:59 - 22:01] Ellie & the Rattlers[22:01 - 27:06] Finding Abby[27:06 - 31:16] Alternative Ending[31:16 - 35:39] Dina & Joel[35:39 - 43:27] Predictions43:27 - 46:09] We love this game. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Sarah and Barnaby continue their exploration of The Last of Us Part 2 video game! Picking up where we left off, we talk through how Abby's Seattle days turn everything upside down, and how storytelling, mechanics and character arcs, challenge the player's views across both games. Spoiler Warning!We will discuss story moments from the entire video game, not just Abby's Seattle days. If you haven't played the full game of TLOU2, THERE WILL BE SPOILERS!Podcast Chapters:[00:00 - 07:02] Hello & what are we playing?! (Cyberpunk 2077 and Metaphor: ReFantazio)[07:02 - 08:40] Abby's Dad's.....name?![08:40 - 15:55] Picking up where we left off & the rug pull![15:55 - 20:52] Playing as Abby[20:52 - 25:16] Relentless storytelling and first game parallels [25:16 - 26:58] Lev[26:58 - 33:05] How does the story try to shift opinions on Abby[33:05 - 37:56] The Rat King[37:56 - 42:03] The love triangle[42:03 - 46:59] Ellie boss fight[46:59 - 49:06] An inspiring story[49:06 - 54:03] Something not a game (Thinking in Systems & Schmigadoon) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Sarah and Barnaby dive into the The Last of Part Two! We're kicking off with Ellie's Seattle days. Join us as we discuss one of the most awarded, controversial, loved AND hated games of all time!Spoiler Warning!We will discuss story moments from the entire video game, not just the first three Seattle days. If you haven't played the full game of TLOU2, THERE WILL BE SPOILERS!Podcast Chapters[00:00 - 05:43] Hello & what have we been playing (Metaphor: ReFantazio & Lost Records Bloom & Rage)[05:43 - 08:22] TLOU2: Us & time of release[08:22 - 10:38] Part 1 or Part 2?![10:38 - 18:13] Violence in the game & youth of the protagonists[18:13 - 25:04] Ellie's mindset & the shock of Joel[25:04 - 29:23] Breaking from Ellie. When do you want it to stop?[29:23 - 31:57] Is it Joel's game?[31:57 - 36:49] Flashbacks & character progression[36:49 - 45:44] Dina, & Ellie's grief[45:44 - 48:14] The end Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Sarah and Barnaby catch up on their gaming year so far and, as a special treat to celebrate the start of Season 2, finally share the pilot episode with you! The episode that started it all!Podcast Chapters:[00:00 - 02:21] We're back![02:21 - 04:34] Toem, and nostalgia gaming feels[04:34 - 06:16] Dragon Age Inquisition & Case of the Golden Idol[06:16 - 08:47] Blue Prince, Steam Deck, & Date Everything[08:47 - 09.49] Favourite dateable objects in Date Everything (no spoilers unless you don't want to know what objects you can date!)[09:49 - 11:25] Cyberpunk[11:25 - 12:05] Split Fiction[12:05 - 12:56] Thirsty Suitors[12:56 - 14:46] Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Cryptmaster, & Karma: The Dark World[14:46 - 16:20] Two Point Museum, & Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag[16:20 - 18:40] It's the pilot episode! The theme is "cosy games".[18:40 - 21:10] What is a cosy game[21:10 - 23:12] Sarah's cosy game, (TLOU) & easy difficulty levels[23:12 - 25:15] Barnaby's cosy game (Ratchet & Clank) [25:15 - 29:32] Do we even like the traditional "cosy" games?[29:32 - 31:00] Lake, & balanced cosy games[31:00 - 32:50] Does Barnaby ever play traditional cosy games?[32:50 - 35:56] Unpacking game. Is it really cosy?[35:56 - 36:43] Can "cosy game" really be a defined genre? [36:43 - 42:33] Segment: Mechanics that irritate Sarah (fast travel & enforced walking) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Sarah and Barnaby discuss the finale of Season 2 of the TV Show, The Last of Us!We were so excited for the culmination of Seattle Day Three - did the TV Show stick the landing? How did the character and story additions work for us? And have they managed to pull off a good enough ending to get everyone back for Season 3?Join us for our very special mini series!Spoiler Warning!We have played The Last of Us Parts 1 & 2 from start to finish and will discuss story moments from the video games as well as the TV show. If you haven't played both games, THERE WILL BE SPOILERS! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Sarah and Barnaby discuss Season 2, Episode 6 of the TV Show, The Last of Us!Another big episode for the TV show and the structural choices in this one were tough for us to get our heads around. Lots to dive into as we unpack how some very iconic moments from the game turned out in the TV show.Join us for our very special mini series!Spoiler Warning!We have played The Last of Us Parts 1 & 2 from start to finish and will discuss story moments from the video games as well as the TV show. If you haven't played both games, THERE WILL BE SPOILERS! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Sarah and Barnaby discuss Season 2, Episode 5 of the TV Show, The Last of Us!Gosh, day Two in Seattle was eventful. Let's unpack how things played out for the TV Show and where they managed to trick us! As we move into the last two episodes, we look ahead to predict where we think this season is going to leave us.Join us for our very special mini series!Spoiler Warning!We have played The Last of Us Parts 1 & 2 from start to finish and will discuss story moments from the video games as well as the TV show. If you haven't played both games, THERE WILL BE SPOILERS! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Sarah and Barnaby discuss Season 2, Episode 4 of the TV Show, The Last of Us!We loved this episode - for it's parallels, and it's differences! Is the TV show making good on it's changes? And how are our perceptions of the characters changing as the season moves into it's second half?Join us for our very special mini series!Spoiler Warning!We have played The Last of Us Parts 1 & 2 from start to finish and will discuss story moments from the video games as well as the TV show. If you haven't played both games, THERE WILL BE SPOILERS! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Sarah and Barnaby discuss Season 2, Episode 3 of the TV Show, The Last of Us!In the aftermath of the shocking second episode, the story is now fully underway! How well is the show handling intense emotion, new factions and the beginning of one very big roadtrip?Join us for our very special mini series!Spoiler Warning!We have played The Last of Us Parts 1 & 2 from start to finish and will discuss story moments from the video games as well as the TV show. If you haven't played both games, THERE WILL BE SPOILERS! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Sarah and Barnaby discuss Season 2, Episode 2 of the TV Show, The Last of Us!Big episode for the show this week! Lots to unpack as we talk about the story beats we know so well, and how the changes are working out for us. A lot of new lore and action to get stuck into too.Join us for our very special mini series!Spoiler Warning!We have played The Last of Us Parts 1 & 2 from start to finish and will discuss story moments from the video games as well as the TV show. If you haven't played both games, THERE WILL BE SPOILERS! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Sarah and Barnaby discuss Season 2 Episode 1 of the TV Show, The Last of Us!We're gamers and writers who love the game, how are we getting on with the TV show? What's lost and gained when TV takes on gaming narrative? And will we still be in love with the franchise once the season concludes?Join us for our very special mini series!Spoiler Warning!We have played The Last of Us Parts 1 & 2 from start to finish and will discuss story moments from the video games as well as the TV show. If you haven't played both games, THERE WILL BE SPOILERS! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Sarah and Barnaby reflect on the games they've played this year in a cheeky, festive treat of an episode!Podcast Chapters and Spoiler Warnings[00:00 - 03:21] It's Christmas Day![03:21 - 12:23] Dragon Age The Veilguard (SPOILERS STORY & ENDING)[12:23 - 22:17] Barnaby's games of 2024![22:17 - 33:19] Sarah's games of 2024![33:19 - 36:09] Being even more thoughtful about gaming (Shout-out to Daryl Talks Games!)[36:09 - 41:32] Sarah's 2025 gaming plans[41:32 - 44:57] Barnaby's 2025 gaming plans[44:57 - 52:11] Something not a game (Queer book club and Bruges!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Sarah and Barnaby dive into The Last of Us - an action-adventure game from 2013 that has won 48 awards and become a major TV Series. Join us as we look at how this game raised the bar for story and gaming mechanics, and discuss what sparked the popularity of this now major franchise!Trigger Warning - This game covers some difficult themes. We discuss a section that covers the threat of sexual assault between 54.40 and 60.46. Please take care when listening. Spoiler Warning - There are story spoilers for The Last of Us Part One throughout the episode. Podcast Chapters[00:00 - 05:10] What are we playing?[05:10 - 08:41] Release and story overview[08:41 - 14:05] Sarah's experience playing the game[14:05 - 17:11] Joel & Ellie's relationship[17:11 - 22:06] Barnaby's experience playing the game[22:06 - 23:59] Why do people love the game so much?[23:59 - 25:33] Environmental storytellingFavourite moments[25:33 - 30:53] Outbreak day[30:53 - 33:44] Tess[33:44 - 36:33] Generator scene[36:33 - 46:21] Henry & Sam sequence[46:21 - 53:30] Mighty thin ice[53:30 - 01:00:46] David - content warning[01:00:46 - 01:03:20] The giraffes[01:03:20 - 01:14:36] The ending[01:14:36 - 01:18:40] More than just a gameSomething not a game[01:18:40 - 01:24:39] Lorcana and Doc Martens Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special bonus episode, Sarah and Barnaby are here to help you decide whether to play Dragon Age: The Veilguard!Dragon Age: The Veilguard is a fantasy RPG where your decisions have a lasting impact on the world and characters around you. Defy the Gods! Unite the Veilguard!Podcast Chapters (no spoilers)[00:00 - 02:32] Welcome![02:32 - 07:15] First Impressions[07:15 - 11:22] Combat[11:22 - 14:01] Romance and dialogue[14:01.- 16:33] Decisions[16:33 - 21:33] Companion interactions Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.