Gaming In The Wild - Video Game Reviews

The votes are cast and counted, and it's time to unveil the results of the Gaming In The Wild patron GOTY vote 2025!This annual fixture has slowly eclipsed my own GOTY list as the most-hype podcast of GOTY season in my mind. We had a record-breaking 50 voters, selecting 88 games, and one final winner. And to help me go through the results, I had one special guest: Blinkoom aka Steve from Indie Quest podcast. Enjoy the show, folks, it was a blast to create.Find Blink on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Blinkoom See Blink’s GOTY stream: https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2648247802 Find Blink's podcast Indie Quest: https://indiequest.buzzsprout.comIf you'd like to join the community, hit up Patreon — new patrons at any tier get a free game code for 1000xRESIST, Ultros, In Other Waters, or Citizen Sleeper (while they last) — and you can vote next year! http://patreon.com/gaminginthewild  Happy holidays folks — I'll be back before NYE with my personal GOTY episode in the final episode of the year.00:00 Intro04:30 Blink's Top Ten51:54 Patron vote: lower ten01:25:53 Patron vote: top tenAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week's show is me catching up on a couple of intriguing late-year indie releases. Skate Story is a fantastical skating game where we play a demon skating out of hell to eat the moon — it's a masterclass in both skating mechanics and aesthetic. DISPATCH is the blockbuster visual novel that takes an original spin on a superhero story, with very human themes.Join the Patreon to support the show, join the community, and get a free game code, a Discord invite, ad-free episodes, and more: http://patreon.com/gaminginthewildSee my videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GamingInTheWildSteam curator page: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/43457463-Gaming-in-the-Wild-%2528unofficial%2529/Special thanks to my Boss Tier Patrons: ShyGuy, KingChamp, Cerys, SusannaMaria, Nate, and Syd B. And thanks to you for listening :)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week's podcast is a GOTY roundup with Brad Gallaway from the excellent So Videogames podcast. Brad brings a mixture of big hitters and hidden gems, including at least four games I hadn't even heard of before, so open your wishlists, and enjoy his picks!You can find the So Videogames podcast here: https://gamecritics.com/podcasts/Hop into Patreon to support this show and join the listener community: http://patreon.com/gaminginthewild.See the YouTube videos here: http://youtube.com/gaminginthewild.And find me on Steam and social media via: http://gaminginthewild.com.Thanks for listening, folks!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

GOTY season is upon us! This year's special guest series kicks off with Ben from The Mimic's Veil, who dropped by to talk Silksong hot takes, Clair Obscur, The Game Awards, Consume Me, and some of the indie gems that he's hoping to squeeze in before year end.Find the Mimic's Veil on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/themimicsveil.bsky.social.Support this podcast on Patreon (and join the patron GOTY vote!): http://patreon.com/gaminginthewild.See my videos: https://www.youtube.com/@GamingInTheWild.Steam curator page: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/43457463-Gaming-in-the-Wild-%2528unofficial%2529/Peace!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week's episode has a big November indie game preview section, as well as some chat about PowerWash Simulator 2, Carimara: Beneath the Forlorn Limbs, Possessor(s), Kirby Air Riders global test, Battle Suit Aces, Turtle Beach's Atlas 200 headset, and more. Enjoy!Support on Patreon: http://patreon.com/gaminginthewild.November releases video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skEO-PmIadUSee the YouTube Shorts: https://www.youtube.com/@GamingInTheWild/shortsFollow on Bluesky, Insta, etc: http://linktr.ee/gaminginthewildSteam Curator page: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/43457463-Gaming-in-the-Wild-%2528unofficial%2529/Thanks for listening!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week's episode is a an indie horror roundup, with mini-reviews of Buckshot Roulette and Clover Pit — the child (and grandchild) of Inscryption. The featured review is of Mouthwashing: a slowly unravelling space crew nightmare that's essential, but not for the faint of heart. Then finally, we have the community Next Fest roundup!Support on Patreon: http://patreon.com/gaminginthewild.Recent videos mentioned in the show:Indie Horror: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpBOmKk_BGgNext Fest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2N5vpuyTs5gFollow on Bluesky, Insta, etc: http://linktr.ee/gaminginthewildSteam Curator page: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/43457463-Gaming-in-the-Wild-%2528unofficial%2529/Thanks for listening!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

BALL X PIT is close to perfect. It mixes diverse influences, from '80s arcade games, to '90s twin-stick shooters, bullet heavens, Balatro-likes, and the very best of the 2020s roguelike trend — all of which results in a compelling, addictive, and satisfyingly contemporary shoot ‘em up experience that stands shoulder to shoulder with its influences.In the roundup: Next Fest community event, Hades 2, Ghost of Yotei, JS AUX Ally accessories.Please do hop in to support this podcast if you can afford $1 a month! You get some extra bonus stuff: http://patreon.com/gaminginthewild.See the videos: http://youtube.com/gaminginthewild.Find the show on social media: http://gaminginthewild.com. Check out this Steam curator page made by podcast supporter Dovetail: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/43457463-Gaming-in-the-Wild-%2528unofficial%2529/  And thanks for listening!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week's grab bag episode includes first thoughts on Hades II, mid-game thoughts on the charming turn-based cartoon battler Wander Stars, and (spoiler free) final thoughts on Death Standing 2: On The Beach. In the roundup: all the news from the Tokyo Games Show, including the Nintendo, Xbox, Sony, and Annapurna directs that happened this month, and a light review of some Switch 2 accessories that Snakebyte sent my way.Support the show on Patreon: http://patreon.com/gaminginthewildFollow the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GamingInTheWildFollow on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gaminginthewild.bsky.socialFollow the Steam curator page: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/43457463-Gaming-in-the-Wild-%2528unofficial%2529/And thanks for listening!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Hollow Knight: Silksong is here! Join me as I recount my fraught and torrid journey through the kingdom of Pharloom. It's a wondrous place — immersive, vast, absorbing — but it's held within a game that's ruthlessly difficult, and trolls the player in a way that I've found difficult to enjoy.In the roundup: Time Flies, Lumines Remastered, Snakebyte Switch 2 accessories.Support the show on Patreon: http://patreon.com/gaminginthewildRead the Myrkur article: https://grapevine.is/mag/2025/09/15/echoes-of-the-end-inside-the-biggest-icelandic-video-game-of-2025/Read the VGC Silksong review: https://www.videogameschronicle.com/review/hollow-knight-silksong/Follow the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GamingInTheWildFollow on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gaminginthewild.bsky.socialFollow the Steam curator page: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/43457463-Gaming-in-the-Wild-%2528unofficial%2529/And thanks for listening!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Herdling is another vibey journey through a forlorn world from the young Okomotive studio. The shepherding gameplay is alternatively fun, clumsy, endearing, and frustrating, but overall, it’s a three-hour journey that is a must for indie game fans.In the roundup: Hollow Knight, and Silksong pre-game!Support the show on Patreon: http://patreon.com/gaminginthewildFollow the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GamingInTheWildFollow on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gaminginthewild.bsky.socialFollow the Steam curator page: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/43457463-Gaming-in-the-Wild-%2528unofficial%2529/And thanks for listening!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Sword of the Sea is like playable dream. It combines the simplicity and wonder of Journey, the oceanic splendour of ABZU, and the searing speed of The Pathless into a mesmerising new form — it's the apotheosis of the Matt Nava formula.Support the show: http://patreon.com/gaminginthewildFollow the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GamingInTheWildFollow on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gaminginthewild.bsky.socialFollow the Steam curator page: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/43457463-Gaming-in-the-Wild-%2528unofficial%2529/And thanks for listening!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Wheel World is a free-flowing cycling game that's met with a surprisingly mixed reception, given the demo hype. It starts off well, but it's a game of two halves, in quite an unusual way.In the roundup: Haste, Cipher Zero, Artis Impact, Ovis Loop, Heistgeist, Donkey Kong Bananza, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, and more.See the videos: https://www.youtube.com/@GamingInTheWild Support this show: http://patreon.com/gaminginthewildFind the Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gaminginthewild.bsky.socialRead my recent articles: https://grapevine.is/author/john-rogers/Steam curator page: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/43457463-Gaming-in-the-Wild-%2528unofficial%2529/Thanks for listening!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Word Play is an ingenious new puzzle-roguelike that crosses the streams of Balatro and Scrabble. The result is a compelling little game with big potential.In the roundup: Cipher Zero, Haste, Driftwood, Ritual of Raven, Time Flies, Death Standing 2, Wheel World, and more.Here's that video of the Word Play dev talking about making his game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHKRWmfcMBwHere's the Ludocene site (best used in a phone browser): https://www.ludocene.comJoin the Patreon for bonus episodes: http://patreon.com/gaminginthewildSub to the YouTube channel for more stuff: https://www.youtube.com/@GamingInTheWildFind my on Bluesky, Insta, Steam, etc: http://gaminginthewild.comHere's my Medium page where I post article I write: https://medium.com/@johnbrnlvrogersThanks for listening!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It's the Year of Kong! Nintendo's first "proper" (don't @ me, Mario Kart fans) Switch 2 blockbuster is here, and it's one for the books. Donkey Kong is now a fully realised modern Nintendo mascot as he smashes, dances, and chomps his way through a series of wonderfully designed, multi-layered levels that are simply a joy to experience. A couple of minor-ish quibbles stop it from being an unreserved 10/10, for me at least — but that doesn’t detract from the headline: it truly is Donkey Kong’s time. In the roundup: Cipher Zero, Wildwood Down, Wheel World, Fretless: The Wrath of Riffson, The Drifter, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora.Indie Quest guest appearance: https://indiequest.buzzsprout.com/1425403/episodes/17508234-episode-115-keep-on-questin-indie-people-with-john-of-gaming-in-the-wildSupport the show on Patreon to get a load of bonus episodes, a Discord invite, a thank you on the pod, and more: http://patreon.com/gaminginthewild.Get more Gaming In The Wild stuff on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GamingInTheWild.Follow me on Bluesky, Insta, Steam, etc: http://gaminginthewild.com.Thanks to boss tier patrons KingChamp and ShyGuy — and thanks for listening!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week's pod is a roundup episode featuring Blade Chimera, Midtris, and Death Stranding 2. In the roundup: Tron Catalyst, Tiny Garden, Preserve, Wheel World.I also talk about moving the podcast's hosting away from Spotify, given the unforgivable actions of the CEO, and discuss removing GITW from Spotify completely. For the record — Pocketcasts does it just as well; and YouTube Music has you covered if you have a YT Premium subscription.Links mentioned: My Grapevine cover story: https://grapevine.is/mag/feature/2025/07/04/the-summer-ring-road-around-iceland-in-12-days.The latest Gaming In The Wild YouTube videos: http://youtube.com/gaminginthewild.Support me on Patreon for bonus episodes, Discord, blogs, and more: http://patreon.com/gaminginthewild.Find the BlueSky, Instagram, Steam curator page, etc: http://gaminginthewild.com.Thanks for listening!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Hey folks! This week's pod gives some initial thoughts on Kojima's new joint Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, then runs through over 20 demos from the recent Steam Next Fest, including Ball X Pit, Herdling, MIO: Memories In Orbit, Hirogami, Death Howl, Gecko Gods, and more.Join the Patreon for extra stuff: http://patreon.com/gaminginthewildSteam curator page: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/43457463-Gaming-in-the-Wild-%2528unofficial%2529/Video version of the Next Fest section: https://youtu.be/zdqXD205SIk?si=y9ZZus1JclKr92K1Death Stranding 1 episode: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/gaminginthewild/episodes/62-Death-Stranding-with-special-guest-Ciaran-Daly-e13qrur/a-a61t7f8Other stuff: http://gaminginthewild.comSpecial thanks to boss tier patrons Shy Guy, King Champ and essywoods. And thanks for listening! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Post-Hades roguelikes are a dime a dozen, but Lost In Random: The Eternal Die stands head and shoulders above the pack. It matches the gold standard set by the Supergiant classic with its strong art style, tight combat, satisfying progression, and build variety. Unlike much of the genre, it also respects your time, and it takes luck, thought, and skill to craft a winning build, and earn a winning run.In the roundup: Next Fest, Gecko Gods, MIO: Memories In Orbit, The Drifter, and more.Support the show, get extra stuff, and help me to 150 patrons! http://patreon.com/gaminginthewildHear the original Lost In Random review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7lVYw1sOSM See the June indie release video: https://youtu.be/dTxqYRvC7zc?si=rvcZ0AC6jWoq9mEf Follow me on Bluesky, Steam, and all the other places: http://gaminginthewild.comThanks for listening! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Hello folks! Here's a little bonus episode taken from a YouTube video I put out this week — it's a rundown of some of the most interesting games spotted at the summer showcases so far, including Summer Game Fest, Day of the Devs, State of Play, the Xbox Showcase, and the PC Gaming Showcase.If you're listening in Spotify, you can see game footage as you listen. If you're listening elsewhere and wanna see the games, have a look over here: https://youtu.be/JvxovKLmM9IThanks for listening as always! Come be a patron if you'd like more bonus stuff: http://patreon.com/gaminginthewild. And you can find all kinds of useful pod and YouTube and Steam curator and social media links here: http://gaminginthewild.com. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Switch 2 is here! This week's show reviews Nintendo's brand new hardware, and the launch lineup — and wonders whether Switch 2 can become another indie game powerhouse. There's also a review of Spilled, a lovely little eco-game about cleaning up waterways and making the world a better place.In the roundup: Symphonia, Star Overdrive, Tainted Grail, Pipistrello & The Cursed Yoyo, Fast Fusion, Mario Kart World.Support the show on Patreon: http://patreon.com/gaminginthewildCheck out my Pages of Play guest slot: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4anESwtFMWEUYwEbJlK1waCheck out the Best Ever Switch Indies video: https://youtu.be/48f-zXDkuaUAnd thanks for listening! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week's episode looks at the hot new deck builder sequel Monster Train 2, and does a deep dive into the muddled but enjoyable Dragon age: The Veilguard. In the roundup: Star Wars Outlaws 'A Pirate's Fortune' DLC.Join the Patreon for a suite of patron-only bonus podcasts: http://patreon.com/gaminginthewildGet extra GITW over on Youtube: http://youtube.com/gaminginthewildFollow the Steam curator page: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/43457463-Gaming-in-the-Wild-%2528unofficial%2529/Find me on Bluesky etc: http://gaminginthewild.com Thanks for listening! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy