The Staying In Podcast - four pals talk video games, board games, movies, and nonsense

We’re getting ready for a gaming Christmas! From the board game stack we’re setting our timers and taking in the fireworks show spectacle of Skyrockets: Festivals of Fire from Floodgate Games, figuring out if we prefer apples, oranges, or Gandalf in supersmart trick taker My Favourite Things from Play For Keeps, and forging fine art and trying to get away with it in Belratti from Kosmos. Away from the table and onto the track (via the couch), we frankly can’t believe how good the racing is in completely free PlayStation 4 and 5 game My First Gran Turismo from Polyphony Digital happens to be. All that, and a Hot Frosty, on Ep213. 00:00 - Hallmark movies and Secret Santas 11:30 - My Favourite Things 22:43 - Skyrockets: Festivals of Fire 28:55 - Belratti 37:52 - My First Gran Turismo On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner). Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about. Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

We’ve smashed through the single page RPGs Pride and Extreme Prejudice and Crash Pandas from Rowan, Rook and Decard, and also gotten to the tabletop the kid-friendly The Colour Monster from Devir and Kosmos and Stomp the Plank from The Flying Games and Hachette. Plus a closer look at Color Gray Games and Playstack’s stupendous sequel The Rise of The Golden Idol. All that, and, yes, it’s one of His, on Ep212. 00:00 - A Cold Snap 05:51 - The Rise of The Golden Idol 29:39 - Pride and Extreme Prejudice 38:45 - Crash Pandas 43:28 - The Colour Monster 46:40 - Stomp the Plank 53:12 - Secret Santa On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), and Sam (@MrSamTurner). Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about. Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

Spookily funny party game Ghosts Can't Draw (Big Potato Games), strategic sci-fi in Undaunted 2200: Callisto (Osprey Games), the frighteningly good Agatha All Along, and a David Mitchell mystery series called Ludwig; there’s loads of great geek stuff stuffed into just under an hour of audio. All that, and tooth chat, on Ep211. 00:00 - Dental Battleships 05:52 - Ghosts Can't Draw 16:22 - Undaunted 2200: Callisto 31:17 - Agatha All Along 43:40 - Ludwig On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), and Sam (@MrSamTurner). Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about. Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

A full report on our trip to the biggest board game show in the world - Spiel Essen - plus our favourite games from the show; Gibberers by Hobby Japan, The Chronicles of Berg by Rybysel Games, and Final Girl by Van Ryder Games. Then back at home we catch up with The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2. All that, and lightning striking twice, on Ep210. 00:00 - Spiel Essen 16:15 - Gibberers 26:04 - The Chronicles of Berg 33:33 - Final Girl 48:30 - The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner). Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about. Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

Why the digital edition of Codenames from CGE Digital just might be 2024’s best digital adaptation of a board game, Castle Combo from Catch Up Games and Hachette is a winning combination of tableau-building and card drafting, and the joys of a local Oktoberfest. All that, and how it’s all kicking off in here, on Ep209. 00:00 - Watching the golf, the legendary John Daly, and “rough pubs” of Britain and beyond 10:51 - Codenames 32:29 - Castle Combo 48:46 - Oktoberfest On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner). Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about. Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

Doing it live with Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Live In Concert, stacking shelves in CMYK’s Wilmot's Warehouse, travelling with Catch Up Games’ Faraway, and being lied to with Odd-Meter’s Indika. All that, and teasing a child, on Ep208. 00:00 - How do you define “relax”? 05:24 - Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Live In Concert 11:16 - Wilmot's Warehouse 27:59 - Indika 45:42 - Faraway On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner). Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about. Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

Our board game review this episode is Wolfgang Kramer and Hachette’s Expeditions: Around the World, then we go hands-on with Coal Supper’s cheeky British slapformer Thank Goodness You're Here!, plus we’ve been watching the awesome whodunnit Deadloch. All that, and a well-worn bleep button, on Ep207. 00:00 - Brits abroad 07:37 - Thank Goodness You're Here! 26:37 - Expeditions: Around the World 43:45 - Deadloch On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), and Sam (@MrSamTurner). Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about. Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

It’s equal parts video games reviews and board games reviews on this episode of the podcast, with our takes on Extra Nice’s SCHiM and Bethesda’s Quake, as well as Brotherwise Games’ Dungeon Kart and Thames & Kosmos’s My Island. All that, and three increasingly old men, on Ep206. 00:00 - Brat Summer 07:22 - Quake 20:50 - SCHiM 33:23 - Dungeon Kart 48:47 - My Island On this episode were Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner). Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about. Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

Following in grandma's footsteps with Ravensburger’s Garden Heist, saying goodbye to a whole era of movies with Marvel’s Deadpool & Wolverine, and stepping into the exclusion zone with Osprey’s Zona Alfa. All that, and snowballs, on Ep205. 00:00 - The secret sauce for keeping cool 05:25 - Garden Heist 17:30 - Pete's Chilly Willingtons 19:02 - Deadpool & Wolverine 37:51 - Frosty Bottoms 39:51 - Zona Alfa On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner). Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about. Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

On this episode of our gaming and geek culture podcast, we’ve got video game reviews of mysterious adventure This Bed We Made from Lowbirth Games, as well as character platformer Kirby and the Forgotten Land from Nintendo, plus a board game review of evolutionary tile-place-em-up In the Footsteps of Darwin from Hachette. All that, and curious culinary currencies, on Ep204. 00:00 - Themed restaurants. 07:08 - Kirby and the Forgotten Land. 22:32 - In the Footsteps of Darwin. 38:00 - This Bed We Made. 48:45 - The wedding. On this episode were Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner). Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about. Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

Storytelling-strong, narrative-rich video games are the catch of the day, with reviews of Still Wakes the Deep from The Chinese Room, as well as Don’t Nod’s Jusant, plus we go hands-on with Courtisans by Pandasaurus Games. All that, and what’s up, doc, on Ep203 00:00 - Wedding prep 08:23 - Jusant 23:40 - Still Wakes the Deep 42:16 - Courtisans On this episode were Kris (@DigitalStrider) and Sam (@MrSamTurner). Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about. Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

It’s a board game extravaganza, with big chat and in-depth reviews of Horrified - Greek Monsters and Mycelia from Ravensburger Games, and The Adventures of Robin Hood from Thames & Kosmos. All that, and a stagless stag, on Ep202. 00:00 - The appendix is the essence of man 07:05 - Stag 09:58 - The Adventures of Robin Hood 27:46 - Horrified - Greek Monsters 41:07 - Mycelia 57:32 - Subscriptions On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), and Sam (@MrSamTurner). Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about. Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

Funselektor’s deeply authentic top down racer art of rally, taking a trip down Shared Memory’s Animal Well, more thoughts on The Haunting of Hill House, and why you really should watch the monstrous Godzilla Minus One. All that, and a Dirty Gibson, on Ep201. 00:00 - A stag do in Bristol 08:48 - art of rally 22:53 - Animal Well 33:31 - The Haunting of Hill House 45:16 - Godzilla Minus One 58:20 - Godzilla titles are wild On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Peter (@XeroXeroXero) and Sam (@MrSamTurner). Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about. Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

In this bumper-length episode, we try to whittle down all of the things we’ve discussed over the last 100 episodes into a top 10 we can all agree on. There are laughs, there are tears, there are celebrations, there are bitter defeats. If you’re new, a very warm welcome to you. And if you’re already a listener, thanks for sticking around for the last 199 of these; we really appreciate you spending your time with us <3 00:00 - Cricketing without a bat 04:30 - Our Top 10 lists 17:43 - RRR 20:36 - Blades in the Dark 24:14 - Bluey 26:15 - Twilight Imperium 32:16 - Troika! 35:22 - Steam Deck 40:44 - Only Murders in the Building 46:26 - Powerwash Simulator 51:07 - Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout 53:16 - Taskmaster 55:25 - Dutch Blitz 58:33 - Deathloop 1:02:35 - Tunic 1:03:39 - Kind Words 1:04:59 - Superhot VR 1:06:30 - Marvel Snap, Ticket to Ride, Call of Cthulhu, Basic Fantasy Role Playing Game 1:08:32 - Lorcana 1:09:43 - Kentucky Route Zero, Blue Eye Samurai, Eastshade 1:10:20 - A Gentle Rain 1:11:15 - Fury of Dracula 1:11:57 - Lacrimosa, The Wretched, Mage Knight: Ultimate Edition 1:13:53 - Dune 1:14:50 - Top Gun: Maverick 1:20:25 - The Bear, The Last of Us 1:21:30 - Dune vs Top Gun - The Final Showdown 1:25:22 - Our Final List On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero) and Sam (@MrSamTurner). Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about. Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

With our refined palettes we get our teeth into the spooky dexterity needed for Dropolter (Oink Games), and our stinkin’ paws on After Us (Catch Up Games). Then we make a wish for Eight Billion Genies (Image Comics) and set our sights on Achtung Panzer! Blood & Steel Starter Set (Warlord Games). All that, and The Mitch and Lynn Man, on Ep199. 00:00 - Very fine dining 09:32 - Dropolter board game review 15:12 - Eight Billion Genies comicbook review 27:35 - Achtung Panzer! Blood & Steel Starter Set tabletop wargame review 47:41 - After Us board game review On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero) and Sam (@MrSamTurner). Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about. Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

It’s back to the good old PlayStation One days with reviews of Tomb Raider I-III Remastered: Starring Lara Croft (Aspyr) and PSX horror Incident at Grove Lake (ToothandClaw). Then there’s thoughts on Accomplices (Hachette), the PlayStation Portal (Sony), and Cards vs Gravity (Big Potato Games). All that, and the best things from the 90s, on Ep198. 00:00 - Four Stag Dos, Three Weddings 07:06 - Tomb Raider I-III Remastered 13:32 - Incident at Grove Lake 24:30 - Accomplices 33:48 - The PlayStation Portal 49:13 - Cards vs Gravity On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), and Sam (@MrSamTurner). And since I forgot to put a joke in last week, here’s an extra (unrequested) one for you: I went to a circus recently; the action was in tents. Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about. Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

With three absolutely massive topics; a review of Assassin’s Creed Mirage (Ubisoft), a review of Dune: Part 2, and a look at Pocket Quest 2024 (DriveThruRPG). All that, with a very British opening, on Ep197. 00:17 - Tea talk 06:00 - Assassin's Creed Mirage review 23:07 - Pocket Quest 2024 (and 21: High Stakes Heists) 43:33 - Dune: Part 2 review On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero) and Sam (@MrSamTurner). Here's a joke for you: did you hear about the new drill technology? It's groundbreaking.  Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about. Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

00:00 - A geography teacher 5:32 - AireCon 2024 review 14:43 - CDSK review 27:19 - Flip, Switch and Roll review 37:16 - Nunatak: Temple of Ice preview 50:39 - Monster of the Week review On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero) and Sam (@MrSamTurner). Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about. Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

Big reviews of escape room video game Escape Academy by Coin Crew Games and Ravensburger’s Tolkien-em-up The Lord of the Rings Adventure Book Game, plus thoughts on MugenGaming’s Kiri-ai: The Duel. All that, and many more…? on Ep195. 00:00 - The sanctity of the line and mildly threatening birthday songs 08:50 - Escape Academy 23:29 - Another one indoctrinated 26:23 - The Lord of the Rings Adventure Book Game 47:38 - Kiri-ai: The Duel 1:02:34 - See you at AireCon 2024! On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider) and Sam (@MrSamTurner). Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about. Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

Reviews of the criminally good District Noir and cosy-coastguard-em-up Beacon Patrol from Pandasaurus, an early peek at the retro-tinged horror from Headware Games’ Hollowbody, the superb search action of Ubisoft’s Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, and spending a sultry couple of hours with Grant Howitt’s Sexy Battle Wizards. All that, and the bleep button, on Ep194. 02:37 - Sexy Battle Wizards 17:14 - District Noir 26:05 - Beacon Patrol 33:52 - Hollowbody 46:00 - Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown 58:07 - FAQ it, or…? On this episode were Peter (@XeroXeroXero) and Sam (@MrSamTurner). Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about. Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.