Gaming In The Wild - Video Game Reviews

This week's episode is a mix and match. It covers Annapurna-published narrative adventure Last Stop, Inkle's "youdunnit" murder game Overboard!, and the new mobile edition of absolutely bananas balletic blast-em-up My Friend Pedro. Also mentioned: Griftlands, The Falconeer - Warrior Edition, Glyph. If you enjoy the show, please do come say hi on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Twit...

This week’s episode is about brand new indie darling Death’s Door, the first game by two-person studio Acid Nerve, published by Devolver. It’s a lovingly crafted game about a very bird day on the office for young fledgling crow tasked with reaping a giant soul. Also mentioned this episode: Winds & Leaves, Slay The Spire. If you enjoy the show, please do come say hi on Twitter, Instagram, YouTu...

This week's episode is a conversation with Dyala Kattan-Wright, the creator of the conversational deck-builder Signs of the Sojourner. It's a memorable story presenting a warm and humane vision of our climate future. It landed on consoles earlier this year, and was featured in the Itch.io bundle for Palestine aid, so if you supported that campaign, you already own it. Check it out on the E...

I skated over a few Gamepass titles last episode, but this week it's time to dive on in. The featured game is addictive but difficult card-battler Nowhere Prophet, and I also discuss indie monster game Carrion and the wonderful fairytale Zelda & Pikmin inspired adventure game The Wild At Heart. Oh, and I take five minutes to dunk on Bethesda's two multiplayer efforts, Fallout 76 &...

This episode is about the stunningly well-crafted and harrowingly difficult PS5 exclusive Returnal. It's kind of a coming-of-age party for Finnish shoot 'em up studio Housemarque, who've been covered several times on the show before. Returnal certainly has a lot to delve into, including the terrifying space-horror scenario, next-gen looks, haptic feedback, sound design, and lack of dif...

This week's episode is a deep dive into the divisive but critically acclaimed Death Stranding, with special guest Ciaran Daly. We have a spoiler break half way through, so if you're yet to play the game, you're safe until then; if you've finished it and want some dissection of the plot and late game, it comes in the second half. Also mentioned this episode: Returnal, Ratchet &...

This week's featured game is Sludge Life – a brilliantly fun, deeply grimy first-person game about tagging and thieving your way through a smoggy industrial dystopia, to the sound of a stellar lo-fi hip-hop soundtrack. Also mentioned this episode: Slay The Spire, 80 Days, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, and how feels to finally get a PS5. You can come say hi and follow the show on Twitter, In...

This week I took on Ubisoft's Immortals: Fenyx Rising. It's a comedic take on some familiar Greek myths, with gameplay DNA from both the Assassin's Creed series and, notably, Nintendo's Breath of the Wild. Also mentioned this episode: Sludge Life, Umurangi Generation, Slay The Spire, Death Stranding, FAR: Changing Tides and the Wholesome Games direct. You can follow the show's...

This week’s featured game is indie smash-hit Slay the Spire. It’s an easy to play, tough to master deck-battler game in which you try to fight your way to the top of the mysterious spire via bouts of addictive, strategic combat. There’s also a less positive review of the conceptually interesting, visually spectacular and deeply flawed Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice. Also mentioned this episode: Ni N...

This week, our featured game is Apple Arcade's very own JRPG epic: Fantasian. Made by the producer of the original Final Fantasy series, it's a loving tribute to classic JRPGs past, with all of the charm and eccentricity that entails. You can come say hi and follow the show on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Twitch via http://linktr.ee/gaminginthewild. If you'd to support the show on P...

This week I delved into the mysteries of Melmouth Forest in Apple Arcade gem NUTS (also available on Steam and Switch). Just what are those squirrels up to? Well, I won’t tell you, because it’s a spoiler-free show – but I will tell you about the art, sound, gameworld and mechanics of this Iceland-made indie title. Also mentioned: Bioshock Infinite, King of Seas, Cozy Grove, and Fallout 4 (yep, I&#...

This week's game is the fascinating conversation-based future road trip simulator Signs Of The Sojourner. I really loved this game, and I highly recommend trying it out! Also mentioned: Cozy Grove, Streets of Rage 4 and Bioshock Infinite. If you'd to support the show on Patreon and help me hit my new patron goal, I'm very grateful – in return, you get exclusive episodes, sale recommend...

This week’s episode is about Iris and the Giant, a beautifully realised deck-battling game about a young girl’s journey through the underworld of her own imagination. Also mentioned: Subnautica Below Zero, Signs of the Sojourner, The Solitaire Conspiracy. You can come say hi and follow the show on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Twitch via http://linktr.ee/gaminginthewild.  If you'd to support...

This week it's time to take up the Techno-Sword, become one with the Trichroma, and ride the Servo-Horse to victory in the Digital Kingdom of compelling high-retro pixel-art hack 'n' slasher Narita Boy.  Also mentioned: The Longing & Bioshock Infinite.  Also: many thanks to Stephan for being the show's newest Patreon Patron! If you'd to join him in supporting the show, I&#3...

Paradise Killer is a truly odd detective game, mixing a Miami Vice 1980s aesthetic with brutalist architecture, Lovecraftian gods, demonic possession, murder, class commentary, and sexy synth pop. We stay spoiler-free on the details of The Crime To End All Crimes in this 20-minute review. Also mentioned: Narita Boy, The Longing, Art Squool, Immortals: Fenyx Rising; thanks go to Patreon patron Brok...

This week I strapped on an enchanted helmet and did some dungeon-diving in the cosy and enjoyable shopkeeping roguelite Moonlighter . Also mentioned: Thomas Was Alone looks great on Switch, bouncing off the puzzling world of Mirrormoon EP , and another stint with the intensely addictive mobile game Threes . You can come say hi and follow the show on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Twitch via http:...

This week’s episode looks at Fez , the classic 2012 indie platform game that made its way to Switch this week. It’s as wonderful today as it was upon release, and I talk through its high points (aesthetic, music, gameplay) and a few of the low ones (that map - my god!). Also mentioned: Ring Fit Adventure, Forgotten Fields, Red Dead Redemption 2 and Fire Emblem: Three Houses . Thanks to my latest P...

For episode number fifty, I revisited the featured game of episode one – the classic open-world saga Horizon Zero Dawn – to explore the impressive Frozen Wilds DLC. There's also a review of Aggro Crab's colourful rogue-like dungeon crawler Going Under, and we finish with some fun listener questions. You can come say hi and follow the show on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Twitch via http:...

This week I explored the bed of a far-future ocean in Shinsekai: Into The Depths . This exploration-focussed Metroidvania feels like an indie game, but it was actually developed by Capcom Japan specifically for Apple Arcade. As of late 2020, it's also available on Nintendo Switch, where it definitely qualifies as a hidden gem for fans of underwater games, Metroidvanias, and sci-fi with a Japan...

This week's episode takes a look at 2015 episodic graphic adventure Life Is Strange. It's a nostalgic game that's littered with pop cultural references from Twin Peaks to The X-Files to Groundhog Day, with a wonderful soundtrack and a story that's part paranormal mystery and part intimate character study, with moments of lightness set against some heavy themes. You can come say hi...

These week I leaf through the pages of The Collage Atlas – a wonderfully delicate, aesthetic hand-drawn game that came out in 2020 for Apple Arcade. Also: an earthquake update, more praise for Fallout 4, and some news about the great games that are lined up for future episodes. You can come say hi and follow the show on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Twitch via http://linktr.ee/gaminginthewild ....

This week's episode is about one of the most cerebral, detailed gameworlds I've ever inhabited: it’s the award-winning Disco Elysium, by Estonian studio ZA/UM. It's a game that mixes a dense, layered, politically rich game world with a fear & loathing-style protagonist, an innovative "consciousness simulator", and an intriguing murder mystery. Also mentioned: Sea of Solitud...

This week’s episode journeys into the dark heart of an accomplished narrative-led adventure game – A Plague Tale: Innocence .  Also: an Iceland earthquake update, first impressions of promising puzzle game Maquette, and further impressions of NUTS and Fallout 4 . You can come say hi and follow the show on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Twitch via http://linktr.ee/gaminginthewild . You can also su...

This week we take a step back in time to review 2014 title Entwined by PixelOpus, developers of Concrete Genie; and also a step into the future in the bleak but engaging wasteland of Fallout 4 . Also mentioned: Solar Ash, A Plague Tale: Innocence, Nuts, Monument Valley, Maquette , and more. You can come say hi and follow the show on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Twitch via http://linktr.ee/gamin...

This week I painted the walls of a bleak post-industrial town with neon nature dreamscapes in the fantastic modern fairytale Concrete Genie . It's an original and innovative game by Pixelopus, a studio with an interesting origin story in its own right. Also mentioned: Furi, Mario Galaxy, a preview of 2021 games, and some very exciting news about a forthcoming composer interview. You can find m...