Just a Game Podcast

In this special bonus episode, Sarah and Barnaby talk about the latest game from IO Interactive - 007 First Light! Plus, we talk about the games that got us excited in the recent Playstation State of Play, Summer Game Fest, and XBOX Games Showcase. Podcast Chapters and Spoilers [00:00 - 01:53] Welcome! [01:53 - 11:07] Playstation State of Play [11:07 - 18:41] Summer Game Fest [18:41 - 24:49] XBOX...

In this game, Sarah and Barnaby dive into the highly anticipated sequel from Super Giant Games, Hades 2! Podcast chapters and spoilers [00:00:00 - 00:07:39] Hello and what are we playing?! (Unravel Two and Outer Worlds Two) [00:07:39 - 00:15:58] Spoiler Free! [00:15:58 - 01:10:33] Spoiler Section Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Sarah and Barnaby chat through their experiences playing two landmark games! Join us as we dive into the worlds of Ghost of Tsushima and Metaphor ReFantazio! SPOILER WARNING We start the chat for each game spoiler free, and then dive into full spoilers. We give you a warning cue, or use the episode chapters below (not the auto-generated ones!) to help you skip the bits you're not...

In this episode, Sarah and Barnaby chat through the rising price of video games. Pricing, micro-transactions and subscription services - let's dive in! Podcast Chapters and Spoilers [00:00 - 06:23] Hello! And what are we playing? (Metaphor: ReFantazio and The Gardens Between) [06:23 - 22:04] Expensive games and price perception [22:04 - 36:06] Micro-transactions [36:06 - 50:58] Subscription servic...

In this episode, Sarah and Barnaby talk through their highlights from the recent Playstation State of Play, and then dive into the nostalgia of some more games from their childhood years! Podcast Chapters and Spoilers [00:00 - 17:00] Hello! And our highlights from Playstation's State of Play [17:00 - 27:33] Ellen Whitaker's Horse Life (Story and gameplay spoilers) [27:33 - 43:41] Crash Bandicoot C...

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] Spoil...

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...

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...

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] H...

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]...

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 WARNING We start this episode spoiler free, and then dive in to full spoilers. Use the episode chapters below (not the auto-g...

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...

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: [0...

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 day...

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! Pod...

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,...

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! W...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 fro...

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...

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 gam...

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 thr...