Low Five Gaming

Alex and Luke Talk Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Speed was the promise. Trauma was the water level. Developed by Sega Technical Institute and published by Sega, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 launched for the Sega Genesis in November 1992 and cemented Sonic as Mario's true '90s rival. With the debut of Tails, the spin dash, bigger levels, and an even louder attitude, Sonic 2 became one of the defining pla...

Alex and Luke Talk Gravity, Stardust, and Nintendo Doing It Again. Super Mario Galaxy , developed and published by Nintendo, originally launched in November 2007 for the Wii and immediately redefined what a 3D platformer could feel like. By bending gravity, perspective, and level design into something playful and constantly surprising, Galaxy turns every planet into its own idea. It’s not just abo...

Alex and Luke Talk Night City, Mainline Endings, and Never Having Dinner at Embers. Cyberpunk 2077 , developed and published by CD Projekt Red , launched in December 2020 and has since completed one of the most dramatic redemption arcs in modern gaming. Set in the neon-drenched chaos of Night City, this open-world RPG blends cyberware upgrades, branching narratives, high-speed gunplay, and existen...

Alex and Luke Talk Gifting Gamers, Low-Fi Picks, and  Sidequest Shenanigans. In a somewhat rare departure from the usual one-game deep dive, this episode is all about helping you find the perfect gift for the gamer in your life—even if that gamer is you. Alex kicks things off with five flexible gift categories to guide your shopping: from digital gift cards and magazine subscriptions to coffee tab...

Alex and Luke Talk Hollow Knight and Silksong. The duo dive into a Metroidvania double‑header: first the seminal Hollow Knight (Team Cherry, 2017) and then its long‑awaited sequel Hollow Knight: Silksong (Team Cherry, 2025). We unpack the evolution of the form — bug‑infested kingdoms, needle‑wielding protagonists, soaring difficulty curves — while comparing how the first game laid the groundwork a...

Alex and Luke Talk Cult of the Lamb. Ever wanted to combine dungeon crawling, base management, and theological terror into one cozy indie experience? That’s exactly the blend Cult of the Lamb serves. Developed by Massive Monster and published by Devolver Digital, this darkly adorable roguelike management mash-up dropped on August 11, 2022. You play a resurrected lamb who must build a loyal cult, p...

Alex and Luke Talk The Plucky Squire. What if a storybook adventure literally jumped off the page? That’s the magic trick The Plucky Squire pulls off. Developed by All Possible Futures and published by Devolver Digital , this imaginative action-adventure launched in July 2024 and instantly stood out for its clever transitions between 2D and 3D gameplay. With a charming visual style, punchy combat,...

Luke and Alex Talk Diablo IV . In this episode, Alex and Luke dive into Diablo IV , Blizzard Entertainment ’s long-awaited sequel to the legendary action RPG series. Released in June 2023, Diablo IV brings players back to the dark, demon-infested world of Sanctuary with a new open-world structure, seasonal play, and a whole lot of skeleton-clicking chaos. At the time of this recording, Diablo IV h...

Alex and Luke share their Top Five Games That Defined the Nintendo Switch. From launch titles to surprise late-era gems, the Switch has built a legacy as one of Nintendo’s boldest and most beloved consoles. In this episode of Low Five Top Five, the guys break down the games that shaped the system—whether through sheer cultural footprint, unexpected innovation, or just endless hours of personal joy...

This episode, Luke and Alex kick off a brand-new segment: Low Five Top Five, where they rank their five favorite whatevers in gaming. First up? Top 5 Mario Characters That Aren’t Mario. It’s a surprisingly heated—and deeply nostalgic—ride through Nintendo’s Mushroom Kingdom. Expect strong opinions, twisted logic, and more than a few honorable mentions (and dishonorable disses). The lists may be Ma...

Alex and Luke Talk Balatro In this episode, Alex and Luke go all-in on Balatro , the breakout roguelike deck-builder that’s equal parts poker, chaos, and obsession. Developed by LocalThunk and released in early 2024, Balatro blends classic card game mechanics with deck-breaking combos, jokers with wild effects, and a vibe that’s one part casino fever dream, one part endless strategy loop. At the t...

Alex and Luke Talk Elden Ring. In this episode, Alex and Luke finally tackle Elden Ring , FromSoftware’s 2022 open-world epic that took the gaming world by storm. Directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki, with worldbuilding contributions from George R.R. Martin, Elden Ring expands the Soulsborne formula into a sprawling, unforgiving landscape—the Lands Between—where death is certain, but victory is oh so swe...

Luke and Alex venture into the rain-soaked world of Against the Storm , a roguelike city builder developed by Eremite Games . Released in November 2023, this highly acclaimed game invites players to balance resource management, exploration, and the survival of diverse species—all while contending with the endless storms that threaten their settlements. At the time of this recording, Against the St...

Alex and Luke Talk Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, the puffball’s iconic 3D side-scrolling adventure for the Nintendo 64. Developed by HAL Laboratory and released in 2000, this game introduced players to the unique ability to combine powers, creating some truly wild and creative abilities for Kirby to wield as he battles the forces of Dark Matter across a beautifully colorful universe. At the time o...

Join us for another episode of Low Five Friends as we venture into the dark, pixelated world of gaming with Adam Birch, also known as - IZMA -. This session, we unravel the eerie layers of Deadeus , a horror game ingeniously crafted for the classic Game Boy. Hear from Adam about the artistic and gaming influences that shaped Deadeus , the technical challenges of Game Boy development, and the surpr...

Alex and Luke talk The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom . The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom , the latest entry in the Zelda series, flips the script by making Princess Zelda the main playable character. Developed by Nintendo and Grezzo, this action-adventure game was released for the Nintendo Switch on September 26, 2024, and has been turning heads with its innovative gameplay and fresh story...

Alex and Luke delve into Control , the mind-bending action-adventure game developed by Remedy Entertainment . Set in the mysterious Federal Bureau of Control, the game combines supernatural powers with an ever-shifting environment to create an intense and thrilling experience. Luke played on his Steam Deck, while Alex tackled it on his PC. Both rolled credits. They dive into the game’s eerie atmos...

Luke and Alex Talk EA Sports College Football 25 Luke and Alex dive into EA Sports College Football 25 , marking the long-awaited return of this beloved franchise. With a Metacritic score of 85, the game brings dynamic gameplay and the thrill of college football back to consoles. Luke, with over 100 hours on his Xbox Series X, offers deep insights into the game's mechanics and dynasty mode. M...

Luke has a running bit where he gives Alex a hard time for declaring any game he enjoys as deserving of a spot in his top ten best games of all time. Well, the two finally sat down and declared their official lists. There are some spicy takes! In this episode, Alex and Luke revisit their Greatest Games of All Time lists, making some surprising revisions. Tune in for updated picks, spirited debates...

Luke and Alex Talk Disco Elysium This month, we delve deep into the surreal and thought-provoking world of Disco Elysium . Developed by ZA/UM and released in 2019, this narrative-driven RPG puts players in the shoes of a deeply flawed detective navigating a city rife with political tension, personal demons, and existential crises. With a unique blend of noir aesthetics and psychological depth, Dis...

Step into the eerie world of Deadeus , a unique horror game developed for the Game Boy by -IZMA-. This haunting title, originally released in 2019, immerses players in a dark narrative where a young boy has a prophetic nightmare that everyone in his village will die in three days. With 11 different endings and no direct path, players must explore, investigate, and decide the best course of action...

Alex and Luke talk Pine Creek . Dive into the eerie world of Pine Creek, where the mysterious disappearance of a young girl in a seemingly tranquil town spirals into a tale of cults and ritualistic mysteries. Developed by Marco of Carmelo Electronics, with significant contributions from David Martínez Canales, Pine Creek is a Game Boy Color adventure that marries classic pixel art with a gripping...

Strap in for the inaugural episode of Low Five Friends , where we geek out with Marco, the visionary behind the retro revival hit Pine Creek on Game Boy Color. Marco pulls back the curtain on creating a game that strikes a perfect balance between heartfelt nostalgia and fresh creativity, all while staying true to his Latin American roots. Join us as Marco recounts the challenges and quirks of game...

Luke and Alex talk Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown . Trekking through Ubisoft Montpellier 's Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown , released on January 18, 2024, we're catapulted into a 2.5D realm where action-adventure meets platforming and Metroidvania. The game introduces Sargon, navigating the cursed city of Mount Qaf to save Prince Ghassan. With time-manipulating powers, Sargon embarks...

Alex and Luke talk The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask . Majora's Mask is a standout title in The Legend of Zelda series known for its time-bending adventures and dark, compelling narrative. Developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64 in 2000, this game takes players on a race against time in the mysterious land of Termina, employing a unique mechanic of a three-day cycle and...