The Tyranny of Thumbs

For this lowkey fireside chat (aka Minisode) McCoy is joined by Matt (our resident Nintendo expert) and Elena to talk about Nintendo's new Stardew Valley clone Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Just kidding, or am I? Don't worry, we settle that straight away.   Stay safe out there. -----   Would you believe it? We've elevated our  Instagram  to something we actually use!!! Check it out for updates on...

Doesn't it feel like a lifetime since we last recorded a mainline ToT? This week we wrap up our Detroit: Become Human and realize that even the title is hitting you over the head with the game's themes... Prepare for another episode where we discuss David Cage's heavy utilization of common story tropes as McCoy breaks a sweat hovering his hand over the censor button because someone wants to talk a...

And now for something completely different! Welcome to a new format of podcast called the "Minisode". Here we talk about games we are currently playing or playing on the side without the strict game club format. Could be current games, could be games James just can't stop playing (like Hades) or honestly who knows the near limitless potential of this new format. Shall we all figure it out together...

So... life is a bit strange right now. But, thankfully, we are gamers. Gamers are strong. Gamers are the king of social distancing and isolation. We got this! If you want to follow along here is our rough game schedule: 01) "The Hostage" -> 11) "From the Dead" 12) "Waiting for Hank" -> 23) "Stratford Tower" 24) "Public Enemy" -> End (Note: We play through the last chapter in a section) -----   Wou...

Come one come all. I hear this is an actually good decision game! Let's talk about it! *The Council fans look up, wince, look back down again in utter defeat...* *"Mother..." they say quietly to themselves*    Also featuring COD:Warzone, shooting guns on stream and throwing cats.   If you want to follow along here is our rough game schedule: 01) "The Hostage" -> 11) "From the Dead" 12) "Waiting fo...

This week we take a break from long story-based games to relax and play a beautiful interactive art experience.... or game... called Gorogoa! We also talk about games to play on your shiny new PC and how to handle it when people online are slightly negative to you (hint, the answer is to stalk them online?) -----   Would you believe it? We've elevated our  Instagram  to something we actually use!!...

This week we gather to discuss the exciting conclusion to The Council. You may be aware that are those among us who have had their doubts as to how this game will possibly tie this story up... but fear not... on this week's episode we painstakingly review each diverging storyline and what can ONLY be described as this game's flawless landing. Mother? Father?? Sister??? What the hell is going on!!!...

Ok... so we didn't get through all of Chapter 3 for the podcast this week but don't fear. We haven't given up hope yet. Not to mention, this created some space for gaming news and candy eating ASMR. Worth? Wanna play along? Here is our adjusted schedule: Week 1: Episode 1 Week 2: Ep. 2 -> Ep. 3.1 Week 3: Ep. 3.2 -> Ep. 5 SomeBODY Once Told Me  (Caution LOUD... but awesome)  -----   Hype Videos are...

This week we start our journey into The Council ... but what we find is... well strange... this doesn't seem like what our mother would do... let's explore further... There has to be something going on here... She wouldn't have gone missing without telling us... that just doesn't seem like her at all!   Join us for our Council Playthrough: Week 1: Episode 1 Week 2: Episodes 2 & 3 Week 3: Episodes...

This week our "One Person Wonders" block comes to bare its final fruit for the season with nothing less than Stardew Valley. What an incredible game. "Wouldn't it be a shame if I spawned 999 lamposts?" - Redhead Symbol, Baby Chick Symbol (aka Gabe) Return of Obra Dinn Undertale Stardew Valley   -----   Hype Videos are raining from the sky! (It must have been because of that one 5 star review that...

This week, as we continue in our "One Person Wonders" block, many of us return to a game that we put down or skipped past years ago only to hear it brought up again, and again, and then again, and then in a meme, and then oh god now it's on Tik Tok... What is happening to the youth? The one, the only: Undertale. Return of Obra Dinn Undertale Stardew Valley   -----   Hype Videos are raining from th...

This week we board the Obra Dinn to find out what happened to its ill-fated crew. In the process of doing that though, what we really find is a masterpiece that flew under the radar for many.  Join us for the "One Person Wonders" block where we play a series of games all made by one developer and marvel at what can be only described as the talent gulf between these people and... us. Return of Obra...

We start the year off RIGHT with nothing less than a true masterpiece: Campo Santo's Firewatch. If you haven't played this game, what are you waiting for? You are in for a treat.   In many ways, I envy you. -----   Hype Videos are raining from the sky! (It must have been because of that one 5 star review that liked one :D. How could we stop after that encouragement?) The OG (The Bioshock 2 Big Sis...

Did we say the Drunkisode was the season-ender? Whoops, we forgot about a little thing called Game of The Year. In these series of episodes we go through the games we played on the podcast this year and have them duke it out in a host of categories including: Best Narrative Best Collective Experience  Biggest Surprise Biggest Disappointment Best Visual Experience Worst Game  Best Game    On this e...

Did we say the Drunkisode was the season-ender? Whoops, we forgot about a little thing called Game of The Year. In these series of episodes we go through the games we played on the podcast this year and have them duke it out in a host of categories including: Best Narrative Best Collective Experience  Biggest Surprise Biggest Disappointment Best Visual Experience Worst Game  Best Game    On this e...

Did we say the Drunkisode was the season-ender? Whoops, we forgot about a little thing called Game of The Year. In these series of episodes we go through the games we played on the podcast this year and have them duke it out in a host of categories including: Best Narrative Best Collective Experience  Biggest Surprise Biggest Disappointment Best Visual Experience Worst Game  Best Game    On this e...

This week is the thrilling conclusion to our 3-week dive into Heavy Rain. What better way to end the year and enter the holiday season but to play a game that has aged like fine milk?  For context, we recorded this moments after finishing the game together and are still riding that high. For many of us it's late, we are all bit loopy, perhaps a bit tipsy and make no mistake... McCoy is trashed. If...

What better way to end the year and enter the holiday season but to play a game that has aged like fine milk? This week we continue our 3-week dive into Heavy Rain. This time though, the only professional cat herder among us can't make the playthrough and things really go off the rails. If you listen closely in this episode you can hear the puzzle pieces slowly click into place as Zoë starts to re...

What better way to end the year and enter the holiday season but to play a game that has aged like fine milk? This week we start our 3-week dive into Heavy Rain and we play it together! But don't worry, we won't take it too seriously if you won't. In fact, I'm not sure some of us could take it seriously even if we tried. Good thing we didn't even attempt it. If you want to follow along, check out...

If "Baba" is "You" and "The Tyranny of Thumbs Podcast" is "Win".... well you know what to do... Give this week's episode a listen! This week we played Baba is You . A delightful puzzle game that challenges your preconceived notions of what is "True" in a puzzle game. Just be careful. This game is capable of shredding your mind leaving you defenseless to such timeless temptations like "Sitting on y...

Glory to Arstotzka! Where are you from? Perfect. You have been randomly selected for a strip search. Please step into our booth this week as we discuss Papers, Please. The thrilling conclusion to our Document Thriller block. Ever felt like your job wasn't stressful enough? Ever felt like your country gave you too many liberties? Paid you too much money? Why not spend an afternoon feeling like some...

  Buckle up and put your recording socks on your door handles because the Tyranny of Thumbs is back with another episode of our Dystopia block. This time with Orwell: Keeping an Eye on You (specifically that one, not the "Ignorance is Strength" one... Trust us. We almost made that mistake). Yo, do you think it's fucked up that someone has unrestricted access to your IMs, emails, cell phones, compu...

Things are back to normal this week after the Spooky Games Month (and the proceeding break episode)... or are they? I don't know if we've fully recovered. That stuff was scary... man. Send your love to James. Anyways, this week we enter a whole new themed block courtesy of Adam: The Dystopia Block. I woUld TEll yOU mOrE buT I'm afrAiD tHey aRE waTCHing uS... For those of you following along, I've...

This week on the Tyranny of Thumbs we take a break! No game this week, just come by and chill with us as we talk about the games we play when there isn't the Game Club. Oh, and McCoy rants about Youtube's design that is actively fighting against the user's ability to organize their content and with it their thoughts. If you listen closely you will note that no else cares even a little bit. Hype Vi...

This week we realize that Yomawari: Night Alone is the Dark Souls of scary games and yet we also simultaneously find out that scary games and Dark Souls don't really mix. Wanna find out why? Listen to this episode that you already clearly have queued up on your iPhone or something! Deliberations Episode : The one where we decide the list! Week 1: 3 (short!) games in one!  The Static Speaks My Name...