Geeks & Grounds

We've got to survive 15 days while the world falls apart outside. How did each of our adventures pan out? Dave (Tales from the Backlog) and I chat all about what it was like to play Look Outside, and share our thoughts on the game. #lookoutside #gamediscussion #indiegame 00:00 Welcome to Geeks & Grounds / Meet Dave!03:54 What kind of player is this game for?7:00 How did you approach tracking progress in this game?16:22 Discussing our adventures in the apartment complex.1:40:02 What will you takeaway from your time in the game?---------------------------------------------------------------✅Follow Dave and his work:https://talesfromthebacklog.fireside.fm/https://bsky.app/profile/realdavejackson.bsky.social✅Visit Geeks & Grounds' website for our newsletter sign-up, list of games for 2026, Bluesky link, and more: https://www.geeksandgrounds.com ✅Play Look Outside on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3373660/Look_Outside/Look Outside is a survival horror RPG set in a single apartment building. A mysterious event turns anyone who looks out the window into grotesque monsters, leaving the world in absolute chaos. Scavenge the building to seek food, supplies, and weapons while encountering strange characters.✅Listen to the Look Outside OST:https://lacedrecordsthehorrorvault.bandcamp.com/album/look-outside-original-soundtrack

Today, I'll be introducing our game of the month, Look Outside! I'll also share some Triple-I highlights, other games I think you should check out this October, and some of the spooky media I've been engaging with in addition to our game of the month. Let me know if you've been playing, and if you've got any comments or questions on your playthrough so far!00:00 Welcome to Geeks & Grounds02:10 The Pastry Case: Resident Evil (movie), Triple-I Showcase, Carrie17:39 Indiescovery: October24:17 This Month's Brew: Look Outside41:48 See you for our deep dive on Oct 27th!#indiegames #LookOutside #gamediscussion

In addition to sharing about our time at PAX West (and highlighting some incredible games we saw while there), it's time dive back into the (dungeons) of Yakuza: Like A Dragon!#YakuzaLikeADragon #gamediscussion---------------------------------------------------------------✅ Find Matt here: https://djstormageddon.com/✅Visit Geeks & Grounds' website for our newsletter sign-up, list of games for 2026, Bluesky link, and more: https://www.geeksandgrounds.com ✅Play Yakuza Like A Dragon on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1235140/Yakuza_Like_a_Dragon/Become Ichiban Kasuga, a low-ranking yakuza grunt left on the brink of death by the man he trusted most. Take up your legendary bat and get ready to crack some underworld skulls in dynamic RPG combat set against the backdrop of modern-day Japan.

We're discussing the final section of the game, and it's FULL of unexpected twists and turns! Join us as we run a political campaign, run up to the top of a lot of buildings, and finally see the conclusion to this game about what it means to climb up from the bottom. #yakuzalikeadragon #gamediscussion #gamepodcast 00:00 Welcome to Geeks & Grounds02:33 Chapter 10: Justice Tempered by Mercy23:35 Chapter 11: The Odds47:14 Chapter 12: The End of the Yakuza1:26:28 Chapter 13: Coin Locker Baby1:45:02 Chapter 14: Passing the Torch2:09:06 Chapter 15: To The Pinnacle02:49:04 Final Thoughts + Community Messages03:02:04 See you in October -- we're playing Look Outside---------------------------------------------------------------✅ Find Matt here: https://djstormageddon.com/✅Visit Geeks & Grounds' website for our newsletter sign-up, list of games for 2026, Bluesky link, and more: https://www.geeksandgrounds.com ✅Play Yakuza: Like A Dragon on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/12...

Are you ready to be the best? Time to start discussing Yakuza: Like A Dragon, and we're delving into Chapters 1-4 today (we didn't have time for chapter 5, as originally planned, but we'll add that to our next episode! 🙏 Thanks for your understanding!)

00:00 Welcome to Geeks & Grounds

02:32 Remembering 2001

07:21 Chapter 1: Light and Shadow

53:56 Chapter 2: A Bloody Reunion

01:13:35 Chapter 3: The Town At Rock Bottom

01:49:48 Chapter 4: The Dragon of Yokohama

02:12:01 Reflection: Life is a ???

02:17:53 Brewing for next time!

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✅ Find Matt here: https://djstormageddon.com/

✅Visit Geeks & Grounds' website for our newsletter sign-up, list of games for 2026, Bluesky link, and more: https://www.geeksandgrounds.com

✅Play Yakuza: Like A Dragon on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1235140/Yakuza_Like_a_Dragon/

Become Ichiban Kasuga, a low-ranking yakuza grunt left on the brink of death by the man he trusted most. Take up your legendary bat and get ready to crack some underworld skulls in dynamic RPG combat set against the backdrop of modern-day Japan.

We're back after a summer break, and ready to hop into our next game, Yakuza: Like A Dragon. Since this is a heftier title, we're taking two months with it, playing it from August all the way through September. Fortunately, I've got an incredible co-host with me who is a Yakuza expert: Matt aka DJ Stormageddon of Fun 'N Games Podcast!

00:00 Welcome to Geeks & Grounds

03:55 The Pastry Case: Meet this month's co-host, Matt.

27:02 The Pastry Case: What we're excited about!

43:51 The Pastry Case: August Indiescovery

01:04:41 This Month's Brew: Yakuza: Like A Dragon

Wild hearts never die! Today, Josh and Jenny repair a shattered heart, talking through the emotional and narrative significance of each track in Sayonara Wild Hearts, both within the game itself and on personal levels.

Sayonara Wild Hearts is a dreamy arcade game about riding motorcycles, skateboarding, dance battling, shooting lasers, wielding swords, and breaking hearts at 200 mph.---------------------------------------------------------------✅Find Josh's work via Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/intelligame✅Visit Geeks & Grounds' website for our newsletter sign-up, list of games for 2026, Bluesky link, and more: https://www.geeksandgrounds.com ✅Play Sayonara Wild Hearts on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1122720/Sayonara_Wild_Hearts/

We begin (again) with our dear friend Josh Boykin, back for a second round of co-hosting Geeks & Grounds! Today, we have a special focus on SGF and all the indie showcases that'll be happening -- and their industry-wide impact -- as well as introducing Sayonara Wild Hearts, the game for June!

This game isn't a love story...not like we think, anyways! Join us as we discuss UNBEATABLE, a narrative meets rhythm game where music is illegal, and we're committing crimes.#podcast #unbeatablegame #indiegame #geeksandgrounds #gamediscussion ---------------------------------------------------------------

✅See Kate and Emily at nosmallgames.com for all of their review, podcast, and streaming content!✅Visit Geeks & Grounds' website for our newsletter sign-up, list of games for 2026, Bluesky link, and more: https://www.geeksandgrounds.com ✅Play UNBEATABLE on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2240620/UNBEATABLE/UNBEATABLE is a rhythm adventure where music is illegal and you do crimes. Follow the story of Beat and her band on the run, in a narrative experience full of big emotions powered by arcade-flawless rhythm gameplay.---------------------------------------------------------------

Music is illegal, and we do crimes in this month's brew: UNBEATABLE! I'm joined by Emily and Kate, of No Small Games, and not only do we introduce this exciting rhythm game as our May selection, but we also delve into the May indies we're most excited to play.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Welcome to Geeks & Grounds

01:28 Meet May's Co-hosts ~ No Small Games

16:33 What We're Excited About

35:30 May Indiescovery

50:23 This Month's Brew: UNBEATABLE

58:53 Discussing UNBEATABLE's themes + questions to ponder (no story spoilers)

1:30:00 Tips / Things To Know When Playing UNBEATABLE

1:33:20 This Month's Reflection Question + Activity

1:34:00 See you on May 19th for the UNBEATABLE discussion episode!

#indiegame #gamediscussion #unbeatablegame #geeksandgrounds #gamepodcast ---------------------------------------------------------------✅Find No Small Games via their website for podcasts, reviews, and streams from Emily + Kate: https://www.nosmallgames.com

✅Visit Geeks & Grounds' website for our newsletter sign-up, list of games for 2026, Bluesky link, and more: https://www.geeksandgrounds.com ✅Play UNBEATABLE on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2240620/UNBEATABLE

UNBEATABLE is a rhythm adventure where music is illegal and you do crimes. Follow the story of Beat and her band on the run, in a narrative experience full of big emotions powered by arcade-flawless rhythm gameplay.---------------------------------------------------------------

In today's episode, we explore what it means to pursue a craft, what happens when that craft turns from hobby to obligation, and the role community can play in enabling creative pursuits. We also discuss the main question of the month: what is your relationship to your creative self, your creativity, and your craft?

#indiegame #gamediscusion #chicoryacolorfultale #geeksandgrounds---------------------------------------------------------------✅Visit Geeks & Grounds' website for our newsletter sign-up, list of games for 2026, Bluesky link, and more: https://www.geeksandgrounds.com

✅Find Josh Boykin at twitch.tv/intelligame✅Play Chicory: A Colorful Tale on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1123450/Chicory_A_Colorful_Tale

Spring has sprung, and I'm joined by the wonderful Josh Boykin of Intelligame! We're enjoying the season by celebrating the indies that're releasing in April and introducing you to our game of the month:, Chicory: A Colorful Tale!00:19 Welcome to Geeks & Grounds03:33 The Pastry Case - Introducing Josh Boykin29:39 The Pastry Case - What We're Excited About59:05 April Indiescovery01:14:02 This Month's Brew - Introducing Chicory: A Colorful Tale---------------------------------------------------------------✅Visit Geeks & Grounds' website for our newsletter sign-up, list of games for 2026, Bluesky link, and more: https://www.geeksandgrounds.com ✅Play Chicory: A Colorful Tale on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1123450/Chicory_A_Colorful_Tale/

Is blood truly thicker than syrup? What did we learn about the Roottree family? I'm joined be @PeachyAenne to discuss our thoughts on The Roottrees are Dead!#TheRoottreesareDead #puzzlegame #gamediscussion #indiegame

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✅ Find Aenne via @stumpt for multiplayer content, @PeachyAenne for Pokemon content, and as "PeachyAenne" across social media (IG, Bluesky). Finally, you can wishlist their games on Steam- First Bite: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1834820/First_Bite/- Arcade Spirits: https://store.steampowered.com/app/910630/Arcade_Spirits/✅Visit Geeks & Grounds' website for our newsletter sign-up, list of games for 2026, Bluesky link, and more: https://www.geeksandgrounds.com ✅Play The Roottrees are Dead on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2754380/The_Roottrees_are_Dead/A genealogical mystery straight out of 1998. Scour the early Internet for clues, uncover hidden connections, and piece together the family tree behind the secretive Roottree Corporation.

It's a walk down memory lane this week with Aenne of Stumpt Gamers! Aenne, as a puzzle pro, will be joining as this months' co-host during what will now be our internet sleuthing era: that's right, we're playing another deductive game: The Roottrees are Dead. While I think this game definitely is less layered and symbolic than last month's title, Kentucky Route Zero, I do think there's a lot to reflect on (especially as someone who spends a lot of time online).

Celebrity obsession, our fascination on "finding the truth" with gossip, family power and dynamics, and the ways the internet has evolved. We do a lot of reminiscing this week, and I look forward to seeing how things actually pan out when we do our deep dive on the game.

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✅ Find Aenne on YouTube as Stumpt or PeachyAenne, and as "PeachyAenne" across social media (IG, Bluesky). You can also wishlist their games on Steam - First Bite and Arcade Spirits! ✅Visit Geeks & Grounds' website for our newsletter sign-up, list of games for 2026, Bluesky link, and more: https://www.geeksandgrounds.com✅Play The Roottrees are Dead on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2754380/The_Roottrees_are_Dead/A genealogical mystery straight out of 1998. Scour the early Internet for clues, uncover hidden connections, and piece together the family tree behind the secretive Roottree Corporation.

The Zero is calling -- fortunately I've got @KatieAndCatburger here for this episode, joining to discuss each of the acts in the layered masterpiece, Kentucky Route Zero, some of our favorite moments, and the meaning we made on this month's particular playthrough.#indiegame #gamediscussion #kentuckyroutezero Find and support Katie's work:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KatieAndCatburger/videos Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/katieandcatburger.bsky.social Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/KatieandCatburger ---------------------------------------------------------------✅Visit Geeks & Grounds' website for our newsletter sign-up, list of games for 2025, Bluesky link, and more: https://www.geeksandgrounds.com ✅Play Kentucky Route Zero on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/231200/Kentucky_Route_Zero_PC_Edition/KENTUCKY ROUTE ZERO is a magical realist adventure game in five acts, featuring a haunting electronic score, and a suite of hymns and bluegrass standards recorded by The Bedquilt Ramblers. Rendered in a striking visual style that draws as much from theater, film, and experimental electronic art as it does from the history of videogames, this is a story of unpayable debts, abandoned futures, and the human drive to find community.

In the café today, I'm joined by the lovely Katie, of Katie and Catburger as we introduce the game for February: Kentucky Route Zero! Of course, we take small detours before we get to the meat of our discussion, chatting a bit about Katie's work (and favorite caffeinated beverage), some of our February highlights for released titles, and what we've been excited about outside of the game of the month. Grab a warm cuppa, settle in, and hope you enjoy!#indiegame #gamediscussion #kentuckyroutezeroFind and support Katie's work:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KatieAndCatburger/videos Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/katieandcatburger.bsky.social Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/KatieandCatburger ---------------------------------------------------------------✅Visit Geeks & Grounds' website for our newsletter sign-up, list of games for 2025, Bluesky link, and more: https://www.geeksandgrounds.com ✅Play Kentucky Route Zero on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/231200/Kentucky_Route_Zero_PC_Edition/KENTUCKY ROUTE ZERO is a magical realist adventure game in five acts, featuring a haunting electronic score, and a suite of hymns and bluegrass standards recorded by The Bedquilt Ramblers. Rendered in a striking visual style that draws as much from theater, film, and experimental electronic art as it does from the history of videogames, this is a story of unpayable debts, abandoned futures, and the human drive to find community.---------------------------------------------------------------

Today we have the pleasure of a bonus episode! Jenny and Enzi chat about the making of Gas Station Story: where Enzi draws inspiration, their favorite gas station snack, and the future of the world that we discovered in this incredible indie! Hope you enjoy!

The world is burning, but we have a job to do! What was life like as a gas station clerk in our first game of 2026? Join me and Chris in our discussion of Gas Station Story! (Also, if you played and enjoyed the game, consider leaving a review on their Steam page!)

Donate to MinnMax's fundraiser for the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota: https://www.givemn.org/story/26b49f

00:00 Welcome to Geeks & Grounds

03:49 The Pastry Case: Abolish ICE + Supporting Minnesota (and your communities)

11:56 The Pastry Case: What we're excited about!

30:49 Gas Station Story: Non-Spoilers

46:45 Gas Station Story: Deep Dive

02:30:21 Community Questions

02:54:20 Next Month: Kentucky Route Zero

Find ⁨@HonestIndies⁩

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@HonestIndies/videos⁠

Substack: ⁠https://honestindies.substack.com/⁠

Twitch: ⁠https://www.twitch.tv/honestindies⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/honestindies⁠

Find Geeks & Grounds: ⁠

https://www.geeksandgrounds.com⁠

Find Jenny:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennywindom

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/kimchica

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kimchica

---------------------------------------------------------------✅Visit Geeks & Grounds' website for our newsletter sign-up, list of games for 2025, Bluesky link, and more: https://www.geeksandgrounds.com

✅Play Gas Station Story on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2741780/Gas_Station_Story/

Happy new year! This month, I'm joined by Chris (Honest Indies) to introduce our monthly brew: Gas Station Story. Of course, we kick off with some chill discussion, learning about their incredible experiences in the music industry, and compare just a handful of our most anticipated games of 2026.

00:00 Welcome to Geeks & Grounds

04:22 The Pastry Case: Meeting Chris (Honest Indies)

20:47 The Pastry Case: Stuff We're Excited About

41:29 Indiescovery: Most Anticipated of 2026

01:27:03 This Month's Brew: Introducing Gas Station Story

02:03:27 See you next time!Find Honest Indies:

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@HonestIndies/videos⁠

Substack: ⁠https://honestindies.substack.com/⁠

Twitch: ⁠https://www.twitch.tv/honestindies⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/honestindies⁠

Find Geeks & Grounds: ⁠https://www.geeksandgrounds.com

⁠Find Jenny:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennywindom

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/kimchica

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kimchica

We arrive to Zanarkand and conclude our pilgrimage on today's episode of Geeks & Grounds! Joined by Dave (Tales From The Backlog), we discuss faith, character evolutions, and what it means to think of the generations beyond your own.

00:00 Welcome to Geeks & Grounds

02:38 The Pastry Case: G&G Community Selections

07:35 The Pastry Case: What We're Excited About

22:54 This Month's Brew: Final Fantasy X - Part 02

01:36:19 Start of an OG FF7 Spoiler (just to be safe)

01:37:03 Click here to skip an OG FF7 Spoiler!

02:54:58 In Defense of Final Fantasy X-2

03:02:35 Looking for games similar to FFX?

03:15:33 See you next year when we play Gas Station Story!

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✅Visit Geeks & Grounds' website for our newsletter sign-up, list of games for 2025, Bluesky link, and more: https://www.geeksandgrounds.com

✅ Find Tales From the Backlong: https://talesfromthebacklog.fireside.fm/

✅Play Final Fantasy X on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/359870/FINAL_FANTASY_XX2_HD_Remaster/

FINAL FANTASY X/X-2 HD Remaster celebrates two of the most cherished and beloved entries to the world-renowned franchise, completely remastered in gorgeous High Definition & now available on PC / Windows!

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