GOTY season is go!

As December approaches, my favourite season of the podcasting year is here. Every December, I rope in some guests, friends, and follow podcasters to discuss their favourite games of the year, with a particular emphasis on little cool Indies that may have fallen through the cracks.

The first guest is Brad Gallaway, a veteran game critic and host of the 'So... Videogames!' podcast. Brad had some wonderful picks as always, including a couple of lesser-spotted indies that went directly onto my wishlist.

Find So... Videogames!: https://gamecritics.com/category/podcasts/so-videogames/

Find Brad on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bradgallaway.bsky.social

Find GITW on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gaminginthewild.bsky.social

Follow the podcast Steam curator list: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/43457463-Gaming-in-the-Wild-%2528unofficial%2529/

Support Gaming In The Wild podcast on Patreon to join the listener community, and get a whole load of super secret bonus episodes: http://patreon.com/gaminginthewild

Heartfelt thanks to my 84 patrons for helping the show to run. Thanks everybody! ✌️

This week's episode is a spoiler-free deep dive into epic JRPG Metaphor: ReFantazio, after 40 hours of play.

In the roundup: Stray comes to Switch — but how much of the game made it? Plus Empire of the Ants, The Game Awards '24 nominees, and the arrival of the fantastic and much needed Indie Game Awards: check them out at http://indiegameawards.gg and help amplify what they're doing!

As always, thanks to the shows 84 patrons: join us yourself from the teeny tiny price of $1 a month to support this show — http://patreon.com/gaminginthewild. You get a patron-only Discord invite, and a catalogue of 14 bonus podcasts!

Also, feel free to say hi to me on social media — links via http://gaminginthewild.com.

Thanks for listening!

This episode's featured game is Europa: a lighter than air 3D platformer that's inspired by Studio Ghibli and Journey. It has a fresh look, satisfying flying and gliding, and a concise sci-fi story.

In the roundup — Metaphor: Refantazio, Eastward, Beastieball, Interstate 35, and more.

The month-ahead video for November: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k67NDK3nnmo

Support the show on Patreon to get 14 bonus episodes and join the show's lovely Discord community: http://patreon.com/gaminginthewild

Follow the show's Steam curator page: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/43457463-Gaming-in-the-Wild-%2528unofficial%2529/

Big thanks to my 84 patrons, and especially boss tier patrons Hollow & Mike Sampier.

Thanks for listening!

Wilmot Works It Out is a relaxing puzzle game about doing multiple jigsaws at once, with a tight core concept, a light, playful story, and a lot of charm.

In the roundup: Europa, RE4R, Drive Rally, and more.

Join the Patreon for 14 bonus episodes and more fun perks: http://patreon.com/gaminginthewild.

Find me on social media as @gaminginthewild.

Thanks for listening!

This episode takes a deep dive into the aesthetic, emotional, Ghibli-inspired world of Neva, the second Nomada Studios game after the beloved Gris. It has the same fantastic watercoloured art and emotional tone, and adds some more video gamey elements like health, combat, and fail states — for better, and for worse.

In the roundup: Cat Quest 3, Warhammer 40k: Space Marine II, the latest Xbox showcase, Wheel World, The Legend Of Baboo, FBC Firebreak, and more.

A link to that Pre-Order Bonus Podcast I mention, where I was a guest at talk about Star Wars Outlaws: https://www.buzzsprout.com/747596/episodes/15923732-star-wars-outlaws-w-john-from-gaming-in-the-wild

And a link to the show's Patreon — support the pod for bonus episodes, a Discord invite, patron-only behind-the-scenes blog posts, and more: http://patreon.com/gaminginthewild.

Thanks everyone!

This packed episode includes the Golden Joysticks nominees, some first thoughts on The Plucky Squire, and some final thoughts on Balatro and Star Wars Outlaws.

In the roundup: Stardiver, Frostpunk 2, NanoApostle, Phoenix Springs, Drive Rally, Mouthwashing and Clickholding.

And as always, thanks to all the show’s patrons - support this pod and get extra bonus podcasts at  http://patreon.com/gaminginthewild.

You can come say hi on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Twitch - links at http://gaminginthewild.com. And check out this Steam curator page made by podcast supporter Dovetail: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/43457463-Gaming-in-the-Wild-%2528unofficial%2529/  

Music this week: The Plucky Squire - Cosmic, Peace In Zip's Mug, Sunset / Balatro Theme / Night In The Wood - Possum Springs

Thanks for listening!

The pod's back with a review of lovely French indie game Caravan SandWitch. It's a mellow, low-key open world exploration game set on a dusty, post-industrial sci-fi planet. The game’s story and dialogue have problems, but driving your trusty yellow van around this gorgeous little world makes up for it.

Also mentioned: Astro Bot, Ghost of Yotei, The Midnight Walk, Fear The Spotlight, Lego Horizon, Horizon Zero Dawn, Soul Reaver: Legacy of Kain, Switch 2, Annapurna Interactive.

Support the pod and join the community: http://patreon.com/gaminginthewild.

Find me on all social media: @gaminginthewild.

Thanks to all the patrons, and especially boss tier patrons Schei Guy and Mike Sampier. Thanks for listening!

This week’s episode has some chat about Astro Bot, Arco and Star Wars Outlaws, before settling into a super fun listener Q&A about games, food, spoiler levels and preferences, travel destinations, and more. 

Thanks to all the show's patrons, and shout out to boss tier patrons Mike Sampier and Schei Guy! Join the Patreon at http://patreon.com/gaminginthewild for an invite to the patron-only discord, and to gain access to the bonus episode back catalogue.

Music this week: There Is A Then from 1000xRESIST, Silent Grove from Hauntii, and Possum Springs from Night In The Woods.

It’s the start of a new month, so this week’s pod takes a look at the top games that are coming out in September. We also recap the Nintendo Direct news, and talk more about Star Wars Outlaws. 

And as always, thanks to all the show’s 75 patrons - including boss tier patrons Schei Guy and Mike Sampier. Support this pod and get extra bonus podcasts at  http://patreon.com/gaminginthewild.

You can come say hi on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Twitch - links at http://gaminginthewild.com. And check out this Steam curator page made by podcast supporter Dovetail: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/43457463-Gaming-in-the-Wild-%2528unofficial%2529/  

Music this week:

Grass Valley from Islets / Mushroom Forest from Hauntii / Star Wars Outlaws theme / Possum Springs from Night In The Woods.

Thanks for listening!

I've been quietly playing Star Wars Outlaws all week, and dying to share some thoughts about it! It's good guys, and if you love original Star Wars and a bit of comfort food open world Ubi-stuff, you might be in for a treat.

And as always, thanks to all the show’s 76 patrons - support this pod and get extra bonus podcasts at  http://patreon.com/gaminginthewild.

You can come say hi on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Twitch - links at http://gaminginthewild.com. And check out this Steam curator page made by podcast supporter Dovetail: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/43457463-Gaming-in-the-Wild-%2528unofficial%2529/  

Music this week:

Stowaway from Armored Core VI, various tracks from Eco One, Possum Springs from Night In The Woods

Thanks for listening!