We begin our ascent, and learn that this tower holds far more secrets than initially let on! Jenny and Joel discuss their initial impressions of Jusant's mechanics and stories, and start to theorize on what'll be in store for the rest of the tale.

We must climb, but at least we will climb together! This month for Geeks & Grounds, we're playing Jusant -- hear all about this meditative game and why we're excited to talk about it together. 

Media Discussed

In Stars and Time: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1677310/In_Stars_And_Time/

Suika Game: https://www.suikagame.com

Find Geeks & Grounds social channels and the newsletter sign-up at GeeksAndGrounds.com

Thanks for listening!

We get a bit chaotic as we delve into each of the community game nominations for next year's community selections in this special episode of Geeks & Grounds!

00:00 Welcome to Geeks & Grounds

02:34 The Pastry Case: SAG-AFTRA victories, Revenant Hill updates, and The Game Awards nominations.

25:40 This Month's Brew: Talking through the 16 community nominated titles for next year!

01:14:38 See you next time!

Want to place your votes for what to play? Head over here: https://app.rankedvote.co/rv/u9ur5a651ak4zfw8v8/vote

What happens when you put one universe into another? That's what happens in Cocoon, the indie game we discuss (spoilers ahoy!) in this episode of Geeks & Grounds.

00:00 Welcome to Geeks & Grounds

02:30 The Pastry Case: Devolver Digital Acquires System Era, Co-op Titles, Metacritic Scores, Slay the Princess, and more. 

37:13 This Month's Brew: Cocoon Spoiler Discussion

01:13:49  Last housekeeping (remember to vote!) and see you next time!

Show Notes: https://plump-goldenrod-77e.notion.site/Nov-6-2023-Cocoon-Spoilercast-4b094b134ca145828427dad8cc9b2de8?pvs=4

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From Jeppe Carlsen, the lead gameplay designer of LIMBO and INSIDE — COCOON takes you on an adventure across worlds within worlds. Master world-leaping mechanics and solve intricate puzzles to unravel a cosmic mystery.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1497440/COCOON/

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Hear the buzz about the game we’re playing this November, along with the first in what may be a future Geeks & Grounds community tradition: voting on next year's titles! 

**Time Stamps**

00:00 Welcome to Geeks & Grounds

03:50 Special November Event: Voting for Next Year’s Games!

11:01 The Pastry Case: Hozier, The Fall of House of Usher, and more.

29:34 This Month’s Brew: Cocoon

**Pastry Case Links:**

Hozier’s New Album: https://hozier.com/

The Fall of the House of Usher: https://www.netflix.com/title/81414665

The Wheel of Time: https://www.amazon.com/Wheel-Time-Season-1/dp/B09F59CZ7R

Gen V: https://www.amazon.com/Gen-V-Season-1/dp/B0CBFTRGPZ

Enter the Dadlands: https://maximumfun.org/episodes/adventure-zone/the-adventure-zone-dadlands/

Jusant: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1977170/Jusant/

Getting Over it With Bennett Foddy: https://store.steampowered.com/app/240720/Getting_Over_It_with_Bennett_Foddy/

The final section of Bramble: The Mountain King is a rough one with both highs and lows. Listen to find out what we love about this finale -- and how did we decided the game should be re-written!

00:00 Welcome to Geeks & Grounds

06:22 The Pastry Case: What's an indie game and does it matter? Plus, Sufjan Stevens, Paramore, and Fourth Wing.

38:53 This Month's Brew: The final Bramble discussion, from the Swamp Witch to the End Credits. Spoilers galore!

01:58:12 See you next time!

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This Month's Brew

Bramble The Mountain King is a grim adventure set in a world inspired by dark, Nordic fables. Explore the beautiful yet dangerous and twisted land of Bramble in your endeavour to rescue your sister. Traverse a wondrous landscape and survive deadly encounters with Bramble's many hideous creatures.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1623940/Bramble_The_Mountain_King/

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Links &  Resources Mentioned:

Article: "Does It Matter If Dave The Diver Is An Indie Game Or Not?"

https://www.thegamer.com/dave-the-diver-indie-game-mintrocket-nexon/

Album: Jufjan Stevens, Javelin

https://javelin.sufjan.com/

Album: Paramore, RE: This is Why

https://www.paramore.net/autoplay=true

Book: Max Fixher, The Chaos Machine

https://www.amazon.com/Chaos-Machine-Inside-Social-Rewired/dp/031670332X

Book: Fourth Wing

https://www.amazon.com/Fourth-Wing-Empyrean-Rebecca-Yarros/dp/1649374046

Anime: Good Night, World

https://www.netflix.com/title/81340213

Article: "We Should Retire the Word 'Terrorism'"

https://www.hamiltonnolan.com/p/retire-the-word-terrorism?r=f8dvm&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

Book: Brandon Sanderson, Yumi and the Nightmare Painter

https://www.dragonsteelbooks.com/products/yumi-and-the-nightmare-painter-premium-hardcover-book

Game: Black Tabby Studios, Slay the Princess

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1989270/Slay_the_Princess/

Game: Winters Group Estate, Moonlight in Garland

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1441770/Moonlight_In_Garland/

Game: Volcano Bean, Battlecakes

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1062860/BattleCakes/

Interview: NPR, "Game Mode Gets Cozy" 

https://www.npr.org/2023/10/10/1198908423/1a-draft-10-10-2023

Article: "We Should Retire the Word 'Terrorism'"

https://www.hamiltonnolan.com/p/retire-the-word-terrorism

The  woods become a place of highs and lows, true beauty and horror for Olle in this week's discussion of Bramble: The Mountain the King. We discuss the second and third major bosses of the game, the Nacken and the Karraxuh, and the context of both.

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This week, Joel and I ponder if memes are modern-day folklore, we share our love of Mineko's Night Market (despite some rough areas), and head into the woods for our first official discussion on Bramble! Gather your gnomes, keep an eye out  for trolls, and enjoy!  

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This month, we're delving into a ~horror~ game, while exploring the folklore that inspired it! It's time to announce our October brew for Geeks & Grounds!

#indiegame #horrorgaming #bramblethemountainking

Content Notes & Warnings: 

Throughout the game, you will meet and defeat monsters in the form of bosses. These scenes will be violent and bloody. Some of the monsters may have human traits, but all are monsters/creatures in Nordic folklore. In addition, you will be able to see dead creatures or animals in magical forests, these create storytelling around the trolls' everyday life. Some fantasy creatures have bodies that resemble the human shape, sometimes they appear semi-nude or wearing revealing clothing.

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Bramble The Mountain King is a grim adventure set in a world inspired by dark, Nordic fables. Explore the beautiful yet dangerous and twisted land of Bramble in your endeavour to rescue your sister. Traverse a wondrous landscape and survive deadly encounters with Bramble's many hideous creatures.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1623940/Bramble_The_Mountain_King/

Our finale and full spoilercast of The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood! Jenny and Joel share what each of their endings entailed and their final feelings about the game. They also talk fun recent events like Portland Snackfest and the continuing allure of playing Baldur's Gate 3!

00:00 Welcome to Geeks & Grounds

02:11 The Pastry Case: Baldur's Gate 3, Fae Farm, Snackfest, Unity Updates, and More!

24:48 The Monthly Brew: The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood - Chapters 5, 6, and 7! Full spoilercast ahead!

01:22:17 Quick Content Warning Note Re: Simulated Car Accidents in Schools/Churches used as "Education" 

01:25:34 Skipping ahead to the rest of The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood Spoilercast

01:38:52 Thanks for joining us!

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Immerse yourself in an enchanting narrative experience as Fortuna, a fortune-teller Witch condemned to exile on her asteroid home. Craft your own Tarot deck, regain your freedom, and shape the fate of the cosmic Witch society.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1340480/The_Cosmic_Wheel_Sisterhood/