Grow Up Level Up

Are you sleeping on Henry Halfhead? In this episode of Grow Up Level Up: Sunset Selects, we jump (possess?) into one of the most unexpectedly joyful indie games of 2025: Henry Halfhead. 🎮✨ Thank you to our friends at Popagenda for providing a review copy of the game!

We explore how this charming title tackles aging, joy, and play, and why it might just be the game you didn’t know you needed. Plus, we talk Pokémon Let’s Go as a gateway game, and wrestle with the beautiful frustration of Silksong.

🕹️ What We Cover:

🎭 Themes of growing old in Henry Halfhead

🧠 Mental health in games like Psychonauts 2

⚔️ Our pain with Silksong

💡 Pokémon Let’s Go: Best intro for new players

#HenryHalfhead #IndieGames #GameReview #GrowUpLevelUp

📝 Developed by Zürich-based Lululu Entertainment and co-published by Popagenda, Henry Halfhead launched Sept 16, 2025 on Steam, Epic, PS5 & Switch. A $12.99 indie gem where you become everyday objects to solve life’s quirky puzzles. Get the game here: https://henrygame.com/

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00:00 Introduction

06:49 Review of Henry Halfhead Game

22:59 Pokemon Let's Go Discussion

41:01 Diving into Psychonauts 2

50:04 Silksong Check-In

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We’ve spent one week with Hollow Knight: Silksong, and now we’re asking the big question: is it worth your 5–9 after your 9–5? 🎮

In this episode, we share our first impressions of Team Cherry’s long-awaited Metroidvania sequel. From stunning art and music to brutally tough boss fights and frustrating exploration, we cover what makes Silksong both unforgettable and unforgiving.

If you’re debating whether Silksong deserves your free time after work, this review is for you.

⏱️ Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Hollow Knight Silksong
02:54 First Impressions and Gameplay Experience
06:02 Game Mechanics and Challenges
08:54 Art Style and Visuals
11:52 Sound Design and Music
15:05 Exploration and Map Mechanics
17:59 Gripes and Suggestions for Improvement
33:28 The Hunter's March Challenge
38:59 Exploration and Upgrades
46:05 MORE Gripes and Accessibility
56:22 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

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🌐 Stay Connected
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💬 Join the Community
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🎙️ We sit down with Mary, founder of Hot Girls Love Pokémon, to talk about building safe, inclusive communities for women & queer Pokémon fans in Vancouver. 🌈✨

Connect with HGLP: https://www.instagram.com/hotgirlslovepokemon/

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Chapters
00:00 Introduction
05:43 Building a Community for Women and Queer People
12:09 The Aesthetic and Branding of Hot Girls Love Pokemon
17:40 Advice for Aspiring Community Leaders
22:27 Challenges in Organizing Events
25:58 Future Events and Activities
32:28 The Role of Allies in Support
34:55 Getting Involved with Hot Girls Love Pokemon
38:08 Aspirations Beyond Pokemon

Stay connected:
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/growuplevelup.bsky.social
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growuplevelup/
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Follow Samson:
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/smsn.bsky.social
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/samsonxp_

Follow Jordan:
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Join our Discord:
https://discord.gg/Fmzgcxar5b

Subscribe and follow for more:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@growuplevelup
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What's up, everyone, and welcome back to Sunset Selects! In this episode, we're jumping into the early access preview of EA's Skate, the long-awaited return of the legendary skateboarding franchise. We've been waiting for a new Skate for years, but with a free-to-play model and an "always online" approach, is this the revival we've been hoping for?

Join hosts Samson and Jordan as they dive deep into the new Skate. Jordan, a recent convert to the world of skateboarding, shares his unique perspective on the game's feel and connection to skate culture. We'll be breaking down the improved flick controls, the state of character customization, and the overall gameplay mechanics. We'll also be discussing the game's monetization strategies, the lack of a fully fleshed-out music selection, and the generic feel of the art style.

Hit the like button if you're excited about the new Skate! Let us know in the comments below: are you a veteran of the franchise or a new skater like Jordan? What are your thoughts on the early access?

Chapters00:00 Introduction to Skate and Early Access Preview02:47 Jordan's Experience with Skating and Early Access05:32 Game Features and Release Information08:29 Skateboarding Culture and Personal Impressions11:16 Character Customization and Music13:43 Monetization and Shop Pricing16:32 Controls and Gameplay Mechanics19:22 Map Design and Exploration22:18 Visual Style and Art Direction24:59 Goofy Elements and Game Feel32:10 Character Customization and Art Style36:02 Corporate Feel and Character Interaction39:55 Gameplay Mechanics and Fun Elements41:36 Motivation and Storytelling in Gameplay48:15 User Interface and Presentation49:11 Always Online Experience and Connectivity Issues52:39 Outro

Stay connected:BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/growuplevelup.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/growuplevelup/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@growuplevelup?lang=en

Follow Samson:BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/smsn.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/samsonxp/Twitter: https://twitter.com/samsonxp_

Follow Jordan:BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/sirdrjm.bsky.social

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Subscribe and follow for more:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@growuplevelupSpotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/growuplevelup

Join Samson and Jordan as they break down the biggest gaming news from the past week! In this episode of Sunset Selects, we dive into the Pokémon competitive scene, sharing insights from the thrilling Pokémon Trading Card Game and our predictions for Pokémon Worlds 2026.

But the discussion doesn't stop with Pokémon! We also explore the serene and beautiful visuals of Sword of the Sea and get a special preview of the nostalgic gameplay in Kirby Air Riders. The hype is real for Hollow Knight Silksong, and we're sharing our thoughts (as former players and newcomers!) on what to expect. Finally, we preview a new roguelite that has us hooked: Raccoin, a unique indie game that combines coin-pushing with engaging mechanics.

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Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Giveaway Announcement
02:56 Pokémon World Championships Overview and News
22:50 Pokémon Worlds 2026?
30:40 Introducing Pokémon to a New Generation: Pokémon Let’s Go!
36:45 Exploring Sword of the Sea
47:27 Kirby Air Riders
55:58 Hollow Knight Silksong: Anticipation and Reflection
01:01:50 Raccoin: Preview

Stay connected:
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/growuplevelup.bsky.social
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growuplevelup/
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Follow Samson:
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/smsn.bsky.social
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Follow Jordan:
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/sirdrjm.bsky.social

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/Fmzgcxar5b

Subscribe and follow for more:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@growuplevelup
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Thank you for helping us hit 100 subscribers! To celebrate, we're giving away a $50 Steam Gift Card!

The main giveaway is happening on our Instagram. To enter, you must:

- Like our giveaway post on Instagram.

- Tag a friend in the comments.

- Leave a comment telling us your favorite Grow Up Level Up episode.

Click here to go directly to the giveaway post: [Insert Link to your Instagram Post]

BONUS ENTRY:

You get one bonus entry just by leaving a comment and a thumbs up on THIS video!

Good luck to everyone who enters!

We did it—100 subscribers! Thank you all so much for joining the Sunset Selects community. To celebrate, Samson and Jordan are diving into the world of cozy games! We're talking about our favorites like Tiny Bookshop and Is This Seat Taken?, discussing what makes these indie games so charming.

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Cozy Gaming and Subscriber Celebration

04:23 Tiny Bookshop

22:06 Is This Seat Taken?

28:30 Pokémon Friends

35:07 Dream Cozy Game Concepts: What Would You Create?

45:15 Celebrating 100 Subscribers: Giveaway Announcement

Stay connected:BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/growuplevelup.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/growuplevelup/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@growuplevelup?lang=enFollow Samson:BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/smsn.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/samsonxp/Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/samsonxp_⁠Follow Jordan: https://bsky.app/profile/sirdrjm.bsky.socialJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/Fmzgcxar5bSubscribe and follow for more: YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@growuplevelup⁠ Spotify: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/growuplevelup⁠

Dive into the latest Nintendo Indie World Direct with hosts Samson and Jordan as they explore standout indie games like Mina the Hollower and Is This Seat Taken?. Plus, enjoy the engaging Cop or Drop segment where they make tough choices between gaming and pop culture favorites. From video game debates to indie highlights, this episode is packed with insights and fun.

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Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Nintendo Indie World Direct Highlights
02:57 Recap of Games Announced in the Indie World Direct
15:07 Final Thoughts on Indie Games and Future Expectations
23:41 Cop or Drop?!
01:00:03 BC vs Alberta: The Final Showdown

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growuplevelup/
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Follow Samson:
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What does it take to turn a childhood passion for Pokémon into a thriving business and community hub? We sit down with Jesse Peng, the visionary founder of Van City CJ, to explore the past, present, and future of the collectibles world.In this episode, Jesse Peng shares his incredible journey as a collector and investor in Pokémon cards. We discuss the deep emotional connections formed through the hobby, the critical importance of community, and how to strike the right balance between passion and financial responsibility. Jesse provides invaluable insights into investment strategies, navigating market cycles, and why the multi-generational appeal of Pokémon promises a bright future for collectibles.From the evolution of his own business to the innovative technologies set to revolutionize the industry, this conversation is a must-watch for collectors, investors, and entrepreneurs alike.Learn More About Our Guest:Van City CJ: https://vancitycj.com/Jesse Peng: https://www.instagram.com/jpengcollection/?hl=enDon’t forget to give this video a thumbs up and subscribe for more!CHAPTERS00:00 - Introduction to Jesse Peng02:54 - The Journey of Collecting Pokémon Cards05:55 - Building a Community Through Collectibles08:56 - The Emotional Connection to Pokémon11:56 - The Balance of Passion and Financial Responsibility25:05 - The Art of Buying and Selling Collectibles27:06 - Understanding the Value of Pokemon Cards29:47 - The Future of Pokemon Collectibles32:50 - Navigating Market Corrections34:32 - The Multi-Generational Appeal of Pokemon37:19 - Building Community Through Collecting49:09 - Vision for the Future of Collecting50:16 - Revamping a Community Shop52:53 - Passion Over Profit54:44 - Community Engagement and Giving Back58:22 - Advice for New Collectors01:02:41 - Future of Collectibles and Technology01:09:31 - Entrepreneurial Mindset and Problem SolvingSTAY CONNECTED:BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/growuplevelup.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/growuplevelup/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@growuplevelup?lang=enFOLLOW SAMSON:BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/smsn.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/samsonxp/Twitter: https://twitter.com/samsonxp_FOLLOW JORDAN:BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/sirdrjm.bsky.socialJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/Fmzgcxar5bSUBSCRIBE AND FOLLOW FOR MORE:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@growuplevelup⁠Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/growuplevelup⁠#PokemonCards#PokemonCards #Collectibles #VanCityCJ #JessePeng #PokemonInvesting #CardShop #Entrepreneurship #Community

GET VICTORIA'S NEW BOOK: MASTERING COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT: https://www.victoriatran.com/book

In this episode, we chat with Victoria Tran, the Community Director for the hit game Among Us. Victoria shares insights from her new book, "Mastering Community Management," and discusses what it was like when Among Us exploded in popularity, including playing with AOC and appearing on Jimmy Fallon's show. We cover her strategies for managing millions of players , balancing player feedback with the studio's vision , and avoiding burnout.We also touch on her work with the indie game fund Outersloth , Wholesome Games , and her role on the Game Developers Conference (GDC) Advisory Board.

Timestamps

[0:00] Intro

[6:21] How Victoria "fell into" the games industry

[8:48] What does a Communications Director do?

[18:00] How to decide which player feedback is worth tracking

[27:18] What is Outersloth?

[39:37] Victoria's new book: "Mastering Community Management" and Tips for becoming a better community manager

[47:28] Final advice

[50:17] Outro

Find Victoria Tran:

Book: victoriatran.com/book

Website: victoriatran.com

Newsletter: https://www.victoriatran.com/newsletter

Twitter: @theVTran

Instagram: @hellovictoriatranBlue Sky: @victoriatran.bluesky.social

Don’t forget thumbs up and subscribe! Stay connected:BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/growuplevelup.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/growuplevelup/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@growuplevelup?lang=enFollow Samson:BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/smsn.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/samsonxp/Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/samsonxp_⁠Follow Jordan: https://bsky.app/profile/sirdrjm.bsky.socialJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/Fmzgcxar5bSubscribe and follow for more: YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@growuplevelup⁠ Spotify: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/growuplevelup⁠

In this episode of Sunset Selects, we explore why Superman is a standout film with Samson's enthusiastic review. Special guest Dayton Cahill joins us to share his journey into music production and his top movie recommendations. From superhero blockbusters to hidden gems, discover the films that have captured Dayton's interest as he is a newer enjoyer to the hobby of movies.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
02:01 Catching up with Dayton
05:51 Samson's Superman Review
17:49 Dayton's Evolving Interest in Cinema
59:13 Closing Thoughts and Future Endeavors

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Follow Samson:
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