The latest (second) game from Limbo developers Playdead games is finally here. Inside initially seems like more Limbo; a puzzle platformer. A mysterious, unsettling story told wordlessly, featuring a young boy exploring a spooky environment. If you’re looking for more Limbo you’ll find it here, but Inside quickly begins surprising you with new ideas and beautiful animation. Over its 4-5 hour run time it moves swiftly from pleasant re-exploration of good ideas to an astonishing achievement and perhaps the best game of 2016.

Inside is available on Steam for Windows and on Xbox One for $19.99. (Expect ports to other platforms eventually.)

Inside – official site

You can follow our show on Twitter at @_shortgame

Like the show? Support us by writing a review on iTunes!

Your hosts this week were:

This week we discussed Wheels of Aurelia by developers Santa Ragione. Though technically still in beta, Wheels of Aurelia is a complete experience that expertly blends a driving game with a focus on characters through the use of a interactive fiction. As their website says, “Based on your choices – and the places you’ll decide to visit – you may end up in car chases, illegal street races, or in tense debates that will make you wonder who your travel companions really are.”

Each play session takes 10-20 minutes and can be played on Windows, Mac, and Linux. It is available for $4.99 on itch.io. We highly recommend this game for someone looking for a truly unique and extraordinary experience centered around something ordinary we have all done before: having a great conversation while driving.

Links for this episode:

You can follow our show on Twitter at @_shortgame

Like the show? Support us by writing a review on iTunes!

Your hosts this week were:

Can it really be two years since our last board game special?! This week we’re rounding up the board and card games we’ve been enjoying when not playing short video games. Join us as we talk about that other gaming hobby!

Games and links mentioned on this episode:

You can follow our show on Twitter at @_shortgame

Like the show? Support us by writing a review on iTunes!

Your hosts this week were:

As we did in 2014 and 2015, we’ve checked out this year’s Apple Design Award winning games, and we’re back to talk about what they say about iOS as a gaming platform today and in the years to come.

This year’s winners:

Student Winners:

Also mentioned on this episode:

You can follow our show on Twitter at @_shortgame

Like the show? Support us by writing a review on iTunes!

Your hosts this week were:

Expand is an innovative, difficult to classify game about navigating a circular maze that shifts and expands in response to your movement. It’s a really special experience and we highly recommend it.

Expand is available for Mac, PC, and Linux on Itch.io and on Steam for $6, or $10 with the soundtrack. You’ll want that soundtrack, it’s great. Expect it to take about 4 hours to complete.

Links for this episode:

You can follow our show on Twitter at @_shortgame

Like the show? Support us by writing a review on iTunes!

Your hosts this week were: