It’s been board games Christmas of late with this year’s Essen Spiel having just concluded, PLUS we’re joined by friend of the show and board games industry bigwig Rob Trounce, so we use this as a wonderful excuse to talk about lots and lots of board games.

In particular? Well, there’s Tax the Rich by Alion, which is a trick-taking game with politics at its core, as well as Night Soil by Grail Games which has… well… quite a different theme. And then there’s Joyride: Survival of the Fastest from Rebellion Unplugged, a racing game of driving fast and dirty.

Away from the cardboard and plastic, we also get time to talk Japanese mystery Strange Pictures by Uketsu, plus more chilling tingles with The Séance of Blake Manor from Spooky Doorway and Raw Fury.

All that, and being asked if we’re really sure, on Ep235.

00:00 - Going to the Barbers

04:55 - Essen Spiel 2025

12:57 - Tax the Rich

15:41 - Night Soil

22:56 - Strange Pictures

30:19 - Joyride: Survival of the Fastest

47:00 - The Séance of Blake Manor

On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Sam (@MrSamTurner), and our super special guest Rob Trounce of Zatu Games.

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about, our Steam Curator page collects every video game we’ve ever reviewed available on the platform, and our BoardGameGeek page does the same for every boardgame. And if you’d like to see what we’re up to between podcasts, your best bet is our Instagram page.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

Coming in at the top of our newly-invented genre - mobile games to play while standing in a queue - is CMYK’s Wavelength, a perfectly-pitched adaptation of the tabletop game of the same name. If that weren’t enough, Cuh-Muh-Yuh-Kuh is also putting out Magical Athlete, a game with a solid pedigree, given a fresh lick of 80s illustrated school book paint, by way of a living legend of board games. But that’s not all the cardboard we have for you, oh no! We take a look at Wonderbow’s asymmetric game of hiding, chasing, and bluffing: Kelp - Shark vs. Octopus. And with scary season on its way, we thought it time to give our thoughts on the divisive Alien: Earth.

All that, and shooting meatballs, on Ep234.

00:00 - A lovely weekend

03:12 - Helping Tucci find Italy

06:08 - Wavelength

17:29 - Magical Athlete

32:57 - Alien: Earth

50:05 - Kelp - Shark vs. Octopus

On this episode were Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about, our Steam Curator page collects every video game we’ve ever reviewed available on the platform, and our BoardGameGeek page does the same for every boardgame. And if you’d like to see what we’re up to between podcasts, your best bet is our Instagram page.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

Prepare thy brow, because it is about to be situated much higher than usual (when listening to this podcast at least).

While it might not be from THAT game company, Sword of the Sea from Giant Squid continues its genetic lineage and - dare we say it? - improves upon its legacy in a multitude of ways. On the tabletop, Ravensburger’s latest spin on the modern board game classic is Horrified: Dungeons & Dragons and, yeah, it’s very VERY good. Plus a charming change of pace with some dinosaur pet pals, via the child-friendly BalaDino from Kiwizou.

All that, and controversial (???) feelings about pumpkin spiced lattes, on Ep233.

00:00 - Underwhelming paintings

06:00 - Sword of the Sea

20:08 - Horrified: Dungeons & Dragons

39:36 - BalaDino

48:24 - Our Listener Question this episode is from Neil, who asks: what films are the chaps?

On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about, our Steam Curator page collects every video game we’ve ever reviewed available on the platform, and our BoardGameGeek page does the same for every boardgame. And if you’d like to see what we’re up to between podcasts, your best bet is our Instagram page.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

Feeling old? You might do after this episode. A classic old Nintendo series has had a big new twist, and it’s got us asking “is Mario Kart World made for us?”, plus heading back to the nineties with Humongous Entertainment and Mega Cat Studios and the re-release of Backyard Baseball '97. In case that weren’t enough old video games, there’s more action from Hamster’s Arcade Archives series, with a look at Namco’s Air Combat 22 and Aqua Jet. Away from the screens, over to the tabletop, and headed back in time to mythological Greece, Cyclades Legendary Edition from Open Sesame Games is another classic by Bruno Cathala and Ludovic Maublanc that’s been given a loving restoration. Tired? Do what one of us has done, and treat your poor old back to a Herman Miller Mirra 2 Butterfly office chair.

All that, and a dolphin in need, on Ep232.

00:00 - Lying to children is fine

08:24 - Mario Kart World

19:18 - Arcade Archives 2 Air Combat 22 and Arcade Archives 2 Aqua Jet

32:56 - the Herman Miller Mirra 2 Butterfly office chair

43:28 - Cyclades Legendary Edition

58:48 - Backyard Baseball '97

On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about, our Steam Curator page collects every video game we’ve ever reviewed available on the platform, and our BoardGameGeek page does the same for every boardgame. And if you’d like to see what we’re up to between podcasts, your best bet is our Instagram page.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

It’s all about games, games, games (and apples) on this episode. There’s a review of Jungo by Cocktail Games and thoughts on Agatha Christie's Death on the Cards from Modiphius, both of which got lots of outings in the most appropriate space for them: while on holiday. If you’re after a bit of virtual tourism and/or you reckon yourself handy with a DSLR then Matt Newell and Annapurna Interactive’s Lushfoil Photography Sim is very much for you, and if you want to live another life entirely (well, lots of lives, actually) then you’ll want to give Time Flies from Playables and Panic a go too. And after all that relaxation, you might need to get on with some work, in which case may we recommend you Focus Friend by Hank Green and Honey B Games.

All that, and glass grenades, on Ep231.

00:00 - Apple updates

05:48 - Holiday games

10:56 - Agatha Christie's Death on the Cards and Jungo

17:26 - Time Flies

27:23 - Lushfoil Photography Sim

50:05 - Focus Friend

On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), and Peter (@XeroXeroXero).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

In the running for the best film of the year is Weapons from Zach Cregger and co., providing truly unsettling horror without the typically gorey schlock. Maybe not podium material, but Marvel’s latest Fantastic Four flick First Steps is feeling like a return to form, plus lovely words about the lovely Ultimatch from Fireside Games, and OK Play from Big Potato Games forces us to consider a brand new award genre.

All that, and ensuring there’s an “O” in the spelling, on Ep230.

00:00 - Recycling Barry

03:42 - Listener Question (thanks Damien!)

14:25 - The Silmarillion of Cider (Cider Country by James Crowden, fact fans)

18:09 - Weapons

38:38 - OK Play and carabiner games

42:20 - Ultimatch

46:44 - The Fantastic Four: First Steps

On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero) and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

Baby, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the grey. Plus a barrel-thumping good Nintendo game, a stupendous release from Hamster Corporation, and Osprey’s brilliant Day of the Dead-inspired competitive card-placement game.

All that, and saluting the flag, on Ep229.

00:00 - A weather report and holidays with Seal(s)

10:13 - Donkey Kong Bananza

22:40 - Arcade Archives 2: Ridge Racer

42:11 - Ofrenda

56:53 - Alternate uses for inventions

On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Peter (@XeroXeroXero) and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

Straight out of Japan - specifically Hobby Japan - comes Gibberers: The Word Game of Language Invention and Civilization Development, and it’s probably one of our favourite games? Like… ever. On the big screen we’re watching a man leap a building in a single bound, as well as a lot more, in the new Superman movie from James Gunn, and on a smaller screen we’re watching something King of the Hill fans will want to check out: Adult Swim’s Common Side Effects.

All that, and the man from Del Monte, on Ep228.

00:00 - Pea Year Zero

06:58 - Gibberers: The Word Game of Language Invention and Civilization Development

21:37 - Superman

43:35 - Common Side Effects

On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero) and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

On the anniversary year of The Chinese Room’s BAFTA-winning Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture, Kris sits down with creative visionary Dan Pinchbeck to talk about this ground-breaking walking sim.

In an interview that covers a multitude of topics - full timecodes below - the two talk about the power of agency in games relating to character development, how the team was forced to include a feature that became their biggest regret, the sheer emotional force of Jessica Curry’s music, and much more.

As you might expect, this interview contains major spoilers for Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture, with minor spoilers also for Horizon Zero Dawn.

03:19 - Pushing the walking sim genre

14:30 - A butterfly’s life

18:05 - A very complicated spreadsheet

24:29 - Running the whole thing as a TV shoot

33:03 - The 1980s

35:00 - Secular sacred

42:00 - Favourite places

On this episode were Dan Pinchbeck (@danpinchbeck and danpinchbeck.co.uk) and Kris (@DigitalStrider).Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

We start the episode off with a Summer tradition, and - in a somewhat similar vein - we talk Hot Streak from CMYK. And we get all starry-eyed for Galileo Galilei from Capstone Games, plus take a walk through Kamurochō with SEGA and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s Judgment.

All that, and a strawberry sandwich, on Ep227.

00:00 - It's hot hot hot

10:17 - Judgment

27:11 - Hot Streak

42:24 - Galileo Galilei

On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero) and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about.

Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.