Rob Dubbin, newest co-host and writer/developer, joins the podcast to discuss their top 5 games of 2023 with other guests. They cover unique picks like Super Locomotive and Puzzmo Crosswords, explore story-driven experiences in games like Return of the Obra Dinn, and reminisce about classic remakes like Pikmin. The episode also features discussions on immersive gaming, tabletop adventures, and clowning philosophy in game design.
A diverse array of game picks highlights the unique gaming experiences available in 2023.
Innovative puzzle games like The Case of the Golden Idol challenge players with complex reasoning elements.
Human Chess and Tretigo offer strategic and performative gameplay experiences rooted in unique movement rules.
Overflow presents players with a tabletop deck-building game set in a world of computer processes and subroutines.
Girls High School Mystery Class provides a humorous and immersive mystery-solving experience through a reality show format.
Slice and Dice stands out as a favorite deck-building game with its cursed mode, strategic depth, and innovative gameplay loop system.
Deep dives
Human Chess - An Unconventional Clown Game
Human Chess, a game Melissa learned at a clown school in France, involves silent communication and restricted movement rules, resembling humans playing Tretigo. Players aim to reach the opposite team's end zone, with unique roles like monarchs and hidden abilities.
Pikmin - An Underappreciated Nintendo Game
Discovering the Pikmin series, starting with the HD re-release of Pikmin 1 and 2, brought new perspectives on Nintendo's approach to game design. Pikmin's unique gameplay mechanics and aesthetics present a refreshing and intriguing experience for players.
Genre of Obradyn Likes - A Rising Puzzle Game Style
Obra Dinn-inspired games, such as The Case of the Golden Idol and submissions from the Case of the Thinky game jam, are redefining logic puzzle games. The genre introduces deductive, inductive, and abductive reasoning elements, offering players a challenging yet satisfying puzzle-solving experience.
Human Chess - An Intriguing Clown Game
Human Chess, originated from a clown school in France, involves strategic movement rules, silent communication, and unique roles like kings and queens. Participants navigate the game board, aiming to tag opponents and reach the opposite team's monarchs for victory, adding a performative and strategic layer to the game.
Overflow - A Creative Board Game Experience
Overflow, a pre-production deck-building game, immerses players in a world of computer processes and subroutines, challenging them to strategize and execute sequences. The game offers brief windows of agency amidst the machine-like gameplay, providing a unique and engaging tabletop experience.
High School Mystery Solving Fun
Girls High School Mystery Class is a Korean reality show where all-female celebrities role-play as high school girls solving a murder mystery in a fun and charming way. The show's unique premise and engaging interactions among the cast create a delightful and humorous experience. The extensive logistics and large cast behind the scenes further add depth to the immersive high school mystery setting.
Slice and Dice Gaming Excellence
Slice and Dice is a highly recommended deck-building game that has captured the attention of many players, offering unique mechanics and engaging gameplay. The cursed mode and the strategic value of curses and blessings, along with the innovative loop system between runs, make it a standout experience. The game's complexity and depth contribute to its appeal, setting it apart as a favorite for many players.
Reality TV Fun with Girls High School Mystery Class
Girls High School Mystery Class is a reality TV show where female celebrities take on the roles of high school girls in a murder mystery setting. The humor, rapport, and character interactions make it a delightful and engaging watch. The intricate planning and on-call cast behind the scenes enhance the immersive experience of solving mysteries in a high school setting.
Entertaining Card Gaming with Wist 22
Wist 22, a traditional card game played on Board Game Arena, offers a fun and engaging experience with light gameplay akin to bridge. Players appreciate the wackiness and variability of each hand, providing a dynamic and entertaining card game experience. The game's ever-changing conditions and mysterious nature make it a standout among classic card games.
Can of Wormholes: A Puzzle Game Full of Creativity
Can of Wormholes is a puzzle game that offers unique, creative, and approachable gameplay. Each level introduces a new idea and provides a playable sub-level to teach players the tricks in a fun way. The gameplay focuses on discovering synergies between different tools, reminiscent of Syncopouse, leading to hours of fun exploration.
Tears of the Kingdom: A Captivating Game Experience
Tears of the Kingdom immerses players in a captivating world, evoking a mix of wonder, fear, and excitement. The game offers incredible and hidden content that surprises players up to its release. The game showcases technical excellence, providing a marvelous gaming experience that leaves a lasting emotional impact.
Honorable Mention: The Restroom Experience by Glitch City, Los Angeles
The Restroom Experience by Glitch City, Los Angeles, offers a unique interactive experience within a restroom setting. The controllers are the restroom features, and the screen reflects the restroom itself, creating a personal and immersive experience. Created by Rustle Honor and Ben Spizzito, the unconventional game provides a moving and unexpected gameplay encounter.
We sit down with our newest co-host, writer/developer Rob Dubbin, to each count down our Top 5 games of 2023, alongside picks from previous show guests and our listeners. Happy New Year!
