Three Moves Ahead

This is a free preview of this month's Patreon episode. Check out the extended version at Patreon.com/3ma! Len, Lambert, and Lorris have gotten some hands-on time with the Actually Really Announced game Europa Universalis 5! We discuss our impressions, our praises, our gripes, and even some of our most precious wishes.

Len is joined by special guest Casey Explosion to talk about Cataclismo, a horde defense RTS with a unique, LEGO-like base building mechanic. We touch on the aesthetics, the tactics, and the story, as well as Casey's latest indie recommendations for 3MA listeners. Casey's Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/caseyexplosion Casey's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CaseyExplosion Casey's Steam Curator Page: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/28340174-Casey-Explosion/ Get 20% off your first month at Patreon.com/3MA with code: 37E8A

Len, Mike, and Luke dust off their Indy hats and take a close look at Two Point Museum. We discuss how it's such a great fit for the formula Two Point Studios built over their previous two games, how you make a museum game without presenting a tacit endorsement of grave robbing, and why crime never pays.

Philip "BeoMulf" Mulford, a professional RTS esports caster and PhD student focused on space robots, shares his dual passions in a lively discussion. He explains the unique skills required for shoutcasting and contrasts it with traditional sportscasting. The conversation also explores the latest updates in Stormgate, including graphical enhancements and new gameplay features. BeoMulf highlights the dynamics of the RTS community and upcoming charity tournaments, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and support among gamers.

The hosts delve into the disappointing legacy of Sid Meier's Civilization 7, questioning its narrative depth and player engagement. They express frustration over its complicated user interface, which hampers gameplay. Humorous critiques of absurd resource management scenarios bring levity, while anxieties about the series' strategic depth and gameplay mechanics are highlighted. The conversation shifts to innovative ideas for revitalizing strategy games, emphasizing customizable civilizations. The hosts reflect on their writings and tease future discussions around the game.

The hosts share their excitement about upcoming strategy games, from the anticipated 'Slay the Spire 2' to intriguing indie titles. They discuss the evolution and challenges of 4X games and express their complicated love for Paradox games. Nostalgic moments arise as they explore unique games like 'Dino Lords' and reminisce about lesser-known RTS games. The conversation also touches on innovative gameplay mechanics and community engagement, reflecting on the evolving gaming landscape and trends shaped by recent developments.

The hosts celebrate the year’s standout strategy games while acknowledging a rebuilding phase within the genre. They dive into their favorite recent titles, exploring innovative mechanics and player engagement. The conversation shifts to the evolution of games post-launch, highlighting surprising successes like 'Dune: Imperium.' Unique city-building games in early access are also discussed, featuring ecological challenges and perilous constructions. The hosts wrap up with personal highlights, anticipated releases, and a jovial nod to popular culture.

Brian Bucklew and Jason Grinblat, co-founders of Freehold Games, dive into the enchanting world of Caves of Qud, a roguelike RPG famed for its unique blend of humor and existential themes. They discuss the intricacies of procedural generation and the game’s dreamlike narrative style. The duo shares insights on character mutations and the challenges of game design, celebrating the influence of classic roguelikes while revealing how their creative twists keep players captivated. Their reflections on emotional storytelling and quirky gameplay mechanics provide a fresh take on modern gaming.

Len is joined by Nerium Strom, Mike Williams, and Sin Vega for a round-table of What Else Are We Playing? From weird surreal horror to Factorio and Cities: Skylines 2, it's a chill chat for a chilly month on our production calendar.

Len is joined by Father Lorris and Sin Vega to discuss Frostpunk 2, the long-awaited sequel to the quintessential survival city-builder. We discuss where it hits and where it misses, with a particular focus on the strengths of the original that it fails to recapture by zooming out further.