The Short Game

This week we are talking about Absolum, a roguelike beat 'em up from Streets of Rage 4 developers Guard Crush Games and publisher Dotemu. This was one of those games that would probably have been near the top of our 2025 GOTY list if we'd managed to all play and discuss it before the end of the year. It combines the incredible beat 'em up mechanics from Streets of Rage 4 with Hades-style progression mechanics. It really kicks ass. There's also one of our classic slightly too long digressions about the Steam Deck and Linux about 33 minutes in. Sorry, and you're welcome.(00:00) - Absolum (26:21) - Digression about Steam Deck and Linux (33:24) - Back to Absolum (52:42) - Wrap up

We're continuing to shake the cobwebs out of the podcast, and this week we're bringing you our coverage of IFComp 2025. Normally we cover the whole competition with multiple episodes as its running, but this year we didn't quite manage that. We couldn't escape 2025 without talking about the comp some though. In this "lost" episode (recorded in late October 2025) we discuss some of the games we had time to check out this year, including a few of the top winners. We'll be releasing a patron exclusive "what's making us happy" episode next week (join us on Patreon!) followed by an episode on Absolum. See you in 2026! (00:00) - Intro & Welcome (00:52) - What Is IFComp? (04:45) - How We’re Covering IFComp 2025 (06:12) - Detritus by Ben Jackson (19:48) - Lady Thalia and the Case of Clephan by N. Cormier (26:44) - The Wise-Woman's Dog by Daniel M. Stelzer (34:59) - The Secrets of Sylvan Gardens by Lamp Post Projects (48:43) - A Visit to the Human Resources Administration by Jesse (53:08) - The Little Four by Allyson Gray (59:11) - The Witch Girls by Amy Stevens (01:03:24) - HEN AP PRAT GETS SMACKED IN THE TWAT by Coral Nulla (01:08:44) - Wrap Up

The hosts dive into the best Short Games of 2025, handing out quirky awards like Dirtbag of the Year and Most 'Little Guy Who Goes Around.' They celebrate standout games such as Expelled, which takes the overall Game of the Year honor. Highlights include heartfelt gaming moments like playing Alba with a child and the trials of Hollow Knight Silksong nearly derailing their podcast. With format changes ahead and engaging community discussions, this is a thrilling wrap-up before launching into a new season!

After a somewhat unplanned summer break, the Short Game crew is returning to talk about the fourth chapter of Deltarune! (00:00) - 444: Deltarune Chapter 4 (03:17) - Surprise! Structure is Different! (10:32) - Picking up right after Chapter 3 (11:19) - Going to Church! (19:29) - Noelle's House (30:30) - You'll Never Make Me Play The Dark Route (35:56) - Back to the Church (49:23) - Climbing is Fun! (53:20) - Now we're going to spoil Nate (01:15:21) - Outro (01:17:17) - Outro

The Steam Deck is the number one console(ish) platform for playing ILLEGAL GAMES that Nintendo doesn’t want you to play! This week we’re talking about games that STEAL intellectual property from the RICH FAT CATS at Nintendo and their cronies and remix it into FREE GAMES for the PEOPLE. (00:00) - 443: Fan Games on Steam Deck (03:42) - What Counts as a Fan Game? (06:20) - Explaining Steam Deck Desktop Mode (16:38) - Where do you find fan games? (24:34) - The (Fan) Games (25:26) - Celeste: Strawberry Jam (33:42) - Other Fan Games of Indies (36:06) - Sonic Fan Games (38:36) - Sonic Robo Blast 2 (41:24) - Sonic and the Fallen Star (44:14) - Sonic Triple Trouble 16-Bit (50:33) - Link's Awakening DX HD (01:09:16) - Streets of Rage Remake (01:21:37) - Lightning Round (01:22:24) - Zelda3 (01:24:01) - Dungeons of Infinity (01:24:55) - ZIIAOL (01:26:11) - Decomps - Ship of Harkinian (01:27:38) - AM2R & Metroid Planets (01:28:51) - Wrap-up

Toby Fox is back, and it’s TV TIME! Previously: Episode 320 – Chapter 1 Episode 324 – Chapter 2 Episode 65 – Undertale Episode 66 – Undertale Spoilers (00:00) - 422: Deltarune Chapter 3 (14:37) - Remembering Chapters 1 and 2 (26:50) - Spoiler Break - Chapter 3 Story Spoilers! (54:40) - Wrap Up

From the depths of Steam and YouTube comes ENA, a strange polygonal girl in a surreal hypercapitalist dreamscape. Your hosts were left wondering what the hell this was all about, and why is it so incredibly beautifully animated? (00:00) - ENA: Dream BBQ (33:21) - What's Making Us Happy This Week? (33:26) - Shane: Getting Into 3D Printing (41:16) - Raygan - New NAS Goofin' (46:55) - Laura: The Clock (1945) (53:10) - Outro

Dive into the whimsical world of a new immersive sim where players pop the detachable heads off space pirates to save talking cats! Discover the unique mechanics and humor that define the gameplay. Follow Nina Pasadena, a cryogenic commando, as she battles quirky enemies in an imaginative sci-fi setting. The discussion includes creative strategies for rescuing cats and the delightful chaos of cross-platform play. Full of narrative depth and comedic charm, this game is sure to entertain gamers and cat lovers alike!

Dive into a nostalgic journey as the hosts reminisce about their childhood soccer experiences in Ecuador leading up to the 2002 World Cup. They discuss the unique video game 'Despelote,' which captures the cultural essence of soccer like never before. The conversation touches on immersive gaming experiences, innovative mechanics that reflect familial dynamics, and the intersection of personal memories with modern game design. Listeners will enjoy funny anecdotes, critiques of commercialized experiences, and thoughts on reinterpreting classic games.

Dive into a meditative archery game merging ancient rituals with modern mechanics. Experience the weight of community wishes as players navigate a vibrant island setting. Discover emotional dilemmas presented through unique gameplay, where decisions significantly impact characters’ narratives. Enjoy nostalgic family game nights with adjustable challenges in titles like Shredder's Revenge. The hosts also tackle digital clutter and social media overload, offering tips for a more intentional online experience.