The Staying In Podcast - four pals talk video games, board games, movies, and nonsense

Barrier, Pokémon Quest, and Burrows & Badgers - Ep57

We're doing time stamps now? How F.A.N.C.Y.

0:00 - We kick things off with hot takes about pomegranate juice and other awful concoctions that only fools and children would make, like blackcurrant and milk, and apple juice with orange juice. There's also a combination that only Kris's brother would make, and you'll find out about that in this section too.

2:50  Then it's off to the UK Games Expo at Birmingham's NEC for “the best convention I've been to” according to Peter, and the first part of our report from the show floor. First up it was By Fire and Sword, a teeny tiny historical wargame that looked like amazingly complicated fun.

14:20 - Then it's on to Wreck & Ruin, a post-apocalytpic vehicle combat board game that is a) pleasantly surprising, b) very accessible, and c) looking for your money on Kickstarter right now.

17:30 - There's a quick excursion by Kris to Lumino City, which pretty quickly gets wrapped up in a conversation about...

20:38 - … Pokémon Quest on Nintendo Switch, and the subject of mobile gaming in general. Does it matter which device you play a game on? Sam seems to think so, and he's probably right.

29:45 - This is where we head back to Brum for even more of the expo and “one of the darlings of the show” - the astonishingly plucky Burrows & Badgers from Oathsworn and Osprey Games.

38:30 - We're pretty disillusioned with comics at the moment, but there are a few stand outs that we've been carrying on with, and none is more important than Barrier from Brian K. Vaughan, Marcos Martin, and Muntsa Vicente.

45:41 - We round out the show with the last leg of our UK Games Expo tour and the acquisition of the pretty wild 1989 pen and paper classic Batman Role-Playing Game, from Mayfair Games. It sounds as good as you think it sounds.

So pull up a chair and join Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner) for the latest episode of our nice little hang out sessions where we talk about all the neat things we like.

Reminder: we occasionally use Amazon affiliate links in these descriptions. They've not earned us a single penny yet, but just in case you were wondering what they were all about, you can find out here.

OH HEY THIS BIT IS IMPORTANT! If you'd like to be the first person to e-mail us and ask us a question about the things we've talked about or what we think about a certain thing or if Kris really can eat that many sandwiches, then pop it to us via Twitter, Facebook, or e-mail, all the details for which are here.

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Deadpool 2, A Way Out, and the Games Media Brit List Awards - Ep56

 

Everyone remembers Kuri Kuri Mix, right? Sure you do! Just as well, as we'll refer to it when talking about A Way Out, the latest game from those folks at Hazelight Studios. And on the subject of making a getaway, we've also been playing various entries in the Exit: The Game series, which are essentially tabletop game escape rooms.

Elsewhere there's a whole bunch on the Games Media Brit List Awards, which we went along to and where we had a lovely time. A big Staying In Pat On The Back to our pal Adam Rosser from BBC Radio 5 live for his win in the podcast and radio category, and congratulations too to our Kris for managing to eat an entire pizza during the event.

We continue to get to grip with our thoughts on Magic: The Gathering Arena, partly in relation to the latest set of Dominaria cards, but also in relation to indestructible horses. And then there's Deadpool 2, an excellent film that you should definitely turn up late to.

All this, plus a full ten minutes of discussion about rocks, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

And you know what REALLY rocks? Transparency. Which is why we always tell you that we occasionally use Amazon affiliate links in these descriptions. You can find out all about what they are right here.

If you want to ask us a question which we'll bring up on a future podcast, then drop us a line via Twitter, Facebook, or e-mail, all the details for which are here.

For links to topics covered - http://stayingin.podbean.com
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God of War, The Magpie Murders, and Jurassic Perk - Ep55

Kerby is a great street game to play after dark, we all know that. That's obvious.

Bushido from GCT Studios is pretty strong too it turns out, as is that God of War jam from Santa Monica Studios.

The latest performance of Macbeth by the RSC? That's good too. And so are Anthony Horowitz's The Magpie Murders, Liu Cixin's The Three-Body Problem, and Frank Herbert's Dune.

All the things mentioned? They're all just smashing.

But you know what's the best? The absolute BEST?

The fact that we managed to get a handful of decent coffee-based dinosaur names thought of within the space of about an hour.

Honestly, it's the greatest.

So join Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner) for a grand old chat about nice things, plus puns.

Something else that's good: transparency. So on this point, we do occasionally use Amazon affiliate links in these descriptions where we think it makes sense. You can find out all about what they are and what they do, right here.

And hey we think you're really super too, so why not be extra fantastic and send us a question we can discuss on an upcoming podcast? Details on how to get in touch with us are here.

For links to topics covered - http://stayingin.podbean.com
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Avengers: Infinity War, Magic: The Gathering Arena, and the Cursed Book - Ep54

Oh good lord, where to begin?

You should know straight off the bat that there are huge Avengers: Infinity War spoilers in the last 30 minutes of this episode - which happens to be our longest ever episode! But don't worry, we give you plenty of advance warning before they hit. Seriously though, don't listen to that section if you haven't seen the film yet.

Also the language used in this episode is pretty blue at times, as the last few weeks have been... hectic, to say the least. We're experimenting with bleeping the worst of that stuff out from now on, and you'll hear why.

What have we been doing? Well, apart from watching Marvel's MCU crossover spectacular and engaging in The Great Cineworld Grift, we've also been on holiday to Salzburg, Vienna, and Budapest, and we'll tell you a bit about what we got up to there.

The beta for Magic: The Gathering Arena is currently in-progress and we've netted ourselves access to it, so we've been diving back into the world of slinging spells and walking on planes just in time for the Dominaria release. Is this digital version any good? HECK YES, and we'll tell you why.

Regular listeners will also notice how this episode has gone out slightly later than we usually like. That's because of an unexpected trip to accident and emergency. WANT TO KNOW MORE? Then check in with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner) and maybe also look at these accompanying photos.

As usual, we occasionally use Amazon affiliate links in these descriptions where we think it makes sense. You can find out all about what they are and what they do, right here.

Oh yes and if you fancy sending us a question you can see all the ways to get in touch with us right here.

For links to topics covered - http://stayingin.podbean.com
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Annihilation, Civilization V, and Holiday Games - Ep53

We do our best to not be absolutely insufferable about our Games Media Brit List nomination in this podcast. Are we successful? Probably not.

What else? Oh yes! We've been playing The Battle of Polytopia's multiplayer for months now - since the beta even - and we're ready to talk about how this update adds to our impressions of the single player offering. Be prepared for INTENSE DISCOURSE.

On a similar note, there's a load in here about our recent experiences with Civilization V. Things like “how it's a great tool for telling stories with gameplay” and “why we now don't much care for the Aztec people”.

We also talk about the perfect games to take with us on an upcoming holiday where we (affectionately) throw Rahdo under the bus, plus why Alex Garland's recent work - Annihilation - should have had a cinema release.

All this, plus far too much food thanks to Easter in Slovakia, and using sayings that don't actually exist, with your pals Kris (@DigitalStrider), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Sam (@MrSamTurner).

As always, we sometimes use Amazon affiliate links in these descriptions where we think it makes sense. You can find out all about what they are and what they do, right here.

For links to topics covered - http://stayingin.podbean.com
Find us on Twitter - @StayingInPod
Find us on Facebook - @StayingInPodcast
Find us on Steam - http://store.steampowered.com/curator/28314572/
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Ready Player One, Assassin's Creed Origins, The Darkside Detective, and Dave Ryan from Link to the Cast - Ep52

Up for some hot new video games action? Well tough, because we're talking about why the shooting in Titanfall 2 is so gosh darn good. Sorry to pull a fast one on you like that. We cool? Cool.

There's also Assassin's Creed Origins talk too, that's kind of new, right? Regardless, it's providing us some excellent opportunities to wander around Egypt and partake in a little digital tourism, a thing we're also up to with the astonishing Yakuza 0.

We were lucky enough to be joined by Dave Ryan from Link to the Cast on this episode, and he brought a wealth of knowledge and insight into the topics we covered, including how history is portrayed in games versus how history is taught in schools, plus the indie game development scene in Ireland, and specifically a great-sounding point and click adventure called The Darkside Detective from Spooky Doorway.

Then there's a big old chunk of Ready Player One discourse about the book and film and how we're hoping its numerous references to all sorts of stuff in geek culture has been handled "authentically"... whatever that means.

By the time you've finished reading this you'll hopefully have the episode downloaded, so pop on some quality headphones and have a brew with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Peter (@XeroXeroXero), and Dave (@DaveRyanIV).

If you've NOT finished downloading yet, then hello, here's the bit where we tell you that some of the links in this description point to Amazon, and if you you buy something from that store after clicking through our link, then we get a little referral fee, which we then use to make this podcast sound better. We still cool? We still cool.

Oh and also: we've been nominated for a Games Media Brit List award in the category of Best Podcast & Radio. We found out after recording this episode, but we'll probably be talking about it on a future episode (and flaunting it every moment we get).

For links to topics covered - http://stayingin.podbean.com
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Ten Candles, Hidden Agenda, and Cosmic Encounter - Ep51

Games, games, and even more games: that's the general theme of this episode.

There's a big discussion about Cosmic Encounter and why you probably need to play it twice to really start appreciating its galactic strategy. And when we're not ruling the universe, we're mucking about on a boat in one of our favourite RPGs: Ten Candles from Cavalry Games.

We also hook up to PlayLink on the PlayStation 4, checking out Hidden Agenda from Supermassive Games in the process, which is a tense game of deception and mystery where you use your mobile phone, via the console, to choose the outcome of a scene and shape the narrative as it progresses.

Plus snow. Plus Babycham. Plus exercise. It's a whopper.

Sound good? Great! Check in with Sam (@MrSamTurner), Dan (@ThisDanFrost), and Kris (@DigitalStrider), all recording together, with Poppy watching on, supervising.

Thanks for downloading the podcast. If you'd like to do us a big favour, we'd love it if you left us a review. Also, hey, you know those Amazon affiliate links we're doing? Yep, they're still going. So if you click on one of the links here and it happens to go to Amazon, and if you happen to buy something there, then you'll get everything for the same price and we'll get a small kickback, which we then use to make the podcast better.

For links to topics covered - http://stayingin.podbean.com
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Black Panther, Monikers, and Hunt for the Ring - Ep50

How did Kris's mum accidentally get involved in the Copenhagen drug scene?

Could Sam figure out who "not the guy with the bolts" was?

Which one of them manages to casually drop the phrase "Chekhov's Gun" into a conversation?

If you'd like to know the answer to these questions, give this episode a listen.

And there's some other stuff too...

Like why one of us is absolutely head-over-heels in love with Hunt for the Ring from Ares Games, and how that lovely little Lord of the Rings-based board game compares with the much darker Whitehall Mystery from Fantasy Flight.

And how Monikers is a great little party game. And how Dixit is ALSO a great little party game. And how Dixit might just have the edge on Monikers.

Then strap in for a good long discussion on Marvel's Black Panther and why it's funny, progressive, and extraordinary.

All that and more on episode 50, with Sam (@MrSamTurner) and Kris (@DigitalStrider) and occasionally Poppy, having a lovely little bit of nerd chat.

Oh and since you're the best sort of person (the sort of person who reads podcast shownotes), once again a HUGE and heartfelt "thank you" for downloading Staying In. If you've left us a review on your podcast platform of choice then you can add a great big bear hug into the mix from all of us. Also, can you believe some people don't read shownotes? What are they like, eh? All the best jokes for the podcast are in here.

Also a reminder that occasionally we use Amazon affiliate links in these descriptions, so when you click through from us to something on that online store, if you end up buying something there then you get it for the price you normally would, but we get a little kick back from The Very Big Book Seller. We've already got enough gold-plated suits and stretch limousines to last us a lifetime, so rather than pocketing the cash we make from the podcast it goes back into buying nice new equipment so we sound better, or we chuck it into advertising so we can reach even more lovely listener pals like you.

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Dear Esther Live, The LEGO Batman Movie, and Sunless Skies - Ep49

Should 30 year old men be allowed to say “sick” and “dope”? By the end of this podcast the lads will have convinced you that no, no they absolutely should not. But light DIY tasks and watching Hey Duggee? Oh yes, that's very much more in our wheelhouse.

There's a fair bit of LEGO in this episode too. Not only is there a contender for the worst LEGO sets ever created - Final Duel II - but there's also our very divided opinions on The LEGO Batman Movie.

Then it's off to the concert hall we go, discussing Dear Esther Live, Vivaldi, Beethoven, and whether you need to listen to a 30 hour lecture series - like the one by Dr. Robert Greenberg that Peter listened to - before entering the auditorium.

And it's off into Victoriana-themed space with Sunless Skies, the excellent follow up to Sunless Seas, that is currently in Early Access on Steam. It's not sold as well as the last game for some reason, which is baffling, considering you get to fly about among the stars in a steam-punk train rocket!

All that and more, with Sam (@MrSamTurner), Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), and Peter (@XeroXeroXero).

A very big thank you to everyone who has left us a review on their podcast platform of choice so far. We love getting your feedback, so keep it coming!

This episode is supported by the nice people at CastBox, which is a very good app for listening to podcasts to. They've previously championed this little thing we do each fortnight, so a big thank you to them for spreading the word about the show.

And from this episode onwards we're going to start using Amazon affiliate links in these descriptions, when it makes sense. So if you click through one of our links, and if that link happens to go to Amazon, AND if you end up buying something, then you'll get it for the regular price and we'll get a small commission. Rather than taking the money we make on ads, putting it in a vault, and diving into it like Scrooge McDuck, instead we funnel this cash back into advertising the podcast to help us get more people like you to give us a try, or buying better equipment for when we record. So it's win win, hopefully.

For links to topics covered - http://stayingin.podbean.com
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The Book of Dust, Ten Candles, and Metal Gear Survive - Ep48

✓ Board Games
✓ Video Games
✓ Good Books
✓ Invasive Medical Procedures

It's another textbook episode of Staying In. There's chat about a new fitness thing they're all doing (well... almost all of them), a couple of minutes where they gush about My Brother, My Brother and Me, and a couple more minutes after that where they basically just rip off My Brother, My Brother and Me's whole thing.

Plus thoughts on Philip Pullman's The Book of Dust (and why it's better than Harry Potter), a big heap of bleh as we discuss the disappointing Metal Gear Survive beta, and why some very meaty games are on the horizon for us as a group, including Cosmic Encounter from Fantasy Flight, Hidden Agenda from Supermassive Games, and Ten Candles from Cavalry Games.

So pop the kettle on, make yourself a brew, and settle in for another serving of the podcast where a group of pals talk about the geek stuff they love and the ***** that have been up their *****, with Sam (@MrSamTurner), Dan (@ThisDanFrost), and Kris (@DigitalStrider).

Oh oh oh oh oh! A really big thank you to YOU for taking the time to join us for this episode. If you like it then please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. And if you can't leave a review (or you just don't want to), consider telling your friends about the show instead, as it really helps us out a whole bunch. Or alternatively don't do any of that. I mean, it's your life, you do you.

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