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Episode Notes This week, the crew wraps up their 2025 Game of the Year series by debating a variety of award categories. Stay tuned until the end of the episode for the reveal of the Crossplay Conversations Top 10 Games of 2025! Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 2:50 - The Luke Lewis Chill Out With a Coffee on a Rainy Weekend Afternoon Award 25:11 - Hooper’s Puzzle Paradise Award 41:51 - Claire’s Creatively Cozy Award 57:40 - Best Music 1:12:05 - Best Visuals Technical 1:30:52 - Best Visual Art Direction 1:36:59 - Spoilers: The Drifter 1:37:45 - End of Spoilers: The Drifter 1:42:35 - Best Narrative 2:00:15 - Our Top 10 Games of 2025 Reveal Video 2:15:51 - Outro Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social CantPause on Instagram Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast   Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast   Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast Video Game Trivia **

This week, the crew kicks off their 2025 Game of the Year series by debating a variety of award categories. From the vast puzzle rooms of the Mount Holly Estate in Blue Prince to branching narratives of Dispatch and so much more, there’s a game here for everyone. Let’s close out 2025 in style. Stay tuned for the next episode for the reveal of the Crossplay Conversations Top 10 Games of 2025! Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 4:20  - Best Gameplay Loop 42:41 - Most Underrated Game 1:17:07 - The Business Boy’s 2025 Bit of Bad Business 1:58:11 - Outro Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast

Episode Notes This week, Jacob and Luke give their thoughts on the 2025 Indie Game Awards! Please note that this episode was recorded before the IGA Team announced that they would be retracting awards for Debut Game, Game of the Year, and one of the Indie Vanguard recipients. If you would like to learn more about the process for the decision you can view the statement by the IGA Team below: Episode Resources: IGA Eligibility Statement: https://www.indiegameawards.gg/faq Our Blue Prince Review & Spoilercast: https://youtu.be/In647FS-reU?si=jb7dIcWAdHqIcIJ- Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 1:47 - Icebreaker Question: How are you enjoying playing Expedition 33? 8:56 - The GOTY category 11:38 - Indie Game Awards overall thoughts and breaking down our highlights of the night  13:47 - The Indie Vanguard Class of 2025 16:12 - Double Aggro Crab win!!17:20 - Solo Development19:24 - Best Narrative  24:03 - Bite-Sized  26:29 - Gameplay Design30:53 - Best Visuals 32:43 - Best Music 36:47 - Emotional Impact 41:05 - Showcase Award Categories and Community Picks 46:49 - Our Crossplay Conversations Game of the Year Awards 52:57 - Outro Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast   Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast   Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast Video Game Trivia **

Episode Notes This week, Joseph and Luke give their thoughts on the 2025 Game Awards! From award winners to game announcements, the crew unpacks their reactions. Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 1:11: Ice Breaker Question: What are your overall thoughts on the Game Awards 2025? 5:25: Breaking down the winners 31:42 - Announcement highlights 1:04:42 - Outro Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast   Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast   Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast Video Game Trivia Check out our podcast host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free with no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-51cd63 for 40% off for 4 months, and support Crossplay Conversations: A Video Game Podcast.

This week, Jacob and Luke dive into five 2025 indie games that you may have missed as they prep for Indie Game Awards! Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro 1:40 - Icebreaker: What’s a trend in gaming that you think 2025 will be remembered for? 9:40 - Tall Trails 15:05 - Discounty 20:00 - The King is Watching 25:10 - Megabonk 29:45 - Absolum 34:00 - Housekeeping & Outro We only have 2 shows left for 2025! Tentatively, here's what we have left: 12/16 - The Game Awards 2025 Debrief On or before 12/23 - The Indie Game Awards 2025 Debrief Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast Check out our podcast host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free with no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-51cd63 for 40% off for 4 months, and support Crossplay Conversations: A Video Game Podcast.

Episode Notes This week, the crew gives their review on five recent fall releases including: Hollow Knight: Silksong, Hades II, Ball x Pit, Keeper, and Sword of the Sea! Get those wishlists ready and prepare for some good game discussion as the crew prepares for Game of the Year voting. Games Discussed During Today’s Episode: Hollow Knight Silksong Hades II BALLxPIT Keeper Sword of the Sea Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 1:55 - Ice Break Question: What’s your gaming game plan going into the end of 2025? 11:55 - Hollow Knight: Silksong 20:12 - Hades II 30:39 - Game Awards GOTY Predictions 38:08 - Ball x Pit 45:45 - Keeper 53:11 - Sword of the Sea58:57 - Outro Additional Episode Resources: Support Jacob and the crew via Extra Life: https://www.extra-life.org/participants/561753 Check out Joseph’s New CantPause Video: https://youtu.be/gzMEdUrzRNc?si=JFxbnZ7eWc_sZ_UG Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast Video Game Trivia

Episode Notes This week, the crew builds a list of the 16 best games to play during the month of October! From horrific scares to a cozy fall vibe, this discussion has a game for everyone. Pour a hot beverage, sit back, relax, and let’s get spooky. Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 1:34 - Ice Breaker Question: What video game would you like to dress up as for Halloween? 7:01 - How do we fare with spooky games? 10:07 - Defining our list approach/format 12:11 - Building the list 54:04 - Narrowing it down to the top 16 1:18:21 - Outro Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast  Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast  Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast

This week, Joseph, Claire and Luke finally dive deep on Blue Prince! This is a no-holds-barred spoiler-filled chat! If you're looking for something lighter about Blue Prince, check out our Game of the Year So Far show (Ep. 48)! Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 2:00 - Icebreaker: Where is Blue Prince on your GOTY list? 7:00 - Final Spoiler Warning 7:10 - Hour/Day Counts 16:20 - The Post-Game Approach 26:00 - The Story of Blue Prince 31:30 - Joseph's Story Speedrun 43:30 - The "Does X Matter" Section 51:45 - Ah-Ha Moments 1:05:30 - Optimizing our Runs 1:09:45 - The Final Exam 1:16:15 - Outro Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast

This week, Jacob and Luke are joined by Kate Hunter (aka Katerblossom) from No Small Games and Travis Colenutt from the Left Behind Game Club to test-drive our brand new format: the 5 Tens! We break down 5 topics over ten minutes each and this week it's five short indie game reviews. The games are And Roger, Dark Queen of Mortholme, Many Nights a Whisper, No I'm Not a Human and Henry Halfhead! Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 7:20 - Explaining the Five Tens 8:10 - And Roger 26:15 - Dark Queen of Mortholme 35:30 - Many Nights a Whisper 48:00 - No, I'm Not a Human 1:00:50 - Henry Halfhead 1:11:30 - Choosing One 1:16:00 - Outro Listen to Kate's show No Small Games and her appearance on Geeks and Grounds here: Geeks and Grounds: Chants of Sennar No Small Games: Many Nights a Whisper March 2025 Mini Indie Roundup Listen to Travis on the Left Behind Game Club and Cutscenes! Left Behind Game Club: Indika Cutscenes Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast

On this bonus episode of the show, Jacob breaks down his 30-hour journey through the upcoming FINAL FANTASY TACTICS - The Ivalice Chronicles with help from Luke! Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 2:00 - Jacob's History with SRPGs and FF: Tactics 3:40 - High-Level Impressions about the Game 6:15 - QOL Improvements with the Remaster 8:50 - Voice Acting 11:45 - Gameplay Deep Dive (Units, Jobs, Battles) 18:50 - An Aged Foundation 26:00 - The Story 27:40 - Outro Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast

This week, the crew breaks down their favorite games from PAX West 2025. From new indie gems to impressions on the latest titles from CAPCOM, this episode has a game for everyone. Sit back, relax, and get those wishlists ready! Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 3:50 - How was PAX West 2025 overall, and how did it compare to previous shows? 8:47 - Jacob’s Game of the Show: Terrible Lizards 13:33 - Luke’s Game of the Show: Block for Babies 17:43 - Joseph’s Game of the Show: No Stone Unturned 21:52 - Claire’s Game of the Show: Fallen Tear: The Ascension 26:00 - Capcom Preview Impressions: Pragmata, Resident Evil Requiem, and Onimusha: Way of the Sword 37:51 - Rollergirl 42:27 - Negative Space 45:02 - Bubsy 4D 49:24 - The Secret of Weepstone 53:40 - War of the Western Deep 59:58 - Black Jacket 1:02:08 - Swap Meat 1:07:00 - Opus: Prism Peak 1:10:25 - Speed Round Picks 1:25:24 - Outro Wishlist the Games Discussed During Today’s Episode: Terrible Lizards - WDR Studios LLC Blocks for Babies - BunkSoft Interactive LLC No Stone Unturned - Wise Monkey Entertainment Ltd. Fallen Tear: The Ascension - Winter Crew Studios Pragmata - CAPCOM Resident Evil Requiem - CAPCOM Onimusha: Way of the Sword - CAPCOM Rollergirl - Pushing Vertices Negative Space - Tier 87 Games Bubsy 4D - Fabraz The Secret of Weepstone - Talesworth Game Studio War of the Western Deep - Sunsgrove Studios Black Jacket - Mi'pu'mi Games GmbH Swap Meat - One More Game Opus: Prism Peak - SIGONO INC. Kirby AirRiders - Nintendo Pokemon Legends: Z-A - Game Freak Unbeatable - D-CELL GAMES Cartomantic - Ash Makes Games Away from Home - Squishy, Cameron Smith-Randick Rogue Labyrinth - Tea Witch Games Song of Maka - Silverjay Studio Valor Mortis - One More Level Additional Show Resources: Jacob’s PAX West 2025 Video Game Trivia Panel featuring Joseph and Lukehttps://youtu.be/wm6WEZFjosA?si=z8GppJr55novR85Q Joseph’s No Stone Unturned PAX West 2025 Preview Articlehttps://www.cantpause.com/p/no-stone-unturned-has-hints-of-undertales Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast

Episode Notes This week, the crew breaks down their time going hands-on with some upcoming titles from Xbox including Hollow Knight: Silksong on the ROG Xbox Ally X, High on Life 2, Invincible VS, Super Meat Boy 3D, There are no Ghosts at the Grand, and NINJA GAIDEN 4. Look forward to one additional episode this week with the annual Crossplay Conversations Best of PAX West episode. Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 2:52 - Hollow Knight: Silksong on the ROG Xbox Ally X 6:30 - High On Life 2 8:25 - Invincible VS 13:15 - Super Meat Boy 3D 18:11 - There are no Ghosts at the Grand 21:52 - NINJA GAIDEN 4 25:18 - Outro Check Jacob’s PAX West 2025 Video Game Trivia Panel featuring Joseph and Luke: https://youtu.be/wm6WEZFjosA?si=z8GppJr55novR85Q  Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast  Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast  Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast

Episode Notes This week, the crew breaks down their time playing some upcoming titles from Square Enix including: FINAL FANTASY TACTICS - The Ivalice Chronicles, OCTOPATH TRAVELER 0, and DRAGON QUEST I + II HD-2D Remake! Look forward to two additional episodes this week covering the special Xbox event that the crew attended as well as the annual Best of PAX West episode. Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 2:27  - FINAL FANTASY TACTICS - The Ivalice Chronicles 6:14 - OCTOPATH TRAVELER 0 11:52 - DRAGON QUEST I + II HD-2D Remake 19:52 - Outro Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast  Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast  Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast

This week, the crew is finally back together to talk Donkey Kong Bananza! The crew provides a comprehensive review, along with their thoughts on the Switch 2 after 60 days. We still can't explain how Game Key Cards work. At the end of the episode, we jump into a Mini Indie Roundup and give you our thoughts on Is This Seat Taken? from Poti Poti Studio and Birdigo from John August and Corey Martin. A big thanks to Popagenda/Wholesome Games Presents and GameTeam6 for providing review codes for this episode! Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 3:30 - Claire Lewis joins Crossplay Conversations + PAX West 2025 10:45 - Donkey Kong Bananza Review 38:00 - Switch 2 After Two Months 52:45 - Jacob Tries to Explain Game Key Cards Again 57:55 - Luke and Claire's Review of Mario Kart World Tour 1:00:55 - Is This Seat Taken? Review 1:04:45 - Birdigo Review 1:06:55 - Outro Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social Claire: clairebearrose.bsky.social Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast Video Game Trivia

This week, Luke returns from vacation with super special guest his WIFE Claire Lewis (The LukeWarmGames Podcast) to chat about the latest and greatest in indie gaming. Get your wishlists ready for hot indie summer. Review discussion includes Wheel World developed by Messhof, Expelled! Developed by inkle Ltd, and MakeRoom developed by Keeney. A big thanks to Popagenda, inkle Ltd, and Wholesome Games for providing review code for this episode! Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 2:06 - Ice Breaker Question: What are your most anticipated indie releases for the rest of the year? 12:03 - Wheel World 19:17 - Expelled! 31:14 - MakeRoom 43:04 - Outro Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast Video Game Trivia