Advertise on podcast: Playing Catch-up

In which your hosts mark the release of Saros by playing Housemarque's previous PS5 game, Returnal. Is it a certified five bagger? You better believe it is. After that, they round up a spiritual successor to the CD-i Zelda games, an audio-based mystery puzzle game with Her Story vibes, and an oft overlooked gem from the PSP days. Finger on the pulse as ever, us. Games discussed: Returnal Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore TR-49 God of War: Ghost of Sparta Watch Tom stream games at www.twitch.tv/playingcatchup Get in touch with the show via Bluesky Intro / outro music by Princess Stephen Artwork by BigShimmeryWall

In which your hosts check out some more short games on the PlayStation Plus service because Paul's gone and snagged himself another trial. Games discussed: The Exit 8 by Kotake Create Indika by Odd Meter Somerville by Jumpship Check out our Twitch channel at www.twitch.tv/playingcatchup Get in touch with the show via Bluesky Intro / outro music by Princess Stephen Artwork by BigShimmeryWall

In which Paul and Tom rummage through the games likely to make it to their grubby little mitts in the coming year. They select three each that they're particularly looking forward to, before making a mockery of the format and namechecking a bunch more at the end. Games discussed in the main section: Earth Must Die by Size Five Games Mina the Hollower by Yacht Club Games The Incident at Galley House by William Rous & Evil Trout Inc. Romeo Is A Dead Man by Grasshopper Manufacture Saros by Housemarque Rhythm Heaven Groove by Nintendo EPD & TNX Check out our Twitch channel at www.twitch.tv/playingcatchup Get in touch with the show via Bluesky Intro / outro music by Princess Stephen Artwork by BigShimmeryWall

In which your hosts each pick their top five favourite games of the past 12 months.  Games discussed (in alphabetical, not ranked, order): Absolum by Dotemu, Guard Crush Games & Supamonks Blue Prince by Dogubomb Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 by Sandfall Interactive Promise Mascot Agency by Kaizen Game Works Sektori by Kimmo Lahtinen Silver Bullet by 1CC Games Sonic Racing: Crossworlds by Sonic Team Time Flies by Playables Wheel World by Messhof   Check out our Twitch channel at www.twitch.tv/playingcatchup Get in touch with the show via Bluesky Intro / outro music by Princess Stephen Artwork by BigShimmeryWall

In which the boys briefly cover the recent Nintendo Direct before Tom learns just what a Boost Era Sonic game is and Paul makes the most of a three-month Apple Arcade trial. Games discussed: Sonic Dream Team puffies. Katamri Damacy Rolling LIVE Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time   Check out our Twitch channel at www.twitch.tv/playingcatchup Get in touch with the show via Bluesky Intro / outro music by Princess Stephen Artwork by BigShimmeryWall

In which your hosts tackle creeping horror on a doomed oil rig, shed light on a sequel done right, and just about navigate talking about two games from VERY similar sounding developers. Games discussed: Still Wakes the Deep Everybody's Gone to the Rapture (a little bit) Anodyne 2: Return to Dust Roto Force Opus: The Day We Found Earth Device 6  Check out our Twitch channel at www.twitch.tv/playingcatchup Get in touch with the show via Bluesky Intro / outro music by Princess Stephen Artwork by BigShimmeryWall

In which Tom plays through a couple of games Paul enjoyed experiencing back in 2024. But did he get on with them? Or will this be the recommendation-based betrayal that ends the podcast once and for all? Games discussed: Thank Goodness You're Here! Tinykin Check out our Twitch channel at www.twitch.tv/playingcatchup Get in touch with the show via Bluesky Intro / outro music by Princess Stephen Artwork by BigShimmeryWall

In which your hosts explore four more games from the Playdate's second season. There's one clear standout, but plenty more to enjoy along the way. Games discussed: Chance's Lucky Escape Shadowgate PD CatchaDiablos Tiny Turnip Check out our Twitch channel at www.twitch.tv/playingcatchup Get in touch with the show via Bluesky Intro / outro music by 5of6 Artwork by BigShimmeryWall

In which Paul and Tom continue to explore the latest season of games for Panic's quirky handheld console Playdate. They're delighted to find a couple of great new releases (and update on one from Week 2 that they're less enamoured with). Games discussed: The Whiteout Otto's Galactic Groove!! Long Puppy Check out our Twitch channel at www.twitch.tv/playingcatchup Get in touch with the show via Bluesky Intro / outro music by 5of6 Artwork by BigShimmeryWall

In which your hosts celebrate the big five-oh by playing with Panic's tiny yellow handheld. Season 2 of the Playdate is here, so Paul and Tom dig through Week 1's games before turning their attention to (half of) Week 2. Games discussed: Blippo+ Fulcrum Defender Dig! Dig! Dino! Wheelsprung Check out our Twitch channel at www.twitch.tv/playingcatchup Get in touch with the show via Bluesky Intro / outro music by 5of6 Artwork by BigShimmeryWall

In which we watched the PlayStation State of Play, Summer Geoff Fest, Day of the Devs and the Future Games Show so you don't have to (although you probably did). Also, it's not even summer yet, but let's not get bogged down in that. We each pick our personal top three games from across the shows and sprinkle in a few honourable mentions too. Games discussed: Cairn Lumines Arise Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls Stranger Than Heaven Romeo is a Dead Man Big Walk Sword of the Sea Escape Academy 2 Relooted Wheel World Hirogami Possessor(s) Wu-Tang: Rise of the Deceiver ARC Raiders Mixtape TOEM 2 Call of the Elder Gods Deepest Fear

In which your hosts celebrate the launch of Nintendo's new console by talking about PlayStation Plus. Paul's been making the most of his two-week Premium trial, so let's dig in and find out what took his fancy, what was not so hot, and which Platinum trophy flex Tom has taken as a personal slight. (Switch 2 launch thoughts coming in due course!) Games discussed: Coffee Talk VA-11 Hall-A Sackboy: A Big Adventure Space Ace TMNT: Shredder's Revenge Rise of the Kasai   Check out our Twitch channel at www.twitch.tv/playingcatchup Get in touch with the show via Bluesky Intro / outro music by 5of6 Artwork by BigShimmeryWall

In which Paul explores the wonderful world of Musou games, with a particular focus on Samurai Warriors 5. Whether you're a newcomer to the series or a grizzled Musou veteran, there's plenty here to get your teeth into.   Visit Chris Gildart's YouTube channel here: https://youtube.com/@chrisgildart Check out our Twitch channel at www.twitch.tv/playingcatchup Get in touch with the show via Bluesky Intro / outro music by 5of6 Artwork by BigShimmeryWall

In which your hosts briefly discuss the latest news around little-known up-and-comer GTA VI, before getting into the meat of the episode with some Balatro chat. A year on from release, does the poker-themed deckbuilder live up to the hype it garnered at launch, or is it merely an excellent videogame? Next up, we turn to charming puzzle adventure TOEM before Paul goes full gumshoe with some more obscure detective games.   Games discussed: GTA VI Balatro TOEM Makoto Wakaido's Case Files Trilogy Deluxe Check out the Twitch channel at www.twitch.tv/playingcatchup Get in touch with the show via Bluesky Intro / outro music by 5of6 Artwork by BigShimmeryWall

In which Paul returns to the DS to play a franchise sequel that wasn't released outside of Japan, before both hosts cast off their cardigans and get down with the kids to check out a hella cool videogame. Games discussed: Chibi Robo: Clean Sweep Life is Strange The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit Check out the Twitch channel at www.twitch.tv/playingcatchup Get in touch with the show via Bluesky Intro / outro music by 5of6 Artwork by BigShimmeryWall