Playing Catch-up

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

In which Tom and Paul discuss Nintendo showing off (some) new details on Switch 2's flagship title, and the exciting new season of games coming to Panic's hipster handheld Playdate.

Later, we circle back around to Blue Prince and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, before Paul tells us why Nintendo was right to bring out a sequel to a little-known franchise nearly three decades on.

(We lost the second half of Paul's original audio, so the last 20 mins or so are sourced from our lower quality backup recording. Sorry about that; hopefully just a one-off!)

Discussed:

• Mario Kart World Direct
• Playdate Season 2
• Blue Prince
• Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
• Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club

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 reveals which game convinced him to pick up PS5 a few years into its lifecycle, along with thoughts on a few of the titles he's been playing on Sony's behemoth.

Next up, Tom ponders why the latest hotness is getting a lukewarm reception in some circles, before Paul plays us out with an ode to Ubisoft's Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown.

Games discussed:

• Bomb Rush Cyberfunk
• Snowrunner
• The Pathless
• Yakuza Series
• Blue Prince
• Fez
• Animal Well
• Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

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 Tom and Paul return triumphantly to reflect on the latest Nintendo Direct which focused on the Switch 2.

The show offered up an exciting twist on an old favourite, a head-scratching new way to control games, and a low-key confirmation of the impending arrival of one of the most anticipated games for years.

Lots to dig into, so join us for the latest instalment of the podcast that has taken 11 years to reach 42 episodes. Cheers!

Games discussed:

• Mario Kart World
• Mario Kart Tour
• Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
• Drag x Drive
• The Duskbloods
• Hollow Knight: Silksong
• The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
• Chibi-Robo!
• Kirby Air Riders
• Donkey Kong Bananza

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 Weeks 2 and 3 of Playdate's Season 1 are experienced and discussed.

Games covered:

• Crankin's Time Travel Adventure
• Boogie Loops
• Lost Your Marbles
• Pick Pack Pup

Check out the Twitch channel at www.twitch.tv/playingcatchup

Get in touch with the show via Twitter (@catchuppod) or send us an email: hello@playingcatchup.co.uk

Learn more about the Playdate at the official website.

Intro / outro music by 5of6
Artwork by @BigShimmeryWall

In which Tom and Paul finally receive their Playdate consoles and immediately get to cranking.

 

Check out the Twitch channel at www.twitch.tv/playingcatchup

Get in touch with the show via Twitter (@catchuppod) or send us an email: hello@playingcatchup.co.uk

Learn more about the Playdate at the official website.

 

Intro / outro music by 5of6
Artwork by @BigShimmeryWall