Game Pass Grab Bag

This week we had a Liz demand and a listener pick. The wildly popular Stardew Valley by; Concerned Ape. Stardew Valley is a top down farming simulator, where take the role of a new farmer who joins the town of Stardew Valley. Cultivate crops and relationships with the citizens of Stardew.  Manage crops and animals as you try to grow your farm from an abandon shack to a thriving farm. Don't like doing tedious chores? Well grab up to 3 friends and pawn off the boring work to them, but they may get mad at you, just ask Liz. 

We do a quick recap of some games coming out in January and a possible new subscription service from Ubisoft. Some notes after we recorded this, Anacrusis and Spelunky 2 are out now, and Stalker 2 was just delayed to December 2022.

As we say good bye and good riddance, the crew discuss some of their favorite Game Pass games, and also some not so good ones.

This week we played Curse of the Dead Gods by; Passtech Games. Curse of the Dead Gods is a top down rogue like where you play an explorer searching ancient Aztec tombs in search of riches and power. Balance the risk/reward system by paying for upgrades by taking on curses. This week Liz needed a break so we bring back our guest Dave to join us.

These week we played It Takes Two by; Hazelight studios. It Takes Two is a coop only third person adventure game, where you are a young couple going through some odd therapy. You and a partner will travel around the house as dolls, solving puzzles and traversing platforms. I am also very proud of Liz for not once singing "It takes two baby".

This week we played our first Series X or Series S game, The Riftbreaker by; Exor Studios. The Riftbreaker is a top down twin stick shooter/base management game. You play a young explorer who is sent to an alien planet to establish a link back to earth so humans can colonize the planet. You have to jungle resources, build multiple bases, and defend against an endless horde. Can you manage your massive base or will you get consumed by the hordes like keith who literally builds one tiny piece of wall at a time?

These week we played Deeeer Simulator by; Gibier Games. Deeeer Simulator is described as a slow town destruction game. You play and average everyday deer that has decided to destroy the town for you know...reasons. Gather weapons to have your deeeer transform into a living weapon. Explore the town and mess with the inhabitants with your strange abilities.

This week we tackled the roguelite card game Ring Of Pain by; Twice Different. In Ring of Pain you play a mysterious person who wakes up in an unusual nest. You are greeted by a mysterious creature telling you to light the tower at the end of the nest in order to end the ring. Is the creature to be trusted or are you forever trapped in the circle?

This week Keith picked ANOTHER roguelike. This week it is Into The Pit by; Nullpointer Games. Into the Pit is a first person shooter roguelike where you take control of a arcane hunter in search of their lost cousin. Dive into the pit and free the villages to grow your strength. Will this game make you want to go deeper or is it just the pits?

We figured we would try out discuss some Game Pass News. We would love to hear your feedback if you like it, or we should just stick to games. We discuss: Cloud gaming on console, Next Space Rebel, Exo One, Fae Tactics, Undungeon, My Friend Pedro, Mortal Shell, Before We Leave, Deeer Simulator, Lawn Mower Simulator, The Gunk, Cyberpunk 2077, Mass Effect.

This week Liz chose Moonglow Bay by; BunnyHug. Take control of an fisherman who has lost a loved one at sea and lost the will to fish, but when the town of Moonglow Bay has a chance of revival you decide to pick up your fishing rod and save the town. Enjoy the adventure with couch coop and explore the seas together. Take control of your fishing vessel and explore or be like keith and forget how to drive and just keep reversing out to sea.

This week we played the very interesting The Good Life by; White Owls. The Good Life is a 3rd person RPG where you play a young reporter who is investigating a small town in England. Explore a story that really just goes all over the place, much like a lot of our conversations. 

These week we took a lesson in art in The Procession to Calvary by; Joe Richardson. The Procession to Calvary is a comedic point and click adventure game where the set pieces are famous historical artwork. Travel threw various scenes as your character tries to complete her holy war, or get distracted like Andrew and spend way to much time spanking the bishop. That's not a metaphor, you really can spank a bishop, its an achievement.

This week we played Back 4 Blood by; Turtle Rock Studios. Back 4 Blood is a coop first person shooter where you are fighting against an undead horde. Build your deck to help alter the way you play as you progress through the campaign, or take the role of a zombie in a 4v4 PVP mode called swarm. 

This week a listener recommended we play Aragami 2 by; Lince Works. Aragami 2 is a third person action stealth came. Explore the feudal japan in the shadows as a super natural ninja. Complete missions as a solo ninja or coop with 2 other friends. Will you rule the shadows or bumble like a Keith.

This week we played The Artful Escape by; Beethoven and Dinosaur. The Artful Escape is a 2D music platformer where you play a young musical prodigy who is having an identity crisis. Travel across the universe as you play through this space rock opera.   

This week we decided to try a more simple game, Carrion by; Phobia Game Studios. Play the role of an amorphous creature that consumes all in its path. You think with such a short game it would be a quick episode? Well we have some thoughts and those thoughts sometimes get loud.

This week we had a couple listeners request Subnautica by: Unknown Worlds Entertainment. Subnautica is first person survival exploration game where you play a lone survivor from a crashed ship on and alien planet. Can you gather you wits and build a sustainable habitat, or will you be like Keith and play almost 10 hours and not find anything.

This week a listener recommended Hades by: Supergiant Games. Hades is a top down action roguelike, where you play the son of Hades who is trying to escape the underworld. Uncover the mystery of your origin as you progress. Yes this is a roguelike with an actually story, and it's actually pretty good. Keith was even interested in it.

This week a listener suggest we go in the way back machine and try Quake by; ID studios. Quake is the grandfather of all first person shooters. It originally came out in 1996 and we discuss if it still holds up today in this new enhanced version.