No Small Games

PAX East 2025 Recap

PAX East 2025 was an absolute whirlwind of meeting wonderful friends and colleagues, chatting with developers and publishers, and getting our hands on awesome indie game demos!Join us for our day-by-day PAX East 2025 recap, where we relive all the exciting and memorable moments we experienced at this year's event! No Small Games was honored once again with the opportunity to cover the show as media attendees in 2025, and we took advantage of every moment. In this recap episode, we're taking you directly onto the show floor for developer and publisher interviews. We're also reflecting on the game demos we got to play, and the overall PAX East experience compared to last year. Come along for the ride as we share all the highlights!
Timestamps00:00:00 - Intro00:01:30 - PAX East First 2025 Impressions00:16:08 - Thursday Recap00:29:13 - Interview - Studio Hybrid00:42:40 - Friday Recap00:44:06 - Interview - GameTeam601:01:47 - Interview - Optillusion Games01:16:58 - Saturday Recap01:19:08 - Interview - Ritual Studios01:38:51 - Sunday Recap
Keep in touch with us on social media:
Kate's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/katerblossom.bsky.social Emily's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/aspecificegg.bsky.social No Small Games Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/nosmallgames.bsky.social No Small Games Instagram ✦ https://www.instagram.com/nosmallgames 
Want to learn more and weigh in on what games we should play in future episodes? Check us out and leave a game suggestion at nosmallgames.com

Ep. 45 - 1000xRESIST feat. Jenny Windom

1000xRESIST, developed by Sunset Visitor and published by Fellow Traveler, took 2024 by storm in the indie game world. You navigate a strange yet slightly familiar futuristic society as Watcher, whose role is to be witness to the Allmother's memories. Touching on topics of resistance and social change, generational trauma, love, friendship and mother-daughter relationships, the game is almost beyond definition. This is a game you just have to experience (maybe even twice) to understand.In Episode 45 of No Small Games, Kate and Emily are joined by Jenny Windom, organizer of Wholesome Games and co-host of the Geeks & Grounds and The Indie Council podcasts. The three work to unpack everything going on in 1000xRESIST, although as the game teaches us, not everything can fit in the backpack. You'll hear their theories and most surprising moments from the game, as well as the criteria they used to make the most important decision of all. Huge thank you to Jenny for joining us! We hope you love this episode, but most of all we hope you go play this game!
Timestamps00:00:00 - Intro00:03:40 - Weekly Boss Battles00:12:10 - Meet Our Guest - Jenny Windom00:24:55 - 1000xRESIST Discussion03:22:10 - Game Ratings03:27:04 - One Small Thing
Meet our GuestJenny (she/her)@kimchica.bsky.socialJenny "Kimchica" Windom, one of the organizers of Wholesome Games, works in indie game marketing. She currently works with the team at Ivy Road and supports the Spirit Swap team. She also co-hosts Geeks & Grounds, a monthly video game book club podcast, as well as The Indie Council. Check out Jenny's content on the following platforms:Geeks & Grounds Podcast The Indie Council Bluesky Instagram
Keep in touch with us on social media:
Kate's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/katerblossom.bsky.social Emily's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/aspecificegg.bsky.social No Small Games Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/nosmallgames.bsky.social No Small Games Instagram ✦ https://www.instagram.com/nosmallgames 
Want to learn more and weigh in on what games we should play in future episodes? Check us out and leave a game suggestion at nosmallgames.com

Indie Game Roundup - April 2025

Welcome back to the NSG Indie Game Roundup, our monthly series featuring indie games news, plus game demos and new release discussions.
2025 is ramping up, people!! April brought us more showcases, a huge number of new releases, and some brand new indie game demos to check out. We're unpacking our experiences with demos from the Galaxies and Triple-i Initiative Showcases. We're also sharing mini reviews of some spring indie game releases like Spilled!, Space Sprouts, Axyz, and more!Also, huge thanks to our newest Patreon supporters! In addition to other fun perks, members on Patreon get early access to all of the Indie Game Roundup episodes. If you love No Small Games and would like to support us in growing the show, while also unlocking fun, exclusive content, you can check out our Patreon page.You can find our full show notes, including links and shoutouts, on the No Small Games site: Indie Game Roundup - April 2025 Show Notes
Timestamps00:00:00 - Intro00:01:25 - Icebreaker Question00:04:30 - Indie Game News00:34:42 - Demos01:03:47 - Spilled!01:07:54 - Space Sprouts01:14:05 - Dad's Coming01:19:28 - Axyz01:25:44 - ibb & obb01:30:50 - The Deadly Path01:42:01 - Moonlighter
Keep in touch with us on social media:
Kate's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/katerblossom.bsky.social Emily's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/aspecificegg.bsky.social No Small Games Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/nosmallgames.bsky.social No Small Games Instagram ✦ https://www.instagram.com/nosmallgames 
Want to learn more and weigh in on what games we should play in future episodes? Check us out and leave a game suggestion at nosmallgames.com

Ep. 44 - Afterlove EP

Afterlove EP, developed by Pikselnesia, is a slice-of-life story that follows a young musician named Rama, as he struggles to reconnect with his friends and his music in the wake of the death of his girlfriend. The game takes place in modern day Jakarta, and players will find themselves immersed in the sights and sounds of the city through the game's beautifully illustrated environments. You'll help Rama build back relationships with his bandmates as you practice for an upcoming gig. You'll guide him through the sweet and nerve-wracking world of dating. Most importantly, players can help Rama make sure he gets his butt to therapy so he can process all these new experiences and feelings.In episode 44 of No Small Games, Kate and Emily dive into the similarities and differences in their experiences of Afterlove EP. They discuss the Choices Matter gameplay: what worked well for them and what didn't. Most importantly, they reveal who they chose to date and how that worked out for Rama. We hope you love our discussion of this heartfelt game!
Timestamps00:00:00 - Intro00:03:35 - Weekly Boss Battles00:11:48 - Afterlove EP Discussion01:40:47 - Game Ratings01:44:30 - One Small Thing01:49:35 - Next Game Announcement
Keep in touch with us on social media:
Kate's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/katerblossom.bsky.social Emily's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/aspecificegg.bsky.social No Small Games Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/nosmallgames.bsky.social No Small Games Instagram ✦ https://www.instagram.com/nosmallgames 
Want to learn more and weigh in on what games we should play in future episodes? Check us out and leave a game suggestion at nosmallgames.com

Ep. 43 - Guacamelee Gold Edition

Guacamelee is an indie classic, that released by in 2013 from DrinkBox Studios. This action platformer is a stylish take on the Metroidvania genre and its story and vibes were inspired by Mexican-culture and folklore. You play as a young farmhand-turned-luchador, who escapes the world of the dead using a magical mask. As you traverse these gorgeous map zones, both in the world of the living and the dead, you fight the evil Calaca's minions and gain new powers to push further in hopes of rescuing your dear Lupita.In episode 43 of No Small Games, Kate and Emily return to this classic indie game to see how it holds up today! They discuss the design of the platforming and special combat abilities and, of course, dissect the Metroidvania-style map. They also share their thoughts on the representation of Mexican culture in Guacamelee, relative to the many diverse representations we see today in indie games.
Timestamps00:00:00 - Intro00:04:41 - Weekly Boss Battles00:18:45 - Guacamelee Discussion01:32:05 - Game Ratings01:37:53 - One Small Thing01:46:58 - Next Game Announcement
Keep in touch with us on social media:
Kate's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/katerblossom.bsky.social Emily's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/aspecificegg.bsky.social No Small Games Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/nosmallgames.bsky.social No Small Games Instagram ✦ https://www.instagram.com/nosmallgames 
Want to learn more and weigh in on what games we should play in future episodes? Check us out and leave a game suggestion at nosmallgames.com

Ep. ? - Haven

Surprise!! It’s a rare Tuesday edition of No Small Games. And there’s absolutely nothing unusual going on here. Just another totally normal episode of No Small Games, the indie game podcast hosted by Bo_Po and DiscoCola! In this episode, the two cover the beautiful action RPG Haven. In this game, developed by The Game Bakers, you play as two lovers who have escaped their home world together to forge a new future together on a mysterious planet. You’ll hear the hosts discuss their individual approaches to the combat and strategy of the game. You’ll also learn their reactions to the many steamy moments between the protagonists. But most of all, in case we needed to say it… APRIL FOOLS!! Thanks to the co-hosts of Underplayed for indulging us in this little bit of shenanigans, and for coming on to host this special episode of No Small Games!
Timestamps00:00:00 - Intro00:06:13 - Boss Battles00:13:33 - Haven Discussion01:30:01 - Game Ratings01:33:57 - One Small Thing01:42:53 - Next Game Announcement
Go Check out UnderplayedOn Underplayed, Bo_Po and DiscoCola review indie games of all kinds–the games with small budgets but big hearts, the lesser-known experiences with imaginative ideas. A typical episode has two main segments: first, the hosts each reveal and review a game that they’ve been playing in secret; then, they have an in-depth discussion on a prestigious title within the indie landscape.
Find Underplayed on Social MediaTwitchUnderplayed: https://www.twitch.tv/underplayedpodcastBo_Po: https://www.twitch.tv/bo__poDiscoCola: https://www.twitch.tv/discocolaBlueskyUnderplayed: https://bsky.app/profile/underplayedpod.bsky.socialBo_Po: https://bsky.app/profile/bo-po.bsky.socialDiscoCola: https://bsky.app/profile/discocola.bsky.socialInstagram & Threadshttps://www.instagram.com/underplayedpod/https://www.threads.net/@underplayedpodBackloggdBo_Po: https://backloggd.com/u/bo_po/DiscoCola: https://backloggd.com/u/DiscoCola/
Keep in touch with us on social media:
Kate's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/katerblossom.bsky.social Emily's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/aspecificegg.bsky.social No Small Games Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/nosmallgames.bsky.social No Small Games Instagram ✦ https://www.instagram.com/nosmallgames 
Want to learn more and weigh in on what games we should play in future episodes? Check us out and leave a game suggestion at nosmallgames.com

Indie Game Roundup - March 2025 feat. Jacob McCourt

Welcome back to the NSG Indie Game Roundup, our monthly series featuring indie games news, plus game demos and new release discussions.
Welcome special guest Jacob McCourt to No Small Games! We were delighted to have Jacob join us for our March Indie Game Roundup episode. First, we dug into indie game news from the past month, and discussed winter showcase season. These showcases came in with a bang and none of us were prepared for the deluge of exciting game announcements. Then, we moved on to our main event: Steam Next Fest demos! We each shared our 5 favorite demos from February's Steam Next Fest. Get your wishlists out, people, you're gonna want to keep your eye on these 15 upcoming indies!Also, huge thanks to our newest Patreon supporters! In addition to other fun perks, members on Patreon get early access to all of the Indie Game Roundup episodes. If you love No Small Games and would like to support us in growing the show, while also unlocking fun, exclusive content, you can check out our Patreon page.You can find our full show notes, including links and shoutouts, on the No Small Games site: Indie Game Roundup - March 2025 Show Notes
Timestamps00:00:00 - Intro00:03:27 - Icebreaker Question00:09:27 - Indie Game News00:23:06 - Top 15 Steam Next Fest Demos01:29:34 - Plugs!
Meet our GuestJacob (he/him)@jacob.bsky.socialJacob McCourt co-hosts both Crossplay Conversations and Left Behind Game Club: A Video Game Podcast. Both shows cover a wide variety of games, but primarily indie games. He also writes and publishes game reviews at The Gaming Brief. You'll also find him hosting the Video Game Trivia Live: Reloaded panel at PAX East 2025!
Check out Dave's content and podcasts on the following platforms:Crossplay ConversationsLeft Behind Game Club The Gaming Brief Bluesky
Keep in touch with us on social media:
Kate's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/katerblossom.bsky.social Emily's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/aspecificegg.bsky.social No Small Games Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/nosmallgames.bsky.social No Small Games Instagram ✦ https://www.instagram.com/nosmallgames 
Want to learn more and weigh in on what games we should play in future episodes? Check us out and leave a game suggestion at nosmallgames.com

Ep. 42 - Mouthwashing feat. Dave Jackson

Mouthwashing, developed by Wrong Organ and published by CRITICAL REFLEX, is a psychological horror game following the actions of the Tulpar's crew as they work together to survive a catastrophic crash in the middle of outer space. Tensions rise as food and supplies run low. You play as Jimmy, the acting captain, as he grapples with how to take responsibility for his crew during this trying situation. As the story proceeds, players will discover there's something even darker in this story than the empty void of space.In Episode 42 of No Small Games, Kate and Emily are joined by Dave Jackson, host of the Tales from the Backlog podcast! The three discuss the harrowing story and iconic characters of Mouthwashing. They share their takeaways from the plot and game's message, as well as their hopes for the impact this game might have on players.
Timestamps00:00:00 - Intro00:01:30 - Weekly Boss Battles00:10:20 - Meet Our Guest - Dave Jackson00:25:50 - Mouthwashing Discussion01:07:40 - Mouthwashing Spoilers02:23:30 - Game Ratings02:31:05 - One Small Thing02:39:55 - Next Episode's Announcement
Meet our GuestDave (he/him)@tftblpod.bsky.socialDave Jackson hosts the Tales from the Backlog podcast, where he gives deep dive game reviews alongside a guest each week. He also creates gaming content for YouTube and Twitch, and writes game reviews for the Tales from the Backlog website.
Check out Dave's content and podcasts on the following platforms:Tales from the Backlog PodcastBlueskyPatreon
Keep in touch with us on social media:
Kate's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/katerblossom.bsky.social Emily's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/aspecificegg.bsky.social No Small Games Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/nosmallgames.bsky.social No Small Games Instagram ✦ https://www.instagram.com/nosmallgames 
Want to learn more and weigh in on what games we should play in future episodes? Check us out and leave a game suggestion at nosmallgames.com