No Small Games

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

Ep. 41 - Grunn

Grunn is a completely normal gardening game, developed by Sokpop Collective and Tom van den Boogaart, where nothing strange or off-beat is going on. You arrive by bus at a quaint Dutch village in the countryside, with instructions to clean up the manor house's garden by the end of the weekend. Very soon, however, you begin to notice some strange goings on about town... not least of which is the disappearance of your tools. The low poly graphics that warp and bend as you move about the garden give an otherworldly feel to the experience. What mysteries will you uncover by Monday morning and, most importantly, how much grass will you have cut?In episode 41 of No Small Games, Kate and Emily dive deep into their experiences playing Grunn! The two dive deep into some of the mysteries they solved and some they still have yet to solve. You'll hear their favorite moments, biggest jumpscares, and whether they would classify this as a horror game. We hope you enjoy!
Timestamps00:00:00 - Intro00:04:54 - Weekly Boss Battles00:13:59 - Grunn Discussion01:28:08 - Game Ratings01:31:56 - One Small Thing
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 - February 2025 feat. Michael Gruar, Lunar Chippy Games

Welcome back to the NSG Indie Game Roundup, our monthly series featuring indie games news, plus game demos and new release discussions.
This has been both the longest and shortest month in existence, but the good news is that we're back with a bunch of awesome indie games to talk about! This roundup features some brand new releases from the tail end of 2024, along with some indie classics popping in from our backlogs! Plus, we chat briefly about our most anticipated indies of the coming year, and some rad demos that we got to check out! Give your wishlists a pep talk before diving in, because they're about to grow!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 - February 2025 Show Notes
Timestamps00:00:00 - Intro00:02:42 - Icebreaker Question00:05:35 - Demos00:11:39 - Wanderstop Preview00:20:41 - Minishoot' Adventures00:26:51 - Milk Inside a Bag of Milk Inside a Bag of Milk00:31:01 - Ballionaire00:35:46 - Haven00:40:00 - Die in the Dungeon00:43:35 - Rusty's Retirement00:46:32 - SUPERHOT00:47:44 - Iron Village00:51:56 - Interview - Michael Gruary, Lunar Chippy Games
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

Yearbook Vol. 2

Believe it or not, we just closed out our second year of No Small Games! This has truly been such a wild ride! From meeting in person for the first time at PAX, to helping to judge the Indie Game Awards, to launching our written reviews on the website, we've cherished every minute and every opportunity. And we can't thank you all enough for supporting us along the way!In addition to giving a recap of all of the games covered in the first four seasons of the show, in the No Small Games Yearbook Vol. 2 we reveal our picks for their Top 5 games from the 2024-2025 year, and the fan favorite episodes voted on by YOU! Featuring superlatives and thank you's to No Small Games supporters, this episode is a tribute to all of you and all of these impactful indie games and game developers highlighted in the second year of the show! We are so grateful to all of you who have tuned in this year, and can't wait to bring you more indie game content in the years to come!
Timestamps00:00:00 - Intro00:02:15 - Reflections on the Year00:10:43 - Recap of Games Covered in 2024-202500:32:54 - Kate & Emily's Top 5 Favorites01:13:23 - Superlatives01:44:55 - Thank You's01:53:55 - Spring Season 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. 40 - Crypt Custodian feat. Matt Storm

Crypt Custodian, developed by Kyle Thompson, is a touching and adorable metroidvania. You play as Pluto, a little cat who has just arrived in the afterlife, after a tragic end cut short his cozy life with his human family. Some accidental shenanigans lead to him being banned to spend all of eternity cleaning up trash from the outskirts of the underworld by Kendra, the guardian of the afterlife. Now Pluto has to fight corrupted beings, sweep up trash and make friends in order to make it back into Kendra's palace.In Episode 40 of No Small Games, Kate and Emily welcome Matt Storm to the show! Matt hosts a couple of gaming podcasts, including the "Fun" and Games Podcast, and is a self-described metroidvania "sicko." Together, the three discuss their experiences with this heartwarming (and occasionally heartbreaking) game. You'll hear their thoughts on this impressively large metroidvania map, the combat mechanics, and of course their favorite characters.
Timestamps00:00:00 - Intro00:09:50 - Weekly Boss Battles00:21:10 - Meet Our Guest - Matt Storm00:36:50 - Crypt Custodian Discussion02:05:00 - Crypt Custodian Spoilers02:11:05 - Game Ratings02:18:28 - One Small Thing02:36:40 - Next Episode's Announcement
Meet our GuestMatt (they/them)@djstormageddon.comMatt Storm co-hosts and produces both the "Fun" and Games Podcast, covering all kinds of topics within gaming, and Reignite, a podcast by two friends who love storytelling, video games, and romance! They are also planning to return to streaming games on Twitch this year, and occasionally moonlight as a DJ. We're so grateful to them for joining us for this episode!
Check out Matt's content and podcasts on the following platforms:Bluesky "Fun" and Games Podcast Reignite Podcast Matt's Citizen Sleeper 2 Review
Keep in touch with us on social media:
Kate's Twitter ✦ https://twitter.com/katerblossomEmily's Twitter ✦ https://twitter.com/aSpecificEggNo Small Games Twitter ✦ https://twitter.com/NoSmallGames 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