The Staying In Podcast - four pals talk video games, board games, movies, and nonsense

00:00 - Slipmington. Patent pending. 09:03 - What little we know about wine, and what we love about Stonemaier Games' Viticulture Essential Edition, a relaxing worker placement in which you run a vineyard. 23:30 - Escape room games at home, including Sherlock Holmes from The Panic Room, and Exit: The Game - Theft on the Mississippi. 32:31 - Recreating the PC point and click adventure in a tabletop game, via Adventure Games: Monochrome Inc. 44:45 - The birbs in Tiny Bird Garden makes us feel #blessed, and it's the toyetic clicker for mobile and PC that we didn't know we wanted. 53:09 - Batman: Arkham VR puts you in the cowl of The Caped Crusader really well, we just wish there was a little bit more. All that, and a visit from the croissant fairy, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Sam (@MrSamTurner), and Peter (@XeroXeroXero). Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com Quick note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

00:00 - Sam's 'superpower' and Kris's least favourite theme park. 07:20 - Gorogoa is gorogorgeous, how different mediums handle pacing a story, and the definition of a visual novel. 19:35 - The natural, chilled beauty of Lonely Mountains: Downhill, and why its ability to get you into a state of flow is perfect for listening to audiobooks to. 30:58 - In a great way, Pentago reminds us of games with grandparents, which is a great abstract game from Coiledspring Games that "does to Othello what Onitama does to The Duke". 38:25 - But OH BOY, Qwirkle might be even better (and its components are superb too). A top choice for families, we reckon. 49:15 - The question to us this episode is from listener pal Nicky, who asks "have you played any old games that you had forgotten you really liked?". All that, and very satisfying experiences, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Sam (@MrSamTurner), and Peter (@XeroXeroXero). Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com Quick note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

00:00 - The Peter-Minute-Ton. 03:23 - Lockdown hair cuts. 08:03 - Break the Code is a fantastic deductive puzzle experience, but what's not fantastic is losing a bit of it under some decking. 28:23 - We're divided on Devs. Is it some of the best television of the year? Or is it boring and, at times, a bit clichéd? 39:59 - Ion Fury is highly evocative of days-gone-by playing Duke Nukem 3D and Blood, so much so that we talk a bit about retro shooters and their revival. 50:17 - Callum Elcombe provides our question for the episode, which is "I have 2 Audible credits, any recommendations? I'm into good modern day crime fiction, and geek culture thrillers like Ready Player One, Daemon, Reamde". Thanks pal! All that, and Gregg Wallace's slippery aubergines, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Sam (@MrSamTurner), and Peter (@XeroXeroXero). Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

00:00 - Dancercise with Ryan Heffington, and line dancing up to the oche. 06:31 - Oh sure, Ring Fit Adventure is an indoor exercise masterpiece of games design. But does that mean Ring can say what he likes about our shiny muscles? 17:24 - Well, we're finally here: discussing beer subscriptions. 19:34 - Like a Belgian Quad, Brew Crafters from Greater Than Games is initially foreboding, has lots of depth, and is very very big. 34:07 - Welcome To New Las Vegas from Blue Cocker is a roll and write that we've fallen in love with. It's no longer a breakfast game, but that's not a problem in our books. 44:43 - Dark is... well... it's dark. It's also compelling and mysterious and twisted and you should probably watch it. 53:14 - Animal Crossing: New Horizons sure is lovely, isn't it? All that, and Bob Ross painting, with Alix (@EruditeWolf), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Sam (@MrSamTurner), and Peter (@XeroXeroXero). Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

00:00 - Loyd Grossman impressions and other things that show our age. 05:55 - Some of our favourite things to enjoy during lockdown so far have been the comforting certainty of MasterChef and the relationship-testing Animal Crossing: New Horizons. 11:30 - "To have theatre in the house is amazing" - National Theatre Live at home is a thing of wonder and a super accessible way of seeing the stage. 16:19 - The Darby Family Quiz, and a very prescient video game-doing-good: Kind Words (lo fi chill beats to write to). 27:06 - 1 Survives is an indie gem from Tip the Table Games that blends set collection with slasher horror, and is a perfect opener to a spooky games night. 34:53 - NSV and Phil Walker-Harding's Silver & Gold is keeping the roll and write (or is that flip and write?) addiction going. 42:45 - Our question this episode comes from our pal @baileyneil, who asks "as a solo player of console games and a non-board game player: are there any great board games for solo playing?" All that, and Lady Macbeth on a trampoline, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Sam (@MrSamTurner), and Peter (@XeroXeroXero). Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

00:11 - Arguing about The Bee Gees. 04:13 - We decide upon our favourite video games, board games, TV, and films from the previous 100 episodes. We each chose our personal top tens - including fantastic things that you should absolutely check out - and then attempted to get the complete list down to just the very best of the bunch as a collective ten we can all agree on. The full list was; - Bart Bonte Games (Ep80) - Batman Role-Playing Game (Ep57) - Burgle Bros. (Ep1) - Celeste (Ep81) - Cosmic Encounter (Ep51) - Dear Esther: Live (Ep49) - Dread (Ep13) - Hamilton (Ep67) - His Dark Materials (TV Series) (Ep92) - Keep Talking & Nobody Explodes (Ep62) - Knives Out! (Ep93) - Mary Poppins Returns (Ep72) - Monikers (Ep50) - Night in the Woods (Ep66) - Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty (Ep7) - Oxenfree (Ep40) - Pandemic Legacy (Ep30) - Project Highrise (Ep70) - Return of the Obra Dinn (Ep77) - Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective (Ep6) - Star Realms (Ep31) - Stardew Valley (Ep46) - Taverns of Tiefenthal (Ep88) - The Adventure Zone (Ep39) - The Crew (Ep98) - The Good Place (Ep44) - The Mind (Ep60) - TowerFall Ascension (Ep75) - Trackmania Turbo (Ep4) - UK Games Expo (Ep81) - Uncharted 4 (Ep4) - Uncharted: The Collection (Ep6) - War of the Ring (Ep35) - Warhammer 40,000: Kill Team (Ep98) - XCOM 2 (Ep42) 28:35 - The man who used to be James Bond, and further deliberation. 41:40 - The game at the core of all of Sam's family gatherings, a Wolfgang Warsch lovefest, and more. 54:36 - An off-brand topic. All that, and things that are totally "off the top of our heads", with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Sam (@MrSamTurner), and Peter (@XeroXeroXero). Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com Quick note: though this episode was released on April 1st 2020, we actually recorded it in late February 2020, which was before the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic reached the UK. So while it's nice to get together with pals normally, under these circumstances we recommend you check the advice of local authorities before considering whether to do so.

00:00 - Something called an ISTQB, the linen finish high quality of Wingspan ("the most beautiful game I own"), and the lesser spotted Trivia Tidbits. 12:40 - Relationship advice and Mini Eggs. 14:35 - Omerta has a really good rhythm to it and we think it's "a breath of fresh air". 25:22 - The guy with the games on holiday. And is taking eighteen games away with you too many? (probably) 27:25 - We start talking about Two Point Hospital, then get de-railed by PlayStation Max magazine, and pictures of a young Sam Turner. 33:34 - Two Point Hospital is a meditative medical management game with superb writing that takes a great formula into the modern era. 48:26 - "I was really taken back with how much fun everyone was having and how much fun I was having" - we're big big fans of Tiny Heist. All that, and fixing a roof with board game money, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Sam (@MrSamTurner), and Peter (@XeroXeroXero). Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com

00:00 - Miniatures games, what makes BattleTech fun to paint, and why the hobby is oh so therapeutic. 08:43 - The sensory overload of Arcade Club in Bury. 15:09 - The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine is a deceptively tricky trick-taking game that feels incredibly fresh and different. 32:19 - Parasite won best picture at the Oscars, which it fully deserves, and we'll tell you why you MUST see it (without spoiling a thing). 40:03 - Obsessed with roll and write games? Us? Never. Honest. But also: Encore! 48:30 - Some lies about Kit Kat Chunkys. 50:12 - Robyn Zwicker has a question for us this week: "have you ever had a crush on a cartoon character?" Some of the answers will surprise (and perhaps upset) you. All that, and not burying the lede, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Sam (@MrSamTurner), and Peter (@XeroXeroXero). Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com Quick note! Sam accidentally said that he had bought Encore! when in actual fact it was sent to us by the folk at Coiledspring Games to review. Apologies for that.

  00:00 - An adventure in AI Dungeon, aka The Halfpipe Chronicles. 07:12 - A technological trip into the wonderful world of PSVR, the perils of VR horror, and exploring all the new experiences to have in virtual reality. 20:23 - Brikks is the "analogue Tetris", and yet another banger from our fav, Wolfgang Warsch. 31:00 - More from The Halfpipe Chronicles. 36:25 - Looking for the antithesis to imperious games like Settlers of Catan? We've got it for you, it's the frightfully good Spirit Island. 46:41 - Adam has a great question for us for this episode: "with the next generation of consoles on the horizon, never mind what they look like, how do you think they will differentiate the disc cases from current hardware disc cases?" Thanks pal! 52:05 - The penultimate chapter of that classic epic: The Halfpipe Chronicles. All that, and some ollie watching, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), and Sam (@MrSamTurner). Links - StayingInPodcast.com Instagram - @StayingInPod Twitter - @StayingInPod Facebook - @StayingInPodcast Steam Curator - http://store.steampowered.com/curator/28314572/ BoardGameGeek - https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamepodcast/41888/staying

00:00 - A show called Best Home Cook, and what's interesting about being with the The Hairy Bikers in-person. 04:57 - What's it like playing The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt - Complete Edition on the move with the Switch version? We'll tell you. 09:20 - We're back to talking about Assassin's Creed Odyssey, and some digital sightseeing in Greece. 10:22 - We toss a coin to the Witcher TV series. 31:11 - A final (???) Charity Miles Update. It's a stonker. 36:05 - Achtung! We review the Blitzkrieg! board game by Paolo Mori. 48:26 - In typically bang-on-trend fashion, we discuss hit new board game The Royal Game of Ur which was first released *checks notes* 4500 years ago. Plus the digital adaptation by Sullivan Bousiniere. All that, and a very quick meringue, Kris (@DigitalStrider), Sam (@MrSamTurner), and Peter (@XeroXeroXero). Links - StayingInPodcast.com Instagram - @StayingInPod Twitter - @StayingInPod Facebook - @StayingInPodcast Steam Curator - http://store.steampowered.com/curator/28314572/ BoardGameGeek - https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamepodcast/41888/staying

00:00 - H. G. Wells, a true literary genius? 05:04 - TwentyPlenty. 11:15 - Don't Get Got from Big Potato Games is a mix of silly party fun and intense paranoia that demands creative thinking and social nous to outwit your loved ones. 33:30 - Jojo Rabbit is Taika Waititi's darkly-tinged comedy about why hate is so stupid, and while it can be an uncomfortable watch, it's a worthy one. 45:46 - In an energetic mood? Then Amanita Design's Chuchel - a riotous combination of puzzler and point-and-click adventure for mobile and PC - is for you. All that, and some rather "unique" CVs, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Sam (@MrSamTurner), and Peter (@XeroXeroXero). Links - StayingInPodcast.com Instagram - @StayingInPod Twitter - @StayingInPod Facebook - @StayingInPodcast Steam Curator - http://store.steampowered.com/curator/28314572/ BoardGameGeek - https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamepodcast/41888/staying

00:00 - Halo: Reach is out as part of the Halo: The Master Chief Collection so we head down memory lane to discuss the series. 16:00 - Do we make it to 2020? Find out at the end of the show! :o 20:15 - As usual, we've got the hottest takes. This episode? Our thoughts on Sam Neill going topless in sci-fi horror movie Event Horizon. 25:07 - Marvel's Spider-Man is wrapped up, but after the game's ejected from the PS4 we wonder if open world narratives work well in video games, and how important roleplaying can be for the overall enjoyment of being in these worlds. 44:25 - Decrypto and its first expansion Laserdrive are brilliantly thematic, 1950s spy-ish board game that really does make you feel like a codebreaker. Another banger from Coiledspring Games, we reckon. 56:38 - The end of the lovely BGG Secret Santa 2019 experience, and jumping in two-feet-first with Multi-Man Publishing's Advanced Squad Leader: Starter Kit #2. All that, and Halo as an adjective, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Sam (@MrSamTurner), and Peter (@XeroXeroXero). Links - StayingInPodcast.com Instagram - @StayingInPod Twitter - @StayingInPod Facebook - @StayingInPodcast Steam Curator - http://store.steampowered.com/curator/28314572/ BoardGameGeek - https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamepodcast/41888/staying

00:00 - A peacefully tomb-like (!?!?) flotation tank experience at Float Planet in Liverpool. 07:43 - We went to Modiphius's tabletop RPG event Dragonmeet, and make a resolution. 15:47 - Hoover chat. 18:07 - Kosmos and Devir have put out Silk, a wonderful little entry level worker placement/area control game from designer Luis Ranedo and artist Roc Espinet, and it's taught us a valuable lesson. 27:22 - Secret Santa!!! :D 39:47 - The question this episode comes from Holly, via The Question Man of course, who asks "what is your favourite Quality Street?" 51:39 - Knives Out, and a betrayal. All that, and our thoughts about baths, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Sam (@MrSamTurner), and Peter (@XeroXeroXero). Links - StayingInPodcast.com Instagram - @StayingInPod Twitter - @StayingInPod Facebook - @StayingInPodcast Steam Curator - http://store.steampowered.com/curator/28314572/ BoardGameGeek - https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamepodcast/41888/staying Image: "wooden decoration" by marcostetter.

00:00 - Top hotel hacks, boiling eggs in unconventional ways, and award-winning hotel service horror stories. 15:16 - Our first experience of the BoardGameGeek Secret Santa, and adventures in sending board games to Taiwan. 23:22 - Even more crimbo-capers-on-the-quiet, as we prepare for our own Secret Santa. 31:15 - We're rubbish at the fantastic Medium, a game about unlocking latent psychic powers. 43:09 - His Dark Materials has us completely charmed, of course, but more importantly: who *would* our spirit animals would be? 58:33 - Our question this week comes once again via The Question Man, and @Purple_Steve asks "what cocktails would you pair with your favourite games?" All that, and cereal-flavoured booze, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Sam (@MrSamTurner), and Peter (@XeroXeroXero). Links - StayingInPodcast.com Instagram - @StayingInPod Twitter - @StayingInPod Facebook - @StayingInPodcast Steam Curator - http://store.steampowered.com/curator/28314572/ BoardGameGeek - https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamepodcast/41888/staying

00:00 - The Fingers Dilemma. 07:03 - "Kojima-esque" and other words to describe the game one of us has made with the extremely accessible, creativity-inspiring game development software Pixel Game Maker MV. 20:39 - Our question comes from our pal "Dr. Kenneth A. Barnes" (@SuperKMx), who asks: which fictional duck is the best duck? a) Edd the Duck, b) Donald Duck, c) Scrooge McDuck, or d) Howard the Duck. And from this question, comes a revelation. 31:07 - Night School Studio is back with boozy indie adventure Afterparty, which we sum up as "Dutch courage, the video game". 41:52 - We've been playing Kingdomino Duel and Sushi Roll, two fantastic spin-off games that might... whisper it... be better than the originals. 57:20 - The Important Call. All that, and amazing little conveyor belts, with Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), Sam (@MrSamTurner), and Peter (@XeroXeroXero). Links - StayingInPodcast.com Instagram - @StayingInPod Twitter - @StayingInPod Facebook - @StayingInPodcast Steam Curator - http://store.steampowered.com/curator/28314572/ BoardGameGeek - https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamepodcast/41888/staying