The Short Game

The Tetris Effect is the latest music/puzzle/synesthesia experience from legendary game designer Tetsuya Mizuguchi. Shane spends most of this episode mercilessly clowning on me for my Tetris skills while we discuss the benefits playing Tetris in veeeeee arrrrrr. Tetris effect – Wikipedia Tetsuya Mizuguchi – Wikipedia Ecstasy of Order: The Tetris Masters (2011) – IMDb The Story of Tetris | Gaming Historian – YouTube A conversation with Tetsuya Mizuguchi and more in Episode 112 | Retronauts FINAL FANTASY TACTICS: War of the Lions on the App Store Etrata, the Silencer (Guilds of Ravnica) – Gatherer – Magic: The Gathering You can follow our show on Twitter at @_shortgame Like the show? Support us by writing a review on iTunes! Your hosts this week were: Raygan Kelly – @raygank Shane Kelly – @8bitshane (01:17) - The Story Of Tetris (07:34) - Tetsuya Mizuguchi (08:33) - PSVR (12:45) - The Tetris Effect (18:29) - Wait, What Is The Zone Meter? (23:28) - Playing With And Without VR (33:02) - Tetris For Forty Damn Dollars In 2018 (34:59) - Raygan Is Still A Tetris Idiot (37:37) - “Okay, Here’s How To Play Tetris” (42:05) - Other Modes (44:01) - Favorite Songs/Levels (49:53) - PSVR: Better Than The Sega 32X (53:41) - What’s Making Us Happy This Week (54:11) - Final Fantasy Tactics: War Of The Lions (58:38) - Etrata, the Silencer (01:02:17) - Outro

IFComp 2018 is nearing its conclusion, so it’s time for a few last games! On this episode we discussed: 00:02:09 The Origin of Madame Time by Mathbrush 00:12:01 Terminal Interface for Models RCM301-303 by VigiMech Corporation 00:26:04 Polish the Glass by Keltie Wright 00:33:27 Campfire Tales by Matthew Deline 00:36:18 They Will Not Return by John Ayliff 00:38:09 smooch.click by Devon Guinn 00:43:12 Awake by Soham Sevak 00:46:40 Urs by Christopher Hayes and Daniel Talsky Be sure to vote by the November 15th deadline! You can follow our show on Twitter at @_shortgame Like the show? Support us by writing a review on iTunes! Your hosts this week were: Raygan Kelly – @raygank Shane Kelly – @8bitshane Nate Heininger – @natestl (00:00) - Intro (02:09) - The Origin of Madame Time by Mathbrush (12:01) - Terminal Interface for Models RCM301-303 by VigiMech Corporation (26:04) - Polish the Glass by Keltie Wright (33:27) - Campfire Tales by Matthew Deline (36:18) - They Will Not Return by John Ayliff (38:09) - smooch.click by Devon Guinn (43:12) - Awake by Soham Sevak (46:40) - Ürs by Christopher Hayes and Daniel Talsky (53:40) - Outro

IFComp 2018 is nearly done, and we’re closing the comp talking about some really strong games! This is the first part of a two part episode rounding out our coverage of IFComp 2018. I was going to chat with Laura for a few minutes, but we ended up talking for nearly an hour, so rather than release one massive episode I’m splitting this one in two and releasing the second part (featuring Shane and Nate) early next week. 00:00:00 Intro 00:04:06 Bogeyman by Elizabeth Smyth 00:12:50 Erstwhile By Maddie Fialla and Marijke Perry 00:17:50 Within A Circle Of Water And Sand by Romain 00:28:41 Grimnoir by ProP 00:36:39 Other Notable Games 00:38:29 Let’s Explore Geography! Canadian Commodities Trader Simulation Exercise by Carter Sande 00:47:20: More Notable Games You can follow our show on Twitter at @_shortgame Like the show? Support us by writing a review on iTunes! Your hosts this week were: Raygan Kelly – @raygank Laura Nash – @laurajnash (00:00) - Intro (04:06) - Bogeyman by Elizabeth Smyth (12:50) - Erstwhile By Maddie Fialla and Marijke Perry (17:50) - Within A Circle Of Water And Sand by Romain (28:41) - Grimnoir by ProP (36:39) - Other Notable Games (38:29) - Let’s Explore Geography! Canadian Commodities Trader Simulation Exercise, by Carter Sande (47:20) - More Notable Games

And we are back with more IFComp 2018! We discuss nine more of the games on this year’s ballot. Horror, mystery, and extended IFComp in-jokes abound! If you play something in the comp you think we should cover, please let us know! We’re @_shortgame on Twitter, or you can use the contact form at our website. Games covered in this episode: 00:03:32 En Garde by Jack Welch 00:14:57 Re: Dragon by Jack Welch 00:23:18 The Forgotten Tavern by Peter M.J. Gross 00:29:59 They Will Not Return by John Ayliff 00:35:23 DEVOTIONALIA by G. Grimoire 00:40:20 Cannery Vale by Keanhid Connor 00:55:36 And You May Find Yourself by VPC 01:02:31 Erstwhile by Maddie Fialla and Marijke Perry 01:07:36 I. A. G. Alpha by Serhii Mozhaiskyi Other Links Crystal Warrior Kesha by Porpentine Ooblets The Haunting of Hill House (TV series) – Wikipedia Cats Washi Tape Wide 38mm x 7m Aimez le Style Cat | Etsy You can follow our show on Twitter at @_shortgame Like the show? Support us by writing a review on iTunes! Your hosts this week were: Raygan Kelly – @raygank Laura Nash – @laurajnash Shane Kelly – @8bitshane (00:00) - Intro (03:32) - En Garde by Jack Welch (14:57) - Re: Dragon by Jack Welch (23:18) - The Forgotten Tavern by Peter M.J. Gross (29:59) - They Will Not Return by John Ayliff (35:23) - DEVOTIONALIA by G. Grimoire (40:20) - Cannery Vale by Keanhid Connor (55:36) - And You May Find Yourself by VPC (01:02:31) - Erstwhile by Maddie Fialla and Marijke Perry (01:07:36) - I. A. G. Alpha by Serhii Mozhaiskyi (01:17:54) - What’s Making Us Happy This Week (01:28:51) - Admin & Outro

The leaves are changing, folks are putting up Halloween decorations… that’s right it’s IFComp season once again. Long time listeners to this show already know how passionate we are about the Interactive Fiction Competition. Now in its 23rd year, it’s the biggest event in interactive fiction and one of the highlights of our year. We’ve been covering IFComp annually since 2015. If you’re new to interactive fiction or IFComp check out some of our past coverage here. This year the are 78 games vying for your attention and votes. We’ll be spending the next several episodes playing hand picked (and randomly picked) games, and sharing our thoughts. If you play something in the comp you think we should cover, please let us know! We’re @_shortgame on Twitter, or you can use the contact form at our website. Games discussed in this episode 00:08:39 Alias The Magpie by J. J. Guest 00:08:39 Animalia by Ian Michael Waddell 00:30:37 Dead Man’s Fiesta by Ed Sibley 00:36:10 LETS ROB A BANK by Bethany Nolan 00:40:42 Junior Arithmancer by Mike Spivey 00:48:24 Railways of Love by Provodnik Games 00:56:24 + = x by Chandler Groover Other stuff: Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik A Study in Scarlet Women (Lady Sherlock, #1) by Sherry Thomas Machine of Death – Wikipedia Analogue Super NT You can follow our show on Twitter at @_shortgame Like the show? Support us by writing a review on iTunes! Your hosts this week were: Raygan Kelly – @raygank Laura Nash – @laurajnash Shane Kelly – @8bitshane Nate Heininger – @natestl (00:00) - IFComp 2018 (08:39) - Alias 'The Magpie' by J. J. Guest (18:12) - Animalia by Ian Michael Waddell (30:37) - Dead Man’s Fiesta by Ed Sibley (36:10) - LETS ROB A BANK by Bethany Nolan (40:42) - Junior Arithmancer by Mike Spivey (48:24) - Railways of Love by Provodnik Games (56:24) - + = x by Chandler Groover (01:03:02) - What’s Making Us Happy This Week? (01:19:03) - Admin and Outro

In Wandersong you play as a bard, and interact with almost everything through a fun and expressive singing mechanic. You’ll do a LOT of singing. Turns out there is no problem that can’t be solved through song, even the end of the world. Wandersong came along at the right time. Its sweetness and positivity never felt cloying, and despite its story sometimes going to some dark places it felt like just the shot of hope it turned out we needed. We fell in love with this charming game and its vibrant cast of characters. Get Wandersong on Nintendo Switch or PC/Mac via Steam or the Humble Store. It costs $20 and will take you about 10 hours to complete. Links for this episode: Wandersong, a musical adventure game! Nintendo Switch The Humble Store Steam Music | A Shell in the Pit Wandersong Dev Favorites on Spotify What’s making us happy this week? Segment starts at [00:53:06] Laura: Victoria & Albert Museum · Videogames: Design/Play/Disrupt Mid-September Link Assortment | Emily Short’s Interactive Storytelling Raygan: Dril Official “Mr. Ten Years” Anniversary Collection wint (@dril) | Twitter Shane: Shane’s cute baby and also Destiny 2: Forsaken Upcoming episodes: IFComp 2018! Check out our previous coverage here. Arcade games on Switch? Do you have a favorite? Let us know! You can follow our show on Twitter at @_shortgame Like the show? Support us by writing a review on iTunes! Your hosts this week were: Raygan Kelly – @raygank Laura Nash – @laurajnash Shane Kelly – @8bitshane (00:00) - Wandersong (53:06) - Whats making you happy this week?

After years in development and what seems like decades on the Short Game upcoming games spreadsheet, solo developer Ben Esposito has finally released Donut County. We loved playing as as a hole in the ground in this odd story driven physics puzzle game. Just the right length, and with a ton of charm, this game was made for our podcast. Donut County is currently available on Steam and GOG for Windows and Mac, as well as on PS4 and iOS. What’s making us happy this week? Shane: Magic the Gathering Laura: On The Grid Nate: Lola is walking, and Nate is scooting You can follow our show on Twitter at @_shortgame Like the show? Support us by writing a review on iTunes! Your hosts this week were: Laura Nash – @laurajnash Shane Kelly – @8bitshane Nate Heininger – @natestl (00:00) - Donut County (51:06) - What’s Making You Happy This Week?

In this, the year of too many Metroidvanias (jk there can never be too many Metroidvanias) Drinkbox returns with a long awaited sequel to their 2013 action platformer hit Guacamelee. (We covered Guacamelee way back in episode 37, and their dungeon crawler slice-em-up Severed in episode 108. If you played Guacamelee and (like us) you wished for more of it then you’ll find lots to love in Guacamelee 2. The formula is essentially unchanged from the first game, but with lots of tweaks and additions large and small. It’s no secret that we love Drinkbox, and the Guacamelee series deserves your attention even when the feast or famine that is the exploration action platformer genre turns to feast mode as it has in 2018. Guacamelee 2 is available on PC/Steam and PS4, with other platoforms likely but not announced. What’s making us happy this week Laura – Do Men Enter Bathtubs on Their Hands and Knees So Their Balls Hit The Water Last: An Investigation Raygan – Runaway (1984) Nate – Friendship and Baseball. Ugh. (00:00) - Guacamelee 2 (01:04:22) - What’s Making Us Happy This Week

Bomb Chicken is the first console game from mobile game royalty Nitrome. It’s a perfect example of a developer creating a entire game based on a single, super polished mechanic. Nitrome uses clever level design to spin their simple one button bomb-egg mechanic into dozens of unique challenges. Also the chicken is so fat. So so fat. Links for this episode Mark Brown – Game Makers Toolkit Bomb Chicken’s Dual Purpose Design – Skip the Tutorial Bomb Chicken website The Swapper – The Short Game episode 35 What’s making you happy this week? Laura: * To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (film) * The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (film) * Evergarden Nate: Holedown Raygan: Mousetrap Monday’s – All 12 Of Mascall’s 427 Year Old Style Mouse Traps (00:00) - Bomb Chicken (45:55) - What’s Making Us Happy This Week

It’s an all-singing-all-dancing episode this week as we play Peter Panic, a mobile game that mixes WarioWare style micro games with the magic of musical theater! This mobile game stands out by being a fully-sung musical sung by actual broadway talent. Peter Panic is available for iOS and Android. It’s free to download and try, with the ability to save your progress available for $2.99. Links Variety article about the game Operatic Villains – Vidjagame Apocalypse (Podcast Episode) Peter Panic soundtrack on Spotify Peter Panic soundtrack on YouTube Fun Home – I’m Changing My Major to Joan Broadway World – Musical Video Game PETER PANIC, Starring Emily Skeggs & Gideon Glick, Out Now Broadway World – New Mini-Game App PETER PANIC Throws Fans into the World of Broadway What’s making us happy this week? Nate – Sous Vide Raygan – Kill Six Billion Demons Laura – Binge Mode Harry Potter Shane – Ty’s first birthday You can follow our show on Twitter at @_shortgame Like the show? Support us by writing a review on iTunes! Your hosts this week were: Laura Nash – @laurajnash Nate Heininger – @natestl Raygan Kelly – @raygank Shane Kelly – @8bitShane (00:00) - Peter Panic (46:09) - What's making us happy this week