Aches and Games

In a bumper show we:

Plus we talk Neighbours-themed Christmas parties, "ballet fuffs" and much more on this months Aches & Games!

Timestamps:

00:00 Intros

03:11 What we've been up to

25:33 Thank Goodness You're Here (Review)

37:06 Other Reviews : Split Fiction, 1000xResist, Dispatch, Moss Book 2, Waterpark Simulator, Keep Talking & Nobody Explodes, and Lego Voyagers.

75:51 Next Month's Sub Club pick is...<...

Hi everyone :)

In the festive spirit we're back with the gift of a **special episode** of Aches & Games for your holiday listening pleasure.

In a fast-becoming annual tradition we cut straight to the gaming and take turns to run though each of our 5 favourite games we played during 2025.

*Five picks each (with some crossover perhaps?)

*“Honourable mentions”

*PLUS what 2026 game we’re most looking forward to playing. 

Timestamps

00:00 Intro & overall thoughts on 2025

04:09 Our top 5s

60:15 Looking ahead to 2026

66:00 Wrapping up & bi...

In this month's episode: we review Double Fine's Keeper, Alan Wake 2, Motorsport Manager and more. We discuss what else we've been playing and watching, plus James dices with death at a fireworks display and I embrace the festivities with some Christmas activities. All that and more in December's Aches & Games!

Timestamps:

00:00 Intros

02:25 What we've been up to

19:24 Keeper

33:51 Other games we've been playing

65:37 Next Month's Sub Club pick is...

67:04 Newsbytes

74:37 Wrapping up

As always, we'd love to hear...

In this month's epic episode: we each go on a journey of discovery with Indika; James drops into the Simpsons season of Fortnite and completes one of his new favourite games of all time; and I get suitably spooky with Ghost Town on the Meta Quest and Alan Wake 2. Plus we discuss the recent (ish) changes to Xbox Game Pass, Halo coming to PlayStation and some upcoming releases that have caught our eye.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intros

03:46 What we've been up to

25:04 Indika (last month's "Sub Club" pick)

33:49 Other games we've...

Hi everyone!

In October's episode we sword sand surf our way through the pleasant lands of Sword of the Sea and talk about everything else that we’ve been playing, watching and getting up to since last month. Plus highlights from this month's Nintendo Direct, Sony's latest State of Play and thoughts on Kojima's OD - Knock. Plus we share any upcoming releases that have caught our eye.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intros and feedback to last month's show

07:45 What we've been up to

26:35 Sword of the Sea (last month's "Sub Club" pi...

Hi everyone!

In September's episode we're talking Prince of Persia : The Lost Crown and what else we've been doing, watching and playing this month. Plus thoughts on this month's gaming news, upcoming highlights, KPop Demon Hunters and 90's one hit wonders Kris Kross (really).

Timestamps:

00:00 Intros

01:52 What we've been up to (and watching)

30:15 Prince of Persia : The Lost Crown - this month's SubClub

41:42 What else we've been playing

62:39 Next Month's SubClub pick is...

67:47 Newsbytes / coming up

83:15 Wrapping up...

Hi everyone!

In August's episode of "Aches & Games monthly" we go football crazy, with a face-off between Rematch and FC25 for our SubClub and inspired by the lionesses and the women's Euros in general. But fear not and footy-phobics - we also talk gigs, games and general gibberish as we go through what else we've been doing, watching and playing this month.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intros

02:05 What we've been up to and watching

29:11 FC25 v Rematch - a face-off for this month's SubClub

49:07 What else we've...

Hi everyone!

In July's episode of "Aches & Games monthly" we grind our way through Bomb Rush Cyberfunk and talk about everything else that we’ve been playing, watching and getting up to since last month. Plus any news and upcoming releases that have caught our eye.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intros

02:35 What we've been up to

24:45 Bomb Rush Cyberfunk (last month's "Sub Club" pick)

35:03 Other games we've been playing

62:50 Next Month's Sub Club pick is...

67:01 Newsbytes

74:32 Wrapping up

Hi everyone

In our latest **special episode** of Aches & Games we’re talking Xbox – specifically :

·      what actually is "Xbox” in 2025

·       thoughts as we come off this year's games showcase

·      and how we feel about the future of the platform

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

1:32 Just what is "Xbox" in 2025

3:40 Console and beyond

12:03 Games - from famine to feast?

26:19 Now and next - where is this all going?

44:24 Wrapping up

45:48 Bonus content?

As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socia...

Hi everyone!

In June's episode of "Aches & Games monthly" we talk about the delightfully British Atomfall plus everything else that we’ve been playing, watching and getting up to since last month. Plus a quick run through any news of the moment, as well as new and upcoming releases that have caught our eye.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intros

01:35 What we've been up to

21:29 Atomfall (last month's "Sub Club" pick)

31:06 Other games we've been playing

46:03 Next Month's GOTM is...

49:12 A busy month for ne...

Hi everyone!

In May's episode of "Aches & Games monthly" we talk about the intriguing Blue Prince plus everything else that we’ve been playing, watching and getting up to since last month. Plus a quick run through some new and upcoming releases that have caught our eye.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intros

1:49 What we've been up to

20:55 Blue Prince

32:39 What else we've been playing

52:47 New Games that have caught our eye

57:08 Next Month's GOTM is...

61:28 Wrapping up

...

Hi everyone

In our latest **special episode** of Aches & Gameswe reminisce while sharing our Nintendo-based gaming memories - from the NES and Game Boy all the way up to the Switch while also looking ahead to the Switch 2.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

1:08 The early home consoles (NES, SNES and N64)

10:32 Downs ups and downs (Gamecube, Wii and the Wii U)

22:06 Gaming on the go (Gameboy, GBA, the DS & 3DS)

29:11 Two become one (the many Nintendo Switch years)

36:02 Evolution not revolution (will we...

Hi everyone!

In April's "Aches & Games monthly" we talk:

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage plus everything else that we’ve been playing, watching and getting up to since last month. Plus we discuss the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct and some new and notable games hitting Game Pass and PS+ this month.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intros

1:53 What we've been up to

20:06 Lost Records: Bloom & Rage

28:08 What else we've been playing

43:29 News Bytes / New Games / Next Month's GOTM is...

53:29 Nintendo Switch 2 - instant reactions

Hi everyone!

Welcome to March's "Aches & Games monthly".

As well as what we’ve been playing, watching and getting up to since last month, we discuss The Stanley Parable - February's mind-bending game of the month . Plus we talk about a pretty stacked State of Play stream from Sony, an adorable indie showcase from ID@Xbox and various other bits and bobs.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intros

1:40 What we've been up to

23:01 The Stanley Parable (Caution: Spoilers!)

33:29 What else we've been playing

47:21 News By...

Hi everyone!

Welcome to February's "Aches & Games monthly".

As well as what we’ve been playing, watching and getting up to since our last time together, we discuss Synth Riders - January's game of the month and our first ever VR choice. Plus we talk about the recent Developer Direct from Xbox, the Switch 2 reveal and PlayStation's seemingly quiet year to come.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intros

2:08 What we've been up to

15:47 Synth Riders / what else we've been playing

46:03 News Bytes / Xbox's Developer_Direct

...

A monthly check in between two slightly older British friends chatting about what we've been doing, playing and what's happened in the gaming world.

Plus, the feed also had special episodes covering things like our games of the year, favourite gaming memories and reactions to the biggest gaming announcements and stories.

Why not give us a try, thanks!

Hi everyone!

Welcome to our first ever "Aches & Games monthly" - which you might recognise as just a slightly tweaked version of our regular monthly catch-up show.

As well as what we’ve been playing, watching and getting up to since our last time together, we discuss Indiana Jones & The Great Circle (December's choice for game of the month), this month's choice and our highlights from The Game Awards. Enjoy!

Timestamps:

0:00 Intros

1:59 What we've been up to

15:06 Indiana Jones / what else we've been playing

Hi everyone :)

In this first ever **special episode** of Aches & Games we cut straight to the gaming and run down our own favourite games of 2024 (or rather the favourite games we each played during 2024).

*Five picks each (with some crossover perhaps?)

*“Honourable mentions”

*Our surprises of the year

*PLUS what 2024 game we’re most looking forward to playing – when we finally get through the backlogs!    

As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials @achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com. <...

Hi everyone!

In this month's show we’re celebrating our one whole year of the podcast by looking back on our highs & lows AND reveal some upcoming changes to the show for 2025. Plus, we follow up on November’s controversial choice of having two “game of the month”s, we choose December’s game and share what we’ve been playing, watching and getting up to since our last time together.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intros

2:21 What we've been up to

18:25 Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 / The Chaos Engine

36:45 What else we've b...

Hi everyone! In this month's show we nurse wounds and wounded egos from the Dead Space Remake bringing us on to the thorny issue of gaming difficulty. Plus November's choice (or rather choices) for Games of the month, James' half-term Halloween fun, Giles' unpopular movie opinions and the usual bits and bobbins. Timestamps: 0:00 Intros 2:45 What we've been up to 25:50 Dead Space Remake 35:10 What else we've been playing 48:55 November's games is / games are ... 55:00 News Bytes 66:52 A difficult(y) discussion about games 81:56 Wrapping up As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials @achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing...

We celebrate spooky season by discussing some of our favourite ghoulish games and choosing a season-appropriate choice for October's game of the month. Plus our thoughts on Age of Mythology Retold (September's choice), how Giles actually "went west" and the usual catch-ups, tangents and general nonsense. Timestamps: 0:00 Intros 2:43 What we've been up to 20:06 Age of Mythology Retold 29:36 What else we've been playing 42:12 October's game is ... 45:32 News Bytes 57:39 Our top ghostly (or grisly) games 80:43 Wrapping up As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials @achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com. And please check...

Summer's gone but we're back with a discussion of the pros and cons of PS+ and Xbox Game Pass as well as our thoughts on Jeanne d'Arc, a hidden gem from the PSP and 2007 which was August's play-along game of the month.

Plus James relives a holiday that didn't go quite to plan and some rather more fun family co-op adventures while Giles finds something just his pace in amongst the hot air balloons at Bristol's Balloon Fiesta. All that and the usual catch-ups, tangents and general nonsense. Timestamps: 0:00 Intros 2:00 What we've been up to / feedback / pod...

It's August (already!) so we share some of our favourite "Summer" games as well as our thoughts on the decidedly un-summery Still Wakes The Deep which was July's play-along game of the month.

Plus James talks a look at Lorelei and the Laser Eyes, and explore the (early) depths of Hellblade among others, while Giles investigates The Curse of the Golden Idol and explored the Dungeons of Hinterberg. All that and the usual catch-ups, tangents and general nonsense. Timestamps: 0:00 Intros 2:54 What we've been up to / feedback / pod stuff 16:48 Still Wakes the Deep (our play along for July) 25:25...

In July's episode we share some picks from the recent summer showcases and our thoughts on Animal Well, our inaugural (great word right) play-along game of the month. Plus James talks completing the delightfully deranged Disco Elysium and the brilliant bleakness of Bramble, while Giles ponders Humanity and Harry Potter (one of those in Lego form). All that and the usual catch-ups, tangents and general nonsense. Timestamps: 0:00 Shambles! 0:18 Intros 1:17 What we've been up to / feedback / pod stuff 18:57 Animal Well (our play along for June) 26:44 What else we've been playing 42:55 Our picks from the summer showcase season 63:08 PS Plus & Game Pass...

In June's episode we discuss the news that older games are dominating people's playing time and if we might be part of the problem?

Plus Giles walks through stunning landscapes and complicated feelings on Hellblade 2, James investigates Disco Elysium and we compare thoughts on our respective time with Harold Halibut. Plus the usual catch-ups, tangents and general nonsense. Timestamps:

0:00 Intros

0:58 What we've been up to

13:39 Introducing June's game of the month

20:07 What we've been playing

41:34 This month's news bites

52:38 Why do old games currently rule<...

Join us for this month's episode including James' muddy ending, Giles' conflicted feelings on his time at Hogwarts and where we discuss what "counts" as a game. Plus all the usual (and unusual) nonsense about life, and gaming on Xbox, PlayStation 5, Switch and PC Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 2:59 What we've been up to 19:32 What we've been playing 53:58 This month's news bites 66:26 What "counts" as a game? 77:53 Wrapping up As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials @achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com.

Join us for April's episode where we contrast our Easter breaks, compare thoughts on #RatchetandClank and discuss what's the "perfect" length for games. Plus all the usual (and unusual) nonsense about life, and gaming on Xbox, Playstation 5, Switch and PC Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 2:04 What we've been up to 17:01 Ratchet & Clank thoughts plus what we've been playing 44:29 This month's news bites 52:35 The "perfect" game length 63:27 Wrapping up As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials @achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com.

In March's episode we discuss the recent rushing river of remakes & remasters and indulge our fondness for other forms of alliteration. Plus the usual catch ups on what we've been doing and playing during the past month. Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 2:40 February ramblings 17:01 What we've been playing 32:23 This month's news bites 41:13 Remakes and remasters 56:14 Wrapping up As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials @achesandgames, or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com.

We're back for another brand-new episode and with James' fancy new mic (yep, pretty jealous tbf). With both Xbox & PlayStation having shown us what they have coming in 2024, we react to their Developer_Direct and recent State of Play events. Plus the usual catch ups on what we've been doing and playing during that darkest (and longest?) month of the year - January. Timestamps: 0:43 Intro, what we've been up to and your feedback 15:19 What we've been playing this month 25:05 Our reactions to January's Developer_Direct and State of Play 53:05 Wrapping up for today As always, we'd love to hear from...

Happy new year! We're back for our second episode with brand new microphones and despite some gremlins in the recording software.

This month we catch up on a busy Christmas period, discuss our favourite games that we played in 2023 (hence the *) and share a few of our gaming new year's resolutions.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro and what we've been up to

12:22 What we've been playing this month

33:00 Our games of the year 2023

58:20 Gaming resolutions for 2024

As always, we'd love to hear from you via...

Introducing ourselves & the pod and chatting through our personal gaming journeys*. *No radioactive spiders involved, as far as we know. And yes, sorry about Giles' microphone issues, we'll sort it out!