The Tyranny of Thumbs

While we take our sweet time with Disco, enjoy a legendary episode from our archives in preparation for Senua's Sacrifice 2. I'll leave you with a quote that's been resonating with me from Disco Elysium this week as we've been digging into the main story more... But you would still prefer if we didn't take her away? That's right, if we didn't take care of the people who end up here, this place would just be a couple of ruins and some cargo containers -Titus Hardie

This week, after some light hiatus in our actual real lives, we dive back into Disco Elysium. Where we both enjoy the game and discuss how like... you know... how hard it is to pick up a game like this after putting it down. -- Be sure to check out Instagram because Elena only knows one type of content and that's pure🔥! (Also she gives more real-time updates on how much we are throwing the schedule) Tentative Schedule: We got a plan from helpful folks over at the Disco Elysium subreddit... and it's gone. That's to say, we've had to make small adjustments for life reasons but we are marching forward... Week 1: Play days 1 Week 2: Play until you get into the next landmass and meet some characters. A nice taster. Week 3: Some went off into sidequests, some yolo'ed the main story. But one thing is for sure, the divergence is real in this section. Week 4: It's time to dive into the story if you have been avoiding it. It's time. Week 5: ???? General tips that the community wanted to share as we dive in:

We've never re-released an episode before, be gentle. McCoy was afraid but James was fearless. We'll be back for more Disco Elysium next week and with more exciting news on those Insulindian Phasmids

This week, after some light hiatus in our actual real lives, we dive back into Disco Elysium. Where we both enjoy the game and discuss how like... you know... how hard it is to pick up a game like this after putting it down. -- Be sure to check out Instagram because Elena only knows one type of content and that's pure🔥! (Also she gives more real-time updates on how much we are throwing the schedule) Tentative Schedule: We got a plan from helpful folks over at the Disco Elysium subreddit... and it's gone. That's to say, we've had to make small adjustments for life reasons but we are marching forward... Week 1: Play days 1 Week 2: Play until you get into the next landmass and meet some characters. A nice taster. Week 3: ?? Week 4: ?? (I mean this could keep going) General tips that the community wanted to share as we dive in:

Hello everyone! We finally caved and decided to play Disco Elysium (Thanks... James). Oh boy, it's a great game everyone, buckle up. I also say buckle up because like... it's gonna take us a minute. Kindness sensors activate! Be sure to check out Instagram because Elena only knows one type of content and that's pure🔥! (Also she gives more real-time updates on how much we are throwing the schedule) Tentative Schedule: We got a plan from helpful folks over at the Disco Elysium subreddit... and it's gone. That's to say, we've had to make small adjustments for life reasons but we are marching forward... Week 1: Play days 1 Week 2: Play until you get into the next landmass and meet some characters. A nice taster. Week 3: ?? Week 4: ?? (I mean this could keep going) General tips that the community wanted to share as we dive in:

Forgive, we started off this episode REALLY slowly (we were all exhausted from daylight savings and epic halo this weekend) but we got there in the end boys. This is a game that has been bubbling behind the surface for a lot of us and it's time to finally put it out and give it its praise.

This week we finish Tunic and boy does this game shift styles in the second half. I'm glad we stuck with it to see what more it has in store for us. Also, we watch a speed run too, which frankly is something we should be doing more because it's just fun to watch the game you just toiled over get broken apart. (Also I tried to edit this week with Craig files in hopes it would capture the accidental Ba-Dum-Tis that got fired off in Discord, but alas, it wasn't captured. So you just get Craig audio and since the audio wave forms didn't give away culprit, they are very much still at large)

This week we are joined by Matt to play some Tunic! Zoe, James, and our listeners have been scouting this one so we finally figured out how to align on playing it. At the beginning of the episode, there is a spoiler-free zone where we try to explain why you might play this game that has received so much buzz but also no one wants to spoil it for you. We'll come back next week for the full send spoilers and all-game talk after completing the game. See you then.

This week we finally finish up and get to talking about Deadly Premonition! Which is almost certainly a game of all time. But also like... for the bingo card:

"This week it's time for something sorta kinda different" - Zoe This week we answer your questions! What a wild world we live in. Thank you all so much for submitting questions and for the kind words. (Also thanks for tolerating some tech issues that really got at our mentals this week. Your patience and kindness is always appreciated.)

This week, in what almost certainly could have been an email (but you know this ain't how we roll), we put a quick message about our plans for the new year, ask for your listener questions, and give our game forecast so people can actually know what's going on and get their game related emails in before we've already recorded!

Day 3 Personal Award: McCoy’s personal award & top episodes Shoutouts from 2022 Best Game (Top 5)

Day 2 Personal Award: Zoe’s personal award & top episodes Best Visuals: Games we couldn’t help but marvel at Best Atmosphere: Games that give off good (or not so good) “feels” Personal Award: Elena’s personal award & top episodes Biggest Surprise: Games that exceeded or subverted our expectations Biggest Disappointment: Games that missed the mark despite the hype

Day 1 Best Narrative: Games that tell a great story Personal Award: James’ personal award & top episodes Best Collective & Multiplayer Experience: The best of the ToT Group Playthroughs Best Game We’re Still Playing: The games that got us into the Discord

DAVE THE.... .... DIVER Starting the new year off strong! Thank you everyone for being so kind. May you start the New Year as strong as we hope to. For the next couple weeks we are going to be releasing GOTY in place of normal podcasts to give us some breathing room to finish Deadly Premonition. We. Out. Here.

This week we finally get around to talking about Dredge and it's lovely. We've definitely all been vibing on it for the past couple of weeks, in our own way, and it's been exactly what we needed. No doubt about that. Happy Holidays everyone. Thank you all so much. Also, hey, Gabe shared with us this FIRE mashup... So, I gotchu dog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feJ7PWlVms8

"Ultimately in this game. You play as a moth" - James "The existential dread of being human, that’s the real horror." - Gabe A Story Analysis of Soma (By YouTuber Gingy)

This week it's first impressions of Soma, a game so scary it's basically taking us 3 weeks to bring ourselves to play it through. Who knew Spooky Games Month was just going to be us afraid of turning on the videogame? We are very light on spoilers but more so we talk vibes and the "Safe" mode.

The playlist: Chill Beats to Freeze To - The Pale Beyond Ambient Mix We returned from a trek on the ice with James... Still no sign of Gabe though. Last time we saw him he was drunk in a bathroom just muttering to himself that "he was the captain now" and laughing to himself.

The playlist: Chill Beats to Freeze To - The Pale Beyond Ambient Mix This week it's time for a long slow exhale as we embark on the journey into the pale beyond. Also this week we lost like at least 2 crew members so it's down to a cozy Elena, Zoe and McCoy.