So above, so below. Episode 019 of Dialogue Tree, on Hollow Knight, a lost year, and what comes next, is available now wherever you get podcasts. Links ⬇️

A good problem to have. @rupertcole.bsky.social and @honeyboy.glassjury.com, composers of the soundtracks to indie hits from @potipoti.studio and @gamemakerstoolkit.com, share their thoughts on puzzle games, and how to design music for them. Episode 018 of Dialogue Tree, available now. Links ⬇️

A still life revisited. Episode 016 of Dialogue Tree, on a short, profound experience I didn't see coming, is available now wherever you get podcasts. Links ⬇️

4 minutes dunking on a sacred cow followed by 31 minutes of excruciating punning. You can’t afford *not* to listen.

I’m on holiday, but the Virtual Boy never got a break, so neither do we. Episode 014 of Dialogue Tree, celebrating the 30th birthday of a landmark disaster, is available now wherever you get podcasts. Features unexpectedly good music, expectedly bad games, and an honest to goodness book. Links ⬇️

In which I dramatise my suffering, read an essay, and play some great music, including one personal all timer.

I think this turned out pretty ok so it'd be cool if you gave it a listen 🎧

A band whose passive toxicity has infected multiple generations of musicians and journalists who should know better. There is nothing, *nothing*, quite like this band to bring out the laziest journalism going.

Happy to have been invited to contribute to @underplayedpod.bsky.social's season opener, and even happier to have not tanked it completely. I'm not saying how I contributed. You'll have to listen. (which you should be doing anyway, as it's a great show that excels at constructive commentary)

New games, and a brief appearance from one very old one.

I wrote and recorded a podcast looking back on 10 years of @mrsambarlow.bsky.social's Her Story. It was fun to make, and I think it's an ok listen. Here's a trailer if you're curious.

In which I get carried away with the patch notes for @squidshock.bsky.social’s wonderful debut game. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Play wherever you get your eye poppingly hard Metroidvanias.

Bananza looks ridiculous, overstuffed and brilliant. And oh that Tears of the Kingdom reference.

Not to be too dramatic, but "Finally We Are No One" genuinely changed how I listened to music. When I heard that album, it made me listen to what is there, rather than what is not. It led me to appreciating and enjoying so much *more* music, whether it sounded like múm or not. It's fucking amazing.

OHGOD OHGOD OHGOD OHGOD

White knuckles, clenched teeth, absolute joy. Episode 009 of Dialogue Tree, on the best* game of 2024, is out now on all podcast platforms. *my favourite Links ⬇️

This game. This wonderful, deranged, disgusting and beautiful game. @kaizengameworks.com absolutely killed it.

And yet, I’ve just listened to a podcast run by professional journalists who claimed there was little to no excitement for the launch. Read the room guys.

The real battle here is our government vs. dignity, which has been pretty one sided so far

I like making stupid trailers for my podcast as much I like making the actual podcast

Keyboard shopping is a whole different language. Can *anyone* tell me what mechanical keyboard I should buy?

New era, same magic. The Switch 2 is here. I went out to meet, then came back and talked about it. Episode 8 of Dialogue Tree, featuring a late night drive, a measured review of the game everyone hates, and that amazing System Transfer music, is available now wherever you get podcasts. Links ⬇️

It's the end, so I said goodbye to the Switch. You can listen here: open.spotify.com/episode/6qdg... All other platforms linked at dialoguetree.cc. Here's a preview.

A history, a funeral, a celebration. This is the dream of Gunpei and Jack. Episode 007 of Dialogue Tree, looking at the last 8 years, and the 40 that preceded it, is available now on all podcast platforms. You can find the show online at: www.dialoguetree.cc Apple and Spotify links below.

A lovely gesture from the lovely people behind this lovely show

What @brandrick.bsky.social has done is quite something - a weekly newsletter on the Switch, for 8 years. And it’s great - informative, concise and always able to raise a smile. The one newsletter I actually read weekly. Hats off 🎩💥

@thecinemile.bsky.social Hello! Here’s a boring, awful question I’m sure you’ve been asked hundreds (thousands?) of times before, so…I’m sorry. Are you able to share what mic you use to record the show? Looking for a for a good, portable recording solution.

@loudpete.bsky.social My heart is with you brother

Lining circular baking tins is the devil's work

A trailer for episode 006 of Dialogue Tree, a small review of a game with a big heart, a homespun 2D platformer with the spirit of a grand 3D adventure, from @holycapstudio.bsky.social. Available wherever you get podcasts. All links at: www.dialoguetree.cc

So, this is how I'm coping with the last days of the Switch era, one that's been reasonably important to me as a human. I use @dekudeals.com to track game deals, a wishlist, and my Switch game collection. I've crunched the numbers, and here are the final figures. ⬇️

Recorded a show about one of those hidden gems you hear so much about. Promenade is a very good game with charm to burn, and if you give me 15 minutes, I think I can convince you to dive in with just a few words, a load of the excellent soundtrack, and a little bit of Buster Keaton.

A boy, a poulp, a dream. Episode 006 of Dialogue Tree, on a heartfelt, polished indie gem about the human imagination, is out now on all podcast platforms. All links at: www.dialoguetree.cc

A tease for episode 006 of Dialogue Tree, starring this guy, and Buster Keaton.

Last call for episode 005 of Dialogue Tree, in which I take a NUCLEAR DUMP* on the most OVERRATED** game of 2024. * offer mild, measured reasons why it didn’t quite click with me ** probably true but clearly a work of excellent, intentional design and obviously in no way bad

We didn’t deserve The Thermals youtu.be/HwgNMrs-i80?...

Bob Junior is a seemingly unknown, total savant songwriter. I wrote about him here: www.an-awful-lie.cc/006-bob-juni... He has a new album out today: open.spotify.com/album/4fAtA6... It's his atypical blend of lounge pop, indie rock and traditional latin diversions. It's great.

All we need now is for Hop Along to come back and the universe will have truly healed

A trailer for episode 005 of Dialogue Tree, available wherever you listen to podcasts. All links at: www.dialoguetree.cc

Someone let @mrbasilpesto.bsky.social know

Sometimes the YouTube algorithm plays a blinder and throws some grade A power pop right into my face. Now a card carrying member of the @fortitudevalley.bsky.social fan club: youtu.be/Q9GhxI9xkbM?...

A reluctant confession, an awkward admission, a bad beat, and the fold. Episode 5 of Dialogue Tree, on the best game you’ve ever played that I just couldn’t enjoy, is available now on all podcast platforms. All links can be found at www.dialoguetree.cc

A preview of the art (?) for tomorrow’s episode. Show credits include the BBC Sound Effects archive, teenage delusions and the concept of the walking bass line.

You don’t know this about me, but I’m a life long Crystal Palace fan, so I sure am experiencing some feelings right now

You might think the life of a work from home dad of three is pretty glamorous, but allow me to lift the curtain a little with the news that I’ve just emptied an enormous paddling pool of both water and a small colony of dead flies, for the third time this week.

Like Summer Games Fest, but good

This achieves the ideal of conversational podcasting - you feel like you’re listening in on two friends having a nice, chill chat. No performative banter or passive aggressive hazing - just thoughtful, considered discussion 🎧

Made this stupid trailer for the latest episode of my podcast and I don’t know why but it makes me laugh every time

Episode 004 of Dialogue Tree, available wherever you listen to podcasts. Links below.

Big City Greens Akira reference. I’m into it.