LeisureGamesVideo GamesExplicit

No Small Games

Kate Hunter & Emily Merritt

No Small Games is an indie game recap and review podcast brought to you by hosts Kate and Emily! They became friends while streaming on Twitch and bonded over their love of indie video games. In each episode of No Small Games, the two will discuss an indie game they both played independently. They’ll compare their experiences: the good, the bad, their most memorable moments of their playthroughs.

Play

Open in

23 episodes
weekly
Avg 2 hr 5 min
English

Episodes 23

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

Sunday · 2 hr 32 min
PAX West 2026 Recap
We're bringing you along for our first PAX West in Seattle! We're stoked to share all the indie demos, side events, and shenanigans! Our very first PAX West in Seattle had us feeling like games media babies all over again. Two buildings, many floors of expo booths, panels, and programming, and so much to explore! But we played more indie game demos than ever at this PAX! We also got to attend some wonderfully indie-centric side events like the MIX Fall Showcase and the Seattle Indies Expo. We're a little loopy from all the travel, but we hope you enjoy this recap of all the games we got to check out, including some exclusive sneak peeks! Curious to hear and see more about these games? Check out our roundup of 11 stellar indie games we got our hands on at the show, including our Game of the Show! Also, check out the full show notes for the names of and links to all of the games we talk about in this episode! Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:00:05 - NSG Off the Cuff: PAX Day 1 00:07:53 - PAX West 2026 First Impressions 00:19:10 - Unofficial Side Events 00:27:47 - NSG Off the Cuff: PAX Day 2 00:50:20 - PAX Indie Demo Highlights 01:15:20 - Interview - Manda Farough and Greg Rogers, Causeway Studios 01:33:34 - PAX Indie Demo Highlights Continued 01:38:18 - Interview - Ben Escobar, Genie Boy Games 01:42:56 - PAX Indie Demo Highlights Continued 02:12:21 - Interview - Quintin Pan, ambedo studio 02:20:20 - PAX Indie Demo Highlights Continued Keep in touch with us on social media: Kate's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/katerblossom.bsky.social Emily's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/aspecificegg.bsky.social No Small Games Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/nosmallgames.bsky.social No Small Games Instagram ✦ https://www.instagram.com/nosmallgames Want to learn more and weigh in on what games we should play in future episodes? Check us out and leave a game suggestion at nosmallgames.com
August 31 · 2 hr 31 min
Indie Game Roundup - August 2026 feat. CognitiveClips & C3C1LIE
Welcome back to the NSG Indie Game Roundup, our monthly series featuring indie games news, plus game demos and new release discussions. We may be almost through summer, but the gaming news continues to flow, for better or worse. We dig into some big indie game news stories from the past month, plus a little internet discourse, as a treat. As usual, we also have a ton of awesome game demos and new releases to tell you about! Make sure you stay through the end of the roundup because we have a very special bonus segment at the end, where we got to chat with our dear friends Cognitive Clips and Cecilie about this year's Games for Change Festival. They shared some great highlights from this year's event, some of which you can watch at the links in the show notes. Also, huge thanks to our newest Patreon supporters! In addition to other fun perks, members on Patreon get early access to all of the Indie Game Roundup episodes. If you love No Small Games and would like to support us in growing the show, while also unlocking fun, exclusive content, you can check out our Patreon page. You can find our full show notes, including links and shoutouts, on the No Small Games site: Indie Game Roundup - August Show Notes Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:03:48 - Icebreaker Question 00:13:00 - Indie Game News 00:34:15 - Demos 00:47:10 - Big Walk 00:57:36 - Capy Castaway 01:00:39 - Mind Inc. 01:03:10 - Sephiria 01:08:50 - Nimbit Frontier 01:13:52 - Lost & Found: A This Bed We Made Story 01:20:32 - Walk 01:24:46 - Fields of Mistria 01:38:28 - A Musical Story Meet our Guests CognitiveClips @cognitiveclips.bsky.social Jordan, aka CognitiveClips, is a gaming content creator and one of the co-hosts of Drop-in Drop-out Podcast. Jordan produces video essays, game impressions and playthroughs for YouTube. As a co-host on Drop-in Drop-out, he joins a large cast of rotating hosts and guests to discuss video game news, new releases and everything in between. Check out Jordan's content on: Bluesky YouTube Instagram Drop-in Drop-out Podcast C3C1LIE @c3c1lie.bsky.social Cecilie works in advocacy and policy work at the United Nations, with a focus on international migration and displacement. She works with governments, NGOs, UN agencies and other stakeholders to uplift grassroots experiences and bring them to policy making spaces at the UN. She also occasionally streams on Twitch, including recapping events like Games for Change. Follow Cecilie on: Bluesky Instagram Twitch Keep in touch with us on social media: Kate's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/katerblossom.bsky.social Emily's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/aspecificegg.bsky.social No Small Games Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/nosmallgames.bsky.social No Small Games Instagram ✦ https://www.instagram.com/nosmallgames Want to learn more and weigh in on what games we should play in future episodes? Check us out and leave a game suggestion at nosmallgames.com
#70
August 20 · 2 hr 19 min
Ep. 70 - Road 96 feat. RoganPlaysGames
Road 96, developed by Digixart, is a choices matter adventure game where you make your way through a procedurally generated road trip, trying to cross the border out of your authoritarian country. A pivotal election is coming up and teens are being hunted down and imprisoned. Your only hope is to travel north in hopes that you can escape to freedom. In Road 96, every player's journey will be entirely your own. In Episode 70, we were delighted to be joined by gaming content creator Rogan, to help us unpack the wild twists and turns we experienced on the road. We discuss everything from video game hot takes to our thoughts on the choices matter genre. True to the premise of the game, all of our journeys were extremely different and we had a great time comparing what we encountered. Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:13:00 - Weekly Boss Battles 00:22:00 - Meet our Guest - RoganPlaysGames 00:48:10 - Road 96 Discussion 02:00:15 - Game Ratings 02:06:37 - One Small Thing Meet our Guests Rogan (he/him) @roganplaysgames.bsky.social Rogan is an indie gaming content creator known for short form videos highlighting lesser known titles similar to AAA favorites, upcoming indies to look out for, and more. With years of experience in the games industry, he brings both deep knowledge of and passion for games to his content. Check out Rogan on: Tiktok Instagram YouTube Bluesky Keep in touch with us on social media: Kate's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/katerblossom.bsky.social Emily's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/aspecificegg.bsky.social No Small Games Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/nosmallgames.bsky.social No Small Games Instagram ✦ https://www.instagram.com/nosmallgames Want to learn more and weigh in on what games we should play in future episodes? Check us out and leave a game suggestion at nosmallgames.com
#69
August 6 · 2 hr 27 min
Ep. 69 - Mixtape feat. Brendon Bigley & AJ Fillari
Mixtape is a cinematic narrative adventure developed by Beethoven and Dinosaur and published by Annapurna. In the few months between its release and the time of this recording, it earned itself many accolades and also much discussion among the gaming community, for better or worse. Players join three friends on their last night together after senior year of high school. Knowing they have just a few hours together before their lives change forever, they set out to have the most epic night ever, including an iconic soundtrack. The game features tracks from DEVO, The Smashing Pumpkins, Iggy Pop, The Cure, and many more artists who created the vibe for a generation. It's Episode 69, so of course we had to make it extra... nice! This is the first time we're welcoming two guests from different shows on for one episode, and we're delighted that Brendon and AJ picked out Mixtape to discuss with us. We've all been chomping at the bit to throw our hat into the ring of the Mixtape discourse that briefly set the internet on fire. You'll hear our experiences with the game, plus a lot of talk about music! We hope you enjoy the shenanigans and if your name is Christopher Nolan... you're welcome ;) Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:08:55 - Weekly Boss Battles 00:16:45 - Meet our Guests - Brendon Bigley & AJ Fillari 00:58:50 - Mixtape Discussion 02:09:08 - Game Ratings 02:15:52 - One Small Thing Meet our Guests Brendon Bigley @bb.wavelengths.online Brendon hosts Into the Aether: A Lowkey Video Game Podcast, along with Stephen Hilger. He also writes and produces video content on his website Wavelengths, and recently launched Overworld, a site that offers a macro view at the current video game press and discourse. Check out Brendon's content on: Into the Aether Bluesky Wavelengths Overworld AJ Fillari @ajfillari.bsky.social AJ Fillari is a podcast producer, editor, and host. They’re also a TTRPG and Video Game Enjoyer! AJ edits and produces too many podcasts to name, but among them are Into the Aether, Formative Media with Christian Spicer, and Frog of the Week. AJ also both hosts and produces and dotzip! Check out AJ's content on: Bluesky dotzip Keep in touch with us on social media: Kate's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/katerblossom.bsky.social Emily's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/aspecificegg.bsky.social No Small Games Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/nosmallgames.bsky.social No Small Games Instagram ✦ https://www.instagram.com/nosmallgames Want to learn more and weigh in on what games we should play in future episodes? Check us out and leave a game suggestion at nosmallgames.com
July 31 · 2 hr 3 min
Indie Game Roundup - July 2026
Welcome back to the NSG Indie Game Roundup, our monthly series featuring indie games news, plus game demos and new release discussions. It's confession time: we play an ungodly number of indie games in July. We have a roundup to conquer all roundups lined up, full of brand spankin' new games, earlier 2026 games that we missed, and even classic indies dating back all the way to 2011! There's truly something in here for every type of gamer: from the stone cold nerds who want to solve mysteries using programming languages, to players who just want to be a speeding bus doing skate park tricks. We hope you find a new favorite game among these delightful titles. Also, huge thanks to our newest Patreon supporters! In addition to other fun perks, members on Patreon get early access to all of the Indie Game Roundup episodes. If you love No Small Games and would like to support us in growing the show, while also unlocking fun, exclusive content, you can check out our Patreon page. You can find our full show notes, including links and shoutouts, on the No Small Games site: Indie Game Roundup - July 2026 Show Notes Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:07:04 - Icebreaker Question 00:17:13 - Indie Game News 00:32:38 - Demos 00:49:20 - Letter Lost 00:58:22 - OFFBEAT 01:05:15 - Database Detective: Minor Crimes Division 01:11:34 - Denshattack! 01:16:12 - Wabisabi Sushi Derby 01:24:29 - Book of Travels 01:30:20 - TR-49 01:37:06 - To The Moon 01:43:34 - Desktop Explorer 01:52:35 - 1000xRESIST 2nd Playthrough 01:55:17 - MECCHA CHAMELEON 01:58:53 - YAPYAP Keep in touch with us on social media: Kate's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/katerblossom.bsky.social Emily's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/aspecificegg.bsky.social No Small Games Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/nosmallgames.bsky.social No Small Games Instagram ✦ https://www.instagram.com/nosmallgames Want to learn more and weigh in on what games we should play in future episodes? Check us out and leave a game suggestion at nosmallgames.com
#68
July 23 · 1 hr 30 min
Ep. 68 - Relooted
Relooted, developed and published by Nyamakop, is a strategy heist game with a big dash of free running and a huge amount of charm. You play as Nomali, a free running coach who has to take a break from her career in athletics to rescue her little brother, only to find herself committing to an unexpected career change. She and her crew (which includes her brother Trevor, her grandmother, her best friend, a quirky acrobat from the neighborhood, and more) set off on a new venture to covertly reclaim African artifacts that have been wrongfully held by museums and collectors. And by "covertly reclaim," we mean pull a heist. Actually, many heists. In episode 68 of No Small Games, we're diving into Relooted to discuss a game that managed to break out of the indie game bubble and initiated discussions in the art and curation world. In fact, this very week of the episode releasing, Relooted just won the award for "Best in Community Empowerment" at the Games for Change Awards in New York. We'll be discussing its emotional and cultural impact, as well as the narrative and gameplay successes. We hope you enjoy this episode and, seriously, go listen to the Relooted soundtrack!! Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:03:00 - Boss Battles 00:11:46 - Relooted Discussion 01:09:36 - RelootedSpoilers 01:21:13 - Game Ratings 01:23:57 - One Small Thing Keep in touch with us on social media: Kate's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/katerblossom.bsky.social Emily's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/aspecificegg.bsky.social No Small Games Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/nosmallgames.bsky.social No Small Games Instagram ✦ https://www.instagram.com/nosmallgames Want to learn more and weigh in on what games we should play in future episodes? Check us out and leave a game suggestion at nosmallgames.com
#67
July 9 · 1 hr 46 min
Ep. 67 - Fishbowl
Fishbowl, developed by imissmyfriends.studio and published by Wholesome Games Presents, is a quietly emotional narrative game about a young woman processing her grief while the world around her changes forever. You play as Alo, who has just moved to a new city to start a brand new job, just one month after the passing of her dear grandmother. As Alo is coping with this loss, along with all of the changes that come with moving and starting a new job, she learns that her work will abruptly shift to all-remote, due to a surge in illnesses leading to a global pandemic. The experience of living through lockdown while processing her own personal loss is deeply relatable, and takes both Alo and players to many places emotionally, all while staying within the four walls of Alo's apartment. In episode 67 of No Small Games, Kate and Emily reflect on their own experiences of the pandemic in 2020, as they discuss their time playing Fishbowl. The game brought up many memories for both hosts, as they compare their experiences to Alo's. This conversation was a cathartic flashback to the year that life as we knew it turned upside down. We hope that listening can be cathartic for you as well. Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:06:30 - Boss Battles 00:18:08 - Fishbowl Discussion 01:13:48 - Fishbowl Spoilers 01:34:45 - Game Ratings 01:39:12 - One Small Thing Keep in touch with us on social media: Kate's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/katerblossom.bsky.social Emily's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/aspecificegg.bsky.social No Small Games Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/nosmallgames.bsky.social No Small Games Instagram ✦ https://www.instagram.com/nosmallgames Want to learn more and weigh in on what games we should play in future episodes? Check us out and leave a game suggestion at nosmallgames.com
June 30 · 1 hr 50 min
Indie Game Roundup - June 2026 feat. CGDannyB
Welcome back to the NSG Indie Game Roundup, our monthly series featuring indie games news, plus game demos and new release discussions. We made it through June and gaming press and podcasters everywhere are breathing a sigh of relief! Don't get us wrong, it was a great month for gaming news, announcements and showcases, but boy, was it a whirlwind! From Summer Game Fest, to some heartbreaking announcements out of Xbox, to the chaos of digging into Steam Next Fest, a lot has happened in the last 30 days. The month was just too big to discuss on our own, so we brought in CGDannyB to help us discuss some of the biggest news stories to touch the indie game space. But first and foremost, the three of us each counted down 5 of our favorite demos from Steam Next Fest! Also, huge thanks to our newest Patreon supporters! In addition to other fun perks, members on Patreon get early access to all of the Indie Game Roundup episodes. If you love No Small Games and would like to support us in growing the show, while also unlocking fun, exclusive content, you can check out our Patreon page. You can find our full show notes, including links and shoutouts, on the No Small Games site: Indie Game Roundup - June 2026 Show Notes Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:06:25 - Icebreaker Question 00:12:14 - Indie Game News 00:42:58 - Steam Next Fest Demos Meet our Guest Danny (he/him) @cgdannyb.bsky.social What's up guys, this is our guest CGDannyB! He really likes indie games and he loves sharing them with you! If you follow Danny on Instagram, TikTok or YouTube, you may have heard him say something just like that. Danny is an indie-game focused content creator who specializes in short form video. He is also the co-host of the Playlog Podcast! Check out Danny's work on: Bluesky YouTube TikTok Instagram Playlog Podcast Keep in touch with us on social media: Kate's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/katerblossom.bsky.social Emily's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/aspecificegg.bsky.social No Small Games Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/nosmallgames.bsky.social No Small Games Instagram ✦ https://www.instagram.com/nosmallgames Want to learn more and weigh in on what games we should play in future episodes? Check us out and leave a game suggestion at nosmallgames.com
#66
June 25 · 1 hr 33 min
Ep. 66 - Lil Gator Game
Lil Gator Game, developed by MegaWobble, is a bite-sized open world adventure game. You play as the eponymous Lil Gator, a kid who's watching his friends and big sis growing up and taking on more grown up responsibilities, but all they want to do is play. Your mission is to get everyone on the island involved in the biggest game anyone's ever seen. You'll run, climb, slide and slash your way through a beautiful natural landscape with no danger or combat, but lots of fun platforming and many secrets to uncover. In episode 66 of No Small Games, Kate and Emily talk about their experiences (both new and old) with Lil Gator Game! As someone who isn't traditionally a fan of open world games or 3D platforming, you'll find out how Lil Gator Game sat with Kate. You'll also hear about Emily's early experiences with the game, which is one of the first game keys she ever received as a content creator. We hope you enjoy this heartfelt chat about an adorable game. Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:07:32 - Boss Battles 00:17:30 - Lil Gator Game Discussion 01:10:25 - Lil Gator Game Spoilers 01:21:08 - Game Ratings 01:25:59 - One Small Thing Keep in touch with us on social media: Kate's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/katerblossom.bsky.social Emily's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/aspecificegg.bsky.social No Small Games Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/nosmallgames.bsky.social No Small Games Instagram ✦ https://www.instagram.com/nosmallgames Want to learn more and weigh in on what games we should play in future episodes? Check us out and leave a game suggestion at nosmallgames.com
June 16 · 1 hr 49 min
Summer Game Fest Recap
The No Small Games girlies got their first taste of Summer Game Fest Play Days this year, and the lineup of indies did not disappoint! We are officially back from Summer Game Fest in sunny Los Angeles, and boy do we have a lot of games to tell you about! We got hands on with a huge number of indie games, some that we've been anxiously awaiting and some that were just announced this week. Whether you were there on the ground with us or watching the showcases from home, this was a great SGF for indie games! Also, huge thanks to our Patreon supporters who helped us get to Summer Game Fest this year! In addition to other fun perks, members on Patreon get early access to all of the Indie Game Roundup episodes. If you love No Small Games and would like to support us in growing the show, while also unlocking fun, exclusive content, you can check out our Patreon page. You can find our full show notes, including links and shoutouts, on the No Small Games site: Summer Game Fest Recap Show Notes Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:04:33 - Icebreaker Question 00:07:52 - High Level Takeaways on SGF 00:18:40 - The MIX 00:37:07 - Day of the Devs 01:10:23 - Nintendo 01:14:53 - PM Studios 01:25:43 - Out of Words 01:34:38 - My Arms Are Longer Now 01:39:19 - Tenebris Somnia Keep in touch with us on social media: Kate's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/katerblossom.bsky.social Emily's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/aspecificegg.bsky.social No Small Games Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/nosmallgames.bsky.social No Small Games Instagram ✦ https://www.instagram.com/nosmallgames Want to learn more and weigh in on what games we should play in future episodes? Check us out and leave a game suggestion at nosmallgames.com
#65
June 4 · 1 hr 53 min
Ep. 65 - Promise Mascot Agency
Promise Mascot Agency, developed and published by Kaizen Game Works, offers a special blend of open world adventuring and management sim. You play as Michi, aka The Janitor, an exiled Yakuza fixer who finds himself stuck in the cursed town of Kaso Machi where he must successfully manage a mascot talent agency in order to save his Yakuza family's matriarch. Along with Pinky, your partner in crime (figuratively) and mascot wrangling (literally), you'll need to recruit mascots, match them up with the right jobs, and uncover the dark secrets of Kaso Machi's past before time runs out. In episode 65 of No Small Games, Kate and Emily wrap up the spring season with a deep dive into the many systems and mechanics of Promise Mascot Agency. There is a lot going on in this game, and not just narratively! You'll hear all about their money-making strategies and favorite mascots. We hope you enjoy this very special game discussion! Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:03:25 - Boss Battles 00:13:36 - Promise Mascot Agency Discussion 01:39:00 - Game Ratings 01:42:00 - One Small Thing 01:51:25 - Next Season Teaser Keep in touch with us on social media: Kate's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/katerblossom.bsky.social Emily's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/aspecificegg.bsky.social No Small Games Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/nosmallgames.bsky.social No Small Games Instagram ✦ https://www.instagram.com/nosmallgames Want to learn more and weigh in on what games we should play in future episodes? Check us out and leave a game suggestion at nosmallgames.com
May 31 · 1 hr 43 min
Indie Game Roundup - May 2026
Welcome back to the NSG Indie Game Roundup, our monthly series featuring indie games news, plus game demos and new release discussions. BUT FIRST... want to help us get to Summer Game Fest this June? Check out our pay-what-you can fundraise on Patreon, where you'll unlock our Indie Game Smash or Pass video as a thank you for your support! Check out the fundraiser here - https://www.patreon.com/collection/2159593 We are quickly ramping up to Summer Game Fest and all the madness of summer showcases and announcements. This month we got a delightful amuse-bouche to the upcoming showcase season with the Six One Indie Showcase! With 61 indie game announcements in 93 minutes, the event was absolutely stacked with highly wishlistable games. You might even see a little shoutout to No Small Games, which is a nod to the fact that we had the honor of writing up previews for two of the featured games. You can head over to the Six One Indie website to read our previews of RollerGirl and Treetopians. Also, huge thanks to our newest Patreon supporters! In addition to other fun perks, members on Patreon get early access to all of the Indie Game Roundup episodes. If you love No Small Games and would like to support us in growing the show, while also unlocking fun, exclusive content, you can check out our Patreon page. You can find our full show notes, including links and shoutouts, on the No Small Games site: Indie Game Roundup - May 2026 Show Notes Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:05:11 - Icebreaker Question 00:16:46 - Indie Game News 00:22:50 - Demos 01:12:10 - The Last Gas Station 01:18:02 - TetherGeist 01:20:52 - STICKER/BALL 01:35:30 - UNBEATABLE 01:38:26 - Sledding Game Keep in touch with us on social media: Kate's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/katerblossom.bsky.social Emily's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/aspecificegg.bsky.social No Small Games Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/nosmallgames.bsky.social No Small Games Instagram ✦ https://www.instagram.com/nosmallgames Want to learn more and weigh in on what games we should play in future episodes? Check us out and leave a game suggestion at nosmallgames.com
#64
May 21 · 2 hr
Ep. 64 - Hermit and Pig feat. Jerica and Kayla, JK! Games!
Follow the escapades of two unlikely heroes and community builders in Hermit and Pig, a charmingly odd turn-based RPG. Hermit has grown comfortable in his life of solitude and foraging alongside his best friend, Pig. But the pair feel uncharacteristically called to act when they hear that a local factory has been taken over by a corporation that is firing its workers and destroying the local environment. You must help Hermit and Pig overcome numerous challenges and grow as people... er, yeah, people. We were so glad to get to chat with our friends at JK! Games! about this singularly quirky and hilarious title. Jerica and Kayla join Kate and Emily to discuss the fast-paced and engaging turn-based combat and unique dialogue mechanics. You'll hear where Hermit and Pig hit its mark, where it fell a little flat, and where it was just so outside the box that it's hard to qualify. We hope you enjoy this episode! Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:05:17 - Weekly Boss Battles 00:16:37 - Meet our Guests - Jerica and Kayla, JK! Games! 00:38:46 - Hermit and Pig Discussion 01:30:57 - Hermit and Pig Spoilers 01:40:25 - Game Ratings 01:46:52 - One Small Thing Meet our Guests JK! Games! @jkgames.bsky.social Jerica and Kayla are two of the hosts of JK! Games!, a gaming and nerd-centric podcasts where the hosts discuss gaming news, debates on video game culture and technology, as well as their passion for gaming. The two are also part of the ensemble cast of hosts of Drop-In Drop-Out podcast. Check out JK! Games! on: Bluesky Instagram YouTube JK! Games! Website Keep in touch with us on social media: Kate's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/katerblossom.bsky.social Emily's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/aspecificegg.bsky.social No Small Games Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/nosmallgames.bsky.social No Small Games Instagram ✦ https://www.instagram.com/nosmallgames Want to learn more and weigh in on what games we should play in future episodes? Check us out and leave a game suggestion at nosmallgames.com
#63
May 7 · 1 hr 36 min
Ep. 63 - Cairn feat. Adam Gumbert, The Tier List
Cairn, developed by The Game Bakers, is a 2026 survival climbing game that follows world-renowned alpinist Aava as she attempts to single-handedly (well, figuratively, at least) climb one of the highest and most treacherous mountains in the world. Players must familiarize themselves with a unique control schema for climbing and choose their path to ascent wisely as they guide Aava up this formidable peak. In addition to the climbing itself, players need to monitor the supplies she's carrying in her backpack wisely, to make sure Aava never runs out of food or water on her journey. The adventure is harrowing, but so are the emotions that get stirred up on the way to the top. It was an absolute pleasure to get to talk about this powerful and extremely challenging game with Adam Gumbert, of The Tier List and Respawn Aim Fire podcasts. In this discussion we share our thoughts on the climbing mechanics and whether the survival elements supported or detracted from our experience of the game. We also take a close look at Aava's personal journey and ask ourselves which is the "good" ending and which is the "true" ending of this game. Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:03:50 - Weekly Boss Battles 00:09:42 - Meet our Guest - Adam Gumbert, The Tier List 00:21:52 - Cairn Discussion 01:23:05 - Game Ratings 01:28:02 - One Small Thing Meet our Guests Adam (he/him) @adamgumby.bsky.social You may have read his words on Game Sandwich or heard him on shows like Respawn Aim Fire or his newest podcast The Tier List. Or maybe you’ve attended (or participated in) his live gaming events like this year’s Game-pardy panel at PAX East. We were delighted to have Adam come join us for this episode! Check out Adam's work on: Bluesky The Tier List Respawn Aim Fire Game Sandwich Keep in touch with us on social media: Kate's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/katerblossom.bsky.social Emily's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/aspecificegg.bsky.social No Small Games Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/nosmallgames.bsky.social No Small Games Instagram ✦ https://www.instagram.com/nosmallgames Want to learn more and weigh in on what games we should play in future episodes? Check us out and leave a game suggestion at nosmallgames.com
#61
May 7 · 1 hr 59 min
Ep. 61 - Say No! More feat. Claire and Kanisha, Date with Us
Say No! More is a quirky game with a powerful message, developed by Studio Fizbin. You play as a young person, trying to get their footing in a new career, dealing with the pressures of office life. Simultaneously, you're also trying to navigate social pressures, as your roommate keeps asking you to cover their half of the rent, month after month. Everything comes to a head when your new manager steals your precious lunchbox. The solution? Time to bust out modern society's most feared two-letter word: NO! You'll get to see the power and the consequences of saying "no" to a variety of people, in a variety of manners, and discover the collective power we all have when we encourage each other to put our foot down. We were delighted to be joined for this episode by Kanisha and Claire of Date with Us, a dating sim podcast, to discuss this unique gaming experience. We chat about which "no" style fits each of us best, our experiences with saying "no" more in our real lives, and the pressures the world puts on us all to say "yes." Thanks to the Date with Us hosts for joining us in this fascinating discussion! Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:07:12 - Weekly Boss Battles 00:14:23 - Meet our Guests - Kanisha and Claire, Date with Us 00:36:08 - Say No! More Discussion 01:41:20 - Game Ratings 01:48:05 - One Small Thing Meet our Guests Date with Us @datewith.us Join internet friends Claire and Kanisha as they come together to gab about games and dissect their fictional romantic relationships in this Dating Sim recap and review podcast. Join them for their digital debriefs about our pixelized paramours. Whether they’re in visual novels, roguelites, or funky indie darlings, they dish on who they’re romancing and if their choices really mattered. Check out Date with Us on: Bluesky Instagram Podcast Apps Claire's Bluesky Kanisha's Bluesky Keep in touch with us on social media: Kate's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/katerblossom.bsky.social Emily's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/aspecificegg.bsky.social No Small Games Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/nosmallgames.bsky.social No Small Games Instagram ✦ https://www.instagram.com/nosmallgames Want to learn more and weigh in on what games we should play in future episodes? Check us out and leave a game suggestion at nosmallgames.com
April 30 · 2 hr 34 min
Indie Game Roundup - April 2026 feat. Kyle Stephenson, Six One Indie
Welcome back to the NSG Indie Game Roundup, our monthly series featuring indie games news, plus game demos and new release discussions. We are rocketing into the 2026 gaming showcase season, and the indie game announcements just keep coming!! This month we caught some exciting events like The Triple-i Initiative, Galaxies Showcase, Second Wind Showcase, Top Hat Studios Showcase, and we're just getting started! Summer Game Fest is right around the corner, with even more gaming announcement goodness. But before then, we're anxiously anticipating the premiere of the Six One Indie Showcase this next month in May! To prepare for that event, we got to chat with the one and only Kyle Stephenson of Six One Indie, about their process to put together this showcase and about the current state of indie gaming. Also, huge thanks to our newest Patreon supporters! In addition to other fun perks, members on Patreon get early access to all of the Indie Game Roundup episodes. If you love No Small Games and would like to support us in growing the show, while also unlocking fun, exclusive content, you can check out our Patreon page. You can find our full show notes, including links and shoutouts, on the No Small Games site: Indie Game Roundup - April 2026 Show Notes Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:03:09 - Icebreaker Question 00:06:45 - Indie Game News 00:23:48 - Demos 00:41:08 - The Wide Open Sky Is Running Out of Catfish 00:45:34 - Titanium Court 00:56:50 - She Danced In The Wind Like a Holographic Dream Before The World Died 01:01:32 - Berry Bury Berry 01:07:10 - A Year of Springs 01:09:40 - Dungeon Bodega Simulator 01:18:16 - Rubato 01:21:44 - Dice A Million 01:31:03 - On-Together: Virtual Co-working 01:34:15 - Flock Around 01:40:30 - Interview - Kyle Stephenson, Six One Indie Meet our Guest Kyle Stephenson (he/him) @mrkstep.bsky.social Kyle is the co-founder and the organizer of Six One Indie, a gaming media outlet featuring indie game news and reviews. Six One Indie also hosts an annual showcase each May and organizes The Indie Game Awards. In addition to his work with Six One Indie, he is also one of the wonderful co-hosts of The Trophy Room - A PlayStation Podcast. Check out Kyle's work on: Six One Indie Bluesky The Trophy Room Keep in touch with us on social media: Kate's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/katerblossom.bsky.social Emily's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/aspecificegg.bsky.social No Small Games Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/nosmallgames.bsky.social No Small Games Instagram ✦ https://www.instagram.com/nosmallgames Want to learn more and weigh in on what games we should play in future episodes? Check us out and leave a game suggestion at nosmallgames.com
#62
April 23 · 1 hr 32 min
Ep. 62 - Blue Wednesday
Blue Wednesday, from Korean indie game developers Buff Studio, follows the mostly unremarkable life of Morris, a young man trying to make it big as a jazz musician in the big city. This slice-of-life narrative game gives us a window into his struggles and successes as he grapples with the weight of having big dreams and aspirations. Of course, no narrative game about musicians would be complete without a rhythm game component, so you'll be tickling the ivories alongside Morris in fun and beautiful jazz-themed mini games. In episode 62 of No Small Games, Kate and Emily get to celebrate and compare this emerging mini genre of narrative games with a music and rhythm gameplay element. You'll hear how Blue Wednesday stacks up against some of their other favorites. The two also share about their personal experiences with jazz music and with their own journeys as creators, dealing the thrilling but sometimes uncomfortable experience of pursuing your dreams. We had a lovely time discussing this very sweet and heartfelt game, and we hope you enjoy the episode! Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:03:25 - Boss Battles 00:17:35 - Blue Wednesday Discussion 01:19:00 - Game Ratings 01:23:00 - One Small Thing 01:27:20 - Next Game Announcement Keep in touch with us on social media: Kate's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/katerblossom.bsky.social Emily's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/aspecificegg.bsky.social No Small Games Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/nosmallgames.bsky.social No Small Games Instagram ✦ https://www.instagram.com/nosmallgames Want to learn more and weigh in on what games we should play in future episodes? Check us out and leave a game suggestion at nosmallgames.com
April 2 · 2 hr 41 min
Indie Game Roundup - PAX East 2026
We had an incredible time at PAX East 2026, spending time with wonderful friends and colleagues, chatting with developers and publishers, and getting our hands on awesome indie game demos! Join us for our day-by-day PAX East 2026 recap, where we relive all the exciting and memorable moments we experienced at this year's event! No Small Games was honored once again with the opportunity to cover the show as media attendees in 2026, and we took advantage of every moment. In this recap episode, we're taking you directly onto the show floor for developer and publisher interviews. We're also reflecting on the game demos we got to play, and the overall PAX East experience compared to last year. Come along for the ride as we share all the highlights! Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:00:58 - PAX East 2026 First Impressions 00:10:22 - Thursday Recap 00:22:14 - Interview - DarkStone Digital 00:47:54 - Friday Recap 01:00:13 - Interview - Yangyang Mobile 01:17:09 - Interview - Serenity Forge 01:27:23 - Saturday Recap 01:35:28 - Interview - Total Mayhem 01:59:08 - Sunday Recap 02:12:22 - Interview - Perfect Garbage 02:22:22 - Interview - Jade Meadows Keep in touch with us on social media: Kate's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/katerblossom.bsky.social Emily's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/aspecificegg.bsky.social No Small Games Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/nosmallgames.bsky.social No Small Games Instagram ✦ https://www.instagram.com/nosmallgames Want to learn more and weigh in on what games we should play in future episodes? Check us out and leave a game suggestion at nosmallgames.com
March 19 · 3 hr 7 min
100th Episode
Join us in celebrating 100 episodes of No Small Games!! We're so grateful to everyone who's been along for this ride with us. It feels like we blinked and we've suddenly got 99 episodes under our belt! We pulled out all the stops for this celebratory episode, with special segments looking back at the milestones we've hit along the way, special guest appearances, and even an on-air game. It's incredibly humbling to look back on how many wonderful friends, collaborators, and community members we've gotten to know along the way. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, to everyone who has been with us for this wild ride! We look forward to all the memories we'll make over the course of the next 100 episodes. Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:05:55 - No Small Games timeline and milestones 00:42:25 - Why indie games matter Part 1 00:48:00 - Advice for our past selves 01:06:42 - How we've changed as gamers 01:20:00 - Why indie games matter Part 2 01:25:05 - No Small Games by the numbers 01:38:00 - Why indie games matter Part 3 01:43:15 - A look back at early episode clips 01:59:30 - Why indie games matter Part 4 02:04:00 - Game: mystery Steam reviews 02:52:00 - Why indie games matter Part 5 02:56:30 - Listener messages Special Guests In order of appearance: Dave Jackson, Tales from the Backlog Kayla & Jerica, JK! Games! Luna, Luna's Gaming Log Jenny Windom, Geeks & Grounds Mike Towndrow & Kyle Stephenson, Six One Indie MarcyLaycelle Matt Storm & Gen Moonen, "Fun" & Games Podcast Chris Biagini-Foote, Honest Indies Claire & Kanisha, Date with Us Podcast Nick & Will, Friday Night Gamecast Rachel Watts, Indieventure Podcast CGDannyB, Playlog Podcast Jacob McCourt, Joseph Hooper & Luke Lewis, Crossplay Conversations Milady Confetti RoganPlaysGames Adam Gumbert, The Tier List Podcast BoPo & DiscoCola, Underplayed Podcast AJ Fillari, dotzip Andrew Valentine, Dialogue Tree Keep in touch with us on social media: Kate's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/katerblossom.bsky.social Emily's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/aspecificegg.bsky.social No Small Games Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/nosmallgames.bsky.social No Small Games Instagram ✦ https://www.instagram.com/nosmallgames Want to learn more and weigh in on what games we should play in future episodes? Check us out and leave a game suggestion at nosmallgames.com
March 5 · 1 hr 45 min
Yearbook Vol. 3
We're closing the book on year three of No Small Games. In many ways, this has been the year of MORE for us and the podcast. We expanded the number of articles and reviews we publish on the website, grew our Patreon offerings and community, and we got to guest on so many other wonderful shows. Similarly, 2025 was also the year of more for the indie games space, with an incredible (and overwhelming) volume of stellar games. We just can't wait to see what year 4 and 2026 have in store for us and indie gamers! In addition to giving a recap of all of the games covered this past year, in Yearbook Vol. 3 we reveal our picks for their Top 5 games from the 2025-2026 year, and the fan favorite episodes voted on by YOU! Featuring superlatives and thank you's to No Small Games supporters, this episode is a tribute to all of you and all of these impactful indie games and game developers highlighted in the third year of the show! We are so grateful to all of you who have tuned in this year, and can't wait to bring you more indie game content in the years to come! Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:07:57 - Reflections on the Year 00:15:54 - Recap of Games Covered in 2025-2026 00:23:20 - Kate & Emily's Top 5 Favorites 01:12:12 - Superlatives 01:35:46 - Thank You's 01:42:45 - Spring Season Announcement Keep in touch with us on social media: Kate's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/katerblossom.bsky.social Emily's Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/aspecificegg.bsky.social No Small Games Bluesky ✦ https://bsky.app/profile/nosmallgames.bsky.social No Small Games Instagram ✦ https://www.instagram.com/nosmallgames Want to learn more and weigh in on what games we should play in future episodes? Check us out and leave a game suggestion at nosmallgames.com

Showing 1–20 of 23 episodes