As admirers of Davey Wreden’s previous work, we’re now thrilled to review his latest game, “Wanderstop”, a cozy tea-making game with a character-driven narrative and some poignant moments that are darker than you’d typically expect from this type of fare. We’ll stay spoiler-free for our discussion here, but if you’d like to play the game fresh please know that we wholeheartedly recommend it to cozy game fans and other gamers alike! Wanderstop is available on Steam and Playstation on March 11th: ...
Mar 10, 2025•28 min•Ep. 99
Connor from the ZU podcast joins Jared this week for an ultra-hard gauntlet of obscure Zelda music! Can you correctly identify these 15 tracks from across the mainline titles, spin-offs, and Japanese exclusives? Let us know how you do! Check out the ZU podcast HERE: https://zeldauniverse.net/media/podcasts/ And Connor’s other platforms: Bluesky) @conterez.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/conterez.bsky.social Twitch) twitch.tv/conterez Youtube) youtube.com/conterez If you have upcoming indie ...
Mar 02, 2025•40 min•Ep. 98
It is our OTHER yearly tradition to surprise Marcus with a “Name That Tune” featuring themes from 2024’s biggest video game releases! Can you beat Marcus? Let us know how well you score! Most of all, happy new year! We look forward to hearing from you in 2025! YouTube Version (with cheat sheet): https://youtu.be/_yzM_9pdELc If you have upcoming indie game recommendations, or just want to reach out, feel free to contact us at LevelWithUsPodcast [at] gmail [dot] com! We are on all major podcasting...
Dec 31, 2024•26 min•Ep. 97
It is our yearly tradition to discuss our top games this year, and boy was 2024 STACKED! Sit back, relax, and enjoy as we talk about our top 5 games and way, way too many honorable mentions. Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 3:16 - How is the Backlog is coming along? 4:50 - Marcus’s #5 6:32 - Jared’s #5 9:26 - Marcus’s #4 13:49 - Quick Tangent 14:31 - Marcus’s #3 16:53 - Jared’s #3 19:33 - Marcus’s #2 22:48 - Jared’s #2 24:32 - Marcus’s #1 26:14 - Jared’s Honorable Mentions 29:52 - Marcus’s Honora...
Dec 24, 2024•37 min•Ep. 96
Marcus has been working on a new detective video game with his creative partner Nathan, and today we’re going to dive into what that was like! Join us as we discuss what makes for a good murder mystery scenario, some behind-the-scenes development stories, and find out whether this game truly is the “soulslike” of detective video games. If you’re interested in winning a free copy of the game, find out at the end of this episode. Then, visit the YouTube version of this interview: https://youtu.be/...
Nov 11, 2024•29 min•Ep. 95
UFO 50 is one of the most ambitious indies we've ever played: 50 games in one, and some of which are all-time classics! Here are our top ten. If you have upcoming indie game recommendations, or just want to reach out, feel free to contact us at LevelWithUsPodcast [at] gmail [dot] com! We are on all major podcasting platforms: https://anchor.fm/levelwithus Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 0:43 - Why do we love UFO 50? 8:42 - Deviltion 10:48 - Party House 13:45 - Camoflouge 15:30 - Porgy 17:54 - Th...
Oct 20, 2024•33 min•Ep. 94
I guested on Marcus's podcast this week to try and stump him and his co-host Nathan with a trivia challenge! It was a lot of fun, and even if you haven't listened to their show, I recommend checking it out! Link below: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6vhMLSn3txDw3YvpTluvVe?si=t9zLCtw2Rhyaw2CgIPwv_Q
Oct 03, 2024•3 min
Cy from Fireplace Gaming joins in this week to take a look at The Plucky Squire, which was just released! In this 2D top-down / 3D platform hybrid, you manipulate a storybook and engage in really well-designed puzzles. Take a listen to hear our thoughts on the game, and be sure to check out Cy’s other videos HERE: https://www.youtube.com/@fireplacegamingYT We are on all major podcasting platforms: https://anchor.fm/levelwithus Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 2:28 - Main Discussion 13:33 - ⭒Star ...
Sep 23, 2024•32 min•Ep. 93
Pure bliss. It's nice to remember why I love video games. If you have a game recommendation, write us at LevelWithUsPodcast{AT]gmail[DOT}com ! Check out Digital Foundry's excellent video on how the game is a technical marvel: https://youtu.be/1qhV6Tv1FkM?si=fG9HXcagd8UmC6In
Sep 11, 2024•4 min•Ep. 91
Cat Quest III may sound like a silly game, but trust me when I say it's worth checking out. It may just surprise you... Check out my other reviews on GG! https://ggapp.io/jkrgamer If you have upcoming indie game recommendations, or just want to reach out, feel free to contact us at LevelWithUsPodcast [at] gmail [dot] com!
Aug 28, 2024•6 min•Ep. 90
The SteamWorld series has ALWAYS been excellent, but how does this new sea-faring sea-quel hold up? Marcus re-joins us this week to discuss it! And stay tuned to the end to find out how you can win a FREE COPY of SteamWorld Heist II! YouTube version: https://youtu.be/a9QzL7qu5dQ If you have upcoming indie game recommendations, or just want to reach out, feel free to contact us at LevelWithUsPodcast [at] gmail [dot] com! Timestamps: Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro 1:53 - What IS this game? 4:11 - Bad Pu...
Aug 18, 2024•26 min•Ep. 89
A new YouTube-exclusive episode is up! Please consider subscribing: https://youtu.be/9r9phVKhulw More episodes are on the way. Thank you for your patience!
Aug 13, 2024•2 min
Are Metroid: Other M and Star Fox Zero really that bad? ...I don't think so. In fact, I think there's actually a lot to love about these "black sheep"! Join me as I try to find all of their good qualities! Check out my other reviews on GG! https://ggapp.io/jkrgamer If you have upcoming indie game recommendations, or just want to reach out, feel free to contact us at LevelWithUsPodcast [at] gmail [dot] com! 0:00 - Introduction 0:57 - Metroid: Other M 4:41 - Star Fox Zero 9:24 - Conclusion?...
Jul 25, 2024•11 min•Ep. 83
With a simple premise and controls, Isles of Sea and Sky is a lovely puzzle game with lovely vibes. If you're a fan of block-pushing games in The Legend of Zelda, or just love the gameboy aesthetic, this one is well worth checking out. Here are my thoughts on the game. Check out on Steam! https://store.steampowered.com/app/1233070/Isles_of_Sea_and_Sky/ Check out my other reviews on GG! https://ggapp.io/jkrgamer If you have upcoming indie game recommendations, or just want to reach out, feel free...
May 23, 2024•4 min•Ep. 87
I don’t love Soulslikes…but I quite like No Rest for the Wicked so far. Here are my thoughts on the early access release! Check out my other reviews on GG! https://ggapp.io/jkrgamer If you have upcoming indie game recommendations, or just want to reach out, feel free to contact us at LevelWithUsPodcast [at] gmail [dot] com!
Apr 29, 2024•7 min•Ep. 86
Nintendrew joins this week to play a good old-fashioned game of Name That Tune! As an avid collector of N64 games, how will he fare against some cruelly obscure tracks from that console's library? Let us know how well YOU do in the game as well! And thanks for listening! Nintendrew YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@Nintendrew?si=rKyOxHtOcY62cWJ8 Check out Drew's indie title C.A.R.L. on Switch! https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/c-a-r-l-switch/ (Also available on other platforms!) ......
Apr 15, 2024•35 min•Ep. 85
We’re back with another "Backlog Brunch!" Today we discuss a whole litter of titles we haven’t had the chance to bring up on the show before, such as Balatro, Sifu, Coral Island, and River City Girls 2, among others! If you have upcoming indie game recommendations, or just want to reach out, feel free to contact us at LevelWithUsPodcast [at] gmail [dot] com! We are on all major podcasting platforms: https://anchor.fm/levelwithus Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 0:43 - Super Mario RPG 1:39 - Perso...
Mar 20, 2024•25 min•Ep. 84
The Sonic Mania team returns - and so does Ray Hargreaves! Today we discuss Penny’s Big Breakway, a skill-based 3D Platformer (with an emphasis on the skill) by the former developers of Sonic Mania. We hope you enjoy our thoughts, Jared being awarded his very first quick jab, as well as a free game giveaway! To find out how you can win a free copy of Penny’s Big Breakaway on Nintendo Switch, CLICK HERE: https://sweepwidget.com/c/78364-tonp0jsd If you have upcoming indie game recommendations, or ...
Mar 06, 2024•30 min•Ep. 83
Today we reminisce about the good ol’ days of subpar Gameboy platformers, candy-themed web games, and driving each other crazy, with a nostalgic trivia battle! One advantage of us co-hosts being brothers is we know exactly what games each other has played, so we hope you enjoy 40+ minutes of us trying to stump each other, and going on plenty of nostalgic tangents along the way! “Maybe Village” arrangement by Aivi and Surasshu: https://aivisura.bandcamp.com/album/the-black-box We don’t know when ...
Feb 27, 2024•44 min•Ep. 82
Dallin returns to help us review the newest triple-A Metroidvania: Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown! There’s a lot to love about this game: Excellent Combat, a fun water level(?!), and an engaging mechanic new to the genre. Join us as we chat about this and much more, with only a tiiiiny rant about notification settings in this week’s episode of Level With Us! Special thanks to Ubisoft for the review code! We don’t know when the next episode will be, but if you have indie recommendations, or jus...
Feb 10, 2024•34 min
Surprise!! We’re back with one last little episode before the new year starts. It’s become a yearly tradition for Jared to spring a “Name That Tune” challenge on Marcus with absolutely no warning! Will you best him at it? Let us know! Image Source: https://www.polygon.com/23648669/best-video-games-2023 We’ll be taking a break for a while, but if you have indie recommendations, or just want to reach out, feel free to contact us at LevelWithUsPodcast [at] gmail [dot] com! We are on all major podca...
Dec 21, 2023•34 min•Ep. 80
It’s that time of year again, where we sit back and reflect on the frankly INSANE amount of games released in the past 12 months. These are each of our top 5 games of 2023 - and Jared’s #2 may SHOCK you! Also, listen for a surprise reveal at the end… Wishlist Rise of the Golden Idol HERE: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2716400/The_Rise_of_the_Golden_Idol/ We’ll be taking a break for a while, but if you have indie recommendations, or just want to reach out, feel free to contact us at LevelWit...
Dec 13, 2023•30 min•Ep. 79
Ahhh, do you smell that? Something special is ready to be taken out of the oven! We do really love a fresh-baked Paper Mario-inspired, don’t you? Take a listen to this episode to hear our thoughts on the game, including a few bread puns along the way! Win a FREE COPY of Born of Bread by entering our giveaway! https://sweepwidget.com/c/75462-b5ol7q1p You can purchase the game on all major platforms: https://www.wildartsgames.com/bornofbread If you have indie recommendations, or just want to reach...
Dec 06, 2023•17 min•Ep. 78
The SteamWorld Series of games are well known for being exceptionally good - so good, in fact, that one of them is in my top 5 games of all time. So, with the newest entry about to come out, how well does the developer do as they try and tackle the “City-Builder” genre? Listen to find out in this mini-review of the game! You can purchase the game on all major platforms (including Game Pass!). Check it out here: https://steamworldgames.com/ If you have indie recommendations, or just want to reach...
Nov 27, 2023•5 min•Ep. 77
Deckbuilding! In! SPACE! We have played the new indie title Cobalt Core and we love its single-axis combat system and its charming writing. This week we review the game with all our regular segments, with only a slight amount of spoiler-censorship at the end. You can purchase the game HERE - Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2179850/Cobalt_Core/ Switch: https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/cobalt-core-switch/ If you have indie recommendations, or just want to reach out, feel free t...
Nov 09, 2023•22 min•Ep. 76
Welcome to the show where, at least this week, we talk about pigeons and make obnoxious noises! We got our hands on the new “Rhythm Royale” game, Headbangers! Listen to our overall thoughts on the game, and when you’re done you can enter our giveaway for a FREE copy of the game by clicking HERE: https://sweepwidget.com/c/74475-7z6kp5gq You can also purchase the game HERE: https://www.headbangers.game/ If you have indie recommendations, or just want to reach out, feel free to contact us at LevelW...
Nov 06, 2023•17 min•Ep. 75
Mamma Mia! Mario Wonder just came out, which means it’s time to flex our knowledge of the series with a little trivia challenge! Stick around to the end to hear our thoughts on Wonder, as well as a… semi-decent Mario impression. Check out Jared’s GG profile HERE: https://ggapp.io/jkrgamer If you have indie recommendations, or just want to reach out, feel free to contact us at LevelWithUsPodcast [at] gmail [dot] com! Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 1:11 - Power-up Quiz 4:14 - Power-up Quiz, the s...
Oct 25, 2023•36 min•Ep. 74
Take a little farm-sim, mix it with creature collecting, top it off with a little deck building, and you get the new indie title Moonstone Island! This week we discuss this game’s multiple facets, from its card-based combat to how low your chances of flirting are (in the game, AND real life!). Purchase Moonstone Island here! https://store.steampowered.com/app/1658150/Moonstone_Island/ If you have indie recommendations, or just want to reach out, feel free to contact us at LevelWithUsPodcast [at]...
Oct 13, 2023•17 min•Ep. 73
It seemed impossible, but Sea of Stars somehow flipped the script and made JRPGs fun. This week we discuss the game’s fantastic combat design & visuals, do a cooking show, and correct ourselves at the last possible second. Purchase Sea of Stars here! Switch: https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/sea-of-stars-switch/ Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1244090/Sea_of_Stars/ Playstation: https://store.playstation.com/en-us/concept/10004226 Xbox: https://www.xbox.com/en-us/games/stor...
Oct 06, 2023•25 min•Ep. 72
We’re back! So much has happened since we last got together, so this episode we’ll be catching up on Marcus’s new life developments, indie recommendations from our listeners, and a very cool handheld indie console: The Playdate! Also, we may or may not have worked on a video game - listen to find out more! Reelistic Fishing: https://toadleyundercontrol.itch.io/reelisticfishing (also eventually available on Playdate’s Catalog!) Reelistic Fishing OST: https://youtu.be/gcbFKVno8HU?si=ViwXROgP867z6-...
Sep 20, 2023•18 min•Ep. 71
