Side Story

Friends at the Table•sidestory.libsyn.com

Side Story is a bi-weekly podcast about games and the stories we tell about them, presented by Friends at the Table and supported by our patrons at friendsatthetable.cash.

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Episodes

07: The Judgmental Gamer

Austin, Keith, and Dre dive into their experiences with Elden Ring: Nightreign, detailing its fast-paced roguelike gameplay and co-op boss fights. They then discuss Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma, exploring its blend of farming, RPG, and village management, its unique aesthetic, and character design. The episode also touches on broader topics like gaming monetization, sports betting ethics, and the evolution of games like No Man's Sky.

Jun 24, 2025•1 hr 50 min

06: The i Stands for 'I'm the Gamer?'

The crew expresses frustration with the Summer Games Fest showcases, focusing on greenwashing attempts and questionable marketing tactics exemplified by games like Eloin: Quest of Time. They also discuss broader industry trends like live service conservatism and player expectations before transitioning to a deep dive into Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time, comparing its streamlined gameplay and expanded scope to the original while lamenting a perceived loss of narrative depth.

Jun 10, 2025•2 hr 21 min

05: Blue Prince Spoilercast

The Side Story crew dives deep into Blue Prince, the first-person puzzle game set in a mysterious, ever-changing mansion. Hosts Austin, Sylvi, and Keith discuss the game's run-based, tile-placement mechanics, its intricate puzzles, and the frustration and eventual mastery of its RNG. They unravel the complex narrative layers, exploring the character backstories, geopolitical history of Orindia, and the post-game mysteries. The conversation touches on favorite puzzles, item strategies, and the game's unique, open-ended conclusion.

May 27, 2025•2 hr 23 min

04: Get Ready to Learn Heaven, Buddy

The Friends at the Table crew dives into the French surreal RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, discussing its art style, combat mechanics, and narrative themes. They also explore Echo Point Nova's movement-focused FPS gameplay, the Infinity Nikki boycott, Arc Raiders tech test, and the documentary-style game Despelote. The episode concludes with a discussion on game design and personalization.

May 13, 2025•2 hr 12 min

03: What Does the i Stand For?

The Friends at the Table crew discusses various video games, starting with the farming sim Fields of Mistria and its unique characters and gameplay elements. They then delve into Skin Deep, a stealth action game by Blendo Games, highlighting its comedic systems and immersive sim qualities. Finally, they explore the Lunar Remastered Collection and its nostalgic appeal, along with upcoming farm/life sims like Rune Factory and Fantasy Life.

Apr 29, 2025•2 hr 9 min

02: Tim Rabbit, The British Bugs Bunny

What would you do if you were a little digital guy, running around in a Tron or Reboot style game world? Would you solve puzzles and investigate the myserious of the mansion-that-would-be-your-inheritence? Would you stalk the bogs of Britain, evading authoritarian robots and hunting for giant batteries? Or perhaps you would commit yourself to the noblest of goals, God's One True Task: Repeatedly raising and lowering all four windows of your Hyundai IONIQ 5, one at a time, while repeatedly taking...

Apr 15, 2025•2 hr 8 min

01: It’s All About the Bird

This episode introduces 'Side Story,' a new podcast from Friends at the Table focusing on video games and the stories they tell. The hosts explore Soulframe and Warframe, comparing their gameplay, progression systems, and unique aesthetics. They also dive into Repo, praising its physics-based comedy and innovative mechanics, while discussing the challenges of balancing horror and humor in gaming.

Apr 01, 2025•2 hr 19 min

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