Aches and Games

In this month's episode:

• We discover Japan and hit the festival in Forza Horizon 6;
• Giles explores a galaxy of fun in Astro Bot; and
• James heads back to "The Old Country" in an excellent Mafia prequel.

plus:

• we talk World Cups, heatwaves and what else we've been doing and playing this month.

All that and more on July's Aches & Games.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intros

08:26 What we've been up to

22:35 Forza Horizon 6 - love it or leave it?

33:25 What else we've been playing

64:54 Next Month's pick is...

68:00 Newsbytes: from the sublime to the ridiculous

77:45 Wrapping up

As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials @achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com. And please check out the website at www.achesandgames.co.uk where you'll also find some great written reviews of the games we play.

Cheers!

In this month's episode:

• Giles helps plan a wedding and "enjoys" the rollercoaster of being and Arsenal fan; while
• James visits Looe and a galaxy far far away.

plus:

• we get all grim and gritty in Replaced; and
• discover nostalgia is not necessarily as good as it used to be.

All that and more on June's Aches & Games.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intros

01:46 What we've been up to

19:36 Replaced - love it or leave it?

33:15 What else we've been playing

70:04 Next Month's pick is...

74:14 Newsbytes including Sony's latest State of Play

88:07 Wrapping up

As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials @achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com. And please check out the website at www.achesandgames.co.uk where you'll also find some great written reviews of the games we play.

Cheers!

In this month's episode:

• James discovers a demilitarized zone somewhere between Devon and Cornwall; and
• Giles bearly contains his excitement at Paddington.

plus:

• we beat-em-up good and proper with Marvel's Cosmic Invasion; and
• We go all globetrotty with our gaming in Louisiana, New York, Pompeii, Ancient Rome and ... Reading, yep really.

All that and more on May's Aches & Games.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intros

01:17 What we've been up to

25:30 Marvel's Cosmic Invasion - love it or leave it?

32:33 What else we've been playing - a bumper month!

77:21 Next Month's pick is...

80:54 This month's news and highlights

92:50 Wrapping up

As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials @achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com. And please check out the website at www.achesandgames.co.uk where you'll also find some great written reviews of the games we play.

Cheers!

In this month's episode:

• Giles evades a rampaging mechanical elephant in Nantes.
• James actually completes some games in Ace Combat 7 and Split Fiction.

plus:

• we both enjoy the gorgeous world of Planet of Lana 2
• a busy month for news, and
• the usual nonsense

All that and more on April's Aches & Games.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intros

01:37 What we've been up to

19:24 Planet of Lana 2 - love it or leave it?

29:44 What else we've been playing :

55:34 Next Month's pick is...

57:44 This month's news and highlights

78:55 Wrapping up

As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials @achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com. And please check out the website at www.achesandgames.co.uk where you'll also find some great written reviews of the games we play.

Cheers!

In this month's episode:

• we fly into skies unknown with Ace Combat 7
• James explores the changing seasons and one girl's love for a wolf in Neva
• and Giles has complicated feeling about his time in night city with Cyberpunk 2077

plus:

• more Schedule 1 and Split Fiction
• early thoughts on Rise of the Golden Idol and Banishers: Ghosts on New Eden.
• and what we've been doing and watching since last episode.

All that and more on March's Aches & Games.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intros and shoutouts

04:49 What we've been up to

28:09 LIOLI? Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown

40:17 What we've been playing : Neva, Cyberpunk 2077, Schedule 1, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, Split Fiction and Rise of the Golden Idol.

73:12 Next Month's pick is...

77:04 State of Play and this month's highlights

90:31 Wrapping up

As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials @achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com. And please check out the website at www.achesandgames.co.uk where you'll also find some great written reviews of the games we play.

Cheers!

In this month's episode:

• we compare "reviews in progress" for Cyberpunk 2077, and
• Giles "feels the force" in Vader Immortal and heads back to Rome & Bright Falls with DLCs for Indiana Jones and Alan Wake 2, and
• James tries out life of both sides of the law with Schedule 1 & The Precinct, plus gives his thoughts on Overcooked 2 and Ultimate Theatre Simulator.

Plus thoughts on the Xbox Developer Direct, what we've each been up to this month and find it out love really is all around us.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intros

01:50 What we've been up to

26:10 What we've been playing : Schedule 1, Alan Wake 2 Night Springs / The Lake House (DLC), The Precinct, Indiana Jones and the Order of Giants (DLC), Overcooked 2, Monument Valley and Ultimate Theatre Simulator.

61:42 LIOLI? Cyberpunk 2077 (Initial Thoughts)

73:13 Next Month's pick is...

78:20 Xbox Developer Direct and this month's highlights

88:46 Wrapping up

As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials @achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com. And please check out the website at www.achesandgames.co.uk where you'll also find some great written reviews of the games we play.

Cheers!

In a bumper show we:

• catch up on our respective festive breaks and:

• compare thoughts on Thank Goodness You're Here; and
• review Split Fiction, 1000xResist, Dispatch, Moss 2, Lego Voyagers, Keep Talking & Nobody explodes and more.

Plus we talk Neighbours-themed Christmas parties, "ballet fuffs" and much more on this months Aches & Games!

Timestamps:

00:00 Intros

03:11 What we've been up to

25:33 Thank Goodness You're Here (Review)

37:06 Other Reviews : Split Fiction, 1000xResist, Dispatch, Moss Book 2, Waterpark Simulator, Keep Talking & Nobody Explodes, and Lego Voyagers.

75:51 Next Month's Sub Club pick is...

78:16 Christmas games haul (and increasing derangement)

83:52 Wrapping up

As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials @achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com. And please check out the website at www.achesandgames.co.uk where you'll also find some great written reviews of the games we play.

Cheers!

Hi everyone :)

In the festive spirit we're back with the gift of a **special episode** of Aches & Games for your holiday listening pleasure.

In a fast-becoming annual tradition we cut straight to the gaming and take turns to run though each of our 5 favourite games we played during 2025.

*Five picks each (with some crossover perhaps?)

*“Honourable mentions”

*PLUS what 2026 game we’re most looking forward to playing. 

Timestamps

00:00 Intro & overall thoughts on 2025

04:09 Our top 5s

60:15 Looking ahead to 2026

66:00 Wrapping up & big thank you!

We'll be back in January for our next normal monthly show - though for one month only it'll be the second Friday of the month. So in the meantime, enjoy and we hope you have a Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year.

As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials@achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com - hey, why not share your own top 5s and we'll read them out on January's show.

And please check out the website at www.achesandgames.co.uk where you'll alsofind some great written reviews of the games we play.

Cheers!

In this month's episode: we review Double Fine's Keeper, Alan Wake 2, Motorsport Manager and more. We discuss what else we've been playing and watching, plus James dices with death at a fireworks display and I embrace the festivities with some Christmas activities. All that and more in December's Aches & Games!

Timestamps:

00:00 Intros

02:25 What we've been up to

19:24 Keeper

33:51 Other games we've been playing

65:37 Next Month's Sub Club pick is...

67:04 Newsbytes

74:37 Wrapping up

As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials @achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com. And please check out the website at www.achesandgames.co.uk where you'll also find some great written reviews of the games we play.

Cheers!

In this month's epic episode: we each go on a journey of discovery with Indika; James drops into the Simpsons season of Fortnite and completes one of his new favourite games of all time; and I get suitably spooky with Ghost Town on the Meta Quest and Alan Wake 2. Plus we discuss the recent (ish) changes to Xbox Game Pass, Halo coming to PlayStation and some upcoming releases that have caught our eye.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intros

03:46 What we've been up to

25:04 Indika (last month's "Sub Club" pick)

33:49 Other games we've been playing

80:51 Next Month's Sub Club pick is...

82:24 Newsbytes

95:37 Wrapping up

As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials@achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com. And please check out the website at www.achesandgames.co.uk where you'll also find some great written reviews of the games we play.

Cheers!

Hi everyone!

In October's episode we sword sand surf our way through the pleasant lands of Sword of the Sea and talk about everything else that we’ve been playing, watching and getting up to since last month. Plus highlights from this month's Nintendo Direct, Sony's latest State of Play and thoughts on Kojima's OD - Knock. Plus we share any upcoming releases that have caught our eye.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intros and feedback to last month's show

07:45 What we've been up to

26:35 Sword of the Sea (last month's "Sub Club" pick)

38:31 Other games we've been playing

61:45 Next Month's Sub Club pick is...

64:05 Newsbytes

77:29 Wrapping up

As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials@achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com. And please check out the website at www.achesandgames.co.uk where you'll also find some great written reviews of the games we play.

Cheers!

Hi everyone!

In September's episode we're talking Prince of Persia : The Lost Crown and what else we've been doing, watching and playing this month. Plus thoughts on this month's gaming news, upcoming highlights, KPop Demon Hunters and 90's one hit wonders Kris Kross (really).

Timestamps:

00:00 Intros

01:52 What we've been up to (and watching)

30:15 Prince of Persia : The Lost Crown - this month's SubClub

41:42 What else we've been playing

62:39 Next Month's SubClub pick is...

67:47 Newsbytes / coming up

83:15 Wrapping up (an epic show!)

As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials@achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com. And please check out the website at www.achesandgames.co.uk where you'll also find some great written reviews of the games we play.

Cheers!

Hi everyone!

In August's episode of "Aches & Games monthly" we go football crazy, with a face-off between Rematch and FC25 for our SubClub and inspired by the lionesses and the women's Euros in general. But fear not and footy-phobics - we also talk gigs, games and general gibberish as we go through what else we've been doing, watching and playing this month.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intros

02:05 What we've been up to and watching

29:11 FC25 v Rematch - a face-off for this month's SubClub

49:07 What else we've been playing

69:49 Next Month's Sub Club pick is...

72:42 Newsbytes / coming up

81:27 Wrapping up

As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials@achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com. And please check out the website at www.achesandgames.co.uk where you'll also find some great written reviews of the games we play.

Cheers!

Hi everyone!

In July's episode of "Aches & Games monthly" we grind our way through Bomb Rush Cyberfunk and talk about everything else that we’ve been playing, watching and getting up to since last month. Plus any news and upcoming releases that have caught our eye.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intros

02:35 What we've been up to

24:45 Bomb Rush Cyberfunk (last month's "Sub Club" pick)

35:03 Other games we've been playing

62:50 Next Month's Sub Club pick is...

67:01 Newsbytes

74:32 Wrapping up

As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials@achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com. And please check out the website at www.achesandgames.co.uk where you'll also find some great written reviews of the games we play.

Cheers!

Hi everyone

In our latest **special episode** of Aches & Games we’re talking Xbox – specifically :

·      what actually is "Xbox” in 2025

·       thoughts as we come off this year's games showcase

·      and how we feel about the future of the platform

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

1:32 Just what is "Xbox" in 2025

3:40 Console and beyond

12:03 Games - from famine to feast?

26:19 Now and next - where is this all going?

44:24 Wrapping up

45:48 Bonus content?

As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials@achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com.

And please check out the website at www.achesandgames.co.uk where you'll also find some great written reviews of the games we play.

Cheers!

Hi everyone!

In June's episode of "Aches & Games monthly" we talk about the delightfully British Atomfall plus everything else that we’ve been playing, watching and getting up to since last month. Plus a quick run through any news of the moment, as well as new and upcoming releases that have caught our eye.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intros

01:35 What we've been up to

21:29 Atomfall (last month's "Sub Club" pick)

31:06 Other games we've been playing

46:03 Next Month's GOTM is...

49:12 A busy month for news

65:16 New to subscription / new releases!

73:02 Wrapping up

As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials@achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com. And please check out the website at www.achesandgames.co.uk where you'll also find some great written reviews of the games we play.

Cheers!

Hi everyone!

In May's episode of "Aches & Games monthly" we talk about the intriguing Blue Prince plus everything else that we’ve been playing, watching and getting up to since last month. Plus a quick run through some new and upcoming releases that have caught our eye.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intros

1:49 What we've been up to

20:55 Blue Prince

32:39 What else we've been playing

52:47 New Games that have caught our eye

57:08 Next Month's GOTM is...

61:28 Wrapping up

As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials@achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com. And please check out the website at www.achesandgames.co.uk where you'll also find some great written reviews of the games we play.

Cheers!

Hi everyone

In our latest **special episode** of Aches & Gameswe reminisce while sharing our Nintendo-based gaming memories - from the NES and Game Boy all the way up to the Switch while also looking ahead to the Switch 2.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

1:08 The early home consoles (NES, SNES and N64)

10:32 Downs ups and downs (Gamecube, Wii and the Wii U)

22:06 Gaming on the go (Gameboy, GBA, the DS & 3DS)

29:11 Two become one (the many Nintendo Switch years)

36:02 Evolution not revolution (will we be buying Switch 2)

As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials@achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com.

And please check out the website at www.achesandgames.co.uk where you'll alsofind some great written reviews of the games we play.

Cheers!

Hi everyone!

In April's "Aches & Games monthly" we talk:

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage plus everything else that we’ve been playing, watching and getting up to since last month. Plus we discuss the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct and some new and notable games hitting Game Pass and PS+ this month.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intros

1:53 What we've been up to

20:06 Lost Records: Bloom & Rage

28:08 What else we've been playing

43:29 News Bytes / New Games / Next Month's GOTM is...

53:29 Nintendo Switch 2 - instant reactions

66:07 Wrapping up

As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials@achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com. And please check out the website at www.achesandgames.co.uk where you'll also find some great written reviews of the games we play.

Cheers!

Hi everyone!

Welcome to March's "Aches & Games monthly".

As well as what we’ve been playing, watching and getting up to since last month, we discuss The Stanley Parable - February's mind-bending game of the month . Plus we talk about a pretty stacked State of Play stream from Sony, an adorable indie showcase from ID@Xbox and various other bits and bobs.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intros

1:40 What we've been up to

23:01 The Stanley Parable (Caution: Spoilers!)

33:29 What else we've been playing

47:21 News Bytes / Sony's State of Play and more

56:43 March's GOTM is ...

58:53 Wrapping up

As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials@achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com. And please check out the website at www.achesandgames.co.uk where you'll alsofind some great written reviews of the games we play.

Cheers!

Hi everyone!

Welcome to February's "Aches & Games monthly".

As well as what we’ve been playing, watching and getting up to since our last time together, we discuss Synth Riders - January's game of the month and our first ever VR choice. Plus we talk about the recent Developer Direct from Xbox, the Switch 2 reveal and PlayStation's seemingly quiet year to come.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intros

2:08 What we've been up to

15:47 Synth Riders / what else we've been playing

46:03 News Bytes / Xbox's Developer_Direct

54:06 February's GOTM is ...

56:30 Wrapping up

And, if you haven't already, please check out our recent special episode covering "Our (Aches &) Games of 2024" which can be found on the normal channels.

As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials @achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com. And please check out the website at www.achesandgames.co.uk where you'll also find some great written reviews of the games we play.

Cheers!

A monthly check in between two slightly older British friends chatting about what we've been doing, playing and what's happened in the gaming world.

Plus, the feed also had special episodes covering things like our games of the year, favourite gaming memories and reactions to the biggest gaming announcements and stories.

Why not give us a try, thanks!

Hi everyone!

Welcome to our first ever "Aches & Games monthly" - which you might recognise as just a slightly tweaked version of our regular monthly catch-up show.

As well as what we’ve been playing, watching and getting up to since our last time together, we discuss Indiana Jones & The Great Circle (December's choice for game of the month), this month's choice and our highlights from The Game Awards. Enjoy!

Timestamps:

0:00 Intros

1:59 What we've been up to

15:06 Indiana Jones / what else we've been playing

43:47 January's GOTM is ...

45:52 News Bytes / The Game Awards

57:56 Wrapping up (in a slightly unconventional way)  

And, if you haven't already, please check out our recent special episode covering "Our (Aches &) Games of 2024" which can be found on the normal channels.

As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials @achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com. And please check out the website at www.achesandgames.co.uk where you'll also find some great written reviews of the games we play.

Cheers!

Hi everyone :)

In this first ever **special episode** of Aches & Games we cut straight to the gaming and run down our own favourite games of 2024 (or rather the favourite games we each played during 2024).

*Five picks each (with some crossover perhaps?)

*“Honourable mentions”

*Our surprises of the year

*PLUS what 2024 game we’re most looking forward to playing – when we finally get through the backlogs!    

As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials @achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com.

And please check out the website at www.achesandgames.co.uk where you'll also find some great written reviews of the games we play.

Cheers!

Hi everyone!

In this month's show we’re celebrating our one whole year of the podcast by looking back on our highs & lows AND reveal some upcoming changes to the show for 2025. Plus, we follow up on November’s controversial choice of having two “game of the month”s, we choose December’s game and share what we’ve been playing, watching and getting up to since our last time together.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intros

2:21 What we've been up to

18:25 Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 / The Chaos Engine

36:45 What else we've been playing

50:00 December's games is ...

54:22 News Bytes

57:55 Celebrating our 1 year birthday and looking ahead

75:37 Wrapping up

As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials @achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com. And please check out the website at www.achesandgames.co.uk where you'll also find some great written reviews of the games we play.

Cheers!

We celebrate spooky season by discussing some of our favourite ghoulish games and choosing a season-appropriate choice for October's game of the month. Plus our thoughts on Age of Mythology Retold (September's choice), how Giles actually "went west" and the usual catch-ups, tangents and general nonsense. Timestamps: 0:00 Intros 2:43 What we've been up to 20:06 Age of Mythology Retold 29:36 What else we've been playing 42:12 October's game is ... 45:32 News Bytes 57:39 Our top ghostly (or grisly) games 80:43 Wrapping up As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials @achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com. And please check out the website at www.achesandgames.co.uk where you'll also find some great written reviews of the games we play. Cheers!

Summer's gone but we're back with a discussion of the pros and cons of PS+ and Xbox Game Pass as well as our thoughts on Jeanne d'Arc, a hidden gem from the PSP and 2007 which was August's play-along game of the month.

Plus James relives a holiday that didn't go quite to plan and some rather more fun family co-op adventures while Giles finds something just his pace in amongst the hot air balloons at Bristol's Balloon Fiesta. All that and the usual catch-ups, tangents and general nonsense. Timestamps: 0:00 Intros 2:00 What we've been up to / feedback / pod stuff 14:25 Jeanne d'Arc (our play along for August) 25:17 What else we've been playing 35:53 September's game is ... 38:50 News Bytes 47:40 Gaming subscription pros & cons 67:09 Wrapping up As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials @achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com. And please check out the website at www.achesandgames.co.uk where you'll also find some great written reviews of the games we play. Cheers!

It's August (already!) so we share some of our favourite "Summer" games as well as our thoughts on the decidedly un-summery Still Wakes The Deep which was July's play-along game of the month.

Plus James talks a look at Lorelei and the Laser Eyes, and explore the (early) depths of Hellblade among others, while Giles investigates The Curse of the Golden Idol and explored the Dungeons of Hinterberg. All that and the usual catch-ups, tangents and general nonsense. Timestamps: 0:00 Intros 2:54 What we've been up to / feedback / pod stuff 16:48 Still Wakes the Deep (our play along for July) 25:25 What else we've been playing 39:54 News Bytes 50:14 Some top "summer" games 65:35 Wrapping up As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials @achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com.

In June's episode we discuss the news that older games are dominating people's playing time and if we might be part of the problem?

Plus Giles walks through stunning landscapes and complicated feelings on Hellblade 2, James investigates Disco Elysium and we compare thoughts on our respective time with Harold Halibut. Plus the usual catch-ups, tangents and general nonsense. Timestamps:

0:00 Intros

0:58 What we've been up to

13:39 Introducing June's game of the month

20:07 What we've been playing

41:34 This month's news bites

52:38 Why do old games currently rule

64:00 A quick wrap-up As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials @achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com.

Join us for this month's episode including James' muddy ending, Giles' conflicted feelings on his time at Hogwarts and where we discuss what "counts" as a game. Plus all the usual (and unusual) nonsense about life, and gaming on Xbox, PlayStation 5, Switch and PC Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 2:59 What we've been up to 19:32 What we've been playing 53:58 This month's news bites 66:26 What "counts" as a game? 77:53 Wrapping up As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials @achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com.

Happy new year! We're back for our second episode with brand new microphones and despite some gremlins in the recording software.

This month we catch up on a busy Christmas period, discuss our favourite games that we played in 2023 (hence the *) and share a few of our gaming new year's resolutions.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro and what we've been up to

12:22 What we've been playing this month

33:00 Our games of the year 2023

58:20 Gaming resolutions for 2024

As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials @achesandgames, by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com or just turn up at James' house apparently!