We discuss some of the mounting uncertainties across the gaming community and discoveries from the Steam Next Fest. Daniel looks at how card game The Gang goes against the odds and explores whether poker can be fun without betting. Mark examines the virtual novel/strategy game 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim and how it synthesizes its multitudinous genres and narratives.

Games Discussed

• Appetizer: Better Offline podcast, Tariff uncertainty, Steam Next Fest demos (As We Descend, Drop Duchy, Wanderstop), Monolith/Respawn layoffs
• Main Course: The Gang, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim
• Desert: David Lynch, Severance Season 2

Timestamps

• Start: 00:00
• Appetizer: 01:10
• Game 1: 21:01
• Game 2: 36:43
• Desert: 1:04:47

Links

Board Game Wire Tariff news:

https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/03/06/fewer-releases-spending-freezes-and-rising-prices-board-game-publishers-face-volatile-financial-future-as-us-hikes-china-tariff-to-20-brings-in-25-canada-mexico-tariffs/

Rascal Tariff news

https://www.rascal.news/tabletop-companies-are-waiting-for-the-ship-to-come-in-on-tariffs/

Better Offline - How Growth Is Killing Video Games

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/139-better-offline-150284547/episode/how-growth-is-killing-video-games-269512804/

A Pivot to Indie Won’t Save Us

https://auratriolo.com/blog/2025/01/15/a-pivot-to-indie-wont-save-us/

Check out the video version of the podcast

https://youtu.be/VSEORMBX3JQ

Follow Daniel

https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamefeast.bsky.social

Follow Mark

https://bsky.app/profile/markyuasa.bsky.social

Send your questions, feedback and comments to

omnigamersclub@gmail.com.

Daniel contemplates the terror of empty fields and monotony of invisible mutants in survival shooter Stalker 2; Mark reminisces on another remaster and the art of the mystery in adventure puzzle collection Another Code Recollection

Games Discussed

• Appetizer: Tumulus, Ludology - Thinking Beyond Mechanisms
• Main Course: S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, Another Code Recollection
• Desert: Poker Face, Pluto

Timestamps

Start: 00:0

Appetizer: 01:55

Game 1: 11:04

Game 2: 25:31

Desert: 45:02

Links

Tumulus

https://www.skeletoncodemachine.com/p/tumulus

Ludology -

https://pca.st/p36uha4h

Check out the video version of the podcast

https://youtu.be/LbFr-vKl6tM

Follow Daniel

https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamefeast.bsky.social

Follow Mark

https://bsky.app/profile/markyuasa.bsky.social

Send your questions, feedback and comments to

omnigamersclub@gmail.com.

This week we’re serving up a new format for the show with a unified structure that should allow some more flexibility and balance in our coverage. Daniel explores the virtue of restraint in conquering the galaxy in Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy; Mark has a jelly goo time with nostalgia in Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake

Games Discussed

• Appetizer: Ayaneo Classic and Retroid Pocket Flip 2, A Mending
• Main Course: Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for the Galaxy, Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake
• Desert: Shangri-La Frontier, Ghostbusters: Answer the Call

Timestamps

• Appetizer: 3:15
• Game 1: 8:39
• Game 2: 31:30
• Desert: 55:19

Links

Check out the video version of the podcast

https://youtu.be/1_umF0o5Mc0

Follow Daniel at

https://linktr.ee/boardgamefeast

Follow Mark at

https://instagram.com/omnigamermark

Send your questions, feedback and comments to

omnigamersclub@gmail.com.