
Low Five Gaming
Welcome to Low Five Gaming, the book club-style podcast where two brothers, Alex and Luke, share their lifelong love for video games through engaging conversations and friendly debates. If you're a passionate gamer, a casual fan, or just have a soft spot for the classics, our laid-back, conversational approach will make you feel right at home.
Each month, we'll explore the game of the moment or revisit a beloved classic, satisfying your gaming cravings with our unique blend of humor, insight, and personal experiences. Whether it's reminiscing about crunchy classics like Prince of Persia (89), getting hyped about the latest Nintendo Direct, or diving into deep discussions on FPGA consoles (much to Luke's chagrin), Low Five Gaming is your go-to podcast for all things gaming.
As brothers with a lifelong bond, Alex and Luke bring a genuine camaraderie and relatable banter to every episode, making it easy for you to connect with fellow gamers who truly understand your love for the virtual world. So, if you're looking to join a gaming community where you can enjoy thought-provoking conversations about your favorite games, look no further than Low Five Gaming. You're also invited to join the conversation in our Discord server!
Subscribe now and let's embark on this pixel-powered journey together, sharing our gaming adventures and creating lasting memories along the way.
Low Five Gaming
Cult of the Lamb
Alex and Luke Talk Cult of the Lamb.
Ever wanted to combine dungeon crawling, base management, and theological terror into one cozy indie experience? That’s exactly the blend Cult of the Lamb serves. Developed by Massive Monster and published by Devolver Digital, this darkly adorable roguelike management mash-up dropped on August 11, 2022. You play a resurrected lamb who must build a loyal cult, perform rituals, and crusade through twisted lands to free a mysterious deity. It’s cute, creepy, and weirdly compelling.
On Metacritic, Cult of the Lamb scores an 82 (PC) among critics. According to reviews and “How Long to Beat,” a standard playthrough lands in the 15–20 hour range. Go for completion, side content, or cult perfection, and it stretches further. It’s a neat balance point: deep enough to feel meaningful, short enough to avoid burnout.
Both hosts tackled this one on their Steam Decks, with Alex also dipping into the PC version for a spell. Neither of them made it to the ultimate “credits roll” — instead, they got deep into the loops, the rituals, and the existential questions of lamb-leadership. They came away with both love and critiques of the pacing, combat variety, and the inevitable moral compromise.
This episode is unofficially brought to you in part by “Fantasy Football. Is it a video game, dude?”
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Low Five Gaming is a Studio Low Five Production.
Welcome to another episode of You've got me, your host, Alex. And here is my brother and My cult member. What's
luke:Yes.
Alex Stahlmann:up dude?
luke:Uh, cult leader, I would like to
Alex Stahlmann:Co-Leader. Co-Leader of the cult
luke:Cult leader? Um,
Alex Stahlmann:Lo-Fi
luke:that can't be a
Alex Stahlmann:Gaming
luke:common.
Alex Stahlmann:Cult.
luke:That can't be a common You think there's a lot of cults powerful dudes that trade off? You think that works? I feel like
Alex Stahlmann:Just
luke:it's an
Alex Stahlmann:a
luke:ego.
Alex Stahlmann:couple. Couple
luke:It's an ego
Alex Stahlmann:of bros
luke:game. Just
Alex Stahlmann:setting the rules.
luke:low five cult. Dude. We mostly get along.
Alex Stahlmann:That
luke:Yeah.
Alex Stahlmann:can only
luke:How you
Alex Stahlmann:be
luke:doing?
Alex Stahlmann:one.
luke:Yeah.
Alex Stahlmann:I'm doing well. I'm doing well. Dude,
luke:Kinda.
Alex Stahlmann:it's been a crazy. Crazy. I have a little bit of a cold,
luke:Yeah.
Alex Stahlmann:people
luke:You
Alex Stahlmann:don't
luke:sound
Alex Stahlmann:care about that.
luke:sound a little pissy, but it's
Alex Stahlmann:Uh, but it's been. It's been a crazy couple of Uh, we're we're coming in a I want to, you know, so I'll
luke:Nope.
Alex Stahlmann:Um, yeah. It's been a crazy couple of September. And now we're in October. Dude, September is buck wild. We got too many birthdays in the A lot of people just making love
luke:Whoa, man, I thought you were colds because I got sick. But you went right to baby,
Alex Stahlmann:A little bit of both, man. We got
luke:Yeah.
Alex Stahlmann:I mean, that shit nasty, right?
luke:Yeah. Back to back to work for So it's a bit of a
Alex Stahlmann:Yeah.
luke:whirlwind, but, uh. Yeah. And then catching colds It was, uh, good times, but busy
Alex Stahlmann:Indeed. Yeah. And we, uh, we had flesh in the person to. I mean, we did plenty of times So here we are digitally coming
luke:Family
Alex Stahlmann:to you a low five
luke:stuff?
Alex Stahlmann:late night
luke:Yeah. Late night low fives.
Alex Stahlmann:can't be, can't be getting too You wake up them boys.
luke:Yeah, that would be a I'm not gonna lie. That would be a cancer.
Alex Stahlmann:But nonetheless. Dude. The game. The game of the month. Cult of the lamb has the cult
luke:Yes, the the cutest creepy game,
Alex Stahlmann:Right.
luke:I guess is a subgenre of its Creepy.
Alex Stahlmann:Remind me. Was this my pick? Your pick? A dual pick?
luke:I think it was, uh, my pick, Nope. No, it was your pick.
Alex Stahlmann:I think it was. I think it was your pick. But I bought this game for you kind of like a.
luke:Yeah, it was kind of like you I'm
Alex Stahlmann:Not
luke:just.
Alex Stahlmann:really.
luke:I'm just playing. I was kind
Alex Stahlmann:Ah,
luke:of voluntold.
Alex Stahlmann:yes.
luke:This would be my pick, guys. Uh, you know, because Alex is.
Alex Stahlmann:Strong armed.
luke:He is not a beloved. Beloved. Beloved. Benevolent dictator.
Alex Stahlmann:Benevolent.
luke:Cult leader.
Alex Stahlmann:Yeah,
luke:Uh,
Alex Stahlmann:yeah.
luke:you don't edit that. I want everyone to know I'm
Alex Stahlmann:What? They already do that? I
luke:Yeah, I
Alex Stahlmann:don't know,
luke:don't
Alex Stahlmann:bro.
luke:know. Uh, yeah. So, no, I've had it on the Uh, you know, backlog book club was taken, but that was our original idea. Um,
Alex Stahlmann:Um.
luke:and we're just, you know, we're play all of the games, one
Alex Stahlmann:We could
luke:at a
Alex Stahlmann:take
luke:time.
Alex Stahlmann:it. We could take. We could strong arm that shit, Should we rebrand? No, I don't want to do that
luke:Start
Alex Stahlmann:work.
luke:a war. Start a branding war. Um,
Alex Stahlmann:But
luke:so
Alex Stahlmann:this
luke:yeah,
Alex Stahlmann:game, dude.
luke:and it's
Alex Stahlmann:Yeah.
luke:Devolver
Alex Stahlmann:So it's.
luke:Digital, so it's
Alex Stahlmann:It
luke:like,
Alex Stahlmann:is.
luke:you know, we already have, you Nintendo fanboy pod, and now, Devolver Digital fanboy pod, so
Alex Stahlmann:We've
luke:look at that.
Alex Stahlmann:devolved into divulgar. Pure divulgar we
luke:Yeah.
Alex Stahlmann:divulge into.
luke:You're stupid.
Alex Stahlmann:We've devolved.
luke:You're stupid too.
Alex Stahlmann:We've we've devolved into Divulgence. Did
luke:Wow.
Alex Stahlmann:I say that correctly?
luke:No,
Alex Stahlmann:I don't think
luke:not
Alex Stahlmann:so.
luke:at all. Um. But I love it. Um.
Alex Stahlmann:Devolved
luke:Yes.
Alex Stahlmann:into Devolver. The indulgence.
luke:Uh, it's definitely not worth figure it out.
Alex Stahlmann:Dang.
luke:Yeah. Um. Yes.
Alex Stahlmann:Well, if you're still
luke:But.
Alex Stahlmann:here. Cool.
luke:Yeah,
Alex Stahlmann:Uh,
luke:yeah.
Alex Stahlmann:we
luke:Bless you.
Alex Stahlmann:we got we're covered. Call to the lamb. Dude. This
luke:Yeah.
Alex Stahlmann:game came out August eleventh This game came out August Did you realize? I didn't realize it was that old I've been sleeping on this game
luke:Time has become a blur to me.
Alex Stahlmann:Yeah.
luke:Everything
Alex Stahlmann:Fair enough.
luke:feels like it just came out, and then it's like it's the tenth year anniversary and I'm like, oh, great.
Alex Stahlmann:And it gets on. Launch price.
luke:Thirty bucks.
Alex Stahlmann:Twenty five. Dude twenty
luke:You know,
Alex Stahlmann:five.
luke:I was in the neighborhood. Hell yeah. Um.
Alex Stahlmann:I love that. I love that though. That approach. I mean, they have DLC, but you The DLC is free for the most They might have some DLC
luke:I think they
Alex Stahlmann:now.
luke:just had some paid DLC come out, Um,
Alex Stahlmann:Yeah.
luke:obviously
Alex Stahlmann:But like.
luke:I wasn't going to jump in, but Like post-launch content, I
Alex Stahlmann:Yes.
luke:think is more what, your big Um, so yeah, I think the wool
Alex Stahlmann:Yeah,
luke:DLC?
Alex Stahlmann:that sounds right. Uh, co-op. They've added co-op
luke:Oh,
Alex Stahlmann:to it, which is pretty
luke:man.
Alex Stahlmann:cool. Actually, they did that in So like they added that a while So
luke:Um.
Alex Stahlmann:I'm not entirely sure what will happen is they're just adding to this game. Dude I love it like this.
luke:Yeah.
Alex Stahlmann:Is that why can't that be the Why can't that be the the the Why does
luke:Um.
Alex Stahlmann:it have to be? Let's milk them for all they're
luke:Because shareholders, um, Devolver Digital must not be, uh, publicly traded just yet, so we'll see.
Alex Stahlmann:That could
luke:But
Alex Stahlmann:be.
luke:anyway,
Alex Stahlmann:That could be.
luke:you can go
Alex Stahlmann:So
luke:to Bloomberg
Alex Stahlmann:the premise.
luke:for that. Um,
Alex Stahlmann:The premise of this game. Dude,
luke:yes.
Alex Stahlmann:you're the last lamb about to be sacrificed for four bishops who've hunted you down and your entire species.
luke:Mhm.
Alex Stahlmann:But there's a mysterious chain that resurrects you with some,
luke:Mhm.
Alex Stahlmann:weird crown.
luke:Mhm.
Alex Stahlmann:And he tasks you with building a know, the cult's supposed to be basically, like, tasked to
luke:Mhm.
Alex Stahlmann:I think that's
luke:You're
Alex Stahlmann:what's
luke:like
Alex Stahlmann:going on.
luke:his conduit. So when you die in classic rogue fashion I remember
Alex Stahlmann:Right.
luke:the difference. Um because I, you know on this difference between the two about
Alex Stahlmann:Mhm.
luke:to memorizing it.
Alex Stahlmann:There you go.
luke:Um, in classic roguelike lite for you to die and come back. Although I do like how your cult followers don't believe in you as much if you die and they're like, um,
Alex Stahlmann:Right.
luke:weakling. I actually like that. Uh, so there's a tiny penalty to Nothing
Alex Stahlmann:Mhm.
luke:crazy, but you just get reborn and then, um, it the roguelike function, the rogue light function. So I like how I told you I know but I can't verbally say the
Alex Stahlmann:Right.
luke:But the rogue function is that you go in one of the doors and you fight. You know, the whole little you We talk about this enough in mean by you go on a little run, through the area, you find the like a final little boss guy, Is it to unlock, like, the final boss or the bishop that you previously mentioned of the area?
Alex Stahlmann:Yeah I believe so.
luke:And then what's interesting about this game, this game's flavorful twist. Other than the, um, cult setting Cutesiness, uh, what makes this management sim on your
Alex Stahlmann:Yeah.
luke:home base. So in a lot of games, you have a and power ups over time. In Hades, you talk to people and build relationships and power up. In this game, you're running
Alex Stahlmann:Right. Yeah. Um, and that's like, from what I've gathered on the internet. Like, I mean, some people really do like the, the gameplay of the dungeon crawling because it's decent. Um, but mostly it seems people building aspect of this game is
luke:Mm.
Alex Stahlmann:and somewhat my experience as I'm a little torn, to be honest.
luke:Yeah. I had, um, so when we first talked, you can check in the discord. I definitely called it a master
Alex Stahlmann:Um.
luke:Um, because I felt like it was stretched out between these two deals, I would say that I kind of grew. I had a nice I put down some heavier on it. When I first thought we were
Alex Stahlmann:Sure.
luke:and I got like probably another I got into more of a groove. And
Alex Stahlmann:Mhm.
luke:I found that, um, it's actually can't do a whole lot on the on the run and then you come chaotic, because some things disarray or fall too far behind, cleaning up and like some
Alex Stahlmann:A lot of
luke:things
Alex Stahlmann:poop.
luke:and a
Alex Stahlmann:A
luke:lot
Alex Stahlmann:lot
luke:of
Alex Stahlmann:of poop
luke:poop,
Alex Stahlmann:out there.
luke:a lot of poop, a lot of weird, poop focused things that I'm not super into. I actually found the process of gratifying that little progress
Alex Stahlmann:It's funny.
luke:bar, of upgrading that shovel
Alex Stahlmann:Yeah.
luke:like I was more proud than I out my poop shovel. Um, I'm
Alex Stahlmann:Right.
luke:a little further than you, so I So they shit in an
Alex Stahlmann:Oh
luke:outhouse,
Alex Stahlmann:there
luke:and I
Alex Stahlmann:you
luke:just
Alex Stahlmann:go.
luke:have to clean the outhouse. And
Alex Stahlmann:Better.
luke:then I got a fertilizer bin for Yeah, dude, uh, it does some nice, uh, I'm more into management sims than you historically.
Alex Stahlmann:Historically,
luke:That that seem
Alex Stahlmann:no.
luke:fair.
Alex Stahlmann:But in our adult life. Yes.
luke:I mean, our adult life spend most of our lives at this point, dude.
Alex Stahlmann:Fair enough.
luke:Um,
Alex Stahlmann:Uh,
luke:within
Alex Stahlmann:yeah.
luke:the last,
Alex Stahlmann:Dude.
luke:you know, ten to fifteen years,
Alex Stahlmann:It's
luke:a lot
Alex Stahlmann:funny.
luke:of management sims, so you can Stuff that I find gratifying is
Alex Stahlmann:Right.
luke:I was going
Alex Stahlmann:And
luke:to say
Alex Stahlmann:between.
luke:there.
Alex Stahlmann:Between the premise and talking
luke:Yeah.
Alex Stahlmann:Like,
luke:Lots
Alex Stahlmann:if
luke:of poop.
Alex Stahlmann:anybody hasn't played this game and they're just hearing us talk about it, like, it sounds scary, it sounds dark, and it sounds gross. The funny thing about that is, And I think
luke:It's
Alex Stahlmann:that juxtaposition.
luke:intensely cutesy.
Alex Stahlmann:Right. So that
luke:Yeah.
Alex Stahlmann:juxtaposition is I think one of this game is it has a very, It's
luke:A
Alex Stahlmann:like dark,
luke:approachable
Alex Stahlmann:but it's like a dark, cutesy
luke:cult vibes dude.
Alex Stahlmann:Yeah, dude. And that's like, that's
luke:Baby's
Alex Stahlmann:what's kind of
luke:first
Alex Stahlmann:funny about
luke:cult
Alex Stahlmann:it,
luke:dude.
Alex Stahlmann:right?
luke:Um.
Alex Stahlmann:So it's got a real dark humor
luke:That's
Alex Stahlmann:really
luke:true.
Alex Stahlmann:well. The soundtrack
luke:Yeah,
Alex Stahlmann:is good. There is
luke:yeah.
Alex Stahlmann:an addictive gameplay loop, but it's a it's adorable, yet disturbing. Uh, which
luke:Yeah.
Alex Stahlmann:is. Which is kind of fun.
luke:Did you get far enough to find conflict, like inner conflict with doing some of the cult stuff?
Alex Stahlmann:Yeah. I mean, like, so like you, I mean, there's so many layers of this game that will, you know, it's one of those deals that we'll probably miss a bunch of stuff, but, uh, you you can decide whether to, like, sacrifice a cult member or whatever, not for various different reasons.
luke:Or
Alex Stahlmann:Are you
luke:force
Alex Stahlmann:talking about
luke:him
Alex Stahlmann:that
luke:to eat
Alex Stahlmann:or are you
luke:poop?
Alex Stahlmann:talking about or force them to
luke:Like
Alex Stahlmann:weird
luke:I
Alex Stahlmann:stuff
luke:want to
Alex Stahlmann:and
luke:pull
Alex Stahlmann:it's
luke:a prank on him, dude, make
Alex Stahlmann:right.
luke:him eat shit. He hates that. I'm like, no, that's a dick
Alex Stahlmann:But dude, this goes this harks back to our, um, Red Dead Redemption two like pod that we cut. And then also when we guested on whole idea of being gamers and like, have trouble kind of side, if you will. You know what I mean?
luke:Yeah. No, I have to, like, tell playing as a adorable cult
Alex Stahlmann:Mhm.
luke:leader. Like, you get to be bad and I'll
Alex Stahlmann:Right.
luke:this poor little follower that worships you eat shit to make the other
Alex Stahlmann:And
luke:one happy.
Alex Stahlmann:right. And even more so than like, you know, my red dead example where you are. I mean, you don't really I mean It's you're like rewarded for trying to say. Whereas in
luke:Mhm.
Alex Stahlmann:Red dead it really didn't matter Like
luke:Mhm.
Alex Stahlmann:it has some impact on the story. But for this, like the game
luke:You're
Alex Stahlmann:is
luke:supposed
Alex Stahlmann:interesting.
luke:to be a cult leader, you
Alex Stahlmann:Right?
luke:know.
Alex Stahlmann:Right
luke:Yeah.
Alex Stahlmann:right.
luke:You're not supposed to be a, You're building your cult. Um, it's also interesting like overworld those runs, you do
Alex Stahlmann:Right.
luke:and like they die a lot like of So you're kind of, kind of like So like that kind of helps But you can like build up your cult and like, did you find it stressful when you first started playing? How many systems? It kind of it did a good job of of systems, but it was deeply
Alex Stahlmann:So I don't mind the systems because you're right, they do a good job of layering them and introducing them. And things are kind of you're kind of locked out on things until you hit certain, you know, um,
luke:Mhm,
Alex Stahlmann:achievements
luke:mhm.
Alex Stahlmann:or whatever milestones. So I think, excuse me, I think that, uh, that rollout made that manageable. I think to this day, the time, the speed of the game gives me anxiety. Like the clock, how fast the
luke:That
Alex Stahlmann:The
luke:never
Alex Stahlmann:day
luke:bothered
Alex Stahlmann:clock.
luke:me. But you've mentioned that so many times I think that's so funny.
Alex Stahlmann:Dude, it's because I'm like, I don't want to be, but I'm a min maxer. So, like, I'm trying to get as much done on the overworld or on the home base, and then you also have to get a run in and the clock continues to go during the run, so you have to balance that correctly. And like there's a day count. So I get even though I don't Like I get worried about the And uh, so it's just one of It's like the it's like the It's just like having that. It's just it's just it's
luke:I
Alex Stahlmann:I
luke:mean,
Alex Stahlmann:don't
luke:that
Alex Stahlmann:need
luke:one.
Alex Stahlmann:it.
luke:That one's real anxiety because
Alex Stahlmann:I mean,
luke:times.
Alex Stahlmann:yeah for sure.
luke:Well, the point I was making is up your cult, you're making a And like, my nice guy shit's But you can like, sacrifice intense control of your cult, powers on your next run. So
Alex Stahlmann:Yeah.
luke:you could
Alex Stahlmann:Because
luke:like,
Alex Stahlmann:there's a whole big skill tree
luke:yeah,
Alex Stahlmann:too, right?
luke:you could build your whole cult specialize in the path of, like, lame o. I went the other all my followers to have a So when their homies die. They gained a little faith and
Alex Stahlmann:Oh that's clouding.
luke:Yeah. So I'm, you know, you know, listeners, if you want to join our cult, I'm pretty, pretty chill. Whereas Alex
Alex Stahlmann:I'm
luke:will probably
Alex Stahlmann:like,
luke:make you eat poop and,
Alex Stahlmann:I
luke:um,
Alex Stahlmann:don't
luke:sacrifice
Alex Stahlmann:make him eat poop,
luke:you,
Alex Stahlmann:dude. But I do be sacrificing folk.
luke:dude.
Alex Stahlmann:Especially if. Especially if they're, like, or like, a little upset. I'm like, you know what? You're gone. We don't need you. You're not. You're not benefiting
luke:Oh.
Alex Stahlmann:my
luke:I'm sorry.
Alex Stahlmann:my,
luke:All
Alex Stahlmann:my
luke:that's
Alex Stahlmann:mission,
luke:for dinner is grass or poop.
Alex Stahlmann:dude.
luke:Die. Then we'll
Alex Stahlmann:Early
luke:eat you.
Alex Stahlmann:on, especially early on, That's annoying, dude. Like the cooking. So that's I mean, I don't that's Like, I don't mind those layers. I don't mind, like, because Like, one of the reasons I was because I've been craving a
luke:Yeah.
Alex Stahlmann:like a life sim, probably more to be honest. And I think that's where I, I I felt like what I had gathered more life, Simmy, than I, that I as life as I wanted it to be. Right. Um,
luke:Yeah.
Alex Stahlmann:and it's so like I think that's little bit longer to warm up to game, and I think that, you saying at the get go, it did Um, you know, I found a slight tangent, but I was listening to the homie, uh, Rick on Project Pixel Radio. He's got a Patreon. So his bonus episode he was talking about Super Mario three,
luke:This
Alex Stahlmann:talking,
luke:is
Alex Stahlmann:then
luke:a tangent.
Alex Stahlmann:he.
luke:I was like, where's this gonna
Alex Stahlmann:But then he goes on another podcast, or he goes on and he starts talking about, um, some more, like, philosophical stuff around content creation and whatnot. Uh, and the idea of master. Master of none. Right. So what is the there's actually like a complete there's a line that everybody skips on that it's like, better to be, uh, so what is the what's the full line again?
luke:Brother. You didn't give me the cliff notes on where this tangent was going. Uh.
Alex Stahlmann:I'm just going to cut the Don't worry about it. Let's move on.
luke:I know you can keep it in. I just don't I don't know how to I'm a dumb dumb. I just remember as master Jack Master
Alex Stahlmann:Oh,
luke:know.
Alex Stahlmann:yes. Yes. So it's a jack of all But, um. Better. But then it's like. But to be a master of. No, it doesn't matter. It's. The point is, is like jack of Uh, but better or it's it's master of one. It's like you're better off. Like not being a master of one. I don't know, it's fucking So he did a really good job of I'm going to
luke:It,
Alex Stahlmann:cut it
luke:dude.
Alex Stahlmann:from. This is why I'm going to cut it
luke:Nailed it. Dude.
Alex Stahlmann:Let's rewind. What are we talking to before I Right on here.
luke:Ah,
Alex Stahlmann:That'll be helpful.
luke:Yeah.
Alex Stahlmann:Uh,
luke:Um.
Alex Stahlmann:so when you're talking about this game being a master of none, dude, like I was on board with that, but it definitely gets to the point where I'm like, okay, like I'm learning this stuff. It's making more sense. Uh, I'm into it. I like this. So like we've
luke:Yeah.
Alex Stahlmann:been talking about and we can overworld and the management sim But how did you feel about the How did you feel about that
luke:Um, it was torn because in the beginning, you're trying to learn the management, the sim management stuff. So you're almost not giving that Like you're kind of trying to So as I got into that, like past that five hour mark, closer to that ten to that fifteen, I would find that it was a nice change of pace from the fighting to do the sim stuff, and then I was excited to go do the pillaging again. And I did find the roll. The roll dodge is really nice great through the different, um, the different doorways or areas
Alex Stahlmann:Sure.
luke:to go through, because I forget specific word for those. But each of the Bishop's realms,
Alex Stahlmann:Um.
luke:it. Um, they each have a It's cool. You can go back to the old ones higher rewards, things. So like, I found it a scratch, It's almost like I've played like, doing it really well is comfort food, like
Alex Stahlmann:Sure.
luke:you're clearing each little room this little map, and then you you know, you get to choose a this winding path thing. How would you describe the run, so to speak? So you're in an area, you clear the set of rooms and then you go to a doorway and then there's like almost this, uh, overhead map of like a path where you have just, like, different options of
Alex Stahlmann:Well,
luke:different.
Alex Stahlmann:there's a game that you've put about four thousand dollars into. That is a good example of uses
luke:Which ones? That.
Alex Stahlmann:How many games have you put four
luke:Just Tetris.
Alex Stahlmann:Oh, wait,
luke:Man,
Alex Stahlmann:that's not Civ.
luke:that's. If it's not quite like sieve,
Alex Stahlmann:It's another.
luke:sieve.
Alex Stahlmann:What's the card? The card builder that you that
luke:O.
Alex Stahlmann:a
luke:Slay
Alex Stahlmann:bunch
luke:the
Alex Stahlmann:of.
luke:spire. Yeah.
Alex Stahlmann:Yeah. So slay
luke:Oh!
Alex Stahlmann:does the same thing, but it's Like a,
luke:Yeah.
Alex Stahlmann:like a branching,
luke:Yeah.
Alex Stahlmann:a branching tree. But you've nailed it. Like, basically they. So they call them crusades. Um,
luke:Mm.
Alex Stahlmann:you know,
luke:Go
Alex Stahlmann:when
luke:go
Alex Stahlmann:you go into
luke:go go
Alex Stahlmann:the dungeons
luke:go go.
Alex Stahlmann:or whatever. So the dungeon crawling bit of
luke:Nice.
Alex Stahlmann:for regions, which you mentioned, each ruled by a bishop, and they're procedurally generated rooms. So it's always going to be a know, a little spice of life, a But you get to collect for the overworld
luke:Mhm.
Alex Stahlmann:stuff or
luke:Mhm.
Alex Stahlmann:for the base building stuff, and there, which is also important you, you know, you do get that I think, um, there was another that did this as well. Uh, what's
luke:Well.
Alex Stahlmann:that creepy one? EP1, the creepy car builder
luke:Yeah,
Alex Stahlmann:game that,
luke:with
Alex Stahlmann:like,
luke:the
Alex Stahlmann:took
luke:three
Alex Stahlmann:all
luke:games
Alex Stahlmann:the turns.
luke:built in.
Alex Stahlmann:Yeah.
luke:I'm gonna say, while we're scratching our dumb brains for that one. This is what you get with the Um, it's similar to Enter the
Alex Stahlmann:Mm.
luke:it becomes like when you're actually going through the levels, it's like Enter the Gungeon map. And then when you get to that Spire, where you pick your next Although think of it as much like, you'd be like, do you want different seeds and things to Or do you want a follower based upgrade for just this run? Um,
Alex Stahlmann:Right.
luke:and that's like kind of fun and rewarding because, like, maybe your people are starving and you're like, ooh, like hell yeah. Dude, what is that? Grape? I'm gonna add grapes to my Like,
Alex Stahlmann:Inscription was
luke:yes.
Alex Stahlmann:what we were looking for there.
luke:Thank
Alex Stahlmann:So inscription
luke:you.
Alex Stahlmann:has a similar thing to right where you can kind of choose what direction. Or am I making that up? I feel like it does.
luke:Oh man, it's been a while and I only played the first one really well because I sucked at the second game.
Alex Stahlmann:Right on. Well, it's got that going, dude. And like, inscription and I I mean, there is a card element So you get to collect the you collect the resources, you collect followers, and you also collect tarot cards or tarot cards. Right.
luke:Yeah, I actually
Alex Stahlmann:And the
luke:got
Alex Stahlmann:tarot cards.
luke:this, like upgrade where I with four and
Alex Stahlmann:Oh,
luke:I
Alex Stahlmann:that's
luke:don't get
Alex Stahlmann:kind
luke:to
Alex Stahlmann:of
luke:pick
Alex Stahlmann:nice.
luke:them, so
Alex Stahlmann:Oh, interesting.
luke:I don't
Alex Stahlmann:Okay.
luke:run into them. So it's
Alex Stahlmann:Right.
luke:like you get
Alex Stahlmann:Ah,
luke:these power ups that are like a
Alex Stahlmann:yeah.
luke:thing later on.
Alex Stahlmann:And you can
luke:And
Alex Stahlmann:switch those
luke:uh.
Alex Stahlmann:out. So if you wanted to, you could Correct?
luke:Mhm. Mhm.
Alex Stahlmann:Yep.
luke:Call it a cowl or something because it's a part of your cape.
Alex Stahlmann:Right, right, right. That makes
luke:Yeah.
Alex Stahlmann:sense. Um, and then the boss structure on, you've got the four mini
luke:Mhm.
Alex Stahlmann:uh, per region. And
luke:Mhm.
Alex Stahlmann:then you have the bishop boss.
luke:Mhm.
Alex Stahlmann:So that's kind of that's the
luke:Mhm. Look at you using the internet for the proper terminology. Nice.
Alex Stahlmann:Oh, dude, I just like knowing Like the back of my hand, bro.
luke:Crushing it, dude. Uh, I
Alex Stahlmann:I
luke:like
Alex Stahlmann:did
luke:the different
Alex Stahlmann:my research.
luke:weapon choices, though. Like, you
Alex Stahlmann:Yep.
luke:start off and they usually give I don't think they give you a No, it's just like your, um, And then, like, what your on a PlayStation two would be triangle. Uh, on a steamy D it would be y, And then you have like, this kind of overpowering or not overpowering, but you do actually have an overpower attack. It kind of just keeps building So I would go ahead and say it's like good to very good roguelike combat.
Alex Stahlmann:I agree. It's, um.
luke:It continues
Alex Stahlmann:And then
luke:to add.
Alex Stahlmann:it's like, you know, you can die a game over. But like you said, your your what's this weakling all about?
luke:Lose some clout, dude. Laura.
Alex Stahlmann:Yeah. So you go on a crusade, that you win and you can decide back, but you have to kind of do Because you have to decide, and make sure my people are kind of thing?
luke:Mhm.
Alex Stahlmann:Um, and you already hit the I think we've kind of covered more, the more or less the main core loop stuff of the, the call management things. But what we didn't mention or we So you've got to feed the faith, loyalty, hunger, you get So you mentioned like outhouses, but like the farms, sleeping quarters, ritual spaces, etc.. So
luke:Decorations.
Alex Stahlmann:like as that builds
luke:Decorations
Alex Stahlmann:out. Yep.
luke:for being cute.
Alex Stahlmann:So and then I think what we you perform sermons to gain So there's that's kind of a fun You go into your like little to perform a sermon. You can also conduct rituals So like that can be a sacrifice, resurrection, etc.. So it's like
luke:Mostly
Alex Stahlmann:kind of really fun.
luke:funerals.
Alex Stahlmann:Like, yeah, you could do
luke:Mostly
Alex Stahlmann:too.
luke:funerals for my fallen homies.
Alex Stahlmann:Yeah.
luke:And
Alex Stahlmann:And with
luke:I
Alex Stahlmann:the
luke:got my
Alex Stahlmann:time
luke:dudes
Alex Stahlmann:that I
luke:tripping
Alex Stahlmann:mentioned.
luke:on shrooms. You got your dudes tripping on
Alex Stahlmann:No, that's dope though.
luke:Maxed out their loyalty. Dude, it's
Alex Stahlmann:Hell,
luke:a little
Alex Stahlmann:yeah.
luke:brainwashed, dude.
Alex Stahlmann:Uh, then. And then, like you were saying earlier, too, you got to deal with dissenters. Uh, your cult members actually with old age and, like, they They can also get sick. A lot of times my cult members making them poopy food because, like, the only thing you can, don't have the ingredients for,
luke:Have
Alex Stahlmann:you're
luke:you
Alex Stahlmann:out
luke:picked
Alex Stahlmann:there
luke:up
Alex Stahlmann:grinding.
luke:any golden or rainbow poop,
Alex Stahlmann:Oh yeah. For
luke:Yeah,
Alex Stahlmann:sure. Because
luke:it's
Alex Stahlmann:you could
luke:such
Alex Stahlmann:use
luke:a
Alex Stahlmann:a poop too, as fertilizer,
luke:yeah,
Alex Stahlmann:like for your farming
luke:there's.
Alex Stahlmann:and
luke:Or
Alex Stahlmann:whatnot.
luke:the giant poop that you harvest Have you seen that?
Alex Stahlmann:Right. Yeah,
luke:This
Alex Stahlmann:I
luke:game.
Alex Stahlmann:have.
luke:This game is like we've made
Alex Stahlmann:It's
luke:because
Alex Stahlmann:got
luke:it's
Alex Stahlmann:these
luke:easy
Alex Stahlmann:jokes.
luke:jokes. They're like, a little oddly In this game. The devs
Alex Stahlmann:Yeah.
luke:were like a little into poop
Alex Stahlmann:For sure.
luke:when they made this
Alex Stahlmann:Um,
luke:game.
Alex Stahlmann:and the last piece of the call management, it would be the doctrines. So we kind of mentioned that. So that's like a skill tree
luke:Kind
Alex Stahlmann:to,
luke:of choosing
Alex Stahlmann:uh,
luke:your cult's direction,
Alex Stahlmann:write,
luke:your
Alex Stahlmann:which is
luke:powers.
Alex Stahlmann:super cool.
luke:Yeah.
Alex Stahlmann:Yeah.
luke:And you set your workers to So some of them just worship And that shrine you collect, Um, and that faith you use for And then some of them you can you can have be harvesting rock Um, I would never say it gets gets a little busy.
Alex Stahlmann:It does force you into like So like, you get to kind of what of like, I'm playing the nice you can like, you kind of either between like, am I going to like, build prisons? Like, are we going to
luke:Well,
Alex Stahlmann:are
luke:you
Alex Stahlmann:we
luke:gotta
Alex Stahlmann:going to feed
luke:build
Alex Stahlmann:into
luke:prisons
Alex Stahlmann:cannibalism?
luke:to re indoctrinate those who
Alex Stahlmann:Right. And then
luke:It's
Alex Stahlmann:it's
luke:a whole
Alex Stahlmann:like,
luke:mechanic.
Alex Stahlmann:you know, do you want to lean know, are they going to be a Like, are
luke:And
Alex Stahlmann:you
luke:it's.
Alex Stahlmann:going to have weddings? You're going to have fight pits. Like it's it's interesting like the different, you know, branches that you can can go down.
luke:It's enough of an RPG that they fishing mechanic as well.
Alex Stahlmann:I was going to bring that to There's a fishing piece to
luke:And
Alex Stahlmann:this
luke:I
Alex Stahlmann:game,
luke:like,
Alex Stahlmann:too.
luke:didn't ever want to go back really needed to. And then my people were starving just like, fish for five
Alex Stahlmann:Yeah.
luke:minutes. And then I did that and had a okay, it's not the worst, but it
Alex Stahlmann:Dude,
luke:did
Alex Stahlmann:I don't
luke:just.
Alex Stahlmann:mind the fishing mechanic. It reminds me of Stardew in a Like, it's
luke:But
Alex Stahlmann:got
luke:it's
Alex Stahlmann:the. You
luke:not.
Alex Stahlmann:know that, right? Yeah. Fair enough. It's probably like a mixture of, like, uh, it's like a cross between Stardew and Sea of Stars,
luke:Yeah,
Alex Stahlmann:and.
luke:that's actually
Alex Stahlmann:But
luke:what
Alex Stahlmann:not
luke:I was.
Alex Stahlmann:as not
luke:If
Alex Stahlmann:as
luke:you
Alex Stahlmann:good as either.
luke:if you could, if you weren't bring up sea stars. Um, yeah. It's just funny. It's like a classic video game So it's
Alex Stahlmann:Right.
luke:almost like they had a meeting poop jokes and poop mechanics.
Alex Stahlmann:That dude
luke:They
Alex Stahlmann:that
luke:were
Alex Stahlmann:you meet
luke:like, how
Alex Stahlmann:like
luke:about fishing, dude?
Alex Stahlmann:that dude that you meet that And then you have to do the And that's another thing. This thing has side quests too. Like this game
luke:Oh,
Alex Stahlmann:is pretty complex.
luke:yeah.
Alex Stahlmann:Um, but then so that dude like, amount of fish
luke:Who's
Alex Stahlmann:for him.
luke:a fish
Alex Stahlmann:Uh,
luke:pretending not to be a fish.
Alex Stahlmann:right.
luke:That guy.
Alex Stahlmann:Right. Yeah. For sure. I think it was like the crab or there was one of them that it literally took. I don't even want to know how much time, but like, I was trying to collect the last one for him, and it just took forever. I was
luke:Hmm.
Alex Stahlmann:like, this is ridiculous. Like days and days and days until I caught the crab or whatever
luke:Really?
Alex Stahlmann:the hell it was. Yeah, dude, it was dumb.
luke:Oh,
Alex Stahlmann:But
luke:I
Alex Stahlmann:I'm
luke:think
Alex Stahlmann:sure it's
luke:I did
Alex Stahlmann:just a
luke:some
Alex Stahlmann:random
luke:sort
Alex Stahlmann:thing.
luke:of ritual that increased my And I just went over there and crushed a bunch of fish one day, so.
Alex Stahlmann:Smart. Smart man.
luke:Yeah, well, teach a man to fish.
Alex Stahlmann:Yeah, yeah. Uh, so. Yeah. Dude, there's, um. I mean, so this is the main, uh, Got a little fishing in there. Um.
luke:There's also, like, a mini game, Dude, there's like a there's a Now that I'm saying
Alex Stahlmann:Yep,
luke:it out loud.
Alex Stahlmann:yep.
luke:Uh, on your home base, your enter a little fast travel thing get to the mushroom area. And then there's
Alex Stahlmann:Right.
luke:this other, like cabin area the mini game is, but I know it
Alex Stahlmann:It is not better than
luke:Yeah,
Alex Stahlmann:going, dude.
luke:it was rage bait. Um, but I'm trying to think what
Alex Stahlmann:I'm
luke:game
Alex Stahlmann:no
luke:is.
Alex Stahlmann:good at it. I just know that it's like a betting game and I can't remember. It's more of like a dice roll I can't remember.
luke:Yeah, I think so. I know
Alex Stahlmann:All
luke:that
Alex Stahlmann:I know
luke:there's
Alex Stahlmann:is I
luke:like.
Alex Stahlmann:was so bad at it and I lost all my money, so I didn't do it again.
luke:Clowning. I like, beat the guy after like,
Alex Stahlmann:Nice.
luke:then there's like, a few people like, I'm not interested enough. And following up with that. I mean, it's, you know, it's a and it feels like the developers making different little aspects, things in different genres. Um,
Alex Stahlmann:Right.
luke:but that part didn't cook me or Did you play this almost you PC on this for a lot?
Alex Stahlmann:Um, I had a couple sessions on say ninety percent of the way.
luke:I would say the aesthetic of to a steam game, and it plays
Alex Stahlmann:Yeah.
luke:really, really nice on there,
Alex Stahlmann:Sure.
luke:gets that thing cooking, dude.
Alex Stahlmann:She. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, yeah.
luke:I've been playing a little bit hear the fan on the steam. The second I open call to the
Alex Stahlmann:Oh, interesting.
luke:And it's
Alex Stahlmann:Yeah.
luke:a bit of a ticking time bomb as can't be passively paying and I gotta like, play
Alex Stahlmann:Right.
luke:the game or else I'll just be I thought that was interesting. I was like, it doesn't look like
Alex Stahlmann:It doesn't tax my fans terribly, I hear him hum. Um, but what I did notice for with the very, you know, that talked about, like, it's another Kind of like Plucky Squire in a It looks like
luke:It's deceptively
Alex Stahlmann:charming and simple,
luke:chunky.
Alex Stahlmann:right?
luke:Deceptively chunky.
Alex Stahlmann:So it's like you wouldn't think that it's gonna be so taxing on the battery, but I would say probably, like unplugged, get maybe an hour or fifteen minutes, tops.
luke:That sounds about right.
Alex Stahlmann:Yeah. So, I mean, it tears know, that's about the amount of like a, you know, I don't want Anyways, when I do a run, like a
luke:Yeah, I thought it was worth because, like, it runs really
Alex Stahlmann:Totally.
luke:like, interesting when a game's
Alex Stahlmann:Yeah,
luke:a little harder,
Alex Stahlmann:just
luke:and you think it's gonna.
Alex Stahlmann:I will I will note, though, it's games that I love to be able to definitely presents himself for PC and like on a bigger screen everything, uh, it's nice.
luke:Yeah.
Alex Stahlmann:Uh, so there's that,
luke:There you go.
Alex Stahlmann:you know, like a Hades is an That's
luke:Mhm.
Alex Stahlmann:that way. Like, I like
luke:Mhm.
Alex Stahlmann:ninety percent of my time when I have played it on the PC,
luke:This
Alex Stahlmann:this
luke:is smooth.
Alex Stahlmann:is that way. I'm sure you know. So, um, there was the management that I felt that way too. Actually, I preferred it on the
luke:Which one is
Alex Stahlmann:Uh,
luke:that.
Alex Stahlmann:against the storm.
luke:Ah yeah. That was like a game I picked I tried to pick that back up recently and I was, I just got fucking
Alex Stahlmann:A
luke:wrecked.
Alex Stahlmann:little
luke:I was like
Alex Stahlmann:in
luke:this
Alex Stahlmann:the weeds.
luke:is a stressful game. I forgot how shitty I was
Alex Stahlmann:Uh,
luke:at
Alex Stahlmann:for
luke:it
Alex Stahlmann:sure.
luke:for a while, but yes. Uh, backed call to the lamb. Um, seems like it never really hooked you, although you appreciate it and thought it was cool. It seems like you kind of, like, scratched your curiosity itch, but never really loved it, so that seemed
Alex Stahlmann:Right.
luke:fair.
Alex Stahlmann:It didn't get it. Didn't get his hooks in me to obsessing over it or, like, got can't I can't wait to play cult
luke:Yeah.
Alex Stahlmann:of deal. But it's, uh, it's a game, but So it's like, right in the right also not a game like I don't You
luke:Yeah,
Alex Stahlmann:know what I
luke:I
Alex Stahlmann:mean?
luke:would not uninstall it for my
Alex Stahlmann:Right.
luke:I needed like space for a That would not be one of my immediately choices for the chopping block, because it goes back to the once you learn the systems. Like I don't feel like I'll be If I jumped on right now, it's I've played it. Uh, because we're late on this Um,
Alex Stahlmann:Right.
luke:but if I jumped on to it right And I think that's like, cool
Alex Stahlmann:That is
luke:a lot
Alex Stahlmann:nice.
luke:of depth, but I don't
Alex Stahlmann:Yep.
luke:feel overwhelmed when I jump So, um.
Alex Stahlmann:And the balance is tight, right? I mean, like, because because to kind of lean into the the dungeon crawling part of it. Like, I think that's like an Whereas if you wanted to get you're gonna get your ass beat long time, and then you might
luke:Or
Alex Stahlmann:oh,
luke:I played
Alex Stahlmann:was
luke:the early
Alex Stahlmann:that run
luke:access,
Alex Stahlmann:worth it?
luke:and now I'm like, because it's things, I feel like I
Alex Stahlmann:Yeah.
luke:shouldn't just I have to start and it's been too long since
Alex Stahlmann:Right?
luke:this
Alex Stahlmann:Right.
luke:game is a grip it and rip it. Which, if you've been listening means a lot to my heart.
Alex Stahlmann:Indeed. Well said, man, for this game, How many sacrificial lambs out
luke:Mm.
Alex Stahlmann:would you give this game?
luke:How many poops from the
Alex Stahlmann:How many? How many poop scoop from the
luke:How many poop scoops? Uh, on a five point pentagram. Uh, I'm gonna give it three
Alex Stahlmann:Right
luke:like,
Alex Stahlmann:on.
luke:um. That's good,
Alex Stahlmann:It is.
luke:but it's not. It's closer to very good than
Alex Stahlmann:Um.
luke:Yeah.
Alex Stahlmann:I'm right there with you, dude. I'll give it three out of five Three out of five poop scoops
luke:Poop scoops.
Alex Stahlmann:the outhouse. Uh, and that is exactly because like it never got to the point playing this game. Um, not that you should have
luke:Well,
Alex Stahlmann:but but,
luke:looking
Alex Stahlmann:you know,
luke:forward
Alex Stahlmann:never
luke:to
Alex Stahlmann:like,
luke:something.
Alex Stahlmann:never like, really got me to, like, you know, I need to keep going. But it also, like, never got to the point where I was like, man, I wish I wasn't playing this game. You know what I mean?
luke:Yeah,
Alex Stahlmann:Um, so
luke:we've
Alex Stahlmann:it's good. It's
luke:played
Alex Stahlmann:like middle
luke:worse
Alex Stahlmann:of
luke:games
Alex Stahlmann:the road,
luke:for
Alex Stahlmann:but
luke:the
Alex Stahlmann:better.
luke:pod.
Alex Stahlmann:It's better than middle of the Um, it's not a two five. It's a three.
luke:It's good to. Very good. Yeah. No doubt.
Alex Stahlmann:Indeed. And who knows? Like it has potential to to get a little bump if I get a little deeper in it and I change my mind there. Um, but, you know, if you, like, were to pair it up against different roguelikes, like, I would probably. I mean, I'd have to say that, what I mean? Like,
luke:Roguelite.
Alex Stahlmann:like, a lot better.
luke:But. Yes.
Alex Stahlmann:Yeah, sure. Um, and when it comes to management sims, like, I mean, Animal Crossing better, you know?
luke:Yeah,
Alex Stahlmann:So.
luke:yeah I think
Alex Stahlmann:So
luke:like,
Alex Stahlmann:it's like.
luke:if you're looking, if you like those types of games and it is literally October when this is coming out. Spooky season is upon you. It
Alex Stahlmann:Yes.
luke:would be a fun flavor to pick
Alex Stahlmann:One hundred percent.
luke:so.
Alex Stahlmann:And so like that's that's our And if I was going to you know, I think obviously not obviously, but I think I would definitely recommend it to, to the Devolver heads. Um, you know, and I would also recommend somebody that is anybody that likes those two genres. Um, but I wouldn't, I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to someone that's like new to video games. Um, I think is a little like a too standoffish for that. Um, but
luke:I would agree.
Alex Stahlmann:if, if but if those are genres that you're into, it's definitely worth. I mean, the twenty five bucks at Like, I mean, come on, send it.
luke:Oh great price point and it'll Um,
Alex Stahlmann:Right.
luke:so I love it. Yeah, that's a good point.
Alex Stahlmann:Right on. Well, she with that. Should we take a little break here from our unsanctioned sponsor?
luke:Yeah. Let's perform a ritual.
Alex Stahlmann:Right on. A little snort there. Uh, yeah. You got one? Should I, should I rock with I
luke:Yeah,
Alex Stahlmann:had
luke:dude.
Alex Stahlmann:one, but now I can't remember.
luke:Um.
Alex Stahlmann:Okay, go.
luke:All right, so this week, we are argument from me and also a in strong and hot. It's got
Alex Stahlmann:Oh.
luke:its claws in Alex a little bit. Got him kicked out of a bar Um, but it's not the alcohol. It's fantasy football.
Alex Stahlmann:Right on.
luke:And specifically, I was thinking the other day it was like a sober high thought, but I was like, is fantasy football a video game?
Alex Stahlmann:Uh, well, it's in an app. Right?
luke:Like,
Alex Stahlmann:So.
luke:kind of like how board games they're just electronic.
Alex Stahlmann:Right. Interesting.
luke:But basically you're playing like an electronic gambling, but it's skill based game companion to this entertainment product that you're consuming on Sundays and sometimes Mondays and sometimes Thursdays. And I love it way too much, I have way too many
Alex Stahlmann:Yeah.
luke:hardcore takes on players that I I know a lot of my friends that's tight, but I follow so I'm obsessive and I. Yeah, yeah.
Alex Stahlmann:This month is brought to you in part by unofficially, Fantasy Football.
luke:Is it a video game?
Alex Stahlmann:Is it a video game? Uh. Ah, well, that's a tough I could you could make an I hear you making an argument And I'm not saying that it's You're
luke:Numbers
Alex Stahlmann:not doing
luke:go,
Alex Stahlmann:it
luke:bird.
Alex Stahlmann:on pen and
luke:Dude.
Alex Stahlmann:paper. Well, what's
luke:Numbers
Alex Stahlmann:that?
luke:go! Brr!
Alex Stahlmann:Right. What platform are you playing You on ESPN, you on Yahoo!
luke:Sleeper.
Alex Stahlmann:That's what it's called. Sleeper.
luke:It is the. It is the premium. It's the best one. Uh,
Alex Stahlmann:Ooh!
luke:in my humble opinion. I'm in a league for through work Their app is dog wash. Um,
Alex Stahlmann:Hmm.
luke:I have done Yahoo in the past. Um, but sleeper is the way. It's kind of like
Alex Stahlmann:Okay.
luke:the gold standard these days for Are you completely out? Do you not even have your
Alex Stahlmann:I been out, bro. Yeah,
luke:That's crazy. How did you guys
Alex Stahlmann:they
luke:let
Alex Stahlmann:pulled
luke:yourself
Alex Stahlmann:me back in
luke:fall
Alex Stahlmann:for a
luke:apart?
Alex Stahlmann:season or two, and then, uh. Because, dude, like, I'm okay. I'm down to play fantasy. If people out there, like, I really want Alex to be my fantasy league, I will join your fantasy league. But if people ain't fucking like, making trades, doing, don't want to. I don't want to just like, do this, to do a draft and then like be the only one that talks shit.
luke:Wow. So the college boys, just
Alex Stahlmann:No passion, bro.
luke:That's
Alex Stahlmann:No
luke:crazy.
Alex Stahlmann:passion.
luke:Y'all like dads and shit and not
Alex Stahlmann:This was before we were dads, They all got lame about it. Like before we became dads.
luke:You went from getting kicked out Championship weekend to just
Alex Stahlmann:That's
luke:no
Alex Stahlmann:not my
luke:one
Alex Stahlmann:fault.
luke:cares. Yeah, I mean, you say that, but, had to pick you up, and I was And you're like, I'm getting kicked out of this bar right now. You need to come get us.
Alex Stahlmann:I love that you came and got us. I was walking distance for sure.
luke:You were pretty dramatic. It didn't seem like it was a It was like, save me.
Alex Stahlmann:Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, to be fair, the homie I make the walk, so.
luke:Not peacefully.
Alex Stahlmann:No.
luke:He
Alex Stahlmann:Yeah.
luke:physically could
Alex Stahlmann:Right
luke:have
Alex Stahlmann:on,
luke:made
Alex Stahlmann:right
luke:it, but
Alex Stahlmann:on.
luke:not peacefully. So. Yeah. Uh, I definitely wanted to bring it up. One, because I'm too deep into And two, um, I was thinking to myself, like, is this a video game now? Like, could I make
Alex Stahlmann:How's
luke:that
Alex Stahlmann:your.
luke:argument?
Alex Stahlmann:How's your team looking? you,
luke:Well,
Alex Stahlmann:uh,
luke:we had to
Alex Stahlmann:what's
luke:start over.
Alex Stahlmann:your record?
luke:The teams
Alex Stahlmann:You mean you
luke:I
Alex Stahlmann:had to start over?
luke:well I do a dynasty now which I And that's where
Alex Stahlmann:Okay.
luke:you, uh, keep your players year in and year out and you just draft rookies.
Alex Stahlmann:Right.
luke:But I won it two years in a row. So the rule is, is if you win it Empire pot and you got to blow the whole thing. So we started all the way
Alex Stahlmann:Hmm.
luke:back over. So, uh, I don't know how my team And then my other redraft, I'm Although, uh, if you're a Vikings fan, uh, did you watch the game? Alex
Alex Stahlmann:I
luke:from
Alex Stahlmann:watched bits of it, but no, I
luke:London?
Alex Stahlmann:watch the.
luke:Uh, a kicker, our kicker kicked a ball and the field goal just radically took
Alex Stahlmann:Hit
luke:a sharp
Alex Stahlmann:a wire
luke:turn.
Alex Stahlmann:or something. Right?
luke:And it appears as if he hit a I lost by
Alex Stahlmann:Right.
luke:less than a point this week.
Alex Stahlmann:Stop! That affected you?
luke:So I would have won pretty Uh, because my tight end on ball and then got hurt.
Alex Stahlmann:Oh.
luke:So I lost by like less than half And, uh, those two things are Which is why I both love and Because that's fucking garbage,
Alex Stahlmann:Right?
luke:So
Alex Stahlmann:Right.
luke:it's a good thing I'm not a
Alex Stahlmann:Because that spice
luke:because,
Alex Stahlmann:gives
luke:like,
Alex Stahlmann:you that spice
luke:imagine.
Alex Stahlmann:of life. What do you mean? You straight up winning money?
luke:Yeah, it's a skill based game Uh, legally?
Alex Stahlmann:Yeah.
luke:Legally speaking. Um, no. Like, can you imagine, fortunes on a kick like
Alex Stahlmann:Oh,
luke:that
Alex Stahlmann:God.
luke:and how fucking irate they get. So, um.
Alex Stahlmann:Are you here about that? The DMs of certain players
luke:Oh,
Alex Stahlmann:and whatnot.
luke:yeah, that loser shit. But it's kind of funny how niche thing from when you. We were doing it as little dudes and aunties and random
Alex Stahlmann:Oh,
luke:uncles
Alex Stahlmann:yeah.
luke:being leagues together. Our family's low key kind of We
Alex Stahlmann:For
luke:have
Alex Stahlmann:not having
luke:we
Alex Stahlmann:a league.
luke:have two massive families and either of them. That's kind of crazy, dude.
Alex Stahlmann:What's up Commish?
luke:Me? Never.
Alex Stahlmann:Well, there you go. So Fuck right off.
luke:I don't need any I don't
Alex Stahlmann:Y'all
luke:want to be.
Alex Stahlmann:trying
luke:I
Alex Stahlmann:to
luke:don't want
Alex Stahlmann:tear
luke:to be
Alex Stahlmann:down the family,
luke:you.
Alex Stahlmann:but he won't even set it up
luke:I don't
Alex Stahlmann:himself.
luke:want to be yelling at aunties trash to Alex. Awkward.
Alex Stahlmann:Dude, that's another reason that the on the college homie deals. Like all of us got jobs, dude. Like, no reason you're not And, like, at least at least two or at least one, maybe two a year would not be the fantasy dudes. And it's like,
luke:Shit,
Alex Stahlmann:come on.
luke:dude.
Alex Stahlmann:Right, right.
luke:So here we go.
Alex Stahlmann:Ah, yes. Well, fantasy football, I can I can dig it. You're high on fantasy football, You got to buy that watch. You got to buy your your girl
luke:That
Alex Stahlmann:that.
luke:she lost tragically. Never forget.
Alex Stahlmann:That's right.
luke:Never forget. No, I'm into it. It gives me extra reason to the spire on my couch. It's great.
Alex Stahlmann:That is I would say that is like Like when when folks, when you're in a league where folks are into it, it is definitely fun. I do, I understand the gaming I can see that it makes sense. I would say yes, it's a video Um, you know, with or at least a yeah, it's a companion video game. I don't know, whatever. Um, but it's but I think that's thing about it is like, I'll Right? But when you have a fantasy team that gives you, you know, you got a little skin in the game on different games of the week that you may not have tuned into otherwise. So.
luke:Keeps you very alert to what's
Alex Stahlmann:Yeah. So the NFL is, uh, you that have fantasy going. Now that makes sense for them people on it because it makes
luke:I tried fantasy basketball, and fantasy basketball is dog shit, dude.
Alex Stahlmann:Do you ever do fantasy baseball?
luke:I don't have the heart for that.
Alex Stahlmann:I got a homie that was really basketball and baseball. There's this. I mean, like, if you have a problem updating your roster for football,
luke:Sure.
Alex Stahlmann:like don't don't tread water in
luke:Dude. Uh, baseball. Basketball's crazy with the rest Just be out and you're like,
Alex Stahlmann:Mhm
luke:And
Alex Stahlmann:mhm
luke:constantly
Alex Stahlmann:mhm.
luke:getting hurt. It's crazy.
Alex Stahlmann:Right on. Brought to you in part
luke:Nope.
Alex Stahlmann:Is it
luke:Yeah.
Alex Stahlmann:a
luke:I was
Alex Stahlmann:video
luke:about to say
Alex Stahlmann:game.
luke:it's brought to you by the question of is fantasy a video game dead?
Alex Stahlmann:Right on.
luke:All right. Man, um. Side question. We are back. Um, we have sacrificed the We are here. I got two games I'm going to
Alex Stahlmann:You got two games
luke:Two
Alex Stahlmann:bro.
luke:games.
Alex Stahlmann:You got two major side quests.
luke:Two major side quests that I'm And I'm not going
Alex Stahlmann:Right
luke:to talk about
Alex Stahlmann:on.
luke:NCAA football. Um, first mini motorways. Gift from ace boyo.
Alex Stahlmann:Whoa!
luke:Uh,
Alex Stahlmann:What up? Ace?
luke:he threw that one into the Um,
Alex Stahlmann:Hell, yeah!
luke:and he's been playing it to get it. And I've always been cute. Or I've always been cute.
Alex Stahlmann:Yeah! Yeah, bro.
luke:I've always been, like, a little like it was adjacent, at least stuff I like to do, and I would It's more of a puzzle game, so think this game's a slam dunk relatively inexpensive and it Once again, is that your
Alex Stahlmann:Yeah, bro.
luke:Ooh. Um.
Alex Stahlmann:Take it off. All I want to do is open steam
luke:Yeah. Uh. All right. Anyway,
Alex Stahlmann:Is this that big bro?
luke:check
Alex Stahlmann:It's that
luke:that
Alex Stahlmann:big.
luke:backlog. Go crazy. Literally. Brr. Gotta get the fans on to Um,
Alex Stahlmann:Unreal.
luke:anyway,
Alex Stahlmann:Sorry, everybody.
luke:it's all good. Mini motorways has a very cute, minimalist colour pop aesthetic, and you're basically getting these cars from these little houses to these little factories. And just imagine like a little house looking thing, like a monopoly house, like that type of color. Imagine it with like a little color pop. And what I like is that you unlock. So it'll be like, This is And like, sometimes they'll just homage to these global cities. So I'm a pretty big dork when it comes to geography, so I love that. So shouts out to that one. I suck at it, but I've enjoyed Very addicting. Um,
Alex Stahlmann:Right
luke:one
Alex Stahlmann:on.
luke:last time. If you're a puzzle based, those Um, and second game I've playing is it swept the internet dorks by storm. And shockingly, I
Alex Stahlmann:Ah,
luke:have to
Alex Stahlmann:yes.
luke:inform Alex of this, which I like, hey, have you heard of When I asked Alex if he's played literally made in an algorithmic If you have not heard of Um, if you're a fan of vampire what if this was 3D? We've made a game for you. I want to play a game where I kind of move around and take down hordes without button mashing. They kind of passively get attacked by my different power ups. It's awesome. You can now jump. That's a different element of And, uh, I guess it's like risk around the map until you find You fight the portal slash boss, and you go to the next thing. So that's how it gets the risk Two weakness. But it's great. It's ten bucks. It's got a kind of crude Maybe if you're being generous. PlayStation two era. graphical look to it. Would you looking at some Would you agree?
Alex Stahlmann:Uh, I didn't go. It's been a while. I haven't looked at it since you
luke:Oh,
Alex Stahlmann:about
luke:I
Alex Stahlmann:it.
luke:saw his face glowing, so I sweet game I was talking about, backlog again, so. Yes. Um, love that game. Strong. Recommend. It's super addicting. It's so fun. Like, I've talked a lot about where I can grip it and rip it little run going. Um, in this game delivers hard
Alex Stahlmann:Nice.
luke:And you unlock all these different characters, uh, similar once again to vampire survivors. So if you burnt yourself out on an itch for that lizard brain Mega bonk! It has delivered.
Alex Stahlmann:Mega bonk. I'll have to check it out.
luke:Yes!
Alex Stahlmann:Right on. Side quests. Well, I have entered the virtual Other.
luke:Yeah. How's the porn, dude?
Alex Stahlmann:Reality. Virtual. Cool.
luke:Like so many dicks, dude. Everywhere.
Alex Stahlmann:Nah. But virtual reality, man. Like. So first of all, the Buy If folks don't know what that Like all the all your neighborhoods or hopefully who knows. I don't know of all neighborhoods they have buy You can join them via Facebook its own app. Um, you know, so a little plug I'm in my I'm in my local one oh I don't know, about five And he was getting rid of his I want to say it's from twenty Maybe
luke:Okay.
Alex Stahlmann:it's an early version.
luke:Ancient technology. Continue.
Alex Stahlmann:I mean, it's older, like they Um, but it is, you know, it's But dude, I've never really I've tried VR a couple of times minutes or whatever. Um, here and there. It's always impressive, but it's bit of a commitment when you're
luke:To
Alex Stahlmann:like,
luke:say
Alex Stahlmann:gonna
luke:the least,
Alex Stahlmann:go out
luke:dude.
Alex Stahlmann:and buy a rig.
luke:Even the cheap
Alex Stahlmann:Um,
luke:and options are like three
Alex Stahlmann:even
luke:hundred bucks
Alex Stahlmann:the cheap
luke:usually.
Alex Stahlmann:ones. Yeah. Uh, super dope though, So buy nothing. Uh, basically he was like, hey, like, I don't really set this up anymore. Like, if anybody wants it, like, I was like, dude, that'd be I'm. I'm about it. So, uh, I got lucky. Uh, me and a few other folks up being the one that he, like, the HTC Vive. And I've been a virtual reality
luke:Mhm.
Alex Stahlmann:been in that virtual reality. Plug me in. Uh. Pretty cool. Uh, I didn't
luke:Ready
Alex Stahlmann:have
luke:player
Alex Stahlmann:a bunch
luke:one.
Alex Stahlmann:of VR
luke:Shit.
Alex Stahlmann:games for sure. Uh, but there's some fun ones, Like, there's, uh, VR Regatta is Maybe. So anyways. Regatta. It's like a you're in a kind of the vibe. You can do like sailboat racing. You can just sail around. But it's one of those crazy things where, you know, it's just weird. You're sitting. I'm sitting in my office, but You look around and you're like,
luke:Do you get nauseous?
Alex Stahlmann:I do.
luke:Okay.
Alex Stahlmann:So, uh, so there's a little bit Um, I can't do it for. That's partly from everything normal to to experience some Um, and you kind of have to which I don't have a lot of
luke:Right.
Alex Stahlmann:Um, like, for instance, uh, the PS5 has I don't remember what PS5 put out its more recent VR Tyler, he's he's like, he's got And he does the VR thing with Like it has eye tracking where turn your head. You just like, move your eye and you can like see that movement or whatever, you know, but you're also in a race car and like, things are moving and like I played for probably five, ten minutes and like, I was ready to throw up.
luke:Yeah,
Alex Stahlmann:Um,
luke:I would barf for sure. Dude.
Alex Stahlmann:for sure. And, uh, but, you know, he was That's a thing. You just kind of like get used You build a tolerance over time,
luke:Get
Alex Stahlmann:is like,
luke:good.
Alex Stahlmann:yeah, I guess,
luke:The VR
Alex Stahlmann:but like,
luke:version, dude.
Alex Stahlmann:dude, for
luke:Don't.
Alex Stahlmann:sure. But
luke:Don't
Alex Stahlmann:like, for me,
luke:puke like
Alex Stahlmann:dude,
luke:a little bitch, dude
Alex Stahlmann:I
luke:VR. Get good.
Alex Stahlmann:dude, I get nausea playing first person shooters like on my desktop.
luke:Yeah.
Alex Stahlmann:So like VR kind of intense. So I do it for little spurts and most of the like games out there. That and the games that I have for VR, um, it kind of works that way. I wouldn't want to do like long Um, but the ones like the There's a VR version like it comes with it, but like for Star Wars Squadrons and that's really cool. So like to be able to fly around Like in your in like a cockpit because that one, like the VR You're more or less like you You're looking forward out your But like when you look around and stuff, you see like the dashboard and you see inside the ship.
luke:Yeah.
Alex Stahlmann:So like most of the time you're So that one's, that one's Pretty darn cool. Um, I did end up picking up half Half life. Alex, because that one's Um, so I haven't checked that excited to check that one out. And then Colossal Cave VR is another one that I'm excited about. Like, shout out to Game article about the developer that you probably don't remember, but
luke:The name is
Alex Stahlmann:King's
luke:familiar.
Alex Stahlmann:Quest. Yeah. So King's King's that I used to dick around with was never very good at. But it's a it's a really great article at the end of last month's issue. Um, but Colossal Cave, uh, She is supposed to be quite good really excited to try that out. Uh, but for most of my VR time which you maybe seen Superhot a weird shooter thing. It's fun to be in that, in that, uh, area, but my office is not that big. And when you got the headset on, like, Superhot in particular, But you can also, like, you can So I'm, like, turning around and I'm like, go to like, slap an enemy. And I like, knocked all my
luke:Smacking into amiibos. And.
Alex Stahlmann:Dude, for sure. This is kind of clowning.
luke:That was
Alex Stahlmann:Uh,
luke:funny.
Alex Stahlmann:man. So I've been playing around with
luke:Have
Alex Stahlmann:like,
luke:you
Alex Stahlmann:it's
luke:hooked
Alex Stahlmann:it's
luke:it up to
Alex Stahlmann:it's
luke:your
Alex Stahlmann:a
luke:racing
Alex Stahlmann:cool.
luke:wheel? You fucking sweat.
Alex Stahlmann:Uh, not to my not to my racing So, like, unfortunately, there's know, I'm not trying to go out but, uh, there's not a ton of on steam, uh, right now. Uh, but I did end up getting, um, there's, uh, there is a racing game that I did get, and I have tried it, but I haven't tried it with the with the rig yet. And that was like the whole reason I bought it, but that's like, you know, that's it's not only you got to set up the VR, you
luke:It's
Alex Stahlmann:got to
luke:like
Alex Stahlmann:set
luke:a
Alex Stahlmann:up
luke:half
Alex Stahlmann:the rig.
luke:an hour
Alex Stahlmann:So
luke:setting
Alex Stahlmann:there's,
luke:up to play
Alex Stahlmann:there's,
luke:ten minutes of VR. Dude. That's
Alex Stahlmann:there's
luke:tough.
Alex Stahlmann:some steps,
luke:But it'd be cool.
Alex Stahlmann:there's some steps. It is cool. It is. So that's been super fun dude. Major little side quest there. Um, outside of that, haven't video games, man. Life's been kind of crazy. Um, you know, obviously a little I did start playing, uh, Hollow Knight, and I'm not super far in it. Uh, but I've been enjoying it. Dude, that is a game. Uh, you know, everybody you are like, dude, this is like, And sure enough, it's. I mean, it's a metroidvania that
luke:Don't be afraid to look
Alex Stahlmann:Um.
luke:some stuff up in the beginning hand in what's going
Alex Stahlmann:Right?
luke:on, so feel free.
Alex Stahlmann:Right.
luke:I mean, I didn't
Alex Stahlmann:So that's
luke:do that,
Alex Stahlmann:been cool.
luke:but you might need to, is all
Alex Stahlmann:Uh, I gotta I gotta drop, uh, little side quest.
luke:All right.
Alex Stahlmann:We had, uh, my son's birthday, and we had some of the cousins and niece, um, nephews, niece Stay the night a couple nights. Um, and one of my nephews, he's Uh, dude. Clowney, he's also, like, eleven Ten years old. Something like that. So, like, in very pre-teen nature, the dude I know loves to play video games like Uncle Alex. He got the video games right. So he's one of those deals. Like, I know how it is, man. Like, I remember like
luke:Every
Alex Stahlmann:Auntie
luke:time we hung
Alex Stahlmann:Sue.
luke:out.
Alex Stahlmann:Uncle Greg's
luke:Oh.
Alex Stahlmann:like, just being stoked. Like, I was stoked to go over play some video games I got. So I know how I know how he'd be feeling, but he'd be a little coy about it because he comes over and I'm like, yo, dawg, you wanna like, try some Mario Strikers? He goes, that sounds stupid. Like, get the fuck out of here. You ain't trying. After he's like, gassing up And how much all this up? And I was like, all right, then
luke:What are you playing it on? Did you get it for
Alex Stahlmann:Uh,
luke:the switch?
Alex Stahlmann:yeah. Yeah. Strikers. Mario. It's only on the switch.
luke:I don't remember you buying
Alex Stahlmann:I bought it a while ago. It's been sitting on my shelf. Uh,
luke:The new
Alex Stahlmann:so.
luke:one we're
Alex Stahlmann:Yeah.
luke:talking
Alex Stahlmann:Dude,
luke:about.
Alex Stahlmann:the newest one. Yeah,
luke:Oh, shit.
Alex Stahlmann:yeah,
luke:I didn't
Alex Stahlmann:yeah,
luke:even know you had that. That's funny as
Alex Stahlmann:yeah,
luke:hell.
Alex Stahlmann:I got it on sale a while back. Um, and I didn't play it too fun, though, because eventually So. So can I try that strikers Mario strikers.
luke:Can
Alex Stahlmann:I
luke:I
Alex Stahlmann:was
luke:play
Alex Stahlmann:like,
luke:that stupid game you told me
Alex Stahlmann:yeah.
luke:earlier, dude?
Alex Stahlmann:I was like, oh, that's for sure. I was like, oh yeah. You trying to play that now, Uh, so we played that. He's fucking loved it, dude. He got super into it. Like I whooped him up a couple He started getting a little He still couldn't take me
luke:Hell,
Alex Stahlmann:down because I got
luke:yeah.
Alex Stahlmann:big video game knowledge, but,
luke:Nothing better than
Alex Stahlmann:dude, that
luke:dominating
Alex Stahlmann:was a lot of
luke:a
Alex Stahlmann:fun.
luke:kid, dude. Hell, yeah.
Alex Stahlmann:And shout out, shout out to Nintendo for like making games that are, you know, one part complex, but also like approachable enough for a kid that doesn't play too many video games to start to figure out, you know.
luke:There's a reason. There's the call to the
Alex Stahlmann:Mhm. Mhm.
luke:Mm.
Alex Stahlmann:Uh, but that was a lot of fun So that was another major side Uh other than that just been go into those because they're ain't nobody got time for that
luke:Steamy romance novels.
Alex Stahlmann:Yes, yes.
luke:Dad. Porn, they call it.
Alex Stahlmann:Mhm. Mhm. So those would be the Uh fun fun fun to play call of Fun side quest. Thanks everybody for tuning in. Uh, holler at all the folks that y'all at I
luke:Mm.
Alex Stahlmann:appreciate you. Uh. We're here. We just been doing stuff, uh, We got more coming.
luke:We're trying to hit you with a So if
Alex Stahlmann:AP
luke:Alex
Alex Stahlmann:government.
luke:ever
Alex Stahlmann:AP coming.
luke:stops big time with his cool
Alex Stahlmann:Get out
luke:meet
Alex Stahlmann:of
luke:in
Alex Stahlmann:here.
luke:person
Alex Stahlmann:You're just
luke:and do
Alex Stahlmann:busy,
luke:that.
Alex Stahlmann:bro. You're just as busy.
luke:Nope. Nope. Not when I'm talking I'm not.
Alex Stahlmann:Right on, brother man. Much love. Thanks all for listening. Thanks for, uh, giving us five stars on your platform of choice. We ain't got time for that one If you listen this long, why are
luke:Doesn't
Alex Stahlmann:Give
luke:mean.
Alex Stahlmann:us five stars. I need it for my ego.
luke:Hate. Listened. Would not do again.
Alex Stahlmann:Also, if you're not in that So I got people to talk to about I know we got social media and Sometimes I like to take breaks. I get hot and cold on social media, but I always got my discord open.
luke:Mm.
Alex Stahlmann:Um, and so there's a link. There's an invite link in the in You can get that at low five Much love y'all. Peace.
luke:Peace. Peace.