The Game Raven Review Podcast: Recent Episodes
Game Raven Review
The Game Raven Review Podcast is where our writers can roost and let their opinions fly around freely. We are a group of content creators, writers, and streamers that are focused on carrying news of small indie game developers’ endeavors to the world.
One of the biggest highlights of GeekFest West 2024 was the Seattle Indies booth, where our team met with various indie developers to discuss their upcoming games.
Intro by Martha Macabare and Sam Hipp.
Additional music by GameChops.
In July, GeekFest West took over Everett, WA, for the first time. Listen in as we chat with Tyler Walior and Nathan Mumm about the challenges, triumphs, and behind-the-scenes moments of bringing this everything-geek game expo to life.
Intro by Martha Macabare and Sam Hipp.
Additional music by GameChops.
Our Ravens are live at MAGWest 2023 with Veronica Christie, Program Division Chair at MAGWest and Board of Directors member for MAGFest.
Intro by Martha Macabare and Sam Hipp.
Additional music by GameChops.
This week our writers talk about their favorite and not-so-favorite parts of gaming conventions.
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
Summer is here! This week our Ravens talk about their most anticipated indie games of Summer 2023.
Featured Games:
Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals
Kao and the Five Pirates of Mara
Kristala
Elements
Lies of P
Vaudeville
Daydream: Forgotten Sorrow
I am Future
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
This week we are looking back to a podcast we recorded in July of 2022 on BIPOC indie developers.
Featured Games:
She Dreams Elsewhere
Jumpala
Garden Story
Never Yield
Before I forget
SweetxHeart
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
Explore the convention floor with us this week as our Ravens interview a variety of indie game developers showcased at MAGFest 2023.
Featured Games:
HALT
Don’t Fraud My Heart
Hazuki Dies: She Has No Name
Wildmender
Growing my Grandpa
Kids of Karendow
Fire and Rescue
Nomnivore Games
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
This week, our Ravens talk about their experience at MAGFest 2023!
Joined by MAGFest chairman Gabriel Gutierrez, founder and creative director of November Reign and host of the Above the Flaw podcast, and Eseme Koge, programmer of Don’t Fraud My Heart at Dogwood Gaming.
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
This week, our Ravens share their most anticipated indie games released this Fall 2022!
Featured games:
Potion Permit
The Last Hero of Nostalgaia
Anglerfish
Flying Neko Delivery!
Paradise Marsh
The Excavation of Hob’s Barrow
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
Back in August, our Raven @SarahSweetBee sat down with MAGWest Staff member Gabriel Gutierrez, founder and creative director of November Reign, and host of the Above the Flaw podcast.
Stay tuned for additional content from MAGWest 2022 on our website.
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
Our Ravens are recording live from PAX West 2022 this week!
Stay tuned for additional interviews from PAX West 2022 on our website.
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
This week we’re talking about our favorite multiplayer indie games with some of our amazing Raven Party Twitch Streamers!
Featured Games:
It Takes Two
Among Us
Ultimate Chicken Horse
Pummel Party
TowerFall
Nidhogg
Super Animal Royale
V Rising
Potion Party
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
This week we follow @SarahSweetBee as she explores the convention floor at Otakon 2022!
Featured Studios:
Boba Studios
Sliced Kiwi
Retroware
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
This week we sit down with solo developer Verinius to talk about our experiences with burnout.
Featured Games:
Lawmage Academy
Poly Vita
IKAI
Kingdom Hearts III ReMind
League of Legends Wild Rift
Echoes of Mana
FF7 First Soldier
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
Our Ravens get together this week to talk about their experiences with chronic illness and gaming.
Featured Games:
IKAI
Pokemon Cafe Remix
Ghost of Tsushima
Wytchwood
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Lemon Cake
Cats & Soup
Halo
Sims 4
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
We have some incredible Ravens here at Game Raven Review so we decided to shine a light on some of them during our podcast. This week, @samsaiditdfw hosts @YourNeighborTJ for our very first Game Raven Spotlight!
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
This week, @samsaiditdfw, @taztdevil3 & @PuppetMasterEN chat with Seattle-based indie game developer, Charles Kimball, to talk about his upcoming game, Minotaur Princess!
Featured Games:
Kingdom Hearts III
Pokémon Go
Pokémon Café Remix
FF14
Sims 4
Noita
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
On our podcast this week, @samsaiditdfw @sarahsweetbee @taztdevil3 & @PuppetMasterEN share their favorite female leads.
Featured Games:
Tomb Raider
Little Nightmares
Horizon Zero Dawn
The Walking Dead: Season 2
Bayonetta
The Last of Us Part II
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
Final Fantasy X-2
Final Fantasy XIII
Persephone
Hazel the Plant Witch
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
This week, our writers talk about some of the most influential women in the gaming industry.
Roberta Williams
Amy Henning
Kim Swift
Natalia Martinsson
Aya Kyogoku
Astral Clocktower Studios
SkyReach Studios
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
Our Spring Preview is finally here! This week our writers share their most anticipated games this Spring 2022.
Featured Games:
Bundle for Ukraine
Sons of the Forest
We Were Here Forever
Vampire Survivors
Selfloss
Cult of the Lamb
Lil Gator Game
Have a Nice Death
Poppy Playtime: Chapter 2
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
On this week’s podcast, we listen back to our interview in January on sound design with composer and sound designer, Fabri.
Featured Games:
TwilightStar: Heart of Eir
Tribes of Midgard
A Space for the Unbound
Stardew Valley
Ys VIII
Overwatch
Koi Koi
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
This week, our writers discuss their most anticipated indies this Winter 2022.
Featured Games:
The Patagonians
Stray
NeJ
Bear and Breakfast
Sifu
The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
Our writers talk about some of their favorite games shown at the Indie World Showcase by Nintendo.
Featured Games:
Dungeon Munchies
Sea of Stars
Afterlove EP
River City Girls 2
Aliisha: The Oblivion of the Twin Goddesses
Endling - Extinction is Forever
Gerda: A Flame in Winter
Parkasaurus
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
This week, our writers share their thoughts on the 2021 Game Awards.
Featured Games:
The Game Awards Nominees 2021
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
Our writers talk about some of their favorite solo-developed indie games this week!
Featured Games:
The Pathless
Scarlet Hollow
Papetura
Five Nights at Freddy’s
Undertale
Doki Doki Literature Club
Omori
Ghost of a Tale
Lemon Cake
Stardew Valley
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
Our writers sit back this week and chat about some of the most ridiculous indies they could find.
Featured Games:
Octodad
Do Not Feed the Monkeys
Chicken Police
Poppy Playtime
Duru: About Mole Rats and Depression
Wanted Racoon
The Greatest Penguin Heist of All Time
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
What does “indie” mean anyway? This week, our writers discuss this question alongside special guest @HourADayGamer!
Featured Games:
Cygnus Pizza Race
Twilight Star Heart of Eir
Pokemon Shining Pearl & Brilliant Diamond
Konosuba: Fantastic Days
Graveyard Keeper
Scarlet Hollow
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
This week, our writers talk about their experiences as game testers.
Featured Games:
Poppy Playtime
Crab Game
Pokemon Emerald
Halo 3
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops
This week, our writers talk about their experiences as LGBTQ+ in gaming.
Featured Games:
Demon Slayer
At Eve’s Wake
Planet Zoo
Stardew Valley
Lost Ember
Divinity 2
Traveler’s Rest
Drinks with Frenemies
Eastward
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops
Happy Halloween! This week our Ravens talk about their favorite indie horror games in this extended Halloween special.
Featured Games:
Never Again
No One Lives Under the Lighthouse
Phasmophobia
Deceit
Graveyard Keeper
In Silence
At Eve’s Wake
Apsulov: End of Gods
The Forest
Dead by Daylight
Dying Flame
Layers of Fear
Doki Doki Literature Club
The Witch’s House MV
Inmost
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops & BlackLynk.
Our writers talk about their favorite cozy games this week with special guest Victoria Caña!
Featured Games:
Eastshade
Farm Together
Spiritfarer
ACNH
Graveyard Keeper
Moonlighter
Autonauts
Sunhaven
Unpacking
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
This week our writers host a conversation about localization in games with localization specialist AstralBode of Kristala, and Verinius, solo developer of Lawmage Academy.
Featured Games:
Kristala
Lawmage Academy
Genshin Impact
Xcom2
WoW
Final Fantasy XV
Pokemon Unite
Inside
Lovecraft Tales
Borderlands 3
Konosuba FD
MTG Arena
Girl Cafe Gun
Potion Craft
The Room Series
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
This week our writers bring you their most anticipated indie games of Fall 2021.
Featured Games:
Evil Tonight
Wytchwood
Forgive Me Father
Alien Cube
Gloomwood
Jurassic World Evolution 2
Chainmonsters
Bunhouse
Len’s Island
Mineko’s Night Market
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
This week we talk about all the games we loved from the Seattle Indies Expo 2021!
See more about SIX2021 at their website.
Featured Games:
Forest Grove
Video Hole
Astronaut: The Best
Which Wizard
Dungeons of Edera
Tic Tac Together
Rain on your Parade
Neon Noodles
Laundry Simulator
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
This week on our podcast our writers talk through their favorite and not-so-favorite video game movies.
What We’re Playing:Life is Strange: True Colors
MTG Arena
Eastward
Skyward Sword HD
KonoSuba: Fantastic Days
Littlewood
Visit our websitefor more indie news & reviews!
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
Our episode this week is filled with interviews with the incredible indie devs our writers met at PAX West this year!
Visit our websiteto learn more about the amazing discoveries we made this year at PAX West 2021.
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
This week our writers celebrate Game Raven Review’s first birthday while at PAX West!
What We’re Playing:Fire Emblem 3 Houses
Joy of Cooking
MTG Arena
Grounded
HOA
KonoSuba: Fantastic Days
Coffee Talk
Cozy Grove
Littlewood
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
This week our writers are revving up for PAX West and talking about the good, the bad, and the ugly of gaming conventions.
What We’re Playing:Cattails
HOA
Chicken Police
Rave Heart
Love Nikki
It Takes Two
KonoSuba: Fantastic Days
Coffee Talk
Doki Doki Literature Club
Unbound: Worlds Apart
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
This week we chat with members of Astral Clocktower Studios about marketing indie games.
What We’re Playing:Kristala
Alan Wake
Curse of the Dead Gods
Half-Life: Alyx
Naraka: Bladepoint
Garden Story
Doki Doki Literature Club
Skyward Sword HD
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
This week we welcome programmer and narrative designer Cam Perry to talk about dialogue and story writing in games.
See their work at camperrygames.com
What We’re Playing:Death’s Door
Rakuen
Portal
A Plague Tale
Muck
The Blackout Club
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
This week we chat with game maker Ezra Szanton about Game Jams.
What We’re Playing:Yes, Your Grace
Spelunky 2
Don’t Starve Together
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
This week we recap our 24-Hour Charity Stream and talk about gaming for charity through Extra Life.
Learn more about Extra Life and Seattle Children’s Hospital.
What We’re Playing:Death’s Door
Spirit Farer
Far Cry 5
Don’t Starve Together
Raft
Stardew Valley
Super Animal Royale
Jackbox Party Pack 6
Valheim
Gartic Phone
Pummel Party
Among Us
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
This week our writers get a little wild as they talk about game mechanics.
What We’re Playing:Prey
Destroy All Humans
Gartic Phone
The Witch’s House MV
Raft
Duru - A Game about Mole Rats and Depression
A Mortician’s Tale
Monster Hunter Stories 2
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
Our writers bring you their most anticipated games of Summer 2021.
What We’re Playing:
Ori and the Blind Forest
Cattails
Destroy All Humans!
State of Decay 2
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
This week we are joined by indie tabletop devs Victoria Caña and Chris Nearman.
What We’re Playing:Gladius
Stardew Valley: The Board Game
Beat Saber
Legends of Runeterra
Magic: The Gathering
Resident Evil Village
The Witch’s House MV
Ghost of a Tale
The Companion
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
This week we chat with our writer NuclearArachnid about gaming with his family.
What We’re Playing:Cozy Grove
Ori and the Blind Forest
Sea of Thieves
Mass Effect Legendary Edition
Halo
DOOM
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
This week we shoot the breeze with our new podcast host, Sam P, and reflect on our gaming lives.
What We’re Playing:Cozy Grove
Animal Crossing
Mario Golf: Super Rush
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
This week we say goodbye to our podcast host and producer Henry J and break down all the new games announced at e3.
What We’re Playing:Days GoneGetsuFumaDen: Undying LightHalo 3Overcooked! 2Hell is Other Demons
Cities: Skylines
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
This week we speak with Kristala Devs Astral Clocktower Studios about starting a women-fronted dev studio and women in gaming.
Follow Astral Clocktower Studios.
What We’re Playing:Persona 5 Royal
Cities: Skylines
Persona 4 Golden
The Witch’s House MV
Returnal
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
This week is a little more chill than normal since Puppet and Taz are getting married soon! We preview our June podcast calendar and talk about what we are playing in this week’s episode.
What We’re Playing:Persona 5 Royal
Viviette
Elite Dangerous
Resident Evil Village
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
We had a long podcast all recorded… until most of it didn’t, but our interview with Verinius from Lawmage Academy and musician Alex Johnston survived! Enjoy their chat about finding and crafting the perfect music pieces for games.
What We’re Playing:Persona 5 Royal
New Pokemon Snap
Lawmage Academy
The Companion
Autonauts
Resident Evil Village
Valheim
Check out the Lawmage Academy demo on Steam.
Listen to Alex Johnston’s music on Bandcamp.
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
We're taking a week off from the pod, so we wanted to share our interview in April 2021 with Pixelot developer Kyle Berger that we did on our Twitch channel. See you next week!
Download Pixelot on Steam.
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
We love indies and we REALLY love their soundtracks. We pick out some of our favorites on this episode of the podcast!
What We’re Playing:Monster Hunter Rise
Crowfall
Pixelot
The Longing
New Pokemon Snap
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
We are joined by Lawmage Academy developer Verinius to talk RPG Maker and the creative process as a solo dev on this week’s podcast.
Play the Lawmage Academy demo on Steam.
What We’re Playing:Monster Hunter Rise
Monster Hunter World
Octopath Traveler: Continent Champion
Valheim
Age of Empires II
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
We take a deep dive into PuppetMasterEN's favorite genre, indie horror, talk about what we are playing and answer the Question of the Week!
What We’re Playing:Monster Hunter Rise
Monster Hunter World
Blu
Rogue Heroes: Ruins of Tasos
Rogue Legacy
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
April is Autism Awareness Month, so we sat down with some of our neurodivergent friends to discuss how video games have impacted them.
What We’re Playing:
Monster Hunter World
Humble Bundle for Racial Justice
World of Warcraft: Classic
Ghost of a Tale
Pokemon Go
Haven
Vivette
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
Indie World Order Con happened (virtually!) and PuppetMasterEN walked the digital convention floor and brought back some games to keep our eyes on!
What We’re Playing:
FANTASIAN
Blasphemous
Pixelot
Indie World Order Con
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
We preview upcoming releases with almost the ENTIRE Game Raven Review staff on this episode! Hear what our writers are most excited to play this spring.
What We’re Playing:
Marvel’s Spider-Man
Jitsu Squad
OCTOPATH TRAVELER
Apex Legends
Nose: The Great Keana Edition
Nuumonsters
Coromon
Temtem
CODE VEIN
Shattered: Tale of the Forgotten Kind
Juice Galaxy
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Super Mario Odyssey
Rave Heart
Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla
Skyrim
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot
Valheim
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Additional music by GameChops.
Henry J, PuppetMasterEN and taztdevil3 shame Puppet for cheating in Valheim and talk about one year of pandemic gaming and how their gaming habits have changed in the new normal.
What We’re Playing:
The Medium
Viviette
OCTOPATH TRAVELER
Apex Legends
Loop Hero
Valheim
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Henry J, PuppetMasterEN and taztdevil3 run down their games of the week and chat about the future of the podcast.
What We’re Playing:
Little Nightmares II
Loop Hero
Valheim
Pummel Party
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Henry J, PuppetMasterEN and taztdevil3 discuss the myriad of ways indie gaming can be delivered directly to the screen of your choice.
What We’re Playing:
Little Nightmares II
Valheim
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Henry J, PuppetMasterEN and taztdevil3 break down their love for the first breakout indie hit of 2021: Valheim.
What We’re Playing:
Little Nightmares II
Valheim
Valheim
Valheim
Valheim
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Henry J, PuppetMasterEN, taztdevil3 and sarahhbee speak on our first community day and how Game Raven will continue to build community around our readers, streamers and developers.
What We’re Playing:
Stardew Valley
Little Nightmares II
Skul: The Hero Slayer
Final Fantasy XIV
Valheim
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Henry J, PuppetMasterEN and taztdevil3 chat about indie games that crossed over to the mainstream only to find that it isn't all that it's cracked up to be.
What We’re Playing:
Super Mega Baseball 3
Little Nightmares II
Don’t Starve Together
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Henry J, PuppetMasterEN and taztdevil3 break down how Among Us went from humble beginning to mammoth crossover success.
What We’re Playing:
Alien: Isolation
Super Mega Baseball 3
Little Nightmares
Star Wars: The Old Republic
OMORI
Stardew Valley
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Henry J, PuppetMasterEN and taztdevil3 talk about why they love indie games, and what the indies bring versus the big boy triple-A titles.
What We’re Playing:
Yakuza Remastered Collection
ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights
Little Nightmares
Star Wars: The Old Republic
OMORI
Ginkgo
Among Us
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Feeling the winter blues? Henry J, PuppetMasterEN, taztdevil3, and NuclearArachnid share some of their favorite cozy games and give tips on how to add gaming to your self-care routine.
What We’re Playing:
Final Fantasy XIV
Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla
Out of Control
Yu-Gi-Oh! Dual Links
Little Nightmares
Stardew Valley
Neopets
Carto
Freddy Spaghetti
Intro by Martha Macabare.
We’ve told you how to find games, but how do you find quality indie titles? Join Henry J, PuppetMasterEN, taztdevil3, and brotuzak in the second of our two-part discussion on how to find and enjoy your next indie game.
What We’re Playing:
Final Fantasy XIV
Hollow Knight
Inmost
Yu-Gi-Oh! Dual Links
Fallen Angel
Pocket Watch
Sundred: Eldritch Edition
Pokemon Crystal
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Join Henry J, PuppetMasterEN, taztdevil3, and sarahhbee as they share what they're playing this week and share their tips on where to find indie games.
What We’re Playing:
Final Fantasy XIV
Escape From Tarkov
Alien: Isolation
Inmost
Little Nightmares
Chinatown Detective Agency
Don’t Starve
Stardew Valley
Move or Die
The Sims 4
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Join Henry J, PuppetMasterEN, taztdevil3, and marthadmartian as they share what they're playing this week and dive into their most anticipated indie releases in 2021.
Upcoming Games Covered:
Chinatown Detective Agency
SkateBIRD
Cozy Grove
Little Nightmares II
Scarlet Hollow Episode 2
Kristala
Snacko
Burgle Bros. 2
Intro by Martha Macabare.
Join Henry J, PuppetMasterEN, taztdevil3, and NuclearArachnid on the first Game Raven Review podcast!
We recap our 24-hour charity stream, talk about what we're playing and give our awards for our favorite indie games of 2020.
Intro by Martha Macabare.