this week's brew 🎧
​what we played this week + supplementary materials to help you dig deeper.

In a Geeks & Grounds first, we immediately dove into the sequel for Butterfly Soup this week (one week after finishing the original).

It felt like another breath of fresh air to play, and we discuss our enduring love for these characters, as well as the ways that Brianna Lei - the developer - broadens the world of Butterfly Soup by exploring not just the teens themselves, but their families as well.

If you haven't played this one yet, please do! It's laugh-out-loud funny, the writing reads authentically, and it's now in my top stories and characters for games, I think, EVER.

Listen to the episode on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts!

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next week's brew ✨
​what we're playing for the month of June + supplementary materials to help you dig deeper.

As a reminder, for the month of June, we'll be doing something a bit different, just to keep things light and breezy during the summertime as folks are more out and about.

We're doing one game a week, each week focusing on a short title -- about 3-4 hours or less -- celebrating queer characters and teams!

With everything happening right now -- specifically in L.A. and New York in the U.S., with ICE agents and police kidnapping and harming civilians -- I feel like this game may offer a bit of catharsis. Gay disaster mech pilots killing fascists is the way that the developer describes Extreme Meatpunks Forever, and if that's not an elevator pitch, I'm not sure what is. As you may anticipate from the one-liner, this is a visual novel (with some very light action) that doesn't deal in subtlety or platitudes. It's brash, it's punk, and it doesn't care to soften it's words or values for the sake of saving feelings. Very excited to discuss this one with you all.

Below is the playthrough guide for the game, which also includes the full month's schedule of titles, links to find each game, some kick off reflection questions, and more!

This leads me to the reflection question for the week ~

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Reflection Question

Share your response by writing back to this message, submit a voice recording to be included in next week's episode, share in the community Discord, or simply ponder as you play. Of course, if you have other thoughts on the game you'd like to share not related to the question, please do so!

• How are you doing? With the content of the game we're playing, the news from, well, everywhere, and how life always continues to do it's thing....I'd thought it'd be nice for you to take a moment and truly check in with yourself (and, as always, feel free to share with me, simply write yourself a note, or think about it while out on a walk, etc. If you write, you can also let me know if you don't want a response back 💛).
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Pour Over

Supplementary recs to expand on what we're playing this week~

• Feeling a bit helpless about *waves arms * all this? Frontline Medics (this is a link to their IG profile) are one of many great resources, sharing practical tips on how to safety exercise your right to protest as well as suggestions for what you can do if you're not in an area (or have the capacity) to be on the ground.
• ​This Rock Paper Shotgun article delves into a bit of what "punk" means in relation to the music industry and the game. Note: There are small spoilers in this article, so it may be best to save until after playing if you want to avoid those.

the pastry case 🥐
​our grab-bag of topics related to the industry and other media we've engaged with.

Our wishlists are full to bursting ~ here are some of the highlights from the Summer Game Fest extravaganza of showcases!

Jenny: Paralives, Big Walk, Mirth Island, Downhill, Colorbound, Off, Neverway, Ambroise Niflette & the Gleaned Bell​

Joel: Atomic Heart 2, Resident Evil: Requiem, Wu-Tang: Rise of the Deceiver, Sword of the Sea, Crescent County, Gecko Gods, Cyber Paradise, Felt That: Boxing​
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Play/Watch/Listen/Read

Jenny -

• Play: Early Steam NextFest Hype -- Downhill, oneway.exe, Tiny Bookshop, and Off.
• Listen: Hands Up (MEOVV)​

Joel -

• Listen: Jon Bellion​

This Weeks' Game Releases

Two titles that I'm keeping an eye on, and that may be worth picking up if you'd like something new to enjoy!

​The Alters | June 13​ Survival Base Building Sci-Fi Explore an emotional sci-fi game with a unique blend of survival, adventure, and base-building elements. Help Jan Dolski, the sole survivor of an ill-fated space expedition, create alternative versions of himself to escape a hostile planet and tackle personal turmoils with this unconventional crew.

​Cast n Chill | June 16​ Fishing Relaxing CrMinimalist Cast n Chill is a cozy idle (and active) fishing game where you explore serene lakes, rivers, and oceans. Catch rare fish, upgrade your gear and reel in legendary catches - with your loyal pup by your side.

Stay in the loop -- listen to the weekly podcast on Spotify and Apple, hang with the community in Discord, and find us on Instagram!

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Thanks for joining our digital café this week -- talk soon!

Jenny