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

The conclusion of Arco is filled with smoke, blood, oil...but perhaps you were able to find a little hope as well. Our discussion this week digs into the final act of the game, the results we got, and how we felt as concluded this epic tale.

While our discussion focuses on the our main characters and the journey they've taken, a surprised character has stuck with me even after finishing the game: the barkeep. This is a person who we've never played or used in combat. In fact, he's really only there at the end of each act with a few lines and a drink. But, in a story where direct action is highlighted, his role and form of resistance to the Red Company is critical.
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He provides a gathering space and moments of respite for each of our protagonists. They stay with him over a period of time to gather intel and prepare for the action ahead. He provides consolation and words of wisdom, providing a grounded sense of purpose to the team. While they all have their reasons for chasing the Red Company, the reality is what they're doing will help the people of this region in a tangible way. The barkeep is a reminder of that.
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Action takes many forms. Yes, we'll discuss (and celebrate!) what Tizo and Co. do as they arrive to the oil fields: yet I hope we don't forget that a significant reason why they could do it was because the barkeep was there, offering resistance and action in his own way.
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As always, check out the playthrough guide for pacing, and feel free to respond to this email, leave a voicemail, or post your thoughts in Discord about this game.

Pour Over

Check out supplementary recs to expand your gameplay experience and understanding!

• Hangout: If you'd like to chat with the rest of the G&G community about your time in Arco (and just hang out with a great group of people), be sure to stop by the Discord at 3pm PT on Saturday, March 29 for our monthly community hang!
• Read: For folks interested in learning more about the combat, this article (titled "Why 'fuck around and find out' became the backbone of Arco's combat") is a great one!
• Listen. Just because the music is really THAT GOOD, I wanted to share it one more time ~ Arco OST is on Bandcamp so go and make your easy happy (or cry at the songs that remind you of certain moments in the game).

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Reflection Question

As you play this week, take a moment and reflect on this question:

Have a response to the reflection question? Want to share other thoughts on the game? Share thoughts in the Discord to chat with the community or leave a 60-second voice message and you’ll have the chance to be featured on a future podcast episode!

Next Week’s Brew: We have a special conversation with Fáyer -- one of the devs -- releasing on April 1st!
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Finally: our April title is the community-selected, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage! We'll be releasing the first discussion episode (covering Tape One) on April 15th, so feel free to pick it up and begin playing now if you'd like to get a jump start!

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

​Consume Me is a standout at the 2025 IGF Awards, and the United Video Game Workers launches a direct join union (yay good industry news! Check out their zine here). In addition to that, here's what we've been up to besides Arco ~

Jenny -

• Play: Fields of Mistria​
• Read: Sunrise on the Reaping, Parable of the Sower, Video Game of the Year​
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Joel -

• Play: Okami (our Bonus Brew for April!)
• Watch: Wheel of Time (Season 3), Solo Leveling, Kaiju #8​
• Listen: Japanese Breakfast, Coheed and Cambria​
• Read: Wind and Truth​

This Weeks' Game Releases

Two games I think are worth keeping an eye on, especially if you're looking for something new to play!

​Spilled | Mar 26​ Short Cleaning Simulation *Steam Demo Available* Extremely satisfying 'clean-up' gameplay with a wholesome environmental message. Spilled is all about cleaning the ocean by upgrading your small - but mighty - boat and recycling trash, siphoning up oil, and making the world a better place for future generations.

​Karma | Mar 27​ First-Person Walking Sim Dystopic *Steam Demo Available* This may be TOO close to home, but if you're looking for a dark game to cope with dark times, this psychological thriller is set in 1984 East Germany, and you wake up with no memories: only the knowledge that you're an agent for the Leviathan Thought Bureau. Uh ohhh... 🙃

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