Geeks & Grounds is an asynchronous, monthly game club where we play video games and brew good conversation, together! ☕ Each week, receive a newsletter with a reflection question and curated materials meant to help you thoughtfully connect with the games we play.
This is a game about love 🗡 Slay the Princess [Geeks & Grounds #077]
|
In today’s newsletter:
last week's recap 🎧
|
At the start of Slay the Princess, the developers don't hide the fact that this horror game is a love story. But, how could a game about slaying a princess be a love story?
My favorite part about playing games -- about any work of fiction, really -- is moving past the level of the literal understanding of the story and digging into how the work connects to a more fundamental exploration of the human experience. Slay the Princess took me through that journey beautifully with its looping structure. I began with the intent on figuring out if I should slay this princess, and if so, why? By the time we chatted on this week's podcast, I felt like this game illustrated the beautiful (and painful) ways that we try to connect.
I will say that while I do think this is a love story, by the time I was through, this was a game more about how love changes us...and how we need to at least appreciate change to fully build a relationship. I can't wait for you to listen to this episode and our discussion!
Finally, our monthly hangout is this Saturday, November 30th at 3 pm PT in Discord. We'll discuss Slay the Princess (be sure to bring your ranking of the princesses) as well as catch up on the G&G 2025 plans, and general fun chatter. 😊 Hope to see you there!
🥐☕ the pastry case (show links)
-
Jenny
- Gotta catch ‘em all: I’m enjoying the Pokemon TCG app immensely!
- This game and this game are carrying my mental health in the evenings (let me just chill and turn off my brain for a bit, please and thank you).
- If you haven’t caught up to Ranma 1/2, it continues to be a JOY to watch each week.
- Continuing through Oathbringer but also started re-reading Emergent Strategy (which you can get for free here) for some inspiring - and grounded - knowledge around community organizing.
-
Joel
- Just got enough cards today to have my first battle in the Pokemon TCG app!
- I’ve adjusted Nine Sols's difficulty so that it perfectly fits the level of difficulty I want. Now if only I could figure out where to go!
- I’m a long time fan of I think You Should Leave by the same creators and The Detroiters just hit Netflix. It’s filling my comedy void and I’m loving the situations they create.
- Dragon Ball Daima is likely what Dragon Ball GT was supposed to be. Lighthearted and fun, I’m enjoying the experience of watching kid versions of my favorite Z Fighters navigate the wacky demon realm.
- Almost done with Rhythm of War before the new Sanderson book drops!
👀 🎮notable indie releases this week
next week's brew ☕
a special edition podcast where we talk through the games nominated for 2025!
Next week, we will begin the voting for Geeks & Grounds 2025 ~ we've got several titles selected for consideration, so Joel and I will take some time to go through the nominees, why we think you should consider them, and talk through how voting works!
reflection question 💭
reflect on a question related to what we're playing/considering this week
If you'd prefer to respond via email, that's great too! Just be sure to submit your response by Nov 17th to be included in the upcoming podcast.
Stay in the loop -- listen to the weekly podcast on Spotify and Apple, hang with the community in Discord, and find us on Instagram!
Thanks for joining our digital café this week -- talk soon!
Jenny
Jenny | Geeks & Grounds
Geeks & Grounds is an asynchronous, monthly game club where we play video games and brew good conversation, together! ☕ Each week, receive a newsletter with a reflection question and curated materials meant to help you thoughtfully connect with the games we play.
this week's brew 🎧what we played this week + supplementary materials to help you dig deeper. Hello from Boston! It's the eve of PAX East for me, and after having a lovely dinner and catch up with friends, I've settled in for an early evening (so I can write this newsletter and finish up my work before the event truly gets started). If you happen to be at the show, come see my panel on Friday at 10:30 am ET -- it's called from Fandom to Stardom, discussing the ways we can use our passions and...
this week's brew 🎧what we played this week + supplementary materials to help you dig deeper. We've got to talk about the 'rage' in Bloom & Rage. I find it very compelling that the friendship of the four girls in Lost Records is founded on the act of them defending Swann from a form of masculine rage - misogynistic harassment and verbal threats from Corey. While the highlight of the girl's summer are the adventures and bonds they create together, I feel like their comradery goes deeper. In...
this week's brew 🎧what we played this week + supplementary materials to help you dig deeper. Listen to the latest episode on Spotify and YouTube! The 90s are alive and well this month for Geeks & Grounds ~ we're playing Lost Records: Bloom & Rage! This game oscillates between memories of summer for high schooler, Swann, and her present day reunion with those friends. Of course, this isn't a simple reunion: there seems to be a mystery surrounding the events of that fateful summer of 1995, and...