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From Adal:

Hey Future Lizards!

Lots of enjoyable travel this month but the past few weeks I’ve felt burnt out and overall like my mental health is in as rough a shape as it’s ever been. I’m hoping this month is rejuvenating and I can get back on the rails a bit. Hope you all are doing well and the holidays provide you some relaxation, tasty food and most importantly - a few good pairs of socks. I’ll be in Vermont over xmas and I’m hoping to not see nor taste a single drop of maple syrup.

Here’s what I consumed in November:

TV:

Blue Eye Samurai - incredible storytelling and one of my favorite tv shows of the past 10 years - very graphic and gory though. Like Avatar: The Last Airbender meets Kill Bill.

Invincible season 2 - wild how awesome the soundtrack is for this season

The Devil’s Plan - if you enjoy reality tv/board games, then you should    absolutely check this out

Slow Horses season 3

The Curse

Mr. In Between seasons 1, 2 & 3

Scott Pilgrim Takes Off - very enjoyable retake on the comics

Fargo season 5

The Crown season 6

Hard Knocks: In Season

Movies:

The Equalizer

The Equalizer 2

The Equalizer 3

Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas - my family’s traditional holiday time movie. I’m excited to go see the musical based on it in a few weeks here in Chicago

The Killer

Sly

Todd Barry: Domestic Shorthair

Dina Hashem - Dark Little Whispers

Albert Brooks: Defending My Life

Music:

Alvvays: Blue Rev - highly recommend if you’re looking for a new album to keep on rotation

Alvvays: Antisocialites

Depeche Mode: Memento Mori

My Morning Jacket: Tennessee Fire

Feet: What’s Inside is More Than Just Ham

Beirut: Hadsel

Andre 3000: New Blue Sun

Other Stuffs:

Sleep No More - I went for my 13th visit at the beginning of the month and brought along my bud Stuart for his first time. He seemed to enjoy most of it and also be very annoyed by the audience. I’m thrilled to say after twelve years of trying for the secret sixth floor one on one - I finally stumbled upon it. I was absolutely giddy the whole time. Sadly, a few days after we went, they announced the show is closing in January. I’m hoping to go at least once or twice more before the end.

Saw The Great Gatsby musical (one of two currently in the works). This one has Eva Noblezada and Jeremy Jordan - the show was meh but they were outstanding.

Saw the touring Beetlejuice musical as it came through Chicago and the cast was very impressive. Definitely check it out if it’s coming near you

Saw the musical Islander in Chicago

Enjoying the new podcast, Business Trips, hosted by two of my improv heroes - Mike O’Brien and Brad Morris

Just started listening to the Hey Randy podcast on CBB World and it’s one of the funniest podcasts I’ve heard. Dan Lippert can’t miss.

Jemma and I really enjoyed the Jungle Book Reimagined movement piece we saw on tour. Would recommend if it’s coming near you - https://www.akramkhancompany.net/productions/jungle-book-reimagined/

Loving Super Mario Wonder so far

A friend turned me on to the internet comic Mr. Boop. It’s dumb, weird and beautiful. You can knock it out in about 90 minutes here - https://mrboop.net/

Started listening to the audio version of Barbara Streisand’s new memoir, narrated by her. Big fan so far.

Played some more Blood On The Clock Tower and wrongly thought Matt was evil. Whoops!

Had a delightful visit to Nashville to visit my sister and brother-in-law. Had some incredible food (including the best birria tacos of “myyy liiiiife”) and tiki drinks. DM me if you want specifics.

Spent Thanksgiving in San Juan with Jemma and her family. I wasn't aware it was lousy with fantastic food. DM if you want a list of recs. 

I was a guest on the That’s What I’m Tolkien About podcast (episode out tomorrow Dec. 5th) - and had a blast learning all about the formation of the titular rings!

Please check out Erin crushing on recent episodes of Comedy Bang Bang and Man Dog Pod

Make sure you wish JPC a piss filled birthday on December 14th

Two performers from The Burnt City are bringing their dance piece ‘Volcano’ to NYC in January. Jemma and I snagged tix. If you’re in the city you should check it out: https://stannswarehouse.org/calendar/month/2024-01/

I’m excited for the upcoming January Magic Tavern live show in Chicago. You can find tix here

Also excited for the Magic Tavern San Francisco Sketchfest show - tix here

Fries, Brisket and Coco are uniting forces to try and dismantle the xmas tree as I type this...

Please let me know what you’ve been enjoying and any holiday traditions you have!

Love

Adal

From JPC:

Hey Riddiots -

(TLDR: video games)

I have been very behind on my video game intake as of late and I could use your help. I'm gonna give you some games that I own but have never played and you can let me know in the comments if one of them should be at the top of my list. Also, it doesn't help that there was just a big steam sale so like half of my wish-list was marked down. Anyway, here is what I've got so far:

Cosmoteer: Starship Architect & Commander - this one was an Arne Parrott rec so it's already high up on my list, even though this list is organized alphabetically

Crab Champions - truly don't even remember how I ended up buying this game. I basically do no research if a game has positive reviews and is under $10

Cult of the Lamb - my buddy James told me to get this game like a year ago?

Darkest Dungeon II - I played the first one back in my Twitch streaming days and I was excited to pick up the second one. But I know I sunk a lot of hours into it so I'm nervous about starting it up.

DAVE THE DIVER - I've heard nothing but good things

Dead Space - Okay, I actually paid full retail for this and played it for like 2 hours when I was doing a fundraiser stream for my brother's campaign (he won btw) and I need to pick it back up and finish it. I'm not really a horror games guy even though I did really love playing it when it first released.

Death Must Die - I told myself I needed to stop buying games in early access but, you know what, I probably never will.

Pentiment - Okay, Casey got this one for me and said I would love it and I probably will but I just haven't started it yet.

Sekiro - yeah, I know.

TUNIC - again, heard great things

Wizard with a Gun - I mean, come on, how would I not buy it based on that title?

Wow, I thought looking at that list would give me anxiety but writing them all out did make me really want to jump in. But then I also remembered that I haven't started the new Spiderman game or Tears of the Kingdom so I'm basically fucked. Anyway, eager to hear what you all think I should play!

Hope everyone has a safe and festive holiday season!

-JPC

HRR Updates/News:

We’re thrilled to be back for our 3rd San Francisco Sketchfest with Janet Varney joining our live show! Tickets can be bought here.

Our December Review Crew (Return of the Obra Dinn) will come out on Monday December 11th.

The December Review Crew Live Stream will be tomorrow Tuesday December 5th from 8pm to 9pm CT with special guest Sleepo ‘Casey’ Toney!

A special Columbo-nus episode, DM’d by the tatiest of DM’s - Anthony Burch, will be released when we hit 7200 Patreon subscribers!

Love,

Adal, Erin & JPC

Comments

Trent Glenn

Adal and JPC, ever read House of Leaves? It's a very mind-bending horror book, is very great

Say it

Emmitt otter’s jug band Christmas is the shits. Great sound track.

Logan Gibson

For jpc, sekiro rules but you know what it's like to play dark souls or elden ring, you're gonna die and you have to be ready for that. But it's my favorite fromsoft game by a mile

Ayn Like Ryan

Hi! I'm a new riddiot and I was wondering if someone could explain the difference between the review crew Livestreams and the episodes? I'm slowly working my way through the catalogue but have been skipping the Livestreams because I listen at work (I'm a barista)

Trent Glenn

JPC i played cult of the lamb, if you like the idea of a rogue-lite mixed with a dark harvest moon style game, this gets 10 JPCs out of 10 for you

Lucas Butchko

Adal: hope you’re able to rest up and get back on your feet. Burnout can be a hell of a barrier as I’m sure you know so I’m hoping for many cat snuggles for you JPC: I’ve only played Cult of the Lamb from this list but it’s a lot of fun! I’m not a big roguelike person, but this felt easy enough to work into and feel comfortable in

Cuban

Why no Erin?!? WHY?!?

Mingwei Jen

Dave the diver is incredible. If I didn’t have school it will be the only thing I play.

Black Metal Lenin

According to my patreon app, yall are at 7600+ subscribers! Release the columbo!!! Love you guys ❤️

Ben Minor

It fills my heart to hear other talk about emmet otter! It’s my family’s absolute must watch every year

jollytheoldsaint

I think the best option on JPC's list is to ignore it altogether, along with the surely painful memories of impulse spending it must bring. Then go and immediately buy ghost trick: phantom detective on steam. Which isn't even on sale, but is pretty damned great.

Jackson Floyd

JPC, Cult of the Lamb is definitely a good roguelike/town builder, but TOTK deserves your time the most out of anything you mentioned.

Eugene

Definitely do Sekiro first. Then forget all about Crab Champions, and play Another Crab's Treasure instead. But if you're not in that "gaming" mood, maybe try Dave the Diver.

Beat

JPC: all I have to offer is an anti-recommendation for Cult of the Lamb. It has visual style, but mechanically it just does half a dozen things poorly.

Josephine Lagerlow

I’d play Dave the Diver as a holiday treat. It’s basically the epitome of mobile gaming activities squished into one experience, and more importantly, it’s not heinously long. Starting long games always feels like a chore.

Eric Williams

TUNIC needs to be top of your list! It may even reinvigorate your desire for riddles and puzzles!

Steven Melin

I am a big fan of the Darkest Dungeon games and the second one is also very good, but I understand the nervousness, The sin is not in being outmatched, but the failure to recognize it. That being said I have not beaten the game yet but the change in dynamics to a run based system I think makes it less daunting. Less mental strife and fear of losing progress since it's kinda built in. It's a recomend from me. I imagine the narrator would tell you "Many fall in the face of chaos, but not this one, he is the face of Chaos."

Emily Kardamis

Adal: I hope you get some much deserved rest this month! ❤️ JPC: can’t recommend Tunic enough! But imo you can’t go wrong with any of the games on this list, they’re all heavy hitters!

JD Mothnite

The Review Crew episodes are the actual episodes in which the crew review things. The Livestreams are an informal video chat between the hosts, while also occasionally interacting with the chat.

Jellybean

Just to add more to your list JPC you really need to check out Alan Wake 2. It's hands down my favorite game of the year. It has such an incredible story and is a blast to play as well. If you like dead space even though it's horror then you'd love this, it's so much more than just a horror game.

John S.

JPC: A Death Must Die run takes about 10 minutes. You'll know quickly if you like it or not. The game loop doesn't change much from the initial experience. Same with Crab Champions.

MegaMerlin

Is Erin OK? Also JPC it doesn’t matter which of those you play, just pick one, they’re all good.

Michad

That review crew topic shocks me. I'm pretty sure the winner of the poll was a review of JPC's treatise on the illusion of free will and its role in modern democracy.

Caleb Stilger

dave the diver is a real time investment but is overall very rewarding when you carve a chunk out of your day for it. multi-faceted and really cute. totk was the same for me but a little more one-note.

Brendan

The Genius is the original show from the Devils Plan creator and it is probably 10x better imo! A lot more strategy and big moments across 4 seasons

Austin from Austin

Check out Pentiment! Very underrated historical, narrarative, choices-matter game. Very smart, I enjoyed it mightly and it does not get much love.

Kestrel

Adal, a tradition my family has always done is put a coconut under the Christmas tree. I wish I could tell you why, but my mom, who was in charge of the tradition, has passed. So we just keep putting coconuts under there. JPC, I adore Dave the Diver but genuinely all the games you've listed are excellent.

Burke

Adal, I hope you take all the time you need to relax and recuperate. We care about you!

Sandwich

JPC I was going to be avoiding and recommend Tunic whether or not it was on that list but now I don't have to be! I almost can't believe you're on a riddle podcast and haven't played the puzzliest of all games

Vee Campbell

I’m sorry you’re having a bad time with your mental health, Adal. Just wanted to say you’re not alone and we love you!

Adam Kronfeld

I only discovered it in like 2010, and I could not put it down. I would quite literally prop it open on the sink while I was brushing my teeth and dressing for work in the mornings, read it at lunch, etc. Best book I’ve read in probably twenty years.

Melody Burgmann

I second Tunic. It's beautiful, it's got great music and *sounds*. It's one of my favorite plays of all time right now. I think you're off of twitch these days, but I wouldn't mind watching you play this because I love it so much. Cult of the Lamb is good as well, if you like a cross between Hades and Stardew Valley (yes, really).

Bagel Minister

JPC, Cult of the Lamb and Dave the Diver are truly two of the best games ive played this year. Cult of the Lamb all the way

Deanna

My fiance reviewed Dave the Diver for IGN and I 1000% agree that this game is a masterpiece!

Max Mayhew

Dead space, Dave the diver, kick sekiro out and play nioh 2

Ashtyn Foster

Cult of the lamb is a nice little rogue-like (lite? Idk what the difference is) and you make a cute little cult. You’d love it. Murder some cute little animals and be their god? Sounds like JPC to me. You

Colson Barnhart

Sekiro is my favorite on the list, but cult of the lamb was amazing as well. lots of good choices there.

Erin Berg

Cult of the lamb is super fun!