PODCAST · leisure
Aches and Games
by Giles Nicholson, James Hopes
A relaxed monthly chat between two *slightly older* British friends - talking life, gaming (and basically whatever other nonsense comes to mind). We're currently playing on Xbox, PlayStation 5 plus a bit of PC and Nintendo Switch action.Our regular episodes drop every first Friday of the month.
Episodes
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Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy / Cracked teeth, crack'd mirrors and cracking holidays - October 26
In this month's episode: We hear if the latest Plague Tale game err "resonated" for either of us. Giles responds to the Call of the Elder Gods with Hannah and goes fast, maybe too fast with Sonic x Shadow Generations; and James sets up a bowling alley, a classic arcade and a car wash because he...
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Denshattack! / Trips, truths and strange goos - September 26
In this month's episode: We turn our hands to train-based trickery in post-apocalyptic Japan, and dabble in a little piracy. James heads back to hell in Hellblade 2: Senua's Saga, stares into the face of a real life volcano and sets up shop as a pizza, console and weird goo-seller; and Giles...
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Farming Simulator 25 / World Cups, Cinema stops and Shuttlecocks - August 26
In this month's episode: We sort the wheat from the chaff in Farming Simulator 25, James heads back to ancient Rome in "Citadelum" and lives out his younger-self's dream in "Parkitect"; and Giles takes on new cases in "Nobody Wants to Die" and familiar faces in "Gears of War: Reloaded". plus: we...
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Forza Horizon 6 / Parisian Bistros (real and virtual) - July 2026
In this month's episode: We discover Japan and hit the festival in Forza Horizon 6; Giles explores a galaxy of fun in Astro Bot; and James heads back to "The Old Country" in an excellent Mafia prequel. plus: we talk World Cups, heatwaves and what else we've been doing and playing this month. All...
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Replaced / Pergola Smurfing - June 2026
In this month's episode: Giles helps plan a wedding and "enjoys" the rollercoaster of being and Arsenal fan; while James visits Looe and a galaxy far far away. plus: we get all grim and gritty in Replaced; and discover nostalgia is not necessarily as good as it used to be. All that and more on...
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Marvel's Cosmic Invasion / Giles & James went South-West - May 2026
In this month's episode: James discovers a demilitarized zone somewhere between Devon and Cornwall; and Giles bearly contains his excitement at Paddington. plus: we beat-em-up good and proper with Marvel's Cosmic Invasion; and We go all globetrotty with our gaming in Louisiana, New York, Pompeii,...
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Planet of Lana 2 / Nantes-ing around - April 2026
In this month's episode: Giles evades a rampaging mechanical elephant in Nantes. James actually completes some games in Ace Combat 7 and Split Fiction. plus: we both enjoy the gorgeous world of Planet of Lana 2 a busy month for news, and the usual nonsense All that and more on April's Aches &...
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Ace Combat / dodgy pilots? - March 2026
In this month's episode: we fly into skies unknown with Ace Combat 7 James explores the changing seasons and one girl's love for a wolf in Neva and Giles has complicated feeling about his time in night city with Cyberpunk 2077 plus: more Schedule 1 and Split Fiction early thoughts on Rise of the...
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Cyberpunk 2077 / love is all around? - February 26
In this month's episode: we compare "reviews in progress" for Cyberpunk 2077, and Giles "feels the force" in Vader Immortal and heads back to Rome & Bright Falls with DLCs for Indiana Jones and Alan Wake 2, and James tries out life of both sides of the law with Schedule 1 & The Precinct, plus…
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Thank Goodness You're Here / "ballet fuff" - January 26
In a bumper show we: catch up on our respective festive breaks and: compare thoughts on Thank Goodness You're Here; and review Split Fiction, 1000xResist, Dispatch, Moss 2, Lego Voyagers, Keep Talking & Nobody explodes and more. Plus we talk Neighbours-themed Christmas parties, "ballet fuffs" and...
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Our (Aches &) Games of 2025 - an A&G special episode
Hi everyone :) In the festive spirit we're back with the gift of a **special episode** of Aches & Games for your holiday listening pleasure. In a fast-becoming annual tradition we cut straight to the gaming and take turns to run though each of our 5 favourite games we played during 2025. *Five...
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December 25 / Keeper - did this plucky lighthouse leave us beaming?
In this month's episode: we review Double Fine's Keeper, Alan Wake 2, Motorsport Manager and more. We discuss what else we've been playing and watching, plus James dices with death at a fireworks display and I embrace the festivities with some Christmas activities. All that and more in December's...
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November 25 / Indika - weird, but wonderful?
In this month's epic episode: we each go on a journey of discovery with Indika; James drops into the Simpsons season of Fortnite and completes one of his new favourite games of all time; and I get suitably spooky with Ghost Town on the Meta Quest and Alan Wake 2. Plus we discuss the recent (ish)...
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October 25 / Sword of the Sea - the sublime and the ridiculous?
Hi everyone! In October's episode we sword sand surf our way through the pleasant lands of Sword of the Sea and talk about everything else that we’ve been playing, watching and getting up to since last month. Plus highlights from this month's Nintendo Direct, Sony's latest State of Play and...
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September 25 / Prince of Persia - lost crowns, found hard
Hi everyone! In September's episode we're talking Prince of Persia : The Lost Crown and what else we've been doing, watching and playing this month. Plus thoughts on this month's gaming news, upcoming highlights, KPop Demon Hunters and 90's one hit wonders Kris Kross (really). Timestamps: 00:00...
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August 25 / Rematch vs FC25 & the lionesses lead the way
Hi everyone! In August's episode of "Aches & Games monthly" we go football crazy, with a face-off between Rematch and FC25 for our SubClub and inspired by the lionesses and the women's Euros in general. But fear not and footy-phobics - we also talk gigs, games and general gibberish as we go…
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July 25 / Bomb Rush Cyberfunk & heads that fall off
Hi everyone! In July's episode of "Aches & Games monthly" we grind our way through Bomb Rush Cyberfunk and talk about everything else that we’ve been playing, watching and getting up to since last month. Plus any news and upcoming releases that have caught our eye. Timestamps: 00:00 Intros 02:35...
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The (absolute?) state of Xbox in 2025 - an A&G special episode
Hi everyone In our latest **special episode** of Aches & Games we’re talking Xbox – specifically : · what actually is "Xbox” in 2025 · thoughts as we come off this year's games showcase · and how we feel about the future of the platform Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 1:32 Just what is "Xbox" in 2025 3:40...
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June 25 / Atomfall & Giraffe fashion dilemmas
Hi everyone! In June's episode of "Aches & Games monthly" we talk about the delightfully British Atomfall plus everything else that we’ve been playing, watching and getting up to since last month. Plus a quick run through any news of the moment, as well as new and upcoming releases that have…
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May 25 / Blue Prince
Hi everyone! In May's episode of "Aches & Games monthly" we talk about the intriguing Blue Prince plus everything else that we’ve been playing, watching and getting up to since last month. Plus a quick run through some new and upcoming releases that have caught our eye. Timestamps: 0:00 Intros…
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Our Nintendo-based gaming memories - an A&G special episode
Hi everyone In our latest **special episode** of Aches & Gameswe reminisce while sharing our Nintendo-based gaming memories - from the NES and Game Boy all the way up to the Switch while also looking ahead to the Switch 2. Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 1:08 The early home consoles (NES, SNES and N64)...
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April 25 / Lost Records: Bloom & Rage
Hi everyone! In April's "Aches & Games monthly" we talk: Lost Records: Bloom & Rage plus everything else that we’ve been playing, watching and getting up to since last month. Plus we discuss the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct and some new and notable games hitting Game Pass and PS+ this month....
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March 25 / The Stanley Parable
Hi everyone! Welcome to March's "Aches & Games monthly". As well as what we’ve been playing, watching and getting up to since last month, we discuss The Stanley Parable - February's mind-bending game of the month . Plus we talk about a pretty stacked State of Play stream from Sony, an adorable...
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February 2025 / Synth Riders
Hi everyone! Welcome to February's "Aches & Games monthly". As well as what we’ve been playing, watching and getting up to since our last time together, we discuss Synth Riders - January's game of the month and our first ever VR choice. Plus we talk about the recent Developer Direct from Xbox…
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Hi, we're Aches & Games!
A monthly check in between two slightly older British friends chatting about what we've been doing, playing and what's happened in the gaming world. Plus, the feed also had special episodes covering things like our games of the year, favourite gaming memories and reactions to the biggest gaming...
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January 2025 / Indiana Jones & the Great Circle
Hi everyone! Welcome to our first ever "Aches & Games monthly" - which you might recognise as just a slightly tweaked version of our regular monthly catch-up show. As well as what we’ve been playing, watching and getting up to since our last time together, we discuss Indiana Jones & The Great...
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Our (Aches &) Games of 2024 - an A&G special episode
Hi everyone :) In this first ever **special episode** of Aches & Games we cut straight to the gaming and run down our own favourite games of 2024 (or rather the favourite games we each played during 2024). *Five picks each (with some crossover perhaps?) *“Honourable mentions” *Our surprises of…
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December 24 – Black Ops, The Chaos Engine & celebrating reaching level 2!
Hi everyone! In this month's show we’re celebrating our one whole year of the podcast by looking back on our highs & lows AND reveal some upcoming changes to the show for 2025. Plus, we follow up on November’s controversial choice of having two “game of the month”s, we choose December’s game and...
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November 24 - Easy does it? / Dead Space Remake
Hi everyone! In this month's show we nurse wounds and wounded egos from the Dead Space Remake bringing us on to the thorny issue of gaming difficulty. Plus November's choice (or rather choices) for Games of the month, James' half-term Halloween fun, Giles' unpopular movie opinions and the usual...
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October 24 - Ghosts, Ghouls & Gaming / Age of Mythology Retold
We celebrate spooky season by discussing some of our favourite ghoulish games and choosing a season-appropriate choice for October's game of the month. Plus our thoughts on Age of Mythology Retold (September's choice), how Giles actually "went west" and the usual catch-ups, tangents and general...
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Episode 10 - Gaming Subscription pros and cons / Jeanne d'Arc (September 2024)
Summer's gone but we're back with a discussion of the pros and cons of PS+ and Xbox Game Pass as well as our thoughts on Jeanne d'Arc, a hidden gem from the PSP and 2007 which was August's play-along game of the month. Plus James relives a holiday that didn't go quite to plan and some rather more...
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Episode 9 - Our favourite Summer Games / Still Wakes the Deep (August 2024)
It's August (already!) so we share some of our favourite "Summer" games as well as our thoughts on the decidedly un-summery Still Wakes The Deep which was July's play-along game of the month. Plus James talks a look at Lorelei and the Laser Eyes, and explore the (early) depths of Hellblade among...
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Episode 8 - Animal Well & Showcase Season (July 2024)
In July's episode we share some picks from the recent summer showcases and our thoughts on Animal Well, our inaugural (great word right) play-along game of the month. Plus James talks completing the delightfully deranged Disco Elysium and the brilliant bleakness of Bramble, while Giles ponders...
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Episode 7 - Why older games rule (June 2024)
In June's episode we discuss the news that older games are dominating people's playing time and if we might be part of the problem? Plus Giles walks through stunning landscapes and complicated feelings on Hellblade 2, James investigates Disco Elysium and we compare thoughts on our respective time...
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Episode 6 - Variety is the spice of life? (May 2024)
Join us for this month's episode including James' muddy ending, Giles' conflicted feelings on his time at Hogwarts and where we discuss what "counts" as a game. Plus all the usual (and unusual) nonsense about life, and gaming on Xbox, PlayStation 5, Switch and PC Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 2:59 What...
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Episode 5 - Ratchet, Clank & the "perfect" length for games (April 2024)
Join us for April's episode where we contrast our Easter breaks, compare thoughts on #RatchetandClank and discuss what's the "perfect" length for games. Plus all the usual (and unusual) nonsense about life, and gaming on Xbox, Playstation 5, Switch and PC Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 2:04 What we've…
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Episode 4 - Remasters, bears (?) & b*llsed-up backs
In March's episode we discuss the recent rushing river of remakes & remasters and indulge our fondness for other forms of alliteration. Plus the usual catch ups on what we've been doing and playing during the past month. Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 2:40 February ramblings 17:01 What we've been playing...
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Episode 3 - What's in store for '24
We're back for another brand-new episode and with James' fancy new mic (yep, pretty jealous tbf). With both Xbox & PlayStation having shown us what they have coming in 2024, we react to their Developer_Direct and recent State of Play events. Plus the usual catch ups on what we've been doing and...
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Episode 2 - Our Games of 2023*
Happy new year! We're back for our second episode with brand new microphones and despite some gremlins in the recording software. This month we catch up on a busy Christmas period, discuss our favourite games that we played in 2023 (hence the *) and share a few of our gaming new year's…
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Episode 1 - Origin Story
Introducing ourselves & the pod and chatting through our personal gaming journeys*. *No radioactive spiders involved, as far as we know. And yes, sorry about Giles' microphone issues, we'll sort it out!
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
A relaxed monthly chat between two *slightly older* British friends - talking life, gaming (and basically whatever other nonsense comes to mind). We're currently playing on Xbox, PlayStation 5 plus a bit of PC and Nintendo Switch action.Our regular episodes drop every first Friday of the month.
HOSTED BY
Giles Nicholson, James Hopes
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Aches and Games have?
Aches and Games currently has 40 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Aches and Games about?
A relaxed monthly chat between two *slightly older* British friends - talking life, gaming (and basically whatever other nonsense comes to mind). We're currently playing on Xbox, PlayStation 5 plus a bit of PC and Nintendo Switch action.Our regular episodes drop every first Friday of the month.
How often does Aches and Games release new episodes?
Aches and Games has 40 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Aches and Games?
You can listen to Aches and Games on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Aches and Games?
Aches and Games is created and hosted by Giles Nicholson, James Hopes.
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