Welcome to a Special Bonus Christmas Episode of 'Games Every Designer Should Play,' the podcast that explores the world of game design by analysing some of the greatest games of all time. Join experienced Game Design lecturers Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they delve into Tetris, exploring its elegant simplicity, how it mastered the core gameplay loop, and the importance of player choice.

Spoiler alert for The Game! 🚨 We STRONGLY advise you to play before listening—also Spoilers for The Witness, The Last of Us: Part 2, and Batman: Arkham Knight.

In this episode, we dive into Tetris and explore its timeless design, from its elegant simplicity to its addictive gameplay loop. We discuss how the game excels by focusing on a single core mechanic—clearing lines through falling blocks—while examining its strategic depth, the importance of player choice, and how planning ahead keeps players engaged. Plus, a special Christmas surprise of David and Adrian.

📧 Email us your comments or questions on the game discussed in the next episode at shouldplaypodcast@gmail.com

Don't forget to subscribe, like, and share! #GameDesign #Podcast #GamesEveryDesignerShouldPlay #Tetris

Thank you for tuning in! 🎧✨

We are @ShouldPlayPod on Instagram, Twitter Blue Sky, Threads, and YouTube.

=== CREDITS ===

Music by Vasil Trofimov from Pixabay.

Sound Effects by floraphonic from Pixabay.

Welcome to Episode 07 of 'Games Every Designer Should Play,' the podcast that explores the world of game design by analysing some of the greatest games of all time. Join experienced Game Design lecturers Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they delve into Batman: Arkham Asylum, exploring its groundbreaking Freeflow Combat, immersive environment, and how it set a new standard for superhero games.

Spoiler alert for The Game! 🚨 We STRONGLY advise you to play before listening.

In this episode, we dive into Batman: Arkham Asylum and examine its masterful world-building, from subtle nods to Gotham’s wider universe to its immersive atmosphere. We discuss how the game succeeds by focusing on a few core mechanics—like Freeflow Combat and Predator gameplay—while debating its weaker elements such as boss fights and whether Detective Mode enhanced or undermined the experience.

Featuring feedback from listeners and the verdict: Is Batman: Arkham Asylum a must-play for every designer?

📧 Email us your comments or questions on the game discussed in the next episode at shouldplaypodcast@gmail.com

It's Adrian's turn to choose the game we must play for the next episode. Will it be beloved by all or could it be controversial? You'll have to listen to the end to find out! 👀

Don't forget to subscribe, like, and share! #GameDesign #Podcast #GamesEveryDesignerShouldPlay #ArkhamAsylum

Thank you for tuning in! 🎧✨

We are @ShouldPlayPod on Instagram, Twitter Blue Sky, Threads, and YouTube.

=== CREDITS ===

Music by Vasil Trofimov from Pixabay.

Sound Effects by floraphonic from Pixabay.

Welcome to Episode 06 of 'Games Every Designer Should Play,' the podcast that explores the world of game design by analysing some of the greatest games of all time. Join experienced Lecturers in Game Design, Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they navigate the reverse bullet-hell of VAMPIRE SURVIVORS, discussing its perfected core game loop and the beauty of its simplicity.

Spoiler alert for The Game! 🚨 We STRONGLY advise you to play before listening.

In this episode, we delve into the chaotic world of Vampire Survivors! We break down its brilliantly addictive core gameplay loop, explore the elegance of its simple yet effective design, and discuss how it masterfully condenses an entire game arc into a high-stakes 30-minute experience. We also examine how the game presents meaningful decisions to the player and balances overwhelming visuals with a sense of control. Along the way, there’s plenty of reminiscing about our favorite upgrades and one of us tries to explain why Vampire Survivors is like social media.

Featuring feedback from listeners and the verdict: Is Vampire Survivors a must-play for every designer?

📧 Email us your comments or questions on the game discussed in the next episode at shouldplaypodcast@gmail.com

It's Stuart's turn to choose the game we must play for the next episode. Will it be beloved by all or could it be controversial? You'll have to listen to the end to find out! 👀

Don't forget to subscribe, like, and share! #GameDesign #Podcast #GamesEveryDesignerShouldPlay #VampireSurvivors

Thank you for tuning in! 🎧✨

We are @ShouldPlayPod on Instagram, Twitter Blue Sky, Threads, and YouTube.

=== CREDITS ===

Music by Vasil Trofimov from Pixabay.

Sound Effects by floraphonic from Pixabay.

Edited by Helen Mitchell