In this episode Bryan and Josh are diving into UFO 50, the long-awaited indie collaboration from Derek Yu, Jon Perry, Eirik Suhrke, Paul Hubans, Ojiro Fumoto, and Tyriq Plummer collects fifty original games into one sprawling anthology made by a fictional company called UFO Soft between 1982 and 1989. They explore its meta-narrative, collective authorship, its “lost console” aesthetic, and how its ambitious scope becomes a keen commentary on the experience of creating games across a console generation. From the clever chaos of Party House to the moody depths of Porgy and the sprawling weirdness of Grimstone, we’ll talk about which games could stand alone and which thrive because they exist in conversation with the rest. Not every game shines equally, but together they form a unique love letter to game-making and retro gaming.

Three Word Reviews:

Bryan - Crafty Creative Cornucopia

Josh - A Design Feast

Show Notes:

TIGsource - The Indie Game Source

In this episode of Pixelated Playgrounds, Bryan and Josh explore the impossible geometry of Monument Valley, the 2014 iOS puzzle classic from ustwo games that transformed the mobile landscape with its serene vibes, minimalist Escher-inspired design, and ingenious visual mechanics. Listen in as the guys dive into the game’s meditative atmosphere, its sparse but evocative storytelling through Princess Ida’s journey, and the meticulous development process that focused on polish over size. They also reflect on how Monument Valley stood apart in an era of noisy, ad-driven free-to-play titles, becoming a landmark “art game” that proved mobile experiences could be elegant, premium, and profoundly moving—all while sparking a legacy that continues to influence indie design today.

Three Word Reviews:

Bryan - Platform Perspective Shift

Josh - Delightful Puzzle Box

Show Notes:

Relativity, MC. Escher

US Two Interview Article

In this episode of Pixelated Playgrounds, Bryan and Josh dive into Cipher Zero, the minimalist logic puzzler developed by Boston-based indie studio Zapdot and released in July 2025. Beginning life as a Ludum Dare entrant, Cipher Zero has evolved into a sprawling collection of nearly 400 handcrafted puzzles, each one teaching players through experimentation rather than exposition. With its sleek UI, geometric art, and reactive industrial soundtrack, the game communicates ideas wordlessly, then layers and recombines them to expand what’s possible within its puzzle language. The guys explore its satisfying rule discovery, linear progression, and the elegance of its design choices while also considering where its lack of hints or philosophical pretension set it apart from genre peers. Spoilers abound after the first 29 minutes, so join us as we pick apart how Cipher Zero turns tile toggling into a gamified learning curve full of gratifying “aha” moments.

Three Word Reviews:

Bryan - Gamified Learning Curve

Josh - Start with Silence

Show Notes:

Composer - Will Seegers

Chris Remo

Josh’s Talk for Roguelike Celebration 2023

A Monster’s Expedition: Through Puzzling Exhibitions & Snakebird