The Strictly Casual Podcast

We Haven’t Been This Into Pokémon Since FireRed & LeafGreen

Fire Red and Leaf Green releasing on Switch 2 has snowballed out of control into a full on Pokémon obsession. The boys talk about playing through the games for the first time in over a decade and what our love for Pokémon has turned into. We also review Pokémon Pokopia, chat about card collecting in 2026, Champions, GO, and everything else under the pocket monster sun.  But this episode is really about something else. Ryder has never played Pokémon. No nostalgia. No Gen 1 roster burned into memory. Nothing. So James and Vincent walk him through the world from zero and see what actually sticks. And of course, Ryder has to make a call most of us made without thinking as kids. Which Gen 1 starter is your pick.  #Pokemon #FireRedAndLeafGreen #Pokopia #Collecting #PokemonChampions

Is Project Hail Mary (2026) a Modern Sci-Fi Classic?

Is Project Hail Mary a modern Sci-fi classic?The boys are back (for the first time in 4 months…so sorry) with the insatiable desire to talk about all things Rocky and Gosling. We left the theater buzzing. We get into the book vs movie differences, pull apart the themes, dissect how this thing looks, and talk through what makes this one stick.Our Discord community has been so lovely! We’ve been chatting about what we’re playing, watching and reading and we’d love to have you! Join here: https://discord.gg/pZQV9fcMKN #ProjectHailMary #RyanGosling #AndyWeir #Film

Valve's Steam Machine Could Change Your Gaming Habits + Game Awards 2025 Predictions

With the Game Awards 2025 right around the corner, we share our predictions for Game of the Year, potential surprises, and which studios might walk away with the biggest wins. Tune in to our LIVE coverage of The Game Awards Thursday Dec. 11.  Also, Valve has announced a new Steam Machine, a powerful PC-console hybrid designed to bring Steam gaming straight to your living room. We discuss specs, features, price expectations, and whether this new device can compete. Our Discord community has been so lovely! We’ve been chatting about what we’re playing, watching and reading and we’d love to have you! Join here: https://discord.gg/pZQV9fcMKN

HEAT (1995) - Did Pacino and De Niro Redefine Crime Thrillers?

Pacino and De Niro go toe-to-toe in HEAT (1995) as Michael Mann delivers one of the greatest crime thrillers ever. We dig into what the movie is really saying, why it feels like a love letter to Los Angeles, and, of course, the insane shootout that has earned legendary status. Plus, we also chat a bit about One Battle After Another! #Heat #AlPacino #RobertDeNiro #MichaelMann --------------------------------------------------- Welcome to The Strictly Casual Podcast! Whether you have been here for the last few years, or this is your first introduction to Strictly Casual— we are so glad you are here.Our goal is to build a community bound by stories told through Movies, TV, & Games. If you are even remotely interested in any of these topics, you're in the right place.  Join our discord: ⁠https://discord.gg/6wGv89kvMb⁠ [https://discord.gg/6wGv89kvMb] YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/strictlycasual⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/strictlycasual]⁠⁠  Social links: ⁠⁠⁠https://strictlycasual.co/pages/social-platforms [https://strictlycasual.co/pages/social-platforms]

What We’ve Been Playing: August 2025 Games Recap

2025 has been stacked with games, and August was no exception. We’ve been deep in the Battlefield 6 beta, exploring the dark streets of Lies of P, getting lost in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and venturing into Dune: Awakening plus plenty more. We share what’s hitting, what’s missing, and what might be next. #battlefield6 #clairobscurexpedition33 #duneawakening #liesofp #thebazaar --------------------------------------------------- Welcome to The Strictly Casual Podcast! Whether you have been here for the last few years, or this is your first introduction to Strictly Casual— we are so glad you are here.Our goal is to build a community bound by stories told through Movies, TV, & Games. If you are even remotely interested in any of these topics, you're in the right place. Join our discord: https://discord.gg/6wGv89kvMb [https://discord.gg/6wGv89kvMb] YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/strictlycasual [https://www.youtube.com/strictlycasual]⁠⁠  Social links: ⁠⁠https://strictlycasual.co/pages/social-platforms [https://strictlycasual.co/pages/social-platforms]