135. Chasing Other Games Is a TRAP for Indie Devs

138. Cursemark Review

Welcome to the Fresh Juice podcast! Your go-to spot for in-depth reviews, insights, and discussions on indie games. We're passionate about uncovering hidden gems in the gaming world and giving indie developers the spotlight they deserve. In each episode, we dive deep into the gameplay, mechanics, and artistry of various indie games. We also feature exclusive interviews with developers, sharing their stories and the inspirations behind their games. Cursemark: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3219180/Cursemark/ [https://store.steampowered.com/app/3219180/Cursemark/] 🎮 Stay Juiced! 🍹 👍 If you enjoyed our video, please like, share, and subscribe. 🔔 Don't forget to hit the bell icon for notifications on our latest episodes. 📢 Follow us on our other platforms for more Fresh Juice: Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Xa3p4nP9JV7k5Fo6AfhHX [https://open.spotify.com/show/3Xa3p4nP9JV7k5Fo6AfhHX] Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/FreshJuicePod [https://www.twitter.com/FreshJuicePod] Discord: https://discord.gg/UrCFuV532e [https://discord.gg/UrCFuV532e] For business inquiries or if you're an indie developer wanting to feature your game: freshjuicepod@gmail.com NEWS: Steam Next Fest is live until June 22nd - https://store.steampowered.com/sale/nextfest [https://store.steampowered.com/sale/nextfest] Forbidden Solitaire FREE Art Book Update - https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/3414580/view/713403977890267250?l=english [https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/3414580/view/713403977890267250?l=english] Notable Releases This Week: * FISH - https://store.steampowered.com/app/4312850/FISH/ [https://store.steampowered.com/app/4312850/FISH/] * Junkster - https://store.steampowered.com/app/1675860/Junkster/ [https://store.steampowered.com/app/1675860/Junkster/] Rec Room: * RuneScape: Dragonwilds updates * Brats Description tags: fresh juice podcast,indie game podcast,indie games,cursemark,cursemark review,cursemark gameplay

137. Mina The Hollower Review

Welcome to the Fresh Juice podcast! Your go-to spot for in-depth reviews, insights, and discussions on indie games. We're passionate about uncovering hidden gems in the gaming world and giving indie developers the spotlight they deserve. In each episode, we dive deep into the gameplay, mechanics, and artistry of various indie games. We also feature exclusive interviews with developers, sharing their stories and the inspirations behind their games. Yacht Club Games is back, and they didn't just make a follow-up to Shovel Knight — they made something that might actually top it. This week we're diving into Mina the Hollower, the gothic horror action-adventure that just launched on May 29th after years of anticipation and a delay from its original Halloween 2025 release date. You play as Mina, a genius mouse inventor and member of the Hollower's Guild, who returns to the cursed Tenebrous Isle to restore her Spark Generators — and finds a whole lot of monsters, mystery, and mayhem waiting for her. Think top-down Zelda meets Castlevania, rendered in a jaw-dropping Game Boy Color aesthetic with a Jake Kaufman soundtrack that goes hard. We get into all of it: the burrowing mechanic that makes combat feel completely unlike anything else, the trinket system that lets you totally reinvent your playstyle, the souls-like difficulty that rewards patience over brute force, and whether the story holds up to the spectacle around it. Plus — is the $19.99 price tag worth it, and does it earn the "mouse-terpiece" label critics are slapping on it? Mina The Hollower: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1875580/Mina_the_Hollower/ [https://store.steampowered.com/app/1875580/Mina_the_Hollower/] 🎮 Stay Juiced! 🍹 👍 If you enjoyed our video, please like, share, and subscribe. 🔔 Don't forget to hit the bell icon for notifications on our latest episodes. 📢 Follow us on our other platforms for more Fresh Juice: Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Xa3p4nP9JV7k5Fo6AfhHX [https://open.spotify.com/show/3Xa3p4nP9JV7k5Fo6AfhHX] Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/FreshJuicePod [https://www.twitter.com/FreshJuicePod] Discord: https://discord.gg/UrCFuV532e [https://discord.gg/UrCFuV532e] For business inquiries or if you're an indie developer wanting to feature your game: freshjuicepod@gmail.com [freshjuicepod@gmail.com] Notable Releases This Week * 33 Immortals https://store.steampowered.com/app/958520/33_Immortals/ [https://store.steampowered.com/app/958520/33_Immortals/] * Trials Survivors - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3762660/Trials_Survivors/ [https://store.steampowered.com/app/3762660/Trials_Survivors/] NEWS: * Game announcements recap - https://gamesrecap.io/?showcases=300,280,278,277,302 [https://gamesrecap.io/?showcases=300,280,278,277,302] * Nintendo Direct tomorrow (6/9) - https://www.nintendo.today/en-US/contents/0e70d0b6-d79a-4922-a8af-1ee3f9a14a7d [https://www.nintendo.today/en-US/contents/0e70d0b6-d79a-4922-a8af-1ee3f9a14a7d] * Vampire Survivors: Legacy of the Bloodmoon is coming this summer! - https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1794680/view/693137145499484494?l=english [https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1794680/view/693137145499484494?l=english] * No Rest 1.0 date https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1371980/view/667240813476973385?l=english [https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1371980/view/667240813476973385?l=english] Game Updates: * Grind Survivors - The Skill Tree & Enemy Variety Update! - https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/3816930/view/706647310215414364?l=english [https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/3816930/view/706647310215414364?l=english] REC ROOM: Workaholics - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1610527/ [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1610527/] Coin-o-matic - Deer Tick https://open.spotify.com/prerelease/0adRFOWXf5lvqSlLzK2GOx [https://open.spotify.com/prerelease/0adRFOWXf5lvqSlLzK2GOx] Description tags: fresh juice podcast,indie game podcast,indie games,mina the hollower, mina review, mina the hollower review

136. Summer Games Fest Is NOT What E3 Was...

Welcome to the Fresh Juice podcast! Your go-to spot for in-depth reviews, insights, and discussions on indie games. We're passionate about uncovering hidden gems in the gaming world and giving indie developers the spotlight they deserve. In each episode, we dive deep into the gameplay, mechanics, and artistry of various indie games. We also feature exclusive interviews with developers, sharing their stories and the inspirations behind their games 🎮 Stay Juiced! 🍹 👍 If you enjoyed our video, please like, share, and subscribe. 🔔 Don't forget to hit the bell icon for notifications on our latest episodes. 📢 Follow us on our other platforms for more Fresh Juice: Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Xa3p4nP9JV7k5Fo6AfhHX [https://open.spotify.com/show/3Xa3p4nP9JV7k5Fo6AfhHX] Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/FreshJuicePod [https://www.twitter.com/FreshJuicePod] Discord: https://discord.gg/UrCFuV532e [https://discord.gg/UrCFuV532e] For business inquiries or if you're an indie developer wanting to feature your game: freshjuicepod@gmail.com 00:00 Intro 00:28 Catch Up / What We've Been Playing 11:34 Juicy Take 21:13 Notable Releases 55:08 Listener Questions 01:00:42 Rec Room NEWS: * Summer Game Fest on Friday - https://www.summergamefest.com/ [https://www.summergamefest.com/] * Announcing Wild n Chill - https://store.steampowered.com/news/?emclan=103582791474991854&emgid=659358246189924926 [https://store.steampowered.com/news/?emclan=103582791474991854&emgid=659358246189924926] * Introducing..No Man's Sky: The Swarm - https://store.steampowered.com/news/?emclan=103582791438685735&emgid=695387676933620522 [https://store.steampowered.com/news/?emclan=103582791438685735&emgid=695387676933620522] * The Mix Summer Showcase: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/30894338/sale/TheMIXSummerGameShowcase2026 [https://store.steampowered.com/curator/30894338/sale/TheMIXSummerGameShowcase2026] Notable Releases This Week: * Solarpunk - https://store.steampowered.com/app/1805110/ [https://store.steampowered.com/app/1805110/] * Cursemark - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3219180/ [https://store.steampowered.com/app/3219180/] * Gombo - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2649860/Gombo/ [https://store.steampowered.com/app/2649860/Gombo/] * Slots & Diapers https://store.steampowered.com/app/4409870/Slots__Diapers/ [https://store.steampowered.com/app/4409870/Slots__Diapers/] Game Updates: * Gambonanza 1.2.0 Update - https://store.steampowered.com/news/?emclan=103582791475063895&emgid=711150909845932295 [https://store.steampowered.com/news/?emclan=103582791475063895&emgid=711150909845932295] * 9 Kings Multiplayer Improvements - https://store.steampowered.com/news/?emclan=103582791474419047&emgid=681877512269071127 [https://store.steampowered.com/news/?emclan=103582791474419047&emgid=681877512269071127] * Cast N Chill - Old Moose Cabin Update - https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/3483740/view/659358246189924926?l=english [https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/3483740/view/659358246189924926?l=english] Rec Room: Fever Tree Bevs - https://fever-tree.com/en-us/range [https://fever-tree.com/en-us/range] Dropped Frames - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-oTJHKXHicT61ztYmcNGKaKBf03aOUuN [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-oTJHKXHicT61ztYmcNGKaKBf03aOUuN] Description tags: fresh juice podcast,indie game podcast,indie games,summer games fest,summer games fest 2025,e3,indie game news

135. Chasing Other Games Is a TRAP for Indie Devs

Welcome to the Fresh Juice podcast! Your go-to spot for in-depth reviews, insights, and discussions on indie games. We're passionate about uncovering hidden gems in the gaming world and giving indie developers the spotlight they deserve. In each episode, we dive deep into the gameplay, mechanics, and artistry of various indie games. We also feature exclusive interviews with developers, sharing their stories and the inspirations behind their games 🎮 Stay Juiced! 🍹 👍 If you enjoyed our video, please like, share, and subscribe. 🔔 Don't forget to hit the bell icon for notifications on our latest episodes. 📢 Follow us on our other platforms for more Fresh Juice: Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Xa3p4nP9JV7k5Fo6AfhHX [https://open.spotify.com/show/3Xa3p4nP9JV7k5Fo6AfhHX] Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/FreshJuicePod [https://www.twitter.com/FreshJuicePod] Discord: https://discord.gg/UrCFuV532e [https://discord.gg/UrCFuV532e] For business inquiries or if you're an indie developer wanting to feature your game: freshjuicepod@gmail.com CHAPTERS * 00:00:00 Welcome and Episode 135 Introduction * 00:01:26 Weekend Catch-Up: World Turtle Day and Family Memorial Day Party * 00:08:20 Tommy's Weekend: Medieval Times and Family Gatherings * 00:10:28 Discord Announcement and Juicy Take Segment * 00:10:39 Juicy Take: Chasing Other Games Is a Trap for Indie Devs * 00:17:11 What We've Been Playing: Black Jacket and Balatro * 00:24:32 Notable Indie Releases: Enter the Chronosphere and Mina the Hollower * 00:33:27 Gaming News: Slots and Daggers Console Release * 00:36:59 Gaming Discussion: Kart Maker and AAA vs Indie Innovation * 00:44:51 Game Updates: Death Hell Rebirth Mode and Skull Horde Blood Feast * 00:48:54 Listener Questions: Arcade Games and George Washington * 00:59:34 Rec Room Recommendations and Closing NEWS: Slots & Daggers coming to PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, Xbox One, and Switch on May 15 - https://www.gematsu.com/2026/05/slots-daggers-coming-to-ps5-xbox-series-ps4-xbox-one-and-switch-on-may-15 [https://www.gematsu.com/2026/05/slots-daggers-coming-to-ps5-xbox-series-ps4-xbox-one-and-switch-on-may-15] If Nintendo won't make a Mario Kart maker, this indie game could be the next best thing - https://www.creativebloq.com/3d/video-game-design/nintendo-wont-make-a-mario-kart-maker-so-an-indie-devs-done-it-instead [https://www.creativebloq.com/3d/video-game-design/nintendo-wont-make-a-mario-kart-maker-so-an-indie-devs-done-it-instead] Notable Releases This Week: * Enter the Chronosphere [https://store.steampowered.com/app/1969810/Enter_the_Chronosphere/] * Mina the Hollower [https://store.steampowered.com/app/1875580/Mina_the_Hollower/] * Romestead - https://store.steampowered.com/app/1805320/Romestead/ [https://store.steampowered.com/app/1805320/Romestead/] Rec Room: * Margarita Recipe * Arizona Iced Tea Description tags: fresh juice podcast,indie game podcast,indie games,indie game news,indie game releases,enter the chronosphere,mina the hollower,romestead

134. Black Jacket Review

Welcome to the Fresh Juice podcast! Your go-to spot for in-depth reviews, insights, and discussions on indie games. We're passionate about uncovering hidden gems in the gaming world and giving indie developers the spotlight they deserve. In each episode, we dive deep into the gameplay, mechanics, and artistry of various indie games. We also feature exclusive interviews with developers, sharing their stories and the inspirations behind their games Black Jacket: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3100370/Black_Jacket/ [https://store.steampowered.com/app/3100370/Black_Jacket/] 🎮 Stay Juiced! 🍹 👍 If you enjoyed our video, please like, share, and subscribe. 🔔 Don't forget to hit the bell icon for notifications on our latest episodes. 📢 Follow us on our other platforms for more Fresh Juice: Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Xa3p4nP9JV7k5Fo6AfhHX [https://open.spotify.com/show/3Xa3p4nP9JV7k5Fo6AfhHX] Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/FreshJuicePod [https://www.twitter.com/FreshJuicePod] Discord: https://discord.gg/UrCFuV532e [https://discord.gg/UrCFuV532e] For business inquiries or if you're an indie developer wanting to feature your game: freshjuicepod@gmail.com 00:00 Intro 00:57 Catch Up / What We've Been Playing 19:00 Juicy Take 42:24 Black Jacket Review 42:24 Gameplay 57:19 Story 01:02:10 Visuals 01:05:24 Sound & Music 01:08:30 Performance 01:10:44 Final Rating 01:17:44 Listener Questions 01:29:21 Rec Room NEWS: Notable Releases This Week: * Dice Have No Eyes - https://store.steampowered.com/app/4535880/Dice_Have_No_Eyes/ [https://store.steampowered.com/app/4535880/Dice_Have_No_Eyes/] * DRG Rogue Core - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2605790/Deep_Rock_Galactic_Rogue_Core/ [https://store.steampowered.com/app/2605790/Deep_Rock_Galactic_Rogue_Core/] * Rune Dice - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3542380/Rune_Dice/ [https://store.steampowered.com/app/3542380/Rune_Dice/] Rec Room: * Dreadmoor Playtest - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3629430/DREADMOOR/ [https://store.steampowered.com/app/3629430/DREADMOOR/] * Realm of Reckoning - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ivstudios/realm-of-reckoning [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ivstudios/realm-of-reckoning] Description tags: fresh juice podcast,indie game podcast,indie games,black jacket,black jacket review,black jacket gameplay