Low Five Gaming

Alex and Luke talk Portal and Portal 2.
Portal is a 2007 puzzle-platform game developed and published by Valve. It was released in a bundle, The Orange Box, for Windows, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, and has been since ported to other systems, including Mac OS X, Linux, Android (via Nvidia Shield), and Nintendo Switch. The game consists of a series of puzzles that must be solved by teleporting the player's character and simple objects using "the Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device", often referred to as the "portal gun", a device that can create inter-spatial portals between two flat planes.
Portal 2 is a 2011 puzzle-platform video game developed by Valve for Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. The digital PC version is distributed online by Valve's Steam service, while all retail editions were distributed by Electronic Arts. A port for the Nintendo Switch was included as part of Portal: Companion Collection. Like the original, players solve puzzles by placing portals and teleporting between them. Portal 2 adds features including tractor beams, lasers, light bridges, and paint-like gels that alter player movement or allow portals to be placed on any surface. In the single-player campaign, players control Chell, who navigates the dilapidated Aperture Science Enrichment Center during its reconstruction by the supercomputer GLaDOS
Alex played Portal and Portal 2 on the Steam Deck while Luke played Portal: Companion Collection on the Nintendo Switch.
This episode is unofficially brought to you in part by CRT TVs.
The song "Still Alive" was written by Jonathan Coulton and performed by Ellen McLain for the 2007 video game Portal.

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Theme music is by AJ Norman. Design assets were created by Studio Day Job.
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Luke and Alex Talk Dredge.
Dredge is a chilling indie fishing video game developed by New Zealand-based studio Black Salt Games and published by Team17. The game introduces players to an unnamed fisherman who, as he delves deeper into the expansive open-world archipelago, confronts increasingly Lovecraftian marine creatures, making each fishing venture a dive into the abyss.
The highly anticipated title was released on March 30, 2023, for multiple platforms, from Microsoft Windows to the Nintendo Switch and next-gen consoles. Critics and players have been captivated by its unique blend of serene fishing mechanics juxtaposed with the looming dread of the ocean's monstrous secrets. As of publication, the game holds a score of 85 on metacritic.com.
According to howlongtobeat.com, when zeroing in on the core missions, Dredge unfolds over approximately nine hours. However, for the completionists aiming to uncover every sunken treasure and monstrous fish, the game extends to roughly 17 hours.
Alex dove into the eerie waters of Dredge on his Nintendo Switch, appreciating the game's atmospheric tension and intricate mechanics. On the other hand, Luke set sail on his Xbox Series X, making full use of the game's unique panic and day-night features to face the marine horrors head-on. Both hosts braved the game's Lovecraftian depths, contending with the harrowing hallucinations and gigantic sea monsters. However, only time will tell whose fishing expedition was more successful.
This episode is unofficially brought to you in part by frozen pizza.

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Theme music is by AJ Norman. Design assets were created by Studio Day Job.
Low Five Gaming is a Studio Low Five Production.

In this spoiler-free episode, hosts Alex and Luke dive into the expansive world of "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom," the eagerly-awaited sequel to "Breath of the Wild." Despite Luke's 50-hour gameplay journey, he's yet to progress the storyline past the Wind Temple, which allows us to keep the major plot points under wraps.

Developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch, Tears of the Kingdom propels you into the sprawling landscapes of Hyrule and the mysterious islands floating in the vast skies above​​. The game is a testament to Nintendo's commitment to addressing player critiques from the last game and enhancing the gameplay experience in this latest entry.
We explore a range of topics, from the intricate map design and the joy of exploration, to the innovative weapon durability system. The master hand, fuse, and ascend abilities are other standout features that get our attention in this discussion.
Of course, comparisons to Breath of the Wild are inevitable, and we delve into why Tears of the Kingdom stands tall as a fantastic sequel. If you loved the first game, this follow-up seems to take everything to the next level.
Tears of the Kingdom has received acclaim for its improvements, expanded open world, and features encouraging exploration and experimentation. It sold more than 10 million copies in its first three days of release. As of publication, the game has a score of 95 on metacritic.com.

This episode is unofficially brought to you in part by dads.

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Theme music is by AJ Norman. Design assets were created by Studio Day Job.
Low Five Gaming is a Studio Low Five Production.

Alex and Luke talk Inscryption.
Inscryption is a psychological horror, rouguelike deck-building game that has been praised for its unique blend of genres and captivating storytelling. Developed by Daniel Mullins Games and published by Devolver Digital, the game takes players on a dark and twisted journey through a mysterious forest. Along the way, players must gather cards, build a deck, and use their strategic skills to battle against a variety of terrifying creatures.

What sets Inscryption apart from other deck-building games is its innovative gameplay mechanics, which incorporate elements of puzzle-solving, exploration, and even escape room-style challenges. Each card in the game has its own unique abilities, and players must use these cards to overcome obstacles, defeat enemies, and uncover the secrets of the forest. With a gripping storyline and unexpected twists and turns, Inscryption is a must-play for fans of horror, puzzle, and deck-building games alike.

Inscryption was released for Windows on October 19, 2021. It was released on Linux and macOS on June 22, 2022, which was followed by PlayStation 4 and 5 versions in August. A Nintendo Switch port was released in December 2022. Versions for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S released in April 2023. Inscryption has received generally positive reviews and won several Game of the Year awards. The game sold 1 million copies by January 2022. As of publication of this podcast, the PC version of the game has a Metascore of 85 and a User Score of 8.6 on metacritic.com.
Alex played Inscryption on his PC and Steam Deck. Luke played on his gaming laptop. Both hosts had completed act one at the time of recording.
This episode is unofficially brought to you in part by grillin' season!
Sidequestin':
Alex: Vader, Cocaine Bear, Death's Door, Logitech G920, Dreamcast, PS2
Luke: The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap, Skyrim, MLB The Show
Referenced guest spots:

• Pixel Project Radio (Death's Door)
• Tales from The Backlog (Read Dead Redemption 2)

Send us a Text Message! We'll respond on our next episode!

Support the show

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​Visit us at LowFiveGaming.com.
Join the Low Five Discord!
Email us at [email protected].
Theme music is by AJ Norman. Design assets were created by Studio Day Job.
Low Five Gaming is a Studio Low Five Production.

Subscriber-only episode

Get ready to level up your gaming insights as Alex recaps June's Nintendo Direct! We'll be dishing on the latest game reveals, such as Pokémon Scarlet and Violet DLC, Sonic Superstars, Palia, Persona 5 Tactical, Myth Force, and Splatoon 3 Splatfest (Ice Cream). Even if you're not a die-hard fan of these particular games, you'll appreciate the excitement stirring in the gaming community.
But wait, there's more! In the second part of our episode, we'll discuss the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Volume One, Vampire Survivors, Headbangers Rhythm Royale, Penny's Big Breakaway, Mario Kart 8, and the Star Ocean remake. Find out how the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection could be your gateway to the franchise and why Vampire Survivors is long overdue for the Switch. Plus, we'll explore the additional content for Mario Kart 8. So grab your controller and join us for this fun-filled gaming extravaganza!

Visit us at LowFiveGaming.com.
Join the Low Five Discord!
Email us at [email protected].
Theme music is by AJ Norman. Design assets were created by Studio Day Job.
Low Five Gaming is a Studio Low Five Production.