Games Every Designer Should Play

Welcome to this bonus 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 descend into the minimalist, addictive, and brilliantly designed world of Downwell. 🚨 Spoiler alert for the game! We STRONGLY advise you to play before listening. In this episode, we explore what Downwell teaches us about game design — and why it stands as one of the best examples of doing more with less. Armed with little more than a simple control scheme, a procedurally generated well, and a pair of gunboots, Downwell creates an endlessly compelling gameplay loop built around mastery, momentum, and risk versus reward. We discuss how the game extracts remarkable depth from a tiny set of mechanics, why limitations and constraints often produce better design solutions, and how every action in the game serves multiple purposes. Along the way, we examine the psychology of falling rather than climbing, the importance of visual and audio "juice", how rapid run times make difficult games more approachable, and why Downwell remains a masterclass in elegant game design. Featuring feedback from listeners and the verdict: Is Downwell a must-play for every designer? 📧 Email us your comments or questions on the game discussed in the next episode at shouldplaypodcast@gmail.com Tune in next episode for Dorf Romantik! Don't forget to subscribe, like, and share! #Downwell #GameDesign #GamesEveryDesignerShouldPlay #IndieGames #Roguelike #GameDesignPodcast #ProceduralGeneration #GameDevelopment #GameFeel #DesignThinking Thank you for tuning in! 🎧✨ We are @ShouldPlayPod on Instagram, Twitter, BlueSky, Threads, and YouTube. === CREDITS === Music by Vasil Trofimov from Pixabay. Sound Effects by floraphonic from Pixabay. Thanks to Gary Mitchell for Technical Support.

Welcome to Episode 16 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 blast off into the vibrant, gravity-defying world of Super Mario Galaxy. 🚨 Spoiler alert for The Game! We STRONGLY advise you to play before listening. n this episode, we explore what Super Mario Galaxy teaches us about game design — and why it remains one of the most celebrated 3D platformers ever made. We break down how its innovative use of gravity reshapes 3D movement, how its tightly structured levels deliver constant variety, and why its game feel and presentation are so consistently satisfying. We also dig into the game’s more critical aspects, questioning whether its linear structure and repeated ideas hold it back compared to the sandbox freedom of Super Mario 64. Along the way, we discuss its unforgettable musical score, the joy of launching into each level, and the surprisingly emotional story of Rosalina. Featuring feedback from listeners and the verdict: Is Super Mario Galaxy a must-play for every designer? 🔴 BACK ADRIAN'S KICKSTARTER: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/zappedtothepast/zapped-to-the-past - The ZAPPED TO THE PAST C64 BOOK 🔴 📧 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! #SuperMarioGalaxy #GameDesign #GamesEveryDesignerShouldPlay #Nintendo #LevelDesign #GameFeel #Mario #GameDesignPodcast #DesignThinking Thank you for tuning in! 🎧✨ We are @ShouldPlayPod on Instagram, Twitter BlueSky, Threads, and YouTube. === CREDITS === Music by Vasil Trofimov from Pixabay. Sound Effects by floraphonic from Pixabay. Thanks to Gary Mitchell for Technical Support

Welcome to a Special 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 game design lecturers Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they return to Shadow Moses to unpack the legacy of Metal Gear Solid — one of the most influential and idiosyncratic games ever made. 🚨 Spoiler alert for the game! We strongly recommend playing Metal Gear Solid before listening. In this episode, we explore how Metal Gear Solid blends cinematic storytelling, memorable characters, and inventive stealth mechanics to create a landmark experience. We discuss its iconic boss fights and how they subvert player expectations, the way it famously breaks the fourth wall, and how countless small details — codec calls, animations, sound design, and contextual interactions — elevate the entire experience. On the critical side, we examine the game’s portrayal of female characters, questioning how well it has aged, and debate whether the second disc adds meaningful tension or feels like unnecessary padding. We also reflect on how its setting, tone, and ambition defined The Rule of Cool. 🎧 Featuring listener feedback and the verdict:Is Metal Gear Solid still a must-play for every designer? 📧 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 #MetalGearSolid #StealthGames #NarrativeDesign Thank you for tuning in — and happy holidays! 🎄🎧✨ We are @ShouldPlayPod on Instagram, Twitter, BlueSky, Threads, and YouTube. === CREDITS ===Music by Vasil Trofimov from Pixabay.Sound Effects by floraphonic from Pixabay.Thanks to Gary Mitchell for Technical Support.

Welcome to a Special Bonus Halloween 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 discuss Mouthwashing — a visceral indie game that shows us how to tell a powerful narrative. 🚨 Spoiler alert for The Game! We STRONGLY advise you to play before listening. In this episode, we discuss how Mouthwashing demonstrates the value of starting small, using a compact scope to deliver a focused and memorable experience. We explore how removing player choice can strengthen narrative impact, how environmental storytelling and sharp dialogue build emotional depth, and how leaning into limitations — whether in animation, art style, or level design — can lead to bold creative decisions. 📧 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 #IndieGames #NarrativeDesign #Mouthwashing 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. Thanks to Gary Mitchell for Technical Support

Welcome to Episode 12 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 descend into the chaotic, grotesque, and endlessly replayable world of The Binding of Isaac. 🚨 Spoiler alert for The Game! We STRONGLY advise you to play before listening. In this episode, we discuss how The Binding of Isaac turns randomness into both its greatest strength and biggest challenge. We compare it's gameplay to the act of gambling — where the anticipation of a great run keeps players coming back — and debate whether requiring players to learn so much outside the game is good or bad design. Featuring feedback from listeners and the verdict: Is The Binding of Isaac 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 #BindingOfIsaac #IndieGames #Roguelike #GameMechanics 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. Thanks to Gary Mitchell for Technical Support

Welcome to Episode 10 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 dive into Return of the Obra Dinn—a genre-defying deduction game that puts players in the role of a 19th-century insurance investigator aboard a ghost ship. Spoiler alert for The Game! 🚨 We STRONGLY advise you to play before listening. In this episode, we talk about Return of the Obra Dinn's distinctive and effective soundtrack, how the game’s tight constraints (from visuals to location to mechanics) actually enhance creativity, and how the deductive gameplay allows for multiple valid paths to a solution. We also explored how the game masterfully manufactures “aha!” moments—rewarding players not through traditional level progression, but through the satisfaction of piecing together a mystery on their own. On the critical side, we questioned whether the story itself delivers a meaningful emotional payoff, and debated whether the non-linear structure enhances or weakens the overall narrative impact. Does the fragmented timeline add intrigue, or does it distance the player from the characters and events? Featuring feedback from listeners and the verdict: Is Return of the Obra Dinn 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 #ObraDinn 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 08 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 dive into Titanfall 2—a masterclass in movement, pacing, and level design. Spoiler alert for The Game! 🚨 We STRONGLY advise you to play before listening. In this episode, we explore how Titanfall 2 blends fluid movement with tight gunplay, the brilliance of Effect and Cause, and how the game’s pacing keeps players constantly engaged. We also discuss how game jams can be a powerful development tool and why designers should look beyond games for inspiration. Plus, Stuart battles his own boss fight—getting Titanfall 2 to run on his laptop. 💻😡 Featuring feedback from listeners and the verdict: Is Titanfall 2 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 David'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 #Titanfall2 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 05 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 delve into the absurd comedy slapformer THANK GOODNESS YOU'RE HERE!, exploring its blend of comedy and game design as well as it's approach to backtracking and reactions to the player Spoiler alert for The Game! 🚨 We STRONGLY advise you play before listening. In this episode, we dive into the delightfully quirky world of Thank Goodness You’re Here! We explore how voice acting brings characters to life, break down comedy theory in game design, and discuss how games can react to the player to enhance their experience. Plus, we chat about designing games based on personal experiences and discuss the concept of bi-directional gameplay. Along the way, there’s plenty of reminiscing about our favorite jokes, and we may even try out a few silly voices ourselves. Featuring feedback from listeners and the verdict: Is Thank Goodness You're Here! 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 David'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 #Bioshock Thank you for tuning in! 🎧✨ We are @ShouldPlayPod on Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. === CREDITS === Music by Vasil Trofimov from Pixabay. Sound Effects by floraphonic Pixabay.

Welcome to Episode 03 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 delve into the mysterious card-battler INSCRYPTION, exploring its emergent gameplay and ability to keep things fresh. Spoiler alert for Inscryption! 🚨 We STRONGLY advise you play before listening. You can grab it here. In this episode, we discuss emergent gameplay, subverting expectations and keeping things fresh, ARGs, using sound design and VFX to bolster atmosphere, adaptive difficulty and FMVs go bad! Featuring feedback from listeners(?) and the verdict: Is Inscryption 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 #Inscryption Thank you for tuning in! 🎧✨ === CREDITS === Music by Vasil Trofimov from Pixabay. Sound Effects by floraphonic Pixabay.

Welcome to Episode 01 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 delve into the iconic game PORTAL, exploring its innovative mechanics and design insights. Spoiler alert for Portal! 🚨 We advise you play before listening. You can grab it here. In this episode, we discuss environmental storytelling, pacing and progression, the importance of playtesting and iterative design, and the debate of Cut scenes vs. non-interruptive dialogue. Featuring feedback from listeners and the verdict: Is Portal 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 Thank you for tuning in! 🎧✨ === REFERENCES === Narbacular Drop by the DigiPen Institute of Technology DoubleFIne Adventure Documentary when Tim Schafer shares his notebooks on Grim Fandango Robert Yang's Level with Me videos on YouTube Game Maker's Toolkit video on Valve's "Secret Weapon" (Playtesting) GDC Talk - Level Design Workshop: Solving Puzzle Design by Ubisoft's Jolie Menzel The Art of Game Design by Jesse Schell Game Theory === CREDITS === Music by Vasil Trofimov from Pixabay. Sound Effects by floraphonic Pixabay.