Aches and Games

Giles Nicholson, James Hopes
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  • Video Games
  • Monthly

A relaxed monthly chat between two *slightly older* British friends - talking life, gaming (and basically whatever other nonsense comes to mind). We're currently playing on Xbox, PlayStation 5 plus a bit of PC and Nintendo Switch action. Our regular episodes drop every first Friday of the month.

  1. 6 days ago

    Forza Horizon 6 / Parisian Bistros (real and virtual) - July 2026

    In this month's episode: We discover Japan and hit the festival in Forza Horizon 6;Giles explores a galaxy of fun in Astro Bot; andJames heads back to "The Old Country" in an excellent Mafia prequel.plus: we talk World Cups, heatwaves and what else we've been doing and playing this month. All that and more on July's Aches & Games. Timestamps: 00:00 Intros 08:26 What we've been up to 22:35 Forza Horizon 6 - love it or leave it? 33:25 What else we've been playing 64:54 Next Month's pick is... 68:00 Newsbytes: from the sublime to the ridiculous 77:45 Wrapping up As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials @achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com. And please check out the website at www.achesandgames.co.uk where you'll also find some great written reviews of the games we play. Cheers!

    1hr 19min

  2. 5 Jun

    Replaced / Pergola Smurfing - June 2026

    In this month's episode: Giles helps plan a wedding and "enjoys" the rollercoaster of being and Arsenal fan; while James visits Looe and a galaxy far far away.plus: we get all grim and gritty in Replaced; anddiscover nostalgia is not necessarily as good as it used to be.All that and more on June's Aches & Games. Timestamps: 00:00 Intros 01:46 What we've been up to 19:36 Replaced - love it or leave it? 33:15 What else we've been playing 70:04 Next Month's pick is... 74:14 Newsbytes including Sony's latest State of Play 88:07 Wrapping up As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials @achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com. And please check out the website at www.achesandgames.co.uk where you'll also find some great written reviews of the games we play. Cheers!

    1hr 30min

  3. 8 May

    Marvel's Cosmic Invasion / Giles & James went South-West - May 2026

    In this month's episode: James discovers a demilitarized zone somewhere between Devon and Cornwall; and Giles bearly contains his excitement at Paddington.plus: we beat-em-up good and proper with Marvel's Cosmic Invasion; andWe go all globetrotty with our gaming in Louisiana, New York, Pompeii, Ancient Rome and ... Reading, yep really.All that and more on May's Aches & Games. Timestamps: 00:00 Intros 01:17 What we've been up to 25:30 Marvel's Cosmic Invasion - love it or leave it? 32:33 What else we've been playing - a bumper month! 77:21 Next Month's pick is... 80:54 This month's news and highlights 92:50 Wrapping up As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials @achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com. And please check out the website at www.achesandgames.co.uk where you'll also find some great written reviews of the games we play. Cheers!

    1hr 35min

  4. 2 Apr

    Planet of Lana 2 / Nantes-ing around - April 2026

    In this month's episode: Giles evades a rampaging mechanical elephant in Nantes.James actually completes some games in Ace Combat 7 and Split Fiction.plus: we both enjoy the gorgeous world of Planet of Lana 2a busy month for news, andthe usual nonsenseAll that and more on April's Aches & Games. Timestamps: 00:00 Intros 01:37 What we've been up to 19:24 Planet of Lana 2 - love it or leave it? 29:44 What else we've been playing : 55:34 Next Month's pick is... 57:44 This month's news and highlights 78:55 Wrapping up As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials @achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com. And please check out the website at www.achesandgames.co.uk where you'll also find some great written reviews of the games we play. Cheers!

    1hr 21min

  5. 6 Mar

    Ace Combat / dodgy pilots? - March 2026

    In this month's episode: we fly into skies unknown with Ace Combat 7 James explores the changing seasons and one girl's love for a wolf in Nevaand Giles has complicated feeling about his time in night city with Cyberpunk 2077plus: more Schedule 1 and Split Fiction early thoughts on Rise of the Golden Idol and Banishers: Ghosts on New Eden.and what we've been doing and watching since last episode.All that and more on March's Aches & Games. Timestamps: 00:00 Intros and shoutouts 04:49 What we've been up to 28:09 LIOLI? Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown 40:17 What we've been playing : Neva, Cyberpunk 2077, Schedule 1, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, Split Fiction and Rise of the Golden Idol. 73:12 Next Month's pick is... 77:04 State of Play and this month's highlights 90:31 Wrapping up As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials @achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com. And please check out the website at www.achesandgames.co.uk where you'll also find some great written reviews of the games we play. Cheers!

    1hr 32min

  6. 6 Feb

    Cyberpunk 2077 / love is all around? - February 26

    In this month's episode: we compare "reviews in progress" for Cyberpunk 2077, andGiles "feels the force" in Vader Immortal and heads back to Rome & Bright Falls with DLCs for Indiana Jones and Alan Wake 2, andJames tries out life of both sides of the law with Schedule 1 & The Precinct, plus gives his thoughts on Overcooked 2 and Ultimate Theatre Simulator.Plus thoughts on the Xbox Developer Direct, what we've each been up to this month and find it out love really is all around us. Timestamps: 00:00 Intros 01:50 What we've been up to 26:10 What we've been playing : Schedule 1, Alan Wake 2 Night Springs / The Lake House (DLC), The Precinct, Indiana Jones and the Order of Giants (DLC), Overcooked 2, Monument Valley and Ultimate Theatre Simulator. 61:42 LIOLI? Cyberpunk 2077 (Initial Thoughts) 73:13 Next Month's pick is... 78:20 Xbox Developer Direct and this month's highlights 88:46 Wrapping up As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials @achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com. And please check out the website at www.achesandgames.co.uk where you'll also find some great written reviews of the games we play. Cheers!

    1hr 30min

  7. 9 Jan

    Thank Goodness You're Here / "ballet fuff" - January 26

    In a bumper show we: catch up on our respective festive breaks and: compare thoughts on Thank Goodness You're Here; andreview Split Fiction, 1000xResist, Dispatch, Moss 2, Lego Voyagers, Keep Talking & Nobody explodes and more.Plus we talk Neighbours-themed Christmas parties, "ballet fuffs" and much more on this months Aches & Games! Timestamps: 00:00 Intros 03:11 What we've been up to 25:33 Thank Goodness You're Here (Review) 37:06 Other Reviews : Split Fiction, 1000xResist, Dispatch, Moss Book 2, Waterpark Simulator, Keep Talking & Nobody Explodes, and Lego Voyagers. 75:51 Next Month's Sub Club pick is... 78:16 Christmas games haul (and increasing derangement) 83:52 Wrapping up As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials @achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com. And please check out the website at www.achesandgames.co.uk where you'll also find some great written reviews of the games we play. Cheers!

    1hr 26min

  8. 22/12/2025 ·  Bonus

    Our (Aches &) Games of 2025 - an A&G special episode

    Hi everyone :) In the festive spirit we're back with the gift of a **special episode** of Aches & Games for your holiday listening pleasure. In a fast-becoming annual tradition we cut straight to the gaming and take turns to run though each of our 5 favourite games we played during 2025. *Five picks each (with some crossover perhaps?) *“Honourable mentions” *PLUS what 2026 game we’re most looking forward to playing.  Timestamps 00:00 Intro & overall thoughts on 2025 04:09 Our top 5s 60:15 Looking ahead to 2026 66:00 Wrapping up & big thank you! We'll be back in January for our next normal monthly show - though for one month only it'll be the second Friday of the month. So in the meantime, enjoy and we hope you have a Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year. As always, we'd love to hear from you via our socials@achesandgames, our Facebook page or by emailing achesandgamespod@gmail.com - hey, why not share your own top 5s and we'll read them out on January's show. And please check out the website at www.achesandgames.co.uk where you'll alsofind some great written reviews of the games we play. Cheers!

    1hr 8min
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About

A relaxed monthly chat between two *slightly older* British friends - talking life, gaming (and basically whatever other nonsense comes to mind). We're currently playing on Xbox, PlayStation 5 plus a bit of PC and Nintendo Switch action. Our regular episodes drop every first Friday of the month.

Information

  • Creator
    Giles Nicholson, James Hopes
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Giles Nicholson, James Hopes
  • Show Website
    Aches and Games