2025's scariest game recreates the site of a real tragedy (Piotr Surmacz)
Plus, why you shouldn't overlook Steam's OTHER big announcement
I was stunned when I first saw Cave Crave, a VR game in which the player squeezes through dark tunnels, the gaps so tight that the character must hold their breath, causing red light to pulse. As your virtual lungs empty, you see the blood vessels in your eyes
To my surprise, the dark, suffocating caves of Cave Crave were just the beginning of both its terror and its depth.
This week on Post Games: A trip into a real cave that became a tomb
Act 1: The game that traps you in a dark, tight hole
Act 2: Recreating the infamous Nutty Putty Cave
Patreon Bonus: A history of the Steam Machine and the “living room” PC
Act 3: News of the week
On the Patreon:
An extra-long segment in which I break down the history of the Steam Machine, the living room PC, and Gabe Newell’s grudge with Microsoft and Apple
Early access to ad-free episodes
Video versions of new episodes!
Five hour-long episodes of Video Game Journalism 101, including the new episode on storytelling
Free game of the week
This week in video game links, including some great reads on The Game Awards
What else I’m enjoying
All of that and more for only $5 a month!
Act 1: The game that traps you in a dark, tight hole
Cave Crave (Steam)
This One Hits Different! Cave Crave Review on Quest 3 & PSVR2 (Gamertag VR)
The 4 Types of Players | Bartle Taxonomy of Player Types | How to Design Games (Fomo Ludens)
Cave Crave Review – Father Of The Year (Nerdy Bird Games)
Cave Crave Review: All The Thrills Of Cave Exploration, Minus The Danger (UploadVR)
Act 2: Recreating the infamous Nutty Putty Cave
You can explore Nutty Putty Cave again — but only in virtual reality (The Salt Lake Tribune)
Nutty Putty Cave accident: How John Jones got stuck and never came out. (The Salt Lake Tribune)
15 years after a man died in the Nutty Putty Cave, his family and rescuers still struggle to escape the darkness (KTVZ21)
Caver trapped forever | The Nutty Putty Tragedy (Fatal Breakdown)
The Last Descent - Official Theatrical Trailer (Excel Ent)
A Virtual Tour of the Nutty Putty Cave with Caver/Rescuer Brandon Kowallis (Brandon Kowalis)
Exploring NUTTY PUTTY Cave In VR! (JustinWiebVR)
Patreon bonus: A history of the Steam Machine and the “living room” PC
Links and extras available on the Patreon!
Act 3: News of the week
Valve’s Steam Frame VR Headset: Hands-On + Impressions, Specs + Tech Breakdown (Digital Foundry)
The Steam Frame is a surprising new twist on VR (The Verge)
Rockstar’s controversial dismissal of 31 employees is such a big deal, it’s made its way to UK Parliament (Eurogamer)
220 Rockstar staff sign letter to management calling for “immediate reinstatement” of fired workers (RPS)
The Rockstar Workers Fired Before They Could Finish GTA 6 (People Make Games)
Egging On (Steam)









Thanks for the shout out Chris! May the Egg Era last for generations🥚👑