Critical Arcade

This week on Critical Arcade, Nick and Dave blast off to the outer reaches of the galaxy and dive headlong into The Outer Worlds 2 — Obsidian’s long-awaited sequel that promises more satire, more chaos, and even more morally confusing decisions than before. Gone are the familiar worlds of Halcyon; this time, the duo find themselves in a brand-new star system, filled with fresh corporate colonies, sketchy science experiments, and alien ecosystems that probably violate several intergalactic safety codes.After awakening from cryosleep (again), the boys are thrown into a sprawling narrative where humanity’s endless ambition for profit has colonized not just the stars, but morality itself. Nick and Dave must navigate the murky politics of megacorporations that sell salvation in subscription bundles, self-aware marketing AIs that think they’re philosophers, and planetary settlers who are just trying to survive between paychecks. As always, they’ll have to make tough calls — save a colony or sell it to the highest bidder? Cure the plague or monetize it? Be a hero, a villain, or just really good at lying about both?With every dialogue choice and every overpowered plasma rifle, Nick and Dave will shape the fate of an entire system teetering on the brink of collapse — assuming they can survive its wildlife first. From carnivorous moonslugs to genetically modified chickens with anger issues, danger lurks around every asteroid. Between exploration, firefights, and corporate propaganda jingles that feel uncomfortably catchy, our intrepid hosts will have to decide who to trust in a universe where everyone’s got a brand to protect.Will Nick finally build a character who doesn’t immediately dump all their skill points into “Persuade”? Will Dave stop looting everything long enough to follow the main quest? And how many hours will they spend debating whether to side with the rebels, the corporations, or whoever’s offering free snacks this time?Tune in as they journey through the satirical, neon-lit chaos of The Outer Worlds 2, where every choice matters, every planet hides a secret, and every ad reminds you that “profit is the path to progress.” In space, no one can hear you scream — but they can absolutely bill you for it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Critical Arcade, Nick and Dave dive headfirst into the relentless chaos of Ninja Gaiden 4 — a game that doesn’t just test your reflexes, it punishes your mistakes. This time Ryu is out and Yakumo, a skilled ninja of the Raven Clan, takes the hot seat. Sounds like a Tuesday for a Super Ninja.Armed with his ever-growing arsenal, new Bloodraven powers, and enough wall-running stamina to make Spider-Man jealous, Yakumo sets out to kill a priestess of the Dark Dragon, but instead, this quickly turns into a mission to escort her to a handful of magic seals in an effort to really kill the Dark Dragon for good this time.Between the two of them, they discover just how far the series has evolved — faster combat, cinematic flair, and a difficulty curve sharper than Yakumo's blade.Will Nick finally perfect his ultimate combo, or will his controller meet an untimely end against the coffee table? And can Dave tune out the giggling teen inside his head when a girl is on the screen? Tune in as the guys battle through the beautiful brutality of Ninja Gaiden 4 — a game where only the sharp survive. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick set aside their usual chaos and step into something far more serene — Journey, the meditative, wordless adventure from thatgamecompany. Gone are the guns, gadgets, and dialogue trees. Instead, they don flowing red robes, a magical scarf, and head off into the endless desert toward a distant, glowing mountain that seems to call to them from across time itself.As they slide gracefully down golden dunes, leap across crumbling ruins, and soar through ancient halls bathed in light, the pair begin to uncover fragments of a fallen civilization — and maybe even a bit about themselves. Along the way, they might encounter another silent traveler: a mysterious figure who could be a friend, a guide, or simply another soul on their own path. No words, no usernames, no voice chat — just connection through movement, music, and the occasional joyful chirp.But will Dave manage to stay quiet long enough to appreciate the moment, or will he start demanding a jetpack upgrade? And can Nick resist the urge to interpret every glowing mural like he’s on a conspiracy podcast? Join them as they float, sing, and occasionally get lost in the sands of Journey, where the destination may be the mountain, but the real adventure lies in how you get there — and who you share it with. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick jack into the grid and find themselves in the glitchy, time-twisting world of Digimon Story: Time Stranger. What was supposed to be a casual dive into cyberspace quickly spirals into a full-blown temporal disaster when a mysterious program tears through the world, merging past, present, and future into one big, corrupted mess.Our intrepid hosts are dropped into the shoes of a really bad Secret Agent caught in the middle of this digital apocalypse, armed only with their starter Digimon. Together, they must unravel the story of Chronomon, a Digimon who claims to protect the flow of time itself but who met an untimely end at the hands of the Titans. As they travel through different zones of the Digital World — from the bustling hub town of Iliad to the tranquil underwater vibe of the Abyss — Dave and Nick must battle corrupted Digimon, restore lost memories, and unravel the secret behind the Chronomon before reality resets itself like a crashed emulator.Will Dave finally learn the difference between “Data”, “Virus” and "Vaccine"? Will Nick ever stop using the phrase “timey-wimey” during serious cutscenes? And most importantly, can the two of them survive long enough to stop a cosmic reboot that threatens both the human and digital realms?Grab your Digivice, back up your save file, and prepare for paradoxes, plot twists, and more emotional Digivolutions than you can handle — it’s Digimon Story: Time Stranger, and time itself is on the line. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick stumble out of the safety of daylight and into the suffocating terror of Amnesia: Rebirth, Frictional Games’ 2020 return to psychological horror. Set in the vast, sun-scorched deserts of Algeria, this isn’t your average vacation. Taking control of Tasi Trianon, the duo must piece together a shattered memory, survive ancient ruins, and avoid the monstrous creatures lurking just beyond the flicker of their lantern.But light is a luxury in this nightmare. As the shadows close in, Tasi’s sanity begins to unravel — and so do Dave and Nick’s. Dave desperately clings to his last match while Nick insists that sprinting blindly through the dark is a viable strategy. Between heart-stopping chases, cryptic alien technology, and moral choices that would make even a philosopher sweat, the pair must uncover the truth behind Tasi’s mysterious condition and the haunting events that brought her here.Can Dave overcome his crippling fear of low-light environments? Will Nick finally learn that looking directly at monsters is a terrible idea? And just how many times can two grown men scream over a baby monitor before it becomes comedy instead of horror?Join the Critical Arcade crew as they try to keep their wits (and their pants) intact in a journey that proves in Amnesia: Rebirth, fear isn’t just in the dark… it is the dark. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick swap out shotguns and swords for watering cans and fertilizer as they take on the quirky, strategic chaos of Plants vs Zombies. Released in 2009, this tower defense classic turns your backyard into the frontline of the undead apocalypse, where survival depends less on firepower and more on creative landscaping. The duo must carefully balance planting sunflowers for resources while deploying an army of quirky plants—from pea shooters and wall-nuts to potato mines and cherry bombs—all in an effort to keep the relentless zombie horde from breaking through their defenses.But these aren’t your run-of-the-mill zombies. No, these shambling invaders come equipped with screen doors, buckets, pogo sticks, and even dolphin mounts to make things extra weird. And just when Dave thinks he’s finally got the strategy nailed down, a disco-dancing zombie arrives with a backup crew of backup dancers, throwing the entire plan into disarray.Between frantic lawn management, resource juggling, and screaming when a Gargantuar shows up uninvited, the question remains: can Nick keep his cool long enough to master the rhythm of the game, or will his entire backyard end up overrun? And will Dave ever stop laughing at the fact that his “ultimate defensive strategy” involves nothing but a solid row of spud Walnuts? Tune in as the guys discover that sometimes, the line between gardening and warfare is just a little too thin… especially when your opponent is already dead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick lock, load, and launch themselves back into the loot-splattered insanity of Borderlands 4. Once again, the galaxy is on the brink of chaos, and naturally, the only two people crazy enough to handle it are our lovable vault-hunting duo. With a whole new planet to explore, filled to the brim with outlaws, synthetic robot followers, and creatures that look like someone has glued together spare parts from five different animals, Dave and Nick are in for a wild ride. Armed with an arsenal of procedurally generated weapons (seriously, who needs a gun that shoots smaller guns that then explode into even smaller guns?), they’ll blast, loot, and wisecrack their way through wave after wave of enemies to get their hands on the treasures in the Vault. Will Dave remember everybody's names? And will Nick ever stop getting trash from fishing? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick step into the desolate, war-torn world of Hell is Us. Set in a country ripped apart by years of civil strife and buried secrets, the game forces them to navigate a landscape where danger comes from both sides of the battlefield: hostile soldiers with guns and terrifying supernatural abominations with… well, whatever those fleshy nightmare appendages are supposed to be. With no map markers, no glowing quest logs, and no convenient “go here” arrows, every direction could lead to either salvation or something that wants to chew their faces off.In their search for truth, Dave and Nick must wield nothing more than a glowing arsenal that feels straight out of a heavy metal album cover and a drone that somehow manages to be both extremely useful and completely annoying at the same time. As they delve deeper into the ruins of a forgotten society, they’ll uncover the haunting scars of war and the chilling reality of what happens when humanity’s darkest impulses manifest as living horrors.Will Dave finally learn to stop scaring himself by triggering combat music when nothing’s there? And will Nick ever get over the fact that you can’t just talk your way out of being eaten by a monster?One thing’s for certain: in Hell is Us, there are no easy answers, no clear paths, and no safety nets. Just two guys, a haunted country, and way too many things lurking in the shadows. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Critical Arcade, Nick and Dave finally get their hands on Lost Soul Aside, the game that spent longer in development than Dave did in college. They step into the boots of Kaser, a moody anime protagonist with more hair gel than common sense, and his wise-cracking dragon symbiote, Arena, who never misses an opportunity to roast his host. Together, they’ll stylishly hack, slash, and combo their way through enemies faster than Nick can say “Wait, which button dodges again?”As the particle effects blind Dave mid-fight, Nick tries to piece together the story, which may or may not involve ancient wars, corrupted armies, and at least one villain who looks like they shop exclusively at the “Final Boss Emporium.” Will Nick survive the sensory overload without mistaking his health bar for his Wi-Fi signal? And how many times will Dave compare every over-the-top cutscene to an anime he swears “you just haven’t seen yet, but totally should”?With Arena’s snark stealing the spotlight and more flashy combos than either host can realistically pull off, Nick and Dave will find out whether Lost Soul Aside is a glorious action RPG masterpiece or just a very expensive excuse to make your console sound like it’s about to take flight. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick lock and load as they stomp into the gritty, blood-soaked battlefields of Gears of War Reloaded. Humanity is on its last legs, cornered and desperate, after the ground splits open and unleashes the monstrous Locust Horde. Enter Marcus Fenix: soldier, survivor, and a man who probably only smiles when he’s chainsawing aliens in half. Alongside his brothers-in-arms—Dom, Cole Train, and Baird—the squad must battle through crumbling cities, abandoned ruins, and underground warrens to try and turn the tide of a seemingly endless war.But it’s not all just shooting and shouting. Gears of War Reloaded drags Dave and Nick into a world of tight cover mechanics, heart-pounding set pieces, and a story that blends grim determination with just enough over-the-top action movie vibes to keep things fun. Will Dave manage to stay cool under the pressure of endless waves of Locust drones, or will he spend most of the mission hugging cover like it’s his long-lost best friend? Will Nick resist the urge to test out the chainsaw bayonet on literally everything that moves—or doesn’t move? And when the Berserker comes charging through the walls, which one of them is going to scream first? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Critical Arcade, Nick and Dave stumble into the fractured, nightmarish depths of Signalis. Released in 2022, this indie survival horror blends the pixelated charm of the PS1 era with a surreal, haunting atmosphere straight out of a fever dream. Players take on the role of Elster, a Replika technician on a desperate search for her missing partner, wandering through abandoned mining facilities, derelict research stations, and corridors that never seem to end where they began. Along the way, Dave and Nick must sift through cryptic notes, grotesque enemies, and puzzles that seem specifically designed to break their sanity.But it’s not just the monsters they’ll have to face — the game is dripping with layers of psychological horror, cosmic dread, and a story that refuses to hand over easy answers. Will Dave manage to piece together the tangled threads of memory, myth, and mechanical identity without his brain leaking out his ears? Can Nick keep calm when the radio static kicks in and a shambling horror lurches out of the darkness? Or will they both end up lying on the floor, staring at the ceiling, muttering about “the moon and the eye” until someone checks in on them?Expect nervous laughter, questionable survival instincts, and a whole lot of “Wait… what just happened?” as Nick and Dave try to survive not just the monsters of Signalis, but the crushing existential weight of the unknown. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Critical Arcade, Nick and Dave must grab their pocket knives, practice their Sicilian and pour themselves a glass on wine because they are taking on the role of Enzo Favara, an escapee of the Sicilian sulphur mines who trespasses onto the lands of Don Bernardo Torrisi the head of the local Mafia and a man who values trust above all else. Their lives become entwined with forbidden love, horrific betrayal, and family values that rival the great Dominic Toretto. Can Nick stop saying everything in the style of Sicilian Vampire? And can Dave stop drifting around corners and actually finish the game? With a game dripping with atmosphere and narrative that grabs you by the moustache, does this game live up to its predecessors? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick dust off their PS1 nostalgia goggles and dive headfirst into the wonderfully weird and rhythmically chaotic world of PaRappa the Rapper. Released in 1996, this cult classic rhythm game has players rapping their way through everything from martial arts lessons to cake-baking catastrophes—all in the name of love. Our hero, PaRappa, may be made of paper, but his heart is all in, and so are our hosts... kind of.Join Dave and Nick as they try to help PaRappa win the affections of the sunflower-haired Sunny Funny by proving he can drive, cook, and hold his own in a freestyle battle with a moose in a bathroom line. (Yes, really.) Along the way, they’ll meet an unforgettable cast of characters including the wise and aggressive Chop Chop Master Onion, the laid-back moose, Instructor Mooselini, and the hilariously unhinged Master Baker Cheap Cheap.But not everything goes smoothly. Dave struggles to stay on beat and ends up rapping like a confused metronome, while Nick becomes dangerously obsessed with the flea market level and refuses to stop quoting it at every opportunity. Can they both “kick, punch” their way into the coveted "Cool" rating, or will they end up hopelessly stuck in “Awful” territory, forever doomed to repeat verses with zero swag?From its infectious soundtrack to its bold, cut-out animation style, PaRappa the Rapper is a quirky reminder of a time when video games were allowed to be unapologetically weird—and our hosts wouldn’t have it any other way. So grab your beanie, warm up your vocal cords, and remember: you gotta believe! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Critical Arcade, Nick and Dave don their finest velvet cloaks, pack an unreasonable number of throwing axes, and descend into the shadowy halls of Dracula’s castle in Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Released in 1997, this genre-defining Metroidvania dropped players into a haunting, labyrinthine fortress as Alucard—Dracula’s half-human, half-vampire son who’s way too cool to run and instead dramatically glides everywhere he goes.As they explore the eerie corridors of the castle, they’ll face off against possessed suits of armor, bone dragons, cursed books, and whatever the hell a Scylla Wyrm is. Armed with swords, spells, and a voice performance that can only be described as “nobly confused,” Dave and Nick will attempt to piece together the bizarre plot, unlock secret passageways, and probably argue about whether the inverted castle is brilliant game design or the work of a sadist.Will Nick finally admit he’s completely lost without a walkthrough? Can Dave go five minutes without turning into a wolf by accident? And what exactly is a man, anyway—just a miserable little pile of secrets, or something more?Tune in as the boys dive fang-first into one of gaming’s most stylish, spooky, and iconic adventures. Just don’t forget to bring a library card—this castle has a lot of reading. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick slip into their cyber-sneakers, juice up their Boost Packs, and plunge headfirst into the gravity-defying, tag-spraying, rhythm-blasting world of Bomb Rush Cyberfunk. Set in the vibrant, cel-shaded sprawl of New Amsterdam, this spiritual successor to Jet Set Radio throws our duo into a chaotic turf war between graffiti crews, corrupt cops, and one seriously shady megacorp. With style as their weapon and music as their heartbeat, they’ll race across rooftops, grind rails, and wall-run their way through rival territory — all while trying to uncover the truth behind the mysterious events surrounding the death of Red’s original head… yes, actual head.As they recruit new crew members, tag over enemy graffiti, and unlock secret parts of the city, the stakes start to rise — not just in the game, but in their ability to remember which button does what.Will Nick finally land that combo after 27 failed attempts? Can Dave figure out how to manual without launching himself into traffic? Strap in, turn the volume way up, and join the boys as they bring the funk, defy the law of gravity (and common sense), and ride the rails of rebellion in this high-octane, paint-splattered journey through one of the most stylish games in recent times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Critical Arcade, Nick and Dave reunite with their favorite melancholic porter in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Hideo Kojima’s latest delivery of mind-bending narrative, cinematic excess, and very, very complicated backpacks. The world is still broken, the skies are still crying, and now—somehow—the ocean is even weirder. Sam Porter Bridges is back, but this time he’s not just delivering packages. He’s confronting haunting truths from his past, unraveling mysterious threads about Higgs’ return, and leading a new crew on a mission that may determine the fate of both the living and the dead. As they trek through deserts of bone, cities of light, and beaches that stretch into other dimensions, the boys grapple with questions like: Why is everyone bleeding from the eyes? And is it possible to cry this much and still have fun?So load up your cargo, chug a can of Timefall Porter, and tune in as Dave and Nick attempt to decipher Death Stranding 2—one haunting song, terrifying handprint, and existential whale at a time. This isn’t just a sequel. It’s a vibe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick must strap on their badass welding masks, sign NDA papers, and grab the biggest squirt gun they can find because they are jumping into the shoes of the FBC's first responders. Tasked with keeping the endless paranormal threats under control and its never-ending deluge of spontaneous fires, overwhelming Post-it Notes, and aggressively growing pink stuff (we think it might be bubblegum). Will Dave go mad shooting yellow squares of paper? And will Nick find out why Sony doesn't want him to matchmake with someone? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick tap into their inner chakras and dive headfirst into the gorgeously animated, spirit-infused world of Indivisible. When teenage hothead Ajna finds her village burned to the ground and a mysterious power awakened within her, she does what any emotionally stable protagonist would do—she sets off on a globe-spanning quest for vengeance and self-discovery. Along the way, she accidentally starts collecting souls like they're Pokémon, storing an increasingly chaotic cast of characters in her mind palace like it's a supernatural Airbnb. Can Dave survive the spiritual and emotional growth demanded by Ajna’s quest, or will he be too distracted by the fact that one of the party members fights with a giant living yo-yo? And will Nick ever stop trying to perfect-parry everything, including environmental hazards? Join them as they punch gods in the face, question cosmic morality, and try to remember which button makes you slide. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick descend into Elden Ring: Nightreign—FromSoftware’s latest reminder that joy is fleeting and bosses have no chill. Set in the hauntingly beautiful Limveld, the duo trades the sunny plains of the world they used to know for a realm now soaked in gloom, grief, and gravestones. As they chase down and destroy the nightmare-fuelled Nightlords (Except for Augur, he’s just a blue floating manatee.) They must adapt to the rapid roguelike gameplay, wish for decent RNG loot drops, and overlook the Pepe Le Pew-inspired janky jumping. Can Dave overcome the pressure of letting his team down? And can Nick add another Fromsoft Platinum trophy to his collection? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick find themselves waking up in the worst Airbnb in Tamriel—a damp prison cell with rats, bad lighting, and a suspicious lack of exit strategy. That’s right, it’s Oblivion Remastered, the shiny, modded, and lovingly overhauled return to Bethesda’s iconic 2006 open-world RPG. As Emperor Uriel Septim shows up in their cell to tell them they're the chosen ones—because of course they are—the duo is thrust into a sprawling adventure across Cyrodiil filled with political intrigue, demonic invasions, and some of the jankiest NPC dialogue animations this side of the White-Gold Tower. Will Dave finally figure out how to level efficiently without accidentally making the world impossibly difficult? Can Nick resist the urge to Fus Ro Dah someone into a lake—even though, yes, that’s Skyrim and no, it doesn’t work here? And most importantly, how many times will they get derailed by side quests before remembering there’s, you know, an actual Oblivion crisis happening? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.