Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (2025) Beached Things and Broken Heartstrings
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.
--------
1:21:25
--------
1:21:25
FBC: Firebreak (2025) Burns Up and Fizzles Out
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.
--------
1:12:39
--------
1:12:39
Indivisible (2019) Mind, Body and Metroidvania
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.
--------
1:11:47
--------
1:11:47
Elden Ring Nightreign (2025) Rain, Revives and Repeats
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.
--------
1:21:10
--------
1:21:10
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered (2025) Back To The Gates
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.
Welcome to the award-winning Critical Arcade Podcast, the ultimate destination for all things gaming. Every week, our hosts Nick and Dave will be taking you on a journey through the world of video games, where they’ll be reviewing the greatest releases through time, as well as diving into the rich history of gaming.Whether you’re a hardcore gamer looking for an in-depth analysis of the newest triple-A title or a casual player looking for some nostalgia-fueled fun, Nick and Dave have got you covered. They’ll be sharing their thoughts on the biggest and best games out there, from the latest indie darling to a classic from the past.But it’s not just about the games themselves; Nick and Dave will also be discussing the industry as a whole, covering the latest news and trends, and exploring the cultural impact that video games have on our society. They’ll also be talking to some of the biggest names in the industry, from developers to streamers, and getting their insights on the world of gaming. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
South Africa