This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick strap themselves into the cockpit, fire up the afterburners, and prepare to turn the sky into their personal playground in Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve. Taking to the skies as elite fighter pilots, they'll find themselves caught up in a high-stakes aerial conflict filled with enemy squadrons, massive battles, missile-filled dogfights, and enough explosions to make the world's air-traffic controllers quit on the spot.

As they climb through the ranks, they'll take on increasingly dangerous missions, push their aircraft to the limit, and attempt to become the ultimate ace while uncovering the story behind the conflict. With spectacular aerial combat, huge set-piece battles, an impressive selection of aircraft, and the series' trademark radio chatter, Ace Combat 8 looks set to deliver plenty of high-flying action.

Can Dave actually keep his aircraft in the sky? Will Nick spend more time admiring the jets than shooting them down? And how long before they realise that "just one more dogfight" is usually how you end up with a missile up your backside?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/critical_arcade/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4LVyOmPyz2m8l8I5mvYjie?si=e1f786b67f954aff
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/critical-arcade/id1636628718
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CriticalArcade

This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick trade in their modern conveniences for katanas, sake, and a serious case of revenge as they journey to the snowy wilderness of Ezo in Ghost of Yōtei. Taking on the role of Atsu, a wandering samurai seeking vengeance against the Yōtei Six who destroyed her family, they'll explore a beautiful and dangerous version of feudal Japan filled with samurai, ronin, deadly wildlife, and plenty of people who really don't appreciate being on the wrong end of a katana.

As Atsu hunts down her targets, Dave and Nick will travel across frozen mountains, forests, villages, and breathtaking landscapes while mastering the art of the samurai. With brutal sword fights, new weapons, stealth, exploration, and plenty of opportunities to dramatically stare into the distance, revenge has never looked quite so gorgeous.

Can Dave resist challenging every enemy to an honourable duel? Will Nick spend more time admiring the scenery than actually completing the mission? And how long before they realise that hunting six people across feudal Japan is probably going to be a very long weekend?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/critical_arcade/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4LVyOmPyz2m8l8I5mvYjie?si=e1f786b67f954aff
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/critical-arcade/id1636628718
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CriticalArcade

This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick pop their claws, crack their knuckles, and prepare to leave a trail of absolute carnage as they dive into Wolverine. Stepping into the boots of everyone's favourite foul-mouthed Canadian mutant, they'll follow Logan as he battles his way through a brutal world of mutants, mercenaries, and mysterious enemies while uncovering secrets buried deep within his violent past. Armed with an adamantium skeleton, a healing factor, and six very dangerous claws, Wolverine has never exactly been the diplomatic type.

As Logan tears through his enemies, Dave and Nick will experience savage combat, brutal finishing moves, explosive set pieces, and plenty of opportunities to turn anyone standing in the way into mutant-shaped confetti. But will Dave remember that Wolverine can heal from practically anything? Can Nick resist solving every problem by simply popping the claws? And how long before they realise that when you're Wolverine, subtlety is less of a gameplay mechanic and more of a suggestion?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/critical_arcade/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4LVyOmPyz2m8l8I5mvYjie?si=e1f786b67f954aff
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/critical-arcade/id1636628718
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CriticalArcade

This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick find themselves plunged into a dark and brutal medieval world where the sun has gone down and the vampires have taken over. In Blood of the Dawnwalker, they step into the shoes of Coen, a young man who must balance his humanity with newfound vampiric powers while trying to save his family from the clutches of the mysterious vampire lord Brencis. With a world filled with bloodthirsty creatures, dangerous humans, ancient curses, and plenty of things that would rather eat them than talk to them, survival isn't going to be easy.

As they explore the war-torn lands of Vale Sangora, they'll have to decide how to use Coen's powers while navigating a story where their choices can have serious consequences. Will Dave embrace the darkness or desperately cling to his humanity? Can Nick remember which enemies are better fought during the day? And how long before the boys realise that being a vampire sounds considerably cooler than it actually is?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/critical_arcade/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4LVyOmPyz2m8l8I5mvYjie?si=e1f786b67f954aff
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/critical-arcade/id1636628718
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CriticalArcade

This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick travel back to feudal Japan and prepare to face an army of demons in Onimusha: Way of the Sword. Taking on the role of Miyamoto Musashi, they find themselves caught in a supernatural battle against the terrifying Genma, armed with a mystical Oni Gauntlet and a sword that is definitely going to see some action. As they fight their way through a dark and twisted version of Edo-period Japan, they'll uncover a story filled with samurai, demons, ancient magic, and some seriously unpleasant things hiding in the shadows.

With brutal sword combat, spectacular finishing moves, monstrous enemies, and plenty of opportunities to make things significantly more violent than they probably need to be, Way of the Sword looks set to bring the classic Onimusha formula into the modern era. Will Dave remember to block before getting his face chopped off? Can Nick resist absorbing every soul he sees? And how long before they realise that, once again, Dave and Nick probably weren't the best people to send on a demon-slaying mission?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/critical_arcade/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4LVyOmPyz2m8l8I5mvYjie?si=e1f786b67f954aff
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/critical-arcade/id1636628718
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CriticalArcade

This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick grab their swords and head off on another grand adventure in Ys I & II Chronicles+. Taking on the role of legendary red-haired adventurer Adol Christin, they find themselves caught up in an ancient mystery involving magical Books of Ys, powerful priests, mysterious goddesses, and an army of demons that clearly need to find better hobbies.

Their journey takes them from the peaceful town of Minea to dangerous mines, mysterious ruins, and the towering Darm Tower, before eventually uncovering the secrets of the ancient land of Ys. With fast-paced combat, colourful characters, charming visuals, and one of gaming's most memorable soundtracks, Ys I & II Chronicles+ shows why this classic action RPG series has stood the test of time.

Will Dave master the legendary art of bumping into enemies until they explode? Can Nick keep track of all the ancient prophecies and mysterious characters? And how long before Adol's magnificent red hair becomes the most important character in the entire adventure?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/critical_arcade/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4LVyOmPyz2m8l8I5mvYjie?si=e1f786b67f954aff
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/critical-arcade/id1636628718
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CriticalArcade

This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick leave the bright lights behind and head deep into the humid, industrial, and downright bizarre world of Norco. After the death of her mother, Kay returns to her hometown in the swamps of Louisiana, only to discover that her brother Blake has mysteriously disappeared. What starts as a search for a missing sibling quickly spirals into a strange mystery involving a powerful petrochemical company, religious cults, mysterious robots, surveillance technology, and a town that seems to be hiding more secrets than it has residents.

As they explore the decaying streets, flooded swamps, abandoned buildings, and sprawling industrial facilities of Norco, Dave and Nick will slowly uncover a story about family, grief, corporate greed, environmental destruction, and the strange ways people try to survive in a world that seems determined to leave them behind. With its gorgeous pixel art, unsettling atmosphere, dark humour, and wonderfully weird characters, Norco is equal parts detective story, southern gothic nightmare, and surprisingly heartfelt family drama.

Will Dave manage to piece together the increasingly bizarre mystery surrounding Kay's family? Can Nick keep track of all the strange characters, cults, conspiracies, and robots? And most importantly, how long will it take before they both start questioning whether anything happening in Norco actually makes sense?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/critical_arcade/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4LVyOmPyz2m8l8I5mvYjie?si=e1f786b67f954aff
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/critical-arcade/id1636628718
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CriticalArcade

We're back to business with two games that feature beautiful beaches! Is Halo: Campaign Evolved a worthy remake, and what exactly is Big Walk? We then cap things off with a VERY important discussion about kitchen utensils.

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Want to listen to more gaming goodness, on other platforms? Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, and more right here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/checkpointchat

-- SHOW NOTES --

00:00:00​ - It literally doesn't rain in London
00:11:23 - Will Marvel's Wolverine be good?
00:19:28 - We have... thoughts about Halo: Campaign Evolved
00:48:58 - Big Walk is a big surprise
01:14:11 - Wait, a question?

#gamingpodcast #gamingchannels #gamingreview

We're back and we've brought a chest full of games! On this show we chat about how damn good Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced is, how to hit a button the best in Rhythm Paradise Groove, earning the number in 007 First Light, and just what the hell is a Mina the Hollower anyway?

Follow Checkpoint Chat on...

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CheckpointChat
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/checkpointchat
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@checkpointchat
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/checkpointchat.bsky.social

Want to listen to more gaming goodness, on other platforms? Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, and more right here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/checkpointchat

-- SHOW NOTES --

00:00:00​ - Speedrunning is so weird but so cool
00:13:21 - Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced is still one of the franchise greats
00:34:03 - That one time Matty previewed Assassin's Creed Syndicate
00:40:21 - Both earned the number in 007 First Light
00:53:18 - Alessandro has spent some time with Rhythm Paradise Groove
01:00:41 - Mina the Hollower is modern retro goodness

#gamingpodcast #gamingchannels #gamingreview

This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick descend into one of gaming's most forgotten milestones: Descent. Released in 1995, this groundbreaking shooter dared to ask one simple question: what if "up" didn't exist? Armed with a tiny spacecraft, an ever-growing arsenal of futuristic weapons, and a map that somehow manages to make you more lost, our fearless duo blast their way through twisting mines filled with rogue mining robots and enough laser fire to make any insurance company nervous.

Along the way, they uncover why this little DOS game deserves far more credit than history has given it, from pioneering true 3D environments and six degrees of freedom to positional audio that could literally save your life. Will Dave finally find the exit before the reactor explodes? And will Nick ever figure out which way is actually up?

Follow Critical Arcade on...

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/critical_arcade/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4LVyOmPyz2m8l8I5mvYjie?si=e1f786b67f954aff
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/critical-arcade/id1636628718
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CriticalArcade