Critical Frames: A PlayStation Podcast

Sony warned us that 2024 would be a light year, yet the PS5 continues to reign supreme with some of the finest games in the industry. We’ll be discussing the success of Astro Bot, a much-loved platformer that could scarcely be selling better, as well as speculating whether Concord might be planning a transition to a free-to-play model following the discovery of intriguing PC files. We also delve i...

In this episode, chaos ensues as Bryan and Joe recount the frantic rush to snag a PS5 Pro before the scalpers could strike. With intense preparation, Joe not only secured the standard PS5 Pro but also managed to score one of the ultra-rare Anniversary units - one of only 12,300 made! We dive into the 62 games enhanced for the PS5 Pro. Then, it's time to explore Silent Hill 2 Remake, which has laun...

In this month’s early-access Patreon episode, Bryan and Joe dive deep into one of the most visually breathtaking games of all time: Ghost of Tsushima. Join us as we discuss the captivating narrative that pulls you into the heart of the Mongol invasion, jaw-dropping environments that capture the beauty of feudal Japan, the dynamic and fluid gameplay mechanics that make every encounter unforgettable...

After the unprecedented failure of Firewalk Studios' live-service multiplayer shooter, Concord, and the less than stellar PS5 Pro announcement, Sony have been biding their time and looking to get back on the proverbial horse through, what seems to be, what they do best: their first-party narrative exclusive titles. Well, after watching this month's rather impressive State of Play we can co...

We dive into Sony’s Tokyo Game Show lineup featuring Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater, Silent Hill 2, and Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. We also break down the 30th anniversary limited edition PlayStation bundles, and discuss industry insiders confirming the development of two PS6 SOCs - could one be a handheld portable console?! Plus, a major shakeup at Firewalk as its director, Ryan Ellis, step...

PlayStation has had a very... interesting few weeks to say the least. "Why?" You ask. Well, with the rather expected crash of Concord, leading to the multiplayer live-service title shutting down just two weeks after launch, and with sales plummeting below 25,000 units on both PlayStation 5 and PC, September started off rather poorly for the platform holder. However, antithetical to that...

We talk about the latest leak from reliable source Billbil Kun, who has released a name and design sketch for the highly anticipated PS5 Pro. Next, we review the recent reception of Star Wars Outlaws and Concord. With both games receiving relatively poor reviews we discuss what might've gone awry, as well as why the latter has damaging initial player numbers and why gamers seem uninterested. T...

An explosive episode: we dive deep into the Gamescom Opening Night Live reveals and dissect everything that caught our eye! But that’s just the start as we break down the unexpected success of Black Myth: Wukong, which has shockingly surpassed 2 million players on Steam alone. What’s driving this 8/10 game to such heights? And what does this mean for China’s growing power in the gaming industry? B...

We kick things off by sharing what we’ve been playing recently. Joe dives into Star Wars Jedi: Survivor on the PlayStation 5 and doesn’t hold back on its buggy performance and inconsistencies. Meanwhile, Bryan, after a shocking revelation in NieR Replicant, sparks a deeper conversation on whether art can sometimes cross the line. Next, we revisit Concord and its looming release, discussing the sur...

Setting up a formula for PlayStation's in-house first-party AAA games for years to come, The Last of Us, the critically acclaimed action-adventure game by Naughty Dog, is one of the most visually stunning, immersive, and narratively impactful titles to have ever graced the controller. It is a timeless masterpiece for many and, at the very least, a fantastic game for others. This bonus episode...

Starting with Sony's mixed bag of this quarter - PS5 sales have slowed, but software profits are soaring. We then discuss the surprising decision to bring Jedi Survivor to 8th-generation consoles, over a year after its current-gen debut; how do they market this and what's the price point? A very odd move by EA. Plus, we've got exciting news for Final Fantasy VII fans: the trilogy final...

Bryan and Joe dive into some shocking developments: Bungie faces a major shake-up with 220 employees laid off and 155 others relocated to Sony Interactive Entertainment. Not harsh enough of a blow? Well, Game Informer shuts down after an incredible 33-year run. Better yet, they didn't even inform their staff in preparation for the closure! Is it a sign of the end times for the industry? We als...

An eclectic mix of news stories this week for PlayStation. First up: one of Joe's favorite games, Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon (and his Game of the Year 2023), has shipped over 3 million copies worldwide, making it the highest-selling title in the series to date. We then turn our attention to Team Ninja's Rise of the Rōnin, as a demo is available for curious players across the globe,...

We're a month away from Sony's AAA shooter, Concord and the reception has been less than ideal for developers, Firewalk Studios. To give you a greater perspective, we share our impressions from the closed beta and highlight ones from journalists in the industry. Moreover, Joe's been playing Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, noting his growing appreciation for the game. Bryan, meanwhile, is ent...

Given our somewhat frequent focus on Xbox, you'd be forgiven if you've previously questioned whether this is a PlayStation podcast. The reason? Their regular half-generational changes to their "modus operandi" often impact our beloved ecosystem and the industry nearly every time. So today, we're covering Xbox's confusing new multi-tiered Game Pass pricing because it gives...

Despite reports of Helldivers 2 losing 90% of its PC player base and positive previews for Concord ahead of its beta launch later this month, this week remains slow for news. Seizing this opportunity, we’ve decided to create a list of the most influential PlayStation games that have impacted us from childhood to today. So buckle up, this one gets a little heavy near the end. - Connect with us - ⁠...

The original Final Fantasy VII is one of the most legendary games of all time, a household name for many and at the very least, a revered title for others. So, it was no surprise that with the launch of the 8th generation consoles, fans of the series were calling for any fraction of news on whether a remake title was actually in development for the 1997 classic. So, in 2015, Square Enix answered t...

With the Summer Game Fest showcases wrapped up, it's a slow week, but we're still bringing you a great show! In the news, Mike Darrah, formerly of Bioware, explains why AAA games take so long to release. Jeff Grub reports on a PS3 emulator in the works, and the original Resident Evil is now on GOG, with 2 and 3: Nemesis coming soon. Additionally, images and videos of a Jet Set Radio remake...

Elden Ring's massive expansion Shadow of the Erdtree is finally upon us and the reviews are out. Miyazaki has much to say about Bloodborne and a potential port or remaster. New Dragon Age The Veilguard details emerge. Helldivers II continues to impress, while Destiny 2: The Final Shape brings the series to new heights. Can PlayStation survive the next generation when Microsoft shifts the indus...

Playstation finally faces strong competition with an Xbox Showcase that's once in a generation, if not two. Many hard-hitting titles like DOOM: The Dark Age, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 are coming to the PlayStation anyway, so how much does it really matter? Ubisoft is showing up as well, with big titles like Star Wars Outlaws and Assassin's Creed Shadows. Taki...

With Shadow of the Erdtree previews out in the wild, Elden Ring continues to impress. Destiny 2 continues to struggle with former developers paving the way for a PVP shooter with Concord's potential best-in-class FPS mechanics. Both Final Fantasy IX Remake and The Last of Us Part II Remastered for PC could be announced at any moment. The PlayStation VR2 PC adapter is now available, and is Mono...

The long-awaited and heavily rumored PlayStation State of Play has finally arrived. Firewalk Studios finally unveils Concord, a new Astro Bot game takes its mascot claim to fame to heart with a full-fledged release. Why is half of the PlayStation audience still on PS4? Do PC releases dilute the brand? Could Sony ever make a big enough mistake to concede the next generation to Xbox? There’s much to...

PlayStation is looking towards its future. Sometimes that means incredible narrative-driven games, other times it means weird conceptual controller designs. Stellar Blade is a huge success at Shift Up, Elden Ring's expansion is about to light the world on fire while CD Projekt Red puts a comprehensive set of tools in the hands of their fans, and is gaming journalism hitting a new low? All of t...

PlayStation continues to have a healthy hold on the console market, but not in the ways you might expect. PC releases, potential handheld devices and a shift in Sony leadership is just the tip of the iceberg in a week chock full of interesting news. Square Enix is shifting their strategy, while Ubisoft continues the status quo. Future much-desired Resident Evil titles are rumored to be on the hori...

The first episode of Critical Frames: A PlayStation Podcast has arrived. Amid Sony's continued dominance, Xbox looks towards bringing even more of its games to the PlayStation 5; Helldivers treads lightly after unprecedented backlash, while Stellar Blade starts a controversy around censorship. Surprising no one Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League fails by nearly every metric, Capcom on the...