Critical Arcade

This week on Critical Arcade, Nick and Dave put away their weapons, slow down time, and step into the beautiful, contemplative dreamscape of The Gardens Between. In this surreal puzzle adventure, they join childhood friends Arina and Frendt as they explore a string of mysterious island gardens, each one crafted from fragments of their shared memories. With the power to control time itself, Nick an...

This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick take to the stars in Stellaris, where diplomacy, warfare, and questionable ethics collide in a galaxy teeming with possibilities. As they forge their own interstellar empire, they’ll have to balance exploration, technological advancement, and the occasional existential crisis when a sentient AI starts asking too many questions. Will they embrace the path...

This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick step into the ring, lace up their boots, and prepare to throw down in WWE 2K25! With an updated roster, improved mechanics, and enough over-the-top action to make even the most seasoned wrestling fan cheer, they’ll be suplexing their way through the latest entry in the legendary franchise. Whether it’s mastering the new MyRise story mode, dominating the...

Critical Arcade is back and this week Dave and Nick ditch their usual two-legged protagonists for something far more nimble—an adorable stray cat. In Stray, they explore a breathtaking cybercity, abandoned by humans but repurposed by quirky, humanoid robots just trying to get by. Will Nick ever stop getting distracted by the sheer joy of the tone altering music and inorganic sound design? Can Dave...

This week on Critical Arcade, Nick and Dave strap on their heart-shaped sunglasses and ride into the neon dreamscape of 'Sayonara Wild Hearts.' Described as a "pop album video game," this dazzling rhythmic adventure takes them through a kaleidoscope of vibrant worlds filled with motorcycles, skateboards, laser duels, and heartbreak. As they follow the journey of a heartbroken woman transforming in...

This week on Critical Arcade, Nick and Dave take on the role of everyone's favorite byte-sized robot Astro Bot. After bumping into the galaxy's infamous Space Bully Nebulax, they are tasked with rebuilding their spacefaring PS5 and rounding up all their little robot pals from over 100 different planets some inspired by Playstation's most memorable franchises. Can Dave stop accidentally calling thi...

This week on Critical Arcade, Nick and Dave dive into the colorful and creative world of The Lego Movie Videogame! Released in 2014, this game tries to capture all the charm, humor, and endless possibilities of the Lego universe, offering players a chance to relive the adventures of Emmet, Wyldstyle, Batman, and a whole host of other iconic characters from the hit movie. As they journey through vi...

This week on Critical Arcade, Nick and Dave set sail for adventure in the sprawling world of Tales of Vesperia. They take on the mantle of Yuri Lowell, a former Imperial Knight who’s more comfortable solving problems with his fists than following orders. They stumble upon a plot involving the misuse of ancient technology called "blastia," they must journey through the slums of Zaphias to the farth...

This week on Critical Arcade, Nick and Dave take a deep breath and dive headfirst into the cinematic and suspense-filled world of Erica. Playing as Erica Mason, a young woman haunted by the brutal murder of her father finds herself entwined in the inner workings of the mental institution her mother was sent to. They must make split-second decisions that could alter the course of the story—and Eric...

This week on Critical Arcade, Nick and Dave suit up in nano suits to take on the role of Alcatraz, a Marine left for dead but given a second chance thanks to an advanced nanofiber suit. They must battle through the ravaged cityscape and traverse various environments, from the flooded streets of Lower Manhattan to the crumbling skyscrapers of Midtown. All this while engaging the sinister CELL corpo...

In this episode, Nick and Dave step into the roles of Gorrister, Benny, Ellen, Nimdok, and Ted. Each with their own uniquely torturous scenario designed by AM, an Artificial Intelligence, to exploit their deepest fears and regrets. They'll have to explore the dark and twisted environments AM creates, ranging from a desolate wasteland to a gruesome meat processing facility, all while grappling with...

In this episode of Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick embark on an epic intergalactic journey with everyone's favorite Lombax and his trusty robotic sidekick. They must uncover the sinister plot of Emperor Percival Tachyon, a tyrannical Cragmite hell-bent on destroying Ratchet and reclaiming the galaxy for his race. Along the way, they learn about the mysterious disappearance of the Lombaxes and Ratch...

This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick venture into the beautifully pixelated yet perilous world of 'Children of Morta.' Delving deeper into the ever-changing caverns, forests, and temples, they'll need to harness the strengths of each Bergson—whether it's John's steadfast sword and shield, Linda's precise archery, or Lucy's powerful spells—to survive the relentless onslaught of enemies. Is t...

This week on Critical Arcade, Nick and Dave find themselves in the bustling, post-apocalyptic metropolis of New Eridu, the last urban civilization standing. In Zenless Zone Zero. They step into the roles of Proxies, guiding survivors through dangerous anomalies and battling mysterious, interdimensional entities known as the Ethereal. As they navigate the vibrant streets and shadowy alleyways, they...

This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick step into the shoes of a high school student who merges with a mysterious being to turn into a Nahobino, gaining incredible powers to help navigate post-apocalyptic Tokyo transformed into Da'at, a realm where angels and demons clash in an eternal struggle. They'll encounter a vast array of supernatural beings, from the familiar Jack Frost to the menacing...

This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick are locked and loaded as they blast their way through the action-packed world of Gunstar Heroes. Originally released in 1993, this adrenaline-fueled run-and-gun shooter pits our dynamic duo against the evil forces of the Empire. With a variety of weapons at their disposal and the ability to combine them for devastating effects, Dave and Nick embark on a...

This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick embark on a journey through the gritty, neo-noir world of Gemini Rue. Set in a distant future where corruption reigns supreme, players are thrust into the roles of two protagonists: Azriel Odin, a former assassin seeking redemption, and Delta-Six, an amnesiac seeking to uncover the truth of his identity. As they navigate the dark alleys and shadowy deali...

In this week's thrilling installment of Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick venture into the clandestine world of international espionage with Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow. Join them as they slip into the shadowy persona of Sam Fisher, a seasoned operative tasked with thwarting a deadly biological threat poised to unravel global stability. Together, they must navigate treacherous enviro...

This week on Critical Arcade, Nick and Dave find themselves in the high-heeled boots of Eve, a member of the 7th Airborne Squad sent to Earth to help defeat the Naytiba and reclaim what was once theirs. But everything isn't quite what it seems, with the origin of humans in question and not knowing if they're fighting for good or evil. They will find themselves locked in an impossible situation. Ha...

This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick shrink down to pint-sized proportions as they embark on a wacky adventure in Tiny Toon Adventures! They enter the zany world of Acme Acres, where Buster Bunny, Babs Bunny, Plucky Duck, and the rest of the gang are gearing up for some wild escapades. From dodging Elmyra's affectionate clutches to outsmarting Montana Max's schemes, our dynamic duo must nav...

Meet the dynamic duo behind The Critical Arcade Podcast, a gaming podcast like no other. Nick, the lively and immersive gamer, pairs his boundless energy with a knack for diving headfirst into the gaming universe. On the other side of the controller is Dave, the seasoned gaming pro who has seen it all and values the art of storytelling in games. Together, they bring a unique blend of gaming insigh...

In this electrifying episode of Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick embark on a mesmerizing voyage through the riveting world of Close to the Sun. Set against the backdrop of an alternate history where Nikola Tesla's inventions have reshaped the fabric of society, they find themselves thrust into a thrilling adventure aboard the Helios, a colossal ship conceived as a utopian haven for the world's great...

This time on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick embark on a wild, time-traveling adventure with Ape Escape 2. Our dynamic duo finds themselves equipped with futuristic gadgets to catch mischievous monkeys that have traveled through time, wreaking havoc. From bustling cities to prehistoric landscapes, the guys swing, jump, and dash their way through various eras in pursuit of those elusive primates. Wi...

In this episode of Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick embark on an expansive odyssey through the feudal landscapes of ancient Japan in Rise of the Ronin. Set against the backdrop of a nation torn apart by conflict and political intrigue, they assume the mantle of a masterless samurai, known as a ronin, navigating a world of shifting alliances, treacherous warlords, and ancient traditions. But the path...

This week on Critical Arcade, Nick and Dave are gearing up for a spine-chilling adventure as they journey back to the eerie world of survival horror with Alone in the Dark 3. This installment of the classic franchise plunges players into a Wild West setting filled with supernatural terrors. They are tasked with unraveling the mysteries of Slaughter Gulch. Will Dave ever find out why the cuckoo clo...