High Scores High Stakes

Following the dramatic conclusion of Season 6, Episode 169, Mr Luvva Luvva and Tomahawk take a break from the competitive gaming to tackle one of the biggest conversations in gaming. Xbox has announced another wave of layoffs. Studios continue to close. More publishers are pushing towards an all-digital future. Meanwhile, discussions around the future of physical games on PlayStation have gamers w...

Is Stray really just "the game where you play as a cat"... or is there something far deeper beneath its furry exterior? In this episode of High Scores High Stakes , we take a deep dive into one of the most celebrated indie games of recent years, exploring why Stray resonated with so many players and whether it deserves its reputation as a modern classic. From its unique feline gameplay a...

The dust has settled after the dramatic conclusion of Season 6. Now it's time to ask a bigger question... What has gone wrong at Xbox? In this episode of High Scores High Stakes, Mr Luvva Luvva and Tomahawk dive headfirst into the ongoing discourse surrounding Microsoft's gaming division. From studio closures and exclusive titles to Game Pass, hardware sales, and the overall direction of the brand...

The Season 6 Cup comes down to one final challenge. In Episode 166 of High Scores High Stakes, Mr Luvva Luvva and Tomahawk enter the final episode of the season tied at the top of the league table. Just behind them sits Cardinal Smith , only 10 points adrift and still in with a chance of stealing the championship. The game? Baby Steps. The challenge sounds straightforward: walk as far as possible....

The latest PlayStation State of Play is here, and there’s plenty to discuss. In this episode of High Scores High Stakes , the team break down the biggest announcements, surprise reveals, standout trailers, and talking points from Sony’s latest showcase. From highly anticipated releases to unexpected reveals, we dive into everything that caught our attention and discuss what these announcements cou...

With World Cup 2026 right around the corner we ask who would make the ultimate football team from the world of video games? In this Side Quest episode of High Scores High Stakes, Tomahawk is joined by special guest TheMightyRyan to build their dream football (soccer) starting XI using characters from across gaming history. Every position is up for debate. From goalkeepers and defenders to midfield...

The party assembles for a deep dive review into the chaotic magical world of The Spell Brigade. In Episode 163 of High Scores High Stakes, Tomahawk, Mr Luvva Luvva, and Cardinal Smith discuss their time with the co-op roguelike where teamwork, spell combinations, and absolute chaos collide. From swarms of enemies to accidental catastrophes caused by friendly fire, the crew break down what makes Th...

Video game adaptations used to be a disaster… but are they finally worth watching? In this episode of High Scores High Stakes, Tomahawk is joined by special guest Hooke to dive into the long and chaotic history of video game adaptations. From infamous flops and questionable casting choices to modern successes that are finally winning over gamers, this episode explores why video game movies struggl...

Game development is changing; have Indie games become more important than ever? In this solo episode of High Scores High Stakes , Mr Luvva Luvva explores the growing impact of indie titles on the modern gaming industry and discusses whether smaller studios are now delivering the creativity, risk-taking, and originality that many players feel AAA gaming has lost. From the decline of traditional AA...

May the 4th be with you. In this special episode of High Scores High Stakes , we’re celebrating Star Wars Day by jumping into Star Wars: Demolition for a chaotic Hunt a Droid high-score challenge . Blasters are firing, droids are scrambling, and every second counts as the crew compete to rack up the highest score possible. It’s fast, frantic, and far more competitive than expected. The rules are s...

It’s time for a full Deep Dive review of Cairn. In this episode of High Scores High Stakes, we explore Cairn from every angle — from its climbing mechanics, challenge, controls, and soundtrack to the emotional themes, environmental storytelling, and symbolism woven throughout the mountain itself. What starts as a climbing game quickly becomes something much deeper. We also welcome voice actor Hyoi...

It’s time to head back to Croft Manor as the High Scores High Stakes (HSHS) hosts take on a classic Tomb Raider 3 challenge. In this episode, Mr Luvva Luvva , Tomahawk , and Cardinal Smith compete to complete Lara Croft’s assault course at the mansion in the fastest time possible. Precision, movement, and classic Tomb Raider controls all stand between them and the points. But that’s not all... The...

It’s time to take on one of the toughest retro games ever made; R-Type Dimensions EX. In this episode of High Scores High Stakes, the crew attempt a brutal 1 life challenge. No continues. No retries. Just one shot to survive as long as possible in this iconic shoot ‘em up. It sounds simple… until it isn’t. Enemies overwhelm. Mistakes pile up. And runs end faster than anyone expects. Known for its...

It’s time to play Hide and Seek in Watch Dogs 2 . In this episode of High Scores High Stakes , the crew take on a stealth challenge in the open world of Watch Dogs 2; in the Hacker Invasion multiplayer mode. Each player takes a turn hiding in San Francisco stealing the other players data, while the others try to track them down using every tool at their disposal. Drones, hacking, and creative hidi...

It’s time to return to the Spencer Mansion in Resident Evil (1996). In this Deep Dive review on High Scores High Stakes , Luvva, Tomahawk and, special guest, Johnny Beard; revisit the original survival horror classic that defined a genre. From fixed camera angles and limited resources to puzzles, tension, and iconic moments, this is the game that started it all. But how does it play today? Does th...

It’s time for a high-speed descent in Lonely Mountains: Downhill . In this episode of High Scores High Stakes , the crew take on the dangerous slopes of Graterhorn in a precision-based downhill challenge. The goal is simple: set the fastest time to the bottom — but there’s a twist. A bonus point is awarded for the fewest crashes , meaning reckless speed could cost everything. Every second counts....

It’s time to take to the skies in Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown for a dogfight challenge. Luvva, Cardinal and Tomahawk strap into their cockpits for a high-speed aerial challenge with three rounds and triple points on the line. With the leaderboard at stake, every dogfight matters; one mistake and your rival could run away with the win. Expect intense missile lock-ons, risky flying, and plenty of qu...

Speed, sabotage, and serious stakes collide in this SpeedRunners challenge on High Scores High Stakes. Every race is a battle of reflexes, shortcuts, and perfectly timed sabotage. Grappling hooks, rockets, and traps can instantly change the outcome, and falling behind the pack means elimination. Every jump matters. Every boost counts. And one mistake can end your run completely. Will the reigning...

It’s time for a full-blown Kill Count Showdown in Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun Horde Mode . In this brutal challenge episode of High Scores High Stakes , we dive into the retro-inspired FPS carnage of Boltgun and compete for one thing only: the highest kill count . No survival points. No style bonuses. Just pure, relentless destruction against wave after wave of Chaos forces. Every missed shot costs...

🎮 Game of the Month – Crash Bandicoot Deep Dive! In this episode of the High Scores High Stakes (HSHS) Podcast , Mr Luvva Luvva and Tomahawk go full retro as they take a deep dive into Crash Bandicoot . From brutal platforming difficulty to PlayStation nostalgia, we break down: 🔥 Why Crash became a PS1 icon🔥 Is it actually harder than we remember?🔥 Does Crash still hold up today? Whether you g...

We turned Human Fall Flat into a scored competitive challenge. In this chaotic co-op episode, every action counts: • Points for helping the team • Points deducted for being a liability From disastrous jumps to accidental sabotage, we test whether teamwork actually survives physics-based mayhem. Who carried? Who cost us the win? And can you really trust anyone in Human Fall Flat? If you enjoy compe...

It all comes down to the lanes in this Ultimate Tekken Bowl Challenge on High Scores High Stakes . After a full week of practice, it’s finally time to put everything on the line in Tekken 7’s Tekken Bowl . The rules are simple but brutal: 10 frames , one attempt each, and one winner . Highest score takes home 3 crucial points — everyone else walks away with excuses. Every strike builds pressure. E...

Competitive gameplay is back — right where PlayStation began. We kick off Season 6 by returning to Ridge Racer (1994). The iconic PS1 launch title, for a pure skill challenge: the fastest 3-lap race. Same track. Same rules. No excuses. Each host takes on Ridge Racer’s short course, chasing the perfect run while fighting understeer, arcade physics, and 90s racing pressure. The fastest total race ti...

In this deep dive review, we’re breaking down Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart , one of PlayStation’s biggest and boldest PS5 exclusives. From its instant rift-hopping gameplay and Dual Sense features to its visuals, level design, combat, story, and pure fun factor, we explore what makes Rift Apart tick; and whether it truly stands as a next-gen showcase for the PlayStation 5. Is this Insomniac Gam...

The competition is back for our ultimate PlayStation quiz showdown, and this time it’s bigger than ever. In our final side quest, we go head-to-head across a mix of challenges including PlayStation lists, game guessing rounds, links in gaming, and even PlayStation maths. Expect rivalry, chaos, and bragging rights on the line as we put our PlayStation knowledge to the test and find out who really k...