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 into a masked biker named "The Fool," they'll have to dodge obstacles, collect hearts, and face off against a series of tarot-inspired enemies. Will Dave's brain melt trying to solve the Tarot riddles? And does Nick find a deeper meaning in this game's purple color palette?

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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 this game 'Astro Boy'? And why does Nick believe this game is a true contender for Game of the Year?

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Email us at nick@criticalarcade.com and dave@criticalarcade.com

Thanks for listening and keep on gaming!

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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 vibrant locations like Bricksburg, Cloud Cuckoo Land, and the Wild West, our hosts must use their creativity to build, break, and rebuild their way through a series of imaginative puzzles and challenges. Will this game rekindle the joy Nick found in other Lego games? And can Dave survive the onslaught of hearing "that" song again and again and again and again?

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Thanks for listening and keep on gaming!

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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 farthest reaches of Terca Lumireis. Along the way, they’ll meet a colorful cast of characters: Estelle, the sheltered noble with a hidden power; Rita, the genius mage with a short fuse; Karol, the wannabe warrior with a big heart; and Repede, the pipe-chomping dog who might just be the most capable member of the team. Will Nick handle the grueling mechanics of the combat system? And will Dave rage quit after another unskippable group chat?

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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 Erica’s fate—forever. Does Dave actually consider this a video game? And will Nick ever save the annoying girl?

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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 corporation and the terrifying Ceph alien invasion that threatens humanity’s survival. Will Nick ever live it down by comparing this game to 1989's "Blind Fury"? And will Dave ever realize that there is no health bar?

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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 themes of guilt, survival, and redemption. Will Nick manage to navigate the absurd puzzles? And will Dave's research sway his opinion?

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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 Ratchet’s role in this ancient conflict. Does Nick's heart have room for a slick, thieving raccoon and loveable Lombaxian mechanic? And can Dave recover from realizing PS3 is considered retro?

Support the show at patreon.com/criticalarcade or criticalarcade.com

Email us at nick@criticalarcade.com and dave@criticalarcade.com

Thanks for listening and keep on gaming!

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