Dense Pixels - Video Games News and Reviews TNP Studios

In this episode, Brad and Carrie dive deeper into their experiences with Hades II early access, sharing more detailed thoughts after spending additional time in the game. Brad explores V Rising but questions if survival games are his thing. Carrie returns to the Capital Wasteland, revisiting Fallout 3 after several years.

The gaming industry faces significant changes as Xbox shuts down several Bethesda studios, including the developers of Redfall and Hi-Fi Rush. Arkane's boss criticizes Microsoft executives for these closures. Xbox Studios' boss emphasizes the need for smaller, award-winning games, despite closing Tango Gameworks. Xbox President addresses the studio closures, stressing the long-term health of the business. Discussions around Call of Duty on Game Pass and a potential price hike are ongoing. Concerns about Xbox leadership's consistency in rewarding success versus failure are raised.

In other news, Helldivers 2 receives overwhelmingly positive reviews. Sony issues refunds for Ghost of Tsushima PC orders after implementing a new PSN requirement. EA's CEO discusses the interest in using AI to speed up game development and the potential inclusion of in-game ads in AAA titles. GameStop considers buying graded Pokémon Trading Card Game singles.

Supergiant Games surprised everyone by releasing Hades II in early access, and Brad shares his initial impressions of this highly anticipated title, which is poised to become one of the year's biggest hits. Additionally, Brad uncovers a hidden gem in Minishoot Adventures, as we wonder why we don't see more games dip into the classic Zelda-style well. 

Meanwhile, we delve into the absurdity of the Helldivers II saga, recounting the series of events that led to its controversial week and Sony's complete own goal for no real tangible gain

In other industry news, there's upheaval at Private Division as the vast majority of its staff reportedly face layoffs by Take-Two. Square Enix also appears to have canceled games, signaling a shift towards a more selective approach in the future.

Micah shares his impressions of two exciting games, Tales of Kenzara: Zau and Stellar Blade. However, the mood shifts when we inform Micah about the online discourse surrounding Stellar Blade's main character, Eve. Meanwhile, Carrie delves deeper into Final Fantasy VII Remake, offering her thoughts on a key aspect of the game's progression. In industry news, we discuss the reluctance of game publishers to support libraries for preserving online games. Shifting gears, we engage in a lively debate as we draft our picks for the best 32/64-bit game console, inviting listeners to weigh in on who chose the best one.

In our milestone 500th episode, we celebrate with some exciting updates! Carrie surprises us all by revealing her newfound role in a metal band and shares her exhilarating experience performing at VGM Con in Minnesota. Meanwhile, we dive into industry news, including Embracer's plan to split into three companies, with highlights on Middle Earth Enterprises and Friends. Additionally, we discuss Ghost of Tsushima's milestone as the first PlayStation game to offer PC trophy support. Carrie also expresses her enthusiasm for the new Amazon Prime Fallout show. In legal news, we cover 2K's victory in a lawsuit brought by LeBron James' tattoo artist and Take-Two's recent layoffs, despite earlier claims of no current plans for layoffs. To cap off the episode, we reminisce about our listeners' favorite moments from the first 500 episodes of Dense Pixels.

In this episode, Brad shares his impressions of two roguelikes, Fights in Tight Spaces and Slice & Dice. Meanwhile, Micah passionately discusses the Nomura-ing of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth's ending. We also delve into former Blizzard boss Mike Ybarra's perspective on game development, as well as Saber Interactive founder's comments on the scrutiny faced by Embracer. Additionally, we hear insights from Larian Publishing Director regarding industry layoffs. Furthermore, we address allegations of toxic workplace culture at Life is Strange developer Deck Nine and the rumored casting of Keanu Reeves as Shadow in the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 movie. To wrap up, we share our thoughts on Wrestlemania XL.

In this episode, Micah shares his impressions of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, while Carrie provides her initial thoughts on Final Fantasy VII Remake. Micah also delves into his experiences with Rise of the Ronin, exploring whether its various components come together to create something special. Additionally, we discuss Phil Spencer's interest in expanding digital storefronts like the Epic Games Store or itch.io to Xbox, as well as Vladimir Putin's directive to explore the development of a Russian games console. Furthermore, we cover Take-Two's acquisition of Gearbox from Embracer for $460 million and Embracer CEO's stance on the timing of studio acquisitions. To wrap up, we offer our predictions for Wrestlemania.