Critical Arcade

Nick Hendrix
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  • VIDEO GAMES
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to the award-winning Critical Arcade Podcast, the ultimate destination for all things gaming. Every week, our hosts Nick and Dave will be taking you on a journey through the world of video games, where they’ll be reviewing the greatest releases through time, as well as diving into the rich history of gaming. Whether you’re a hardcore gamer looking for an in-depth analysis of the newest triple-A title or a casual player looking for some nostalgia-fueled fun, Nick and Dave have got you covered. They’ll be sharing their thoughts on the biggest and best games out there, from the latest indie darling to a classic from the past. But it’s not just about the games themselves; Nick and Dave will also be discussing the industry as a whole, covering the latest news and trends, and exploring the cultural impact that video games have on our society. They’ll also be talking to some of the biggest names in the industry, from developers to streamers, and getting their insights on the world of gaming. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 10 HR AGO

    Monster Hunter Stories 3 (2026) The Splice Age

    This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick grab their Rider gear, polish their Kinship Stones, and venture into the vibrant monster-filled world of Monster Hunter Stories 3. Unlike the traditional monster-slaying chaos of the main series, this time they’re building bonds instead of crafting boots out of everything that moves. Stepping into the role of a young Rider, they hatch monster eggs, raise powerful companions known as Monsties, and explore a sprawling world where something strange is causing normally peaceful creatures to turn aggressive. As the mystery unfolds, Dave and Nick team up with fellow Riders and researchers to investigate the growing disturbances affecting monsters across the land. From sneaking into dangerous monster dens to stealing eggs while the parents are definitely still nearby, the adventure quickly turns into a mix of exploration, strategy, and questionable decision-making. Along the way they’ll encounter familiar monsters from across the franchise, build powerful Kinship attacks with their Monsties, and dive into the series’ unique rock-paper-scissors battle system. But while the world is bright and charming, the stakes are anything but small. Strange environmental changes, rogue monsters, and a looming threat tied to ancient Rider legends begin to surface, forcing our heroes to uncover the truth before the fragile bond between humans and monsters collapses completely. Will Dave become emotionally attached to every monster he hatches? Will Nick spend more time optimizing battle strategies or laughing at the ridiculous names Dave gives his Monsties? And how many eggs can two Riders steal before an angry Rathalos finally catches them in the act? Saddle up and find out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    48 min

  2. 9 MAR

    Marathon (2026) Worth the Run?

    This week on Critical Arcade, Nick and Dave suit up, check their ammo, and step into the brutal corporate battleground of Marathon. Set on the mysterious colony world of Tau Ceti IV, they take on the role of cybernetic mercenaries known as Runners—scavengers sent into dangerous zones to recover lost tech, alien artifacts, and anything valuable enough to make their corporate masters rich. The catch? They’re not the only ones hunting. Rival Runners, hostile security systems, and whatever strange remnants were left behind after the colony’s disappearance all stand between them and extraction. Every mission is a high-risk dash for survival where teamwork, quick thinking, and a little bit of luck can mean the difference between walking away with a fortune… or losing everything you brought in. Will Nick actually manage to extract with some decent loot for once? Can Dave resist the urge to pick up absolutely everything that isn’t nailed down? And how long will it take before one of them realizes they’ve been loudly sprinting toward a squad of heavily armed Runners? Tune in as they dive headfirst into the chaotic, high-stakes world of Marathon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    48 min

  3. 3 MAR

    Resident Evil Requiem (2026) Requiem For A Scream

    This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick steel their nerves and step into the slow-burning dread of Resident Evil Requiem, a haunting new entry in Capcom’s iconic survival horror series. Set in a world rotting from the inside out, Requiem trades bombastic action for suffocating atmosphere, forcing the duo to creep through crumbling environments where every shadow feels suspicious and every sound could mean death. As they piece together the aftermath of horrific experiments and long-buried secrets, Dave and Nick must carefully manage limited resources, solve unsettling puzzles, and survive encounters with nightmarish new creatures that seem designed purely to induce panic. Familiar Resident Evil tension is dialed up to uncomfortable levels, with narrow corridors, unreliable lighting, and enemies that refuse to stay down. Will Dave spend the entire episode insisting he’s “totally fine” while his health bar flashes red? How many healing items will Nick waste out of pure fear? And at what point do they both realise that checking every door might be a terrible idea? One thing’s certain: in Resident Evil Requiem, survival isn’t just about skill—it’s about keeping your sanity intact long enough to reach the next save room. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    53 min

  4. 20 FEB

    Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (2019) I Swear I Parried That

    This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick bow respectfully, immediately forget that respect mid-fight, and throw themselves headfirst into the merciless world of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Set in a crumbling, blood-soaked version of Sengoku-era Japan, they take on the role of Wolf, a one-armed shinobi bound by duty, honor, and a prosthetic arm packed with far more gadgets than either host is capable of using correctly. As Ashina teeters on the brink of collapse, Dave and Nick face off against ruthless samurai, terrifying monsters, and bosses who seem specifically designed to crush confidence and friendships. From perfectly timed deflections to deathblows that feel earned through sheer suffering, Sekiro demands focus, patience, and an acceptance that dying is not failure — it’s education. Very painful education. Will Dave finally break his Soulsborne habit of rolling when the game clearly wants him to stand his ground? How many times will Nick say “okay, I get it now” moments before being obliterated by a lightning-infused sword? And just how many resurrection nodes are too many before the game starts judging you silently? Expect heated debates about difficulty, accidental stealth disasters, dramatic grappling hook mishaps, and at least one boss fight that completely breaks the episode’s pacing. This is a journey about mastery, stubbornness, and learning when to stay aggressive — and when to accept that the game has absolutely won. Tune in as Critical Arcade learns that in Sekiro, hesitation really is defeat. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    53 min

  5. 12 FEB

    Code Vein II (2026) Hazed and Confused

    This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick once again wake up thirsty, overdesigned, and deeply unsure of what’s happening in the gothic anime apocalypse of Code Vein 2. Thrown back into a dying world of Revenants, blood codes, and coats with more belts than structural integrity, the pair find themselves navigating the aftermath of humanity’s last stand against extinction. Society has fractured, memories are currency, and everyone they meet is either traumatised, mysterious, or moments away from a tragic sacrifice. As they carve a path through ruined cities, cathedrals, and blood-soaked wastelands, Dave and Nick experiment with expanded blood code systems, new weapon types, and combat that somehow feels faster, meaner, and more anime than ever before. Along the way, they uncover a story steeped in loss, rebirth, and the question Code Vein loves asking most: how much suffering is too much suffering before it loops back around to being cool again? But it wouldn’t be Critical Arcade without chaos. Can Dave resist spending hours in the character creator just to make someone emotionally devastating? Will Nick finally accept that dodging is mandatory and not “optional flavour”? And how many boss fights will end with one of them yelling “that move is absolute nonsense” while secretly loving every second of it? Tune in as they drain ichor, befriend companions who are definitely going to die, and roll their way through a sequel that doubles down on style, melodrama, and very large weapons. It’s Code Vein 2 — sharper, sadder, and somehow even more anime than before. 🩸⚔️ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    48 min

  6. 5 FEB

    Perfect Dark (2000) Nearly Perfect, Absolutely Extra

    This week on Critical Arcade, Nick and Dave adjust their sensitivity sliders (and immediately regret it) as they dive deep into the stylish, suspicious, and surprisingly prophetic world of Perfect Dark. Set in the far-flung future of 2023, the game casts them as elite Carrington Institute agent Joanna Dark, a super-spy with a cooler name than everyone else in the building and an arsenal that seems designed by a mad scientist with a grudge against balance. What starts as a routine corporate espionage job against tech giant dataDyne quickly spirals into a full-blown conspiracy involving rogue AIs, secret government agencies, mind-controlled soldiers, and an interstellar war between alien factions who are way too invested in Earth politics. From sneaking through poorly lit offices and secret labs to escaping flying alien temples and stealing hover bikes, Nick and Dave follow Joanna as she uncovers the truth behind dataDyne’s shady experiments and the alien Skedar, who are absolutely not here to make friends. Along the way, they’ll wrestle with famously aggressive enemy AI, guards who can hear footsteps through concrete walls, and guns that reload themselves because… the future. Can Dave keep track of the plot once Elvis the Grey Alien becomes a main character? Will Nick ever stop complaining about aiming with a controller while simultaneously insisting it’s "part of the charm"?  Join them as they unravel conspiracies, praise the soundtrack, curse the difficulty spikes, and ask the important question: was Perfect Dark ahead of its time… or just deeply committed to ruining your evening? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 4m

  7. 29 JAN

    Harmony’s Odyssey (2022) Puzzles Over Plot

    This week on Critical Arcade, Nick and Dave drift off into the calm, colourful, and deceptively tricky universe of Harmony’s Odyssey. A puzzle game that looks like a bedtime story but thinks like a logic exam, Harmony’s Odyssey sends them hopping between floating constellations inspired by ancient myths, musical patterns, and cosmic folklore. Each world is a handcrafted diorama where perspective is everything, rules are meant to be bent, and the solution is rarely as simple as it first appears. As they guide the silent protagonist through starry landscapes and rotating puzzle boxes, Nick and Dave must learn to slow down, observe, and rethink how space itself works. Shapes become pathways, background details turn into solutions, and every new constellation introduces a fresh twist on the game’s core ideas. It’s soothing, it’s clever, and it’s constantly asking them to trust their instincts rather than brute-force an answer. But beneath the cosy visuals and gentle soundtrack lies a puzzle game that can be quietly ruthless. Will Dave’s patience survive when the solutions feel just out of reach? And how long before Nick breaks the zen atmosphere by confidently declaring he’s solved it—only to be very, very wrong? Tune in as they try to restore harmony to the stars, one brain-melting puzzle at a time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 1m

  8. 22 JAN

    Fatal Frame (2001) Exposed and Afraid

    This week on Critical Arcade, Nick and Dave make the deeply questionable decision to wander into the suffocatingly quiet, deeply cursed world of Fatal Frame, a survival horror series that proves the scariest weapon imaginable is a camera. Set across abandoned mansions, forgotten villages, and ritual sites soaked in tragedy, the duo must rely on the mysterious Camera Obscura to confront vengeful spirits who linger between life and death—and who really, really don’t want their photo taken. As they peel back layers of grim folklore, failed rituals, and generations of sorrow, Nick and Dave discover that every ghost has a story, and none of them end well. Combat means standing your ground, letting spirits drift uncomfortably close, and snapping photos at the exact right moment for maximum damage—an act that feels deeply wrong when your instincts are screaming to run. Exploration is slow, methodical, and filled with notes, whispers, and environmental details that make every empty hallway feel watched. Will Dave keep his nerve when the game demands he calmly walk toward the ghost instead of fleeing? How many times will Nick shout “WHY IS IT BEHIND ME?” after turning the camera? And just how long before they start checking corners in real life? Join them as they confront jump scares, creeping dread, and the uniquely Japanese horror that makes Fatal Frame one of the most unsettling survival horror experiences ever made—where the closer you get to the danger, the deadlier (and scarier) it becomes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 8m
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About

Welcome to the award-winning Critical Arcade Podcast, the ultimate destination for all things gaming. Every week, our hosts Nick and Dave will be taking you on a journey through the world of video games, where they’ll be reviewing the greatest releases through time, as well as diving into the rich history of gaming. Whether you’re a hardcore gamer looking for an in-depth analysis of the newest triple-A title or a casual player looking for some nostalgia-fueled fun, Nick and Dave have got you covered. They’ll be sharing their thoughts on the biggest and best games out there, from the latest indie darling to a classic from the past. But it’s not just about the games themselves; Nick and Dave will also be discussing the industry as a whole, covering the latest news and trends, and exploring the cultural impact that video games have on our society. They’ll also be talking to some of the biggest names in the industry, from developers to streamers, and getting their insights on the world of gaming. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Nick Hendrix
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    142
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023 Critical Arcade
  • Show Website
    Critical Arcade

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