Critical Arcade

Nick Hendrix
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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. 6 hr ago

    Dear Esther (2012) Walking Through Grief

    This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick leave behind explosions, loot drops, and skill trees for something far stranger and far more introspective as they step onto the lonely shores of Dear Esther. Guided only by the sound of crashing waves and the voice of an unreliable narrator, they journey across a bleak and beautiful Hebridean island while uncovering fragments of letters written to a woman named Esther. What begins as a simple walk soon spirals into a deeply atmospheric mystery involving grief, guilt, loss, drunkenness, and possibly something supernatural lurking beneath the island itself. As they traverse abandoned cottages, dark sea caves, and the remains of a wrecked ship, Dave and Nick attempt to piece together a story that refuses to give easy answers. Every landmark, strange chemical diagram, and half-whispered monologue seems to hint at hidden meaning, leaving the two desperately trying to determine what is real and what exists only in the narrator’s fractured mind. Is this a ghost story? A meditation on mourning? Or just the world’s saddest hiking simulator? Along the way, Nick struggles to stop overanalysing every rock pile like it belongs in an English literature exam, while Dave slowly loses his patience trying to figure out whether the game is profound genius or deliberately messing with him. Can the pair survive a game where the greatest enemy is symbolism itself? And how many times will Nick dramatically whisper “I think the island represents death” before Dave threatens to mute his microphone? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    46 min

  2. 6 days ago

    Crazy Taxi (2000) A Real Fare Ground

    This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick slam the accelerator to the floor and dive headfirst into the loud, chaotic, and gloriously unhinged world of Crazy Taxi. Trading in safe driving practices for near-death shortcuts, they hit the streets of West Coast City as a group of wildly reckless taxi drivers determined to earn the biggest fares possible by any means necessary. Whether it’s launching their cab off parking garages, drifting through packed intersections, or somehow treating public staircases as legitimate roads, every second becomes a battle against the clock, traffic, and basic human survival instincts. Along the way, Dave and Nick ferry a cast of increasingly demanding passengers across the city, all while the iconic punk soundtrack screams in the background and pedestrians dive for cover. From discovering absurd hidden shortcuts to accidentally sending their cab airborne for far longer than physics should allow, the mayhem only escalates as they chase bigger tips and higher scores. Can Dave resist the urge to obey actual traffic laws for more than thirty seconds? Will Nick spend the entire episode trying to recreate stunts that clearly were never intended by the developers? And most importantly, how many innocent lamp posts will survive their journey through one of arcade gaming’s most chaotic cities? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    49 min

  3. 13 May

    Ninja Gaiden (1988) The Blueprint For Brutal

    This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick sharpen their blades and prepare for a brutal journey through the streets of America in Ninja Gaiden. They step into the role of legendary ninja Ryu Hayabusa after returning home to discover his father has been killed in a mysterious duel with a man named Jaquio. Following clues left behind by his father, Ryu journeys to America where he becomes entangled with the CIA, a shadowy criminal organization, and a plot involving two ancient demon statues said to hold unimaginable power. Along the way, he battles armed soldiers, mutant creatures, and an army of relentless birds that may be the game’s true final boss. As Ryu races to stop Jaquio from resurrecting an ancient evil, Dave and Nick will relive one of the NES era’s most notoriously difficult action games—complete with cinematic cutscenes that were way ahead of their time. Will Nick keep his cool when enemies respawn every two seconds? And how long before Dave starts a personal vendetta against those dive-bombing birds? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    50 min

  4. 5 May

    Saros (2026) Total Eclipse Of The Heart

    This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick are launched into the haunting sci-fi world of Saros, where they awaken on the lost colony world of Carcosa—a planet trapped beneath a permanent eclipse and crawling with horrors that seem determined to make their stay as unpleasant as possible. Taking on the role of Arjun Devraj, a powerful Soltari Enforcer searching for answers about a vanished colony and a mysterious figure tied to his past, they’ll fight their way through shifting landscapes, crumbling alien ruins, and relentless waves of terrifying creatures that only get deadlier the deeper they go. But survival won’t come easy. In true roguelike fashion, every death resets their journey while permanently altering the world around them, unlocking new abilities, weapons, and upgrades that may—or may not—help them survive the next run. As the mystery of Carcosa begins to unravel, Dave and Nick will need quick reflexes, smart builds, and far more patience than either of them usually possesses. Will Nick become hopelessly addicted to creating the perfect build? Will Dave spend half the episode blaming the controls for his repeated deaths? And just how long will it take both of them to realise that running directly at giant alien monsters is rarely a winning strategy? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    51 min

  5. 30 Apr

    Ape Out (2019) Rhythm of Rage

    This week on Critical Arcade, Nick and Dave go bananas as they charge headfirst into the explosive, jazz-fuelled madness of Ape Out. Locked away in captivity, they take control of a powerful gorilla determined to smash through cages, corridors, laboratories, and anyone foolish enough to stand in the way of freedom. Every level becomes a desperate breakout as guards swarm in with guns, traps close in from every angle, and the soundtrack erupts into chaotic drums that react to every shove, slam, and body sent crashing through windows. With its bold comic-book visuals and relentless pace, Ape Out turns every escape attempt into a violent rhythm of panic and destruction. Nick and Dave must use momentum, timing, and pure brute force to survive wave after wave of increasingly armed enemies while searching for the next route to freedom. Can Dave stay calm when bullets start flying from every direction? Will Nick spend the whole episode praising the soundtrack instead of actually playing? And just how many guards can one angry ape launch through a door before someone calls security? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    41 min

  6. 23 Apr

    Starfield (2026) In Space Nobody Can Hear You Yawn!

    This week on Critical Arcade, Nick and Dave power up the grav drive, polish their space boots, and blast off into the sprawling universe of Starfield. Set hundreds of years in the future, humanity has left Earth behind and spread across the Settled Systems, where rival factions, ruthless pirates, shady corporations, and mysterious alien artifacts all compete for control. Joining the explorers of Constellation, the boys set out on a journey across distant planets, crowded neon cities, dusty frontier outposts, and the endless black of space itself. From dogfights among the stars to tense firefights on forgotten moons, they’ll need to survive dangerous mercenaries, uncover ancient secrets, and somehow keep their ship from becoming a flying storage locker full of useless loot. Will Dave spend three hours decorating the captain’s quarters instead of saving the galaxy? And can Nick go five minutes without immediately siding with smugglers, bounty hunters, or anyone offering questionable side quests? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    55 min

  7. 16 Apr

    Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss (2026) Whispers From The Deep

    This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick plunge headfirst into the terrifying depths of Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss. Set in 2026, this cosmic horror adventure sends them to a remote deep-sea research station after contact with the facility is mysteriously lost. What begins as a rescue mission quickly spirals into a nightmare as they uncover flooded corridors, broken laboratories, missing crew members, and evidence of something ancient stirring far below the ocean floor. Strange symbols cover the walls, voices whisper through the darkness, and the deeper they descend, the more reality itself begins to unravel. Forced to manage dwindling resources, solve unsettling puzzles, and survive encounters with grotesque creatures that should not exist, Dave and Nick must piece together the truth behind the station’s experiments and the monstrous entity awakening in the abyss. Every answer comes at the cost of their sanity, and some doors are better left unopened. Will Dave keep his nerve when the walls start breathing? Can Nick stop trying to befriend horrors beyond human comprehension? And just how many times will they ignore the obvious warning signs before summoning something with too many eyes? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    53 min

  8. 13 Apr

    Pragmata (2026) Smart Systems, Soft Story

    This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick leave Earth behind and head to a cold, silent lunar research station in Pragmata, where something has gone very, very wrong. What was meant to be a straightforward mission soon turns into a desperate fight for survival as they uncover a facility overrun by malfunctioning machines, dangerous security systems, and secrets buried deep beneath the moon’s surface. Along the way, they encounter Diana, a mysterious young android girl with abilities far beyond anything they expected. Teaming up with her, the pair must navigate collapsing corridors, solve high-tech puzzles, and outsmart hostile AI forces while trying to piece together the truth behind the station’s downfall and what it means for the future of humanity. Can Dave focus long enough to stop staring at the shiny sci-fi visuals? Will Nick lose patience the moment the first hacking puzzle appears? And just how many times will they confidently head the wrong way in zero gravity? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    49 min
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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
    152
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2023 Critical Arcade
  • Show Website
    Critical Arcade