4Player Podcast

This Week on the Show: Ice Breaker: What is your favorite game that is "On Nick's shelf" but something he has never played? (9:30) Impressions: Crimson Desert (18:00) Impressions: Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection (53:15) Impressions: Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake (1:13:50) Ice Breaker: Are there any current "right thing, wrong time" design choices in the current gaming ecosystem? (1:28:25) 4Player Minute (1:34:30) Link Dump: Check out our 2025 Year in Review (Top 10 Videos) Our Community-Wide Year in Review List for 2025 is Also Available Support the Show / Ask a Question Pledge on Patreon ($3 Tier) Subscribe on Twitch ($5)

This Week on the Show: Impressions: Marathon with Nick (2:10) Impressions: Pokemon Pokopia (22:00) Impressions: Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (36:00) Headline: Crimson Desert Reviews are In (45:18) Impressions: Resident Evil Requiem (1:06:45) 4Player Minute (1:19:45) Link Dump: Available Now - Watch our 2025 Year in Review Videos Our Community-Wide Year in Review List for 2025 is Also Available Support the Show / Ask a Question Pledge on Patreon ($3 Tier) Subscribe on Twitch ($5)

This Week on the Show: Film Banter (6:40) Impressions: Marathon (8:50) Impressions: Esoteric Ebb (44:00) Impressions: Slay the Spire 2 (58:30) Impressions: Resident Evil Requiem (1:31:30) 4Player Minute (1:48:20) Support the Show / Ask a Question: Pledge on Patreon ($3 Tier) Subscribe on Twitch ($5)

This Week on the Show: Film Banter (5:10) Impressions: Resident Evil Requiem (18:00) Ice-Breaker Question: What video game protagonist would make a TERRIBLE roomate? (1:01:00) Impressions: Lost Records: Bloom & Rage (1:05:40) Headline: From Software prevented Bluepoint from Remaking Bloodborne (1:16:50) Headline: Major Leadership shakeup at Xbox (1:37:00) 4Player Minute (1:44:20) Support the Show / Ask a Question Pledge on Patreon ($3 Tier) Subscribe on Twitch ($5)

This Week on the Show: Ice-Breaker Question: What unexpected video game tv adaptation could be good? (5:25) Impressions: God of War: Sons of Sparta (11:30) Impressions: Reanimal (36:15) Impressions: Mewgenics (48:10) Headline: Sony shuts down Bluepoint (1:10:30) Ice-Breaker Question: What old-school game mechanics should come back? (1:20:00) 4Player Minute (1:26:15) Support the Show / Ask a Question Pledge on Patreon ($3 Tier) Subscribe on Twitch ($5)

This Week on the Show: Reveal of the 4Player Community Top 10 for 2025 (2:30) Ice-Breaker Question: Did Highguard even have a chance? (17:30) News: Recap of the big Playstation State-of-Play (21:30) News: Silent Hill Townfall Reveal (58:00) Ice-Breaker Question: Switch 2 temperature check (1:11:30) Impressions: Lovish (1:20:00) Impressions: Nioh 3 (1:31:00) 4Player Minute (1:48:30) Support the Show / Ask a Question Pledge on Patreon ($3 Tier) Subscribe on Twitch ($5)

This Week on the Show: Ice-Breaker Question: Worst modern trends in gaming? (4:35) Impressions: Cairn (13:45) Impressions: Vital Shell (41:15) 4Player Minute - Including the Skinny on big updates to Overwatch "2" (54:00) Support the Show / Ask a Question: Pledge on Patreon ($3 Tier) Subscribe on Twitch ($5)

This Week on the Show: Acknowledgements of Current Events (2:45) Ice-Breaker Question: What games would you will into existence if you could? (5:10) Impressions: Pragmata Demo (16:30) Impressions: Mio: Memories in Orbit (30:30) Impressions: Strange Jigsaws (45:30) Ice-Breaker Question: Will we ever record in person again? (55:40) News / Headline: Microsoft shows of Fable and announces launch on PS5 (1:08:40) 4Player Minute (1:25:00) Support the Show / Ask a Question Pledge on Patreon ($3 Tier) Subscribe on Twitch ($5)

Please be aware that this episode delves into spoilers for some of the year's biggest games (Especially Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, Silent Hill f, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, ROUTINE, Death Stranding 2, and more). We did our best to provide ample warning before each spoiler so proceed with caution and be ready to skip ahead if you would prefer to avoid spoilers. Our 2025 Award Categories: Best World Design / Level Design **SPOILER WARNING** (7:38) Best Storytelling **SPOILER WARNING** (25:20) Best Gaming Moment **SPOILER WARNING** (53:20) Wild Card Award #1 (1:18:00) BREAK: Best Soundtrack Samples from Ed (Hollow Knight Silksong) & Krispy (Skin Deep) (1:34:30) Best New Enemy / Boss Design **SPOILER WARNING** (1:37:00) Best New Character **SPOILER WARNING** (1:57:50) Biggest Surprise **SPOILER WARNING** (2:20:20) Wild Card Award #2 (2:38:00) BREAK: Best Soundtrack Samples from Brad (Metroid Prime 4) & Chris Davis (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33) (2:54:15) Biggest Disappointment (2:55:50) I Won't Quit You, I Promise (3:09:45) The 2025 Spotlight Award (3:20:00) Outro / Best Soundtrack Sample from Nick (Kingdom Come Deliverance 2) (3:33:48) Support the Show / Ask a Question Pledge on Patreon ($3 Tier) Subscribe on Twitch ($5)

This Week on the Show: Fantasy Critic 2025 Results & Wrap-Up (5:00) Fantasy Critic 2026 Draft / Preview ft. 35 upcoming games! (14:45) Fantasy Critic 2026 Counter Picks (1:32:55) Support the Show / Ask a Question: Pledge on Patreon ($3 Tier) Subscribe on Twitch ($5)

This Week on the Show: First things first... Happy New Year! Housekeeping (1:40) Ice Breaker: What non-pokemon character would you sneak into the pokedex if you could? (12:40) The Seance of Blake Manor (18:50) Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (42:35) Ice Breaker: What are some of your all-time favorite movies? (1:04:00) Monster Hunter Wilds - Title Update 4 (1:13:15) 4Player Minute (1:35:00) Support the Show / Ask a Question Pledge on Patreon ($3 Tier) Subscribe on Twitch ($5)

This week on the show: Housekeeping - New Website / Logo Coming Soon (2:00) Impressions - Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (8:30) Impressions - ROUTINE (1:00:00) Impressions - Banjo Kazooie 3... in DREAMS (1:21:20) Recap - The Game Awards 2025 (1:32:10)

This Week on the Show: Headlines - Metroid Prime 4 Reviews are In (8:00) Impressions - Hell is Us (20:10) Bullying Chris Davis over Kingdome Come Deliverance 2 (32:00) Impressions - Sektori (50:00) Impressions - Megabonk (1:04:00) 4Player Minute (1:16:50) PSA: As the title implies, pardon the adorable dog lightly snoring in the background...

This Week on the Show: Housekeeping (2:00) Headlines - Metroid Prime 4... Ruined?! (10:40) Headlines - The Game Award Nominations (36:00) Impressions - Dispatch (49:20) Impressions - Absolum (1:16) 4Player Minute (1:38:40)

This Week on the Show: Keeper (5:00) Lumines Arise (22:00) Hades 2 (38:50) Ghost of Yotei (51:40) Dispatch (1:02:00) Ball x Pit (1:21:35) 4Player Minute (1:33:40)

This Week on the Show: Halloween Banter (1:15) Current Standing of our 4Player Staff Fantasy Critic League (5:30) Current Standing of all 4Player Community Fantasy Critic Leagues (31:40)

This Week on the Show: Banter - Horror Movies & Spooky Season Stuff (2:00) Impressions - Ninja Gaiden 4 (23:00) Impressions - Dying Light: The Beast (43:20) Impressions - Once Upon a Katamari (1:08:00) Impressions - Slots & Daggers (1:24:25) 4Player Minute (1:34:50)

Discussion Topics: Banter - Horror Movies & Spooky Season Stuff (1:15) Impressions - Forestrike (18:50) Impressions - Silent Hill f | New Game + (32:45) Impressions - Hades II (57:35) 4Player Minute (1:16:18)

Spooky season has arrived! Before we delve into the absolute chaos of October 2025 in the world of video games, we indulge our desire to talk horror films and getting into the Halloween spirit! After that, Brad dives deep on yet another "definitive" version of his favorite game of all time: Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles. Chris Davis and Nick deliver some early impressions of Ghost of Yotei and discuss how Sucker Punch approached the sequel from a design standpoint. Brad also shines some light on an inspired new indie game, Consume Me, which is already sweeping up awards but struggling a little to gain traction for consumers. Banter - Spooky season is here! (1:00) Impressions - Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles (18:30) Impressions - Ghost of Yotei (49:15) Impressions - Consume Me (1:16:50) 4Player Minute (1:34:50)

Chris Davis turned 40 but enough about that... October 2025 is poised to be one of the most beautifully chaotic months of gaming that we've seen in a long time. We recorded late this week but it gave us more time to delve into Silent Hill f, another impressive (original) entry in Silent Hill's ongoing comeback tour. Brad also siezes the opportunity to finally talk about Hades II after patiently waiting for the game to leave early access! Of course, there is more Hollow Knight Silksong to discuss as we each move through this difficult game at varying paces. Impressions - Silent Hill f (9:55) Impressions - Hades II (41:45) 4Player Minute (1:09:10)

We dig deeper into Hollow Knight Silksong this week and take the time to debate some of the nitty-gritty design choices that make the experience divisive but brilliant. Chris Davis delivers some final thoughts on his extended playthroughs of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater and we briefly discuss the fun we had together last week streaming Peak! In the news, Kojima Productions hosted their own showcase with a host of announcements including a first look at OD: Knock. We also take a closer look at some surprises that hit this week with games like Silent Hill f and Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter debuting with impressive review scores. Banter (2:40) News - Trails in the Sky and Silent Hill f debut with surprisingly strong reviews (21:00) News - Hideo Kojima presentation reveals updates on upcoming projects (39:30) Impressions - Peak (49:10) Impressions - Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater (1:08:00) Impressions - Hollow Knight Silksong (1:24:09) 4Player Minute (1:48:00)

What is there to say? Hollow Knight Silksong is out and we have played a bunch of it. In fact, the game is so good that it brought Ed out of hiding and onto the podcast for the first time since our 2025 Fantasy Critic Draft! After slobbing all over Silksong, we take some time to recap this week's big Nintendo Direct and the abundance of announcements thaat continue to make 2025 one of the wildest years for gaming ever! Metroid Prime 4 and Hades 2 have new release dates and the next Fire Emblem is lookin hot. Banter - Catching up with Ed (7:20) Impressions - Hollow Knight Silksong (18:20) News - Nintendo Direct Recap (1:09:40) 4Player Minute (1:29:55)

As the clock ticks down toward the looming release of Hollow Knight Silksong, we say goodbye to a bygone era. Strangely enough, that era ends with us revisiting three established franchises with vastly different approaches to modernization. Nick and Chris Davis talk about the impressive - but slightly unambitious - remake, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater and Brad delves into Shinobi: Art of Vengeance which has reinvented the franchise with a shift of genre and a beautiful new coat of paint. Meanwhile, Krispy declares No Man's Sky: Voyagers to be the ultimate expansion which softens the barrier-to-entry and out Starfield's Starfield. Impressions - Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater (12:10) Impressions - Shinobi: Art of Vengeance (45:15) Impressions - No Man's Sky: Voyagers (1:00:40) 4Player Minute (1:18:00)

This is not a drill. Hollow Knight Silksong not only has a release date... It's NEXT WEEK! As exciting as that is, we have to deal with the here and now. Brad tries his best to talk about Sword of the Sea without mentioning Journey but fails miserably. Nick delves into Heartworm, a 2025 indie horror game that harkens back to the days of PS1-era survival horror and Chris Davis continues his recent love affair with Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 but focuses on the campaign this week. With a little Lumines Arise (Demo), Death Stranding 2, Donkey Kong Bananza, and some Deadlock Beta impressions sprinkled throughout, you've got yourself a podcast. News - Hollow Knight Silksong Release Date Announced (12:00) Impressions - Sword of the Sea (21:40) Impressions - Heartworm (34:40) Impressions - Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (43:55) Impressions - Lumines Arise Demo (1:03:00) 4Player Minute / Deadlock Impressions (1:26:50)

Gamescom 2025 kicked off this week in Germany so we devoted most of this episode to recapping the news and announcements coming out of the Opening Night Live ceremony! This includes updates for highly anticipated games like Routine, Onimusha: Way of the Sword, Resident Evil Requiem, and more! Believe it or not, there is also big news to report regarding Hollow Knight Silksong and Bioshock 4! Brad squeezes in some impressions of Fumes; a car combat game in early access which scratched his Twisted Metal itch (kinda). News - Hollow Knight Silksong Updates (10:45) News - Bioshock 4 Development Shakeup (23:10) News - Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025 Recap (28:40) Impressions - Fumes (1:12:30) 4Player Minute (1:24:40)

Nick's making random gaming decisions again but it gives us a chance to revisit Octopath Traveler II; An RPG that didn't get a ton of coverage from us when it first released. Before the onslaught of AAA releases hits, Brad keeps the flow of indie darlings flowing. This week, he talks about Ooo and Is this Seat Taken; both of which are worth your attention albeit for very different reasons. Of course, Chris Davis is coming in hot with his in-depth impressions of the Battlefield 6 Beta! Impressions - Octopath Traveler 2 (8:50) Impressions - Ooo (16:00) Impressions - Is this Seat Taken? (23:42) Impressions - Battlefield 6 Beta (41:00) 4Player Minute (1:04:00)

We're coming in hot this week! You may not know this but 2025 is the year of the ninja! Brad brings his thoughts on two new 2D entries in classic ninja franchises: Ninja Gaiden Ragebound and the demo for the upcoming Shinobi: Art of Vengeance! Nick digs a little deeper into Donkey Kong Bananza which might go down as the best "baby-game" ever made. Chris Davis gives his final thoughts on Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 + 4 along with footage that will haunt Brad's nightmares. Impressions - Ninja Gaiden Ragebound (4:00) Impressions - Shinobi: Art of Vengeance Demo (12:35) Impressions - Donkey Kong Bananza (23:15) Impressions - Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 + 4 (38:00)

This week brings MORE Superman chit-chat now that our resident comic-book expert has seen the film! Brad talks about Promise Mascot Agency which feels like a bizarre mini-game ripped straight out of Yakuza. Of course, we also dig into Donkey Kong Bananza; The Nintendo Switch 2's first "killer app!" Nick also delivers early impressions of Luto which feels like a bizarre cross between PT and The Stanley Parable. There's loads to talk about but for some reason, Chris Davis didn't bring us footage of Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 + 4! WTF? Film Banter (2:00) Impressions - Promise Mascot Agency (12:00) Impressions - Donkey Kong Bananza (28:00) Impressions - Luto (57:20) Impressions - Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 + 4 (1:07:00) 4Player Minute (1:18:10)

It's a week of highs and lows! Unfortunately, Xbox was hit with another wave of layoffs and high-profile cancellations including the likes of Perfect Dark and Everwild. It's not all bad news bears though. We cover the new Superman movie, revisit The Wonderful 101, and delve deeper into the insane and wonderful world of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach! Chris Davis also played... The Thing Remastered(?!). Film Banter - Superman (4:40) News - Xbox Layoffs and Cancellations (12:10) Impressions - The Thing Remastered (39:00) Impressions - The Wonderful 101 (44:20) Impressions - Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (1:04:00) 4Player Minute (1:42:50)