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HPCriticalThe Lost Files – JRPG Club Plays: Final Fantasy X-2FFX-2. The first official Final Fantasy sequel, and once the chosen game for JRPG Club. The now-defunct HPCritical JRPG club decided to take a look at Final Fantasy X-2 after completing FFX. While they never got far enough to continue the series for this title, we're releasing the lost files of that first recorded session of their initial reactions to X-2. Join the hose Jerel as he discusses with HPCritical members Brandon and Dylan and Patreon members Job and Stephanie as we hear their initial impressions on what Final Fantasy X-2 is all about. 2024-01-031h 11HPCriticalEpisode 123: Yoshi-P Says No POC In FF16In what a lot of fans consider a controversial move, Naoki Yoshida, better known to fans colloquially as Yoshi-P, had an interview about Final Fantasy XVI, and when asked about Black people and PoC in the game, his answer was more than disappointing.
On top of this, we also talk about the latest gaming news of the week. Join the HPCritical crew for a little bit of Pokémon and all things gaming as we also prepare for the launch of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet.
If you’d like to grab some podcast merch, check out...2022-11-161h 31HPCriticalPodcast Episode 122: Farewell To Pokemon Sword & ShieldEvery last Wednesday of the month, the HPCritical podcast crew gets to hold a play session. With the news that Pokémon Sword & Shield will be discontinuing updates in the wild area and putting an end to the competitive scene after the current season ends, we’ve decided to take a look back at one of the most popular Pokémon games of all time.
Setting the precedent for what is to come, Sword & Shield set expectations high for later games, and with Scarlet & Violet on the horizon, we reminisce on shared moments and memories while preparing ourse...2022-10-2948 minHPCriticalEpisode 121: The Bayonetta DebacleThis week the HPCritical crew is joined by friend of the show Jorge aka McMuffins, with Jerel, Kristie, and Brandon jumping on the latest in gaming news for the week. Aside from the Bayonetta situation, we talk about trans and Black characters in gaming, the new Sims 4, the Resident Evil stream, new Activision Blizzard situations, and more, have a listen.
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If you’d like to write in with questions or comments, or speak to any of us, feel...2022-10-241h 53HPCriticalEpisode 120: What’s Up With The Mario Movie?The HPCritical Podcast crew is back, and it’s another packed episode. This weeks gaming news involves our impressions of the Super Mario Bros movie trailer. we also discuss Microsoft vs PlayStation in the Blizzard acquisition situation, Overwatch 2, the First Soldier cancellation, Call of Duty following in previous SMS footsteps, injuries at Twitchcon, and more. Have a listen.
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If you’d like to write in with questions or comments, or speak to any of us, feel free to do...2022-10-171h 25HPCriticalEpisode 119: The Big ReturnThe HPCritical podcast crew returns after a week off, and this return is a big one. We divulge into the latest gaming news for the last two week, and Gabe has finally made his return to the podcast crew. We deep dive into the biggest headlines, covering everything you need to know. Have a listen. If you’d like to grab some podcast merch, check out our store and order your favorite items!
If you’d like to write in with questions or comments, or speak to any of us, feel free to do so. You can reach u...2022-10-101h 31
HPCriticalJRPG Club: Final Fantasy XII Pt.4JRPG Club continues as the HPCritical JRPG crew traverse through Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age. We’ve reached the fourth stopping point for Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age, which was reaching the Water Steps. Check out how we feel about the game and story so far.
So the JRPG Club has made it to the Water Steps in Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age, and so much has happened. Political intrigue, warfare, an illusionary puzzle, Knights, Magicite, and more, check out the latest episode of the JRPG Club, as we get further along, slowly closing in...2022-09-0542 minHPCriticalEpisode 116: We’re Finally BackWe’ve been off for two weeks, but we’re finally back. The HPCritical podcast crew of Kellie, Brandon, and Jerel once again talk about the week’s gaming news. With a lot to cover after a week of gaming together, we discuss the latest in gaming news and some personal updates, come have a listen.
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If you’d like to write in with questions, comments, or speak to any of us, feel free to do so. You can re...2022-08-291h 25HPCriticalEpisode 114: Is Marvel Too White?We have a lot to talk about regarding Marvel this week. The HPCritical Podcast crew discusses NFTs, Grand Theft Auto 6, and a lot of conversations regarding the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It was a light week for news, allowing us to play a session of video game 20 questions. Come have a listen.
If you’d like to grab some podcast merch, check out our store and order your favorite items!
If you’d like to write in with questions, comments, or speak to any of us, feel free to do so. You can reach us at hpcr...2022-08-021h 19HPCriticalEpisode 112: So About That FFXIV Billboard?It’s been far too long since the HPCritical Podcast Crew was joined by the incomparable Wesley LeBlanc. We’re back to talking the latest gaming news as usual, From the billboards that went up for Final Fantasy XIV to the reveal of the release date for Bayonetta 3, EA upsetting players, and Diablo Immortal making a million dollars a day, there’s some interesting conversation to be had. Have a listen.
Don’t forget to check out his show Dragonball Speak for an awesome runback of the entire series as Wesley watches for the first time.
If you’d...2022-07-161h 09
HPCriticalPodcast Episode 111: Klonoa, Chris Pratt & Roe V Wade Vs The Gaming IndustryChris Pratt, Kyle Rittenhouse, and Ted Cruz are all featured in this week’s episode all involving video games surprisingly. Rittenhouse has a video game, Ted Cruz is on Twitch, Chris Pratt says he’s not religious, and the gaming industry reacts to the historic Roe V. Wade decision made by the SCOTUS. We’ve got you covered with quite the interesting podcast this week. It’s another packed week with the HPCritical crew, come have a listen.
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If you’d...2022-07-041h 29HPCriticalEpisode 110: 20 Questions LGBTQIA+ EditionTo round out our final podcast episode for the month of June, the HPCritical podcasts joined this week by recurring guest Sterling, discussing gaming news and culminating in an LGBTQIA+ version of video game 20 questions. Come have a listen.
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If you’d like to write in with questions, comments, or speak to any of us, feel free to do so. You can reach us at hpcriticalgaming@gmail.com or our official Twitter account.
REMEMBER TO LIKE...2022-06-251h 37HPCriticalEpisode 109: Xbox Presentation & Weekly Gaming NewsAfter a big week of gaming announcements, the HPCritical podcast crew comes together to discuss the latest news. From our impressions of the Xbox/Bethesda showcase, to the addition of a video game category in the Grammy awards, a protest and Gamestop, and everything in between, here’s the latest look at the last week in gaming. Have a listen.
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If you’d like to write in with questions, comments, or speak to any of us, feel free t...2022-06-181h 38HPCriticalEpisode 108: Happy Pride MonthHappy Pride Month. The HPCritical podcast has lots of news to get through this week, and to do so they’re joined by Chris Penwell to get through it all. This week the podcast definitely has a focus on LGBTQIA+ issues within the industry, and what better time to discuss what the industry standards in diversity are today. From how Twitch is celebrating Pride, to the EA walkouts, and of course a look at gaming with half the year over, everything you need to know for the week is right here. Have a listen.
If you’d like...2022-06-141h 27HPCriticalDiscussion - Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, Final Fantasy XVI, & Sony’s State of PlayJerel is joined by HPCritical’s own Kristie for this special episode of the HPCritical Podcast. This bonus episode has two of the biggest Pokémon and Final Fantasy fans coming to give their reactions on everything shown in this week of gaming. If Summer Game Fest is anything like what we’ve begun to see, gamers are in for a serious treat for the near future of gaming. Here’s everything that happened and our reactions to the new Pokémon Scarlet & Violet trailer, the PlayStation State of Play, a look at Resident Evil 4 Remake, and a deep dive int...2022-06-061h 31HPCriticalEpisode 106: The U.S. Video Game Industry’s First Major UnionJoined this week by special guest Spencer Pennington, the HPCritical crew discusses the U.S. video game industry’s first major union. On top of that huge news, we also discuss The Sims 4 pronouns update, new info on Hogwarts Legacy, Apple, Amazon, and Disney supposedly in talks to purchase EA, and so much more. Have a listen.
If you’d like to grab some podcast merch, check out our store and order your favorite items!
If you’d like to write in with questions, comments, or speak to any of us, feel free to do so. Yo...2022-05-291h 04HPCriticalEpisode 104: Streamers, Sonic, & Summer Games FestPolice interrupt the stream of a Trans gamer, Gotham Knights ditches last-gen, Summer Games Fest has a date, Square Enix sells off their western studios, Sonic has some new information and there’s so much more to discuss. Check out this week's episode of the HPCritical Podcast, where Brandon, Jerel, and Kellie dive into all of that and more. Come have a listen.
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If you’d like to write in with questions, comments, or speak to any of us...2022-05-161h 22HPCriticalEpisode 103: Square Enix, Netflix, & Lawsuits EverywhereSquare Enix doesn’t care about players according to Yuji Naka, the Balan Wonderworld previous director who has filed a lawsuit against them. Netflix is attempting to punish users who share passwords instead of fixing their issues, Dead by Daylight has its first official LGBTQIA+ character, and the HPCritical crew is joined by guest writer Rodrigo to discuss all of that and more. Come have a listen.
If you’d like to grab some podcast merch, check out our store and order your favorite items!
If you’d like to write in with questions, comments, or spe...2022-05-071h 30HPCriticalEpisode 102: What’s Up With Kingdom Hearts 4?Probably the biggest news in gaming was the reveal of Kingdom Hearts IV. Of course, the week had a ton more gaming news, and the HPCritical crew is joined by Greysun to discuss some of the biggest events of the past week. Come have a listen to keep up with the latest in gaming news, and try your hand at video game 20 questions in the end.
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If you’d like to write in with questions, comments, or spea...2022-04-241h 43HPCriticalEpisode 101: Game TimeIt’s time to celebrate 101 episodes with a nice little kickback and relaxing game night. No, not the type of games you’re thinking of. The HPCritical crew enjoys their time playing “Two Truths and a Lie” as well as “Video Game 20 Questions” to help ease into the next era of the HPCritical podcast. Let’s see how well the cohosts can do at some trivia.
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If you’d like to write in with quest...2022-04-2057 minHPCriticalHPCritical Podcast Episode 100: Our 3 Year AnniversaryIt’s been three years and 100 episodes and HPCritical is still going strong. To celebrate both the 100 episodes and the three-year announcement, the HPCritical leadership team got together to discuss their journey with games journalism within the industry. From conversations on their humble beginnings to the point they’ve reached today and the accomplishments they’ve achieved with HPCritical, come have a listen.
If you’d like to grab some podcast merch, check out our store and order your favorite items!
If you’d like to write in with questions, comments, or speak to any of us, feel...2022-04-1151 minHPCriticalEpisode 99: E3 Cancellation, PlayStation Plus & More!Another week of gaming news from the HPCritical Crew. We start off with some normal catching up, then we dive into the latest in gaming news for the week. This past week had some pretty big announcements to check out, and it includes some of the biggest names in gaming, whether through being famous or at this point existing in infamy. This week, look forward to conversations on the new PlayStation Plus tiers and plan, Activision Blizzard’s settlement agreement, E3 being canceled both digitally and physically, Netflix and Anime and so much more. Have a listen.
If...2022-04-041h 39HPCriticalEpisode 98: When Will Games Stop Being Time Sinks?The HPCritical Podcast is now recorded LIVE on Twitch just in case you didn’t know. For this week, the crew (minus Gabe) is back and we talk the latest in gaming news. We’ve got lots of Microsoft news to cover, along with a question of the week, “when will games stop being time sinks?” Come have a listen and let us know your answer.
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If you’d like to write in with questions, comments, or speak to any...2022-03-281h 21HPCriticalEpisode 97: Game Difficulty, Mario Kart DLC Pricing, Babylon's "Fall", Hogwarts Legacy and MoreOur first live podcast! Another week, another discussion by the HPCritical Podcast crew on the latest in gaming news. This week we discuss game difficulty, whether or not Mario Kart's DLC pricing is good, the woes of Babylon's Fall, and our thoughts on Hogwarts Legacy. Come have a listen.
If you’d like to grab some podcast merch, check out our store and order your favorite items! If you’d like to write in with questions, comments, or speak to any of us, feel free to do so. You can reach us at hpcriticalgaming@gmail.com or our o...2022-03-211h 44HPCriticalEpisode 96: Mario Day, PlayStation State of Play & How Bra Size WorksAnother week, another discussion by the HPCritical Podcast crew on the latest in gaming news. This week we discuss everything from PlayStation’s lawsuit to evaluating the latest State of Play, How Bra Sizes Work in reference to video game characters, criticism of female representation in Lost Ark, and we begin it all with our favorite Mario games and moments to celebrate Mario Day. Come have a listen.
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If you’d like to write in with questions, comments...2022-03-121h 10HPCriticalEpisode 95: Switchmas, Pokémon, Elden Ring & Activision Blizzard Flops AgainThe Switch has been out for 5 years now, and of course, the HPCritical Podcast Crew gives their thoughts on the Switch 5 years later. Not only do we discuss the anniversary, but we take a look at some of the latest news stories in gaming. Activision Blizzard blames Microsoft for not hiring women, Kotaku and its sister sites go on strike, Elden Ring publishers in Japan get monthly raises, and that’s only the beginning. Catch up on the latest news in the industry with the HPCritical crew below.
If you’d like to grab some podcast merch, chec...2022-03-061h 13HPCriticalEpisode 94: Dealing With BurnoutThe HPCritical Podcast crew is finally back, and this week we take our time catching up with life. What was intended to be a look back at some of the latest gaming news turned into a discussion on burnout and how we handle it. Have you ever just not felt like gaming? Has life gotten in the way of your favorite hobby? Has gaming or whatever hobby you indulge in begun to feel like work? We’ve all been there and we take some time discussing those feelings, what causes them, and how we overcome them. If this sounds similar to...2022-02-2633 min
HPCriticalJRPG Club: Final Fantasy XII Pt. 2JRPG Club continues as the HPCritical JRPG crew traverse through Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age. We’ve reached the second stopping point for Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age, which was reaching the Ozmone Plains. Check out how we feel about the game and story so far.
So the JRPG Club has made it to the Ozmone Plains in Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age and this checkpoint was quite a hefty one. New plots have been revealed, old characters have returned and the politics have ramped up. In this second episode, we discuss the newly ad...2022-02-2054 minHPCriticalEpisode 93: Pokémon Legends Arceus ImpressionsAfter a brief hiatus, the HPCritical Podcast crew is back to discuss all things Pokémon. Pokémon Legends Arceus has been out for a few weeks, and we’ve finally been able to convene and discuss the huge differences that come along with this new title in the franchise. Legends Arceus is like no other Pokémon title before it, and to truly give it the attention it deserves, we brought along Joey our HPCritical staff writer and guest O’Dell Harmon Jr. A wonderful games journalist who is a Pokémon Master in every sense of the word.2022-02-121h 25HPCriticalPodcast Episode 92: Microsoft Acquires Activision BlizzardThe biggest acquisition in gaming has taken place. Microsoft has acquired Activision Blizzard and a slew of other developers in the mix as well. Of course, the HPCritical podcast crew discusses this as well as Kingdom Hearts coming to Switch, Batman’s long runtime, new games coming to Nintendo Switch Online, the controversy surrounding Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, the games coming to Gamepass and so much more. Have a listen.
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REMEMBER TO LIKE, COMMENT, AND SUBS...2022-01-221h 00HPCriticalPodcast Episode 90: Covid Crushes E3 AgainOur first official HPCritical Podcast of 2022 is here, and we’re back to discussing the latest in gaming news. Lots of stories from our dear friend Wesley Leblanc over at Game Informer including the sales of Days Gone, and Sonic Frontiers being delayed. We also talk about some upcoming games releasing in 2022, the Harry Potter reunion, Sony and its war on crossplay, E3 shifting to a digital-only event based on more Covid-19 health risks and so much more. Come have a listen.
If you’d like to grab some podcast merch, check out our store and order your...2022-01-081h 04HPCriticalEpisode 89: 2021 - A Year In Review2021 has finally come to a close, and what better way to look forward to the future than to look back at what we’ve done in the past. This year the gaming industry as a whole had some big steps and some missteps, with revelations, advancements, and a number of social issues tackled by the HPCritical crew and friends. Not only did we have a ton of controversial content to talk over for 2021, but we had some amazing podcast guests from all over the gaming industry in different positions to come weigh in and give their opinions on the la...2022-01-0156 minHPCriticalPodcast Episode 88: Game Awards, Forspoken, Bungie, FFXIV & MoreIt’s been a while, but we’re back and better than ever. The HPCritical podcast crew reunites after a few weeks off to bring you the latest in gaming news and opinions. We take on more of the prevalent social issues in gaming from Forspoken’s misspoken and possibly offensive representation, Roblox and potential child exploitation, The Game Awards stance on harassment and issues within the industry, Bungie and the handling of its own issues, and so much more in gaming news. We even get in some thoughts on the Game Awards winners and the ongoing server issues in Fin...2021-12-181h 12HPCriticalJRPG Club Returns With Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac AgeThe Final Fantasy XII Journey Begins - A Sky Pirate’s Destiny HPCritical has created a JRPG club. As a book club would, we chose a video game, and we choose portions of it to progress through as we come together once a month to discuss the title. The next game the JRPG club chose to delve into is Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age. This classic JRPG was divisive during its initial 2006 release, and yet the Zodiak Age brought the title back into the mainstream in 2017 with a new appreciation from fans of its complexities as well as st...2021-12-042h 00HPCriticalHPCritical Podcast 87: Trans Players Deal With Forza Horizon 5This week the HPCritical Podcast Crew is back and tackling some of the more difficult topics in gaming news for this week. Topics for the week include G4TV coming to cable television, Twitch coming to the Switch, the delay of Final Fantasy XIV, the revealed cast of One Piece, Trans players responding to hearing their dead name announced in Forza Horizon 5 and so much more. Prepare to hear discussions on all the latest in gaming from Jerel, Kellie, Brandon, and Gabe, take a listen on your favorite podcast streaming apps.
If you’d like to grab so...2021-11-141h 03HPCriticalPodcast Episode 86: Making Up For Lost TimeWe missed our Halloween episode but the HPCritical Podcast Crew is back for a week of jam packed gaming news to make up for lost time. We’ve got an hours worth of content covering everything from gaming, entertainment and everything else in between. From the Eternals movie being pulled in certain areas due to LGBTQ+ representation, to the 15 minutes of Elden Ring footage, Take Two/2K cancelling a project with an estimated $53 million cost, companies delving into NFT’s, YouTube competing with Twitch and so much more. Join Jerel, Kellie, Brandon and Gabe for their weekly deep dive into...2021-11-081h 04HPCriticalPodcast Episode 85: 10 Years Of Nintendo Directs & Weekly NewsGamepass misses its sales mark, the Uncharted Movie gets its first official trailer release, Cyberpunk 2077 gets another delay, Blizzard fires 22 employees and Bungie begins charging for end-game raid content in Destiny 2. Sound like a good chunk of gaming news? What about a new PlayStation patent that would allow viewers to pay to kick players from streams? Well, there’s that and more as the HPCritical podcast crew convenes once again to discuss the latest and most interesting topics in gaming news. Jerel, Brandon, and Gabe are joined this week by a friend of the show and guest writer for HP...2021-10-231h 01HPCriticalEpisode 83: Sora In Smash & Twitch Payout LeaksThe HPCritical Podcast crew discusses the addition of Sora as the final DLC character to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. They also discuss the Twitch leak, the payout and its possible ramifications, the upcoming Animal Crossing update, Amazon’s New World MMO, HBO’s new Game of Thrones title, the death of Dragon Quest composer Koichi Sugiyama, and even more pressing news. Join the crew and come have a listen.
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If you’d like to write in with questions...2021-10-0957 minHPCriticalEpisode 82: Nintendo Direct ImpressionsThe latest Nintendo Direct has come and gone, and the HPCritical Podcast crew dissects the event and everything that happened in it. Brandon, Gabe, and Jerel discuss each announcement and their thoughts on it, followed by impressions of the presentation as a whole. From Kirby to Bayonetta, Splatoon 3, and everything else in-between, here’s everything that happened and exactly how we feel about it. Come have a listen.
If you’d like to grab some podcast merch, check out our store and order your favorite items!
If you’d like to write in with questions, commen...2021-09-271h 13HPCriticalEpisode 81: Xbox Owns PlayStation Games?It’s back to business as usual. The HPCritical Podcast crew convenes once again to discuss the latest in gaming news. It’s been a bit of a slow week, but the crew dives into everything from the Apple vs Epic lawsuit outcome, Insomniac games making their superhero titles PS5 exclusives, everyone tired of seeing GTAV, and the weirdness that is Xbox exclusive studios games exclusively on the PlayStation for a limited time. Come hang out and hear about the latest in gaming news with us.
If you’d like to grab some podcast merch, check out our st...2021-09-1752 minHPCriticalEpisode 80: PlayStation Presentation & News Catch-UpWe took a week off but now the HPCritical Podcast Crew is back with returning guest Sterling (Jump Cut Play, Twinfinite) to catch up on gaming news from last week, discuss the latest in gaming this week, and dive into the PlayStation Presentation. If you’ve missed our hot takes on the latest in gaming, we’re back to give you the rundown. Check out the latest podcast episode.
If you’d like to grab some podcast merch, check out our store and order your favorite items!
If you’d like to write in with questions...2021-09-101h 16HPCriticalEpisode 79: Quick News + Video Game 100 QuestionsWe promised some fun last week, and on this week’s episode of the HPCritical Podcast, we deliver. First up, we discuss a few of the more pressing issues in gaming recently including Blizzard changing the name of McCree in Overwatch after their lawsuit issues, and Fortnite holding a Martin Luther King Jr. immersive experience with TIME to help educate players on civil rights. We also mention Pokémon and its series coming to the Switch and a few more quick topics before we move on to our fun and that’s video game 100 questions. Brandon, Kellie, and Gabe will...2021-08-281h 17HPCriticalEpisode 78: Among Us vs Fortnite, Pokémon Presents, Only Fans Erasure & MoreGaming News and Entertainment intertwine in this week’s episode of the HPCritical podcast. The podcast crew has returned to discuss everything that’s been happening and the subjects get pretty deep this week. We of course discuss Pokémon presentation, giving details on everything announced, but we also get into conversations surrounding Fortnite taking the Among Us formula, Stranger Things being removed from Dead by Daylight (and licensing issues) to Only Fans removing sexually explicit videos. The news runs the gamut and we tackle it all. Come have a listen. If you’d like to grab some podcast merch, c...2021-08-211h 24HPCriticalPodcast Episode 77: Anime Acquisitions, Twitch Apologies, PS5 Pros & Cons & MoreWe’ve got another really packed week here at the HPCritical Podcast headquarters. For this week’s episode we dive back into gaming news, but take some time to contemplate some other topics and share what we’ve been playing lately. Look forward to conversations on Twitch apologizing once again for how its marginalized community is being handled while addressing hate raids, Alex Hutchinson defends his new all white and mostly male gaming studio, a number of Blizzard employees (including Diablo 4 director Luis Barriga) have been let go, and that’s just the tip of the hot topics iceberg. There’s...2021-08-131h 28HPCriticalPodcast Episode 76 (Pt.2): ScarJo Sues Disney, Pax West Gets Vaccinated, & More Gaming NewsThe HPCritical Podcast crew returns for part 2 of episode 76. Part One was a deep dive into the Activision Blizzard situation, and part two continues where they left off, taking a look at the other gaming and entertainment news from the last week. This of course includes Scarlett Johnson suing Disney, the Tokyo Olympics playing video game music (and Nintendo not being there), Pax West announcing required vaccinations or negative COVID tests to attend, and even more gaming news from delaying Digimon again to a Pokemon Snap & Animal Crossing update. Come have a listen to the latest gaming news.
2021-08-0152 minHPCriticalPodcast Episode 76 (Pt.1) - Activision Blizzard Lawsuit Deep DiveThe HPCritical podcast crew returns with the latest in gaming news, and with so many developing stories surrounding Activision Blizzard we take a look at everything that’s happened since the revelation of the lawsuit up until the time of the podcast recording. The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing has filed a lawsuit against Activision Blizzard for unequal pay, sexual harassment, and retaliation against female employees. Our last episode only scratches the surface of what happened, this week we take an in-depth look at all that has transpired since our last podcast recording you can check out he...2021-07-311h 21HPCriticalPodcast Episode 75: A Discussion On Activision Blizzard's "Frat House" LawsuitGreysun (Gamerant) greets the HPCritical podcast crew for this week’s gaming news discussion as Kellie takes the week off. The crew is back with the latest in gaming news, and this time they focus on condemning the “frat boy” culture surrounding Activision Blizzard. The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing has filed a lawsuit against Activision Blizzard for unequal pay, sexual harassment, and retaliation against female employees. This episode requires a trigger warning as we briefly discuss sexual harassment and suicide. Aside from the tough issues, we also speak on Pokemon Unite, The Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster, a few n...2021-07-241h 11HPCriticalEpisode 74: Steam Deck, Stadia & Gaming InvincibilityGabe, Jerel, and Kellie reconvene this week to tackle the latest in gaming news. Though Brandon is missing, his spirit lives on as we discuss the most prevalent posts in gaming and entertainment for the past week. Look forward to conversations on Invincibility mode in gaming, Netflix adding a gaming section, the brand new Steam Deck portable console, Persona’s 25th anniversary, Stadia’s plan to give devs a cut of the revenue, and much more. We also have a quick discussion on Disney, Marvel, and more. If you’ve missed any of the latest headlines for the week, be sur...2021-07-171h 10HPCriticalEpisode 73: Assassin's, Accessibility, & A Bed Time For KidsThis week the HPCritical Podcast Crew takes a look at laws preventing children from playing games late at night, to the controversy of a live-service Assassin’s Creed and how Ubisoft leadership handled the “Me Too” movement. We also touch on Asmongold coming to Final Fantasy XIV, Nintendo looking to make Switch Online more appealing, PlayStation studios and accessibility, and an NYPD branded Game Truck that is obviously a bad idea. In great news the entire crew is back together, so come have a listen as we give you all the latest in gaming news for the week.
If y...2021-07-101h 36HPCriticalEpisode 72: $10 Million Xbox Scam, A Trump 2024 Flag, & Why Nintendo Is AwesomeThis week the Podcast crew joins together to discuss the latest in gaming and there’s a lot of money involved in the latest gaming news. Brandon, Kellie, and Jerel discuss the $10 million gift card fraud scheme, Sony (and other companies) charging $25,000 for store visibility, PlayStation, and Xbox studio acquisitions and what it means, Nintendo’s commitment to diversity and so much more. We also of course talk about the Sniper Ghost Warrior: Contracts 2 press event controversy including the Trump 2024 flag flown at the event. There’s a ton of information to dive into so join the HPCritical crew (minus...2021-07-031h 11HPCriticalEpisode 71: Producer Interviews, Xbox & Diversity, Sony & Crossplay & MoreThe HPCritical crew has returned to discuss the latest in gaming news. This week we are joined by our wonderful friend and producer Austin Maestre. Austin brings his expertise and opinion having worked at a number of studios including Mojang, Suckerpunch, Irrational Games and more to help us better understand our weekly gaming news topics. From Pokemon Sword & Shield leakers being fined $150K, Twitch Streamers being banned for Yoga, Sony caving to crossplay, Xbox focusing on diversity, and everything in between, we’ve got you covered for the latest in gaming news headlines.
If you’d like to g...2021-06-261h 40HPCriticalEpisode 70: E32021 Round-UpThe show is now over. From the Summer Games Fest to the last presentation, E3 2021 has come and gone. Of course, the HPCritical crew is here to discuss the aftermath of E3, from some of our favorite announcements to some that left us surprised or wanting more. The entire podcast crew is back, so Brandon, Kellie, Gabe, and Jerel discuss every day of E3, shout out their favorite announcements, and give an overall verdict of what happened. Xbox, Bethesda, Square Enix, Nintendo, and more are discussed. Come have a listen.
If you’d like to grab some pod...2021-06-191h 11HPCriticalPodcast Episode 69: Parental Discretion AdvisedPlease be advised, Episode 69 of the podcast is just for fun, not meant to be taken seriously, and is not indicative of the direction of the podcast. It is an explicit adults-only episode in which we discuss sexual content found within video games. If you don’t like this episode, don’t worry, we will return to our regularly scheduled weekly gaming news next week. Feel free to skip this episode if you find it inappropriate. We will see you next week with even more gaming news.
It’s finally here. The much-talked-about 69th episode of the HPCRIT...2021-06-051h 35HPCriticalEpisode 68: Dragon Quest, Dying Light, Horizon Forbidden West & MoreWe took a week off last week but the HPCritical podcast crew is back with another episode where we give you all the latest in gaming news. Since we’ve got so much to catch up on, strap in for the biggest stories of last week, the best stories from this week, and the hilarious opinions of the HPCritical crew. From the upcoming Pride celebrations from companies to what feels like the beginning of E3, we take a look at the Dragon Quest and Sonic anniversary presentations, talk about Dying Light 2 as well as Horizon Forbidden West, and all th...2021-05-292h 11HPCriticalEpisode 67: Elf Cosmetics Makes Big MistakesJoined by Hannah Hoolihan (whose work you can find at IGN and Shuffle The Pod) the HPCritical Podcast Crew returns for another week of gaming news for you. We cover quite a few topics as gaming news this week was completely packed. We tackle the controversy of Elf Cosmetics joining Twitch and its lack of diversity, a five-year-old beating Bloodborne, Epic vs Apple, Pokemon Cards, sexist voice actors and so much more.
If you’d like to grab some podcast merch, check out our store and order your favorite items!
Join Jerel, Brandon, Kellie, and Gab...2021-05-152h 50HPCriticalEpisode 66: Where Are All The Black Women?SO MUCH happened this week on the HPCritical Podcast that we couldn’t discuss it alone. The first week of May was packed with a ton of gaming news and exclusives from the ongoing lawsuit between Epic Games and Apple, the shake-ups in esports, more on Cyberpunk and Google Stadia, Sony charging for cross-play, Xbox hardware not turning and profit, and all the diverse topics that popped up throughout the week. You can hear us talk about the lack of representation for Black women alongside so much more. Come have a listen.
We were joined by Brendan Gr...2021-05-082h 23HPCriticalEpisode 64: Weekly Gaming News For You To UseThere’s so much news to cover this week but the HPCritical podcast crew has got the scoop for you. Gamestop CEO nets a great retirement package, PS Plus has rumors of adding Sony videos, Jim Ryan promises more exclusives on PS5, a Knights of the Old Republic remake may be in the works, and more. We also discuss Metacritic scores, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Square Enix at E3, Jeff Kaplan leaving Blizzard, the famous words of John Garvin, and some topics on diversity are discussed as well. Have a listen.
If you’d like to grab some podc...2021-04-232h 09HPCriticalEpisode 63: PlayStation vs. Nintendo Indie World, Bowser's Unmentionables & More Last of UsApril has been pretty busy in the world of gaming, and the HPCritical crew needed a helping hand to get through all the news for the week. Your favorite gaming podcast crew was joined once again by the incomparable Wesley Leblanc, (@LeBlancWes) a friend of the show and prolific video game journalist, you can check out his first podcast guest spot talking with Brandon and Jerel in their spoiler review for The Last of Us 2. For this week though, they tackle Sony remaking The Last of Us and dealing with smaller studios, the diversity at the Nintendo Indie World...2021-04-171h 59HPCriticalEpisode 62: Outriders, PS Now, Stadia, and E3 Are Still AliveThe HPCritical Crew is back for another week discussing gaming news. This week we are joined by David Restrepo, a freelance writer for TechRaptor to discuss his love for Outriders, and so much more. This week the crew discusses Twitch banning streamers for off-stream conduct, the studios and developers confirmed for E3 2021 as well as those missing, the new additions to PS Now, Stadia getting new games, and an Indigenous game with zero Indigenous people working on it. There’s a lot packed into this episode so come have a listen.
If you’d like to grab some...2021-04-101h 48HPCriticalEpisode 7: JRPG Club Season 2 - Dragon Quest vs Final FantasyHPCritical has created a JRPG club. As a book club would, we chose a video game, and we choose portions of it to progress through as we come together once a month to discuss the title. The next game in the series is undecided as we talk about whether we should play Final Fantasy X-2 or Dragon Quest XI S Definitive Edition.
After a little bit of an extended hiatus, the JRPG club is back with new and returning faces to play and discuss Japanese Roleplaying Games. This time as JRPG Club commences season two, we delve...2021-04-051h 34HPCriticalEpisode 60: Bafta Awards, Same Sex Marriage, & PlayStation Drops The BallThe Bafta Awards are here and the HPCritical crew discuss their thoughts on the awards presented throughout the night. That’s not all, of course, they also dive into Pikmin AR, Same-Sex Marriage in video games, PlayStation possibly closing its doors on old digital stores, Microsoft attempting to acquire Discord and so much more.
If you’d like to grab some podcast merch, check out our store and order your favorite items!
Join Jerel, Brandon, Kellie, and Gabe, as they have both serious and silly discussions that pertain to the goings-on in the gaming community. This...2021-03-271h 14HPCriticalEpisode 59: Square Enix Presents, Blizzard Layoffs & Death ThreatsGamepass is changing the way the industry views its service, while Square Enix brings the heat with its first presentation. From Xbox, to PlayStation to Nintendo and all the gaming news in between, the HPCritical podcast has got you covered. We take a look at the free PlayStation Play at Home games, as well as the PS Plus monthly lineup in comparison to Gamepass and its new acquisitions. We also discuss Google Stadia, Activision Blizzard laying off employees, EVO being owned by PlayStation, and even more. This week we’re joined by special guest and Patreon member Jonathan.
...2021-03-201h 33HPCriticalEpisode 58: Gamepass & Bethesda, Gambling Loot & Suspended Champions*Apologies for the sound quality of this episode, there were some sound issues with the microphone*
Trigger Warning: Sexual Harassment
It looks as if Xbox is in the headlines again with Gamepass and their deal of acquiring Bethesda finally sealed. This week the HPCritical Podcast Crew dive into the games listed, rumors of a possible Sci-Fi RPG Xbox Exclusive courtesy of FromSoftware, a professional Valorant player being suspended from the Championship, the trouble with Loot Boxes and Gambling and so much more. It’s another week of news discussion from the HPCritical Podcast Crew.
...2021-03-131h 59HPCriticalEpisode 57: Switch Pro, Women in Warcraft, Racism & MoreHappy Women's History Month. The HPCritical Podcast is back and we have a ton of tough topics to discuss this week. From the constant topics following Hogwarts Legacy and its resurgence in the news, the positive and then negative reception of Women in Warcraft, and why it was doomed from the start. We also take another look at Marvel’s Avengers, Twitch apologizing once again, and so much more.
We’re also joined by special guest and Patreon member Stephanie.
If you’d like to grab some podcast merch, check out our store and order your f...2021-03-071h 59HPCriticalEpisode 6: JRPG Club - Goodbye SpiraThe End Is Here!
HPCritical has created a JRPG club. As a book club would, we chose a video game, and we choose portions of it to progress through as we come together once a month to discuss the title. The first game the JRPG club chose to delve into is Final Fantasy X.
As we continue to make our way through Final Fantasy X, we’ve finally come to the endpoint. It’s been a long journey, and though we’ve had to take a break in between, the JRPG club has returned to comple...2021-03-031h 20HPCriticalEpisode 56: PlayStation State of Play, Avatar Studios, Joe Biden & Final Fantasy 7 Remake*Trigger Warning*: This episode discusses death. To be specific we discuss murder and Femicide as we denounce the unfortunate death of female Esports mobile Call of Duty player Sol (Ingrid Oliveira Bueno da Silva). We wish her family and teammates the best through these trying times, but we felt the need to address this important issue of female safety within the gaming industry.
The HPCritical Podcast is back and we’ve got another fully packed week of news to talk about. This week things get heavy as we acknowledge the loss of mobile CoD esports player Sol (In...2021-02-282h 25HPCriticalEpisode 55: Nintendo Direct Reactions & Gatekeeping In GamingThe Nintendo Direct is HERE and of course, we had to talk about it! This week the HPCritical podcast crew joined once again by Greysun, not only talk about the latest gaming news but do a deep dive into everything announced during the Nintendo Direct. We of course also talk about Fallujah, the Falconner, Gatekeeping in videogames and our experiences with it, as well as a class-action lawsuit against Sony for controller drift on the PS5 Dualsense. It’s a packed episode with a ton of information and opinions, so come have a listen.
OUR MERCH STORE IS...2021-02-232h 51HPCriticalEpisode 54: E3, Cyberattacks, Gender Discrimination & The Last of UsThis week the HPCritical podcast talking more about gaming news for the week and this week was packed. We discuss the intriguing casting of the Borderlands movie, as well as The Last of Us HBO adaptation as far as entertainment goes. We talk about Epic games resolving their lawsuit with a 14-year-old, and their exclusivity with Kingdom Hearts on their PC game store, Riot games CEO being investigated for gender discrimination, CD Projekt Red being targeted by a cyberattack over Cyberpunk 2077, and what an online E3 in 2021 would look like. Have a listen!
OUR MERCH STORE IS...2021-02-132h 18HPCriticalEpisode 53: Black History Month, Nintendo Takeover & MERCHOUR MERCH STORE IS LIVE ORDER HERE AND USE CODE “HPCRIT” FOR 10% OFF YOUR PURCHASE THROUGHOUT FEBRUARY.
This week the HPCritical podcast crew is joined by a special guest and friend to the show Greysun Morales. As the Lead Guides Editor over at Gamerant, Greysun brings his expertise and love of Nintendo to the show and we are so happy to have him.
As for our topics this week, in no surprise to anyone there’s more racism in the gaming industry to discuss, but we also take a look at Black History Month and its im...2021-02-062h 23HPCriticalEpisode 52: Streamers and Racism, Xbox Pricing Flukes, & Weekly Gaming NewsThis week the HPCritical podcast crew takes an in-depth look at the latest in gaming news while talking racism and more. We have a lengthy discussion about the Ninja and streamer situation with Twitch and what can and should be done regarding racism among other things, the Borderlands casting reveals, PS5 scalpers, Mass Effect 2 and Fox News interruptions, moderating mods with Cyberpunk 2077 and Keanu Reeves sex scenes, Xbox price hikes and so much more.
Join Jerel, Brandon, Kellie, and Gabe, as they have both serious and silly discussions that pertain to the goings-on in the gaming community...2021-01-301h 54HPCriticalEpisode 51: Harry Potter, Resident Evil, & Emotional SentimentsAnother week, another HPCritical podcast to consume. Host Jerel, Brandon, Kellie, and Gabe, celebrate all things gaming by tackling quite a few topics in gaming news for the past week. We get into a few conversations about Harry Potter surprisingly, but we also dive right into Dead by Daylight and the colorblind mode drama, the harsh message to Xbox from the creators of A Way Out, the new Star Wars open-world game, the Resident Evil showcase, and we have a special segment on characters that we relate to that helped us learn about ourselves and more. Have a listen.2021-01-232h 04HPCriticalEpisode 50: Anniversary Nostalgia SpecialWe’ve made it! 50 episodes of the HPCritical podcast have finally been published, and we couldn’t be happier to celebrate this milestone. While we look forward to 50 more episodes and beyond, we spend this week looking back at some of the many anniversaries in gaming that 2021 brings, while sharing nostalgic sentiments they brought us. We also take some time to explore and chat about some unused feature ideas on HPCritical, get into some interesting lore conversations regarding World of Warcraft, The Legend of Zelda, and more. We also discuss anime, what we’re playing, and more. It’s a sentim...2021-01-162h 00HPCriticalEpisode 49: HPCritical Diversity ResponseIt’s been a while since we’ve recorded, about three weeks since the podcast crew was able to get together to talk video games. The crew is back Jerel, Brandon, Kellie, and Gabe, are ready to talk video games all into the new year.
We start 2021 off with a look back at 2020. We take time to thank everyone who has written and commented on the podcast either through the website, left us reviews, or emailed us. We are so thankful and we hope that in 2021 we can continue to provide
Importantly, we take some time...2021-01-091h 22
HPCriticalEpisode 47: Interview For Indigenous People’s MonthNovember is Native American Heritage Month. Of course, diversity in the gaming community is important to us at HPCritical, and to celebrate I’ve reached out to our very own Joey to talk to him about his experience as being an Indigenous person and working in the video games journalism industry. We discuss their experiences within the gaming community, what Indigenous representation means to them, how being Indigenous affects their work, and what can be done to make the community and game development better. We also get the pleasure of meeting and learning about even more content creators and ex...2020-12-1349 minHPCriticalEpisode 43: Next-Gen ShenanigansThe release of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S has come and gone, and the HPCritical podcast crew has come together to talk about their next-generation experiences or lack thereof. This is a wild one, as we are all hype and excited about next-gen, or rather frustrated and annoyed with next-gen. Either way, we have a lot to say and we hope you join us. For this special episode, our lovely friend Marissa has returned to give her insight on some of the next-gen situations surrounding the release of the newest consoles from Sony and Microsoft.
...2020-11-141h 38HPCriticalEpisode 42: What Is Kingdom HeartsThe day has finally arrived. Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory, the first official Kingdom Hearts rhythm title is finally releasing to the public on a number of platforms. You’ve played the games, but the music has moved you more than you’d ever thought. You’re taken back to a time where you played the original Kingdom Hearts title and nostalgia fills your being. Or, maybe you’ve only played a few titles in the series, opting for the bigger named Kingdom Hearts original, Kingdom Hearts 2, and most recently Kingdom Hearts 3. You’ve skirted the outskirts of the series for...2020-11-131h 15HPCriticalEpisode 41: Xbox Series X/S - One Week AwayWe are so close, and yet still so far away. The next generation of gaming is right at our doorsteps and we at HPCritical are gearing up for launch to share all the latest information and thoughts with you. This week we talk about all things next-gen, including storage space issues, Xbox reviews, PS5 in-game video help, Nintendo sales, and more!
Host Jerel, joined by Brandon, Kellie, and Gabe have come together once again to discuss all things gaming in the news this week. We are covering the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, seeing as this...2020-11-081h 17
HPCriticalEpisode 40: HPCritical Halloween SpecialIt’s Halloween! HPCritical is back with another episode, bringing you the latest news of the week while dressed up for Halloween. Host Jerel, joined by Brandon, Kellie, and Gabe talk PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, as well as looking forward to the future of Nintendo. We discuss what we’ve been playing together, (including the jump scares in Warzone that have Jerel and Gabe screaming like children) what our Halloween plans are, as well as the latest Nintendo Direct Mini, Cyberpunk 2077, game delays and much more.
Dress in your spookiest getup and have a listen. HAPP...2020-10-311h 16
HPCriticalEpisode 39: Latinx Interview With Felicia MirandaSeptember 15th to October 15th is Latinx Heritage Month. Of course, diversity in the gaming community is important to us at HPCritical, and to celebrate I’ve reached out to Latinx journalists and content creators within the video game community. We discuss their experiences within the gaming community, what Latinx representation means to them, how being Latinx affects their work, and what can be done to make the community and game development better. We also get the pleasure of meeting and learning about even more content creators and experiences.
This week, I’ve been blessed to talk to F...2020-10-311h 19
HPCriticalEpisode 38: Latinx Heritage Interview With Brandon Alvelo (HPCritical)Few things make me happier than being able to properly celebrate Diversity at HPCritical. As a part of our ongoing series throughout October, I’ve been interviewing Latinx content creators about a number of topics including how they handle navigating the video games industry. I’m so happy to be able to talk to our very own Brandon Alvelo for this latest episode. With all the work he does for HPCritical, I couldn’t neglect to interview one of our very own Latinx content creators. From his continuous work as an editor for HPCritical to the work he does as hos...2020-10-3045 min
HPCriticalEpisode 36: Console Casters - Next-Gen Console WatchIt’s official, the console casters are here. Host Jerel, joined by Brandon, Kellie, and Gabe have come together to form the console casters. For all things next-generation the HPCritical Podcast Crew has got you covered. Kellie is our resident Xbox Expert, Gabe is our PlayStation Expert and Brandon is our Nintendo Expert. We’re covering all things PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, as well as looking forward to the future of Nintendo. From now until release we will be dissecting and discussing any and all information that pertains to next-gen while also keeping you up to date with...2020-10-201h 49HPCriticalEpisode 35: Latinx Heritage Interview With Luis AlamillaSeptember 15th to October 15th is Latinx Heritage Month. Of course, diversity in the gaming community is important to us at HPCritical, and to celebrate I’ve reached out to Latinx journalists and content creators within the video game community. We discuss their experiences within the gaming community, what Latinx representation means to them, how being Latinx affects their work, and what can be done to make the community and game development better. We also get the pleasure of meeting and learning about even more content creators and experiences.
This week I've had the pleasure of speaking to...2020-10-1030 minHPCriticalEpisode 34: Smash Steve, Xbox Affinity & Production CrunchIt’s another busy week where host Jerel, joined by Brandon, Kellie, and Gabe have come together to discuss the latest gaming news. First, it’s OCTOBER so the spooky season is here. We talk scary games first, some of our favorites, and some of the scariest suggestions we can provide. Then for this week (September 27th-October 3rd), we continue to discuss the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, including the great deal that Gamepass can be. We also of course had to discuss Minecraft Steve’s reveal for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the facial change for Spider-Man, and crunch...2020-10-041h 24
HPCriticalEpisode 33: News Round-up With The HPCritical CrewSo much has happened in gaming news this week. The new HPCritical Crew comprised of host Jerel, Brandon, Kellie and Gabe have come together to discuss the latest gaming news every week. This week (September 20th-26th) we’ve spent the time discussing a number of issues including the fiasco that was PS5 and Xbox Series X|S preorders, Spider-Man on PS5 not having cross-saves with PS4 or a physical release, the large file size of PS5 games, Marvel’s Avengers receiving a patch to fix over 1,000 issues, players boycotting Hogwarts Legacy due to J.K. Rowling’s hateful speech...2020-09-271h 14
HPCriticalEpisode 5: JRPG Club - Our Favorite Moments In Final FantasyOur Favorite Final Fantasy Moments!
HPCritical has created a JRPG club. As a book club would, we chose a video game, and we choose portions of it to progress through as we come together once a month to discuss the title. The first game the JRPG club chose to delve into is Final Fantasy X.
As we continue to make our way through Final Fantasy X, we’ve seen the wedding, every Maester of Yevon, the deception, the truth behind Yevon and we are officially on the run and exiled. After watching one of the most disturbing weddings in video ga...2020-09-201h 29
HPCriticalEpisode 30: The Last Of Us 2 - Trash or Treasure?The Last of Us 2 was a pretty divisive video game for a number of reasons. Whether it be due to the appearance of Abby, the actions that happen within the title, or situations surrounding it’s creators. Anyone who has played the game though, can definitely vouch for having strong feelings one way or another about its story, gameplay and other aspects. To discuss everything Last of Us 2 related, host Jerel has grabbed his friends Brandon and Wesley to deep dive into The Last of Us Part 2. Make sure you like, subscribe and give us a review!
Wesley (@LeBlancWes) is a...2020-09-092h 12
HPCriticalEpisode 4: JRPG Club - Weddings, The Al Bhed, and The Dead, Oh My!Weddings, The Al Bhed, and The Dead, Oh My!
HPCritical has created a JRPG club. As a book club would, we chose a video game, and we choose portions of it to progress through as we come together once a month to discuss the title. The first game the JRPG club chose to delve into is Final Fantasy X.
As we continue to make our way through Final Fantasy X, things are definitely heating up. We’re definitely past the halfway point and a ton more has happened. We talk about the Evrae battle, the Se...2020-08-301h 33
HPCriticalEpisode 27: Kellie Talks Twitch & Sexual HarassmentWill Twitch Ever Be Able To Stop Sexual Harassment?
Host Jerel takes some time to talk to Kellie, a new HPCritical writer about her article “Twitch Bans Alleged Sexual Predators From Their Platform.” Lately, a lot has happened within the gaming community and Kellie decided to tackle sexual harassment within Twitch as well as “Why Twitch is So Toxic Lately” and I wanted to talk with her about her own experiences as a prominent Twitch streamer and a woman in gaming. We talk about Dead by Daylight, Overwatch, representation in gaming, the politics of diversity in gaming, and her...2020-07-3030 min
HPCriticalEpisode 26: Live Pride Podcast - Diversity In GamingHow Far Has Representation In Gaming Come?
Representation in video games has come quite a ways, but it still has a ways to go. In June, HPCritical hosted two charity tournaments as well as a Pride Parade/Fashion Show in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. To commemorate the event, we decided to host our very first live podcast with Patreon supporters and LGBTQIA members. We discussed pride, Diversity, and what gaming can do to be more inclusive as we recount our own experiences and what we’d like to see in video games going forward. Join host Marissa, Jerel, Kayla, Anastasia, an...2020-07-131h 25
HPCriticalEpisode 3: JRPG Club - Operation Hate Seymour (FFX)Sin Ravages The World As We Learn The Truth
HPCritical has created a JRPG club. As a book club would, we chose a video game, and we choose portions of it to progress through as we come together once a month to discuss the title. The first game the JRPG club chose to delve into is Final Fantasy X.
As we continue to make our way through Final Fantasy X, we’ve progressed through a big chunk of the game for the month of June. This time, we were able to see a lot of st...2020-07-081h 01
HPCriticalEpisode 25: PlayStation 5 PresentationAfter months of speculation, PlayStation finally held their own mini-conference to reveal details about the PlayStation 5. We got over an hour of content in brand new video games coming to the PS5, as well as a sneak peek at the startup screen and we FINALLY got to see exactly what the PlayStation 5 will look like. This week Jerel is joined by Brandon and two new writers to HPCritical Gabe and Dana as they discuss what they saw during the presentation, what worked, what didn't, and ultimately whether they've been sold or not. Of course, we've also got a few...2020-07-031h 19
HPCriticalEpisode 24: Final Fantasy 7 SpoilercastWe've been away for a bit but now we're back and better than ever. Welcome to another episode of HPCritical where we discuss and explore the theories and intricacies revolving around the Final Fantasy 7 Remake. Being a full-on spoilercast, host Jerel is joined by Kristie, Brandon, and friends of the show Zack and Job as they dissect the FF7 Remake, discuss where the series goes next, compare theories of the Whispers and analyze what exactly happens at the end of the game, examine the ending of the original Final Fantasy 7, and figure out what "7 seconds left" means. If you've...2020-05-231h 17
HPCriticalEpisode 2: JRPG Club - Laughing Through The Pain (FFX)HPCritical has created a JRPG club. As a book club would, we chose a video game, and we choose portions of it to progress through as we come together once a month to discuss the title. The first game the JRPG club chose to delve into is Final Fantasy X.
For the second episode of JRPG - Final Fantasy X, we look at the aftermath of Kilika, the Blitzball Tournament at Luca, and the infamous laugh before heading onto the Mi’hen Highroad. After the devastation of Kilika, we delve into what an Aeon is, who the ne...2020-05-021h 19
HPCriticalEpisode 23: Animal crossing: New Horizons - ImpressionsThe Cure For Isolation - Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Animal Crossing: New Horizons has taken over the world. with most of us on home quarantine at the moment, New Horizons has been the escape we’ve needed. While we’ve been obsessed with Animal Crossing, that doesn’t mean everything in the game is perfect. From the cute characters and humble beginnings to bunny Day and frustrating game mechanics, the HPCritical team gives their impressions of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Having spent some time with the game they discuss the best and worst aspects of New Horizons along...2020-04-081h 26
HPCriticalEpisode 1: JRPG Club - Final Fantasy X IntroductionHPCritical has created a JRPG club. As a book club would, we chose a video game, and we choose portions of it to progress through as we come together once a month to discuss the title. The first game the JRPG club chose to delve into is Final Fantasy X. This classic JRPG was the first Final Fantasy to have voice acting, and changed the way games in the Final Fantasy series were perceived. As one of the more accessible Final Fantasy titles for beginners, we chose Final Fantasy X as the first game the JRPG club will tackle.2020-04-051h 52
HPCriticalEpisode 17: HPCritical's Games of the YearIt's the end of 2019 and the beginning of 2020. With a new year upon us, we had to revisit some of our favorite games and gaming moments of 2019. Come join host Jerel as he chats with Kristie, Brandon, and Rodrigo all about what their favorite games of 2019 were with some honorable mentions for titles that didn't make the cut. Come have a laugh with us as we discuss our games of the year for 2019. Did your favorite game get mentioned?2020-01-041h 12
HPCriticalEpisode 13: Pokémon Sword & Shield ImpressionsFinally, Pokémon Sword and shield have been released to the world, and we at HPCritical are super excited. Three of our biggest Pokémon fans have come together to give their impressions of the beginning of the latest Pokémon journey for generation 8. Join Jerel, Kristie, and Brandon as they delve into how they’re loving (and disliking) the latest game in the Pokémon series.
ARE YOU A POKÉMON FAN? ARE YOU ENJOYING THE LATEST GAMES OR IS IT TOO MUCH OF THE SAME? BE SURE TO LET US KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS!2019-11-1838 min
HPCriticalEpisode 7: Game of Thrones Season 8Game of Thrones is officially over with its 8th and final season coming to a close. So this week on the HPCritical Podcast, Marissa, David, and Toby sit down to talk about their thoughts, feelings, and yes, their complaints about season 8. We discuss the writing and characters at length, how we all felt about the final episode and the person who won the Iron Throne. But be warned! This podcast contains spoilers for any who have not watched all of the episodes of the last ever season of Game of Thrones.2019-05-301h 00
HPCriticalEpisode 6: #E32019 Xbox PredictionsIt's almost that time of year again. #E32019 is fast approaching, and everyone here at HPCritical can barely contain their excitement. With the imminent "gamer's Christmas" on the horizon, we decide to take a look at Microsoft this week, delving into what we think their press conference will hold. Microsoft is in such a unique position this year without their direct opposition Sony holding a place at the biggest gaming conference. What will it take for Microsoft to win E3? What can we expect and what would they need to make a comeback and once again reign supreme in...2019-05-2450 min
HPCriticalEpisode 5: News Round-Up 4/28 - 5/5This week on HPCritical we have special guest and friend to the show, Toby. As a fan of all things Nintendo, we delve into the news for the week with him, keeping an emphasis on the newest Nintendo related news segments. On top of that, we look into the upcoming Pokémon: Detective Pikachu film coming out later this week, and compare that to the big industry mix-up that was Sonic the Hedgehog: The Movie. Come take a listen to this week's episode of HPCritical.2019-05-1140 min