Episodes

  • Saros perfects the ideas of Returnal (Lord of Hatred review | Invincible VS | Ryan Cohen is an Idiot)

    Saros perfects the ideas of Returnal (Lord of Hatred review | Invincible VS | Ryan Cohen is an Idiot)
    May 5 2026
    Brad shares his comprehensive review after crushing through Vampire Crawlers, analyzing how this spiritual successor stacks up against the genre-defining Vampire Survivors. He breaks down the similarities, improvements, and what makes this deck building roguelike worth players' time. Micah checks out the superhero brawler Invincible VS and finds himself disappointed by the execution. He explains what doesn't work about the game and why it fails to capture the spirit of the popular animated series. Brad unexpectedly gets pulled into the relaxing yet engaging world of Hardspace Shipbreaker, praising its slightly chill vibes that balance meditative gameplay with satisfying progression systems. The space salvage simulator offers a unique take on the deconstruction genre. Micah expresses genuine enthusiasm for Saros, finding himself vibing with Housemarque's latest much more than he did with Returnal. He discusses the specific changes the developer made to their roguelike formula that makes Saros significantly more approachable for a wider audience without sacrificing depth. Brad completes the Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred campaign and delivers a spoiler-free review of the expansion. He explains why the game is in an excellent place if this proves to be the last major content update players can expect from Blizzard. Microsoft announces a Game Pass price reduction achieved by removing day one access to future Call of Duty games from the subscription service. The hosts debate whether this trade-off is enough to win back subscribers who left the platform. Ryan Cohen sparks widespread confusion by announcing GameStop's bizarre bid to purchase eBay in what appears to be a completely unfeasible acquisition. The hosts dissect how idiotic this move is, analyze Cohen's disastrous performance during his CNBC interview, and speculate about his likely ulterior motives behind this publicity stunt. Sony finally addresses player confusion around a new DRM requirement they quietly implemented, only clarifying the policy after letting speculation and misinformation run rampant following its discovery by observant players. The delayed communication frustrated the PlayStation community. In an extensive Post Office segment, the hosts discuss the significant departure of the New Day faction from WWE, reflecting on the group's importance as an innovative and groundbreaking faction in wrestling history. They share favorite moments and explain why this move is unfortunately par for the course in today's corporate WWE environment.

    Dense Pixels is a weekly video game podcast covering gaming news, game reviews, and industry analysis. From AAA blockbusters to indie gems, we break down the latest game releases, PlayStation and Xbox news, Nintendo Switch, PC gaming, Steam, Game Pass, fighting games, RPGs, esports, retro gaming, and the business side of the gaming industry. Hosted by Brad, Micah, Carrie, and Terrence. A TNP Studios production. New episodes weekly on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms. Join our Discord at densepixels.com/fans. For more TNP Studios content, check out The Nerdpocalypse (movie & TV news), Black on Black Cinema (Black film reviews), and Look Forward (progressive politics).
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    2 hrs and 3 mins
  • Pragmata is Pretty Great (Crimson Desert impressions | Game Pass price | WrestleMania Vegas)

    Pragmata is Pretty Great (Crimson Desert impressions | Game Pass price | WrestleMania Vegas)
    Apr 22 2026
    Micah and Brad share their impressions of Pragmata, exploring what makes this intriguing departure from Capcom's typical offerings such a remarkable and unique gaming experience. They analyze the game's innovative mechanics, atmospheric storytelling, and how it stands apart from the publisher's established franchises. Micah has been fully indoctrinated into the world of Crimson Desert, but the question remains whether he's enjoying this obtuse yet curious open-world game as much as Terrence has. The two compare notes on their experiences navigating the game's challenging systems and unconventional design philosophy. Krafton's ill-advised ChatGPT-influenced legal strategy may have catastrophically backfired, potentially costing them the valuable publishing rights for the highly anticipated Subnautica 2. The hosts dissect how relying on AI for legal decisions led to this embarrassing and costly mistake. In a counterintuitive market reaction, the publication of materials stolen from Rockstar Games during a major hack had the inverse effect of actually raising Take-Two's stock price. The hosts examine why investors responded positively to what should have been damaging news for the company. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma publicly states that Game Pass subscription pricing is too expensive, raising speculation about whether a price cut is imminent. Given that the hosts recorded this episode before Tuesday's news confirming changes, their predictions proved remarkably prescient about Microsoft's pricing strategy. The hosts recap WrestleMania Vegas and discuss how excessive advertising throughout the event serves as the clearest bellwether of how the WWE product quality has significantly diminished under TKO's corporate guidance. The analysis examines the balance between commercial interests and entertainment value.

    Dense Pixels is a weekly video game podcast covering gaming news, game reviews, and industry analysis. From AAA blockbusters to indie gems, we break down the latest game releases, PlayStation and Xbox news, Nintendo Switch, PC gaming, Steam, Game Pass, fighting games, RPGs, esports, retro gaming, and the business side of the gaming industry. Hosted by Brad, Micah, Carrie, and Terrence. A TNP Studios production. New episodes weekly on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms. Join our Discord at densepixels.com/fans. For more TNP Studios content, check out The Nerdpocalypse (movie & TV news), Black on Black Cinema (Black film reviews), and Look Forward (progressive politics).
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    1 hr and 54 mins
  • Trying to Extract Profit (Crimson Desert | Disney Extraction Shooter | Wrestlemania Vegas)

    Trying to Extract Profit (Crimson Desert | Disney Extraction Shooter | Wrestlemania Vegas)
    Apr 14 2026
    Terrence continues investing significant time into Crimson Desert, discussing what makes the game absolutely compelling and addictive for him personally despite his hesitation to recommend it broadly to others. He explores the paradox of loving a game while recognizing its polarizing nature and niche appeal. Disney and Epic Games are reportedly collaborating on a Disney-themed extraction shooter, prompting discussion about this bizarre genre choice for family-friendly IP. The hosts share their thoughts on this unexpected partnership and examine why Epic Games appears so creatively bankrupt and bereft of original ideas for new projects. NFT game developer Gunzilla Games faces controversy after being revealed as delinquent in paying their contractors and freelancers. Making matters worse, their CEO decided to go on an ill-advised public rant attempting to justify why not paying workers is somehow acceptable, demonstrating terrible crisis management. Hello Games surprises the gaming community by releasing a Pokemon-esque creature collection update to No Man's Sky. The expansion adds unexpected gameplay mechanics that draw clear inspiration from Nintendo's monster-catching franchise, showing the developer's continued commitment to evolving the space exploration title. The hosts discuss Google's decision to remove the psychological horror visual novel Doki Doki Literature Club from the Google Play Store. The removal raises questions about content moderation policies and what constitutes acceptable material on mobile platforms. Carrie and Terrence provide a comprehensive breakdown of what's happening at this weekend's WrestleMania event for Brad and Micah who are completely out of the loop with WWE. They explain the major storylines, key matches, and whether this year's showcase is generating significant buzz among wrestling fans.

    Dense Pixels is a weekly video game podcast covering gaming news, game reviews, and industry analysis. From AAA blockbusters to indie gems, we break down the latest game releases, PlayStation and Xbox news, Nintendo Switch, PC gaming, Steam, Game Pass, fighting games, RPGs, esports, retro gaming, and the business side of the gaming industry. Hosted by Brad, Micah, Carrie, and Terrence. A TNP Studios production. New episodes weekly on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms. Join our Discord at densepixels.com/fans. For more TNP Studios content, check out The Nerdpocalypse (movie & TV news), Black on Black Cinema (Black film reviews), and Look Forward (progressive politics).
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    1 hr and 38 mins
  • Dinosaur Survival Horror - Super Mario Galaxy review | Lenovo Legion Go 2 pricing | Civilization playtest

    Dinosaur Survival Horror - Super Mario Galaxy review | Lenovo Legion Go 2 pricing | Civilization playtest
    Apr 7 2026
    Carrie shares her thoughts on the Super Mario Galaxy movie, giving it a solid if unremarkable assessment. The hosts dive into the specific aspects she genuinely enjoyed while examining why critics responded negatively to Nintendo's latest animated film adaptation and whether that criticism is fair. Brad provides detailed impressions from the Civilization VII Test of Time playtest that took place over the weekend, breaking down his hands-on experience with the highly anticipated updates Firaxis has planned for the game. The hosts pay tribute to the late Yoshihisa Kishimoto, reflecting on his significant contributions to the gaming industry and the lasting legacy he leaves behind. His impact on game development and the projects he worked on shaped experiences for countless players. The RAM shortage crisis continues wreaking havoc on gaming hardware as the Lenovo Legion Go 2 price skyrockets to absolutely insane levels. The hosts examine how the ongoing component shortage is making handheld gaming PCs increasingly unaffordable for average consumers. An expansive Post Office segment tackles multiple listener questions and hot topics including the hosts' personal stories about their highest levels of being zooted, a debate on whether retro games provide an oasis from problems plaguing modern gaming, and a discussion about the actual importance or lack thereof of Steam concurrent player counts as a metric for game success.

    Dense Pixels is a weekly video game podcast covering gaming news, game reviews, and industry analysis. From AAA blockbusters to indie gems, we break down the latest game releases, PlayStation and Xbox news, Nintendo Switch, PC gaming, Steam, Game Pass, fighting games, RPGs, esports, retro gaming, and the business side of the gaming industry. Hosted by Brad, Micah, Carrie, and Terrence. A TNP Studios production. New episodes weekly on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms. Join our Discord at densepixels.com/fans. For more TNP Studios content, check out The Nerdpocalypse (movie & TV news), Black on Black Cinema (Black film reviews), and Look Forward (progressive politics).
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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Crimson Desert Outta Nowhere! (Marathon Cryo Archive, Epic Games layoffs, PS5 Price Hikes)

    Crimson Desert Outta Nowhere! (Marathon Cryo Archive, Epic Games layoffs, PS5 Price Hikes)
    Mar 31 2026
    Brad expresses amazement at Marathon's Cryo Archive map design while confronting the sobering reality that he may never fully experience everything this complex environment has to offer. The map showcases Bungie's ambitious level design but highlights accessibility challenges for casual players. Carrie delivers a glowing review of the latest Final Fantasy: Distant Worlds concert tour, sharing her experiences with the orchestral performances that bring beloved game soundtracks to life. The concert series continues to be a must-see event for Final Fantasy fans. Terrence finally completes Cyberpunk 2077 and its acclaimed Phantom Liberty expansion, sharing his overwhelmingly positive thoughts on CD Projekt Red's redemption story. Terrence dives deep into Crimson Desert while the hosts discuss the game's polarizing reception among players and critics. They analyze who would most appreciate this ambitious open-world action RPG from Pearl Abyss and what makes it so divisive. Epic Games shocks the industry by laying off twenty percent of their workforce because growth isn't meeting Tim Sweeney's expectations. The hosts dissect Sweeney's tone-deaf and insulting response to these devastating cuts and argue this exemplifies broader societal issues with corporate leadership priorities. Sony announces another PS5 price increase including raising the PS5 Pro to an eye-watering nine hundred dollar price tag. The discussion explores implications for console gaming's future and where budget-conscious gamers might find relief from escalating hardware costs. Nintendo reveals that physical Switch 2 games will likely carry higher price tags than their digital counterparts moving forward. This pricing strategy represents a significant shift in Nintendo's approach to physical media and game distribution. Jensen Huang's response to widespread DLSS 5 criticism demonstrates a hilariously disconnected understanding of community concerns. Nvidia's CEO seems completely out of touch with player reactions to the controversial AI upscaling features. The hosts examine current perils facing both public and private video game investment through multiple lenses including Epic's layoffs, wild stock price fluctuations for Crimson Desert developer Pearl Abyss, and Meta's staggering eighty billion dollar waste from abandoning the Metaverse vision. Capcom wisely begins backpedaling on controversial story elements involving Alex's incest storyline following community backlash.

    Dense Pixels is a weekly video game podcast covering gaming news, game reviews, and industry analysis. From AAA blockbusters to indie gems, we break down the latest game releases, PlayStation and Xbox news, Nintendo Switch, PC gaming, Steam, Game Pass, fighting games, RPGs, esports, retro gaming, and the business side of the gaming industry. Hosted by Brad, Micah, Carrie, and Terrence. A TNP Studios production. New episodes weekly on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms. Join our Discord at densepixels.com/fans. For more TNP Studios content, check out The Nerdpocalypse (movie & TV news), Black on Black Cinema (Black film reviews), and Look Forward (progressive politics).
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    2 hrs and 7 mins
  • No One Asked for This - DLSS 5, Ghost of Yotei Legends, V-Bucks Price Hike, Hades 2 Concert

    No One Asked for This - DLSS 5, Ghost of Yotei Legends, V-Bucks Price Hike, Hades 2 Concert
    Mar 17 2026
    Carrie shares the incredible experience of performing at GDC with her band Premium Vintage alongside Hades composer Darren Korb, one of gaming's most celebrated musicians. The performance brought together gaming music talent in an unforgettable showcase at the Game Developers Conference. Carrie delivers enthusiastic early impressions of Monster Hunter Stories 3, praising the game's improvements and engaging gameplay mechanics. Her positive reaction suggests the latest entry in the Monster Hunter spin-off series is delivering on fan expectations. Micah expresses his genuine enjoyment of Ghost of Yotei: Legends, the standalone multiplayer expansion that continues the Ghost of Tsushima legacy. He breaks down what makes the cooperative experience so compelling and how it builds on the original game's foundation. Brad finds unexpected joy in Marathon's solo queues playing as a scumbag role. Meanwhile, Bungie demonstrates they're already firing on all cylinders with the game's deep and engaging lore that's captivating players. Fortnite attempts to justify raising V-Bucks prices with reasoning that strains credibility, sparking debate among the massive playerbase about monetization practices in free-to-play games and whether Epic's explanation holds water. The European Union takes a firm regulatory stance against loot boxes by reclassifying games containing them with more restrictive PEGI age ratings. This significant policy shift could reshape how games with randomized monetization are marketed across Europe. The state of New York files a lawsuit against Valve over CS:GO loot boxes, adding to mounting legal pressure on the company's handling of cosmetic gambling mechanics. The case could set important precedents for gaming regulation. Nvidia unveils the first preview of DLSS 5 technology but faces widespread mockery after its new AI features appear to dramatically alter character appearances in unintended ways. The community's "yassification" criticism highlights concerns about AI image processing. Arc Raiders developer Embark begins walking back their inclusion of AI voice acting in the game following community backlash. The reversal reflects growing tensions between AI implementation and player expectations for authentic voice performance. Court filings reveal that the former Subnautica studio head may regain his position and substantial financial bonus after a court decision shows Krafton's CEO wrongfully terminated him. The documents paint an unflattering picture of the executive's decision-making.



    Dense Pixels is a weekly video game podcast covering gaming news, game reviews, and industry analysis. From AAA blockbusters to indie gems, we break down the latest game releases, PlayStation and Xbox news, Nintendo Switch, PC gaming, Steam, Game Pass, fighting games, RPGs, esports, retro gaming, and the business side of the gaming industry. Hosted by Brad, Micah, Carrie, and Terrence. A TNP Studios production. New episodes weekly on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms. Join our Discord at densepixels.com/fans. For more TNP Studios content, check out The Nerdpocalypse (movie & TV news), Black on Black Cinema (Black film reviews), and Look Forward (progressive politics).
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    1 hr and 50 mins
  • It's Not a Sprint (Pokemon Pokopia, Marathon, Slay the Spire II, Tencent investments)

    It's Not a Sprint (Pokemon Pokopia, Marathon, Slay the Spire II, Tencent investments)
    Mar 10 2026
    Carrie shares her early impressions of Pokemon Pokopia and the timeless RPG classic Chrono Trigger. Her insights offer perspective on how both games approach storytelling and gameplay. Brad expresses his genuine enthusiasm for Marathon's multiplayer experience while being completely blown away by the early access release of Slay the Spire II. The roguelike deckbuilder sequel has exceeded his expectations and he breaks down what makes it such a compelling follow-up. Highguard faces shutdown in a development that surprises few industry observers. The hosts analyze why publishers continue investing heavily in attempts to create the next massive live service hit despite the genre's notoriously high failure rate and the mounting evidence against this strategy. Google and Epic Games reach a settlement in their legal battle, with terms that could have significant and wide-reaching implications across the entire gaming industry. The hosts dissect what this settlement means for app stores, payment processing, and developer freedom. The Trump administration considers forcing Chinese publisher Tencent to divest their substantial US holdings and gaming investments. The hosts question why more people aren't recognizing this as a replay of the TikTok divestment playbook with potentially serious consequences for gaming. Nagoshi Studios' impressive action game Gang of Dragons faces an uncertain future after Netease unexpectedly pulls their funding from the project. The withdrawal raises concerns about the game's development timeline and eventual release. Battlefield 6 struggles with player retention issues despite an initially strong launch, leading to layoffs across multiple EA studios. The hosts examine what went wrong and why the game failed to maintain its playerbase. Sony begins testing dynamic pricing in the PlayStation Store, implementing variable pricing based on demand and other factors. The controversial move raises questions about digital game pricing and consumer value.

    Dense Pixels is a weekly video game podcast covering gaming news, game reviews, and industry analysis. From AAA blockbusters to indie gems, we break down the latest game releases, PlayStation and Xbox news, Nintendo Switch, PC gaming, Steam, Game Pass, fighting games, RPGs, esports, retro gaming, and the business side of the gaming industry. Hosted by Brad, Micah, Carrie, and Terrence. A TNP Studios production. New episodes weekly on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms. Join our Discord at densepixels.com/fans. For more TNP Studios content, check out The Nerdpocalypse (movie & TV news), Black on Black Cinema (Black film reviews), and Look Forward (progressive politics).
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    1 hr and 45 mins
  • Pokemon Presents...Excitement? (Marathon Server Slam, Resident Evil 9 impressions, Stardew Valley is 10)

    Pokemon Presents...Excitement? (Marathon Server Slam, Resident Evil 9 impressions, Stardew Valley is 10)
    Mar 3 2026
    Micah shares his detailed impressions of two major releases with God of War: Sons of Sparta and Resident Evil 9. Carrie takes a nostalgic journey back to her childhood with the digital release of Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen, exploring how these classic Kanto remakes hold up in the modern era and what makes them special for longtime Pokemon fans. Brad and Terrence dive into their experiences with the Marathon Server Slam beta weekend, offering contrasting perspectives on Bungie's upcoming extraction shooter. While Terrence remains unconvinced by the world, Brad has become completely absorbed in Bungie's deep lore universe and shares his newfound enthusiasm. The hosts provide comprehensive coverage of last week's Pokemon Presents showcase, with Carrie expressing particular excitement for Pokemon Pokopia and the team analyzing the surprise announcement of Pokemon Wind and Waves. The presentation offered plenty of news for franchise fans. Stardew Valley marks its tenth anniversary milestone with an unexpected update that transforms one of the community's least favorite characters into a marriage candidate, sparking debate among the game's dedicated fanbase about developer ConcernedApe's design choices. Bloomberg journalist Jason Schreier delivers two major industry scoops this week, revealing behind-the-scenes details about Highguard's development struggles and identifying the parties responsible for why fans still haven't received a Bloodborne remake despite years of demand. The revelations shed light on complex studio politics. The podcast concludes with an extended Post Office segment where the hosts candidly discuss the games they've spent the most money on as whales, sharing personal stories about microtransactions, collector's editions, and gaming spending habits.

    Dense Pixels is a weekly video game podcast covering gaming news, game reviews, and industry analysis. From AAA blockbusters to indie gems, we break down the latest game releases, PlayStation and Xbox news, Nintendo Switch, PC gaming, Steam, Game Pass, fighting games, RPGs, esports, retro gaming, and the business side of the gaming industry. Hosted by Brad, Micah, Carrie, and Terrence. A TNP Studios production. New episodes weekly on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms. Join our Discord at densepixels.com/fans. For more TNP Studios content, check out The Nerdpocalypse (movie & TV news), Black on Black Cinema (Black film reviews), and Look Forward (progressive politics).
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    2 hrs