Leisure

Skill Up

For nerds.

Latest Episodes:

Nintendo can brick your Switch 2 + Sony weighs tariff price hikes | This Week in Videogames May 15, 2025

Show notes

Thank you Lost in Cult for sponsoring this video. Use code SKILLUPAW for 5% off site-wide at http://bit.ly/SkillUpLIC

Nintendo takes their war on piracy to a new level, as Sony says PS5 price increases are on the table.

My Doom: The Dark Ages review: https://youtu.be/6CNivLBwLkM

#thisweekinvideogames #Switch2 #PS5

If you want to check out Webbing Journey (or any other game I profile in the 'Put This On Your Radar segment) you can find a link to it on my Steam Curator page:

https://store.steampowered.com/curator/28625128-Skill-Up-Curates.../

News collation and run-sheet by Edmond T.

Written and voiced by Ralph P.

Edited by Stuart K and Austin B.

You can find all the Skill Up reviews, previews and episodes of This Week in Videogames over on Spotify (where you can listen ad-free if you're a Spotify premium subscriber): https://open.spotify.com/show/2w3Injyqj2VoxOxQg6ESbl?si=c1fd44e1ff9a442b

If you want to check out the Friends Per Second Podcast, you can find all the links to it here:

https://linktr.ee/friendspersecond

Thanks for taking the time to watch the video. If you'd like to support the channel even more, the best way is through my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/skillupyt

Grab 12% off any SteelSeries peripheral by using offer code SKILLUP at checkout: https://steelseries.pbj2.net/c/2446303/1266556/2390

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skillup.bsky.social

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skillupyt/?hl=en

Wildgate has that old-school Blizzard magic (Austin's hands-on impressions) May 14, 2025

Show notes

Thanks to Squarespace for sponsoring the video. If you want to set up your own website (and get a discount while doing it), hit this link for more info: http://www.squarespace.com/skillup

Wildgate comes from Blizzard veterans, and its published by the Blizzard co-founder. You can absolutely feel that old-school charm here.

#Preview #Wildgate #Dreamhaven

Thanks for taking the time to watch the video. If you'd like to support the channel even more, the best way is through my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/skillupyt

You can find all the Skill Up content (reviews, previews, This Week in Videogames & The Friends Per Second Podcast over on Spotify, where you can listen ad-free if you're a Spotify premium subscriber: https://open.spotify.com/show/2w3Injyqj2VoxOxQg6ESbl?si=b651261f52c24e58

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/skillup.bsky.social

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skillupyt/?hl=en

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@skillup

Grab 12% off any SteelSeries peripheral by using offer code SKILLUP at checkout: https://steelseries.pbj2.net/c/2446303/1266556/2390

Check out my curator page on steam:

https://store.steampowered.com/curator/28625128-Skill-Up-Curates.../

Recent vids:

Doom: The Dark Ages review:

https://youtu.be/6CNivLBwLkM

Death Stranding 2 preview:

https://youtu.be/Wzk_KJQh-FA?si=mfckgCXUukw8ujrl

Marathon preview:

https://youtu.be/bZVwBavB0Mg

Switch 2 preview:

https://youtu.be/tGumMM7orR4

Assassin's Creed Shadows review:

https://youtu.be/gdWyGurnSbU

Split Fiction review:

https://youtu.be/hajChij56Xo

Kingdom Come Deliverance II review:

https://youtu.be/_wFHtqKYMaM

Avowed review:

https://youtu.be/yxnyOmJzg_0

The best game of 2024

https://youtu.be/ShInfDuzl7A

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review:

https://youtu.be/HtbtcLxJTtY

STALKER 2 review:

https://youtu.be/BRCLRAJkqjg

PS5 Pro review:

https://youtu.be/BRCLRAJkqjg

Dragon Age: The Veilguard review:

https://youtu.be/QF-Kd2BBpx8

Silent Hill 2 review:

https://youtu.be/dBoU9SNFw9w

Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine 2 review:

https://youtu.be/OZ6ur9NOkpE

Astrobot review:

https://youtu.be/JVAEWreFU0I

Star Wars Outlaws review:

https://youtu.be/sKo1owZzYcs

Concord review (RIP):

https://youtu.be/vRrWp_MVAxU

Marvel Rivals Impressions

https://youtu.be/7rhAYJM-Tho

Zenless Zone Zero review:

https://youtu.be/r-pvw1xGmKY

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree review:

https://youtu.be/d1FQ3BiL-L8

Stellar Blade Review:

https://youtu.be/6NPvgtZ9pxc

Dragon's Dogma 2 review:

https://youtu.be/GWaPbEjjSqI

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth review:

https://youtu.be/_LaI5Knv4wM

Helldivers 2 review:

https://youtu.be/5j4TsO8vngA

Skull and Bones review:

https://youtu.be/z_BKf5cdV_w

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League review:

https://youtu.be/reQKHNg0jh8

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown review:

https://youtu.be/-mTbCsDQitU

I recommend: 2023 (This Year in Videogames)

https://youtu.be/26KzkLymUb4

The Day Before - A Scam To Remember:

https://youtu.be/tdQXfXm8rjg

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty review:

https://youtu.be/QNKS3vkGAag

Final Fantasy XVI review:

https://youtu.be/PzfUardkloY

Diablo IV review:

https://youtu.be/_Vk7yrh_JhM

The Lord of the Rings: Gollum review:

https://youtu.be/E21qSEyRa88

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom review:

https://youtu.be/BQFImTqvW8E

Redfall review:

https://youtu.be/YTpFvYbDuqA

Resident Evil 4 Remake Review:

https://youtu.be/iIXQ3sospSo

Calisto Protocol review:

https://youtu.be/mm8pxfU9c6E

God of War Ragnarok review:

https://youtu.be/QdqMpAV1A1s

Saints Row review:

https://youtu.be/T-hsMkWHMLU

Elden Ring review:

https://youtu.be/gfcJv3oZNcc

That GTA 6 trailer got us all hot and steamy... | Friends Per Second Ep #69 (Nice) May 13, 2025

Show notes

Try Factor at https://www.factormeals.com/fps50off with code fps50off to get 50% off your first box plus free shipping. Thanks to Factor for sponsoring FPS!

Head to https://buyraycon.com/friends to get up to 15% off the best-selling Everyday Earbuds. Thanks to Raycon for sponsoring FPS!

Note: this episode was recorded Monday May 5th - it went out late due team travel stuff.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

5:40 Ralph's Visit to Kojima Productions

28:06 GTA VI Trailer Discussion

42:09 Raycon (ad)

44:47 User Question 1

51:21 Doom the Dark Ages Discussion

01:07:17 Microsoft Price Hikes

01:18:01 Factor (ad)

01:20:34 User Question 2

01:31:48 What We've Been Playing

01:46:11 Show and Tell

01:55:46 Wrap Up

If you wanna check out our brand new newsletter, you can do so here: https://friendspersecond.substack.com/

Listen to the Friends Per Second Podcast on your favourite podcast platform: https://linktr.ee/friendspersecond

Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date: https://friendspersecond.substack.com/

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendspersecond

Let's meet our hosts!

- Jake Baldino (aka the Before You Buy Guy) is pretty much the most watched reviewer on YouTube across both Gameranx and his personal channel (https://www.youtube.com/c/JakeBaldino). If you're obsessed with Delorians, The Mummy and Pizza you can discuss that stuff with him directly over on Twitter: @JakeBaldino

- Lucy James is a Senior Producer at Gamespot and a Creative Producer at Giant Bomb. She's actually, like, experienced and credentialed and has real life skills and stuff, while the rest of the gang would be funemployed if the YT algorithm didn't kiss them for random, inexplicable reasons.

- Skill Up used to work at McDonalds but he got fired for skimming too many chicken nuggets. He says he regrets it since he hasn't had a better job since.

I recommend: 'Doom: The Dark Ages' (Review) May 12, 2025

Show notes

Check out Nvidia's game changing 50-series GPUs, delivering cutting edge features like DLSS4, Multi Frame Generation and Nvidia Reflex. Thanks to Nvidia for sponsoring the video: https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/campaigns/doom-the-dark-ages-rtx-bundle/

Doom: The Dark Ages feels like id Software having some fun, and while not all of its ideas work, that sense of fun certainly leaps from them to us as we rip and tear our way through this grimdark, sci-fi fantasy future/past.

#Review #doomdarkages #gamepass

Thanks for taking the time to watch the video. If you'd like to support the channel even more, the best way is through my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/skillupyt

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/skillup.bsky.social

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skillupyt/?hl=en

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@skillup

Grab 12% off any SteelSeries peripheral by using offer code SKILLUP at checkout: https://steelseries.pbj2.net/c/2446303/1266556/2390

Check out my curator page on steam:

https://store.steampowered.com/curator/28625128-Skill-Up-Curates.../

Recent vids:

Death Stranding 2 preview:

https://youtu.be/Wzk_KJQh-FA?si=mfckgCXUukw8ujrl

Marathon preview:

https://youtu.be/bZVwBavB0Mg

Switch 2 preview:

https://youtu.be/tGumMM7orR4

Assassin's Creed Shadows review:

https://youtu.be/gdWyGurnSbU

Split Fiction review:

https://youtu.be/hajChij56Xo

Kingdom Come Deliverance II review:

https://youtu.be/_wFHtqKYMaM

Avowed review:

https://youtu.be/yxnyOmJzg_0

The best game of 2024

https://youtu.be/ShInfDuzl7A

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review:

https://youtu.be/HtbtcLxJTtY

STALKER 2 review:

https://youtu.be/BRCLRAJkqjg

PS5 Pro review:

https://youtu.be/BRCLRAJkqjg

Dragon Age: The Veilguard review:

https://youtu.be/QF-Kd2BBpx8

Silent Hill 2 review:

https://youtu.be/dBoU9SNFw9w

Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine 2 review:

https://youtu.be/OZ6ur9NOkpE

Astrobot review:

https://youtu.be/JVAEWreFU0I

Star Wars Outlaws review:

https://youtu.be/sKo1owZzYcs

Concord review (RIP):

https://youtu.be/vRrWp_MVAxU

Marvel Rivals Impressions

https://youtu.be/7rhAYJM-Tho

Zenless Zone Zero review:

https://youtu.be/r-pvw1xGmKY

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree review:

https://youtu.be/d1FQ3BiL-L8

Stellar Blade Review:

https://youtu.be/6NPvgtZ9pxc

Dragon's Dogma 2 review:

https://youtu.be/GWaPbEjjSqI

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth review:

https://youtu.be/_LaI5Knv4wM

Helldivers 2 review:

https://youtu.be/5j4TsO8vngA

Skull and Bones review:

https://youtu.be/z_BKf5cdV_w

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League review:

https://youtu.be/reQKHNg0jh8

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown review:

https://youtu.be/-mTbCsDQitU

I recommend: 2023 (This Year in Videogames)

https://youtu.be/26KzkLymUb4

The Day Before - A Scam To Remember:

https://youtu.be/tdQXfXm8rjg

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty review:

https://youtu.be/QNKS3vkGAag

Final Fantasy XVI review:

https://youtu.be/PzfUardkloY

Diablo IV review:

https://youtu.be/_Vk7yrh_JhM

The Lord of the Rings: Gollum review:

https://youtu.be/E21qSEyRa88

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom review:

https://youtu.be/BQFImTqvW8E

Redfall review:

https://youtu.be/YTpFvYbDuqA

Resident Evil 4 Remake Review:

https://youtu.be/iIXQ3sospSo

Calisto Protocol review:

https://youtu.be/mm8pxfU9c6E

God of War Ragnarok review:

https://youtu.be/QdqMpAV1A1s

Saints Row review:

https://youtu.be/T-hsMkWHMLU

Elden Ring review:

https://youtu.be/gfcJv3oZNcc

I spent 4 days playing Death Stranding 2...(Hands-On Impressions) May 08, 2025

Show notes

Thanks to SteelSeries for sponsoring the video. Grab a pair of PS5 compatible Arctis Earbuds, and get 12% while doing it when you use offer code SKILLUP at checkout: https://steelseries.com/arctisgamebuds

I visited Kojima Productions in Tokyo to spend 4 full days playing Death Stranding 2. These are my spoiler-free hands on impressions)

#Preview #DeathStranding2 #Kojima

Thanks for taking the time to watch the video. If you'd like to support the channel even more, the best way is through my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/skillupyt

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/skillup.bsky.social

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skillupyt/?hl=en

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@skillup

Grab 12% off any SteelSeries peripheral by using offer code SKILLUP at checkout: https://steelseries.pbj2.net/c/2446303/1266556/2390

Check out my curator page on steam:

https://store.steampowered.com/curator/28625128-Skill-Up-Curates.../

Recent vids:

Marathon preview:

https://youtu.be/bZVwBavB0Mg

Switch 2 preview:

https://youtu.be/tGumMM7orR4

Assassin's Creed Shadows review:

https://youtu.be/gdWyGurnSbU

Split Fiction review:

https://youtu.be/hajChij56Xo

Kingdom Come Deliverance II review:

https://youtu.be/_wFHtqKYMaM

Avowed review:

https://youtu.be/yxnyOmJzg_0

The best game of 2024

https://youtu.be/ShInfDuzl7A

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review:

https://youtu.be/HtbtcLxJTtY

STALKER 2 review:

https://youtu.be/BRCLRAJkqjg

PS5 Pro review:

https://youtu.be/BRCLRAJkqjg

Dragon Age: The Veilguard review:

https://youtu.be/QF-Kd2BBpx8

Silent Hill 2 review:

https://youtu.be/dBoU9SNFw9w

Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine 2 review:

https://youtu.be/OZ6ur9NOkpE

Astrobot review:

https://youtu.be/JVAEWreFU0I

Star Wars Outlaws review:

https://youtu.be/sKo1owZzYcs

Concord review (RIP):

https://youtu.be/vRrWp_MVAxU

Marvel Rivals Impressions

https://youtu.be/7rhAYJM-Tho

Zenless Zone Zero review:

https://youtu.be/r-pvw1xGmKY

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree review:

https://youtu.be/d1FQ3BiL-L8

Stellar Blade Review:

https://youtu.be/6NPvgtZ9pxc

Dragon's Dogma 2 review:

https://youtu.be/GWaPbEjjSqI

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth review:

https://youtu.be/_LaI5Knv4wM

Helldivers 2 review:

https://youtu.be/5j4TsO8vngA

Skull and Bones review:

https://youtu.be/z_BKf5cdV_w

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League review:

https://youtu.be/reQKHNg0jh8

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown review:

https://youtu.be/-mTbCsDQitU

I recommend: 2023 (This Year in Videogames)

https://youtu.be/26KzkLymUb4

The Day Before - A Scam To Remember:

https://youtu.be/tdQXfXm8rjg

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty review:

https://youtu.be/QNKS3vkGAag

Final Fantasy XVI review:

https://youtu.be/PzfUardkloY

Diablo IV review:

https://youtu.be/_Vk7yrh_JhM

The Lord of the Rings: Gollum review:

https://youtu.be/E21qSEyRa88

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom review:

https://youtu.be/BQFImTqvW8E

Redfall review:

https://youtu.be/YTpFvYbDuqA

Resident Evil 4 Remake Review:

https://youtu.be/iIXQ3sospSo

Calisto Protocol review:

https://youtu.be/mm8pxfU9c6E

God of War Ragnarok review:

https://youtu.be/QdqMpAV1A1s

Saints Row review:

https://youtu.be/T-hsMkWHMLU

Elden Ring review:

https://youtu.be/gfcJv3oZNcc

Xbox's big price hike, GTA 6 delayed + the future of Destiny revealed | This Week in Videogames May 07, 2025

Show notes

Thank you to Green Man Gaming for sponsoring this video! Right now you can save 17% on Doom Dark Ages or 12% on Elden Ring Nightreign with Green Man Gaming! Save on your purchase of Doom Dark Ages at this link: https://tinyurl.com/y4h6yeyc

We all saw it coming but now it's official: the wait for GTA VI just got even longer.

Ed's Despelote review on our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/nostalgia-kicks-127893802

#thisweekinvideogames #Xbox #gta6

If you want to check out Battle Aces (or any other game I profile in the 'Put This On Your Radar segment) you can find a link to it on my Steam Curator page:

https://store.steampowered.com/curator/28625128-Skill-Up-Curates.../

News collation and run-sheet by Edmond T.

Written and voiced by Ralph P.

Edited by Stuart K and Austin B.

If you want to check out the Friends Per Second Podcast, you can find all the links to it here:

https://linktr.ee/friendspersecond

Thanks for taking the time to watch the video. If you'd like to support the channel even more, the best way is through my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/skillupyt

Grab 12% off any SteelSeries peripheral by using offer code SKILLUP at checkout: https://steelseries.pbj2.net/c/2446303/1266556/2390

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skillup.bsky.social

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skillupyt/?hl=en

Marathon struggles to build hype + EA cancels Titanfall extraction shooter | This Week in Videogames May 01, 2025

Show notes

Check out the all new, all white SteelSeries Apex Gen 3 TKL Keyboard, and get a 12% discount when you use offer code SKILLUP at checkout: https://steelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-pro-tkl-gen-3?color=white

Marathon's numbers already aren't going in the right direction.

#thisweekinvideogames #Marathon #Titanfall

If you want to check out Despelote (or any other game I profile in the 'Put This On Your Radar segment) you can find a link to it on my Steam Curator page:

https://store.steampowered.com/curator/28625128-Skill-Up-Curates.../

News collation and run-sheet by Edmond T.

Written and voiced by Ralph P.

Edited by Stuart K and Austin B.

If you want to check out the Friends Per Second Podcast, you can find all the links to it here:

https://linktr.ee/friendspersecond

Thanks for taking the time to watch the video. If you'd like to support the channel even more, the best way is through my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/skillupyt

Grab 12% off any SteelSeries peripheral by using offer code SKILLUP at checkout: https://steelseries.pbj2.net/c/2446303/1266556/2390

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skillup.bsky.social

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skillupyt/?hl=en

Why Clair Obscur Expedition 33 is the best rated game of 2025 ft. Andy Serkis | FPS Ep #68 Apr 27, 2025

Show notes

Head to https://buyraycon.com/friends to get up to 15% off the best-selling Everyday Earbuds. Thanks to Raycon for sponsoring FPS!--Timestamps:00:00 Intro06:19 Oblivion Remastered Discussion with Guest Host MrMattyPlays28:34 Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Discussion53:17 Interview with Andy Serkis01:01:43 Raycon (ad)01:04:08 User Question 101:11:57 Video Game Adaptations Chat with The Weekly Planet01:59:20 User Question 202:09:54 What We've Been Playing02:22:00 Show and Tell02:34:23 Wrap Up--If you wanna check out our brand new newsletter, you can do so here: https://friendspersecond.substack.com/Listen to the Friends Per Second Podcast on your favourite podcast platform: https://linktr.ee/friendspersecondSubscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date: https://friendspersecond.substack.com/Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendspersecond--Let's meet our hosts!- Jake Baldino (aka the Before You Buy Guy) is pretty much the most watched reviewer on YouTube across both Gameranx and his personal channel (https://www.youtube.com/c/JakeBaldino). If you're obsessed with Delorians, The Mummy and Pizza you can discuss that stuff with him directly over on Twitter: @JakeBaldino- Lucy James is a Senior Producer at Gamespot and a Creative Producer at Giant Bomb. She's actually, like, experienced and credentialed and has real life skills and stuff, while the rest of the gang would be funemployed if the YT algorithm didn't kiss them for random, inexplicable reasons. - Skill Up used to work at McDonalds but he got fired for skimming too many chicken nuggets. He says he regrets it since he hasn't had a better job since.

Oblivion Remaster, Marathon's NDA pivot + the future of Destiny | This Week in Videogames Apr 24, 2025

Show notes

Thank you Manscaped for sponsoring this video. Get The Beard & Balls Bundle for 20% OFF + Free International Shipping with code SKILLUP at http://manscaped.com/skillup --The most leaked release of 2025 is finally here. --#thisweekinvideogames #PS5 #Nintendo--If you want to check out Unbeatable (or any other game I profile in the 'Put This On Your Radar segment) you can find a link to it on my Steam Curator page: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/28625128-Skill-Up-Curates.../--News collation and run-sheet by Edmond T.Written and voiced by Ralph P.Edited by Stuart K and Austin B.--You can find all the Skill Up reviews, previews and episodes of This Week in Videogames over on Spotify (where you can listen ad-free if you're a Spotify premium subscriber): https://open.spotify.com/show/2w3Injyqj2VoxOxQg6ESbl?si=c1fd44e1ff9a442bIf you want to check out the Friends Per Second Podcast, you can find all the links to it here: https://linktr.ee/friendspersecond--Thanks for taking the time to watch the video. If you'd like to support the channel even more, the best way is through my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/skillupyt--Grab 12% off any SteelSeries peripheral by using offer code SKILLUP at checkout: https://steelseries.pbj2.net/c/2446303/1266556/2390--Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skillup.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skillupyt/?hl=en

We need to talk about Nintendo | Friends Per Second Ep #67 (Part 2) Apr 19, 2025

Show notes

Try Factor at https://www.factormeals.com/fps50off with code fps50off to get 50% off your first box plus free shipping. Thanks to Factor for sponsoring FPS!

This is part 2 of episode #67, recorded on Fri Apr 11th. We had to split the episode into two because there was too much to cover between the Switch 2 reveal stuff and the trip to Bungie for Marathon.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

03:58 Thoughts on the Minecraft Movie

13:54 Switch 2 Discussion

01:01:03 Factor (ad)

01:02:50 What We've Been Playing

01:26:39 Show and Tell

01:38:26 Wrap Up

If you wanna check out our brand new newsletter, you can do so here: https://friendspersecond.substack.com/

Listen to the Friends Per Second Podcast on your favourite podcast platform: https://linktr.ee/friendspersecond

Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date: https://friendspersecond.substack.com/

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendspersecond

Let's meet our hosts!

- Skill Up used to work at McDonalds but he got fired for skimming too many chicken nuggets. He says he regrets it since he hasn't had a better job since.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Skill Up

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected