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Skill Up

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Latest Episodes:

I *very* strongly recommend: Kingdom Come Deliverance II (Review) Mar 01, 2025

Show notes

Thank you Surfshark for sponsoring this video. Go to https://surfshark.com/skillup for 4 extra months of Surfshark

Kingdom Come Deliverance II is the new benchmark for the first person, cinematic RPG genre.

#KingdomCome #Warhorse #Review

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.../

Wonder Woman scrapped as Warner Bros guts gaming division + Fable Gameplay | This Week in Videogames Feb 27, 2025

Show notes

Thank you Incogni for sponsoring this video. Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code SKILLUP and get 60% off an annual plan: http://incogni.com/skillup

Warner Bros. is cancelling game and closing studios, but don't worry - they're betting big on Game of Thrones, so everything's gonna be fine.

Ed's Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza review: https://www.patreon.com/posts/like-dragon-in-122554737

#thisweekinvideogames #WonderWoman #Monolith

If you want to check out Bachelair (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

Austin recommends: Once Human (Review) Feb 26, 2025

Show notes

Thank you Manscaped for sponosring this video. Get The Chairman Plus for 20% OFF + Free International Shipping with code SKILLUP at https://manscaped.com/skillup. #ManscapedPartner--6 months after its 1.0 launch, Once Human has held its player base where so many other free to play launches have failed, and that's down to the simple fact that despite some odd choices and rough edges - it's pretty damn good. --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=b651261f52c24e58BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/skillup.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skillupyt/?hl=enTikTok: 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.../--

Spencer: "I’m not trying to move them all over to Xbox anymore" | This Week In Videogames Feb 20, 2025

Show notes

Thank you Green Man Gaming for sponsoring this video. Pick up Monster Hunter Wilds and get a 16% discount: https://bit.ly/MHWILDSKILLUP--Phil Spencer says he's no longer trying to pull Playstation or Nintendo fans over to Xbox, marking the true end to the decades long console war. Ed's Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza review: https://www.patreon.com/posts/like-dragon-in-122554737--#thisweekinvideogames #StateofPlay #Xbox--If you want to check out After Love EP (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

Austin strongly recommends: 'Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist' (Review) Feb 18, 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

Ender Magnolia is one of the best metroidvanias you've never heard of.

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.../

Avowed review discussion - why we didn't love it | Friends Per Second Ep #63 Feb 16, 2025

Show notes

Try Factor at FACTORMEALS.com/fps50off and get 50% off your first box plus free shipping. Thanks to Factor for sponsoring FPS!

This week we react to the Sony State of Play, take a deep-dive look at Avowed and chat with Jakub Szamałek, formerly a lead writer from CDPR who work on The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077, and now the Narrative Director at Rebel Wolves, the studio comprised of former CDPR talent who just revealed their first game: Blood of the Dawnwalker. Great to have Alanah Pearce along for the ride, too.

Note: This episode was recorded Wed 12th of Feb, 2025.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro with Guest Host Alanah Pearce

08:37 Sony State of Play Recap

46:55 Factor (ad)

50:24 User Question 1

01:06:22 Interview with Rebel Wolves Narrative Director Jakub Szamałek

01:42:26 User Question 2

01:48:03 What We've Been Playing

02:17:16 Avowed Discussion

02:56:27 Show And Tell

03:08:33 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.

Avowed - Review Feb 15, 2025

Show notes

Thank you Lost in Cult for Sponsoring this video. Click https://bit.ly/LoKTTRPG to pre-order on BackerKit. A very special Legacy of Kain Complete Edition will be available exclusively to backers during this pre-order period.

Avowed is...fine, but from a studio as storied and as capable as Obsidian, that's a pretty big disappointment.

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:

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

Report: Wonder Woman game in trouble + MGS3 Remake release date leak | This Week in Videogames Feb 12, 2025

Show notes

Thank you Raycon for sponsoring this video. Go to https://buyraycon.com/skillup to get up to 20% off sitewide! Brought to you by Raycon

Warner Bros games spent a decade chasing live service fools gold, and now look where that's landed them.

#thisweekinvideogames #WonderWoman #MGS3

If you want to check out After Love EP (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

EA's baffling comments on Veilguard flopping + Xbox console sales down 30% | This Week in Videogames Feb 06, 2025

Show notes

Learning more about the brand new Nvidia GeForce RTX 50-series GPUs here: https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/graphics-cards/50-series/

You're never gonna guess what EA blames the failure of Dragon Age: The Veilguard on.

#thisweekinvideogames #dragonagetheveilguard #Xbox

If you want to check out While Waiting (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

Playing AC Shadows got us thinking about Ghost of Tsushima | Friends Per Second #62 Feb 02, 2025

Show notes

Head to https://buyraycon.com/friends to get up to 20% off sitewide for the perfect gift. Thanks to Raycon for sponsoring FPS!

Subscribe to the FPS Podcast Highlights channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@UC82taKHHS0vOY-b8r311Ijg

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

08:37 Xbox Developer Direct Recap

31:31 Sony News

42:26 Assassin's Creed Shadows Thoughts

01:05:20 Raycon (ad)

01:08:13 User Question 1

01:16:17 User Question 2

01:23:17 Bigmode Discussion with Leah

01:44:22 What We've Been Playing

02:11:08 Show and Tell

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.

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