Leisure

Skill Up

For nerds.

Latest Episodes:

Layoffs at Bioware as studio is downsized + Sony's leadership changes | This Week in Videogames Jan 30, 2025

Show notes

Thank you Surfshark for sponsoring this video. Go to https://surfshark.com/skillup for 4 extra months of Surfshark -- The downsizing of Bioware following the under-performance of Dragon Age: The Veilguard is hardly surprising, but it's still a bummer. Austin's Eternal Strands review: https://youtu.be/lnhyG1t8bSs -- #thisweekinvideogames #dragonagetheveilguard #sony -- If you want to check out Keep Driving (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: Eternal Strands (Review) Jan 28, 2025

Show notes

Thanks Brilliant for sponsoring the video. 👉 To try everything Brilliant has to offer for free for a full 30 days, visit https://brilliant.org/SkillUp/. You’ll also get 20% off an annual premium subscription. -- Eternal Strands is lean and focused, but that allows it to double down on a brilliantly inventive sandbox that punches well above its weight given that this is a debut title from a small team. -- 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.../

Dragon Age: The Veilguard missed EA targets by 50% + Switch 2 revealed | This Week in Videogames Jan 24, 2025

Show notes

Thank you Manscaped for sponsoring this video. Get 20% Off + Free Shipping, with the code SKILLUP at http://manscaped.com/skillup. Follow the channel on Spotify! https://open.spotify.com/show/2w3Injyqj2VoxOxQg6ESbl?si=c1fd44e1ff9a442b -- Nintendo timed it juuuuuust right last week, didn't they? Check out the Hitpoints newsletter here: https://newsletter.hitpoints.co/ See Mick Gordon's response to Marty Stratton's reddit post here: https://medium.com/@mickgordon/my-full-statement-regarding-doom-eternal-5f98266b27ce#6fef #thisweekinvideogames #dragonagetheveilguard #switch2 -- 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

I wasn't having much fun with: Assassin's Creed Shadows (Hands-On Impressions) Jan 23, 2025

Show notes

Thanks to Lost in Cult for sponsoring this video. Sign-up to the Legacy of Kain TTRPG + book on BackerKit: bit.ly/LoKTTRPG. Check out Lost In Cult's quality books and merch: https://bit.ly/SkillUpLIC and use code SKILLUP for 5% site-wide -- 5 hours with Assassin's Creed Shadows reveals a game that is unsuccessfully trying to remix the core Assassin's Creed gameplay loops, splitting them out across two separate characters in a way that feels awkward and poorly thought out. Combined with lifeless characterisation and an overly familiar approach to world design and exploration, I didn't leave this hands-on session with a lot of excitement for the final product. -- 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 -- 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.../

Austin does not recommend Hyper Light Breaker (Early Access Review) Jan 21, 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 -- Early access issues aside, Hyper Light Breaker does not seem to have that the same sense of vision and artistry that defined Heart Machine's previous work. -- 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 -- 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 Hades II early access review: https://youtu.be/eFNIHrJjO4o Homeworld 3 review: https://youtu.be/BCdrL1AruGQ Animal Well review: https://youtu.be/4UEIjOk_7bo No Rest for the Wicked Review: https://youtu.be/I32_hpf-33c 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 Judas overview: https://youtu.be/RtyUZA5CPgY Pacific Drive review: https://youtu.be/WXxJ_66ksD4 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 Game of the Year 2023: https://youtu.be/VqbDdZ6gD4I I recommend: 2023 (This Year in Videogames) https://youtu.be/26KzkLymUb4 The Day Before - A Scam To Remember: https://youtu.be/tdQXfXm8rjg Alan Wake II review: https://youtu.be/jh1vq0SljoU Spider-Man 2 review: https://youtu.be/sQ1U98lpLF4 Lords of the Fallen review: https://youtu.be/V_QzNqHkapc Assassin's Creed Mirage review: https://youtu.be/xZmUtEsgGq0 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 Gotham Knights review: https://youtu.be/VS6xQU-_KqU Saints Row review: https://youtu.be/T-hsMkWHMLU Elden Ring review: https://youtu.be/gfcJv3oZNcc

AND WE'RE BACK! | Friends Per Second Ep #61 Jan 19, 2025

Show notes

Use our Displate code FRIENDS at checkout for exclusive discounts on your order at https://displate.com/@friendspersecond - Thanks to Displate for sponsoring FPS!

-- Try AG1 here http://drinkag1.com/FRIENDS and if you’re a new subscriber you’ll get a FREE Welcome Kit, a bottle of D3K2 AND 5 travel packs in your first box. Thanks to AG1 for sponsoring FPS!

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro / Welcome Back!

13:18 Switch 2 14:50 Displace (ad)

18:17 What We've Been Playing / Doing Over Break

01:07:25 AG1 (ad) 01:10:30 User Question Bonanza!

01:43:52 Show and Tell

01:55:22 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 Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheFPSPodcast

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.

Switch 2 leaks, more Ubisoft woes + Call of Duty dev budget revealed | This Week in Videogames Jan 16, 2025

Show notes

Thanks to SteelSeries for sponsoring the video. Get 12% off your purchase when you use offer code SKILLUP over at https://www.steelseries.com Follow the channel on Spotify! https://open.spotify.com/show/2w3Injyqj2VoxOxQg6ESbl?si=c1fd44e1ff9a442b -- And we're back! #thisweekinvideogames #Switch2 #Ubisoft -- 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

Kingdom Come Deliverance II - Unique, vast, immersive and brilliant (Hands-On Impressions) Jan 15, 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

Kingdom Come Deliverance II is the sort of sequel that confidently says: 'I'm gonna be the best version of myself that I can be for those that love me. Everybody else can take a hike'. The result is a game that that is unlikely to win over those who didn't enjoy the previous game, but if you were into what KCD was doing then you are absolutely going to love this.

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 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

Be sure to check out the Friends Per Second Podcast, too: https://tr.ee/8wCB7iVnOl

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

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

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.../

The best games of 2024 Jan 13, 2025

Show notes

Subscribe on YT: https://www.youtube.com/@SkillUp

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

I recommend: 2024 | This Year in Videogames Jan 13, 2025

Show notes

2024 had its fair share of ups and downs, but I think we can all agree that there were some pretty damn good videogames released this year. But also some really bad ones.

Subscribe on YT: https://www.youtube.com/@SkillUp

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

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Skill Up

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected