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Skill Up

For nerds.

Latest Episodes:

I recommend: Forza Horizon 6 (Review) May 19, 2026

Show notes

Click this link https://boot.dev/?promo=SKILLUP and use my code SKILLUP to get 25% off your first payment for boot.dev.

Forza Horizon 6 is a new benchmark for the open world racing-sub genre, even if some elements of the formula are in need of some refreshing.

#ForzaHorizon6 #Xbox #Review

Visit our website https://www.thisweekinvideogames.com for ad-free, ai-free, clickbait-free games coverage. Sign up for free, or become a supporter for access to exclusive content like features, expert columns, newsletters and an ad-free version of the weekly news show. Thanks for supporting the work we do.

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

Check out my curator page on steam:

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

Recent vids:

Pragmata review:

https://youtu.be/6n84HC57zEU

Crimson Desert review:

https://youtu.be/SHyO4W76b6E

Resident Evil Requiem review:

https://youtu.be/klmkwsoC46I?si=AE532L0G_N4aXneG

Highguard impressions:

https://youtu.be/s6pzJzJUEbg

Arc Raiders review:

https://youtu.be/wXB9flDrIXs

Dispatch review:

https://youtu.be/TyWU33qspwE

The Outer Worlds 2 review:

https://youtu.be/PzcPyEYlyA0

Hades II review:

https://youtu.be/L2BGd3x5gP4

Silent Hill f review:

https://youtu.be/PBW3NH7OaXM

Donkey Kong Bananza Review:

https://youtu.be/0E2T-Ne9N5Q

Death Stranding 2 review:

https://youtu.be/UxMJ5WAp1gY

Clair Obscur Expedition 33 - The Making of a Masterpiece

https://youtu.be/mXLOLgC2V2Q

Doom: The Dark Ages review:

https://youtu.be/6CNivLBwLkM

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 games of 2024

https://youtu.be/ShInfDuzl7A

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

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree review:

https://youtu.be/d1FQ3BiL-L8

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

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

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

Massive Bungie write-down, Switch 2 price hike + Subnautica 2 is here | This Week in Videogames May 15, 2026

Show notes

Go to https://surfshark.com/skillup or use code SKILLUP at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!

Steam Controller review: https://youtu.be/s3wx401x_ek

Support independent games coverage by signing up to https://www.thisweekinvideogames.com. It's 100% ad-free and you can sign up for free to get access to our news, reviews and previews, as well as a weekly newsletter. Become a Supporter to get access to our op-ed features, expert columns, a bonus newsletter and an ad-free version of this very show.

#thisweekinvideogames #Switch2 #Marathon

If you want to check out 868-Backl or any of our other radar shout outs, you can find them on our Steam curator page: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/28625128/

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 by becoming a supporter on our website: https://www.thisweekinvideogames.com.

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

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

We asked the Mixtape devs how they made 2026's highest rated game | Friends Per Second #94 May 10, 2026

Show notes

Our listeners can buy one prescription pair and get 20% off additional pairs at http://WarbyParker.com/FRIENDS — and using our link helps support the show.

Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at http://square.com/go/FRIENDS

Head to https://buyraycon.com/friendsOPEN to get up to 15% off Raycon audio products this holiday season. Thanks to Raycon for sponsoring FPS!

Try HelloFresh at https://www.hellofresh.com/fps10fm with code fps10fm to get 10 free meals + a free breakfast for life! Thanks to HelloFresh for sponsoring FPS!

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

02:25 Starfox 2026 Discussion

14:25 Steam Controller Discussion

27:33 Square (ad)

30:12 Warby Parker (ad)

33:34 Mixtape Interview with Johnny Galvatron and Woody Woodward

49:54 Mixtape Discussion

01:03:40 User Question

01:09:10 Raycon (ad)

01:11:23 Hello Fresh (ad)

01:13:55 Jake's Thoughts on 007 First Light

01:27:15 Ralph's Been Playing POE 2, Diablo IV, and AC Black Flag (original)

01:42:41 Lucy's Been Playing Dead as Disco

01:44:54 Show and Tell

02:02:11 Wrap Up

If you wanna check out our 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

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. 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: Mixtape (Review) May 09, 2026

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.

Mixtape is dreamy, nostalgia-laced homage to coming of age cinema. Centered on joy rather than the painful angst that typically define these stories, Mixtape lacks a strong, emotional baseline, but its cheerful top notes and stunning visual imagination will almost certainly leave their mark on you.

#Mixtape #Review #Gamepass

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

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

Check out my curator page on steam:

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

Recent vids:

Pragmata review:

https://youtu.be/6n84HC57zEU

Crimson Desert review:

https://youtu.be/SHyO4W76b6E

Resident Evil Requiem review:

https://youtu.be/klmkwsoC46I?si=AE532L0G_N4aXneG

Highguard impressions:

https://youtu.be/s6pzJzJUEbg

Arc Raiders review:

https://youtu.be/wXB9flDrIXs

Dispatch review:

https://youtu.be/TyWU33qspwE

The Outer Worlds 2 review:

https://youtu.be/PzcPyEYlyA0

Hades II review:

https://youtu.be/L2BGd3x5gP4

Silent Hill f review:

https://youtu.be/PBW3NH7OaXM

Donkey Kong Bananza Review:

https://youtu.be/0E2T-Ne9N5Q

Death Stranding 2 review:

https://youtu.be/UxMJ5WAp1gY

Clair Obscur Expedition 33 - The Making of a Masterpiece

https://youtu.be/mXLOLgC2V2Q

Doom: The Dark Ages review:

https://youtu.be/6CNivLBwLkM

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 games of 2024

https://youtu.be/ShInfDuzl7A

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

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree review:

https://youtu.be/d1FQ3BiL-L8

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

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

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

New (weird looking) Star Fox remake revealed + Xbox kills Gaming Copilot | This Week in Videogames May 08, 2026

Show notes

Go to https://buyraycon.com/skillupOPEN to get 15% off. Thanks to Raycon for sponsoring!

Steam Controller review: https://youtu.be/s3wx401x_ek

#thisweekinvideogames #StarFox #Xbox

If you want to check out Schrodinger's Cat or any of our other radar shout outs, you can find them on our Steam curator page: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/28625128/

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 by becoming a supporter on our website: https://www.thisweekinvideogames.com.

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

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

Xbox hardware sales drop 33% (again) + Steam Controller reviews are in | This Week in Videogames May 01, 2026

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.

Steam Controller review: https://youtu.be/s3wx401x_ek

Diablo IV Lord of Hatred review: https://youtu.be/RZlG8d2t9CI

Saros review: https://youtu.be/o1umIJJgKuk

Second Wind Showcase: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8b5hTeaE4o

#thisweekinvideogames #Xbox #saros

If you want to check out Mixtape or any of our other radar shout outs, you can find them on our Steam curator page: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/28625128/

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 by becoming a supporter on our website: https://www.thisweekinvideogames.com.

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

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

I recommend: The Steam Controller (2026) - Review Apr 28, 2026

Show notes

Thanks to Dbrand for sponsoring the video. Grab a skin for your new Steam Controller here: https://dbrand.com/shop/skins/steam-controller-skins. And if you want to be notified for when Companion Cube pre-orders go live, sign up here: https://dbrand.com/shop/limited-edition/companion-cube?srsltid=AfmBOorDCKMRJHv2qQZxCa0Rqpko1GeYoXBdJkfOByEwgMrzjN7EjXIh

The Steam Controller is by no means an essential purchase, but its thoughtful, innovate design makes it worth considering, and it makes a strong case for being the best controller option for PC gaming.

#SteamController #Review #Valve

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

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

Check out my curator page on steam:

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

Recent vids:

Pragmata review:

https://youtu.be/6n84HC57zEU

Crimson Desert review:

https://youtu.be/SHyO4W76b6E

Resident Evil Requiem review:

https://youtu.be/klmkwsoC46I?si=AE532L0G_N4aXneG

Highguard impressions:

https://youtu.be/s6pzJzJUEbg

Arc Raiders review:

https://youtu.be/wXB9flDrIXs

Dispatch review:

https://youtu.be/TyWU33qspwE

The Outer Worlds 2 review:

https://youtu.be/PzcPyEYlyA0

Hades II review:

https://youtu.be/L2BGd3x5gP4

Silent Hill f review:

https://youtu.be/PBW3NH7OaXM

Donkey Kong Bananza Review:

https://youtu.be/0E2T-Ne9N5Q

Death Stranding 2 review:

https://youtu.be/UxMJ5WAp1gY

Clair Obscur Expedition 33 - The Making of a Masterpiece

https://youtu.be/mXLOLgC2V2Q

Doom: The Dark Ages review:

https://youtu.be/6CNivLBwLkM

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 games of 2024

https://youtu.be/ShInfDuzl7A

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

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree review:

https://youtu.be/d1FQ3BiL-L8

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

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

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

So far, the new Xbox boss is saying (and doing ) the right things | Friends Per Second #93 Apr 26, 2026

Show notes

Try HelloFresh at https://www.hellofresh.com/fps10fm with code fps10fm to get 10 free meals + a FREE Nutribullet Ultra +2-in-1 Compact Kitchen System on your 3rd box. Thanks to HelloFresh for sponsoring FPS.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

05:49 Xbox News

26:48 Hello Fresh (ad)

29:14 Interview with Saros Creative Director Gregory Louden

50:16 Jake and Ralph Have Been Playing Saros

01:05:23 Ralph's Been Playing Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred

01:11:05 Everyone's Been Playing Pragmata

01:21:31 Lucy's Been Playing Vampire Crawlers, The Expanse Osiris Reborn, and Titanium Court

01:39:02 Interview with Titanium Court Creator AP Thomson

02:00:57 Show and Tell

02:10:02 Wrap Up

If you wanna check out our 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

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.

Xbox considering return to exclusives + AC Black Flag Resynced revealed | This Week in Videogames Apr 25, 2026

Show notes

They can't harm you, if they can't find you! Use code SKILLUP at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/skillup

Pragmata review: https://youtu.be/6n84HC57zEU?si=rCxN_EHYFGRxeEcI

Diablo IV Lord of Hatred review: https://youtu.be/RZlG8d2t9CI

Saros review: https://youtu.be/o1umIJJgKuk

#thisweekinvideogames #Xbox #ACBlackFlag

If you want to check out Titanium Court or any of our other radar shout outs, you can find them on our Steam curator page: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/28625128/

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 by becoming a supporter on our website: https://www.thisweekinvideogames.com.

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

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

I strongly recommend: Saros (Review) Apr 25, 2026

Show notes

Go to https://surfshark.com/skillup or use code SKILLUP at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!

I don't know how you top Returnal, but somehow Housemarque did it.

#Saros #PS5 #Review

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

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

Check out my curator page on steam:

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

Recent vids:

Pragmata review:

https://youtu.be/6n84HC57zEU

Crimson Desert review:

https://youtu.be/SHyO4W76b6E

Resident Evil Requiem review:

https://youtu.be/klmkwsoC46I?si=AE532L0G_N4aXneG

Highguard impressions:

https://youtu.be/s6pzJzJUEbg

Arc Raiders review:

https://youtu.be/wXB9flDrIXs

Dispatch review:

https://youtu.be/TyWU33qspwE

The Outer Worlds 2 review:

https://youtu.be/PzcPyEYlyA0

Hades II review:

https://youtu.be/L2BGd3x5gP4

Silent Hill f review:

https://youtu.be/PBW3NH7OaXM

Donkey Kong Bananza Review:

https://youtu.be/0E2T-Ne9N5Q

Death Stranding 2 review:

https://youtu.be/UxMJ5WAp1gY

Clair Obscur Expedition 33 - The Making of a Masterpiece

https://youtu.be/mXLOLgC2V2Q

Doom: The Dark Ages review:

https://youtu.be/6CNivLBwLkM

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 games of 2024

https://youtu.be/ShInfDuzl7A

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

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree review:

https://youtu.be/d1FQ3BiL-L8

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

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

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

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