Hollow Knight: Silksong is now available, and the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, aside from some amusing Google Reviews.

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• Hollow Knight: Silksong's launch caused significant storefront issues due to high demand.
• The anticipation for Hollow Knight: Silksong has been building for years, leading to a successful launch.
• Sales figures for Hollow Knight: Silksong are expected to surpass those of the original game.
• Players are experiencing challenges with new gameplay mechanics in Silksong compared to the original.
• The gameplay reveal for Double A7: First Light showcased a mix of stealth and action elements.
• Concerns were raised about the car chase mechanics in the Double A7 gameplay.
• Voice performances in the new Bond game were well-received, adding depth to the characters.
• The God of War TV series is set to begin filming, with a focus on staying true to the game's narrative.
• The Life is Strange adaptation will follow the original characters, Max and Chloe, from the first game.
• Sophie Turner has been cast as Lara Croft in the upcoming Tomb Raider series, raising questions about the direction of the adaptation.

Hosts: Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley

Episode Timecodes

Chapters

00:00 Hello 02:10 Top Five Daddies in Gaming 05:07 Hollow Knight: Silksong Launch and Reactions 07:50 Hollow Knight: Silksong Gameplay and Reviews 10:38 Google Reviews and Player Reactions 12:19 Double A7: First Light Gameplay Reveal 20:36 Exploring Player Freedom in Game Design 22:11 Character Dynamics and Voice Performances 23:00 Collector's Editions and Exclusive Content 24:54 Anticipating the God of War TV Series 25:51 Adapting Video Games for Television 31:02 Life is Strange: A New Adaptation 35:11 Sophie Turner as Lara Croft: A New Era

Resources

• Hollow Knight: Silksong Is Out Now — but It's So Popular It's Crashing Storefronts Including Steam - IGN
• 007 First Light's Release Date Has Been Revealed Alongside 30 Minutes Of Gameplay
• Amazon's God of War TV series will finally start filming early next year, new report claims
• ‘Life Is Strange’ TV Series Set at Amazon From Charlie Covell, Square Enix, Story Kitchen, and LuckyChap (EXCLUSIVE)
• Amazon's live-action Tomb Raider series has found its Lara Croft | Eurogamer.net

Arcade Couch Credits:

• Music by: Dylan Blight
• Art by: Cherie Henriques
• Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration

All Episodes:

• https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

• http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

There are rumours of the PlayStation 6 behind a handheld/hybrid console. Are we really ready to start talking about the next generation of consoles already?

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• September is shaping up to be a big month for gaming.
• The PlayStation 6 portable is rumoured to be more powerful than the PS5.
• There is a perceived lack of standout titles for the PS5 generation.
• Game development timelines have stretched significantly in recent years.
• Hollow Knight: Silksong's release has caused a ripple effect in the gaming industry.
• Indie developers face challenges when major titles are released.
• The identity of PlayStation consoles is in question with the PS5.
• The gaming landscape is influenced by external factors like tariffs and market conditions.
• There is a need for new IPs in the current gaming generation.
• The anticipation for upcoming titles is high, but the release schedule is crowded. Indie games face tough competition in a crowded market.
• Skate's early access model raises questions about monetisation.
• September 2023 is packed with exciting game releases.
• Hollow Knight: Silksong is highly anticipated by fans.
• EA's history suggests potential microtransactions in Skate.
• The gaming community is eager for the return of beloved franchises.
• Personal preferences play a significant role in gaming excitement.
• Curiosity about new titles can lead to mixed expectations.
• The hosts share a light-hearted banter about gaming habits.
• The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of video games.

Hosts: Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo

Resources

• A PlayStation 6 Portable Is Apparently On The Way With More Base Power Than A PS5 When Docked
• Hollow Knight: Silksong September Launch Shakes Up Indie Game Schedule - Explosion Network
• EA’s Skate Early Access Launches September 16 on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox - Explosion Network
• What Video Games Are Coming Out in September 2025? - Explosion Network

Arcade Couch Credits:

• Music by: Dylan Blight
• Art by: Cherie Henriques
• Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration

All Episodes:

• https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

• http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

We discuss our first impressions of Mafia: The Old Country, the fourth entry in the series; we also take a look at everything that was announced during Gamescom - Opening Night Live 2025.

Show Dot Points

• The hosts express excitement about the upcoming release of Hollow Knight: Silksong.
• Gamescom showcased a variety of new games and trailers, generating buzz among fans.
• Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 aims to innovate with a new campaign structure.
• The Lego Batman game promises to incorporate elements from various Batman media.
• Anime adaptations of video games are becoming more common, with mixed reactions from fans.
• The Fallout series continues to expand with a new season, delving deeper into character backstories.
• The hosts share their thoughts on the Deadpool VR game and its potential success.
• Zero Parades is generating interest despite concerns about the development team.
• The Unbeatable game combines music and narrative in a unique way.
• Overall, the conversation highlights the evolving landscape of video games and their adaptations. Silent Hill F showcases a new direction for the franchise.
• The Divine Comedy offers a unique art style and gameplay experience.
• Vampire: The Masquerade- Bloodlines 2 has faced numerous delays but remains highly anticipated.
• Game trailers reveal a mix of horror, RPG, and action elements.
• Mafia: The Old Country returns to a more narrative-driven style of gameplay.
• The importance of character development in engaging players.
• The evolution of gaming genres is evident in upcoming titles.
• Game announcements create excitement and anticipation among fans.
• The balance between gameplay mechanics and storytelling is crucial.
• The hosts share personal insights and humour throughout the discussion.

Hosts: Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo

Resources

• Kirby Air Riders Release Date Has Been Revealed Alongside A Heap Of New Info
• Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025: All the Announcements and Trailers - Explosion Network
• https://press-start.com.au/news/playstation/2025/08/22/hollow-knight-silksong-just-got-a-release-date-and-its-just-a-few-weeks-away/

Arcade Couch Credits:

• Music by: Dylan Blight
• Art by: Cherie Henriques
• Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration

All Episodes:

• https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

• http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion