You are listening to Vacation in the Dungeon the podcast with your host(s) Charlton Smit and Muhammed Tahir .

In this episode of Vacation in the Dungeon the Podcast where we discuss travel and gaming.

Japan is a dream destination for travelers and gamers , imagine you're walking in japan with neon streets Akihabara in Tokyo. The King for gaming and anime culture You can visit shops filled with the latest consoles, rare collectible figures, and arcades where games you’ve only played online come to life. It’s an entire world built around your favorite games and characters. Japan isn't just about gaming and anime. Just a short train ride away, you can explore unreal temples in Kyoto or stroll through the bamboo forests or soak in some hot springs while you're surrounded by beautiful views. The mix of modernized cities and ancient culture and it is a unique experience. You might be playing a game one moment then the next you're standing in ancient temples the next, it feels like you're traveling back in time between worlds. Many games are inspired by landscapes and traditions. Traveling to japan gives you a real feel of the world that inspires the awesomeness of the most popular games. You can see shrines, gardens, streets that look like scenes out of a video game.And it’s not just scenery. Japan celebrates gaming culture everywhere from themed cafes where you can sip coffee surrounded by your favorite characters, to arcades with classic and modern games, to festivals where cosplay brings characters to life. Experiencing this culture in person is so much more than just sightseeing; it’s stepping into the heart of the games themselves. So even if you're a traveler searching the world for its beauties or if you're a hardcore gamer, japan is the place for you it offers both worlds in one and it doesn't even seem like it. It all blends in together

Muhammad: Now that we have explored real world magics of Japan from its temples to its neon lit cities, it's now time to cross over into its virtual side of that same world. Few games capture Japan's beauty, history and spirit better than the ghost of Tsushima.

Set during the Mongol invasion of the 13th century, Ghost of Tsushima feels like stepping into a living painting of feudal Japan. The island of Tsushima is brought to life with stunning detailed fields of golden grass, misty bamboo forests, mountain shrines, and quiet villages that reflect the balance between nature and civilization

that Japan is known for. Every frame feels cinematic, almost like a tribute to the samurai films that shaped Japan’s storytelling tradition.

Charlton: But what makes it even more special is how the game connects to real Japanese culture. The way Jin Sakai, the main character, struggles between the samurai code of honor and the need to protect his people mirrors the real moral conflicts that defined Japan’s warrior history. Even the smallest details like composing haiku, paying respects at shrines, or following a guiding fox are drawn straight from Japanese customs. As we shift from travel to gaming, we’re not really leaving Japan behind, we're just seeing it through another view. Ghost of Tsushima lets you experience the country’s spirit in motion: the discipline of the samurai, the beauty of its landscapes, and the quiet strength of its people. It’s not just a game; it’s an artistic love letter to Japan’s past.

You know when a game doesn’t just entertain you it makes you think about who you’d be if you were in that world? That’s Ghost of Tsushima. It’s not just a samurai action game; it’s a story about loyalty, sacrifice, and what it means to hold onto your humanity when the world forces you to change.

You play as Jin Sakai, a samurai...

Hopewell Valley Student Podcasting Network

Show Name: Vacation in the Dungeon

You are listening to Vacation in the Dungeon the podcast with your host(s) Charlton Smit and Muhammed Tahir.

In this episode of Vacation in the Dungeon the Podcast we discuss: Videogames and Traveling.

Welcome to The first Episode in vacation in the dungeon. We are going to be traveling to China. A place of ancient legends, misty mounds, and culture. From huge peaks like the Huangshan mountains to the unreal temples in the bamboo, China has places that almost feel unreal. And it's not just about the landscapes. It the culture and the stories that have inspired art and even video games. Later we will talk about Black Myth: Wukong, but for now let's talk about real world china.

China’s scenery is incredibly diverse, offering travelers a chance to experience just about every kind of landscape imaginable. In the south, you’ll find the breathtaking karst mountains of Guilin and Yangshuo, where emerald-green peaks rise sharply from the ground and rivers wind between them like ribbons. A simple boat ride along the Li River feels almost magical, as mist rolls off the mountains in the morning and fishermen still use traditional bamboo rafts with lanterns to guide their way. It’s one of those places where you feel transported to another time.

Head west, and the scenery changes completely. In Tibet and the surrounding Himalayan region, snow-capped peaks stretch into the sky, some of the tallest mountains on Earth. Here, travelers can hike trails at the roof of the world, pass through colorful monasteries, and see prayer flags fluttering in the wind. The air is thinner, but the landscapes are unlike anything else raw, powerful, and deeply spiritual.

Further north, the grasslands of Inner Mongolia offer a totally different experience. Vast, open spaces stretch endlessly in all directions, where herders still raise horses and sheep as they have for centuries. Visitors can stay in traditional yurts, ride on horseback, and experience nomadic hospitality under an incredible blanket of stars at night. It’s a reminder that travel isn’t always about big cities. Sometimes the most memorable moments come from the stillness of nature.

(Charlton) What I really like about Black Myth: Wukong is how it mixes real myths with the game world. When you fight something like the Nine-Tailed Fox, it’s not just some random monster, it's based on the Huli Jing from Chinese folklore. People have been telling stories about it for hundreds of years, through operas, paintings, even carvings at temples. And if you travel around China today, you can still see it in festivals and performances.

(Muhammed) The scenery is the same way. Those foggy mountains you climb in the game. They look just like the Huangshan mountains or the stone pillars in Zhangjiajie. Both are actual places you can hike, and honestly, standing there feels just as crazy as it does in the game. So playing Black Myth: Wukong almost feels like walking straight into China’s old legends. The stories are old, but the culture keeps them alive, and this game is such a cool way to experience that.

Today we’re diving into Black Myth: Wukong, a game that has completely taken over my brain these past few weeks. And I don’t just mean because it looks beautiful or because the combat is fun—though both of those things are true. What really makes this game stand out is how it brings old Chinese folklore into a modern action game. And the more I play it, the more I realize this isn’t just another flashy RPG—it’s something with real roots, something that feels alive.

So let’s start with one of the big highlights: the enemies. If you’ve seen even a trailer, you’ve probably noticed they’re not your average video...

Welcome to vacation in the dungeon! Vacation bookings for the winter are coming up! And games are going to get popular. Can’t decide where you want to go and what games you want to play? I’m your host, Muhammad Tahir, and I'm your co-host Charlton Smit. We will be talking about gaming and traveling in ONE podcast. I Muhammad will help you out by talking to you about different locations around the world for your next big vacation. I’m going to cover everything from the history to the culture of each attraction and then help you find the best places to stay while you’re out on your next dream vacation. You might even discover hidden gems you’ve never heard of before. And me, Charlton, will be talking about gaming and helping you discover new games you might not have heard of and help you find a new favorite game.