Seth, Boogs, Wilkins, and Matt get together to reveal and talk about their feelings on the community's top 10 games of 2023, as well as about half of all games that came out in 2023 seemingly, by the end of this three hour long double stuffed episode. Critical Diversions on Twitter - @crit_diversions Seth on Twitter - @twodollarhero All N on Twitter - @allnpodcast Checkout Seth's video essay on Tears of the Kingdom, as mentioned in the podcast! Garrett Bugay on Twitter - @garrettbugay Checkout G...
Jan 10, 2024•3 hr 7 min
On the first episode of the new year, Matt's joined by his wife, Natascha, to talk about a whole bunch of stuff, including the new movie from Studio Ghibli, "The Boy and the Heron", an extensive breakdown on Coral Island, and why Baldur's Gate 3 is a cozy game, before giving a roundup of the games they're most excited for in 2024. Critical Diversions on Twitter - @crit_diversions Natascha Murray on Twitter - @couchmochi Natascha Murray on Blue Sky - @couchmochi.bsky.social Matt Murray on Twitter...
Jan 05, 2024•1 hr 37 min
It's the between Christmas and New Year's episode, so there's not much to talk about this week. Naturally, Matt still talked for over an hour about games like Octopath Traveler 2, Baldur's Gate 3, and Raccoo Venture, before going off on rants about Pokemon and Monster Hunter. Check out Matt's written review of Raccoo Venture , and check out the What's Wrong with Wolfie Podcast while you're there! There may or may not be Weekly Diversion episodes the next two weeks. If there are, Matt's wife Nata...
Dec 29, 2023•1 hr 12 min
It's a goof off week at Critical Diversions; not much new to talk about in the gaming sphere, so let's go over German Christmas Markets and Pornhub's 2023 video game porn search roundup. And of course some Baldur's Gate 3 talk on the side. Critical Diversions on Twitter: @crit_diversions Matt Murray on Twitter: @shyguycity Matt Murray on Blue Sky: @mattmurray.bsky.social Podcast art by Natascha Murray Natascha Murray on Twitter: @couchmochi Natascha Murray on Blue Sky: @couchmochi.bsky.social Th...
Dec 21, 2023•1 hr 19 min
Confused by the rebranding of the weekly podcast from Critical Diversions? Don't be, it's the same dumb stuff, only now with a lot more Ed Sheeran than usual. Also some Octopath Traveler 2, Potion Craft, and Lego Fortnite talk, as well as the reveal of the Tekken 2 t-shirt Matt will be buried in. It's all here, right now, in this Weekly Diversion. Critical Diversions on Twitter - @crit_diversions Matt Murray on Twitter - @shyguycity Matt Murray on Blue Sky - @mattmurray.bsky.social Podcast art b...
Dec 15, 2023•1 hr 37 min
Wanna hear Matt's take on the endless game announcements from this week, like Visions of Mana, Kind Words 2: Lo-Fi City Pop, and Duck Detective: The Secret Salami? Then you've come to the right place, brother. Critical Diversions on Twitter - @crit_diversions Matt Murray on Twitter - @shyguycity Matt Murray on Blue Sky - @mattmurray.bsky.social Podcast art by Natascha Murray Natascha Murray on Twitter - @couchmochi Natascha Murray on Blue Sky - @couchmochi.bsky.social The various Critical Divers...
Dec 08, 2023•1 hr 56 min
It's our special episode celebrating 1 year of Critical Diversions! Words give it no justice, just come on in; it's time to take a dive (WARNING: for big dawgs only).
Dec 02, 2023•1 hr 9 min
This week Matt's talking about games such as Octopath Traveler 2, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, and (of course) Baldur's Gate 3, but this week's also bursting at the seams with news, ranging from world premieres to Shadow the Hedgehog's feet. Let's get to it. Critical Diversions on Twitter: @crit_diversions Matt Murray on Twitter: @shyguycity Matt Murray on Blue Sky: @mattmurray.bsky.social Podcast art by Natascha Murray Natascha Murray on Twitter: @couchmochi Natascha Murray on Blue Sky: @couchmochi.b...
Dec 01, 2023•1 hr 48 min
Matt's bringing you a lean and svelte episode this week. Just kidding, he's talking about Mario RPG remake, dumb Twitter influencer controversies, and crying about holding the hand of half-elf vampire lover boys Critical Diversions on Twitter - @crit_diversions Matt Murray on Twitter - @shyguycity Matt Murray on Blue Sky - @mattmurray.bsky.social Podcast art by Natascha Murray Natascha Murray on Twitter - @couchmochi Natascha Murray on Blue Sky - @couchmochi.bsky.social The various Critical Dive...
Nov 24, 2023•1 hr 35 min
In this ultra stuffed pre-Thanksgiving episode, Matt's bringing all kinds of goodies to the table. We've got more Risk of Rain Returns, with a side of the Mario RPG remake. Coral Island could've used some more time in the oven, but we've also got some scandals to make up for it, and some PS4 10th anniversary to talk about for dessert. Critical Diversions on Twitter - @crit_diversions Matt Murray on Twitter - @shyguycity Matt Murray on Blue Sky - @mattmurray.bsky.social Podcast art by Natascha Mu...
Nov 17, 2023•2 hr 4 min
We've heard the complaints: it's 2023 and there's not nearly enough talk around town about Bloodborne. Matt's here to remedy that situation this week. He's also talking about stuff like a David Lynch directed Stardew Valley movie and marzipan hot chocolate. Come on in, the water's fine. Critical Diversions on Twitter - @crit_diversions Matt Murray on Twitter - @shyguycity Matt Murray on Blue Sky - @mattmurray.bsky.social Podcast art by Natascha Murray Natascha Murray on Twitter - @couchmochi Nat...
Nov 11, 2023•1 hr 38 min
The boys discuss the hardships and discrimination that one must face as Adult Mario Fans. Why can't Yoshi be by everyone? Where is the worldbuilding? If god's real, then why isn't the bubble power used more throughout the game? The answers to these questions, as well as the ending theme of Alf, may or may not be held within this podcast. Critical Diversions on Twitter - @crit_diversions Seth Sturgill on Twitter - @twodollarhero Matt Murray on Twitter - @shyguycity Matt Murray on Blue Sky - @matt...
Nov 09, 2023•1 hr 39 min
Halloween may be over, but Matt's got plenty of spooky things to talk about, such as more unnecessary video game industry layoffs, Inscryption, and identity theft! Critical Diversions on Twitter - @crit_diversions Matt Murray on Twitter - @shyguycity Matt Murray on Blue Sky - @mattmurray.bsky.social Podcast art by Natascha Murray Natascha Murray on Twitter - @couchmochi Natascha Murray on Blue Sky - @couchmochi.bsky.social The Critical Diversions intro and outro music was composed by Mic Fox. Ch...
Nov 03, 2023•1 hr 14 min
Matt's getting sick, but we've still got some games and some news to monologue about, including Suika Game, Mario Wonder, Spider-Man 2, and Risk of Rain Returns Critical Diversions on Twitter - @crit_diversions Matt Murray on Twitter - @shyguycity Matt Murray on Blue Sky - @mattmurray.bsky.social Podcast art by Natascha Murray Natascha Murray on Twitter - @couchmochi Natascha Murray on Blue Sky - @couchmochi.bsky.social The Critical Diversions intro and outro music was composed by Mic Fox. Check...
Oct 28, 2023•1 hr 14 min
We've got it all this week, baby. A state of the games club update, a bunch of of games to talk about that aren't Baldur's Gate 3 (most notably Mario Wonder and Spider-Man 2), and the video game industry continues to be gross and bad as hell and everyone should unionize. Also, some ambient drilling that I had to edit around. Critical Diversions on Twitter - @crit_diversions Matt Murray on Twitter - @shyguycity Matt Murray on Blue Sky - @mattmurray.bsky.social Podcast art by Natascha Murray Natas...
Oct 21, 2023•1 hr 36 min
Cozymeg, Cali, Boogs, Wilkins, and Matt post up to weather the storm together and hang out to talk about Firewatch for a while. We get to hear the female perspective on a lot of things, learn that Matt's wife might divorce him, and there are more dead kids in this one. Critical Diversions on Twitter - @crit_diversions Matt Murray on Twitter - @shyguycity Matt Murray on Blue Sky - @mattmurray.bsky.social Boogs on Twitter - @garrettbugay Podcast art by Natascha Murray Natascha Murray on Twitter - ...
Oct 18, 2023•1 hr 23 min
Matt's got a state of the games club update, some games to talk about (including Dave the Diver and Ooblets), and some news to get into. Most importantly, Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs Critical Diversions on Twitter - @crit_diversions Matt Murray on Twitter - @shyguycity Matt Murray on Blue Sky - @mattmurray.bsky.social Podcast art by Natascha Murray Natascha Murray on Twitter - @couchmochi Natascha Murray on Blue Sky - @couchmochi.bsky.social The Critical Diversions intro and outro m...
Oct 13, 2023•1 hr 21 min
Seth, Wilkins, and Matt shelter together for a while to talk about their experiences with Gunbrella, the seemingly overlooked neo-noir action platformer from Doinksoft that released earlier this year. Critical Diversions on Twitter - @crit_diversions Seth Sturgill on Twitter - @twodollarhero Matt Murray on Twitter - @shyguycity Matt Murray on Blue Sky - @mattmurray.bsky.social Podcast art by Natascha Murray Natascha Murray on Twitter - @couchmochi Natascha Murray on Blue Sky - @couchmochi.bsky.s...
Oct 12, 2023•1 hr 45 min
Today on games and news, Matt's got a little bit of games, a tiny bit of news, and a lot of Final Fantasy 7 stuff at the request of Jim (I'm so sorry) Critical Diversions on Twitter - @crit_diversions Matt Murray on Twitter - @shyguycity Matt Murray on Blue Sky - @mattmurray.bsky.social Podcast art by Natascha Murray Natascha Murray on Twitter - @couchmochi Natascha Murray on Blue Sky - @couchmochi.bsky.social The Critical Diversions intro and outro music was composed by Mic Fox. Check out his e...
Oct 05, 2023•1 hr 40 min
Matt's doing another one of these. This time, he gives an update on the state of the games club, talks about The Messenger, Kirby and the Amazing Mirror, and some games that are much better than those two! A lot of news to cover this week too, with plenty of layoffs and shitty CEOs. There's some Final Fantasy talk at the tail end as well. Critical Diversions on Twitter - @crit_diversions Matt Murray on Twitter - @shyguycity Matt Murray on Blue Sky - @mattmurray.bsky.social Podcast art by Natasch...
Sep 30, 2023•1 hr 35 min
Cali, Wilkins, Boogs, Jim, Seth, and Matt cover What Remains of Edith Finch in this episode. Besides the game itself, they also talk about family histories, stories, and tall tales, what it's like to live in an Edith Finch-ian house, and plenty of their own haunted family traumas. Lotta crystals and tragically dead kids in this one. Critical Diversions on Twitter - @crit_diversions Seth Sturgill on Twitter - @twodollarhero Garrett Bugay on Twitter - @garrettbugay Boogs's Podcast on Twitter - @du...
Sep 26, 2023•1 hr 42 min
Seth Sturgill, Andrew Wilkins, and Matt Murray air some grievances over the recently released turn-based RPG, Sea of Stars. But don't fret, there's some positivity sprinkled in there somewhere, we swear. Critical Diversions on Twitter - @crit_diversions Seth Sturgill on Twitter - @twodollarhero Matt Murray on Twitter - @shyguycity Matt Murray on Blue Sky - @mattmurray.bsky.social Podcast art by Natascha Murray Natascha Murray on Twitter - @couchmochi Natascha Murray on Blue Sky - @couchmochi.bsk...
Sep 21, 2023•2 hr 14 min
Matt Murray's doing a solo podcast, talking about video games, both ones he's played and ones he's seen in the news, and gulping water uncomfortably loud. This go around we're talking about goodies like 30XX, F-Zero 99, Baldur's Gate 3, the recent Nintendo Direct and Playstation State of Play, and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth! Critical Diversions on Twitter - @crit_diversions Matt Murray on Twitter - @shyguycity Matt Murray on Blue Sky - @mattmurray.bsky.social Podcast art by Natascha Murray N...
Sep 20, 2023•1 hr 40 min
Collin Williams, Seth Sturgill, Jim Masi, Andrew Wilkins, and Matt Murray link up (sans passcodes) to talk about the Zelda Oracle games for the GameBoy Color, recently re-released on Switch. Along the way, they talk about trying to appreciate art from the perspective of the time in which it was made, our general thoughts on Zelda as a series, milk mouth, and horny tree. Critical Diversions on Twitter - @crit_diversions Seth Sturgill on Twiter - @twodollarhero Matt Murray on Twitter - @shyguycity...
Sep 11, 2023•1 hr 41 min
Jim Masi, Andrew Wilkins, Seth Sturgill, and Matt Murray meetup to talk about the latest game in the Pikmin franchise, its evolution towards a cozy game, the state of Nintendo's output over the last decade or so, and Oatchi . Critical Diversions on Twitter - @crit_diversions Seth Sturgill on Twitter - @twodollarhero Matt Murray on Twitter - @shyguycity Podcast art by Natascha Murray Natascha Murray on Twitter - @couchmochi Natascha Murray on Deviantart Our intro song this episode is "Mysterious ...
Aug 11, 2023•2 hr 17 min
Andrew Wilkins, Seth Sturgill, Hunter, and Matt Murray link up to talk about Sephonie, the latest game from Analgesic Productions. The conversation gets as heady and in the weeds as you'd expect from this group of folk talking about an existential 3D platformer/puzzle game/visual novel from one of the best game development studios on the planet. Critical Diversions on Twitter - @crit_diversions Seth Sturgill on Twitter - @twodollarhero Matt Murray on Twitter - @shyguycity Podcast art by Natascha...
Aug 03, 2023•2 hr 38 min
Seth Sturgill, Andrew Wilkins, and Matt Murray enter the Critical Diversions branded cage to fight about Alan Wake. Turns out, there wasn't as much to fight about as we thought. The combat ain't great though. Critical Diversions on Twitter - @crit_diversions Seth Sturgill on Twitter - @twodollarhero Andrew Wilkins on Twitter - Redacted Matt Murray on Twitter - @shyguycity Podcast art by Natascha Murray Natascha Murray on Twitter - @couchmochi Natascha Murray on Deviantart Our intro song this epi...
Jul 20, 2023•1 hr 9 min
Collin Williams, Andrew Wilkins, Hunter, Ian, Seth Sturgill, and Matt Murray throw the format of the show out the window on only the third episode to talk about their favorite games of 2023 so far, all while trying to not embarrass themselves while Jim silently judges. Critical Diversions on Twitter - @crit_diversions Collin Williams on Twitter - @crocomire Andrew Wilkins on Twitter - @bigdawgsonly Hunter on the internet - Please don't look him up Ian - Critical Diversions is the exclusive place...
Jun 30, 2023•2 hr 40 min•Ep. 3
Seth Sturgill, Hunter, Andrew Wilkins, and Matt Murray get together to talk about the WarioWare series in its entirety, from its humble beginnings as the minigame "Sound Blaster" within a Mario Paint successor for the ill-fated Nintendo 64 DD add-on, all the way up to their hopes and dreams for the just announced "WarioWare: Move It!", coming later this year to the Nintendo Switch. Critical Diversions on Twitter - @crit_diversions Seth Sturgill on Twitter - @twodollarhero Hunter on the internet ...
Jun 23, 2023•2 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 2
For the very first episode of Critical Diversions, Andrew Wilkins, Seth Sturgill, Collin Williams, and Matt Murray get together to talk about Tears of the Kingdom. It's nearly three hours of largely unorganized talk, and it was a blast all around, despite some technical issues. WARNING: There are spoilers for all facets of the game within, so if you would prefer to wait until you've beaten it, go ahead; we'll still be here. Critical Diversions on Twitter - @crit_diversions Andrew Wilkins on Twit...
Jun 09, 2023•2 hr 47 min•Season 1Ep. 1
