Critical Diversions

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).

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.bsky.social

The various Critical Diversions theme songs were composed by Mic Fox. Check out Mic's entire plate of projects over at

Our break music this episode is "A Sensational City (Night)" composed by Yasunori Nishiki for Octopath Traveler 2.

The Mario RPG Three Musketeers original design sketches referenced in the show can be found here:

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 Diversions themes were composed by Mic Fox. Check out his entire plate of projects over at

Our break music this episode was "Arcade Mode" composed by Romain Gauthier for Asphalt: Urban GT on the Nintendo DS.

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 Murray

Natascha Murray on Twitter - @couchmochi

Natascha Murray on Blue Sky - @couchmochi.bsky.social

The various Critical Diversions intro and outro songs were made by Mic Fox. Check out his entire plate of projects over at

Our break music this week, "Rose Town", was originally composed by Yoko Shimomura for Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. To be honest, I'm not sure who to credit for this new arrangement, but it bangs.

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

Natascha Murray on Blue Sky - @couchmochi.bsky.social

The various Critical Diversions themes were composed by Mic Fox. Check out his entire plate of projects over at

Our break music this episode was "Restaurant Prep" composed by

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 - @mattmurray.bsky.social

Podcast art by Natascha Murray

Natascha Murray on Twitter - @couchmochi

Natascha Murray on Blue Sky - @couchmochi.bsky.social

The Critical Diversions opening theme is composed by Mic Fox. Check out his entire plate of projects over at

Whoever owns the rights to Alf, please don't be mad

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. Check out his entire plate of projects over at

Our break song this episode was Track 08 from the video game Sydney 2000. Sydney 2000 was composed by

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 out his entire plate of projects over at

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

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 entire plate of projects over at

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 - @couchmochi

Natascha Murray on Blue Sky - @couchmochi.bsky.social

The Critical Diversions intro and outro music was composed by Mic Fox. Check out his entire plate of projects over at

"Canyon Sunset" was composed by Chris Remo for Firewatch