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

The various Critical Diversions theme songs were made by Mic Fox. Check out his entire slate of projects over at

Our break music this week was Fourside from Super Smash Bros. Melee, arranged by Hirokazu Ando and composed by Keiichi Suzuki.

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 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 his entire slate of projects over at

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

Our break music this episode was "Try to Have Some Fun For Me!!" composed by Saori Yoshida and Mayumi Koizumi for Yakuza 0.

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