Dense Pixels - Video Game News and Reviews

The Game Awards recap, Street Fighter trailer reaction, Diablo IV Paladin review, and more!

We break down Expedition 33’s sweeping dominance at The Game Awards and discuss what the show gets right—and where it still needs to evolve. From surprise wins to pacing and presentation, we explore how the TGAs could better serve both developers and fans going forward. We also dive into the biggest announcements from The Game Awards, including Brad and Micah’s reactions to the Street Fighter movie trailer and the unexpected reveal of Lenny Kravitz as the villain in 007 First Light. Brad is back deep in Diablo IV, testing out the new Paladin class and evaluating how progression and systems have changed since his last time with the game. Does Diablo IV finally feel like it’s found its footing? Kaz Harada’s departure from Bandai Namco marks the end of an era, and we reflect on his 30-year legacy guiding the Tekken franchise into one of the most influential fighting game series of all time. In the Post Office, we tackle the increasingly strange relationship between FIFA and U.S. power brokers, and just how far the organization may be willing to bend to satisfy political egos.

The Dense Pixels 2025 Game of the Year Podcast!

It’s Dense Pixels’ annual Game of the Year celebration, and we're breaking down the very best games of 2025. We reveal our top 10 lists, debate the titles that earned our podcast-wide consensus honors, and look back at the standout games chosen by our listeners. Join us for our biggest episode of the year as we highlight the releases that defined 2025 and the games we think will leave a lasting impact.

Tim Sweeney's Terrible Takes, Sektori Review, Marvel Cosmic Invasion Review, and Much More!

Brad has been completely derailed by yet another GOTY contender thanks to the release of the high-octane arcade shooter Sektori. Micah has been digging into Marvel Cosmic Invasion, but it may have only made him appreciate Dotemu's other recent release - Absolum - even more. Meanwhile, Brad is learning firsthand why Final Fantasy IV may be the strangest and most experimental entry in the early series. Steam is refusing to publish the indie horror title Horses—and the bigger problem is that they won’t give the developer a clear reason why, raising concerns about transparency and platform control. In a disastrous interview, the CEO of Roblox floated the idea of adding real-life dating and gambling to a platform primarily used by children. Tim Sweeney has once again made himself the main character on social media with another baffling take about generative AI in video games. We wrap up with a wide-ranging Post Office segment covering everything from Thanksgiving dinner traditions to the dramatic conclusion of the Formula One season, and how much Brad and Micah would be willing to spend on the upcoming Steam Machine.

Lumines Arise Review, Anno 117 Impressions, New Valve Steam Devices, and Much More!

Lumines Arise is finally here, and Brad delivers his full review—explaining why this entry may be the definitive Lumines experience. He’s also been deep into Anno 117: Pax Romana and shares his thoughts on how this historic city-builder stacks up. Valve has announced an exciting slate of new hardware set to release next year. We break down the lineup and which devices Brad plans to pick up on day one. We take a look at The Game Awards 2025 nominees and discuss whether Expedition 33 is receiving more praise than it may deserve. Meanwhile, Tim Sweeney made headlines for publicly embarrassing himself while reacting to Eurogamer’s Arc Raiders review, and even Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 appears to be dipping into generative AI for its development. We touch on the strange situation surrounding Ubisoft suspending share trading and what it might signal. We also give our impressions of the leaked set photos from the upcoming Legend of Zelda movie. To wrap things up, we evaluate IGN and Nintendo Life’s rankings of the greatest Nintendo games of all time—and where we agree, disagree, and outright question their picks.

Even More BallXPit, Rockstar Hates Unions, Building a PC, and Much More!

Brad and Terrence have successfully dragged Micah into the BallXPit, but the real question is—how much is he actually enjoying it? Square Enix reveals plans to use AI for quality assurance testing by 2027, raising serious questions about whether buggy code can really fix buggy code. We break down what this shift means for developers, players, and the future of game testing. Rockstar Games is once again under fire after firing over 30 employees, with reports suggesting that union-busting may be the real motive behind the mass layoffs. We discuss the implications this has for worker rights across the gaming industry. In a wide-ranging Post Office segment, we chat about diving into PC building for the first time, the realities of fatherhood, and a fun detour into Nicholas Cage.