Crimson Desert Review And More w/ Hayes Madsen

Crimson Desert Review And More w/ Hayes Madsen

Author: Game Informer March 21, 2026 Duration: 1:32:26
One of the biggest releases of early 2026 is out now, and The Game Informer Show crew is here to dig into all of it. Contributor Hayes Madsen, the writer of our Crimson Desert review, joins Marcus and Eric to talk about Pearl Abyss' plunge into single-player open-world action, and whether all the sights and sounds make up a memorable experience or not.

Then, Marcus takes the war to the bugs in Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War. And after a quick break, Hayes highlights the short-but-sweet RPG Etrange Overlord, and Marcus and Eric check in on their Pokemon Pokopia progress. It's another packed week on the podcast, so grab a cold drink and settle in!

The Game Informer Show is a weekly podcast covering the video game industry. Join us every Friday for chats about video game reviews, news, and exclusive reveals alongside Game Informer staff and special guests from around the industry.

Jump ahead to specific sections here:
00:00 - Intro
06:46 - Crimson Desert
48:27 - Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War!
1:03:24 - Etrange Overlord
1:13:37 - Pokemon Pokopia

Every Thursday, the conversation starts up again with Alex Van Aken, Kyle Hilliard, Marcus Stewart, and Charles Harte. The Game Informer Show is where that weekly chat lives, a place to dig into the headlines, dissect new releases, and sometimes get a first look at what's coming next. It feels less like a formal broadcast and more like pulling up a chair with friends who happen to have their fingers on the pulse of the entire video game world. You'll hear their honest reactions to the week's biggest news, thoughtful reviews that go beyond a simple score, and discussions that can jump from a beloved classic to a hot new indie title in a single segment. The regular crew is often joined by other editors from Game Informer's staff, as well as developers and special guests who bring unique insider perspectives. Tuning into this podcast means getting a comprehensive, entertaining, and deeply informed take on the games you're playing now and the ones you'll be excited about tomorrow. It's a consistent weekly check-in for anyone who wants to stay connected to the broader culture and business of gaming, all delivered with a blend of expertise and genuine enthusiasm that makes the industry feel a little smaller and a lot more interesting.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Game Informer Show
Podcast Episodes
Ocarina Of Time Remake Reaction And Marvel's Wolverine Review [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:56:44
It's a new week of The Game Informer Show, and we've got reactions to two entire Nintendo Directs that took place on back-to-back days this week, showing off both a new look for Link in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Ti…
Exclusive Exodus Story And Gameplay Deep Dive (Cover Story) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:28:12
Game Informer traveled to Archetype Entertainment in Austin, TX, to play Exodus, an upcoming sci-fi role-playing game from the creators of Mass Effect, Halo, and more. Eric and Charles return from their trip to share exc…
Grand Theft Auto VI Extended Look Reactions + 3 Big Game Reviews [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:10:20
It's a packed week of The Game Informer Show. Marcus, Charles, and Eric discuss last week's Grand Theft Auto VI Extended Look, and talk about where their personal hype levels for GTA VI stand. Then, we break down the dou…
The Duskbloods Preview, Plus The Sinking City 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:41:57
It's a new week on The Game Informer Show, and we've got a new FromSoftware game to sink our teeth into. The Duskbloods is a new multiplayer Switch 2 exclusive from the makers of the Souls series, and Marcus has some han…
Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave + 1666: Amsterdam Previews [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:45:12
We may be halfway through August, but the crushing wave of games trying to get out before Grand Theft Auto 6 is cresting just ahead. So today, on The Game Informer Show, we've got a few looks ahead at some big name title…
Big Walk + Beast Of Reincarnation Reviews w/ Jesse Vitelli [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:35:22
It's another week of The Game Informer Show, and we've got a spectacular guest to help us break down some releases, new and old!Jesse Vitelli joins Alex and Eric as the trio that walked through Big Walk together, and rea…
The Best Indie Games of 2026 (So Far) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:35:14
In this week's episode of The Game Informer Show, the crew highlights the best indie games of 2026 so far. No, this isn't an exhaustive list, but after listening, you'll likely have several new video game recommendations…
Onimusha: Way of the Sword Cover Story, Plus Halo and Splatoon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:04
It's a new week on The Game Informer Show, and we've got a new cover story! Eric and Wesley are back from Japan, where they played Capcom's impending revival, Onimusha: Way of the Sword. They chat about the game itself,…
Castlevania Returns With Belmont's Curse + Denshattack! Review [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:51:48
It's a hot one on The Game Informer Show this week, as Charles, Marcus, and Kyle gather to discuss the sheer smorgasbord of new games they've been playing to beat the summer heat. We lead off with the return of Castlevan…
Is Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced A Good Remake? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:42:10
Ahoy! It's the dawn of a new day on The Game Informer Show, and we've got a salty crew of sea-dogs ready to tackle the biggest news and games out right now. First up, the video boys Alex and Eric discuss their experience…