4Player Podcast #860 - The 2026 Fantasy Critic Draft / Preview Show

Please be aware that this episode delves into spoilers for some of the year's biggest games (Especially Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, Silent Hill f, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, ROUTINE, Death Stranding 2, and more). We did our best to provide ample warning before each spoiler so proceed with caution and be ready to skip ahead if you would prefer to avoid spoilers.  Our 2025 Award Categories: Best World Design / Level Design **SPOILER WARNING** (7:38) Best Storytelling **SPOILER WARNING** (25:20) Best Gaming Moment **SPOILER WARNING** (53:20) Wild Card Award #1 (1:18:00) BREAK: Best Soundtrack Samples from Ed (Hollow Knight Silksong) & Krispy (Skin Deep) (1:34:30) Best New Enemy / Boss Design **SPOILER WARNING** (1:37:00) Best New Character **SPOILER WARNING** (1:57:50) Biggest Surprise **SPOILER WARNING** (2:20:20) Wild Card Award #2 (2:38:00) BREAK: Best Soundtrack Samples from Brad (Metroid Prime 4) & Chris Davis (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33) (2:54:15) Biggest Disappointment (2:55:50) I Won't Quit You, I Promise (3:09:45) The 2025 Spotlight Award (3:20:00) Outro / Best Soundtrack Sample from Nick (Kingdom Come Deliverance 2) (3:33:48) Support the Show / Ask a Question Pledge on Patreon ($3 Tier) Subscribe on Twitch ($5) 

This Week on the Show: Fantasy Critic 2025 Results & Wrap-Up (5:00) Fantasy Critic 2026 Draft / Preview ft. 35 upcoming games! (14:45) Fantasy Critic 2026 Counter Picks (1:32:55) Support the Show / Ask a Question: Pledge on Patreon ($3 Tier) Subscribe on Twitch ($5) 

This Week on the Show: First things first... Happy New Year! Housekeeping (1:40) Ice Breaker: What non-pokemon character would you sneak into the pokedex if you could? (12:40) The Seance of Blake Manor (18:50) Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (42:35) Ice Breaker: What are some of your all-time favorite movies? (1:04:00) Monster Hunter Wilds - Title Update 4 (1:13:15) 4Player Minute (1:35:00) Support the Show / Ask a Question Pledge on Patreon ($3 Tier) Subscribe on Twitch ($5) 

This week on the show: Housekeeping - New Website / Logo Coming Soon (2:00) Impressions - Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (8:30) Impressions - ROUTINE (1:00:00) Impressions - Banjo Kazooie 3... in DREAMS (1:21:20) Recap - The Game Awards 2025 (1:32:10)

This Week on the Show: Headlines - Metroid Prime 4 Reviews are In (8:00) Impressions - Hell is Us (20:10) Bullying Chris Davis over Kingdome Come Deliverance 2 (32:00) Impressions - Sektori (50:00) Impressions - Megabonk (1:04:00) 4Player Minute (1:16:50) PSA: As the title implies, pardon the adorable dog lightly snoring in the background... 

This Week on the Show: Housekeeping (2:00) Headlines - Metroid Prime 4... Ruined?! (10:40) Headlines - The Game Award Nominations (36:00) Impressions - Dispatch (49:20) Impressions - Absolum (1:16) 4Player Minute (1:38:40)

This Week on the Show: Keeper (5:00) Lumines Arise (22:00) Hades 2 (38:50) Ghost of Yotei (51:40) Dispatch (1:02:00) Ball x Pit (1:21:35) 4Player Minute (1:33:40)

This Week on the Show: Halloween Banter (1:15) Current Standing of our 4Player Staff Fantasy Critic League (5:30) Current Standing of all 4Player Community Fantasy Critic Leagues (31:40)

This Week on the Show: Banter - Horror Movies & Spooky Season Stuff (2:00) Impressions - Ninja Gaiden 4 (23:00) Impressions - Dying Light: The Beast (43:20) Impressions - Once Upon a Katamari (1:08:00) Impressions - Slots & Daggers (1:24:25) 4Player Minute (1:34:50)

Discussion Topics: Banter - Horror Movies & Spooky Season Stuff (1:15) Impressions - Forestrike (18:50) Impressions - Silent Hill f | New Game + (32:45) Impressions - Hades II (57:35) 4Player Minute (1:16:18)