WE ARE CRITICAL MOVES

A Strategy Gaming Podcast

Thomas van den Berg on Kingdom’s Design Philosophy and the Flash Game Era (Ep.56)

Our hosts sit down with Thomas van den Berg, creator of the beloved Kingdom series, for an in-depth conversation about minimal strategy design, the golden age of Flash game development, and the philosophy behind prioritizing atmosphere and accessibility over mechanical complexity in strategy games. https://criticalmovespodcast.com/listen This episode explores the complete journey of Kingdom from Flash game prototype to genre-defining franchise, examining how creative constraints shaped its innovative side-scrolling strategy mechanics. Thomas discusses the challenges of following up indie success, his...
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FM26. Football Manager’s New Low? (Ep.55)

Our strategy gaming veterans welcome host Sid to explore the Football Manager franchise’s rich history, covering everything from Championship Manager’s bedroom origins and personal addiction stories to FM26’s turbulent launch, examining how the world’s most detailed sports database became a lifestyle game that costs relationships and whether the controversial new direction represents evolution or misstep. Listen: https://criticalmovespodcast.com/listen This episode provides an intimate examination of Football Manager through the perspectives of devoted players who have lost jobs and relationships to the...
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Sudden Strike 5 Announced! Breaking Down the WW2 Tactics Series (Ep.54)

Our strategy gaming veterans welcome newest host Sid to examine the Sudden Strike franchise, covering everything from its real-time tactics roots and niche positioning within war gaming to the ambitious promises for Sudden Strike 5, exploring whether the series can find mainstream success by doubling down on arcade accessibility rather than pursuing simulation realism. Listen: https://criticalmovespodcast.com/listen This episode provides a comprehensive examination of the Sudden Strike series through the perspectives of longtime fans and newcomers, featuring detailed discussions of the...
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Heroes of Might and Magic: OE or Endless Legend 2 (Ep.52)

Our strategy gaming veterans dive deep into two major fantasy strategy releases, examining Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era’s return to its classic roots and Endless Legend 2’s innovative approach to 4X gaming, while exploring how both titles represent different philosophies within the broader strategy genre and whether they signal the emergence of a new character-focused strategy subgenre. LISTEN: https://criticalmovespodcast.com/listen This episode provides comprehensive reviews of two significant fantasy strategy releases from Hooded Horse: the Heroes of Might and...
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