Getting in to Game Reviews w/

Catch DROPPED FRAMES LIVE every Sunday 1PM ET on / itmejp !
We're joined by SkillUp this week to chat about creating content on KZbin in 2023, the dichotomy of being a gamer and a critical reviewer and the infamous Cyberpunk review! Cohh has been playing Last Epoch and enjoying it, but can it last in a post Diablo 4 world? JP and SkillUp finished the newest Destiny 2 raid and the community is going wild. Jim Ryan just wants to see the Microsoft & Activision merger to fail. Suicide Squad gets delayed again. More info on the RPG/JRPG discourse and so much more!
0:00 - Daylight savings chaos
6:00 - Last Epoch
21:15 - The Streamer Awards
41:00 - Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
55:50 - SkillUp enters the room
1:21:30 - The core structure of a review
1:35:30 - Can you still enjoy games as a reviewer?
2:02:00 - The Cyberpunk review
2:23:00 - Destiny 2 Day 1 raid
2:29:30 - Jim Ryan of Playstation just wants to block the merger
2:33:00 - Starfield release date
2:35:00 - STALKER 2 devs being hacked by a Russian group
2:38:00 - Suicide Squad delayed due to backlash
2:47:00 - Final Fantasy XVI
2:57:00 - Shoutouts
Like the video? Watch us live every Sunday 1PM ET:
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#DroppedFrames

[@Artownik]

Still remember seeing SkillUp for the first time on Co-optional podcast. Definitely my favourite reviewer nowadays.

[@shadowrainexia]

I was just thinking about the parallels with him and TB especially about the fans part. Been a while since the last Co-optional and I vaguely remember him being there. I'll look it up, thanks.

[@kaladinstormblessed9626]

oh wtf, Shill up! thats huge.

[@NexusNoxCS]

This is the episode I've been waiting since forever! Ralph on the show! He's incredible. SkillUp reviews and his channel in general has in may ways replaced Totalbiscuit for me. Not quite the same, and truly replacing TB is impossible, but still. Having SkillUp talk to me about the gaming news once a week gives me the same wholesome, old friend feeling I used to get from hearing TB's voice growing up. Anyways, it is amazing that you finally managed to line up the schedules and make this happen! Yay.

[@acedias12]

For me, I can't seem to resonate with his vibe. He instead made me miss TB even more so.

[@JaydevRaol]

Agree.

[@ShatroGames]

1:06:18 I'm literally one of those The Division guys that found Ralph's channel back then because of it and I've been following him eversince. Edit: We need Ralph to be a regular member! So much insight I agree with as a dev, so refreshing.

[@LeonidasGGG]

I've been a long time follower of SkillUp so allow me to give my two cents: I first came into contact with his reviews when he did a video about Nier:Automata. Everything he said clicked with me and I became and instant follower. After that, Destiny 2 was coming out and he was a bit disappointed with it (like he is right now, although he's in denial) so I (and many others) suggested he played Warframe instead. As such, he ended up doing a review on that game too and we all enjoyed it. The developpers of Warframe, Digital Extremes, liked it so much that the two Community leads when to visit him in Australia and did one of the funniest videos I've ever seen. The thing that grabs me about his reviews is that he always tries to give the point of view of the fans of that game, or genre. He always backups his claims and even compares to other titles. He also has two traits that I really enjoy: he's not American. I'm sorry if this sounds disrespectful, but most American reviewers tend to overhype or overrant about a game giving us a skew view of it. But he also has his voice. That radio, smooth, articulate, rich vocalbulary, unloud voice that makes it seems like you are listening to your best bud just talking about a game. And that is really REALLY nice. On his "boundaries" and not getting to personnal, that is absolutelly true. He never talks about where he lives (even when he started a swiming pool on his basement), his wife or child, that is not the point of his reviews, and we respect his personnal space, as I think we all should. That said, there was a time he did the channel "Laymen Gaming" where once a week he and his 2 brothers, just had fun and joked around about video games news. That time I think we saw more of Ralph than SkillUp. We were all upset when he had to leave, and the channel (almost) ended, because it was the "brother banter" that we all loved. That said, it did become the inception of his now regular, weekly, and often outdated by ONE day "This Week In Videogames". I don't always agree with his reviews or impressions and sometimes he does sound a bit "shill", but I always love to ear what he has to say. That's it. I really enjoyed the interview, specially the debate about Twitch VS KZbin, about his review unprocess, and I too hope one day to meet SkillUp, shake his hand, and SAVE him from Destiny.

[@JaydevRaol]

Agree with almost everything that you said. 🤝

[@swedishZ0mBi3]

This made me super happy, I've been asking for this guest for so long :) Watch all skillup vids and all dropped frames episodes. Please have SkillUp back in the future!

[@AetiusUS]

This was a GREAT episode. You guys sit a tremendous job with your questions. SkillUp is such a talent.

[@esaedvik]

SkillUp is pretty much my new TotalBiscuit. Honest, straight-forward, funny, has some hot takes at times. Just seems to work hard and it shows. FPS is a great podcast too. Never thought I'd agree on anything with a Destiny 2 fan, but here we are...

[@kieransmith1796]

Great interview. Skill up is my favourite reviewer, and going into his thought processes about games has been very interesting. Great questions as well.

[@blaymeister]

Skill Up doesn't do Game Reviews. He does Game essays. And that's one of the reasons he's great!

[@Lo-Kag]

A terrific inside look at Shill's work ethics etc. because as he said, he usually keeps it out of his stuff. Best in the biz, keep it up 🤙

[@isyutd159]

Ralph's take on that people go to IGN etc for a baseline review or understand of games, then going to their preferred source after for more personal feedback I find is pretty spot on. I love his insight on the this topic. Truly insightful.

[@YetiCoolBrother]

SkillUp, ACG, & Jake from Gameranx the Holy Trinity of game reviewers on KZbin. Dope to see him on the show

[@NickHunter]

So nice to see Austin's narrator get a spot on the show :)

[@JaydevRaol]

😂

[@braideraid9340]

This was such a great episode, Skillup's chemistry with ya'll was awesome!

[@JaydevRaol]

This was my first time seeing this show, and I loved it. Great questions. Fun Vibe. Insightful. I really enjoyed this. It's always a pleasure to learn more about Anti-Parasocialist Shill Up, his takes, and his process. XD I stumbled upon his channel because of his Metro Exodus review back in 2019, became a fan after going back and seeing his GRIS review, and have been a regular viewer since then. I sometimes don't agree with his takes, but I am also not the type of person who writes him (or others) off completely based on just one review or take, mostly because over a while I started to understand where he is coming from, something I don't think everyone has time to do or bothers to do. Anyway, thanks to everyone involved for making this happen. 🙌

[@Monstein]

I have stopped watching so many channels over "click bait" thumbnails or titles. Found I am just happier avoiding those as I am not looking for angry reviews.

[@kirbeeez6131]

Shill up pog

[@YARDofSTUF]

Loved this, great interview!

[@terraglade]

I think the youtube overlay idea would be awesome. I watch A LOT of Asmongold reacts and dont always click on the OG video.

[@louiskusters9452]

Cant believe Ralph didnt mention Laymen Gaming during his talk about his career :'(. That channel was the best. Loved the chemistry with his brother.

[@juicee5106]

Cohh's kid has clearly been playing Metal Gear Solid with Zeke.

[@glthegamemaster4197]

Love skillup, hope he comes back on again in the future!!

[@darkkislich]

Skillup is a great guest I like it. I know he has his own podcast, but I like dropped frames' style a little better. Wish they discuss more on the recent video games that they played with skillup.

[@Darkholow]

Thanks for bringing Skillup on the show! He's one of my go to guy's when it comes to reviews..alongside ACG and Mortismal Gaming.

[@torchsight8258]

when zeke says he doesnt have the patience for something you know it's rough ^_^

[@wolvie90]

The streamer awards is a bigger circlejerk than the Oscars...

[@Juhz0r]

Good flow. Fun episode.

[@Matcapoeira86]

Gotta agree with Skillup, I go out of my way to not watch clickbait titles or the stupid surprised faces thumbnails.

[@Whirl435]

2:14:05 - Zeke beat me to the punch, under sun and sky SkillUp we great you warmly!

[@fernandozavaletabustos205]

Another great video as always!

[@Squallcloud95]

I joined the stream when skill up presented himself and i tought i was just on time didn't realize i missed some stuff haha!!

[@johannesa.5646]

Excellent show n guest

[@Neurozz404]

to the guy on the left who was talking about POE not being guided when it comes to building their are several ways to guide your build POB is one of the best ways so i don't think that was ever a downside it just sounds like a skill issue "ur bad" moment

[@kaladinstormblessed9626]

Amazing episode

[@shenanigans9604]

I love Zekes journey into Metal Gear

[@teamACR1]

God I'd love to see this today

[@ThiVasss]

If you want the highlight of the podcast 1:52:10

[@noxid_]

Lol cohh response to midnight suns was interesting

[@TamerBayouq]

Nice show~

[@_ryju_]

IGN is the fast food of game reviews

[@bwheatley1]

Not sure if i like this guy, but always cool to see a new guest star.

[@esaedvik]

Do people actually believe Starfield will release in a playable form? Like how?

[@Violinoknight]

I know you're not gonna have him on the show again soon so maybe next year? XD also I'm convinced that you could have a better conversation about Zelda Botw with Skillup than the other times you keep repeating the same opinion of cohh and Zeke. not that I care that much though.

[@Ghrimtactics]

the PSP - ness

[@Humstuck]

I dont even look at ign and gamespot reviews. Watching streams, being on the internet and looking at the games coming out (gameplay mostly) I can usually gauge if Ill like it or not. I don't realy care about scores. If I have a doubt, I just skip it. The few games I have time to play and complete, I can only focus on the one that strike me or if I have a backstory with the series. (final fantasy, ill play all the mainline games, etc) If Skill up reviews a game I might be interested in, Im happy because I know i will have everything I need to make a decision.

[@jamesmuhr]

Did anyone else go watch Skillup's Cyberpunk 2077 and original Fallout 76 reviews?

[@gabrielhedin1697]

Shillup!

[@exysa2798]

Cyberpunk 2077 launched with an 91 on Metacritic. Now at 86. It won the 4th most Game of the Year awards in 2020. It has mostly positive reviews on Steam since launch. How is that possible? It was broken and unfinished.

[@aytony4090]

Are we now questioning that Cyberpunk wasn't one of the greatest disappointments of the century?

[@exysa2798]

@@aytony4090 No. I'm just asking how is IT possible that a broken unfinished game ger These great reviews by critics and Users. And wins Game of the Year awards. Do you know the answer?

[@aytony4090]

@@exysa2798 Man, I don't know. But I think Druckman has it under his waifu Abby pillow.

[@Elidan1012]

It was completely broken on console (still is?), but worked fine for many on PC. Maybe that is why Steam reviews are as they are.

[@littleidols]

Idk I guess they kept patching it a lot and 2 months later all the kids who pre ordered were happy again

[@dsagent]

Possible bank run tomorrow.

[@darkkislich]

I agree with skillup on the react thing. I think If you are reacting to a video, you should edit most of the original content out. Imagine a streamer reacts to a movie giving his/her commentaries in between scenes and uploads it to youtube, people on youtube will lose their mind. Meanwhile, if it was a youtube video react reuploaded on youtube, most of the people would have no problem with it except maybe the content creator. I think if the react streamer and their editors edited the context in clip form and cut out the "no reaction or commentaries" parts, that would be alright. Putting the whole original content within it feels kinda cheap and lazy to me.

[@Viridye]

damn, Shillup didn't shilled for d2 that much this time. That 1h+ video about lightfall will be interesting to watch.

[@bwheatley1]

@2:36:07 a group of nefarious russians, i think you missed out on that cohh

[@BloodyBobJr]

Shillup is on the show? Ewww His great!

[@gearhead417]

SkillUp makes a lot of good points about reaction channels but also I kind of disagree about the YT part. Like I get it where he is coming from but a lot of the reaction stuff I watch is from YT not live. I dont normally watch streams all that often but when I see one of my favorite streams react to a video and I think the video is cool I will go give the original video a like and I will share it with friends who might like it. I dont watch SkillUp anymore and havent for a few years so YT doesnt show his videos to me unless I am searching for a certain game and he did a video. But even then I probably wont watch it. But if I see someone react to his video than Im interested because there is something in that video that enough people recommended it to someone to react to and that is what gets people to watch. I am a person who believe a high tide raises all boats. Maybe Im off but it kind of seems hypocritical to be like yeah I make money critiquing someone's work but I dont want anyone to make money critiquing my work. And I know there is something to be said about react videos getting more views than the OG video but the fact of the matter is that maybe people care more about the opinion of the reactor than the person in the OG video. Most people go for the person reacting not what they are reacting to most of the time.

[@Darkasasin80]

Skillips take on crappy clickbait thumbnails is spot on. As an example, I watched MrMattyPlays, I legit get annoyed everytime I see one of his videos pop up into my feed because his thumbnails drive me nuts. I get why he makes them that way but they make my brain itch and skin crawl and I hate it so I watch almost none of his videos anymore.

[@Darkasasin80]

Those thumbnails are Pyrrhic. They're effective but it comes at a cost.

[@VideogamesAsArt]

A bit late comment for the algorithm

[@tropicata]

There are 100% channels that I enjoy but refuse to watch purely because of the thumbnails they use. That stuff honestly disappoints the shit out of me, especially if it's an established creator that's already hugely successful. It always blows my mind hearing clickbait works when, for me as a viewer, it achieves nothing but the opposite every time

[@sumireravenclaw8034]

wierd that it made it seems that cohh didn't like midnight sons which was weird since I'm 100% positive he said he really liked it but just not enough to finish it especially since it's a very long game.

[@enightc]

Just by him not finishing , you already knows it's not a favorite. Just look at Pathfinder, fallout all very very long games, all finished and multiple playthrough. If he likes it, he finishes it.

[@jonasjensen3221]

I dont know what SkillUp means Sadge

[@gilneyn.mathias1134]

POE is stuck in the 90s and will never get better... Lets hope that Last Epoch will finally get on 1.0 so we can finally get a more modern take on a decent ARPG...

[@gergelypetho647]

no no never

[@shadow12k]

I didn’t even realize skill up was never on the pod Edit: ngl this show will be better without coh. Dude is rude.

[@Tixmix]

2:10:26 that's because Anthem was a great game Mr. SkillUp

[@woozie3241]

SkillUp is a great dude. One thing i don't agree with him though is deffinately his opinion on react content and copyright striking react videos of his reviews. Although there is a line of argument he could've used to make a consistent stance, where he is losing me is when he used the argument of "I put a lot of time into something your just sitting there and reacting to". Well guess what skillUp? Making a game takes a lot more time than writing a review of it and you don't have an issue reacting to the game (a review is a scripted reaction). It is hipocritical. The same argument he is using to justify striking down the reaction videos of his reviews is the same reason any game publisher can use to justify striking his reviews of videos games they own.

[@Juhz0r]

The difference is how transformative the react content is. The point of a review is not the game, it's the critique of that game. You don't experience the game by watching a review of it, you do experience a review by watching someone else watch it. I think SkillUp has a point when it comes to react content that is very low effort. Someone just watching the video, saying a few sentences here and there, and then going for a five minute bathroom break. However, if the react content is actually commenting on, adding to and critiquing the review; then I think that work would be transformative. That unfortunately doesn't seem to be the norm. Political react content often doubles or triples the original video's length because of all the arguments that are made, but bunch of the react content of video essays and reviews on Twitch are just playing the content to burn stream time.

[@woozie3241]

@@Juhz0r well just because you personally think the difference in how transformative a review of the game is compared to a reaction of a review of a game is big enough to justify copyright striking one and not the other, doesnt mean that the law agrees. Fair use law would protect the reactor just like it would protect skillup, if the judge deems that the review/reaction is transformative enough. It is possible to both create a review and a reaction video that are transformative enough or not transformative enough. In recent years the first precedent in this type of lawsuit was a lawsuit involving a reaction KZbinr called h3productions and he won that case. This case can and will now be used as an example in future lawsuits.

[@Juhz0r]

@@woozie3241 Alright, but the H3H3 reaction is an example of something very transformative. It's edited, they provide commentary, and a decent portion of the video is original content. I'm more talking about the type of react content that's popular on Twitch right now. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. Just watching the video with their camera in the corner, and maybe saying a few things every once in a while. Basically the streamer just chilling with chat watching someone else's content. Fair use is a legal defense and I doubt it would apply in those cases. That's not to say copyright strikes are handled all fairly. For example, I think movie reviewers should be able to show more than they currently are without the fear of strikes. I just think the current lack of standards for react content on Twitch is scummy, especially from major streamer. The KZbinr Jay Exci's video on reaction content highlights some issues.

[@covvvex]

SkillUp comments on Cyberpunk sounds like an excuse now. He tried to cheese complete garbage game on release.

[@videogames9972]

skill up guy was delusional and just plain weird