You are listening to Vacation in the Dungeon the podcast with your host(s) Charlton smit and Muhammed Tahir.

In this episode of Vacation in the Dungeon the Podcast we discuss: Doom Eternal and Texas. Sit back relax and lets get the adventure started

the crazy Texas sun across endless highways open skies, and a quiet suburb just north of Dallas, where a group of developers at ID Software was quietly working on one of the most unique and interesting games in modern history, Doom Eternal. Texas isn’t just barbecue rodeos and cowboy hats, it’s a state with big energy, a bold personality, and a sense of scale that somehow gets baked into everything created there including video games. Doom Eternal doesn’t hold back, and in a lot of ways, that’s very Texan fast, chaotic, unapologetic, and larger-than-life. Texas has this fascinating mix of tech, creativity, and ambition, a place where creativity meets tradition and where people are encouraged to push boundaries and dream big. There’s a certain vibe you can feel if you walk through the area: studios humming with energy, conventions full of people sharing ideas, and a community that thrives on creating something unforgettable. It’s no wonder that a game like Doom Eternal, with its massive scale, ruthless combat, and pounding soundtrack, could be born here. A place so calm and ordinary on the surface giving rise to a game so intense and explosive. So, next time you’re going through armies of demons, tearing across alien landscapes, or just listening to the soundtrack and feeling your heart race, remember that it all started in Texas, a state that doesn’t do anything halfway, where imagination meets grit, and where bold ideas don’t just survive, they thrive.

DOOM is one of the most intense, loud, adrenaline-fueled shooters ever made. It throws you into a nonstop battle where demons flood every corridor and your only answer is overwhelming firepower and pure aggression. The gameplay moves like a rhythm you’re constantly dashing, jumping, chainsawing, glory killing, and flame-belching to keep your health, ammo, and armor flowing. The Doom Slayer doesn’t speak, doesn’t hesitate, and doesn’t negotiate. He walks into every arena like something the demons should have stayed away from. DOOM doesn’t just want you to win it wants you to dominate. And between the iconic weapons, the fast-paced combat, and the heavy metal soundtrack that practically screams in your chest, it turns every encounter into its own heart-pounding, chaotic highlight reel.

Despite its hellish landscapes and apocalyptic energy, DOOM was actually created in a very real and very normal place: Mesquite, Texas. id Software, the studio behind DOOM, worked out of a regular office building in a quiet suburb just outside Dallas. No flaming pits, no demon portals, just Texas heat, pickup trucks, and good barbecue down the street. It’s funny to think that a game known for ripping demons in half was born in an environment where someone could look out the window and see a calm parking lot shimmering in 100-degree sunlight. But maybe that heat was all the inspiration they needed. Texas summers alone could convince anyone that Hell is real. Mesquite became the unexpected birthplace of one of gaming’s loudest revolutions, proving you don’t need fire and brimstone outside your window to create it on a screen.

Today we’re jumping straight into the loud, brutal, heavy-metal madness that is DOOM Eternal. If you’ve never played it, imagine being thrown into the most aggressive rock concert of your life while every single person there is a demon, and the only instrument you have is a Super Shotgun with a built-in meat hook. DOOM Eternal isn’t just about shooting things it’s like a rhythm game made...

You are listening to Vacation in the Dungeon the podcast with your host(s) Muhammd Tahir and Charlton Smit.

In this episode of Vacation in the Dungeon the Podcast we discuss: Forza Horizon 4 and The United Kingdom.

Video games that give you a sense of real world travel? Forza Horizon 4 is a perfect example. And here’s an interesting twist: this game wasn’t made in Japan, China, or the U.S. It was developed right in the United Kingdom by Playground Games, based in Leamington Spa. The UK setting lets players explore a virtual version of Britain that feels alive and incredibly detailed.

What sets Forza Horizon 4 apart is its driving and dynamic seasons. The game revs through spring, summer, autumn, and winter, and each season completely changes the way the world looks and drives one week you’re tearing down golden autumn roads lined with colorful leaves, modded-out cars pushing to the max, alive and incredibly detailed , the next drifting across snow-covered streets in the middle of winter, or cruising under bright spring skies with blooming countryside all around. The changing seasons don’t just look beautiful they change the way you race, adding variety and challenge, just like real-world travel can surprise you with new experiences depending on when you visit.

The landscapes themselves are breathtaking. From the rolling hills of the Cotswolds to Scotland’s rugged highlands, the game captures the diversity of Britain’s terrain. You’ll race past historic landmarks, like Edinburgh Castle or charming coastal towns, and explore winding country lanes that feel like a road trip straight out of a travel magazine. Every corner has something new to discover, whether it’s a hidden trail, a festival event, or a scenic lookout.

But it’s not just about scenery. Forza Horizon 4 also gives players a taste of British culture. The villages, festivals, and even local wildlife make the environment feel lived-in and authentic. Driving through these towns, you get a sense of what life feels like in different parts of the UK from bustling city streets to quiet rural roads. It’s an adventure that mixes speed and exploration, letting you feel like both a traveler and a racer.

For travel and gaming enthusiasts alike, this game is a perfect bridge between the two worlds. It shows how video games can take you to new countries, immerse you in local culture, and let you experience the thrill of the adventure all without leaving your home. Forza Horizon 4 isn’t just about racing, it's a virtual road trip across the UK, offering discovery, freedom, and fun at every turn.

Today we’re talking about one of the coolest gaming crossovers ever—Forza Horizon 4 and the United Kingdom. This game isn’t just about cars and racing; it’s basically a giant love letter to Britain. You’ve got everything from the rolling green hills of the countryside to the narrow cobblestone streets of Edinburgh, and it all feels alive. The seasons are a total game-changer too—you might be flying down a sunny road one week, then sliding across frozen lakes the next. It’s unpredictable, chaotic, and honestly, pretty much how British weather works in real life. What I love most, though, is the personality packed into it. The cheeky humor from the festival hosts, the classic British rides like the Aston Martin and Mini Cooper, even the GPS voice with that perfect polite-but-sassy tone—it all just fits. It’s like someone mashed up Top Gear with a massive outdoor festival and said, “Yeah, that’s Horizon.” The UK setting gives it this charm and personality that no other Horizon game quite matches. Whether you’re ripping through the Scottish Highlands or doing donuts near Edinburgh Castle, it really feels like a celebration of what makes Britain, well… Britain. Forza Horizon 4 isn’t just a racing game`

You are listening to Vacation in the Dungeon the podcast with your host(s) Charlton Smit and Muhammed Tahir .

In this episode of Vacation in the Dungeon the Podcast where we discuss travel and gaming.

Japan is a dream destination for travelers and gamers , imagine you're walking in japan with neon streets Akihabara in Tokyo. The King for gaming and anime culture You can visit shops filled with the latest consoles, rare collectible figures, and arcades where games you’ve only played online come to life. It’s an entire world built around your favorite games and characters. Japan isn't just about gaming and anime. Just a short train ride away, you can explore unreal temples in Kyoto or stroll through the bamboo forests or soak in some hot springs while you're surrounded by beautiful views. The mix of modernized cities and ancient culture and it is a unique experience. You might be playing a game one moment then the next you're standing in ancient temples the next, it feels like you're traveling back in time between worlds. Many games are inspired by landscapes and traditions. Traveling to japan gives you a real feel of the world that inspires the awesomeness of the most popular games. You can see shrines, gardens, streets that look like scenes out of a video game.And it’s not just scenery. Japan celebrates gaming culture everywhere from themed cafes where you can sip coffee surrounded by your favorite characters, to arcades with classic and modern games, to festivals where cosplay brings characters to life. Experiencing this culture in person is so much more than just sightseeing; it’s stepping into the heart of the games themselves. So even if you're a traveler searching the world for its beauties or if you're a hardcore gamer, japan is the place for you it offers both worlds in one and it doesn't even seem like it. It all blends in together

Muhammad: Now that we have explored real world magics of Japan from its temples to its neon lit cities, it's now time to cross over into its virtual side of that same world. Few games capture Japan's beauty, history and spirit better than the ghost of Tsushima.

Set during the Mongol invasion of the 13th century, Ghost of Tsushima feels like stepping into a living painting of feudal Japan. The island of Tsushima is brought to life with stunning detailed fields of golden grass, misty bamboo forests, mountain shrines, and quiet villages that reflect the balance between nature and civilization

that Japan is known for. Every frame feels cinematic, almost like a tribute to the samurai films that shaped Japan’s storytelling tradition.

Charlton: But what makes it even more special is how the game connects to real Japanese culture. The way Jin Sakai, the main character, struggles between the samurai code of honor and the need to protect his people mirrors the real moral conflicts that defined Japan’s warrior history. Even the smallest details like composing haiku, paying respects at shrines, or following a guiding fox are drawn straight from Japanese customs. As we shift from travel to gaming, we’re not really leaving Japan behind, we're just seeing it through another view. Ghost of Tsushima lets you experience the country’s spirit in motion: the discipline of the samurai, the beauty of its landscapes, and the quiet strength of its people. It’s not just a game; it’s an artistic love letter to Japan’s past.

You know when a game doesn’t just entertain you it makes you think about who you’d be if you were in that world? That’s Ghost of Tsushima. It’s not just a samurai action game; it’s a story about loyalty, sacrifice, and what it means to hold onto your humanity when the world forces you to change.

You play as Jin Sakai, a samurai...