Hopewell Valley Student Podcasting Network

Show Name: Vacation in the Dungeon

Episode Title: The Black Snow of Canada

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

In this episode of Vacation in the dungeon the Podcast, we discuss: Bendy and the Ink Machine and Canada.

Every time i imagine Canada I think of one of the biggest countries in the world, and it feels like a mix of modern cities and endless wilderness. When you land in places like Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal, you get huge skylines, different cultures, and busy streets. but sometimes you also can get buried i the mountains of snow. But once you drive outside the cities, everything opens up into forests, lakes, mountains, and long snowy roads that look like scenes straight out of a car game. Canada is also known for its freezing winters, maple syrup, hockey, and friendly locals. And by the way, guys, if you like our show, consider subscribing to us on either Spotify or Apple Music.

If you travel to Canada, there are a couple of places that you should really check out. Banff National Park in Alberta looks like something straight out of an anime with its blue lakes and giant mountains that feel like they belong in a fantasy RPG. Vancouver is a city where you can see tall buildings on one side and the ocean and forests on the other, and it’s also home to big gaming companies like EA and Ubisoft Studios. They are the people who created Moterfest and FIFA. Toronto is the biggest city: full of lights, food, and cultures from all over the world. Quebec City is one of the oldest places in the country and feels almost like you’re walking through an Assassin’s Creed map with stone streets and huge castle walls.

Canada also has a strong connection to video games. A ton of famous games are made there, especially in Montreal and Vancouver. Ubisoft Montreal created most of the Assassin’s Creed series, even though the games take place in places like Greece, England, and Egypt. EA Vancouver works on sports games like FIFA and NHL every year. One of the best Canada-based games is The Long Dark, which actually takes place in the freezing Canadian wilderness, where you try to survive snowstorms, wolves, and the harsh environment. Even games like Watch Dogs and Far Cry have Canadian studios behind them.

muhammad: “Yeah, it might seem like a strange combo at first, Canada and a horror cartoon game, but hear yall gotta hear me out first. The game’s old-school animation style and dark, twisty story make it feel like exploring an abandoned studio… kind of like wandering into some freaky forgotten corner of some old Canadian town..”

Charlton: “litterally ! And speaking of history, Canada’s rich artistic and cultural backdrop really glues into the game’s aesthetic, making it flow like a creamy pudding. The game’s tones and 1920s-30s vibe remind me of vintage Canadian comics and animation, as those early Ned and Al or Tintin-inspired works.”

muhammad: “And don’t forget the landscapes. Even though Bendy’s studio is fictional, the idea of exploring terrifying hallways, secret rooms, and hidden dangers, there’s something very Canadian about that too. Think about forests, foggy mornings, and abandoned places. Canada’s real-life settings could almost inspire a level in the game.”

Charlton: “I love that! And for listeners who are gamers, we’ve got a challenge: imagine a Canadian version of Bendy. What would it look like? Maybe a haunted animation studio in Montreal, or a small-town Ontario theater where the cartoons come alive.”

Muhammad: “Yeah, the lore could get crazy! Canadian myths, old folklore, even indigenous stories could blend into the game’s horror vibe. Suddenly, Bendy’s not just some bumkin that

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

In this episode of Vacation in the dungeon the Podcast we discuss: Bloodborne and England.

So today we’re diving into England and not just the usual London tourist spots. I’m talking foggy streets, gothic cathedrals, and all those narrow alleyways that feel like they could be hiding a monster around every corner. Honestly, if you’ve ever played Bloodborne, you’ve basically walked through a version of Victorian London in your mind. The game’s Yharnam city draws so much from England’s architecture and atmosphere; the spires, the cobblestones, even the gas lamps give you that feeling like you’re walking through a dark, mysterious version of the 1800s.

And speaking of streets and alleys, did you know some of the oldest pubs in London date back to the 1500s? Walking through them, you kind of get why Gothic horror loves England's history is literally lurking in every corner. It’s almost like if Bloodborne had a real-world level, this is exactly where it would be set. You’d half expect a werewolf to jump out at you while you’re ordering your pint.

Also, England isn’t just about gloomy streets and castles. There’s the countryside too. Imagine taking a trip to the Yorkshire Moors or Whitby Abbey. Those rolling foggy hills and crumbling ruins? Totally something straight out of a Bloodborne lore cutscene. Honestly, it makes you want to plan a trip just to feel that mix of history, mystery, and a little bit of danger minus the actual monsters, of course.

1. Muhammad. If you guys have ever played the DLC, then you know how hard it is personally. I enjoyed it, and it was crazy, but the part that was the hardest was Orphan of Co,s bro is bashing you with his hammer, and his back story brings tears to your eyes. Personally, Fighting Ludwing was the coolest. His area is so cool, and his sword is in every Souls game, but I think Bloodborne did the Moonlight Sword the best. A little flex before I go is that I got platinum, and bro that final trophy grind had me losing my mind. Between the chalice dungeons, farming materials, and dealing with those broken enemies, getting that last ending on NG+3 was so hard it wasn't even like that, i was on the same character, so it will be easier, no, oh it got a lot harder, and I barely even levelled up for all this. My stats are pretty mid. I felt like I ascended to the great ones.

Today we’re blending the gothic nightmare of Bloodborne with the foggy charm of England. Imagine Yharnam dropped right in the middle of London—yeah, chaos.

Picture this: you step off the Tube at midnight and the sky has that eerie Yharnam glow, the moon hanging way too low over Big Ben. The streets of Soho? Empty. The pubs? Boarded up. And somewhere out by the Thames, you hear something howling that is definitely not a fox. Suddenly, every corner of England takes on that Bloodborne energy: Victorian architecture, narrow streets, mist rolling in like it’s hiding something—and honestly, it probably is.

Even the landmarks get a makeover. The Tower of London becomes a boss arena. Buckingham Palace is crawling with hunters who’ve “ascended” a little too far. And don’t even get me started on what the London Underground turns into. If Yharnam had a subway system, it would feel exactly like that after midnight.

But the best part? The vibe fits weirdly perfectly. Foggy mornings, old brick buildings, whispers of old legends… England already has that gothic seed in its soil. Bloodborne just brings it to life—literally, sometimes too literally. So next time you’re wandering London and you feel a chill… just remember: if the moon looks a little too big...

You are listening to Vacation in the dungeon. The podcast with your host(s) Muhammad Tahir and Charlton Smit.

In this episode of Vacation in the dungeon the Podcast we discuss: gaming and vacation. Sit back relax and lets get the adventure started

Alright, let’s talk about Norway. Snow covered mountains, dense forests. It all screams Scandinavia. The landscapes in God of War are stunning, and it really feels like you could step right into those frozen forests and jagged mountains. You can almost hear the crunch of snow underfoot, feel the icy wind cutting through your jacket, and sense the weight of the wilderness pressing in on you. The cold is brutal, and it’s easy to imagine how unforgiving a real Norwegian winter would be. Kratos and Atreus aren’t just battling monsters here they’re constantly fighting the elements themselves, and that struggle makes every step feel alive and tense.

The mythology is incredible. There are nods to the Völsung Saga and other Norse legends, but what really stands out is how much the game evokes the same harsh, relentless world you see in Vinland Saga. Just like in the anime, the Norse world is unforgiving, full of brutal battles, survival, and hard choices. You get the sense of humans being small in a massive, dangerous world, and every victory feels earned.

The realms, from the Lake of Nine to Jötunheim, feel monumental. The forests hide secrets, icy lakes reflect a world that’s beautiful yet deadly, and towering mountains rise like ancient guardians. It’s cold, harsh, but breathtakingly beautiful, giving the game a sense of majesty and danger all at once. It makes you want to bundle up, maybe grab a scarf, and definitely an axe, because you never know what kind of mythological threat might appear next. Norway in God of War feels alive and legendary, a place where the myths, the struggles, and the epic landscapes all come together in a way that sticks with you long after the game ends.

Muhammmad -Norway almost doesn’t feel like real quiet towns leading into massive mountains, icy waters, and ever-changing landscapes that make you feel tiny in the best way. The air is crisp, the weather unpredictable, and nature clearly in charge, while even Oslo blends life into its surroundings. Norwegians match that energy: chill, confident, and low-key, with simple but high-quality food like fresh salmon or brunost. That’s why God of War works so well here: Kratos trekking through snowy forests and rugged terrain feels completely natural, like the country itself is already epic enough to be part of a myth. So picture this: you’re standing at the edge of a towering fjord, water dark as obsidian, mountains rising like the ribs of the world itself. The air is sharp, cold enough to bite, but clean in that way that makes you inhale deeper. And if you’ve played God of War (2018), it’s impossible not to feel like somewhere—maybe just over that ridge—Kratos and Atreus are trekking through the snow, talking about the nature of gods and giants with that heavy father-son tension.

Charlton :Norway is a character all on its own. The forests? Exactly the kind of place where a draugr might stumble out from behind a pine tree. The waterfalls? Pure myth—half beauty, half danger. And the mountains? Those massive slopes practically echo with the same silent power as the World Serpent. Heck, you can stand on the rocks in Vøringsfossen and almost feel that rumble as if Jörmungandr is sliding beneath the fjord. But here’s where the crossover really hits: Santa Monica Studio didn’t just borrow from Norse mythology… they borrowed from Norway’s atmosphere. The grey skies, the biting winds, the quiet, haunting stillness of the north—you see it in every step Kratos takes. When he trudges through deep snow? That’s Norway’s winters. When the camera