Fire Escape Cast #109 Summary

Release Date: June 16, 2025

In Episode #109 of Fire Escape Cast, hosts Mike Mahardy, Dan Reichert, and Mary Keshe engage in their signature blend of humor, personal anecdotes, and in-depth discussions about video games and their experiences at recent gaming events. This episode is a treasure trove for both regular listeners and newcomers, offering insights into their latest adventures, favorite games, and unique perspectives on various topics.

1. The Great Confetti Cannon Incident

The episode kicks off with Dan recounting a memorable mishap involving a confetti cannon explosion at a Giant Bomb event.

• [02:07] Mike Mahardy: "Dan got quite literally hit in the face with a confetti cannon explosion and made a page of Reddit in the process."

• [02:19] Dan Reichert: "It is very. Just. It's like a sniper shot of crazy compressed air... it bruised, like... I survived."

Mary humorously credits Dan's beard for offering slight protection during the incident.

• [03:34] Mary Keshe: "Stop the arrow by beard."

Dan lightheartedly contemplates legal action against Jeff Grubb for the unexpected faceful.

• [04:19] Dan Reichert: "I am legitimately going to reach out to the People's Court and maybe Judge Judy..."

2. Recap of Summer Games Fest

The hosts share their experiences attending Summer Games Fest, highlighting it as a more subdued event compared to previous years.

• [09:20] Dan Reichert: "But one of those things where at the end you're at the airport and you're just like, that was good."

Mary expresses mixed feelings about attending due to personal commitments and jet lag from her trip to Europe.

• [10:52] Mary Keshe: "I just think like, this is not really worth the ticket price."

Dan emphasizes the social aspect of the event, considering it a success despite the lack of major game announcements.

• [11:04] Mary Keshe: "But, you know, maybe that's what it is now."

3. Upcoming Travels and Adventures

Discussion shifts to the hosts' travel plans, with Mike heading to Ireland and Mary preparing for the Cannes Film Festival.

• [12:27] Dan Reichert: "We're just such travel junkies."

Mary highlights the importance of having a travel-savvy friend to handle logistics.

• [14:11] Mary Keshe: "I will do that. And hopefully I will be effective at it because it's so cool to get the opportunity."

Mike jokes about his limited time due to upcoming flights.

• [12:43] Mike Mahardy: "I'm gonna be carrying my switch around more, I kind of want to get the switch version because I'm only maybe an hour in something like that..."

4. Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart World Review

Dan shares his enthusiasm for the newly released Nintendo Switch 2 and the latest installment in the Mario Kart series.

• [51:39] Dan Reichert: "I love it. It's really good... the hardware feels really great."

He praises the improved Joy-Cons and the enhanced gaming experience, particularly enjoying the new "knockout" mode.

• [58:59] Mary Keshe: "I did not agree with all the people that are like, oh, this is like a boring console launch."

Dan counters critics by highlighting the continued charm and polish of Nintendo's offerings.

• [55:58] Mike Mahardy: "Deck, like, in terms of comfort holding?"

5. Game Spotlight: Claire Obscure

Mary introduces Claire Obscure, a new turn-based RPG, detailing its unique mechanics and narrative.

• [60:48] Mike Mahardy: "Yeah, I like the look of it. You're right about the music. It has been like so many times I've walked through the room and seen her doing something. I'm like, what's going on here?"

Mary discusses the game's combat system, emphasizing the integration of timing-based mechanics to enhance traditional turn-based gameplay.

• [70:55] Mary Keshe: "You can still definitely stay commensurate or like with the scaling by defeating enough enemies where..."

Dan relates it to other RPGs like Chrono Trigger and Paper Mario, appreciating the game's aesthetic and sound design.

• [77:00] Mary Keshe: "She has some really fun moves coming up as well."

6. Listener Emails: Cozy Game Bundles and Niche Sports

The hosts respond to listener questions, with Hillary from Virginia asking about their ideal cozy game bundles.

• [120:31] Mary Keshe: "Mine would be Graveyard Keeper, Stardew Valley, Animal Crossing, Power Wash Simulator, and Dragon Age Origins."

Mary elaborates on additional recommendations, emphasizing games that offer relaxing and fulfilling experiences.

• [123:37] Mike Mahardy: "Potion Craft, Alchemist Simulator."

They also touch upon niche sports, humorously discussing unconventional activities they might train for to win national gold medals.

• [137:37] Mary Keshe: "I could be the guy who ate the most Legos."

7. Cocktail Garnishes Debate

A light-hearted segment where the hosts debate the etiquette of eating cocktail garnishes, exploring what is socially acceptable.

• [130:51] Mary Keshe: "Do you really eat it? And I'm saying, no, you don't eat that lime."

They share personal preferences and societal norms surrounding garnishes like olives, maraschino cherries, and onions.

• [135:00] Mary Keshe: "You're not supposed to eat my cocktail onion."

8. Game Recommendations and Future Episodes

Mike introduces Deep Rock Survivor, a Vampire Survivors clone, and discusses its unique features compared to the original.

• [82:44] Mike Mahardy: "It's an auto shooter where you start off with the assault rifle and then you're every... you're collecting those experience orbs to upgrade..."

Dan and Mary share their thoughts on other games like Rogue Legacy 2, Lego Party, and Midnight Walk, recommending them based on their gameplay mechanics and aesthetic appeal.

• [85:00] Mike Mahardy: "And all the usual bullshit's there. You're gonna get blue shelled, you're gonna get all that stuff and go from 1st to 10th out of no fault at all, but that's part of Mario Kart."

9. Closing Remarks and Upcoming Content

As the episode wraps up, the hosts encourage listeners to engage with their content, follow their social media, and support them through various platforms.

• [119:48] Mary Keshe: "I'm playing it on Steam and I am gonna download it on Steam deck and hope that it also works on my Steam deck."

They tease future episodes, including discussions on Death Stranding and other anticipated topics, maintaining their lively and engaging rapport.

• [151:38] Dan Reichert: "Bye."

Notable Quotes:

• Dan Reichert at [02:19]: "I survived."

• Mary Keshe at [03:34]: "Stop the arrow by beard."

• Dan Reichert at [51:39]: "I love it. It's really good."

• Mary Keshe at [120:31]: "Mine would be Graveyard Keeper, Stardew Valley, Animal Crossing, Power Wash Simulator, and Dragon Age Origins."

• Mary Keshe at [130:51]: "Do you really eat it? And I'm saying, no, you don't eat that lime."

This episode of Fire Escape Cast offers a delightful mix of personal stories, game reviews, and entertaining debates, encapsulating the hosts' passion for gaming and their unique camaraderie. Whether discussing the latest console or exploring niche game genres, Mike, Dan, and Mary provide valuable insights and plenty of laughs for their audience.