Podcast Summary: The Besties – "Deltraune Isn’t Finished Just Yet, But You Should Play It Now"

Release Date: July 11, 2025

In this engaging episode of The Besties, hosts Chris Plante, Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy, and Russ Frushtick dive deep into the world of video games, with a particular focus on the highly anticipated Deltarune. The episode seamlessly blends humor, personal insights, and detailed game analysis, making it a must-listen for both longtime fans and newcomers alike.

1. Opening Segment: The Towel Report

The episode kicks off with the hosts humorously deviating from their usual format to deliver a quirky "Towel Report." Russ introduces the concept:

Russ Frushtick [00:00]: "I have a towel report."

Griffin and Justin play along, bantering about their foray into the towel business. The discussion highlights the camaraderie among the hosts and sets a lighthearted tone for the episode.

Justin McElroy [00:02]: "We are no longer in the podcasting business. We are in the towel business."

Despite the playful diversion, the towel segment underscores the podcast's recurring joke about their limited towel offerings and the challenges of expanding their product line.

2. Transition to Main Content: Video Games Discussion

After the amusing towel banter, the hosts transition back to their primary focus—video games. They announce a shift in their podcasting schedule:

Griffin McElroy [01:09]: "An update that the podcast is going to be monthly. Now, that's going to be hard to hear."

This shift highlights their dedication to creating more substantial content, moving beyond the initial towel-related jokes.

3. Deep Dive: Deltarune

The centerpiece of the episode is an in-depth discussion about Deltarune, a game that has garnered significant attention from fans eagerly awaiting its completion. Griffin expresses his enthusiasm after progressing through the available chapters:

Griffin McElroy [05:37]: "I am very genuine. Thank you to our listeners for asking us to come back to this one because I'm very, very glad I did because now I've played through the whole all that is available."

A. Comparison to Undertale

The hosts draw parallels between Deltarune and its predecessor, Undertale, assessing how the sequel builds upon and diverges from the original:

Griffin McElroy [08:18]: "It is extremely fleshed out in this one and constantly evolving and constantly changing chapter to chapter."

Griffin praises Deltarune for enhancing the combat mechanics and storytelling, making it more engaging compared to Undertale.

B. Gameplay Mechanics and Episodic Structure

The episodic nature of Deltarune is a focal point, with the hosts appreciating how each chapter introduces unique mechanics and narratives:

Griffin McElroy [09:57]: "I think the chapters themselves are comparable in length to Undertale, so there's a lot of stuff happening there."

Justin adds his perspective on the game's humor and narrative depth:

Justin McElroy [14:15]: "Every line in this game feels like it was written to be read once."

The hosts commend Deltarune for its fresh and original dialogue, which avoids the recycling of jokes and maintains player engagement.

C. Storytelling and Character Development

The rich storytelling and character development in Deltarune receive high praise. Griffin highlights the emotional depth and the seamless integration of humor and serious themes:

Griffin McElroy [16:45]: "It also, like undertale, takes some swings at other emotions as well. And I do think it does it pretty fucking well."

The episodic release allows for each chapter to offer a self-contained experience while contributing to the overarching narrative, keeping players invested in the story.

4. Exploring Other Games

Beyond Deltarune, the hosts explore a variety of other games, sharing their personal experiences and recommendations.

A. Mobile Games

• Angry Birds Bounce: Russ discusses his experience with the Sega-owned iteration of Angry Birds, noting its unique take on the classic gameplay.

  Russ Frushtick [25:43]: "I played Angry Birds Bounce, which is on Apple Arcade."

• White Knuckle: A first-person climbing game with a distinctive visual style and challenging mechanics.

  Russ Frushtick [28:05]: "It's called White Knuckle. It's very hard, but I found it to be pretty addicting."

• Peak: A climbing game praised for its engaging mechanics and increasing levels of difficulty.

  Christopher Thomas Plant [34:01]: "It is truly an evolution on the Gravity Rush idea rather than just kind of a fanny remake."

B. Console and PC Games

• Metro Gravity: A third-person platformer that manipulates gravity, offering a unique puzzle-action hybrid experience.

  Christopher Thomas Plant [35:42]: "It's a third person platformer gravity manipulation puzzle action."

• Archero 2: An iOS game akin to Vampire Survivors, featuring extensive customization and progression systems.

  Griffin McElroy [38:16]: "It's like Archer Hero. It's a Survivors. It's a Vampire Survivors, but with a bunch of hooks and customization progression stuff."

• Death Stranding 2: Russ shares his long journey through this sequel, highlighting its epic storytelling and challenging gameplay.

  Russ Frushtick [42:43]: "It does conclude there is an ending. It's fucking ridiculous."

5. Game Recommendations and Tips

The hosts also delve into game accessories, with Justin recommending the Gamesir Tegan Area Lite Wired Controller:

Justin McElroy [46:12]: "It's literally the best feeling video game controller that I have ever used. It is 15."

Russ echoes this sentiment, sharing his positive experience with a similar controller from Gamesir.

6. Closing Remarks

As the episode wraps up, the hosts express gratitude to their Patreon supporters and hint at upcoming episodes:

Justin McElroy [49:25]: "Be sure to join us again next week because two of the world's best friends pick the world's best games."

They also tease the next episode's focus on Pipistrello and the Cursed Yo-Yo, ensuring listeners have something to look forward to.

Notable Quotes:

• Russ Frushtick [00:00]: "I have a towel report."
• Griffin McElroy [05:37]: "I am very genuine. Thank you to our listeners for asking us to come back to this one because I'm very, very glad I did..."
• Justin McElroy [14:15]: "Every line in this game feels like it was written to be read once."
• Christopher Thomas Plant [34:01]: "It is truly an evolution on the Gravity Rush idea..."
• Justin McElroy [46:12]: "It's literally the best feeling video game controller that I have ever used."

This episode of The Besties masterfully balances humor with in-depth game analysis, offering listeners both entertainment and valuable insights into some of the year's top gaming titles. Whether you're a fan eager to hear more about Deltarune or looking for new game recommendations, this episode delivers content that is both rich and engaging.