Podcast Summary: The Besties – "Let's Save Cats From Oblivion!"
Release Date: May 2, 2025
Hosts:
- Justin McElroy
- Griffin McElroy
- Chris Plant
- Russ Frushtick
Overview
In the "Let's Save Cats From Oblivion!" episode of The Besties, hosts Justin McElroy, Griffin McElroy, Chris Plant, and Russ Frushtick delve deep into the remaster of the classic game "The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion" and explore a new title, "Skin Deep." The discussion covers intricate gameplay mechanics, design philosophies, comparisons to other seminal games, and the challenges faced during development. This episode offers both nostalgic insights and fresh perspectives, making it a must-listen for fans of the series and newcomers alike.
1. Introduction to The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remaster and Skin Deep
The episode kicks off with the hosts introducing the focal points: the remastered version of "The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion" and a new game titled "Skin Deep." Chris Plant prompts Justin to explain these two projects succinctly.
Notable Quote:
Chris Plant [03:37]: "What is The Elder Scrolls 4 Oblivion remaster in Skin Deep?"
Justin McElroy [03:38]: "One is a remaster of a very old game. One is a new game that is very inspired by old games."
2. Gameplay Mechanics and Innovations
Justin and Russell delve into the unique gameplay mechanics introduced in the remastered "Oblivion." Unlike its inspirations like BioShock and System Shock, "Oblivion Remaster" positions players as underpowered insurance agents tasked with saving cats from pirate-attacked spaceships. The game emphasizes stealth, environmental interaction, and resourcefulness over brute force.
Key Features Discussed:
- Stealth and Environmental Interaction: Players must navigate spaceships stealthily, using objects like bananas to distract enemies.
- Unique Combat Dynamics: After neutralizing enemies, players must manage their disembodied heads, disposing of them appropriately to prevent regeneration.
- Physics-Based Gameplay: Every object interacts realistically, adding depth and unpredictability to encounters.
Notable Quote:
Russell [12:10]: "If you haven't played those games, a couple of those differences, you're not running around BioShock style with magical powers where you can just blow everything up. You are quite underpowered."
3. Design Philosophy and Aesthetic
The hosts commend the game's design for maintaining the original's quirky charm while enhancing its visual appeal. Justin highlights the "barely together" DIY aesthetic, likening it to games built with "tape and cardboard," which adds to the game's unique identity.
Notable Quote:
Justin McElroy [08:48]: "There's another facet to these, I think a lot of these games where they feel sort of like barely together... a DIY aesthetic that I feel like is permeates all the."
4. Comparison to Other Games
Comparisons are drawn between "Oblivion Remaster" and other titles like "Quadrilateral Cowboy," "SteamWorld Heist 2," and "Pizza Tower." The discussion centers on how these games handle pacing, challenge escalation, and player engagement through staged missions and escalating difficulties.
Notable Quote:
Russell [16:48]: "The biggest challenge leap comes when they introduce the idea of... the ship gets invaded and a boarding party will join... it's incredibly difficult."
5. Challenges and Difficulty Scaling
Russell discusses how "Oblivion Remaster" addresses difficulty scaling differently by avoiding level-to-level progression. Instead, players start fresh with each level, requiring constant reevaluation of strategies and adapting to the tools available within each mission. This design choice makes the game feel more like a puzzle game, enhancing replayability and strategic depth.
Notable Quote:
Russell [14:16]: "I think the biggest difference... this game does not have level to level progression. You're basically starting from scratch at the beginning of every level."
6. Narrative and World-Building
The game boasts a rich narrative tapestry, with side quests and character interactions that add depth to the gameplay experience. Chris Plant and Griffin McElroy share anecdotes about memorable in-game characters, such as the "goth cat" and the troublemaker cat "Gurbo," highlighting the game's ability to blend humor with storytelling.
Notable Quote:
Chris Plant [20:19]: "There's a little goth cat who's pretended to be a ghost, and there's a little troublemaker cat named, I think, like, Gurbo or something."
7. Technical Aspects and Engine Use
Russell reveals that "Oblivion Remaster" is built on the Doom 3 engine (ID Tech 4), which explains its nostalgic yet polished visual style. This choice underscores the developers' commitment to preserving the game's original feel while leveraging modern enhancements.
Notable Quote:
Russell [19:17]: "This game is built on the Doom 3 engine, if you can believe it. It's ID tech 4, which was what they used for Doom 3."
8. Overall Reception and Final Thoughts
Griffin McElroy shares his mixed feelings about the game's evolution, appreciating the preservation efforts while acknowledging the challenges in balancing nostalgia with modern gameplay expectations. Justin emphasizes the game's value proposition, priced reasonably at $18 on Steam, making it accessible for both longtime fans and new players.
Notable Quote:
Justin McElroy [18:24]: "I think it's really, really worth kind of like messing around with and experimenting."
Conclusion
The Besties' episode "Let's Save Cats From Oblivion!" offers an in-depth exploration of "The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remaster" and "Skin Deep," blending technical analysis with personal anecdotes. The hosts celebrate the remaster's fidelity to the original while appreciating the innovative twists that set it apart in the immersive sim genre. Their balanced critique provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of what makes these games noteworthy additions to the modern gaming landscape.
Note: This summary excludes promotional segments, advertisements, and non-content discussions to focus solely on the episode's core content.