Podcast Summary: The Besties – "Revenge of the French RPG!"

Release Date: May 9, 2025
Hosts: Chris Plante, Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy, Russ Frushtick
Episode Title: Revenge of the French RPG!

1. Opening Banter and Lighthearted Moments (00:00 - 02:09)

The episode kicks off with Russ Rusticiano attempting to incorporate the word "capiche" into conversation, leading to playful exchanges among the hosts. Justin McElroy suggests integrating "capiche" naturally at the end of sentences, sparking humorous attempts to make it fit, such as Russ saying, "Well, you know, I gotta go medium rare, capiche?" (00:16).

Griffin McElroy critiques Russ’s usage, stating, "I don't actually think that that's a good use of capiche" (00:18), leading to further jokes about Russ's mobster-like threats, including the memorable line, "Griffin, you're gonna sweep. You're gonna sweep with the fishes, capiche?" (00:56).

2. Podcast Ownership and Polygon News (02:09 - 04:15)

Chris Plant breaks news about Polygon being sold, expressing concern over job losses and assuring listeners that "the Besties did start at Polygon a long, long time ago. We straight up own this thing" (02:37). The hosts discuss Spotify's attempt to purchase the show, humorously declaring, "No more seasons of this show for you" (03:54), and emphasize their commitment to retaining ownership.

3. Deep Dive into Claire Obscura (04:15 - 18:48)

a. Game Overview and Premise

Justin McElroy introduces "Claire Obscura," describing it as a darker version of "Nier" and "Nier Noir," starring Daniel Radcliffe (05:08). The game is set in a world where individuals die at the age of 33, marked by a number on a rock. The narrative centers on expeditions sent to an island to confront this fate, though success is rare due to formidable monsters (05:18 - 06:18).

b. Gameplay Mechanics and Combat

Griffin McElroy praises the game's combat system, likening it to "Final Fantasy" and "Persona" in terms of control and feel (07:40). The combat emphasizes timing, allowing players to engage enemies proactively and utilize mechanics like dodging, parrying, and Quick Time Events (QTEs) to enhance attacks (07:55). Each character—Gustav and Lunae—possesses unique abilities, such as Gustav's charge attacks and Lunae's elemental spells, fostering strategic depth (08:21 - 10:24).

Chris Plant adds that the game features a dynamic painting system, enabling players to layer elements like lightning and fire onto enemies for massive damage combos (10:24 - 11:07). This synergy among characters enhances the overall combat experience, making each encounter satisfying and engaging (11:07 - 11:16).

c. Narrative and Storytelling

Justin McElroy commends the game's storytelling, noting that it surpasses many video games in quality: "I found all the acting, writing, just the world being in the world, like very engrossing" (14:16). The narrative approach avoids heavy exposition, instead allowing players to uncover the story organically during expeditions (16:04 - 18:00).

Griffin highlights the game's ability to immerse players by placing them in a post-apocalyptic Paris-like city, where expeditions uncover the world's mysteries alongside the characters (18:00 - 18:48). The emotional depth and unique setup draw strong comparisons to films like "Children of Men" and "Annihilation" (17:00 - 17:07).

4. Evaluation of Battle Mechanics and Difficulty (08:47 - 08:47)

Griffin McElroy discusses the game's difficulty settings, noting that the standard mode is challenging but fair. He appreciates that death in the game isn't overly punishing, starting players back just before a fight, which maintains tension without excessive frustration (09:05).

Russ Rusticiano reflects on the game's design, comparing the combat's strategic depth to "Sekiro" and appreciating how character-specific mechanics add layers to battles (06:19 - 07:40).

5. Critique of Humor and Narrative Execution (28:13 - 34:37)

The hosts delve into the humor within "Claire Obscura," expressing mixed feelings. Justin McElroy criticizes the game's humor for feeling forced and outdated, likening it to "Tim and Eric" and finding it unfunny despite the developers' efforts (28:13 - 33:59). Russ agrees, pointing out that while the game's production quality in costumes and set design is commendable, the humor doesn't resonate effectively (30:02 - 33:59).

Griffin McElroy further elaborates that the humor attempts to parody corporate culture end up feeling clichéd and unoriginal, diminishing the overall narrative impact (30:51 - 34:37).

6. Discussion on Revenge of the Savage Planet (20:54 - 24:56)

Transitioning to "Revenge of the Savage Planet," the hosts describe it as a lighter, sillier sequel to "Journey to the Savage Planet." Justin McElroy outlines the game's premise, where players are stranded on a colorful, resource-scarce planet with only an AI assistant, Echo, for help (20:30 - 22:16).

Russ Rusticiano appreciates the shift to a third-person perspective, enhancing exploration and platforming elements reminiscent of "Mario 64" (22:22 - 24:56). However, he critiques the game's progression system, finding the quest structure cumbersome and feeling like "checking off a list" (24:56 - 26:03). Justin echoes these sentiments, highlighting issues with quest indicators and narrative coherence (25:07 - 26:05).

7. Introduction to "Hundred Line" and Future Content (34:37 - 37:48)

Chris Plant introduces "Hundred Line," a new video game developed by the creative leads of "Danganronpa" and "Zero Escape." The game features students trapped in a high school at the world's end, blending mystery-solving with tactical RPG elements (34:42 - 35:51). The hosts express excitement about future episodes dedicated to exploring this game in depth (35:51 - 37:48).

8. Recommendations and Educational Content (43:40 - 45:38)

Justin McElroy recommends the "Electronics 102" course from Lake Washington Technical College, available for free on YouTube. He emphasizes its gripping content and educational value, encouraging listeners to dive into the basics of electronics (43:40 - 45:38).

9. Closing Remarks and Patreon Shoutouts (45:38 - 46:30)

The hosts conclude by thanking Patreon supporters, promoting upcoming content like the "dark Ages" episode, and teasing future discussions on "Revenge of the Savage Planet" (45:38 - 46:30). Justin humorously addresses a fictional character, David Cage, critiquing game development standards (19:50 - 20:27), before wrapping up with final thoughts and sign-offs.

Notable Quotes:

• Russ Rusticiano: "Griffin, you're gonna sweep. You're gonna sweep with the fishes, capiche?" (00:56)

• Griffin McElroy: "It is. It's now dripping with French culture and aesthetic, which is not something I'm particularly versed in at all." (16:04)

• Justin McElroy: "The issue that I have with video games is that you're a video game and if you want to communicate a story like a movie, then you got to be at least as good as a bad movie." (14:20)

• Griffin McElroy: "I am enjoying Clair obscure Expedition 33. I'm excited to talk about it here." (05:08)

• Chris Plant: "Just select the gist button and we'll gist it for you, and then we'll get to the fun stuff." (36:30)

Conclusion

In this episode of "The Besties," the hosts engage in a comprehensive discussion about the French RPG "Claire Obscura," exploring its intricate combat mechanics, compelling narrative, and the challenges of integrating humor effectively. They provide balanced critiques, acknowledging the game's strengths while addressing areas needing improvement. Additionally, the conversation touches upon the sequel "Revenge of the Savage Planet," upcoming content like "Hundred Line," and educational recommendations, ensuring a rich and engaging listening experience for both regular fans and newcomers.