Podcast Summary: The Besties – Episode "The Awesome Games of the Future"
Release Date: October 25, 2024
Hosts:
Chris Plante, Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy, Russ Frushtick
Episode Overview
In this engaging episode of The Besties, hosts Chris Plante, Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy, and Russ Frushtick delve into the vibrant landscape of upcoming video games showcased during Steam Next Fest. Titled "The Awesome Games of the Future," the episode offers insightful reviews, critical analyses, and enthusiastic discussions about a variety of demos, highlighting both the potential and the challenges faced by modern game developers.
Steam Next Fest: A Boon or a Bust?
The conversation kicks off around the [05:44] mark with Justin commenting on the overwhelming influx of game demos available during Steam Next Fest.
Justin McCarrie:
"Look at that over the horizon. It's a cloud of games. We're dead."
[05:44]
Griffin McElroy expresses surprise at the growth of Steam Next Fest, noting how it now features a significantly larger number of demos compared to previous years.
Griffin McElroy:
"Cause it's like every game that's coming out, you're going to get a demo, including all those horny games."
[06:06]
Russ Fresh raises a poignant concern about the saturation of the market:
Russ Fresh:
"Did anyone else feel a little bit depressed playing all of these games? It's a lot, a lot of high-quality games that I know for sure will not necessarily sell a ton of copies because there are so many."
[06:34]
The hosts unanimously agree that while the abundance of demos provides gamers with diverse options, it also poses a significant challenge for developers striving to find their niche audience.
In-Depth Game Reviews
The core of the episode revolves around detailed reviews of selected games from Steam Next Fest. Each host presents their take on different titles, offering a blend of technical analysis and personal impressions.
1. Mandragora
Russ Fresh introduces Mandragora, a side-scrolling game that blends dark fantasy elements with challenging gameplay mechanics.
Russ Fresh:
"This game is a side scrolling dark soulsy kind of game. I've played a number of these. It looks very painterly and vibey... It has that FromSoftesque feel with deliberate and methodical hits."
[09:24]
Griffin adds to the discussion by comparing it to other titles in the genre, appreciating its artistic direction and the weightiness of its combat system.
Griffin McElroy:
"But in side scrolling, not just artistically. Like the heft of it. Every hit is very slow and deliberate."
[10:02]
The consensus is that Mandragora stands out for its visual artistry and engaging combat, though the demo's single-class limitation makes it challenging to fully grasp the game's depth.
2. Gladio Mori
Christopher Thomas Plant takes the spotlight for his review of Gladio Mori, a realistic sword-fighting game that emphasizes authentic combat mechanics.
Christopher Thomas Plant:
"You are a gladiator with full control over the positioning of your weapon. The game encourages you to change the speed of the game, offering a slow-motion experience that makes combat feel intense and strategic."
[11:27]
Russ praises the game's multiplayer aspects and its polished engine, while Justin is optimistic about its potential despite some initial rough edges.
Russ Fresh:
"What makes it fun as hell already is the multiplayer matchfinding. It's a really positive sign."
[15:38]
3. Rise of the Golden Idol
Griffin McElroy reviews Rise of the Golden Idol, a mystery-solving game reminiscent of Obra Dinn with intricate puzzles and a compelling narrative structure.
Griffin McElroy:
"It's a mystery-solving game where you collect clues in your journal and solve cases by piecing them together. The sequel deepens this with meta-mysteries that span multiple acts."
[17:10]
He commends the game's ability to blend simple mechanics with complex storytelling, enhancing player engagement through its layered mysteries.
4. Billionaire (Balillonnaire)
Justin explores Billionaire, a unique blend of pachinko and deck-building mechanics.
Justin McCarrie:
"It's a deck-building pachinko game where you build a deck of pins to influence the ball's path. It reminds me of Peggle but adds strategic depth through peg placement."
[18:52]
While Justin is intrigued by the concept and visual appeal, he expresses concerns about the game's control mechanics and the balance between randomness and strategy.
Justin McCarrie:
"I wonder if you'll have enough control over the placement of pegs and the angles of shots to make it satisfying."
[21:11]
5. Atomic Owl
Russ Fresh reviews Atomic Owl, a platformer with stunning pixel art and light combat elements, drawing parallels to Celeste.
Russ Fresh:
"It's a beautiful platformer with a narrative about a magic sword that talks. The pixel art is gorgeous, though the writing can be a bit aggressive."
[22:36]
He appreciates the game's aesthetic and gameplay feel but notes that the demo's linearity might not fully represent its potential as a roguelite.
6. Heroes of Hammerwatch 2
Griffin provides an enthusiastic review of Heroes of Hammerwatch 2, highlighting its improvements over its predecessor and robust multiplayer features.
Griffin McElroy:
"It's a roguelite ARPG that builds upon the first game with better loot systems, more progression, and seamless character switching without retracing steps."
[25:13]
He lauds the game's depth and the developers' understanding of their audience, making it a highly anticipated title for fans of the genre.
7. Private Picks: Heartworm and Tenebris Somnia
Christopher reviews Heartworm, a retro horror shooter, and Justin discusses Tenebris Somnia, a point-and-click adventure with FMV elements.
Christopher Thomas Plant on Heartworm:
"It's a throwback to early Resident Evil with over-the-shoulder shooting and exceptional art and audio design."
[31:00]
Justin McCarrie on Tenebris Somnia:
"It's a horror point-and-click where you investigate a missing person, featuring chase elements and unexpected gun mechanics."
[28:47]
Both reviews highlight unique stylistic choices and gameplay mechanics, though they note areas where the demos could be more polished.
Reader Recommendations
The hosts share suggestions from their audience, spotlighting indie gems and upcoming titles that deserve attention.
1. Rivals of Aether 2
Russ Fresh brings up Rivals of Aether 2, a sequel to the beloved indie fighter with a thriving mod community.
Russ Fresh:
"The original had characters like Sans and Kirby through mods. The sequel promises even more diverse and customizable fighters."
[41:09]
2. Keep Driving
Christopher highlights Keep Driving, a road trip deck-builder accompanied by a curated indie rock radio.
Christopher Thomas Plant:
"It's a road trip deck builder with a vibey indie rock soundtrack, offering a unique blend of strategy and music."
[42:15]
3. Drova: Forsaken Kin
Justin introduces Drova: Forsaken Kin, a 2D gothic isometric pixel art indie game that captures early gaming nostalgia with modern twists.
Justin McCarrie:
"It has engaging pixel art and a well-crafted combat power curve, reminiscent of early ARPGs like Crawl."
[43:08]
Final Thoughts and Closing
As the episode wraps up, the hosts share personal anecdotes, upcoming plans, and shout-outs to their patron supporters.
Justin McCarrie mentions an interview he conducted with game developer Sam Barlow for Polygon, encouraging listeners to check it out for deeper insights into FMV games.
Griffin McElroy teases future content, including reviews of anticipated titles like Dragon's Dogma 2, and acknowledges the community's support through Patreon.
Russ Fresh closes with a heartfelt thank you to their patrons and a nod to shifting interests from baseball to hockey season.
The episode concludes with excitement for upcoming content and a reminder for listeners to join the The Besties community for ongoing discussions about the latest in gaming.
Notable Quotes
-
Justin McCarrie:
"I think it's one of the great benefits for Steam for me is when you hear about something that is of interest to you on Steam you are usually just within a couple button presses of being able to keep track of that thing."
[08:08] -
Christopher Thomas Plant:
"The art design is amazing. The audio is exceptional. There's an intro video that is pre-rendered CG that looks like those Saturday morning cartoon reboots."
[31:00] -
Griffin McElroy:
"If you like ARPG hack and slash looter games, this is going to be a fucking good one."
[27:14]
Conclusion
Episode "The Awesome Games of the Future" offers a comprehensive and passionate exploration of the gaming industry's upcoming titles. The Besties provide listeners with valuable insights, balanced critiques, and genuine enthusiasm, making it a must-listen for gamers eager to stay ahead of the curve.