RPG Cast – Episode 812: “Romancing Quark”
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The RPG Cast crew dives into a chaotic, self-aware celebration of video game mediocrity, where a failed Tim Hortons cookie campaign, a George Foreman grill, and a deep dive into the abysmal 1992 Genesis RPG *Trazia* become metaphors for the podcast’s own creative survival. Chris Friveteer returns from a business trip to lead a conversation that spirals from nostalgic fast-food branding to existential dread over game preservation, culminating in a brutal takedown of *Trazia*—a game so bad it’s now a cult joke. The hosts debate the ethics of cheating in games, with Kelly defending her use of cheat engines to beat *Atomicrops*, and Sam admitting he’s addicted to *Project Gorgon* despite knowing he’s not growing. The episode becomes a love letter to the joy of playing poorly made games, with *Vampire Crawlers* emerging as a rare bright spot in an otherwise bleak year for releases. The final twist? The team is taking a two-week break to attend a Cthulhu vs. Unicorns board game convention—complete with custom unicorn horns and a promise to finally get their COVID boosters. The episode’s core revelation isn’t about any single game—it’s that the real story is the community’s shared embrace of failure. The hosts don’t just tolerate bad games; they weaponize them as proof of their resilience. When Kelly calls *Trazia* 'Trashia' and Sam admits he’s been 'doxxed' by his own name, it’s not embarrassment—it’s bonding. The real takeaway?
Cheating in games is not failure—it’s a survival strategy for players with accessibility needs or those stuck on impossible walls.
The worst games are often the most memorable, and reviewing them is a form of community service.
Self-respect means not feeling guilty for playing the same game repeatedly if it brings joy.
Game preservation should prioritize quality over nostalgia—some games are forgotten for good reason.
The best way to enjoy a game is to play it however you want, even if that means skipping the story or using cheat engines.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Welcome Back & Tim Hortons Cookie Campaign
Chris returns from a business trip and kicks off the episode with a playful jab at his own absence. The crew celebrates the success of the Tim Hortons Smile Cookie campaign, which raised over $23 million for charity, while joking about the questionable taste and appearance of the cookies. They also discuss Tim Hortons' seasonal Timbits, including FIFA World Cup and Justin Bieber collaborations.
George Foreman Grill & Mortal Kombat Movie Review
The conversation shifts to the George Foreman grill, with Chris and Matt sharing their frustrations with its poor design and difficulty to clean. They then dive into a review of the new *Mortal Kombat* movie, praising Carl Urban’s performance as Johnny Cage and expressing sadness over Christopher Lambert’s absence as Raiden. They also discuss the new *Street Fighter* movie trailer and its promising visuals.
Sonic & Jaden Animations Deep Dive
The hosts react to the new *Sonic* movie trailer, questioning whether the franchise has finally found its footing after a rocky start. They also discuss the fan-made *Sonic 4* AI trailer and express admiration for VTuber Jaden Animations, whose work features two burbs and a cat named Tostada.
The Cheating Debate: Self-Respect vs. Growth
“You cheated not only the game but yourself. You didn't grow. You didn't improve. You took a shortcut and gained nothing. You experienced a hollow victory. Nothing was risked and nothing was gained. It's sad you don't know the difference.”
Trazia: The Game That Shouldn’t Exist
“This is one of the few games where I'm looking going, one, my time was thoroughly wasted. And two, this is a Genesis game that people forgot for a reason because it sucks.”
“You cheated not only the game but yourself. You didn't grow. You didn't improve. You took a shortcut and gained nothing. You experienced a hollow victory. Nothing was risked and nothing was gained. It's sad you don't know the difference.”
“This is one of the few games where I'm looking going, one, my time was thoroughly wasted. And two, this is a Genesis game that people forgot for a reason because it sucks.”
“When you get a combo mode going in that game. It feels so good.”
Host
Guests
Sam Wachter
person
Kelly Ryan
person
Matt Mason
person
Tim Hortons
brand
Trazia
other
Chris Friveteer
person
Vampire Crawlers
other
Voyager Across the Unknown
other
RoboCop: Rogue City
other
Quartet
other
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