RPG Cast – Episode 814: “Pineapple-Kun”
The RPG Cast dives deep into the latest Dragon Quest news, spotlighting the long-awaited reveal of Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Dreams, which has been completely rebuilt from the ground up after a five-year delay. The episode is captivated by the game’s mysterious, non-binary protagonist—dubbed 'Pineapple-Kun' by fans due to his distinctive hair—sparking wild speculation about whether he’s a human or a dragon in disguise. The cast also celebrates the announcement of Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World, set in the beloved Dragon Quest V universe with a return of the iconic brides. Beyond Dragon Quest, the episode covers a wave of new releases, including the Steam Next Fest demo for Edge of Memories, the free update to Raven's Watch adding new enemies and treasure hunts, and the highly anticipated Grim Dawn expansion Fangs of Asterkarm, which introduces werewolf and bird forms. The hosts also reflect on the emotional weight of technology pricing, lamenting the Steam Deck’s price hike and the stagnation of PC hardware affordability. A heartfelt moment comes when the hosts discuss mental health and burnout, with one admitting to needing to step back and play more Bubsy and Project Gorgon to recharge. The episode ends on a whimsical note, urging listeners to 'be a cow'—a running joke about letting go of pretense after the intense 'Midnight' game experience.
Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Dreams has been completely rebuilt from the ground up after a five-year delay, featuring a non-binary protagonist now nicknamed 'Pineapple-Kun' due to his unique hair.
The game's new title, Beyond Dreams, suggests a dream-world mechanic similar to Dragon Quest VI, fueling speculation that the dragon character may be the protagonist's alternate form.
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World returns to the Dragon Quest V world, bringing back the iconic brides and reviving the original Game Boy hub world concept.
Grim Dawn's Fangs of Asterkarm expansion adds werewolf and bird forms, with the bird form allowing spellcasting—despite the logic-defying premise.
Steam Deck's price hike has caused widespread frustration, with the host noting that technology should be getting cheaper, not more expensive, despite aging hardware.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Exploring the Open-Ended Adventure of 'Pineapple-Kun'
“I was going to ask if it had like item upgrades and stuff like, uh, like an old Zelda. It has a additional, Oh, what do they call them? It basically has like almost like an old, uh, Zelda or Castlevania game where you have like one, you have your main weapon and you can choose, but at the very start of the game between three different weapons.”
The Price of Progress: Steam Deck Hikes and Tech Depression
The hosts express frustration over the Steam Deck's recent price increase, calling it a sign of a broken tech market where prices rise instead of fall. They lament the lack of innovation and the high cost of new hardware, questioning whether a future Steam Machine will be priced at $1,500.
Dragon Quest 40th Anniversary: Announcements and Controversies
“They had to restart Dragon Quest 12. They went back to have discussions on what mainland Dragon Quest really is. That's insane that 40 years later, they're still not sure.”
The Mystery of 'Pineapple-Kun': Identity, Speculation, and Design
“I found it to be a very non-binary look for the protag, which I thought was interesting direction for them to go. But also, I'm pretty sure you turn into a dragon anthro in this.”
The State of Game Ports: A Critique of Square Enix's Handling
The hosts criticize Square Enix for releasing a Switch 2 version of Echoes of an Elusive Age without offering save transfer or a proper PC port, calling it a 'definitive version' that still fails players.
“They had to restart Dragon Quest 12. They went back to have discussions on what mainland Dragon Quest really is. That's insane that 40 years later, they're still not sure.”
“The very, very I found it to be a very non -binary look for the protag, which I thought was interesting direction for them to go. But also, I'm pretty sure you turn into a dragon anthro in this.”
“I'm definitely going to play more Mina. And I'm going to play more Project Gorgon because I'm addicted.”
Hosts
dragon quest
other
dragon quest xii
media
dragon quest monsters
media
steam deck
other
grim dawn
media
pineapple-kun
other
nighthawks
media
witcher 4
media
project gorgon
media
bubsy
media
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