Podcast Summary: The Besties – "Metroid Prime 4 vs. Ooo: Showdown of the Search Action Games"

Date: December 12, 2025
Hosts: Chris Plante, Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy
Absent: Russ Frushtick (traveling)

Episode Overview

This episode is a deep dive into the long-anticipated Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and the innovative indie game Ooo, as the hosts compare their takes on the evolution (or stagnation) of the "search action" (Metroidvania) genre. Alongside their main reviews, the hosts also discuss the Nintendo Switch 2’s current status and future, answer mailbag questions, and recommend a few recent discoveries. The tone is conversational, irreverent, and at times cutting—reflecting the group’s signature blend of critique and friendship-driven banter.

1. Main Discussion - Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Development History & Hype (05:25–06:41)

• Griffin lays out the convoluted journey: previously in limbo, restarted with Retro Studios after Namco Bandai's original aborted run.
• 18 years since Metroid Prime 3; fans' anticipation built over two console generations.

Early Impressions and General Vibe (05:47–07:18)

• Griffin: "The Metroid Prime series has a very distinct kind of vibe... divisive when it first came out, even though I think the original Metroid Prime was pretty beloved." (05:47)
• The group quickly notes the disjointed feel, possibly reflecting the game’s troubled development.

Core Criticism: Disjointedness & “Fan Project” Feel (07:20–14:15)

• Justin: Frustrated with controls, particularly with Switch 2’s new mouse support. (07:26–09:07)
  • "I don't know what the ideal experience is for Metroid Prime 4. And I was trying to figure that out while I was playing it." (08:34)
• Griffin: "It feels disjointed... how the development cycle impacted the final result." (06:42)
• Hosts describe a core loop that’s atmospheric and transportive in dungeons, but bland and aimless outside: "You'll go out into a desert on your motorcycle and you will just kind of like explore this pretty barren wasteland running into crystals, fighting the same like two enemies over and over again." (13:14)

Gameplay Loop & Genre Stagnation (14:15–18:58)

• Praise for dungeon design, but overworld and backtracking are dull and repetitive.
• Griffin: Upgrades feel underwhelming; genre peers like Silksong do more with each new ability.
• Justin: The game feels like a fan tribute or obligatory send-off rather than an innovative 2025 release. "It did not feel like a 2025 experience in any meaningful way." (12:16)
• Chris: Compares the game’s excessive handholding to studio meddling in films like Blade Runner—resulting in extra guidance due to lack of confidence in the final product.

Visuals, Platform Fit, & Side Characters (18:58–24:22)

• Prime 4 is criticized for looking and feeling outdated, especially as a Switch 2 showcase: "It looks like... It does not look on par with other Games released in 2025." (19:32)
• Visual unevenness between handheld and docked mode, underwhelming impact as a system seller.
• Clunky backtracking, lack of fast travel, and “plucky” side character writing detract from the signature Metroid isolation (23:12–24:22).

Notable Quotes

• "There are some actions that just feel good to do in Metroid games, like hitting a bomb and then bouncing up on the bomb and then putting the bomb in a thing. That always feels nice." – Justin (21:56)
• "It's a game that feels like there's just a few really, really bad ideas behind it, which is rare." – Griffin (24:15)

2. Segment B: Ooo – Indie Search Action Distilled (28:09–33:37)

Introduction & Premise (28:09–30:55)

• Chris introduces “Ooo” (stylized O with an umlaut), describing it as minimalist: “You are a little caterpillar of bombs.”
• Puzzles are incremental in discovery and mastery rather than power-up based, evoking a more guided, conversational pace with the developer.

Design & Feel (30:57–33:37)

• The game is not really a Metroidvania in the traditional sense; extremely linear, more akin to reading a story or solving a guided series of riddles.
• Griffin describes the visuals as: “...simple kind of graphics. I would say Animal Well or... [like] VVVVVV... very, very charming.” (32:30)
• The magic: the player leaves bombs in rooms, which interact with puzzles elsewhere, leading to “A-ha!” moments with every advance in knowledge.

Notable Quotes

• Chris: “It is all about learning exactly what they want you to discover at the pace they want you to discover it.” (29:02)
• Chris: “Discovering it for yourself is really phenomenal. I am utterly charmed by it.” (31:09)

3. Reflection on Nintendo Switch 2 – Launch Year Review (33:37–42:39)

Handling & Play Experience

• Justin: "I still don't like holding it. It's quite big and flat." (33:37)
• Griffin: Prefers Pro controller; mostly plays upgraded ports or legacy games with his child, not new releases.

Software Lineup & Frustration

• The hosts feel a lack of must-have, defining titles (34:32–36:36).
• Chris: “Everything feels like it is. Nintendo has an ability often to nail it… That’s the Zelda thing, right? …And it’s weird that there is not a game this year that feels like that despite it being the launch year.” (35:04–36:36)

Uncertainty About What’s Next (36:36–37:47)

• Griffin: “I don’t know what the fuck is next. Like, I don’t know what’s next. ...Metroid Prime 4 was the thing in the back of the bag for a while. ...Now it’s out and I don’t know.”

4. Mailbag Questions & Community Insights (38:12–47:55)

Animal Crossing Updates (38:21–40:11)

• Concern over continued DLC for New Horizons rather than a fresh entry; compared to Mario Kart’s extended DLC dilemma.

Nintendo’s Messaging & Switch 2’s Purpose (40:11–42:39)

• Justin: “Nintendo is really struggling to tell a story of what the Nintendo Switch 2 is and why it is... Not seeming to be able to put together a story as to why you would want to buy it, I guess.” (41:00)

Metroid Dread vs. Prime 4 (44:31–45:36)

• Chris relays a listener’s request for which Metroid to play on Switch 2.
• Griffin: “I think Dread might be my favorite Metroid. ...I think Dread kicks ass.” (45:08)

Idle Game Recommendations (45:48–48:06)

• Justin, Griffin, and Chris suggest:
  • Tower Wizard
  • Universal Paperclips
  • Melvor Idle
  • Cauldron (more interactive than idle)

5. Rapid-Fire: Honorable Mentions & GoTY Backlog (48:17–59:52)

Games, TV, and Recs

• Justin and Chris recommend Pluribus ("postapocalyptic mystery... created by Fence Gillian, who did Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul") (49:00–50:17)
• Griffin: Rhythm Doctor (“one button, Rhythm Heaven-inspired rhythm game”) (50:00–52:06)
• Chris: Bits and Bops, another Rhythm Heaven-inspired release (52:06)
• Several titles referenced as "laundry games": Dispatch, Death Stranding 2, Baby Steps, Root: Trees Are Dead.

End-of-Year/Judgment Prep

• Anticipation for upcoming GoTY debates: “I don’t know what the top five is gonna look like for us… All over the fucking map, y’all.” – Griffin (58:22)

6. Notable Moments & Quotes

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |-----------|-------|---------| | 06:42 | "It feels disjointed... how the development cycle impacted the final result." | Griffin | | 12:16 | "[Metroid Prime 4] did not feel like a 2025 experience in any meaningful way." | Justin | | 14:27 | "It feels like even the best fan projects can often feel like a whole bunch of great pieces, but not necessarily a whole." | Chris | | 23:12 | "Plucky side characters... detract from the atmosphere of exploring this strange alien planet..." | Griffin | | 31:09 | "I am utterly charmed by it [Ooo]." | Chris | | 33:37 | "I still don't like holding it [Switch 2]. It's quite big and flat." | Justin | | 36:36 | "It’s weird that there is not a game this year that feels like that despite it being the launch year." | Chris | | 45:08 | "I think Dread might be my favorite Metroid." | Griffin |

7. Key Segment Timestamps

• Metroid Prime 4 Review (History & Disjointedness): 05:25–14:15
• Gameplay Loop & Genre Discussion: 14:15–18:58
• Switch 2 Visuals, Side Characters: 18:58–24:22
• Ooo Deep Dive: 28:09–33:37
• Switch 2 Reflection: 33:37–42:39
• Mailbag (Animal Crossing, Metroid Dread): 38:12–45:36
• Idle Games Rec: 45:48–48:06
• Game/Media Honorable Mentions: 48:17–52:43
• GoTY Outlook: 53:40–58:39

8. Wrap-Up & Tone

Throughout, the hosts maintain a lighthearted, self-deprecating style. While they exhibit deep affection and nostalgia for the Metroid franchise, they are unsparing in their critique of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond for failing to evolve meaningfully or properly showcase new hardware. In contrast, they laud Ooo for its inventive minimalism. Their overarching disappointment with the Switch 2's first year is tempered by excitement for upcoming GoTY conversations, and they close with a round of recommendations, underscoring the explosion of experimental and passionate games in the genre—even if the year's biggest titles left them wanting.

This summary covers the discussion flow, major critique points, memorable remarks, and cultural context—serving as both a detailed episode recap and a window into the current crossroads of Nintendo and the "search action" genre.