Podcast Summary: The Bestes - Episode: The Best Combat in a Metroidvania . . .Ever

Podcast Information

• Title: The Besties
• Host/Authors: Chris Plante, Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy, Russ Frushtick
• Episode Title: The Best Combat in a Metroidvania . . .Ever
• Release Date: February 7, 2025
• Description: Four of Earth's best friends—Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy, Chris Plante, and Russ Frushtick—rank and review their favorite video games, blending humor and insightful analysis.

1. Introduction to Retro Handheld Enthusiasm ([00:10] - [02:32])

The episode kicks off with a lighthearted banter about the hosts' recent fascination with retro handheld gaming devices. Griffin McElroy expresses his deep dive into retro gadgets, lamenting the challenges of replicating nostalgic experiences:

Griffin McElroy ([00:26]): "We’re all like getting really into retro handheld stuff. Like in a big way. Even more than usual."

Russ Frushtick humorously dismisses some of Griffin’s hardware concerns, steering the conversation towards a playful take on retro gaming enhancements.

2. Deep Dive into Rotten Robots Rise of the Evil Steam ([02:32] - [27:32])

**a. Gameplay Mechanics and Combat System

The core of the episode centers on Rotten Robots Rise of the Evil Steam, a Metroidvania game praised for its exceptional combat mechanics. The hosts elaborate on the game's intricate system where players collect and assign robot spirits to different action buttons, enhancing both strategy and engagement.

Russ Frushtick ([10:50]): "I do want to call out, I think the one aspect. There aren't very many Metroidvania... that do combat as well as this game."

Justin McElroy highlights the game's flexibility, allowing players to customize their combat style extensively. This customization is compared favorably against industry standards, such as Hollow Knight:

Justin McElroy ([25:18]): "I don’t think there is a Metroidvania game with a better combat system than this. This is the bar."

**b. Narrative and Storyline

While the combat receives widespread acclaim, the hosts discuss some narrative shortcomings. The story revolves around a child navigating a world infested with corrupted robots, seeking to restore harmony by reclaiming robot spirits. The narrative is described as functional but not as compelling as other titles in the genre.

Justin McElroy ([14:04]): "I feel like a lot of games have gotten the wrong lesson from that and have decided to not do stories anymore."

**c. _Comparison with Hollow Knight_

A significant portion of the discussion contrasts Rotten Robots with Hollow Knight, particularly in combat depth and RPG systems. The hosts argue that Rotten Robots surpasses Hollow Knight in combat complexity and player agency.

Griffin McElroy ([26:33]): "Hollow Knight is so tight in a way where this game isn't at times. Which is fine because that means the RPG systems are so rich."

**d. Design and Accessibility

The game’s design is lauded for its user-friendly map system and adaptable difficulty settings, making it accessible to a broader audience without sacrificing depth.

Russ Frushtick ([12:04]): "You can tweak every aspect of the difficulty... which is really smart."

3. Discussion on Civilization VII ([32:05] - [42:02])

Transitioning from Metroidvanias, the hosts delve into Civilization VII, examining its new mechanics and structural changes. Griffin McElroy critiques the game's overhaul of diplomacy and the introduction of era-based gameplay, which introduces a "soft reset" mechanic to balance game progression.

Griffin McElroy ([37:00]): "They have streamlined... certain processes work. They have made certain processes automatic that before required micromanagement."

Russ Frushtick appreciates the developers' bold moves but acknowledges that long-time fans may find the changes divisive.

Russ Frushtick ([40:22]): "My impression in reading the reviews is that people that are, like, old school civ people don't like the changes."

4. Listener Mail and Game Recommendations ([42:05] - [55:27])

The hosts address listener questions, offering game recommendations tailored to specific needs. For a listener recovering from surgery, they suggest titles like Dragon Quest Builders 2 and The Binding of Isaac. Additionally, they recommend books such as The Murderbot Diaries, emphasizing low-motion activities suitable for relaxed engagement.

Christopher Thomas Plant ([43:32]): "I always replay Skyrim for the... Dragon Quest 11."

5. Technical Endeavors and Upcoming Content ([55:27] - [58:40])

Justin McElroy shares his recent technical projects, including setting up a Raspberry Pi-based retro gaming system, showcasing his passion for preserving and experiencing classic games. The conversation then shifts to upcoming podcast content, including a new Bracket Battles episode on "Weird Nintendo Failures" and previews future discussions on games like Avowed from Obsidian.

Justin McElroy ([49:31]): "Here's what's in my living room now is a mini PC... I can play any game ever made."

Notable Quotes

• Griffin McElroy ([26:33]): "Hollow Knight is so tight in a way where this game isn't at times. Which is fine because that means the RPG systems are so rich."

• Russ Frushtick ([12:04]): "You can tweak every aspect of the difficulty... which is really smart."

• Justin McElroy ([25:18]): "I don’t think there is a Metroidvania game with a better combat system than this. This is the bar."

Conclusion

In this episode, The Besties offers an in-depth analysis of what they consider the pinnacle of combat systems in the Metroidvania genre, using Rotten Robots Rise of the Evil Steam as the focal point. Through engaging dialogue, the hosts balance praise with constructive criticism, providing listeners with a nuanced perspective on game design, narrative integration, and player engagement. Additionally, the episode touches upon broader gaming topics and personal projects, enriching the content for both avid gamers and casual listeners.

Note: This summary excludes non-content segments such as advertisements, intros, and outros, focusing solely on the substantive discussions and insights shared by the hosts.