Podcast Summary: The Besties Besty of the Year 2024, Part 1

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Besties
• Hosts: Chris Plante, Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy, Russ Frushtick
• Episode: The Besties Besty of the Year 2024, Part 1
• Release Date: December 13, 2024

1. Introduction and Bracket Formation

The episode kicks off with the hosts engaging in their characteristic humorous banter about the challenges of syncing their show, eventually settling on the continued podcasting format. Griffin introduces an innovative idea for their annual Besties Game of the Year (GOATY) list—a spherical, non-linear ranking system reminiscent of an artist's palette.

Notable Quotes:

• Justin McElroy [00:00]: “I think we should get into psych visual arts. Or especially not a sculpture.”
• Griffin McElroy [06:21]: “Here’s how it works. We do a bracket of 16 games.”

2. Bracket Structure and Rules

Chris outlines the structure of the GOATY bracket:

• Total Games: 16
  • 12 selected by the Besties hosts.
  • 4 chosen by the listeners.
• Format: Single-elimination tournament over two episodes.
  • Part 1: Covers the first eight matchups.
  • Part 2: Will narrow down to the final contenders and introduce new superlative awards.

Notable Quotes:

• Chris Plant [06:24]: “Here’s how it works. We do a bracket of 16 games.”
• Justin McElroy [06:36]: “Four of those games have been picked by you, the Besties listeners.”

3. Round One Matchups

The hosts delve into the first set of matchups, discussing each game's strengths and weaknesses. The initial four matchups include:

1. Astrobot vs. Rocky Planet

   • Astrobot: Praised by Russ as the best platformer of all time, surpassing classics like Mario and Sonic. The game is lauded for its consistency, joyful experience, and cohesive design.
     • Russ Frushtick [07:07]: “Astrobot has not been so consistently joyful and fun throughout the entire start to finish experience.”
   • Rocky Planet: (Discussion not fully available in transcript.)

   Outcome: Astrobot advances.

   • Justin McElroy [18:25]: “Astrobot feels a little bit more of a high watermark achievement.”

2. Animal Well vs. Prince of the Lost Crown

   • Animal Well: Celebrated for its innovative puzzle mechanics and deep exploration elements. It's compared to FEZ but deemed more thoughtful and cohesive.
     • Griffin McElroy [20:29]: “Animal well is just a platformer with a few ideas that it explores to the molecular level.”
   • Prince of the Lost Crown: A more traditional platformer praised for its balanced combat systems and engaging narrative but seen as less groundbreaking compared to Animal Well.
     • Justin McElroy [25:15]: “It's a lot more about building your skill set and finding combos that work together.”

   Outcome: Prince of the Lost Crown is favored by some but ultimately Animal Well does not advance due to lower personal enjoyment despite admiration.

3. UFO 50 vs. Fields of Mystria

   • UFO 50: An ambitious compilation of 50 NES-era games. Griffin praises its design and innovation, calling it a "genuine mind-boggling accomplishment."
     • Griffin McElroy [31:56]: “UFO 50 is a genuine mind-boggling accomplishment in game design.”
   • Fields of Mystria: An early access life sim compared to Stardew Valley. While promising, it's deemed not fully matured for the current bracket.
     • Chris Plant [29:57]: “Fields of Mystria will come back next year or the year after and be pretty.”

   Outcome: UFO 50 advances.

   • Griffin McElroy [34:40]: “This game is a genuine mind-boggling accomplishment in game design.”

4. Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth vs. 1000X Resist

   • Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth: Celebrated for its community-focused gameplay and rich narrative. Hosts appreciate its positive portrayal of leadership and societal organization.
     • Chris Plant [39:47]: “Ichiban has this kind of gravity well that just pulls people toward him.”
   • 1000X Resist: A narrative-driven visual novel praised by Chris for its deep storytelling and character development but acknowledged by others as potentially overwhelming for some players.
     • Griffin McElroy [45:12]: “1000X Resist is an absolutely stellar narrative game.”

   Outcome: Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth progresses.

   • Griffin McElroy [40:18]: “Please play both these games. They're fucking excellent.”

4. Mid-Episode Advertisement Break

At [05:14], an advertisement for Aura Frames interrupts the discussion, highlighting the product's features and a special promo code exclusive to listeners.

Advertisement Highlights:

• Product: Aura Frames digital picture frame.
• Promo: $35 off using code "Besties."
• Call to Action: “Visit auraframes.com and use promo code Besties at checkout.”

5. Ongoing Discussions and Host Perspectives

Throughout the discussions, each host shares personal insights and preferences, emphasizing the subjective nature of game rankings. They balance technical evaluations with emotional connections to the games, ensuring the conversation remains engaging and relatable.

Notable Dialogues:

• Griffin McElroy [08:37]: “I think in my mind it is. It goes a little bit higher.”
• Justin McElroy [27:04]: “I really, really liked Astrobot a lot.”

6. Announcement of Top Eight

As the first part of the bracket concludes, the hosts announce the top eight games that have advanced:

1. Astrobot
2. Animal Well
3. UFO 50
4. Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth
5. SteamWorld Heist 2
6. Crow Country
7. Helldivers 2
8. Balatro

Notable Quotes:

• Griffin McElroy [89:52]: “Balatro should be in the Smithsonian.”
• Chris Plant [90:06]: “Wow, Heavy hitters.”

7. Closing Remarks and Teaser for Part 2

The episode concludes with the hosts expressing excitement for the next part of the bracket, where the top eight will face off to determine the ultimate Game of the Year. They also acknowledge and thank their Patreon supporters for their ongoing contributions.

Notable Quotes:

• Russ Frushtick [90:09]: “Wow, Heavy hitters.”
• Griffin McElroy [91:29]: “Join us again next week for the besties, because shouldn't the world's best friends pick the world's best games?”

Key Takeaways:

• Innovative Bracket System: The Besties employ a non-linear, spherical ranking system to evaluate and compare 16 games.
• Diverse Game Selection: The bracket includes a mix of established titles and fresh picks, reflecting varied gaming preferences among the hosts.
• Engaging Discussions: Hosts provide in-depth analyses, balancing technical aspects with personal enjoyment and emotional connections.
• Audience Participation: Listener-selected games add an interactive dimension to the ranking process.
• Anticipation for Continuation: The conclusion sets the stage for continued discussions and deeper dives into the top contenders in the following episode.

This detailed overview encapsulates the dynamic and thoughtful nature of "The Besties Besty of the Year 2024, Part 1," offering listeners and newcomers alike a comprehensive understanding of the episode's content and the passionate discourse surrounding the year's top video games.