Podcast Summary: The Besties – "The Besties Game of the Year Is . . ."
Podcast Information:
- Title: The Besties
- Hosts: Chris Plante, Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy, Russ Freshtick
- Description: It's Game of the Year meets King of the Hill as four of Earth's best friends – Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy, Chris Plante, and Russ Freshtick – rank and review their favorite video games. Because shouldn't the world's best friends pick the world's best games?
- Episode: The Besties Game of the Year Is . . .
- Release Date: December 20, 2024
Introduction
In the festive season marked by the anticipation of Game Awards, The Besties podcast episode titled "The Besties Game of the Year Is . . ." embarks on its annual quest to crown the best video game of the year. Hosted by the dynamic quartet—Chris Plante, Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy, and Russ Freshtick—the episode dives deep into their curated list of top games, engaging in spirited debates and sharing personal insights.
Opening Remarks and Initial Discussions (00:00 - 03:05)
The episode kicks off with Justin McElroy proposing Astrobot as a safe and universally appreciated choice for Game of the Year, aiming to appease all listeners (00:00). Griffin McElroy references their previous VGA prediction episode, highlighting the unpredictability of game awards and their own mixed success in forecasting winners (00:16). A humorous exchange ensues when Okami 2 is unexpectedly announced, with Russ Freshtick noting, "Jeff cried when he announced it. And it was relatable" (00:59).
Matchup Round 1: Astrobot vs. Animal Well (05:24 - 16:40)
Astrobot and Animal Well emerge as the first contenders in the Besties’ bracket. Justin describes both games as embodying "a real generosity of spirit," appreciating the love and trust poured into their designs (06:42). Chris Plant praises Animal Well for its engaging platforming mechanics, comparing its depth to classics like Outer Wilds (07:59). However, he admits that once familiar paths are discovered, the game's replayability diminishes slightly (10:35).
Griffin highlights the layered complexity beneath Animal Well’s seemingly simple platforming (08:34), while Russ contributes his critical perspective on Astrobot being a major marketing tool, reflecting broader industry trends (11:35). The discussion culminates in the group favoring Animal Well over Astrobot, emanating a consensus that Astrobot is relegated to a runner-up position (16:40).
Notable Quote:
- Justin McElroy: "It's somebody who was willing to put so much love into a thing and just trust that the person on the other end was going to be, like, into it. And I think that that's really astounding with both of These." (06:42)
Matchup Round 2: UFO 50 vs. SteamWorld Heist 2 (16:53 - 28:14)
The Besties move on to UFO 50 versus SteamWorld Heist 2. Chris Plant lauds SteamWorld Heist 2 as "one of my favorite turn-based strategy games" due to its creative design and rewarding gameplay mechanics (17:37). Justin appreciates its kinetic combat system, which relies on physics and angles, making strategic decisions visually intuitive (18:57).
Conversely, UFO 50 is celebrated by Russ Freshtick for capturing the essence of the 2024 gaming landscape, offering a diverse array of well-designed indie games (20:54). Griffin expresses a strong personal attachment to UFO 50, emphasizing its multifaceted approach and replayability (57:33).
Notable Quote:
- Russ Freshtick: "Playing UFO 50 is to experience what it's like to play video games in the year 2024, which is to turn on your system and be absolutely overwhelmed by a ridiculous amount of choice the video game." (20:54)
Matchup Round 3: Crow Country vs. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (28:14 - 37:19)
In the third matchup, Crow Country takes on Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. Justin McElroy initially intimidated by Crow Country's PlayStation 1-style horror aesthetics, finds its conventional controls and intensely atmospheric gameplay surprisingly enjoyable (24:02). The hosts commend its balance between fear-inducing mechanics and humorous elements, such as animatronic vampires turning unexpectedly comical (28:53).
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is admired for its rich narrative and engaging gameplay, though Chris Plant admits finding the turn-based combat less compelling despite its strong storytelling (64:55). Griffin praises the game for revitalizing his interest in RPGs, appreciating its original world and nuanced storytelling (43:21).
Notable Quote:
- Justin McElroy: "It makes every playthrough like, interesting and really rewarding." (34:02)
Matchup Round 4: Helldivers 2 vs. Balatro (37:19 - 86:37)
The final bracket sees Helldivers 2 pitted against Balatro. Helldivers 2 is recognized for its robust live-service model, offering seamless multiplayer experiences and continuous updates that keep the community engaged (30:30). However, Chris Plant notes a common critique regarding its difficulty scaling, which Russ Freshtick addresses by highlighting the game’s intelligent design that caters to both casual and dedicated players (31:24).
Balatro, a deck-building game with poker mechanics, receives mixed reviews. While Justin McElroy appreciates its depth and rewarding gameplay, interacting with its strategic elements feels less engaging compared to other contenders (34:23). Griffin acknowledges its fun factor but points out limitations in scalability and replayability, especially when juxtaposed with games like Slay the Spire (67:34).
Notable Quote:
- Griffin McElroy: "I think Balatro kicks ass, and obviously, without argument, has consumed a lot of all of our time, and we've all enjoyed that." (69:36)
Final Rankings and Consensus (86:37 - 89:07)
After extensive deliberation and passionate debates, the Besties finalize their top five games of the year. The final rankings are as follows:
- Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
- UFO 50
- Metaphor Refantasio
- Animal Well
- Balatro
Despite initial disagreements, the hosts converge on this consensus, valuing both personal enjoyment and the games' contributions to the industry. They acknowledge the challenges of aligning diverse tastes but ultimately agree that Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth stands out as the best game of the year due to its compelling narrative and immersive gameplay.
Notable Quote:
- Griffin McElroy: "What feels like a game that in past years only I would have been championing and trying so hard to get in the top five at all. For three other people who don't really care about the genre, the fact that it kind of swept like wildfire through this, through most of this podcast, I think kind of is a really amazing thing." (73:03)
Conclusion and Closing Remarks (89:07 - End)
Wrapping up the episode, the hosts express gratitude towards their Patreon supporters and tease upcoming bonus content. They reflect on the unique journey of selecting their Game of the Year, emphasizing the camaraderie and diverse perspectives that enrich their discussions.
Notable Quote:
- Justin McElroy: "Justin, Talk about the YouTube videos you watched to convince you this was a good game." (73:03)
Key Takeaways:
- The Besties engage in thorough and passionate discussions to determine their Game of the Year, balancing personal preferences with broader industry impact.
- Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth emerges as the unanimous favorite, praised for its narrative depth and engaging gameplay.
- UFO 50 and Animal Well are lauded for their innovative designs and replayability, showcasing the strength of indie game development.
- Balatro receives commendation for its strategic depth, though it faces critiques regarding scalability and engagement over extended play sessions.
Final Rankings:
- Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
- UFO 50
- Metaphor Refantasio
- Animal Well
- Balatro
For listeners seeking diverse and in-depth video game reviews, The Besties podcast remains a go-to source, blending insightful analysis with the warmth of genuine friendship.