Podcast Summary: The Besties – "Something Old, Something New" Week in Gaming

Release Date: November 15, 2024

Hosts: Chris Plante, Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy, Russ Frushtick

1. Introduction & Episode Overview

The episode kicks off with the hosts engaging in light-hearted banter about Bowser and their children's fears, setting a playful tone for the discussion. Shortly after, Justin McElroy formally welcomes listeners to the Besties podcast, describing it as "a video game club, and just by listening, you, my friend, have become a member" (03:00). He announces a shift in their planned agenda, moving away from discussing Mario Brothersship to focus on other exciting gaming topics.

2. Windblown: A New Roguelite Adventure

Hosts Discuss: Russ Rocha, Justin McElroy, Griffin McElroy, Chris Plant

Timestamp: 07:08 – 25:23

Windblown is introduced as an early access game developed by the creators of Dead Cells. The hosts delve into its mechanics, highlighting its isometric roguelite structure reminiscent of Hades but infused with elements from Dead Cells. Justin notes, "The structure of this is so regimented. I'm almost starting to feel like it's a genre unto itself" (07:26).

Key Points:

• Gameplay Mechanics: Emphasis on dual-wielding weapons and layered power-ups. Justin elaborates on the dynamic combat flow, stating, "if you string together enough attacks with one weapon, it incentivizes you to flip to the other weapon and you do a special more powerful attack" (12:22).

• Multiplayer Features: The game supports up to three players, allowing for cooperative runs. Justin praises the multiplayer balance, mentioning, "it's really smart in terms of how do you balance for two players who are unequally yoked" (15:07).

• Progression & Upgrades: The hosts discuss the meta-upgrades and their impact on gameplay. Ross comments on the weapon systems, "The crossbow fires on a beat... keeping a combo going" (20:01).

Critiques:

• Justin expresses concerns about the game's smoothness potentially reducing the sense of impact during progression: "I worry that it's not impactful enough to keep me engaged with it" (21:45).

• Chris highlights minor frustrations with the game's aesthetic, feeling it resembles "a canceled MOBA" (23:05).

Despite some reservations, the hosts acknowledge Windblown's polished state in early access and its potential to evolve into a standout title upon full release.

3. Dragon Quest 3 HD 2D Remake: Nostalgia Meets Modern Design

Hosts Discuss: Justin McElroy, Griffin McElroy, Ross Rocha, Chris Plant

Timestamp: 29:06 – 43:18

The conversation shifts to the highly anticipated Dragon Quest 3 HD 2D Remake. Justin and Griffin provide historical context, explaining that the original Dragon Quest 3 was a monumental release in Japan, introducing party creation mechanics that significantly impacted the JRPG genre.

Key Points:

• Visuals: The remake utilizes Square Enix’s "Octopath" style, combining flat sprites with dynamically lit 3D environments, referred to as "HD 2D" (31:10).

• Gameplay Enhancements: Hosts appreciate the streamlined mechanics, such as fast travel and customizable party tactics. Griffin mentions, "You can really kind of interact with it as much as you want to" (33:32).

• Narrative & Design: The remake maintains a lighter narrative focus compared to modern RPGs, appealing to those who prefer gameplay over extensive storytelling. Ross remarks, "It's a good thing for me. Yeah, sure." (34:05).

Insights:

• Chris shares his enthusiasm for the game’s design, emphasizing the freedom it offers players: "You could play the whole game like you would with a notebook, turn off or ignore the waypointing and spend the entire time actually having an adventure" (37:07).

• Griffin praises the game's accommodation for various playstyles and quality-of-life improvements, making it accessible yet engaging for both new and veteran players.

Conclusion: The hosts unanimously recognize the remake's potential to both honor the legacy of the original and attract a new generation of players, making it a strong contender for Game of the Year.

4. Mario and Luigi Brothership: Refining a Classic

Hosts Discuss: Russ Rocha, Ross Rocha, Justin McElroy, Griffin McElroy

Timestamp: 45:32 – 47:30

Mario and Luigi Brothership is evaluated as Nintendo's attempt to return to the combat foundations of earlier Mario RPGs like Super Mario RPG. Russ critiques the game, noting:

"They keep having to reinvent these standalone random ass cloud people that no one cares about... less interesting characters."

Key Points:

• Combat System: The game refines traditional turn-based combat, stripping away experimental mechanics in favor of what worked well in previous installments.

• Pacing & Story: While the combat is praised, the pacing is criticized for being "incredibly slow," and the narrative doesn't effectively engage players due to underdeveloped characters and repetitive storytelling.

Conclusion: Although the combat mechanics receive positive feedback, the overall experience falls short in capturing the charm and engagement of its predecessors, leading to disappointment among the hosts.

5. Redacted: Tactical Roguelike with a Competitive Edge

Hosts Discuss: Justin McElroy, Ross Rocha, Griffin McElroy, Chris Plant

Timestamp: 48:23 – 51:55

Redacted is presented as a tactical roguelike inspired by Hades, featuring competitive elements where players race against AI characters to escape a prison.

Key Points:

• Gameplay Mechanics: Players must navigate obstacles and compete against AI rivals, with abilities to hinder opponents strategically.

• Art Style: The game boasts a cel-shaded, comic book aesthetic, setting it apart from similar titles.

Insights: Justin highlights the competitive aspect, saying:

"You are gaining information about your competitors... easier to fight them because you know their weaknesses." (50:43)

Conclusion: Redacted stands out for its unique blend of tactical gameplay and competitive racing, making it an intriguing option for fans of the genre seeking something fresh.

6. UFO 50 Collection: A Retrospective Dive into Classic Games

Hosts Discuss: Griffin McElroy, Ross Rocha, Justin McElroy, Chris Plant

Timestamp: 55:20 – 60:01

The hosts explore the UFO 50 collection, which features 50 classic games spanning various genres. Griffin shares his enthusiasm for the collection, particularly enjoying titles like Magic Garden and Barbuda.

Key Points:

• Gameplay Variety: The collection includes diverse games, each requiring different strategies and skills. Griffin explains:

"It's like a conversation between you and the real developers and fictional developers of these games." (60:01)

• Community Engagement: Griffin appreciates the engaged community that contributes strategies and cheat codes, enhancing the overall experience.

Conclusion: UFO 50 offers a nostalgic yet varied gaming experience, appealing to purists and new players alike who appreciate the depth and history of classic games.

7. Additional Game Highlights

Hosts Quickly Mentioned:

• Pokemon TCG Pocket: A streamlined, mobile-friendly version of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, emphasizing quick matches and accessible gameplay (53:11 – 54:27).

• Karate Survivor: A melee-focused take on the Vampire Survivors formula, set against 1980s karate action movie aesthetics, featuring combo-based combat and environmental interactions (66:31 – 72:03).

• Hangover Square: A noir film discussed briefly, celebrated for its setting during Guy Fawkes Day and intriguing narrative elements (61:03 – 62:19).

• Jackbox Survey Scramble: The latest entry in the Jackbox series, focusing on survey-based, single-word answer games that evolve with community participation (66:35 – 69:54).

• Dragon Age Valgard: Reviewed by Justin as a game with extensive content but diminishing engagement, critiqued for its endings and choice impacts (64:05 – 67:32).

8. Upcoming Topics & Wrap-Up

As the episode concludes, the hosts express excitement for future discussions, teasing an upcoming deep dive into the highly anticipated game Echo Point Nova. They encourage listeners to subscribe and mention their Patreon supporters, ensuring continued support for the podcast's growth.

Notable Quotes

• Justin McElroy (07:26): "The structure of this is so regimented. I'm almost starting to feel like it's a genre unto itself."

• Ross Rocha (21:45): "I worry that it's not impactful enough to keep me engaged with it."

• Griffin McElroy (33:32): "You can really kind of interact with it as much as you want to."

• Justin McElroy (50:43): "You are gaining information about your competitors... easier to fight them because you know their weaknesses."

Conclusion

In this episode of The Besties, the hosts provide an in-depth look at both nostalgic and contemporary games, offering insightful critiques and enthusiastic endorsements. From the polished roguelite Windblown to the classic-modern fusion of Dragon Quest 3 HD 2D Remake, and the diverse UFO 50 collection, listeners are treated to a comprehensive analysis of what's hot in the gaming world this week. The conversation balances technical gameplay discussions with personal anecdotes, making it engaging for both seasoned gamers and newcomers alike.