Podcast Summary: The Besties – "The Year of the Video Game Ninja"
Release Date: August 1, 2025
Hosts: Chris Plante, Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy, Russ Frushtick
1. Introduction and Banter
The episode kicks off with the hosts engaging in their characteristic humor, particularly focusing on Russ Frushtick's absence. Justin McElroy opens the conversation reflecting on missing Russ, stating, “It feels counterintuitive to miss Russ” (00:00). Griffin McElroy humorously adds, “Don’t it always seem like you don’t know the Russ you’ve got until he’s a parking lot” (00:20), highlighting the dynamic and playful camaraderie among the hosts.
2. Featured Game: Ninja Gaiden Ragebound
a. Overview and Return to 2D
The central focus of the episode is the discussion on Ninja Gaiden Ragebound, heralded as a significant return to the series' roots. Justin McElroy introduces the game enthusiastically: “Ninja Gaiden is back, but it's not in 3D like it's been for your past few decades. It's back in 2D like the true fans remember it. And not only that, but it's actually fun to play” (02:25). This marks a pivotal shift from the recent 3D iterations to a nostalgic 2D experience.
b. Gameplay Mechanics and Innovations
The hosts delve into the game's mechanics, praising its fluid action and modern enhancements. Christopher Thomas Plant explains, “It's doing some interesting things with... another ninja that has a long-range attack that feels different from what we would traditionally expect” (05:02). Griffin McElroy complements this by noting the game’s unique dynamics: “You have an aerial attack that you activate, like a double jump... it's a fascinating mechanic” (07:40). They highlight how these features blend retro gameplay with contemporary design elements, offering both challenge and strategy.
c. Visual Style and Animation
A significant point of discussion revolves around the game's visual aesthetics. Justin McElroy remarks, “It looks so cool... so much animation in every frame of this” (08:40), appreciating the vibrant and detailed animation that gives the game a cartoon-like charm. Christopher Thomas Plant adds, “It splices in a lot of cartoon visuals too... somewhere between the NES style cutscenes and like 1990s anime” (08:40), emphasizing the seamless integration of classic and modern visual styles.
d. Level Design and Difficulty
The hosts examine the game's level design and difficulty curve. Griffin McElroy shares his thoughts on the challenges, “So fucking hard, man. Holy shit, dude. They don't play around” (12:35). They discuss how the game balances difficulty with accessibility, noting features like adjustable damage settings: “You can turn down how much damage you take and how long your supercharge lasts” (14:04). Christopher Thomas Plant praises the game’s design, stating, “It was kind of a proto Speedrun-like platforming game” (09:30), highlighting the intricate balance between challenge and playability.
e. Narrative and Writing
The narrative aspects are also touched upon, particularly the unexpected depth in the game's storytelling. Griffin McElroy comments, “...joining with another ninja... it becomes like a conflict between the two of them sharing one form” (16:02), indicating a complex character dynamic that enriches the gameplay experience. The hosts appreciate the writing, noting, “It knows just the right amount of talkie” (16:59), suggesting that dialogue is effectively integrated without overshadowing the action.
f. Reception and Pricing
Finally, the hosts discuss the game’s reception and pricing strategy. Christopher Thomas Plant mentions, “The publisher Emu has like, kind of owned this $25 space” (19:03), placing Ninja Gaiden Ragebound alongside other quality titles in a competitive price bracket. Griffin McElroy adds, “It’s super polished... it definitely deserves recognition” (30:05), underscoring the game’s value and craftsmanship.
3. Other Games Discussed
a. Donkey Kong Banana
Justin McElroy and Griffin McElroy share their experiences with Donkey Kong Banana, highlighting its co-op mode and chaotic multiplayer antics. Griffin remarks, “Especially in the co-op mode... it feels like maybe there is no intended path to this thing” (26:07), discussing the game’s open-ended and flexible gameplay that fosters creativity and unexpected strategies.
b. Merge Maestro
Griffin introduces Merge Maestro, an iOS and Steam game that merges puzzle mechanics with strategic combat. Justin describes, “It's like a basic structure of a threes or 2048... with enemies spawning as you combine tiles” (34:40). The hosts praise its depth and replayability, noting its affordable price point of $3 and the compelling gameplay that has captivated Justin during his travels.
c. Maze Mice
Christopher Thomas Plant brings up Maze Mice, a game where players navigate mazes while avoiding increasingly numerous cats. Justin explains the mechanics: “Imagine you're a mouse... being trailed by cats... and you're leaving behind abilities to kill cats” (38:20). The game is lauded for its straightforward yet addictive gameplay and engaging visual style.
d. Wheel World
The hosts briefly touch upon Wheel World, a new bike-themed racing game from Messhoff, the creator of Nidhogg. Christopher describes the game as, “Just a good, chill out video game... everything is centered around bike culture” (40:57). Although the discussion is brief, Griffin expresses excitement for its unique thematic focus.
4. Listener Mail and Suggestions
The hosts engage with listener feedback, sharing suggestions and thoughts from their audience. One notable suggestion involves creating a new Mother Earthbound game with Toby Fox’s involvement. Christopher Thomas Plant writes, “Nintendo already has a pretty good relationship with him... it’s a good” (31:10), pondering the potential collaboration and its implications for fans.
5. Closing Remarks and Patreon Shoutouts
As the episode winds down, the hosts express gratitude to their listeners and encourage support through their Patreon. Justin McElroy mentions, “I got a Patreon. If you want to support this show... you can go to patreon.com/thebesties” (42:56). They highlight member contributions and tease upcoming content, ensuring listeners are engaged and informed about future episodes.
Notable Quotes:
- “Ninja Gaiden is back... it’s back in 2D like the true fans remember it.” – Justin McElroy (02:25)
- “It looks so cool... so much animation in every frame of this.” – Justin McElroy (08:40)
- “So fucking hard, man. Holy shit, dude. They don't play around.” – Griffin McElroy (12:35)
- “It definitely deserves recognition.” – Griffin McElroy (30:05)
Timestamp References:
- 00:00 – Introduction and Russ absence
- 02:18 – Start of main content
- 05:02 – Gameplay mechanics
- 08:40 – Visual style
- 12:35 – Difficulty discussion
- 14:04 – Accessibility features
- 16:02 – Narrative elements
- 19:03 – Pricing and reception
- 26:07 – Donkey Kong Banana co-op mode
- 34:40 – Merge Maestro overview
- 38:20 – Maze Mice gameplay
- 40:57 – Wheel World introduction
- 31:10 – Listener mail on Mother Earthbound
- 42:56 – Patreon shoutouts
Conclusion
In this episode of The Besties, the hosts deliver a comprehensive and engaging discussion centered around Ninja Gaiden Ragebound, exploring its return to 2D, innovative gameplay mechanics, stunning visuals, and challenging difficulty. They also share insights on other notable games like Donkey Kong Banana, Merge Maestro, and Maze Mice, enriching the conversation with personal anecdotes and listener interactions. True to their mission, Chris, Griffin, and Justin embody the essence of being "the world's best friends" by providing thoughtful and entertaining game reviews for their audience.