Podcast Summary: The Besties – "Want a New GBA-style Zelda? Try This Indie Game"

Release Date: July 18, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Besties, hosts Chris Plante, Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy, and Russ Frushtick delve into the world of indie gaming with a spotlight on the latest title, "Pipestrello and the Cursed Yo Yo." The conversation seamlessly transitions into an in-depth analysis of the recent Superman movie, showcasing the hosts' diverse interests and insightful commentary.

Spotlight on "Pipestrello and the Cursed Yo Yo"

First Impressions and Gameplay Mechanics

The discussion kicks off with the hosts debating the game's unique name, "Pete Pastrello," highlighting its memorable and playful nature.

Justin McElroy (00:35): "If I hear the name Death Spank, I'm immediately thinking death Spank, right? I'm thinking about the heroic knight with the bad sense of humor, and he loves bacon. But Pipestrello, I don't know. Who's Pipestrello?"

Griffin McElroy (05:58): "The game opens by showing you what is essentially a 3D render of a Game Boy Advance classic... it's a love letter to Game Boy Advance games that entire era."

The hosts praise the game's homage to the Game Boy Advance (GBA) aesthetic, emphasizing its 2D pixel art style and nostalgic design that resonates with fans of classic Zelda titles.

Justin McElroy (07:12): "It's like a 90s Zelda, 80s 90s Zelda overhead sort of vibe to this kind of a Link to the Past kind of thing."

Innovative Combat and Puzzle Integration

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the game's innovative use of the yo-yo mechanic, which serves both as a combat tool and a puzzle-solving device.

Griffin McElroy (08:12): "There are puzzles where you need to launch your yo-yo to weigh down a pressure plate... it ties directly into the puzzles."

Russ Freshick (09:35): "There is a lot of combat in this game, but it also ties directly into like all of the puzzles."

The yo-yo system allows players to execute attacks at various angles, creating dynamic combat scenarios reminiscent of classic action-adventure games while introducing modern puzzle mechanics.

Narrative Depth and Character Development

The game features a compelling narrative where Pipestrello, an anthropomorphic bat, navigates a world filled with quirky characters and moral dilemmas.

Justin McElroy (16:04): "The game starts and you're coming back from a yo-yo tournament where you just did pretty poorly. Your aunt is like, 'He's a shithead.'"

Russ Freshick (16:54): "There is a very clever twist. The villains are breaking up the monopoly of Ma Belle, and you have to rebuild it to save your aunt's soul."

The storyline offers a fresh take on traditional hero narratives, infusing humor and unexpected plot twists that keep players engaged.

Customization and Progression Systems

The game introduces a unique upgrade system where players must balance power enhancements with in-game debt, adding a layer of strategy to character progression.

Griffin McElroy (09:55): "You're collecting money from fallen enemies... Villains show up... You pop into your home base... This system always makes you feel like you are progressing."

Justin McElroy (11:05): "It's like a little bit of an extremely, extremely Souls-like element, where the more money you're carrying, the more you lose when you die."

This mechanic encourages thoughtful resource management and strategic planning, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.

Artistic and Cultural Influences

Developed by Brazilian indie studio Pocket Trap, "Pipestrello and the Cursed Yo Yo" incorporates a vibrant tropical aesthetic and culturally rich soundtrack, setting it apart from typical indie titles.

Griffin McElroy (15:07): "There's a really fun tropical vibe to the game... the soundtrack and the design are so charming."

The combination of artistic elements and engaging gameplay mechanics has resonated well with the hosts, making it a standout title in the indie gaming scene.

Analysis of the Latest Superman Movie

Transitioning from gaming, the hosts offer a critical yet appreciative analysis of the recent Superman film, exploring its narrative choices, character portrayals, and thematic depth.

Character Portrayals and Performances

Nicholas Hoult's portrayal of Lex Luthor is lauded for its depth and departure from traditional motivations associated with the character.

Russ Freshick (32:48): "His motivation in this movie has nothing to do with money, has nothing to do with power. It is purely ego, like envy. Superman fucking sucks. And I kind of love that."

Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane receives praise for delivering the best live-action performance, adding emotional weight to the narrative.

Griffin McElroy (33:07): "Rachel Brosnahan is the best Lois Lane that I've ever seen in a live-action Superman thing."

Narrative and Thematic Exploration

The movie delves into Superman's role as a beacon of hope while exploring his vulnerabilities, offering a fresh perspective on the iconic superhero.

Griffin McElroy (24:01): "This movie recognizes what Superman is about and asks a lot of interesting questions about what he means and who he is."

The hosts appreciate the film's willingness to break away from conventional superhero tropes, presenting Superman in a more relatable and complex light.

Journalism and Media Representation

A notable aspect of the film is its critique of media practices, showcasing how journalism can influence public perception and individual actions.

Christopher Thomas Plant (33:38): "Superman as Clark Kent interviews himself and Lois Lane interviews Superman, Clark Kent, who she's in a relationship with... Lex Luthor uses the apparatus of the government and media to punish him."

This narrative choice highlights the interplay between media influence and superhero accountability, adding depth to the storyline.

Cinematic Techniques and Tone

The film employs innovative cinematic techniques, such as detailed on-screen content management systems (CMS) and strategic use of music, to enhance storytelling.

Justin McElroy (28:38): "There's a really smart, like the first credit... it feels like we're joining as it's already started."

The overall tone balances seriousness with lighthearted moments, making the film both engaging and thought-provoking.

Additional Gaming Discussions

Beyond the main focus on "Pipestrello" and the Superman movie, the hosts briefly touch upon other games they've been enjoying, sharing personal anecdotes and recommendations.

• Monster Train 2: Griffin McElroy discusses deck-building strategies and theory crafting.

  Griffin McElroy (45:10): "It's like a lot of theory crafting... very compelling."

• Maze Mice: Christopher Thomas Plant introduces a blend of Vampire Survivors and Pac-Man, highlighting its unique gameplay mechanics.

  Christopher Thomas Plant (46:33): "Maze Mice is a vampire survivors like meets Pac-Man."

• Tron Catalyst: Justin McElroy shares his enthusiasm for the action-oriented sequel, contrasting it with its predecessor Tron Identity.

  Justin McElroy (50:35): "This is a really cool way of doing it."

• Maroi: Justin recommends this dark fantasy surrealist action game, describing its unconventional narrative and aesthetic.

  Justin McElroy (51:52): "It's the strangest damn thing that I have downloaded."

Conclusion and Teasers

As the episode wraps up, the hosts express their appreciation for the featured game and the insightful discussion on the Superman movie. They also tease upcoming content, including gameplay of Donkey Kong Bonanza and exclusive Patreon content for their dedicated listeners.

Russ Frushtick (56:25): "Next week we are playing big one. Donkey Kong Bonanza."

Griffin McElroy (56:39): "Exciting."

The episode concludes on a high note, encouraging listeners to stay tuned for more engaging discussions and gaming insights in future episodes.

Notable Quotes

• Justin McElroy (07:12): "It's like a 90s Zelda, 80s 90s Zelda overhead sort of vibe to this kind of a Link to the Past kind of thing."

• Russ Freshick (09:35): "There is a lot of combat in this game, but it also ties directly into like all of the puzzles."

• Griffin McElroy (15:07): "There's a really fun tropical vibe to the game... the soundtrack and the design are so charming."

• Griffin McElroy (24:01): "This movie recognizes what Superman is about and asks a lot of interesting questions about what he means and who he is."

• Justin McElroy (28:38): "There's a really smart, like the first credit... it feels like we're joining as it's already started."

For more insights and discussions, subscribe to The Besties on your favorite podcast platform and join their community on Patreon at patreon.com/thebesties.