Over the past few days, I've struggled to write, think or care about video games. I've struggled to really do anything. Surely I'm not alone. What an awful week. What an absolutely awful week.
And yet, some really amazing things have happened this week. Like this and this and this. Many people are really stepping up. So this weekend I hope you will join me in doing what we love: playing games. And I also hope you'll lend a hand. You could donate blood or money or anything.
It's been an awful week, but I believe we can help to make next week better.
That's all. This week's Besties doesn't talk about "this week." We tried to focus on the good, which has been the unspoken goal of the show since its creation. I hope you enjoy it. Let's talk about some video games.
4:30 - Best...
This week on The Besties, we've decided to stick with the rules set forth in last week's episode because, hey, consistency has to rear its ugly head once in a while.
And if Justin sounds quiet this week, it's because his internet is crap and he only heard about half of every conversation. Either that or he walked away from the mic for a really, really long time without telling anyone.
2:50 - Best reason that Russ Frushtick is an obsessive maniac (BioShock Infinite)
23:30 - Best mash-up of two genres you wouldn't think work well together but do (Guacamelee)
30:30 - Half time - Beard!
33:15 - Best Easter Egg that is better than the actual game it's in (Soda Drinker Pro)
41:00 - Best multiplayer mode for ruining friendships (BattleBlock Theater)
50:00 - The winner is...
T...
You miss the original concept of four best friends battling to the death to decide the best game of the week. Or maybe you want less nitty-gritty mechanic talk. Or you're the one soul on Planet Earth that yearns to hear the squeaky pitches of a certain European independent game design counterfeiter. We understand.
After 50 episodes, we've decided to fiddle with the rules one (possibly) last time. As of today, four best friends will battle to the death to decide the best game thing of the week. That's right. We're no longer limited to games. We can bring news, songs, artwork, European independent game design counterfeiters, anything!
All that matters is we genuinely believe our submission is the best. That way, when the show concludes a battle can be waged to determine the week's...
This week, we discuss two games based off the less popular sidekicks of major franchises. First, we have the Ballad of Baird, also known as Gears of War: Judgment. The fourth game in the Gears of War franchise has more of what you've come to expect from the franchise, which means hours of carefree body mutilation.
Speaking of dead stuff, Justin leans over the campfire to tell us a scary story about the time he reviewed The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct.
Sticking to the ghastly theme, we finish the show with a Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, the second game in a series about the lesser-loved plumber turned ghost hunter. Is Dark Moon the 3DS's killer app? Does anyone care about 3DS when we have Super Stickman Golf 2 on our cellphones? Does the video game industry have a morbid fascination...
In the history of The Besties, when the gents end up bringing mobile games to the table, it doesn't bode well for the quality of said games. This week is the exception to the rule, as they're talking about two of the best games of 2013 (mobile or beyond!).
In other news, Chris Plante literally got off a flight from Japan and recorded the podcast, so if he sounds drowsy, it's probably the sleeping meds coursing through his veins.
04:00 - Ridiculous Fishing
20:00 - Half Time
27:00 - Super Stickman Golf 2
47:00 - What's next?
Theme song by Ian Dorsch
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This week on The Besties, Chris Plante is galavanting out in Japan for work (probably), so we've gone and found his temporary replacement: the incomparable Phil Kollar. Phil authored the Polygon review of Tomb Raider, so who better to detail the highs and lows of Lara's latest adventure.
Speaking of Lara, one of her relatives calls in to discuss some qualms he has with her renewed success.
And lastly, there's SimCity. Not a whole lot to say on that one. Pretty much controversy-free, that game.
04:00 - Tomb Raider
22:00 - Half Time
28:00 - SimCity
49:00 - What's next?
Theme song by Ian Dorsch
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Griffin succumbed to the Andromeda Strain this week, leaving Frushtick, Hoops and myself to brave The Besties without him. I confess, it was tough. Fortunately, we had two very different, very unusual games to discuss in the forms of Proteus and Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance.
Proteus is what you might call an art game. Drawn in colorful and simple polygons, the game lacks traditional goals and rules. When Proteus was released a few weeks ago, a band of perturbed critics claimed Proteus wasn't a game at all.
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance on the other hand is the stereotypical action video game. The neo-future world is chock-full of robots and foot soldiers that can be sliced like a watermelon in Fruit Ninja. The game has a clear goal and that's KILL, KILL, KILL!
To kill or chase a...
This week on The Besties, we talk about the mysterious ghost man living above Griffin's garage. If you think that's grim, just wait till you hear our recap of the PlayStation 4 launch event. Justin does his best to turn our frowns upside down, but is that enough?
One of this week's games already looks like it belongs on a next-generation console — and basically demands a next-generation PC. The other game has a long title and a beat we can dance to.
Let us know your opinions of this week's games in the comments. And convince Justin why Proteus is good now, before it's too late.
04:30 - Crysis 3
20:30 - Half Time / PlayStation 4 announcement talk
40:00 - Bit.Trip Presents Runner 2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien
49:30 - What's next? Proteus and Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
...
This week on The Besties, we discuss babies having babies and then having those babies fight for their baby parents. There's also talk of the thrills and chills of space combat, with an emphasis on the thrills. Hey, look at this, two solid games this week! We're on a roll!
Warning: This episode contains spoilers for the movie, Safe Haven. If learning that makes you not want to listen, this probably isn't the podcast for you.
03:00 - Fire Emblem: Awakening
15:00 - Half Time
30:00 - Dead Space 3
48:30 - What's next?
Theme song by Ian Dorsch
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This week's episode revolves around the mysteries of Doritos, Taco Bell and much, much more. Also Plante takes the opportunity to not say anything for the longest time in Besties history. Where was he? What was he thinking? We may never know.
03:00 - Antichamber
15:00 - Half Time
26:00 - Ni No Kuni
42:20 - What's next?
Theme song by Ian Dorsch
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This week on The Besties, an old friend stops by for a visit and there's some examination of the latest free-to-play game burning up the charts. Oh yes, and Dante's resurrection is making some people grumpy.
03:00 - Temple Run 2
21:50 - Half Time: THQ
32:35 - DMC: Devil May Cry
48:20 - What's next?
Theme song by Ian Dorsch
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The Besties are back for 2013 to warm your hearths and hearts. As per usual, the rules have been changed, but don't worry, it's only to protect the innocent. We've got some new games, we've got some old games and we've got a time machine. Let's get crackin'.
03:00 - Kentucky Route Zero
18:00 - Half Time Battle Royale
23:40- Dark Souls
40:00 - What's next?
Theme song by Ian Dorsch
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This is the audio-only version of Part 2 of our end of year video special. Enjoy!
Theme song by Ian Dorsch
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This is the audio-only version of Part 1 of our end of year video special. Enjoy!
Theme song by Ian Dorsch
Get the show:
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After over 40 episodes, your pals The Besties reach the end of their dramatic arc, their denouement, if you will as they select the Besties Supreme. In the second half of their year-end video spectacular (part one here), their eight remaining favorite games of the year battle it out for that golden statue that bears only a passing resemblance to Marcus Fenix. There's also a tender goodbye to some favorite friends, featuring the artwork of Besties listener, Gavin Spence.
Will your favorite take home the top honors? You're just one hour and eight minutes away from finding out as the world's best friends pick the year's best game.
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Theme song by Ian Dorsch
After nearly a year of squabbling and tears, your friends The Besties settled on their sixteen finalists for the Besties Supreme. After using your votes to build a sportsball-style bracket, your podcasting pals took to Brooklyn's Barcade to film a two-hour video spectacular to decide which game would bring home all the figurative bacon.
Today we bring you the first half of the battle, during which our top sixteen will be winnowed down to a mere eight.
Brace for impact, it's time for the world's best friends to pick the year's best game.
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Theme song by Ian Dorsch
