The Besties

Discussion on cozy games for fall, including a Japanese rural life adventure. Exploration of the philosophical implications of the mobile game Desert Golfing. Highlights of Nicole Carpenter on NPR's 1A and a free game called Moon Ring. Exploration of Moon Ring and its accessible features, role-playing elements, and tactical combat mechanics.

Beloved guestie Ron Funches joins as they talk about Assassin's Creed Mirage, the return to the franchise's stealthy roots. They discuss their personal history with the game and the strong motivation to free children from forced labor. They analyze the sneaking mechanics and combat, share their disappointment with Starfield, and discuss playing 'Chance of Sonar' and visiting an inspiring art exhibit at the Broad. They also mention upcoming stand-up comedy shows in Las Vegas.

Join us as we discuss our favorite indie games of the past few months, including El Paso Elsewhere, a Max Payne-inspired 3D remake of Kentucky Route Zero, and a game with rapping monster hunters. We also talk about a game with environmental puzzles and unique art style, and dive into gameplay mechanics and progression. Plus, we explore Nintendo Switch controller grips and discuss gripping techniques, a recommended game, a movie review, and upcoming content.

Guest No One Will Save You, a new alien invasion movie exclusive to Hulu is discussed in this episode, along with the puzzle game Cocoon which features carriable cosmos to solve puzzles. The hosts also explore Mario's communication style and compare it to a waiter at Waffle House. They touch on using guides in video games, discuss the home release pattern of Disney 20th Century Fox, and analyze the movie Cocoon, praising its minimal dialogue and emotional storytelling.

Cyberpunk 2077 is now really good with the Phantom Liberty expansion and 2.0 update. They talk about starting fresh, downloading issues, and the game's improvements. They discuss the redemption efforts of game developers and the potential of Titanfall 3. They also analyze the podcast intro and recommend the anime 'Cyberpunk Edge Runners' and a spooky movie called 'No One Will Save You' on Hulu.

In a year full of surprise sleeper hits, Lies of P might just be the most surprising -- Pinocchio trappings and ridiculous title aside, it's one of the most solid replications of the Souls formula we've ever played. Join us for a discussion of what sets it apart from other entries in the genre. (Hint: It's the P-Organ.)Also discussed: Remains of the Day, Sea of Stars, Hammerwatch 2, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet DLC, Stray Gods, Inland Empire, Willie Nelson Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at www.besties.fan. Want more episodes? Join us at patreon.com/thebesties for three bonus episodes each month!

The goal of Gunbrella is to find those responsible for your wife's death by wielding the murder weapon: a gun that turns into an umbrella. Of course this isn't any umbrella. It can block bullets, zip you into the sky, and grind rails like a pro skater. We really enjoyed the developer's previous game, Gato Roboto; can Gunbrella take their talents another step forward? In the second half, we make sense of this month's big video game industry controversy: Unity's baffling decision to change its payment structure, infuriating tons of developers and potentially causing a glut of delays as designers move their games to new engines. See a full list of everything discussed on the episode (plus links!) at Besties.fan. Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at www.besties.fan. Want more episodes? Join us at patreon.com/thebesties for three bonus episodes each month!

Dive into the unexpected crossover appeal of Sea of Stars, blending nostalgia with innovative gameplay. Discover the strategic layers of RPG mechanics like cooking and resource management. Hear stories about unorthodox video game characters and the charm of classic titles like Karateka. Enjoy humorous takes on modern releases such as Starfield and get insights into the quirky true crime podcast, Who Shat On the Floor at My Wedding. Plus, explore literary connections that elevate the gaming experience!

Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon might have one of the video game-iest ass titles in the history of games, but that doesn't stop it from being an absolute barn-burner of a mecha action game. Join us as we dive into our history with the series, and extol the virtues of the demo discs of yore. Also discussed: Starfield, No Man's Sky, Baldur's Gate 3, The Righteous Gemstones Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at www.besties.fan. Want more episodes? Join us at patreon.com/thebesties for three bonus episodes each month!

Starfield inspired Frushtick to take a ship deep into the cosmos of No Man's Sky. After seven years and tons of updates, the sci-fi game is a stunning alternative for people who crave the awesomeness of space more than the dramatics of a traditional RPG. We also talk about the fantastic Shadow Gambit, a stealth tactics game for everybody -- not just fans of the genre. Also discussed: Retro Bowl and Only Weird Games. For more info and links to all games, follow our newsletter besties.fan. Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at www.besties.fan. Want more episodes? Join us at patreon.com/thebesties for three bonus episodes each month!