

The Besties
Chris Plante, Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy, Russ Frushtick
It's Game of the Year meets King of the Hill as four of Earth's best friends – Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy, Chris Plante, and Russ Frushtick – rank and review their favorite video games. Because shouldn't the world's best friends pick the world's best games?
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 22, 2020 • 46min
If You Like Halo 3 You Should Put a Ring on it
This week The Besties are discussing Halo 3! Together they look back to its highly anticipated release in 2007. The criticism around the infamous cliffhanger ending. Their favorite vehicles, weapons and campaigns. Plus, get nostalgic for H3’s limited edition gaming soda.
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!

May 15, 2020 • 55min
BioShock: Wet and Wild Fun!
Would you kindly join The Besties as they revisit the dystopian RPG shooter BioShock? Together they discuss the influence of Objectivism and environmentalism on its storytelling. The design aesthetic that incorporates Art Deco and steampunk. And critique the effectiveness of the plot twist (spoiler alert!)
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!

May 8, 2020 • 45min
COD4: Should We Feel Bad?
OORAH! Stand at attention and listen to this week's discussion of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare you maggots. In the second episode of their mini-series on games from 2007, The Besties examine the franchise's first foray into contemporary battle. Plus, Russ tests his co-host's knowledge with some Call of Duty trivia.
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!

May 1, 2020 • 47min
Y'all, Portal Still Rocks
This week starts off the new series on the best year for video games. Now with the spotlight on 2007, the gang of course had to discuss Portal and game developer Valve! Plus, the boys pitch Portal 3 concepts to a very special guest.
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!

Apr 24, 2020 • 43min
What Was the Best Year for Video Games Ever?
Today’s special episode takes The Besties into a new direction. With newer releases being put on hold, the gang is looking back at what was the best year for video games ever. Each present cases for why the year stood out and examine all the variables. Listeners can get in on the action by heading over to https://twitter.com/thebestiespod and cast their vote to help pick a winner!
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!

Apr 17, 2020 • 46min
Final Fantasy 7 Remake Feat. a Hunkier Cloud
This week The Besties are covering the remake of the hit RPG from 1997, Final Fantasy VII. Together they discuss its influential legacy and how the creators have reimagined the original story and evolved its characters. Plus, Plante presents his thesis on why video games as a medium may have entered into a postmodern phase.
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!

Apr 10, 2020 • 47min
Resident Evil 3: Missing the Large Detective
The gang survives the remake of Resident Evil 3: Nemesis to tell listeners about the bizarre world design of Racoon City (including a train museum and a very normal toy store with a giant hovering baby head). They also explore why Justin finds watching game character’s heads explode less fun than ever before and how Russ decided to bestow Mr. X his new name, “the Large Detective.”
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!

Apr 3, 2020 • 49min
How to save a dead franchise, or: Old men play Half-Life Alyx
After 15+ years, the influential game franchise is back with Half-Life: Alyx! Follow along for an extremely nerdy conversation about The Besties' experience playing the VR first person shooter and what other franchises they would like to see return.
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!

Mar 27, 2020 • 43min
Animal Crossing: New Horizons will save us all!
This week, the Besties discuss the highly anticipated Animal Crossing: New Horizons! Is this the most important game possibly in the history of humanity? Will this be the biggest game release on the Nintendo Switch of all time? Together they explore the game play, bug curation and how important the opportunity to virtually go outside is in the this time of the coronavirus.
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!

Mar 20, 2020 • 47min
DOOM Eternal with Elyse Willems
Elyse Willems (Funhaus) joins The Besties for an in-depth conversation on the newly released Doom Eternal! Topics include ripping of arms and limbs, the world-building of hell on earth and space castles.
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!