I'm chiming in support of the Gen X and older people who listen to The Besties! I am very aware of the movie Cocoon and watched it on VHS with my parents. Please keep the Boomer references coming!
What was it with the 80s and movies about aliens and older people? *Batteries Not Included was also about aliens (robots) and dealing with a family, focusing on an older couple.
I can only speak as someone who was in elementary school in the 80s and not a studio exec. We really seemed to like aliens then. There is that notion of popularity cycling of aliens, ninjas, pirates, zombies and dinosaurs that may apply here as we were deep into aliens with ninjas on the rise. As for the older people, I can only wildly point to Ronald Reagan with absolutely no justification. 😂
Yeah, I was in elementary school all throughout the 80s too. Very confused hearing the news mention "Star Wars" nearly every week only to find out it had to do with Regan and not the movies.
Also here as Gen X/Millennial (1982) to say I appreciate the 80s/90s references, dad talk, and awkwardly using Gen Z slang.
Speaking as a dad, I'm also hoping one day we get a Roblox episode- maybe a bonus episode that's the kiddos like how the McElroys do MaxFun Drive perks.
Hey Resties! I bought and played through Cocoon because of the recommendation. After having finished the game in it’s entirety, here are my thoughts:
While I can sorta see where you two are coming from about the “rigidity” of the design, I found the design quite helpful. The game gives the exact rules (in a very smart, nonverbal way) and using this set of rules you can come to the solution. While I found myself at roadblocks, each one was easily crossed by just toying with the environment in any possible way I could think of, VERY much like Portal.
The game is also very smart in its sound design, changing and turning the music up even when you’ve made slight progress in solving a major puzzle and quieting down when it’s thinking time and you haven’t quite got the solution yet.
I urge both of you (and maybe even the brothers) to give this one a fair shake. The set design alone makes this game worth its price, and completing each of the areas gave more satisfaction than I’ve had with puzzle games in recent memory. And the best part is it’s not too big of a time sink (I was able to finish it in 3-3.5 hours, but depending on your pace it could take up to 5 hours)
Alright I’m going back to Sea of Stars. Thanks for reading!
I really loved Cocoon and loved hearing you all's take on it. Was a little painful to hear Chris describe that puzzle knowing the solution (it was one of the tougher ones for me too), but I am glad he got there! Thanks for the great content!
I know what you lads mean about Cocoon. Whenever I am up against choke points like you are mentioning, I would just go through the paces of doing things that may seem super obvious at the time. Like " there's no way this is the solution but I'm going to do it anyway " and that would almost always unlock something in my mind about how to solve it. Especially if you pay attention to the music/audio cues.
I'm a little behind... Lies of P: just listen to the first 10 minutes of the episode and tell me that this is not actually a reskinned Mega Man Souls-like. The plot is 100% blue bomber. The interchangeable weapon handles and upgradeable arm.... anyway, sounds like it kicks ass. If the comparison has been said, sorry for the repeat!
Hey besties! I'm a longtime fan of Griffin's Pokémon Y nuzlocke run, and I was wondering if any of you (more realistically, Griffin) had any recs for other nuzlockes to watch on YouTube or elsewhere. Happy Halloween!
One of my favorite things about the Besties is that you all have a good sense of what genres of games you do and do not enjoy -- and you all like different things. I find I have a harder time making these connections for myself. How did you find your genres of choice? Have these preferences evolved as you've aged? Do you think there is some sort of pop psychology way to predict what kind of game someone will like based on personality?
It’s wild how I’ve been the total opposite in terms of guides lately to Plante. I’ve been enjoying build guides and general, more vague strategies such as “best way to farm X resource” more recently and much more staunchly avoiding specific puzzle solutions unless I am Really Really stuck. Compared to when I played ocarina of time and Majora’s mask where I spent tons of money physically printing out things like Zelda Dungeon
I must say "no one will save you" was a fantastic rec. I was getting a little bored half way though, as it started to look really predictable, but I'm glad I stuck through to the end.
Chiming in to PRAY Russ had his movies mixed up, as Keifer Sutherland was not in Fire in the Sky. Not trying to be obnoxious, just really hoping this isn’t Russ’s idea of a strangely welcoming ship: https://youtu.be/mO2W96NCiRc?si=wwiEPq72_IVb4ZS0
Also, a recommendation for Plante: The Comeback. 20 episodes starring and co-written by Lisa Kudrow post-Friends, it’s about an actress who was on a hit workplace sitcom in the 90’s trying to re-enter television in a much more vapid, reality tv-riddled 2000’s. In addition to being cast as a frumpy aunt in a new sitcom, she is simultaneously the star of a documentary about her return titled “The Comeback”. Season 2 sees her returning 10 years later to make a show about the making of that 2000’s show, while also having a documentary filmed about her re-return. It starts a little slow but it is one of the best written shows I’ve ever seen. Full of laughs, with genuine tears mixed in, incredibly human and incredibly meta, it plays like Inland Empire by way of E News and Friends. I really think you’d like it.
Question!(Feel free to edit this down) Last year I started a podcast as a hobby with my wife (who hasn't played very many videogames) where I have her play a different game every episode and get her perspective. This has lead to her discovery of her new favorite games such as Monster Hunter Rise and Inscryption which I tried because of the Besties. // We hear a lot about which games you play with the kids but I was wondering what are your Spouse's favorite games if they have any? \\
I'm at about 90% completed in cocoon, with two puzzles needing help online. It is actually very easy to find specific solutions (I chose written not yt) without spoiling other puzzles. If you look at the load options, each section of the game is allocated a percentage completed figure. It autosaves at the beginning of each section - and allows access to previous saves too - so you can easily google, say, 'Cocoon game 47%' and find your current roadblock. Love the game so much, a beautifully designed and artistically rendered alien world.
Greys really freak me out but I watched No One Will Save You for the sake of spooky season. The ending made laugh and reminded me of a Robot Chicken skit about a certain director.
I'm chiming in support of the Gen X and older people who listen to The Besties! I am very aware of the movie Cocoon and watched it on VHS with my parents. Please keep the Boomer references coming!
What was it with the 80s and movies about aliens and older people? *Batteries Not Included was also about aliens (robots) and dealing with a family, focusing on an older couple.
I can only speak as someone who was in elementary school in the 80s and not a studio exec. We really seemed to like aliens then. There is that notion of popularity cycling of aliens, ninjas, pirates, zombies and dinosaurs that may apply here as we were deep into aliens with ninjas on the rise. As for the older people, I can only wildly point to Ronald Reagan with absolutely no justification. 😂
Yeah, I was in elementary school all throughout the 80s too. Very confused hearing the news mention "Star Wars" nearly every week only to find out it had to do with Regan and not the movies.
Also here as Gen X/Millennial (1982) to say I appreciate the 80s/90s references, dad talk, and awkwardly using Gen Z slang.
Speaking as a dad, I'm also hoping one day we get a Roblox episode- maybe a bonus episode that's the kiddos like how the McElroys do MaxFun Drive perks.
Hey Resties! I bought and played through Cocoon because of the recommendation. After having finished the game in it’s entirety, here are my thoughts:
While I can sorta see where you two are coming from about the “rigidity” of the design, I found the design quite helpful. The game gives the exact rules (in a very smart, nonverbal way) and using this set of rules you can come to the solution. While I found myself at roadblocks, each one was easily crossed by just toying with the environment in any possible way I could think of, VERY much like Portal.
The game is also very smart in its sound design, changing and turning the music up even when you’ve made slight progress in solving a major puzzle and quieting down when it’s thinking time and you haven’t quite got the solution yet.
I urge both of you (and maybe even the brothers) to give this one a fair shake. The set design alone makes this game worth its price, and completing each of the areas gave more satisfaction than I’ve had with puzzle games in recent memory. And the best part is it’s not too big of a time sink (I was able to finish it in 3-3.5 hours, but depending on your pace it could take up to 5 hours)
Alright I’m going back to Sea of Stars. Thanks for reading!
My wife and I recently got an Apple Family plan, giving us new access to Apple Arcade. Can you recommend a top 5-10 list for Apple Arcade games?
I really loved Cocoon and loved hearing you all's take on it. Was a little painful to hear Chris describe that puzzle knowing the solution (it was one of the tougher ones for me too), but I am glad he got there! Thanks for the great content!
I know what you lads mean about Cocoon. Whenever I am up against choke points like you are mentioning, I would just go through the paces of doing things that may seem super obvious at the time. Like " there's no way this is the solution but I'm going to do it anyway " and that would almost always unlock something in my mind about how to solve it. Especially if you pay attention to the music/audio cues.
I'm a little behind... Lies of P: just listen to the first 10 minutes of the episode and tell me that this is not actually a reskinned Mega Man Souls-like. The plot is 100% blue bomber. The interchangeable weapon handles and upgradeable arm.... anyway, sounds like it kicks ass. If the comparison has been said, sorry for the repeat!
Hey besties! I'm a longtime fan of Griffin's Pokémon Y nuzlocke run, and I was wondering if any of you (more realistically, Griffin) had any recs for other nuzlockes to watch on YouTube or elsewhere. Happy Halloween!
One of my favorite things about the Besties is that you all have a good sense of what genres of games you do and do not enjoy -- and you all like different things. I find I have a harder time making these connections for myself. How did you find your genres of choice? Have these preferences evolved as you've aged? Do you think there is some sort of pop psychology way to predict what kind of game someone will like based on personality?
It’s wild how I’ve been the total opposite in terms of guides lately to Plante. I’ve been enjoying build guides and general, more vague strategies such as “best way to farm X resource” more recently and much more staunchly avoiding specific puzzle solutions unless I am Really Really stuck. Compared to when I played ocarina of time and Majora’s mask where I spent tons of money physically printing out things like Zelda Dungeon
Hey there Resties! I watched No One Will Save You last night, thanks for the recommendation
I must say "no one will save you" was a fantastic rec. I was getting a little bored half way though, as it started to look really predictable, but I'm glad I stuck through to the end.
Would you guys be interested in playing a danganronpa game or the game master detective archive rain code?
Chiming in to PRAY Russ had his movies mixed up, as Keifer Sutherland was not in Fire in the Sky. Not trying to be obnoxious, just really hoping this isn’t Russ’s idea of a strangely welcoming ship: https://youtu.be/mO2W96NCiRc?si=wwiEPq72_IVb4ZS0
Also, a recommendation for Plante: The Comeback. 20 episodes starring and co-written by Lisa Kudrow post-Friends, it’s about an actress who was on a hit workplace sitcom in the 90’s trying to re-enter television in a much more vapid, reality tv-riddled 2000’s. In addition to being cast as a frumpy aunt in a new sitcom, she is simultaneously the star of a documentary about her return titled “The Comeback”. Season 2 sees her returning 10 years later to make a show about the making of that 2000’s show, while also having a documentary filmed about her re-return. It starts a little slow but it is one of the best written shows I’ve ever seen. Full of laughs, with genuine tears mixed in, incredibly human and incredibly meta, it plays like Inland Empire by way of E News and Friends. I really think you’d like it.
Question!(Feel free to edit this down) Last year I started a podcast as a hobby with my wife (who hasn't played very many videogames) where I have her play a different game every episode and get her perspective. This has lead to her discovery of her new favorite games such as Monster Hunter Rise and Inscryption which I tried because of the Besties. // We hear a lot about which games you play with the kids but I was wondering what are your Spouse's favorite games if they have any? \\
I'm at about 90% completed in cocoon, with two puzzles needing help online. It is actually very easy to find specific solutions (I chose written not yt) without spoiling other puzzles. If you look at the load options, each section of the game is allocated a percentage completed figure. It autosaves at the beginning of each section - and allows access to previous saves too - so you can easily google, say, 'Cocoon game 47%' and find your current roadblock. Love the game so much, a beautifully designed and artistically rendered alien world.
Greys really freak me out but I watched No One Will Save You for the sake of spooky season. The ending made laugh and reminded me of a Robot Chicken skit about a certain director.