Thanks to y’all (and the question-asker) for mentioning libraries!
Come in, get a free card, and check a few things out (either physical media or free ebooks on Libby). It helps us stay open for those who NEED our services (which is a big number, despite what the hilarious people who claim we’re obsolete might say). Most libraries have more to offer than you would probably expect! Yes! Including video games in many cases :)
And yeah, this year has been NUTS for video games. To have a year where a mainline Zelda game might not win the GOTY? You KNOW we’ve been spoiled. Livin like kings.
👏👏👏 I also work for the public library and came here to say the same sentiment!! Our system acts as a resource center, sanctuary, and some as shelters providing so many workaround services needed and lacking otherwise in state institutions, unfortunately. Also so many amazing, fun things you might not think of - here you can check out state and National park passes, wifi hotspots, and get free entry to most museums just to name a few. There’s also Kanopy streaming with free streams and superb content! Get your card, hang out and support libraries please! ❤️
Just wanted to express my appreciation for not only Besties as a whole, but this episode in particular; With it being Black Friday today, I was at work at 3:45 in the morning and had to get things ready before opening, and having this podcast to listen to while I worked was delightful. Also, working at a video game retailer, I feel so much more informed on the new games after I've listened to the newest Besties episode. Thanks for everything you do, Besties!
Hey Besties! Great episode, loved hearing Felicia as a guest.
For next week's indie roundup I need NEED y'all to check out Void Stranger by System Erasure. It's a Sokoban style puzzle game with an insane amount of depth, story, challenge, and secrets. It takes and evolves simple mechanics into tough puzzles with some really cool meta mechanics. With gorgeous art and addictive gameplay it shouldn't be missed! My friend and I played it earlier this year and found it to be one of the most enrapturing games we've ever played. Spending many late nights writing out lore documents and sharing thoughts on gameplay. Thanks for all y'all do for my entertainment! Happy Holidays!
For the indie game discussion next week: Lil Gator Game is my GOTY by a pretty solid margin. Gameplay wise it's basically A Short Hike-like, but in full third person 3D eith BOTW mechanics but the story is the main strength in my opinion. A fantastic story about growing up, game design, friendship, it's wonderful.
First, appreciate you guys and happy Thanksgiving.
Second, re: bonus links-- I'd never seen the original trailers for TPM. My reactions are basically two things (not trying to litigate the prequels people! Just these trailers)
1. The trailer, visually, looks fucking great. If I were a 90s movie goer I would be stoked. Forgot how colorful TPM was and the trailer editing really adds dynamism to the shots.
2. It is insane that after these trailers were cut, nobody at the studio left a note like "hey, should we have anyone say 'thank you, Obi-Wan' or 'look out, Obi-Wan' or in any way indicate who our protagonist is?" Ewan McGregor is never identified as Obi-Wan at all! Anakin is unidentified and gets like 3 seconds of trailer! The only connective tissue in this trailer to the Star Wars people would know was a couple half-second shots of R2/C3PO, Yoda, and a hologram of the Emperor. If I were a contemporary audience member I would be totally confused, and I feel like nowadays studios would never let a trailer for a major IP like star wars be so coy about its connections to the property.
For anyone older than me (27) who did see these trailers in theaters -- did other marketing better explain what the hell this movie was about?
I don't recall many of the early trailers for TPM being more descriptive than this one, especially about specific characters. A lot of the advertising that I recall was what Nick Stockton said, "New Star Wars movies!" Some of the later (closer to release date) trailers had a more name drops (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bD7bpG-zDJQ)
If I recall, some of the first teasers for The Force Awakens was similar in that there were a lot of shots of specific characters without giving any context of the story or who the characters actually were.
I was around 18 when the prequels came out, and the marketing was insane. I don't remember if any of it actually explained what the plot was, but it definitely didn't matter. The only thing that mattered was "New Star Wars movies."
For the indie game discussion next week, I absolutely need to recommend In Stars and Time! It’s a time looping rpg game that just came out but man its artstyle, music, and battle system absolutely has me captivated. It also has such an amazing story and is overall just a charming game! Can’t recommend it enough.
Hey, guys! A couple things I hope are on your radar for the Indie show:
1. Cobalt Core. If you appreciate Slay the Spire or Monster Train, check out how this game applies deep deck-building strategy to spaceship battles. If you DON'T appreciate StS or MT, check out how this game oozes tons of charm and character that dry old deck-builders pretty much never have.
2. A Highland Song. Well, this isn't out until early December, but I played it as a judge in the IGF competition, and I think it's worth keeping an eye out for. This is Inkle's latest, and it's about place and exploration and getting lost and finding your way again.
Also, please don't forget about The Making of Karateka in your GOTY discussions! I know it's weird to put it in the mix with regular games, but I think it was one of the most important releases this year and incredibly well made.
If you guys are looking for some indie games under 20$ that flew under the radar check out:
Cobalt Core -- A deck building roguelike that feels like slay the spire meets FTL. Might be my personal GOTY
Boneraiser Minions -- A game in the style of Vampire survivors, but with some choices that makes it stand out
Moonstone Island -- Imagine you took Stardew Valley and added Pokémon to it but the battles play out like Slay the Spire.
I figure that the besties might like some of these games, but haven't heard mention of them on the podcast. There are so many games out this year I'm sure we all are going to miss a few so I wanted to highlight some of the ones I had fun with.
P.S. I love my local library. Can confirm they have video games and also board games. Essentially they have a library of things; instruments, tools, games, ect that you can "rent" for free with your library card
This year had several of what Kirk Hamilton described as 'Super Turbo Remake Plus' games like Dead Space and the Resident Evil 4.
But I've heard very little about Star Ocean the Second Story R (Switch, Steam and PS4&5)... which is possibly the best rpg remake made to date. Currently at 96% on Steam after a couple thousand reviews.
The graphics and audio were completely redone, yes. But the system changes and modernizations list is vast, several pages of loving updates.
Most notably for pure innovation with the removal of random encounters in favor of visible enemy sprites, is a new Bodyguard talent.
This lets your other party members intercept and slay green (trivial) colored enemy sprites AND grants some experience and money for doing so.
This actively encourages backtracking and exploration by turning previously annoying low level fights into a valuable passive resource.
I'd recommend this game even to people who don't love rpgs. The active action combat and deep crafting/upgrade systems reward you more the deeper you engage with them... but are fairly optional on the lowest difficulty level.
Technically not the besties but Griffin talked about point and click games on Wonderful and I wanted to suggest the rusty lake/cube escape games, all point and click games all just a special kind of weird and a new game came out like a month ago. For starting point I suggest either the cube escape collection or rusty lake hotel both are avaliable on steam and most phones if I remember correctly.
Hey y'all, great episode! Totally agree Scavengers Reign is one of the best sci-fi shows ever. I want to recommend watching some short films by the showrunners, namely Sean Buckelew's 'Drone', Joseph Bennett's 'Jay', and Charles Huettner's 'The Jump', which are all great.
Thanks to y’all (and the question-asker) for mentioning libraries!
Come in, get a free card, and check a few things out (either physical media or free ebooks on Libby). It helps us stay open for those who NEED our services (which is a big number, despite what the hilarious people who claim we’re obsolete might say). Most libraries have more to offer than you would probably expect! Yes! Including video games in many cases :)
And yeah, this year has been NUTS for video games. To have a year where a mainline Zelda game might not win the GOTY? You KNOW we’ve been spoiled. Livin like kings.
👏👏👏 I also work for the public library and came here to say the same sentiment!! Our system acts as a resource center, sanctuary, and some as shelters providing so many workaround services needed and lacking otherwise in state institutions, unfortunately. Also so many amazing, fun things you might not think of - here you can check out state and National park passes, wifi hotspots, and get free entry to most museums just to name a few. There’s also Kanopy streaming with free streams and superb content! Get your card, hang out and support libraries please! ❤️
Just wanted to express my appreciation for not only Besties as a whole, but this episode in particular; With it being Black Friday today, I was at work at 3:45 in the morning and had to get things ready before opening, and having this podcast to listen to while I worked was delightful. Also, working at a video game retailer, I feel so much more informed on the new games after I've listened to the newest Besties episode. Thanks for everything you do, Besties!
<3 <3 <3 !
Hey Besties! Great episode, loved hearing Felicia as a guest.
For next week's indie roundup I need NEED y'all to check out Void Stranger by System Erasure. It's a Sokoban style puzzle game with an insane amount of depth, story, challenge, and secrets. It takes and evolves simple mechanics into tough puzzles with some really cool meta mechanics. With gorgeous art and addictive gameplay it shouldn't be missed! My friend and I played it earlier this year and found it to be one of the most enrapturing games we've ever played. Spending many late nights writing out lore documents and sharing thoughts on gameplay. Thanks for all y'all do for my entertainment! Happy Holidays!
For indies, y'all should check out Slay the Princess!
For the indie game discussion next week: Lil Gator Game is my GOTY by a pretty solid margin. Gameplay wise it's basically A Short Hike-like, but in full third person 3D eith BOTW mechanics but the story is the main strength in my opinion. A fantastic story about growing up, game design, friendship, it's wonderful.
First, appreciate you guys and happy Thanksgiving.
Second, re: bonus links-- I'd never seen the original trailers for TPM. My reactions are basically two things (not trying to litigate the prequels people! Just these trailers)
1. The trailer, visually, looks fucking great. If I were a 90s movie goer I would be stoked. Forgot how colorful TPM was and the trailer editing really adds dynamism to the shots.
2. It is insane that after these trailers were cut, nobody at the studio left a note like "hey, should we have anyone say 'thank you, Obi-Wan' or 'look out, Obi-Wan' or in any way indicate who our protagonist is?" Ewan McGregor is never identified as Obi-Wan at all! Anakin is unidentified and gets like 3 seconds of trailer! The only connective tissue in this trailer to the Star Wars people would know was a couple half-second shots of R2/C3PO, Yoda, and a hologram of the Emperor. If I were a contemporary audience member I would be totally confused, and I feel like nowadays studios would never let a trailer for a major IP like star wars be so coy about its connections to the property.
For anyone older than me (27) who did see these trailers in theaters -- did other marketing better explain what the hell this movie was about?
I don't recall many of the early trailers for TPM being more descriptive than this one, especially about specific characters. A lot of the advertising that I recall was what Nick Stockton said, "New Star Wars movies!" Some of the later (closer to release date) trailers had a more name drops (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bD7bpG-zDJQ)
If I recall, some of the first teasers for The Force Awakens was similar in that there were a lot of shots of specific characters without giving any context of the story or who the characters actually were.
I was around 18 when the prequels came out, and the marketing was insane. I don't remember if any of it actually explained what the plot was, but it definitely didn't matter. The only thing that mattered was "New Star Wars movies."
Thankful for you all. Much love. Happy holidays!
For the indie game discussion next week, I absolutely need to recommend In Stars and Time! It’s a time looping rpg game that just came out but man its artstyle, music, and battle system absolutely has me captivated. It also has such an amazing story and is overall just a charming game! Can’t recommend it enough.
The people need to know:
Has Frush ever been to a ska show?
Pickitup pickitup pickitup!!
Hey, guys! A couple things I hope are on your radar for the Indie show:
1. Cobalt Core. If you appreciate Slay the Spire or Monster Train, check out how this game applies deep deck-building strategy to spaceship battles. If you DON'T appreciate StS or MT, check out how this game oozes tons of charm and character that dry old deck-builders pretty much never have.
2. A Highland Song. Well, this isn't out until early December, but I played it as a judge in the IGF competition, and I think it's worth keeping an eye out for. This is Inkle's latest, and it's about place and exploration and getting lost and finding your way again.
Also, please don't forget about The Making of Karateka in your GOTY discussions! I know it's weird to put it in the mix with regular games, but I think it was one of the most important releases this year and incredibly well made.
Cobalt Core is so good!!
Such a great email, and when do you ever say that?!
Please talk about Bomb Rush Cyberfunk! Would love to hear your thoughts on an indie attempt to recreate the JSR magic.
If you guys are looking for some indie games under 20$ that flew under the radar check out:
Cobalt Core -- A deck building roguelike that feels like slay the spire meets FTL. Might be my personal GOTY
Boneraiser Minions -- A game in the style of Vampire survivors, but with some choices that makes it stand out
Moonstone Island -- Imagine you took Stardew Valley and added Pokémon to it but the battles play out like Slay the Spire.
I figure that the besties might like some of these games, but haven't heard mention of them on the podcast. There are so many games out this year I'm sure we all are going to miss a few so I wanted to highlight some of the ones I had fun with.
P.S. I love my local library. Can confirm they have video games and also board games. Essentially they have a library of things; instruments, tools, games, ect that you can "rent" for free with your library card
Besties,
This year had several of what Kirk Hamilton described as 'Super Turbo Remake Plus' games like Dead Space and the Resident Evil 4.
But I've heard very little about Star Ocean the Second Story R (Switch, Steam and PS4&5)... which is possibly the best rpg remake made to date. Currently at 96% on Steam after a couple thousand reviews.
The graphics and audio were completely redone, yes. But the system changes and modernizations list is vast, several pages of loving updates.
Most notably for pure innovation with the removal of random encounters in favor of visible enemy sprites, is a new Bodyguard talent.
This lets your other party members intercept and slay green (trivial) colored enemy sprites AND grants some experience and money for doing so.
This actively encourages backtracking and exploration by turning previously annoying low level fights into a valuable passive resource.
I'd recommend this game even to people who don't love rpgs. The active action combat and deep crafting/upgrade systems reward you more the deeper you engage with them... but are fairly optional on the lowest difficulty level.
Thanks for the show,
Fosley
Technically not the besties but Griffin talked about point and click games on Wonderful and I wanted to suggest the rusty lake/cube escape games, all point and click games all just a special kind of weird and a new game came out like a month ago. For starting point I suggest either the cube escape collection or rusty lake hotel both are avaliable on steam and most phones if I remember correctly.
Seconding the Rusty Lake games!
Hey y'all, great episode! Totally agree Scavengers Reign is one of the best sci-fi shows ever. I want to recommend watching some short films by the showrunners, namely Sean Buckelew's 'Drone', Joseph Bennett's 'Jay', and Charles Huettner's 'The Jump', which are all great.