A pleasant surprise from listening to the Besties is the video game terminology I've picked up. "Metroidvania" and "Rogue-like" are words that come up often, but others like "the loop" and "save scumming" are other nuggets I've enjoyed learning about.
Question: Other than listening to your all's banter every week, what are some good books, podcasts, or movies/docs that would give a more comprehensive overview of this sort of essential video game lingo?
Suggestion: Could be a good topic for a Resties? I've really enjoyed the Required Reading List series and this could be in the same vein, i.e. as part of a video games 101 syllabus.
This B-segment marks entry into the besties’ “old man in a rocking chair” era. Just meandering through old titles as Justin reads letter grades aloud. I didn’t hate it! But next episode needs 30 minutes of kick flips and TikTok dances to show the whippersnappers you still got it.
Haha yeah. I thought it was an impressive display of knowledge, but it was completely unrelateable to me. That said, I did enjoy imagining how bad that one Spiderman game must be where it all takes place inside one building.
I picked up the Lost City of Z from my library yesterday since Flowers of Killer Moon has a waitlist 80 people deep (movie hype) and I have to say David Grann is a phenomenal writer. I love Jon Krakauer so this is right up my alley!
Question for everyone, including the handsome lads.
When a big game like Spiderman 2 comes out, do you have any rituals or special things you like to do to get into it? My plans for tonight are taking a few edibles (thank you Canada), getting a Little Caesars pizza, and vibing out with Spiderman 2 all evening.
I love this question. I haven't played a new game on release in ages, but I do have little rituals I go through whenever I know I have a free night coming up that I can sink into Hollow Knight or Slay the Spire. Usually involves pizza.
The end of the intro suggests that The Besties don't hear the theme song at the start of the podcast. Which is a shame, because that song friggen slaps. I searched in vain for a full length song version to use to pump me up during a workout.
Funny isnt it. If Justin and Griffin didn't do live shows where Montagne's theme plays as they walk on I also bet they'd forget if that was still their theme also.
I have always loved their theme song - both the original one and the current one. I would also love a full length version. I never fast forward through it.
I have never seen The Besties, I have only heard them. It's that same jarring sense that always accompanies disembodied voices or characters from a book suddenly being brought to life visually. NOT HOW I IMAGINED THEM! But when trying to articulate what I did imagine... I can't really do it.
Of note: Justin is actually incorrect about Ultimate Spider-man. Not only did it have free web swinging through an open city, you could also hulk jump through it as Venom. Man I loved that game
If yall are reading more scifi then you may enjoy the Locked Tomb series by Tamsyn Muir. It's a queer SFF tragedy with characters so lovable and detestable that you can't put it down, even when you have absolutely no idea what's going on because the plot is so complex. It destroyed my brain and I will never enjoy other books again because I love this series so much. Sorry in advance.
Looking forward to seeing how everyone feels about SMB: Wonder. Personally it's the first 2d Mario game I've enjoyed since New Super Mario Bros all the way back on the DS. Playing through that game with my siblings is a memory I really treasure and now I get to dip into this with my daughter and wife when I can pull them from Roblox and Baldur's Gate 3, respectively. Not to spoil the contents, but the second level is probably my new favorite Mario level, period. I was smiling ear-to-ear the entire time.
Griffin called the pizza theme from the Spider-Man 2 movie tie-in game the “worst song ever put in a videogame.” He obviously either has never heard or doesn’t remember THIS song from a different Spider-Man game. https://youtu.be/BjP2hLxUaKs?si=E_mWkxQAsP2S4rRr
Loved this week's episode. I don't have the time to play more than one or two big AAA games a year, so will probably never get to Spider-Man. As such, I really appreciate anecdote-rich episodes like today's that allow me to what it might be like to experience the gameplay first hand. Wow that reads as very depressing. My life is great! I just have kids!
Also: As y'all inevitably careen towards a B-segment on your favorite games for the spooky season, I'd like to nominate Darkwood. It is hands down the scariest game I've ever played, which is surprising because the perspective is top-down. I'm constantly surprised that this game hasn't had more of an impact, both culturally and on other games. If you have an hour or two to spare please check it out. I'd love to hear what you guys think.
Long time listener, first time caller.
A pleasant surprise from listening to the Besties is the video game terminology I've picked up. "Metroidvania" and "Rogue-like" are words that come up often, but others like "the loop" and "save scumming" are other nuggets I've enjoyed learning about.
Question: Other than listening to your all's banter every week, what are some good books, podcasts, or movies/docs that would give a more comprehensive overview of this sort of essential video game lingo?
Suggestion: Could be a good topic for a Resties? I've really enjoyed the Required Reading List series and this could be in the same vein, i.e. as part of a video games 101 syllabus.
Thanks for the laughs,
Duncan
great suggestion!
The boys look great!
Came here to say the glow up was reaaal
Haha yep, came to say that they weren't lying. Looking good, happy, healthy.
Also here to say how good the besties look. Not one of them hasn't glowed up with age.
Nerds hit their hotness primes in 30s and 40s, confirmed.
This B-segment marks entry into the besties’ “old man in a rocking chair” era. Just meandering through old titles as Justin reads letter grades aloud. I didn’t hate it! But next episode needs 30 minutes of kick flips and TikTok dances to show the whippersnappers you still got it.
Haha yeah. I thought it was an impressive display of knowledge, but it was completely unrelateable to me. That said, I did enjoy imagining how bad that one Spiderman game must be where it all takes place inside one building.
It’s clear they’ve all found their best haircut/facial hair combos
I picked up the Lost City of Z from my library yesterday since Flowers of Killer Moon has a waitlist 80 people deep (movie hype) and I have to say David Grann is a phenomenal writer. I love Jon Krakauer so this is right up my alley!
Question for everyone, including the handsome lads.
When a big game like Spiderman 2 comes out, do you have any rituals or special things you like to do to get into it? My plans for tonight are taking a few edibles (thank you Canada), getting a Little Caesars pizza, and vibing out with Spiderman 2 all evening.
I love this question. I haven't played a new game on release in ages, but I do have little rituals I go through whenever I know I have a free night coming up that I can sink into Hollow Knight or Slay the Spire. Usually involves pizza.
Yeah, pizza may not be the best for gaming what with greasy fingers and all that but it's my usual game night go to lol
hahaha I have this same thought every time I order pizza then rest my greasy fingers on WASD.
The end of the intro suggests that The Besties don't hear the theme song at the start of the podcast. Which is a shame, because that song friggen slaps. I searched in vain for a full length song version to use to pump me up during a workout.
Agree! The theme song is a certified banger.
Funny isnt it. If Justin and Griffin didn't do live shows where Montagne's theme plays as they walk on I also bet they'd forget if that was still their theme also.
I have always loved their theme song - both the original one and the current one. I would also love a full length version. I never fast forward through it.
I have never seen The Besties, I have only heard them. It's that same jarring sense that always accompanies disembodied voices or characters from a book suddenly being brought to life visually. NOT HOW I IMAGINED THEM! But when trying to articulate what I did imagine... I can't really do it.
This is very old but still holds up, especially the end: https://youtu.be/gn2HjIIwsEY
i <3 these fellas
Of note: Justin is actually incorrect about Ultimate Spider-man. Not only did it have free web swinging through an open city, you could also hulk jump through it as Venom. Man I loved that game
https://youtu.be/mpiJ9KBUYik?si=efBj7XFA5qXyAJ3y
If yall are reading more scifi then you may enjoy the Locked Tomb series by Tamsyn Muir. It's a queer SFF tragedy with characters so lovable and detestable that you can't put it down, even when you have absolutely no idea what's going on because the plot is so complex. It destroyed my brain and I will never enjoy other books again because I love this series so much. Sorry in advance.
Looking forward to seeing how everyone feels about SMB: Wonder. Personally it's the first 2d Mario game I've enjoyed since New Super Mario Bros all the way back on the DS. Playing through that game with my siblings is a memory I really treasure and now I get to dip into this with my daughter and wife when I can pull them from Roblox and Baldur's Gate 3, respectively. Not to spoil the contents, but the second level is probably my new favorite Mario level, period. I was smiling ear-to-ear the entire time.
Griffin called the pizza theme from the Spider-Man 2 movie tie-in game the “worst song ever put in a videogame.” He obviously either has never heard or doesn’t remember THIS song from a different Spider-Man game. https://youtu.be/BjP2hLxUaKs?si=E_mWkxQAsP2S4rRr
shoutouts to Coney on Twitch for recently doing a bracket of the worst songs in videogames and introducing me to some absolutely HORRENDOUS music
Y’all haven’t aged a bit!
SO happy to see you guys - especially together. ♥️
Loved this week's episode. I don't have the time to play more than one or two big AAA games a year, so will probably never get to Spider-Man. As such, I really appreciate anecdote-rich episodes like today's that allow me to what it might be like to experience the gameplay first hand. Wow that reads as very depressing. My life is great! I just have kids!
Also: As y'all inevitably careen towards a B-segment on your favorite games for the spooky season, I'd like to nominate Darkwood. It is hands down the scariest game I've ever played, which is surprising because the perspective is top-down. I'm constantly surprised that this game hasn't had more of an impact, both culturally and on other games. If you have an hour or two to spare please check it out. I'd love to hear what you guys think.