The Besties

What are the best games of 2021 at the year's midpoint? With Frushtick away, we agreed to create an unofficial Top 8. We revisited some of our favorite games from previous episodes and also turned to y'all for recommendations. You didn't disappoint, providing tons of cool indie surprises. From Resident Evil 8 to Clap Hanz Golf, these are the top candidates for Bestie 2021.

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!

In a grand confluence, we've got a major event in the gaming year, E3, matched with a legit game release, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart on PS5 (codes provided by Sony). Somehow we'll talk about the highs and lows of both of these major events in one absolutely stuffed episode. Get in here, people!

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!

Last week we narrowed down the the best Resident Evil games to the final four, and now we're having them duke it out. We've got some truly classic zombie gems going at it this week, and you won't guess what we decide! (Well, you might guess it. In the grand scheme of things there aren't that many options left. But act surprised.)

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!

With the fervor over Resident Evil Village, the gang gathers to figure out whether they can narrow down the very best Resident Evil game of all time. Sure, there's a lot of crud to sift through, but there's gold in these hills! And they're gonna buy shotgun upgrades with this gold!

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!

Now that we've entered the peak video game release season, it's time to dive into ... a Switch re-release of a 3DS exclusive featuring Hank Hill. Griffin, Russ, and Chris take a trip back in time to the early 2010s for some 3DS reminicence while discussing Miitopia on Nintendo Switch.

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!

With Frushtick on vacation, the gang shares some of their favorite games from the past couple months, including Subnautic: Below Zero, Nier Replicant, the Masst Effect remaster, and Clap Hanz Golf. If you've finished Resident Evil 8: Village and need something to play next, this episode is for you.

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 gang's all together to celebrate yet another actual video game release! Today we're diving into Resident Evil Village, with the first-half dedicated to first impressions and the second half diving into the first half of the game. We know, it's confusing. But at least the property values are low!

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!

This week we welcome back the long-wandering Griffin McElroy. And what a week it is! On the docket: two actual, major game releases, New Pokémon Snap and Returnal. They may be about as different as you could imagine, but they do both require you to play the same levels over and over again, so maybe not?

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!

We've narrowed it down to the final four, and now special guest Evan Narcisse (@EvNarc) has joined the club to decide the best GTA game of all time, between Vice City, San Andreas, GTA 4, and GTA 5. Four may enter but only one will leave.

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!

You find yourself in a city. Your only option? Crime! This week we have special guest Jordan Morris (@Jordan_Morris) filling in for Griffin as we attempt to tackle a tough question: What is the greatest Grand Theft Auto game of all time? And yes, the randomized bracket has returned with a vengeance!

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!

This week we're diving into Outriders, a game that sounds about as generic as is possible within the confines of the English language. And yet, we all think it's pretty damn fun! We also attempt to one-up its generic efforts with a new title of our own.

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!

Just when you thought it was safe to buy property in Kamura Village, all these monsters show up and wreck the joint! Justin and Russ team up after a last-minute bug fells Chris Plante (and Griffin deals with a new human child situation). Is this finally the Monster Hunter game to not make you hate Monster Hunter games? Hmm ... hard to say, but worth a shot!

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!

Who better to tackle a mandatory co-op game about divorce than the duo of Plante and Frushtick? The pair take on It Takes Two, the new release from the creators of A Way Out. And with Griffin out in preparation for a forthcoming child and Justin out because divorce makes him sad, it's a complete takeover!

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!

Just one more loop? The boys jump into the indie darling that's got the nation abuzz: Loop Hero. They also dive into some more review songs and explore whether Griffin and his computer are best friends.

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!

It's all down to this! We've narrowed down the greatest Zelda games of all time to a perfect 8, and now we've got to bring it all the way to number one. Sorry Link's Target Practice fans, this one is just for the big 'uns.

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!

We thought we'd take some time to dive into a very scientific study: What is the best Zelda game of all time? To determine this, we've started with all 16 main games and, well, stuck them in a randomized bracket for true chaos. We've got some spicy match-ups coming your way, so buckle up!

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!

After a week of total chaos, most of the boys from your favorite video game club are back, joined by special guest Elyse Willems of Rooster Teeth & Fun Haus fame. At issue this week: Super Mario 3D World and prescisely the right way to say the name Mario (which is still up for debate!).

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 gents hop into the scary and tiny world of Little Nightmares 2. They also explore the existential and impossible to answer questions of: Is Luigi's Mansion 3 a horror game, and can kites be scary?

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!

This week on The Besties, the gang is diving into some incredible Early Access games, including Teardown, Ender Lilies, Subnautica: Below Zero and Everspace 2. They also introduce a brand new listener appreciation segment that truly stretches the definition of music.

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!

You find yourself in an assassination gone wrong. All you have? A muffin. The boys journey into the World of Assassination with Hitman 3 this week, discovering whether they have what it takes to fill the mighty soles of Agent 47. Join them, won't you?

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!

January may not be known for a rollicking time for major new releases, but that's cool, we'll find a way to keep you busy! Today we dive into a bunch of games that you may have missed while you were busy trying to get Cyberpunk to not crash. 

A full rundown of all the games listed: Noita, MO:Astray, Death Stranding, Spiritfairer, Jackbox 7, and Call of the Sea. Also Griffin tries to make a prank phone call. 
 

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!

We're a bit late to the Cyberpunk 2077 party, but better late than never! Chris Plante will be back soon, but the world-renowned @RonFunches has stepped in to fill his shoes this week. Is Cyberpunk truly that heinous, or is it all a ruse? And can we possibly find a way to make hacking minigames fun? All will be revealed.

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 Besties gang are back for a brand new year, thanks for sticking with us! In today's episode, we'll each bring 3 games (ahem, Justin) that we're pumped about in the new year. We're talking Breath of the Wild 2, Resident Evil 8age, God of War Ragnanok, Hollow Knight Silksong, and much, much more.

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!

We’ve gone from 16 and we’re down to 8 of the best games of 2020. Now we’re going to cull down these sweet, adorable baby calves until there’s just one golden cow remaining for the year. The final eight are: Animal Crossing: NH, Paradise Killer, Among Us, Ori 2, Spelunky 2, Monster Train, Kentucky Route Zero, and Hades.

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!

It’s all been building to this! The boys come together with 16 games duking it out for the best games of 2020 (including 4 listener selections!). Who will live? Who will die? Who will cry? There’s only one way to find out! For the full bracket, check out TheBestiesPod on Twitter.

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 boys brave the fetid swamps and fiery dragons of the prettiest dang PS5 game around, Demon's Souls. Will they survive the Valley of Defilement? Will they find a lovely two bedroom in the Tower of Latria? Only one way to find out!

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 new console launches continue with the debut of the PlayStation 5! The Besties break down all the upgraded design features including the incredible DualSense controller.

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!

Just days after the official launch of the Xbox Series X, the gang offers a comprehensive evaluation including how this generational leap compared to the last and upcoming exclusives. Then they enter the Animus and are transported back to the age of Vikings with their review of the new Assassin's Creed Valhalla.

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 Besties rode on a drone and hacked their way into the mainframe for this week’s new game: Watch Dogs: Legion! They discuss the impressive open world design of the futuristic post-Brexit London. Critique the play as any character feature. And question if a game release has ever been less fit for the moment? Plus, their review of The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope.

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!

Huge news! Russ previews the new sizable PS5 including demonstrating its eject. Then the gang reviews the visual novel real-time strategy game 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim.

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!

It's October so it must be time to give you the straight up willies. The Besties dive into Twitch phenomenon Phasmophobia, and Justin burns matches in Amnesia: Rebirth. We also explore some of our favorite scary games from throughout history. Join us ... unless you're scared? To be honest, we kinda are.

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 Besties have gathered at the digital tabletop to review Larian Studios’ recent launch in early access to Baldur's Gate 3! Plus, Chris gives an in-depth report on the Xbox Series X!

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!

This week's topic of discussion is the new Star Wars: Squadrons! Together the Besties unpack the lineage of Star Wars flight games. Offer positive reviews for the multiplayer mode. And explore how the game expands into the franchise’s extended universe like never before. Plus, offer up some recent releases they’re playing and answer the fan submitted question of which spacecraft they would eat if forced to?

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!

Join the Besties in their quest of the underworld with 2020’s Hades. They explore the incredibly designed and nuanced gameplay. Discuss the mythological themes. And cannot ignore the fact that all of the characters are very hot. Plus, special guest New York Giraffe discusses their goal to become the God of West 23rd Street!

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 gang reviews the sequel to the 2008 original, Spelunky 2. Discuss the recent pre-order madness. Explore Microsoft’s acquisition of game publisher Bethesda Softworks for $7.5 billion. And check in on the state of the console wars.

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 iconic skateboarding game is back and newly remastered, my dudes! Animation writer and director, Miles Luna, joins The Besties this week to discuss Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2! They explore the influence of the original 1999 release, play Tony Hawk's Pro Skater trivia, and review the improvements and new features. Plus they discuss the updated soundtrack and come up with their own EPIC original tricks!

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!

This week the boys offer an in-depth review of the new Marvel's Avengers! They examine the original storyline with Kamala Khan aka Ms. Marvel at the center of the story. Discuss the similarities of the multiplayer gameplay with the Destiny series. And breakdown the upcoming releases of the Xbox Series X and the recently announced Xbox Series S.

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 Besties let the listeners decide what games to discuss this week. So hope you're all happy! First, Griffin offers a lackluster review of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered. Then the gang tackles Madden NFL 21, the recent release from the long-running franchise. And finally, they examine the twisted post-apocalyptic RPG Wasteland 3.

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!

Join the gang in the virtual cockpit as they fly through the new Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020! Together, they examine the pros and cons of the ultra realistic gameplay and discuss exploring the Earth with the live streaming map technology. Plus, Griffin, Justin and Chris show off their newly learned piloting skills while Russ demonstrates his grasp of altitude.

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!

Join the Besties’ quest through Rogue Legacy 2, which is now available in early access on Steam. Plus, they offer other titles to check out like Heroes of Hammerwatch. And read fan mail which includes an in-depth look into what Russ has done with all his muscle money.

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!

In this episode of The Besties, the boys review the hit online multiplayer battle royale Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout. Plus, pitch their own Fall Guys mini games based on other existing games shows. And answer listener-submitted questions including what other genres, specific games or franchises would they want to have a battle royale mode added to?

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!

Sometimes the worst games do have some redeeming qualities. This week, the gang looks at the best game mechanics, unique story ideas, console technology integration featured in sub-par releases over the years.

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 Besties recommend some of their favorite games that have come out this summer, including Carrion, The Under Presents, Zach Gage’s Good Sudoku, the updated Noita, and more! Plus, they discuss what upcoming releases they are excited for in the rest of 2020.

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!

This week The Besties take a critical look at Paper Mario: The Origami King, the sixth installment of the Mario Paper series, and explore which power-up items in the Mario franchise they genuinely would want to eat. Plus, they read fan letters and answer who is the better Doctor: Mario or Waluigi? If you’d like to contact the show please reach out to mail@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!

The gang reviews Ghost of Tsushima, the recently released open world action-adventure game set in 13th century feudal Japan. Topics include the Samurai code of honor, the sometimes glacial story pacing, the design of the "Kurosawa mode" and the lackluster mini games. Early copies of Ghost of Tsushima were provided by Sony.

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!

In honor of National Video Game Day, The Besties decide the best new console of 2020: the PlayStation 5 vs. Xbox Series X! Using a highly advanced voting system they weighed the tech specs, upcoming video game releases, pricing, and announce their winner. May the best console win.

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!

*SPOILER ALERT* This week’s episode goes all-in on The Last of Us Part II and leaves no virtual corpse unturned. Together, The Besties break down the plot, discuss the controversy and explore in-depth the failings of this game’s bleak view on justice.

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 Besties kick off a two-part series on The Last of Us Part II with a no spoilers episode. They explore the punishing gameplay, consider the pleasure of headshotting infected pseudo-zombies, and explain the trouble with scavenging Seattle for dirty bandages. Plus, they compete in a zombie apocalypse RPG that tests the gang’s survival skills. 

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!

That's right Justin absolutely lives for the compilation Clubhouse Games on Nintendo Switch. He can’t get enough of the 51 classic board games, card games, sports stuff and even a piano keyboard! Somehow they manage to shift gears and also discuss the Playstation 5 box design aesthetics and answer fan mail. But it wasn’t easy to stop Justin from talkin’ club.

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 gang reviews Super Mario Galaxy and picks their best game of the 2007 mini-series. Plus, Uncle Jake Nintendo Plante makes a special appearance to ask for the next great Mario spinoff?

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!