Raindrops on roses and pizza with cheese, here's what we both love about RPGs.

Longest title of a game ever, eh? Today, Sam tries to convince all y'all to play Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition (also, the Switch 2 Upgrade version).

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Today Sam tries to convince YOU, the listener, to play the 2025 hit game: Hades 2! Will you play it?!

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This was a hard list to come up with, and we will probably do this episode again in the future with brand new rankings, but here you go: our favorite video game soundtracks!

Today, Sam tries to convince DJ to play Metal Slug Tactics. Also, he tells us the difference between a slug and a snail.

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The boys went to Japan and discuss all of the nifty video game things they did there.

Also, apologies for Sam's audio!

Happy Halloween, besties! Today, the boys talk about some spooky RPGs that you can play during this scary Halloween season!

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Today, DJ tries his hand at convincing Sam to play the latest Falcom hit: Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter (Demo!)

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Sam convinces DJ to play Clair Obscur (spoiler: it wasn't hard, and he needed pretty much no convincing, but now he has no excuse not to play it).

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Today the boys talk about THE CUTEST LITTLE FUZZY ANIMAL FRIENDS THAT EVER DID EXIST. #cutevibes

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The besties review Lunar, the game DJ has literally been begging Sam to play since the beginning of the podcast. How does he feel about it? Tune in to find out!

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What?! A bonus episode without DJ (sad)! Check out Sam's mini episode :)

Today Sam and DJ discuss the demo for the upcoming survival horror sci-fi RPG: Parasite Mutant!

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Today the besties discuss some games that they feel deserve a sequel, or in some cases, another sequel!

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Yoooooo! The boys want to play some strategy/tactical RPGs, so today they talk about some of those games that have piqued their interest.

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Also, here's the book DJ was talking about:

https://www.bitmapbooks.com/products/a-guide-to-japanese-role-playing-games?srsltid=AfmBOoqkhC8iMtI5K7oZ5-R6SAzW1TGmouunXndkWzew4MQT468VDehW

Hey loser! Get in the car with Sam and DJ as they discuss this wonderful little gem: Get in the Car, Loser!

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DJ tries his hand at convincing Sam to play a controversial classic: Final Fantasy VIII! Does he succeed?

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The boys get down with the bad selves and talk about their favorite villains!

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The boys are back and talk about the first game of the remastered Suikoden duology. Also, DJ tries ASMR.

Sam once again tries to convince DJ to play a game that doesn't really seem up his alley! Will he succeed? Maybe!

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Sam & Deej react to the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, but a day late because they are busy lol.

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The boys talk about Phantasy Star IV today, and then Sam gives DJ a quiz about words that have "ph" in them. Fun for the whole family!

We are back with another RANKING episode! Can you guess our top 5 favorite healers?!

Sam talks about how you can rub plants on yourself to cure wounds.

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Sam and DJ surprise each other with different groups of RPG characters, and they have to decide in real time whether or not they'd rather: marry the character, flirt with them, or bring their HP down to zero!

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We're back! Continuing our "Space Opera" RPG trend and reviewing the fantastic indie game: Beyond Galaxyland! Incredible music, gameplay, and characters! What more could you ask for?!

Sam also tells us about guinea pigs.

Whoa! First interview on the pod, and it is with the most rad Sam Enright, the creator and developer of Beyond Galaxyland. After you listen to this episode, be sure you go and download Beyond Galaxyland and play it! Available on:  PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One!

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Today we get unhinged and talk about games for 2025! Big fun!

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Sam & DJ deep dive into the Switch 2 rumors circling the internet!

Also, we have a subreddit now. And many other social media things (OK, just Instagram and now also YouTube). Give us a follow!

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Don’t Cthu-lose out and miss this gem! In the final episode of season 1 of Turn-Based Besties, Sam & DJ talk about the Christmas classic: Cthulhu Saves Christmas!

Also, Sam talks about nutmeg poisoning. Bad, bad, bad!

References:

Nutmeg. Nutmeg - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics. (2024). https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/nutmeg

Whoa! Almost the end of season 1, and what way to (almost) end our first season than with a RANKING episode of our most favorite games we played in 2024!

PERIL! This week the Turn-Based Besties review the potential GOTY sensation: Metaphor ReFantazio!

Sam also teaches us his Crawly Sprawly song.

Also, learn about the "third eye" in our medical moment!

References: 

Clarinda N Sutanto, Wen Wei Loh, Jung Eun Kim, The impact of tryptophan supplementation on sleep quality: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression, Nutrition Reviews, Volume 80, Issue 2, February 2022, Pages 306–316, https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuab027

Patel S, Rahmani B, Gandhi J, Seyam O, Joshi G, Reid I, Smith NL, Waltzer WC, Khan SA. Revisiting the pineal gland: a review of calcification, masses, precocious puberty, and melatonin functions. Int J Neurosci. 2020 May;130(5):464-475. doi: 10.1080/00207454.2019.1692838. Epub 2020 Feb 25. PMID: 31714865.

Happy Halloween! This is the second of two spoooooky episodes this month! Sam and DJ discuss the RPG Costume Quest in this episode, and also talk about their own favorite costumes for Halloween.

Peem Peem!

DJ and Sam are back for the first of two spoooooooky RPGs for October! In this episode DJ proclaims his love for Parasite Eve and Sam tells you why it isn't his favorite game.

Sam also talks about the powerhouse of the cells: Welcome to the stage, Mitochondria!

Who has main character energy? Our top five list does! Check out these hot takes on our current favorite protagonists in an RPG!

What a wordy title! Especially since DJ thinks the title is "1000 Doors!" Anyway, listen to the boys chat about this classic RPG.

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Sam and DJ discuss a fan requested game: Fire Emblem the Blazing Blade on the GBA! Did the boys love this game (yes!). Would they play it again? (maybe!).

Also, Sam talks about why it is bad to get stabbed with a sword.

WHOA! A bonus episode?! You danged right! Sam and DJ react to all of the RPGs revealed at the Nintendo Direct from August 27th!

In this episode, Sam tries to convince DJ to play the smash hit Unicorn Overlord! Does he succeed?! Listen to find out!

Happy Pride Month from Turn-Based Besties! In today's episode, the boys discuss queerness in video games, give you a sampling of RPGs that have queer or queer coded characters in them, and even give suggestions on how to improve your allyship as you game!

Also, if you loved listening to us rattle off statistics, check out these fantastic articles for more in depth detail.

1. Shaw, A., Durkee, B., Cook, A., & Marra, T. (2024). (rep.). GLAAD Gaming: The State of LGBTQ Inclusion in Gaming. GLAAD. Retrieved June 2024, from https://assets.glaad.org/m/5ab9a335d607edcd/original/2024-GLAAD-Gaming-Report.pdf

2. Kline, K. (2024, February 29). A growing number of gamers are LGBTQ+, so why is representation still lacking?. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2024/02/29/1234590117/a-growing-number-of-gamers-are-lgbtq-so-why-is-representation-still-lacking#:~:text=Close%20to%201%20in%205%20American%20gamers%20identify,can%20join%20%E2%80%94%20common%20in%20multiplayer%2C%20team-based%20games. 

3. NBCUniversal News Group. (2024, February 13). Less than 2% of console video games have LGBTQ Representation, GLAAD report finds. NBCNews.com. https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/less-2-console-video-games-lgbtq-representation-glaad-report-finds-rcna138646 

4. Mejeur, C., & Ho, X. (2023, October 19). Queer lives are not side quests. Public Books. https://www.publicbooks.org/queer-representation-videogames/ 

5. Shaw, A., Lauteria, E., Yang, H., Persaud, C., & Cole, A. (2019). Counting Queerness in Games: Trends in LGBTQ Digital Game Representation, 1985‒2005. International Journal Of Communication, 13, 26. Retrieved from https://ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/view/9754

Another ranking episode! The TBB crew discuss their top five favorite rogues and thieves.

Sam continues the trend of liking redheaded women in video games.

DJ swears that dancers are rogues.

Also, follow us on IG @TurnBasedBesties

Grab those save frogs, work through that fever, pack your rope snake, and join us for an extended review of Mother 3!

Sam talks about mushrooms.

DJ stumbles over musical modes.

Fun!

Citations: 

1. Więckiewicz, G., Stokłosa, I., Piegza, M., Gorczyca, P., & Pudlo, R. (2021). Lysergic Acid Diethylamide, Psilocybin and Dimethyltryptamine in Depression Treatment: A Systematic Review. In Pharmaceuticals (Vol. 14, Issue 8, p. 793). MDPI AG. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph14080793

2. "Psilocybine". PubChem, US National Library of Medicine. August 27, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2022.

Surprise! We are starting a fun, new series in between video game reviews. RANKING! Listen as we each discuss our top 5 favorite RPG mages! Did we include your favorite? Or leave someone out? Let us know on Instagram @TurnBasedBesties

Folks, this is a LONG episode, but of course it is because we are talking about the Goliath game that is Persona 3 Reload! We chat in detail about the pros and the less than pros of this potential GOTY.

Sam also talks about what happens when you experience the Dark Hour.

Oh yeah: Follow us at @TurnBasedBesties on Instagram!

Turn-based Besties, during our ‘medical moment’, is solely for fun and educational purposes. Anything discussed on the show is not meant to diagnose or treat medical conditions. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should always ask your medical providers about potential health concerns. We are a video game podcast. We are not a medical podcast. Now, enjoy the episode!

References: 

1. Cordani R, Lopez R, Barateau L, Chenini S, Nobili L, Dauvilliers Y. Somnambulism. Sleep Med Clin. 2024 Mar;19(1):43-54. doi: 10.1016/j.jsmc.2023.10.001. Epub 2023 Nov 2. PMID: 38368068

2. Arnulf, Isabelle. Sleepwalking. 2018. Current Biology. Volume 28, Issue 22. Https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2018.09.062 

Welcome to our first ever "Frankenstein" episode, where we both review a different game, and then talk about why we didn't like and/or finish the game the other one reviewed. Sound confusing? Great!

Also, professor Sam gets all Futurama on us when he talks about cryogenics!

Double also: follow our buddies on Youtube over at Crunchy Cozy Games:

https://www.youtube.com/@CrunchyCozyGames

References: 

1. Hillenbrink R, Wareham CSMourning the frozen: considering the relational implications of cryonicsJournal of Medical Ethics Published Online First: 14 July 2023. doi: 10.1136/jme-2023-109237

2. Laurent A, Scaletta C, Abdel-Sayed P, Raffoul W, Hirt-Burri N, Applegate LA. Industrial Biotechnology Conservation Processes: Similarities with Natural Long-Term Preservation of Biological Organisms. BioTech. 2023; 12(1):15. https://doi.org/10.3390/biotech12010015

3. Mohr, S. M., Bagriantsev, S. N., & Gracheva, E. O. (2020). Cellular, molecular, and physiological adaptations of hibernation: the solution to environmental challenges. Annual review of cell and developmental biology, 36, 315-338.

4. Jiang C, Storey KB, Yang H, Sun L. Aestivation in Nature: Physiological Strategies and Evolutionary Adaptations in Hypometabolic States. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2023; 24(18):14093. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241814093

5. David L. Denlinger; Insect diapause: from a rich history to an exciting future. J Exp Biol 15 February 2023; 226 (4): jeb245329. doi: https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.245329

You asked for it, so we're delivering it! A review of the remake of the Super Famicom classic, Live A Live! Listen to us discuss our favorite characters and scenarios from this gem of a game, along with each of us gushing over how pretty the game looks and how fabulous the music sounds. Sam also talks about poison. Fun times!

Reference:

1. Jared, C., Luiz Mailho‐Fontana, P., & Maria Antoniazzi, M. (2021). Differences between poison and Venom: An attempt at an integrative biological approach. Acta Zoologica, 102(4), 337–350. https://doi.org/10.1111/azo.12375

BONUS EPISODE on Code Vein II!

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Want to know what games we are most looking forward to in 2024? Well, you've come to the right place! On today's episode, we discuss some of the games we are super pumped to play in 2024. Did we miss any? Any games you think we'd love to play that we didn't mention?! Let us know!

Also, Sam explores video game characters with two different colored eyes and what that exactly means!

1. professional, C. C. medical. (n.d.). Heterochromia: What to know about eyes that are different colors. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/25112-heterochromia

2. Prota G, Hu DN, Vincensi MR, McCormick SA, Napolitano A (September 1998). "Characterization of melanins in human irides and cultured uveal melanocytes from eyes of different colors". Experimental Eye Research. 67 (3): 293–9.

3. White, D., Rabago-Smith, M. Genotype–phenotype associations and human eye color. J Hum Genet 56, 5–7 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/jhg.2010.126

We're baaaack with episode 2 of Turn-Based Besties, and today we are diving right into our top three games of 2023. Note, these will be our personal favorite games we played in 2023, not necessarily games that were released in 2023 (because we know DJ likes his retro and indie games).

We will also be trying out a new segment called "Medical Moment" with Sam, as he discusses video games and certain illness or conditions that occur with a character. Disclaimer: we do not provide medical diagnoses, recommendations, treatment, etc.

Here's a brief reference list for you nerds out there ;)

References: 

1. Loewenstein, Richard. (2023). Dissociative amnesia: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, course, and diagnosis. Retrieved 1/14/2024, from https://www.uptodate.com/contents/dissociative-amnesia-epidemiology-pathogenesis-clinical-manifestations-course-and-diagnosis?search=amnesia&source=search_result&selectedTitle=2~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=2#

2. Lucas Alessandro, Mario Ricciardi, Hernán Chaves, Ricardo F. Allegri. Acute amnestic syndromes. Journal of the Neurological Sciences. Volume 413. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2020.116781.

3. Angelica Staniloiu, Hans J Markowitsch. Dissociative amnesia. The Lancet Psychiatry. Volume 1, Issue 3. 2014. Pages 226-241. ISSN 2215-0366. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(14)70279-2.

Want to know about Turn-Based Besties? Check out this trailer and if you like what you hear, why don't you join our party here at Turn-Based Besties!

Hi there! Welcome to Turn-Based Besties! A podcast where two dudes (Sam and DJ) pushing 40 chat about their favorite role playing video games. In this first episode, get to know a little bit about us first before we dive right into discussing the 1998 remake of Star Ocean The Second Story.

And if you love what you hear, give us a like and follow over on our Instagram account: @turnbasedbesties