Turn-Based Besties

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Welcome to Turn-Based Besties, a podcast where two grown adults with no free time talk about their favorite RPGs! There's DJ, a nearly 40 lifelong, casual but often persnickety gaymer who loves retro RPGs and is trying to get into newer RPGs. A professional opera singer who loves to nerd out over the combination of music and video games! And Sam, a mid 30s father of soon to be three who picked up gaming as an adult. A physician by day and gamer by night, his new eyes on old games warms DJ's heart! Theme music "Night Shade" by Adhesive Wombat. https://turnbasedbesties.my.canva.site

Turn-Based Besties


    • May 12, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 57m AVG DURATION
    • 30 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Turn-Based Besties

    Episode 28: Top 5 Baddies

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2025 48:42


    The boys get down with the bad selves and talk about their favorite villains! Also follow us on stuff:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/turnbasedbesties/Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TurnBasedBestiesPod/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@turnbasedbesties

    Episode 27: Suikoden I Review

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2025 49:05


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

    Episode 26: Convince Me to Play Monster Hunter Wilds

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2025 39:25


    Sam once again tries to convince DJ to play a game that doesn't really seem up his alley! Will he succeed? Maybe! Also follow us on stuff:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/turnbasedbesties/Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TurnBasedBestiesPod/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@turnbasedbesties

    Episode 25: Switch 2 Direct Reactions!

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2025 36:20


    Sam & Deej react to the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, but a day late because they are busy lol. Also follow us on stuff:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/turnbasedbesties/Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TurnBasedBestiesPod/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@turnbasedbesties

    Episode 24: Phantasy Star IV

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2025 56:49


    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!

    Episode 23: Top 5 Favorite Healers

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2025 54:38


    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. Also follow us on stuff:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/turnbasedbesties/Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TurnBasedBestiesPod/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@turnbasedbesties

    Episode 22: Review of Beyond Galaxyland

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2025 51:39


    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.

    Episode 21: Interview with Beyond Galaxyland Creator Sam Enright!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2025 69:58


    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! Also follow us on stuff: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/turnbasedbesties/ Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TurnBasedBestiesPod/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@turnbasedbesties

    Episode 20: Games We Are HYPED for in 2025!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2025 51:52


    Today we get unhinged and talk about games for 2025! Big fun! Also, follow us on things: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/turnbasedbesties/ Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TurnBasedBestiesPod/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@turnbasedbesties

    Episode 19: Switch 2 Rumors?!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2025 45:56


    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! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/turnbasedbesties/ Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TurnBasedBestiesPod/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@turnbasedbesties

    Episode 18: Cthulhu Saves Christmas!

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2024 45:41


    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

    christmas dj nutmeg cthulhu saves
    Episode 17: Top Games of 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2024 68:42


    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!

    Episode 16: Metaphor ReFantazio

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2024 66:58


    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.

    Episode 15: Costume Quest

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2024 38:42


    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!

    Episode 14: Parasite Eve

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2024 69:55


    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!

    Episode 13: Top 5 Main Characters

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2024 63:15


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

    Episode 12: Fire Emblem the Blazing Blade

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2024 55:55


    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.

    Bonus Episode: August 2024 Nintendo Direct Reaction

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2024 28:43


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

    Episode 11: Convince Me to Play Unicorn Overlord

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2024 65:15


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

    Episode 10: Queer Representation in RPGs

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2024 65:46


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

    Episode 9: Rogues, Tramps, and Thieves!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2024 72:44


    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

    Episode 8: Mother 3

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2024 95:09


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

    Episode 7: Top 5 RPG Mages

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2024 70:41


    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

    Episode 6: Persona 3 Reload

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2024 91:33


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

    Episode 5: Golden Sun meets Fire Emblem Engage?!

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2024 78:58


    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:  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 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 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. 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 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

    Episode 4: Live A Live

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2024 66:16


    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

    Episode 3: Games for 2024!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2024 69:16


    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

    Episode 2: Our Favorite Games of 2023

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2024 67:37


    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:  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# 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. 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.

    Turn-Based Besties: Trailer

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2024 4:10


    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!

    Episode 1: Star Ocean The Second Story R

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2024 46:49


    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

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