Ep 8. Ren & Stimpy Fire Dogs

The episode titled Ren & Stimpy Fire Dogs is the eighth installment of the eighth season of the hit web series Angry Video Game Nerd. In this episode, famous game critic James Rolfe takes on one of the most bizarre games of all time - Ren & Stimpy Fire Dogs.

For those who are unfamiliar with the classic cartoon by John Kricfalusi, Ren & Stimpy follows the adventures of a psychotic chihuahua named Ren and a dimwitted cat named Stimpy. In this episode, the duo takes on the roles of firefighters trying to save a burning building. The objective of the game is to move Ren and Stimpy through various rooms of the house, putting out fires and rescuing trapped animals.

At first glance, the game seems like a relatively simple platformer. However, as James quickly discovers, the game is filled with frustrating glitches, terrible controls, and nonsensical level design. James spends much of the episode struggling to navigate through the game's various pitfalls, often taking breaks from the gameplay to rant about its many flaws.

Throughout the episode, James highlights some of the game's more infamous moments, including a level where Ren and Stimpy must avoid a series of flamethrowers and a section where they must put out a fire located inside a toilet. He also delves into the game's bizarre cutscenes, which feature voice acting that seems to have come straight from a fever dream.

As with many of the AVGN episodes, the highlight of Ren & Stimpy Fire Dogs is James' colorful commentary. He spares no expense in his critique of the game, often resorting to expletive-laden rants to describe his frustration. Nevertheless, his humor is spot on, and his observations are often insightful.

The episode also includes a few surprises, including a cameo from the actual voice of Stimpy, Billy West. West joins James for a brief interview, where he shares some behind-the-scenes stories from his time working on the classic cartoon series. Fans of Ren & Stimpy will undoubtedly appreciate this nod to the show's legacy.

Overall, Ren & Stimpy Fire Dogs is a must-watch episode for fans of both the Angry Video Game Nerd and Ren & Stimpy. James' humor and insights are as sharp as ever, and watching him try to navigate through the game's many flaws is both hilarious and maddening. This episode is a fitting tribute to one of the weirdest games of all time and a reminder of just how far video game design has come.