Kinda Funny Games Daily [09.24.25] – Final Fantasy Tactics Remake: Another GOTY Contender?!

Date: September 24, 2025
Hosts: Blessing Adeoye Jr., Roger, Barrett, Tim Gettys, Greg Miller
Main Focus: The Final Fantasy Tactics: Evelys Chronicles remake reviews and its GOTY buzz, plus major Yakuza news, Borderlands 4 delay, and fresh Pokémon ZA impressions.

Episode Overview

This episode delivers reactions to the newly released reviews for Final Fantasy Tactics: Evelys Chronicles, lively discussion of the franchise’s relevance, and open speculation about it as a new Game of the Year contender. Other main headlines include big Yakuza franchise updates from the RGG Summit, an unfortunate last-minute delay for Borderlands 4 on Switch 2, and Tim Gettys’ exclusive hands-on preview with Pokémon ZA. The cast also chats about Gang Fantasy Critic league dramas, State of Play hype, office food orders, and some rapid-fire news from Tokyo Game Show week.

Key Discussion Points

1. Final Fantasy Tactics: Evelys Chronicles – Reviews & Hype

[10:30 - 18:42]

• Review Roundup: Sitting at an 88 on Metacritic and OpenCritic.
• IGN, Nintendo Life, and Forbes all award it 9/10, praising its dramatic story, classic tactical combat, and thoughtful quality-of-life improvements, but noting minor cut content and remaining endgame imbalances.
  • IGN, Ronnie Barrier:

  "The next time I come back to replay my all-time favorite video game, Final Fantasy Tactics the Evelys Chronicles is the version I'll be reaching for." ([16:12])

• “Is it now a GOTY contender?”
  • Blessing confesses his surprise at the critical praise:

    "Goddamn, Roger. He was right all along. The streets love it. The reviewers, they're nerds." ([03:00])

  • Roger, a self-professed Tactics superfan, feels vindicated after drafting it in Fantasy Critic.
• On the Remake’s Choices:
  • Some content from the PSP's War of the Lions is absent in this version, but reviewers say it doesn't dramatically affect enjoyment.
  • The addition of full voice acting is considered a major upgrade, bridging the gap for newcomers who may have been put off by the original's “1990s creakiness.”
  • Blessing notes lingering doubts about the “non-HD2D” art style, but overall excitement as reviews pour in.
• Thematic Relevance:
  • Barrett highlights Rolling Stone’s take on the game’s story:

    "Tactics' message feels more applicable to life in America than any other game this year. ...Resistance in the face of oppression isn't just possible, but vital." ([19:06])

• How Long to Beat?
  • Estimated at ~39 hours for main story ([19:02]).

2. Fantasy Critic League Banter

[11:01 - 13:54]

• Roger is confident his team will hit over 100 points, especially with picks like Ball Pit (an upcoming breakout roguelike).
• Blessing frets over games without release dates (Mixtape, Possessors) and discusses drop/pickup strategies.

3. Yakuza (Like a Dragon) Franchise News

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties Expansion

[23:45 - 26:36]

• The long-awaited Yakuza Kiwami 3 (remake of Yakuza 3) is launching with a new prequel expansion, Dark Ties, on Feb 12, 2026, hitting all major platforms.
  • Dark Ties places players in the shoes of series antagonist Yoshitaka Mine, offering a fresh entry point for newcomers.
  • Roger:

    "Any time we have an entry point into the franchise that is not just Zero, I think it's for the better. Dark Ties being included here, huge surprise and really exciting." ([26:36])

• Kiwami 3 modernizes combat, graphics, and even team battle mechanics.

Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut & Kiwami/Kiwami 2 Coming to PS5/Xbox/Steam

[26:36 - 29:46]

• Enhanced versions drop in November (Switch 2) and December (other platforms), bringing the full modern Yakuza experience across the board for new fans.
• Showy RGG Summit presentation format gets praise:
  • "It's just the coolest people in the world. Like red lighting ... recording this in some type of sake lounge." ([28:03])
• Roger is hyped to play Yakuza 3 for the first time in this updated form.

4. Borderlands 4 Delayed on Switch 2

[35:27 - 38:33]

• The Switch 2 release is indefinitely delayed one week before launch due to performance and polish issues.
  • Statement from Gearbox:

    "We do not take this decision lightly, but are committed to ensuring we deliver the best possible experience ... our hope is to also better align this release with the addition of cross saves." ([36:23])

• Panel speculates on possible technical disasters and poor pre-orders.

5. Pokémon ZA – Tim’s Extended Hands-on Impressions

[39:01 - 48:05]

• Tim reports in after an exclusive hour-long hands-on in Paris.
• Pokémon ZA’s new real-time battle system is faster, deeper, and harder than classic turn-based games.
  • "If you just button mash, you're gonna lose. The wild Pokémon are using more status moves than I would have expected… than I’ve even really experienced in a Pokémon game in 30 years." ([42:12])
• “Za Royale” competitive mode and challenging wild encounters (e.g., a Houndoom protecting its pups that chased and defeated Tim’s team):

  "There was a fear, Bless. When this thing started running at me, I'm like, you’re way too fast for me right now." ([43:48])

• Visuals & World:
  • Tim doesn’t love the art direction:

    "I really don't like the look of it. And this didn't sway me..." ([46:55])

  • Parisian setting: City’s buildings all look the same—a realistic detail but potentially a bad gameplay decision.
• Overall impression: More challenging and innovative than expected—a “genuine new mold” for the franchise.

6. Other Rapid-Fire News

• Mario Kart World Update ([49:01]): Open world collectible locations now shown on map, though only for those already collected; easier UFO encounters; still awaiting Donkey Kong DLC.
• Annapurna Announcements ([50:14]): 3 new games revealed, including “People of Note,” “Demi and the Fractured Dream,” and “Dtopia.”
• Stellar Blade Update ([50:49]): New quests and PC release incoming; Blessing and Roger debate the “just okay” quality of the game.

Memorable Quotes & Light Moments

• Office Banter:
  • On food for the State of Play stream:

    "We always do pizza. ...I think we should do it. It's just Chipotle." – Roger ([06:19])

  • Greg Miller recounts staff's absurd eating habits:

    "Mike also had three dinners that night..." ([07:29])

• Fantasy Critic:
  • Roger:

    "I have some heaters. I got some heaters." ([11:02])

• On OLED Screens:
  • Roger:

    "Switch 1 in general—just dead to me. Or a fuse." ([22:00])

• On Yakuza's new expansion Dark Ties:

  "This guy might be bad, and you're playing as him. It's solid stuff." – Roger ([31:05])

• State of Play Hype:
  • Tim:

    "Is today the day that we get Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3?" ([39:11])

• Pokémon ZA preview:

  "This game is not what you expect in a lot of ways...this ain’t your father’s Pokémon." – Tim Gettys ([40:33])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Final Fantasy Tactics Remake Reviews & Reactions: 10:30–18:42
• Fantasy Critic League Drama: 11:01–13:54
• Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties Announcement: 23:45–26:36
• Yakuza 0 Director's Cut to All Platforms: 26:36–29:46
• Borderlands 4 Switch 2 Delay: 35:27–38:33
• Pokémon ZA Hands-On Impressions: 39:01–48:05
• Mario Kart World Update & Annapurna News: 49:01–50:49
• Stellar Blade Update Banter: 50:49–52:48

Episode Tone

Fast-paced, irreverent, and comedic, the hosts blend in-depth analysis with running office jokes and pop culture references. The show maintains an energetic, passionate tone—unafraid of tangent debates (“Try to pitch that to Snowbike Mike and see if he …”), gaming hot takes, and light ribbing between friends.

Conclusion

Today’s episode highlighted how a thoughtful remake can recapture both nostalgia and new acclaim, with Final Fantasy Tactics: Evelys Chronicles looking like a real GOTY contender. As franchises like Yakuza and Pokémon boldly push forward, Kinda Funny keeps gamers on pulse—with humor, skepticism, and boundless hype.