Kinda Funny Games Daily: Video Games News Podcast
Episode: We Played Assassin’s Creed Shadows (Our Impressions)
Release Date: January 23, 2025
Hosts: Greg “GameOverGreggy” Miller, Tim Gettys, Blessing Adeoye Jr., alongside guests Barrett Courtney and others.

1. Episode Overview

In this episode of Kinda Funny Games Daily, the hosts delve deep into their recent experiences with Assassin’s Creed Shadows, discuss the disappointing news surrounding the cancellation of Earthblade by Extremely Okay Games, and analyze the underperformance of Dragon Age: The Veil Guard. Additionally, they touch upon various other industry news items, including Xbox Developer Direct highlights and updates from other game developers.

2. Xbox Developer Direct Anticipation

Blessing Adeoye Jr. (01:52) and Greg Miller (02:16) express their excitement for the upcoming Xbox Developer Direct event. Blessing speculates about potential announcements, including the possibility of a new JRPG franchise, while Greg reminisces about the traditional E3 reveal excitement now transformed into more frequent, mini-reveals throughout the year. They emphasize their eagerness to discover new game announcements and innovations directly from developers.

Blessing Adeoye Jr. (01:52): “I think there’s a question mark on there that people are saying could be some kind of like JRPG franchise...”

Greg Miller (02:16): “I'm super excited about that. So it’s good to get in here, have that vibe, have that energy to it.”

3. In-Depth Review: Assassin’s Creed Shadows

The primary focus of the episode centers on the hosts' impressions after playing Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Joined by guest Barrett Courtney, an avid Assassin’s Creed fan, they dissect their experiences with the game’s narrative, gameplay mechanics, and overall execution.

a. Narrative and Setting

Barrett Courtney (10:32) highlights the game's setting in Feudal Japan, a long-requested environment by fans, drawing comparisons to Ghost of Tsushima. He appreciates the dual protagonist approach with Yasuke and Naoe, anticipating how their differing backgrounds will influence gameplay and story dynamics.

Barrett Courtney (10:32): “Feudal Japan has been something the fans have been asking for for a long time and that we're finally getting it, which is very exciting.”

Greg Miller (13:29) praises the game’s prologue for its engaging narrative, likening it to a samurai film, which sets a strong foundation for character development.

Greg Miller (13:29): “The prologue we played...was so engaging and so well done. It feels like a samurai film.”

b. Gameplay Mechanics

The hosts discuss the RPG elements introduced in Shadows, including distinct skill trees for each character and the ability to switch between protagonists during missions. They note that while the stealth mechanics remain true to classic Assassin’s Creed titles, the combat feels more robust and character-driven.

Barrett Courtney (19:37): “The combat feels fine. Yeah, it doesn't feel any different from...”

Greg Miller (28:03): “As somebody who loves being the assassin, how much I like being Yasuke...”

c. Criticisms and Concerns

Despite the positives, the hosts express concerns about the game’s pacing and mission design, particularly the abrupt jump to later levels without sufficient narrative buildup. Greg Miller (17:22) mentions feeling disconnected from the storyline due to this pacing.

Greg Miller (17:22): “It's Assassin's Creed. It was going and doing this thing and it was doing this thing...”

Blessing Adeoye Jr. (16:30) draws parallels to Rise of the Ronin, questioning whether Shadows will maintain narrative coherence or suffer from being "too interesting," potentially leading to a disjointed experience.

Blessing Adeoye Jr. (16:30): “Sometimes you see games where it's like, this seems fresh and like different, but also kind of inspired.”

4. Heartbreaking News: Cancellation of Earthblade

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the cancellation of Earthblade by Extremely Okay Games, the studio behind beloved titles like Celeste and Towerfall. The hosts read and react to the heartfelt cancellation announcement, highlighting the struggles the small development team faced.

Greg Miller (35:13) shares the detailed cancellation letter, explaining internal conflicts over IP rights and the immense pressure following Celeste's success. The letter emphasizes the decision to return to smaller-scale projects to regain creative joy.

Greg Miller (35:13): “We gave it all we've got and life goes on. We are happy to return to our roots and reclaim some joy in our creative process.”

Blessing Adeoye Jr. (39:30) reflects on the emotional impact of the cancellation, drawing analogies to a "sophomore slump" and applauding the team's decision to prioritize their well-being over a troubled project.

Blessing Adeoye Jr. (39:30): “It's a junior jumble... They’re in a place where they're like, stop. This isn't working out.”

5. Dragon Age: The Veil Guard’s Underperformance

The hosts analyze the disappointing sales figures for Dragon Age: The Veil Guard, which sold 1.5 million copies in its first two months, falling short of EA's expectations by nearly 50%. Rebecca Valentine from IGN reports on EA's revised fiscal outlook, attributing the slump to underperformance in both EA Sports and Dragon Age titles.

Rebecca Valentine (@ign.com) (43:06): “Dragon Age the Veil Guard has sold 1.5 million...”

Greg Miller (44:31) criticizes EA's lofty sales expectations, considering 1.5 million as respectable but insufficient for a giant like EA.

Greg Miller (44:31): “This game sold well at launch. 1.5 million. Nothing is, you know, poo poo.”

6. Additional Industry News

a. Pocket Pair Ventures into Publishing

Ryan Dinsdale from IGN reports that Pocket Pair, known for Palworld, is expanding into the publishing sector to support new titles like Tales of Kinzera by Surgeon Studios. This move aims to provide financial backing and resources to studios facing challenges.

Ryan Dinsdale (@ign.com) (45:30): “Fueling new horror projects with fresh publishing support.”

b. Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 3’s Platform Assurance

Addressing fan concerns, the producer clarifies that Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 3 will not be a PlayStation 6 exclusive, ensuring that the game remains accessible across multiple platforms.

Blessing Adeoye Jr. (46:18): “Fans are wondering if this game is gonna be a PS6 exclusive. He was basically like, it’s not gonna be.”

c. WE News Updates

The hosts share lighter news from their WE News segment, including Kumail Nanjiani being cast in Fallout Season Two and the release date for the Pokémon Trading Card Game: Pocket Space Time Smackdown Expansion.

Blessing Adeoye Jr. (47:08): “I'm gonna unleash so many hourglasses, open up 10 packs at a time.”

7. Closing Remarks

As the episode wraps up, the hosts briefly mention upcoming segments, including their live reactions to the Xbox Developer Direct and the post-show Gamescast where they plan to delve deeper into their opinions and additional news. They also thank their supporters and advertisers before signing off.

Notable Quotes

• Greg Miller (13:29): “The prologue we played...was so engaging and so well done. It feels like a samurai film.”

• Barrett Courtney (10:32): “Feudal Japan has been something the fans have been asking for for a long time and that we're finally getting it.”

• Blessing Adeoye Jr. (39:30): “It's a junior jumble... They’re in a place where they're like, stop. This isn't working out.”

• Greg Miller (29:53): “I left this demo and I am not anxious for more.”

Conclusion

This episode of Kinda Funny Games Daily offers a comprehensive look into the latest happenings in the gaming industry, from in-depth game reviews to significant company announcements. The hosts provide insightful analysis, personal reflections, and engage with notable guests to deliver a well-rounded discussion for gaming enthusiasts.