Kinda Funny Games Daily: Where Are the Lost Soul Aside Reviews?!

Date: August 28, 2025
Hosts: Blessing Adeoye Jr. & Snowbike Mike (Mike Howard)
Podcast: Kinda Funny Games Daily

Episode Overview

Today's episode tackles the mysterious absence of reviews for Lost Soul Aside on the eve of its release, alongside major news stories in gaming: Tim Sweeney addresses Unreal Engine 5 optimization woes, former Black Panther game devs land at Wizards of the Coast, the future of Yakuza, new Elden Ring content, and industry layoffs. The hosts weave in candid first impressions, playful banter, and community Q&A, providing an essential round-up for gamers eager for the latest developments.

Main Theme

Why is Almost No One Reviewing Lost Soul Aside?

• Blessing investigates the lack of early reviews for Lost Soul Aside as it launches, unboxing a review code to deliver a live first-hour impression. He connects this silence to reports of a critical day-one patch, setting the tone for wider discussion about publisher review practices and game marketing strategy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Lost Soul Aside Review Blackout & Day-One Patch

[09:13 – 23:21]

• Background: Lost Soul Aside, once a solo-dev project and now a PlayStation-published China Hero Project game, is finally out—but early reviews are almost non-existent. Social channels hint the game needs a significant day-one patch for stability and performance (09:13).
• Developer’s Statement: The day-one patch promises “performance optimizations, stability improvements, visually enhanced effects, and gameplay upgrades.” Players are encouraged to patch before playing or reviewing.
• Blessing's Hands-On First Impressions:
  • Received the code on launch eve, with no embargo—a sign, Bless suggests, of the publisher’s low confidence in early impressions (11:47).
  • Played & streamed the first hour before recording:

    "It's not a bad video game. Also not a good video game. That's where I'm at so far, and that's only within an hour." — Blessing [13:41]

  • Core takeaways:
    • Feels distinctly “double A”—lacking standout features, “as if someone tried to make a Final Fantasy with action mechanics.” (14:17)
    • Comparisons made to PlatinumGames, Nier, Devil May Cry, and Stellar Blade, but falls short in narrative, character charisma, and gameplay engagement.
    • Blessing notes technical awkwardness and lack of design polish—awkward cutscenes, muted audio, and lackluster environments.
    • “The combat is... fine and so basic. Honestly, it's serviceable, but there's not really anything here that jumps out at me.” [17:41]
    • After the first hour: “I don’t really want to go back.” [17:57]
  • Mike asks if it will find an audience: Bless doubts it, noting he'd rather replay Stranger of Paradise (which he calls a “6.5 to 7 out of 10”) than continue Lost Soul Aside. [21:16]
• Community Reaction (Superchats & Live Chat):
  • Some question whether one hour is enough; Bless provides industry context for previews:

    “People will write full articles, do full podcasts based off of that first 30 minutes to a few hours... I’m not giving a review—just impressions.” —Blessing [30:03]

  • Steam refund policy mentioned as a de facto "first impression" standard.

2. Unreal Engine 5 Optimization Blame Game

[23:21 – 27:12]

• Headline: Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic, claims devs, not the engine, are to blame for UE5’s performance complaints. Many studios build for high-end hardware and only optimize for lower specs late in the process.

  "He said you're doing it wrong." — Mike [25:30]

  • Sweeney introduces new Epic initiatives: more automation tools and improved developer training/support to address optimization.
• Host Perspective: While neither host codes, they discuss the importance of tool makers (Epic) offering better education and the value of Fortnite as a UE5 “showcase.”

3. Former Black Panther Devs Join Wizards of the Coast for New Game

[36:24 – 39:41]

• What Happened: 14 ex-Cliffhanger Games developers (from the canceled Black Panther project) led by Michael de Plater join Wizards of the Coast to “incubate” a new team and game.
• Mike’s Take: Excited at Wizards investing in teams, but not a fan of their previous game output.

  “Always cool to hear that we’re giving people more jobs... would love to see this get to the finish line.” —Mike [38:08]

• Reflection: Bless laments the lost Black Panther open-world game (“that is a moneymaker... just went through your fingers”).

4. Alex Garland’s Elden Ring Movie Gets Real

[39:43 – 42:43]

• News: Director Alex Garland wrote a 160-page script and 40+ pages of concept art unsolicited to pitch an Elden Ring adaptation, impressing A24 and FromSoftware.

  “Now that I’ve had time to sit with it and read more about it... I’m being fucking fully got here. But... everything here sits right with me.” —Blessing [41:56]

• Hosts’ Mood: Excitement, especially that Garland is a true fan, and speculation Miyazaki will be involved in production.

5. RGG Like a Dragon / Yakuza Summit Incoming

[43:48 – 46:37]

• Announcement: RGG Studio will host a summit before Tokyo Game Show, likely teasing new Like a Dragon games and potential spin-offs.
• Predictions:
  • Bless: Possible return for zombie spin-off (Dead Souls) or Yakuza in space.
  • Both hosts: Excited at the developer's creative momentum.

6. Elden Ring: Night Rain Deep of Night Mode Is Even Harder

[46:37 – 49:28]

• Update: Deep of Night will offer a high-difficulty, five-layer challenge to test seasoned players when it launches September 11.
• Hosts: Amused at the community’s demand for ever-tougher modes; Mike might return if there's a good horde/boss rush angle.

7. Crystal Dynamics Layoffs Linked to Perfect Dark Cancellation

[49:58 – 53:49]

• News: Layoffs at Crystal Dynamics cited as part of ensuring long-term health after Xbox cancels Perfect Dark, a project they were co-developing.
• Context:
  • Rebecca Valentine’s IGN report highlighted as source (50:58).
  • Discussion of industry contraction, the aftershocks of gaming’s pandemic-era “boom,” and the risk of Microsoft/Xbox's reliance on big franchises (e.g., Call of Duty) over a broad portfolio.

8. Mega Hawlucha Announced for Pokémon Legends Z to A

[53:49 – 54:43]

• Reveal: New mega-evolution revealed in a clever animation, pleasing the hosts and sparking ideas for “Greg Miller’s perfect Pokémon team.”

9. WE News (Quick Hits)

[56:15 – 57:18]

• Sworn launches September 25 on all platforms.
• Xbox August Update: Cross-device history, better app navigation, new retro classics, play-anywhere streaming.

10. Community Q&A and Food Chat

[57:18 – End (~61:30)]

• Superchats: Birthday shoutouts, ongoing “first hour impressions” debate, and shout-outs to local Seattle food.
• Blessing recommends: Nigerian jollof rice, Dick’s Drive-In, By Tong Thai restaurant (though Chat suggests it might’ve fallen off!), and King’s Barbecue in the International District.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Blessing on early reviews:

  "It's not a bad video game. Also not a good video game. That's where I'm at so far, and that's only within an hour." [13:41]

• Blessing on leaving the gym and deciding to stream Lost Soul Aside:

  "I tried, you know? That's all I ask myself—is I tried… I got back under my covers and picked up my phone to play some Magic: The Gathering Arena." [11:42]

• Mike on UE5 optimization:

  “He said you're doing it wrong.” [25:30]

• On Alex Garland’s Elden Ring pitch:

  “160 pages of a script… And instead of just the pitch alone, Garland spun up a 160-page script and 40 pages of imagery to convince creator Hidetaka Miyazaki.” [41:41]

• On industry layoffs:

  “That absolutely sucks. We're kind of getting the fallout of [Perfect Dark's cancellation] here for sure.” —Mike [51:36]

• Listener debate over preview impressions:

  (On if one hour is enough) “People conflating initial thoughts with a review. And that’s like the thing I’m trying to disconnect… I am not giving my review of Lost Soul Aside.” —Blessing [33:29]

• Joking poker-for-Greg segment:

  “This is what I want to do: create a Pokémon party for Greg—a perfect Greg Miller Pokémon party.” —Blessing [55:04]

• Blessing, candid about food recommendations:

  “That’s honestly, like, I try to gatekeep [By Tong] a little bit, but I’m done gatekeeping.” [60:08]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Lost Soul Aside review discussion / Blessing’s first hour: 09:13 – 23:21
• Unreal Engine 5 optimization story: 23:21 – 27:12
• Debate: Are first-hour impressions valid content? 27:12 – 34:19 (thread throughout)
• Former Black Panther devs join Wizards of the Coast: 36:24 – 39:41
• Alex Garland / Elden Ring movie: 39:43 – 42:43
• Yakuza / Like a Dragon summit preview: 43:48 – 46:37
• Elden Ring Night Rain “Deep of Night” mode: 46:37 – 49:28
• Crystal Dynamics layoffs / Perfect Dark context: 49:58 – 53:49
• Mega Hawlucha in Pokémon Legends Z to A: 53:49 – 54:43
• WE News (rapid fire): 56:15 – 57:18
• Seattle food/local recs/community Q&A: 57:18 – end (~64:00)

Tone & Style

• Playful and candid: The hosts mix deep gaming insights with self-deprecating humor, lively banter, spontaneous idea brainstorming, and strong engagement with their “best friends” community via superchats and live Q&A.
• Industry-savvy but accessible: Both are transparent about the realities of game coverage, the preview process, and the challenges currently facing developers, publishers, and media.
• Honest & empathetic: Blessing especially is open about the disappointment of an anticipated game falling flat and acknowledges both sides of industry debates.

Who Should Listen/Read This?

Anyone invested in today's biggest games, the realities of the release cycle, PlayStation's current publishing direction, or the unpredictable world of game development and adaptation. Also, Kinda Funny fans will enjoy the friendly jabs, PAX recommendations, and community shout-outs.

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