Kinda Funny Gamescast: Video Game Podcast – Avowed Hypecast Summary

Podcast Information:

• Title: Kinda Funny Gamescast: Video Game Podcast
• Host/Author: Kinda Funny
• Description: Weekly video game reviews, previews, and analysis of the biggest topics in gaming, covering the latest in PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, and more! Hosted by Tim Gettys, Greg “GameOverGreggy” Miller, Blessing Adeoye, and Andy Cortez.
• Episode: Avowed Hypecast
• Release Date: January 29, 2025

1. Introduction and Setup (00:25 – 05:19)

Greg Miller opens the podcast alongside Paris Lilly, briefly discussing their personal lives and current ailments, setting a casual and relatable tone. The conversation transitions to the main topic of the episode—Avowed, Obsidian's upcoming first-person RPG.

Greg Miller mentions the anticipation surrounding "Avowed," expressing how it has dominated his gaming thoughts since the initial preview last November. He states, “Avowed has never left my thought process” (01:43, emphasizing his eagerness to dive deeper into the game.

2. Avowed Hypecast Introduction (05:19 – 08:41)

Greg introduces the episode as an "Avowed Hypecast," aiming to discuss and build excitement around the game's release. He reflects on past hypecasts and believes it's the right time to focus on Avowed as its release date of February 18, 2025, approaches. Paris Lilly echoes this excitement, highlighting her long-standing interest in seeing what Obsidian can achieve now that they are fully funded by Xbox.

3. Character Creation and Backgrounds (08:41 – 12:56)

The hosts delve into Avowed's classless RPG system and the unique character backgrounds available to players. Drawing comparisons to other RPGs like Starfield and Dragon Age: Valewarden, Greg highlights how Avowed's backgrounds offer both narrative depth and mechanical advantages.

Greg Miller shares his excitement about the background options, such as the Arcane Scholar, stating, “...these character backgrounds are sort of playing double duty to suggest a starting point for your character's mechanical fantasy” (08:42). Paris Lilly adds that these backgrounds will influence interactions within the game world, enhancing role-playing elements.

4. Combat Mechanics and Gameplay (12:56 – 25:35)

A significant portion of the discussion centers around Avowed's combat system. Greg and Paris explore the flexibility of switching loadouts on the fly, integrating swords, guns, and spells seamlessly. Greg is particularly enthusiastic about this integration, comparing it to the freedom found in Kingdoms of Amalur.

Greg Miller notes, “I want to make sure that there's varied enemies and varied enemy encounters and it's not brain dead” (23:31), emphasizing the importance of dynamic combat.

They also reference the Xbox Developer Direct presentation, where Gabriel Paramo from Obsidian outlines the combat philosophy aimed at empowering player choice and tactical decision-making. Matt Hanson, Obsidian's Art Director, further elaborates on the visual and strategic depth of combat encounters.

Paris Lilly highlights her positive experience during the preview, stating, “...when you're in character creator I chose the backstories I just read through” (24:18), underscoring the integration of character backgrounds into gameplay mechanics.

5. Story, Choices, and Replayability (25:35 – 34:16)

The hosts discuss the narrative depth of Avowed, focusing on how player choices will have profound consequences within the game world. They reference a side quest example where decisions impact character relationships and story outcomes.

Greg Miller expresses his desire for meaningful storytelling, hoping that Avowed will offer choices that resonate emotionally, unlike some previous RPGs he found less impactful. He remarks, “...for it, the combat never to become too easy” (30:08), linking the challenge of combat to the satisfaction derived from meaningful choices.

Paris Lilly concurs, emphasizing the importance of varied story paths and the potential for multiple playthroughs based on different decisions, fostering high replayability.

6. Visuals and Art Design (34:16 – 38:34)

The conversation shifts to Avowed's visual aesthetics and world-building. Matt Hanson discusses the inspiration behind the game's diverse biomes and vibrant setting, the Living Lands, aiming to create a rich and immersive environment.

Paris Lilly reflects on her interactions with the art team, noting the “excitement on his face” (32:00), which translates into the game's detailed and dynamic design. This enthusiasm is mirrored in the gameplay footage, showcasing stunning landscapes and intricate environmental storytelling.

7. Expectations, Speculations, and Community Engagement (38:34 – 47:56)

As the release date nears, Greg and Paris speculate on Metacritic scores and overall reception. They acknowledge the high expectations based on Obsidian's track record and ponder potential pitfalls, such as combat becoming monotonous if not properly managed.

Greg Miller shares community sentiments from live chats, including excitement from long-time Obsidian fans and concerns about maintaining the game's quality standards. Paris Lilly remains optimistic, hoping that Avowed will meet or exceed these expectations.

The hosts also engage with super chats, highlighting listener support and discussions around Avowed’s features, such as the absence of romance options and its impact on player experience. Paris appreciates the focus on camaraderie over forced romantic narratives, aligning with her preference for authentic character interactions.

8. Final Thoughts and Launch Expectations (47:56 – 49:42)

In conclusion, Greg and Paris reiterate their excitement for Avowed's release on February 18, 2025, anticipating a robust launch that allows the game to stand out without being overshadowed by other major releases. They express confidence in Obsidian’s ability to deliver a compelling RPG experience and promise to provide thorough reviews post-launch.

Greg Miller emphasizes, “...you could watch exclusive recordings of shows like In Review this afternoon when we do Aliens before anybody else gets them” (49:42), encouraging listeners to stay engaged with Kinda Funny’s content for ongoing coverage and analysis.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Greg Miller (01:43): “Every game I play, when I sit down, I turn on a system... but fuck, I really want to play Avowed because it just seems like such a nerdy ass RPG.”

• Paris Lilly (06:00): “I really want to soak up all the lore that's going to come out of this and understand what this world looks like.”

• Greg Miller (08:41): “Avowed has a classless RPG system, meaning any character can invest into any combination of its Ranger, Fighter, and Wizard skill trees.”

• Paris Lilly (12:56): “I love it because you're going to be able to experiment with that stuff. You're not going to be locked into a certain class...”

• Greg Miller (23:31): “I want to make sure that there's varied enemies and varied enemy encounters and it's not brain dead.”

• Gabriel Paramo (19:34): “Players will have ample choices for how to build and progress their envoy in the world of the living lands.”

• Greg Miller (30:08): “One of the things in the chat here... I hope this is going to continue to challenge me as we go and not get to that point where I feel like, okay, cool, I'm just blitzing through everything.”

• Paris Lilly (39:24): “I was very excited to play both of these games, which, you know, in the grand scheme of things, good on you, Xbox. You're finally hitting the dominoes are falling.”

Conclusion

The Avowed Hypecast episode of Kinda Funny Gamescast provides an in-depth exploration of Obsidian's highly anticipated RPG, Avowed. Through engaging discussions, Greg Miller and Paris Lilly cover character creation, combat mechanics, narrative depth, visuals, and community expectations. Their enthusiasm, backed by positive developer insights and player feedback, paints a promising picture for Avowed's future. Listeners are left eagerly anticipating the game's release, with the hosts committing to comprehensive reviews and continued coverage to keep the community informed and excited.

For those interested in following along, the hosts encourage participation through live streams, Twitch interactions, and their various membership platforms, ensuring fans remain connected and engaged with all things Avowed and beyond.