Summary of "Every Game of The Year Ranked - Kinda Funny Gamescast"
Released: December 17, 2024
Hosts: Blessing Adeoye, Greg “GameOverGreggy” Miller, Andy Cortez

1. Episode Introduction and Initial Discussions ([00:20] - [04:35])

The episode begins with a brief introduction by Blessing Adeoye, who sets the stage for the day's discussion on ranking games of the year. Greg “GameOverGreggy” Miller, affectionately known as Snowback Mike, joins Blessing, and Andy Cortez contributes to the conversation, establishing a dynamic and engaging environment for the listeners.

2. Ranking the Eight Best Starting Weapons in Video Games ([04:35] - [25:16])

a. Overview of the List

Blessing introduces the primary topic: evaluating an article from Game Rant titled "The Eight Best Starting Weapons in Video Games." The hosts aim to predict and critique the choices made in this list.

b. Key Discussions and Debates

• Assassin’s Creed: The Hidden Blade ([12:51])

  • Greg: “That’s a starting one. Yeah, yeah, yeah.”
  • Insight: Greg praises the Hidden Blade for its iconic status in the Assassin’s Creed series, arguing it's a quintessential starting weapon.

• BioShock: The Wrench ([15:17])

  • Blessing: “I think for me, when I think of BioShock, if you were to ask me to name a weapon in BioShock, I think the first one I'm naming is the wrench.”
  • Insight: Blessing defends the BioShock wrench as an iconic and memorable starting weapon, sparking debate among the hosts.

• Dead Space: Plasma Cutter ([20:28])

  • Greg: “That’s a great one.”
  • Insight: Greg expresses appreciation for the Plasma Cutter, highlighting its unique role in the Dead Space series.

• Halo: M6D Magnum ([25:04])

  • Greg: “Halo Combat Evolved M6D Magnum. And that's right, so.”
  • Insight: Greg asserts the M6D Magnum's place at the top of the list, emphasizing its iconic status in the Halo franchise.

c. Controversial Inclusions

• Pokemon TCG Cards ([02:05] - [03:00])
  • Greg: “They don't count. They don't count.”
  • Insight: The inclusion of Pokemon cards as starting weapons leads to heated debates, with the hosts agreeing that sentient beings shouldn’t be classified as weapons.

d. General Consensus and Critique

Throughout the discussion, Blessing and Greg express mixed feelings about certain entries, noting that while some choices are strong, others feel forced or out of place. Andy Cortez often mediates, providing additional perspectives and keeping the conversation flowing.

3. Analyzing Sports Illustrated’s GOTY Rankings ([25:16] - [44:27])

a. Introduction to the List

Blessing introduces a secondary topic: reviewing a "Game of the Year" list published by Sports Illustrated on December 7, 2023. The hosts note that the list predates recent awards, which impacts its relevance.

b. Breakdown of the List

• Top Picks:

  • Zelda: Breath of the Wild ([32:28]): Suggested by Blessing as the likely number one due to its widespread acclaim and innovative gameplay.
  • Baldur's Gate 3 ([40:55]): Acknowledged for its deep RPG mechanics and expansive storytelling.
  • Elden Ring ([40:59]): Celebrated for its open-world design and challenging gameplay.
  • The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt ([40:46]): Recognized for its rich narrative and immersive world-building.

• Controversial Entries:

  • Overwatch 2016 ([34:35]): Blessing and Greg express surprise and disagreement with its placement at number ten, arguing it’s one of the best multiplayer games but doesn’t fit well in a GOTY context dominated by single-player experiences.
  • Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice ([20:27] & [37:17]): Debated for its high difficulty and unique combat system, with Blessing advocating for its inclusion but unsure of its exact placement.

c. Hosts’ Opinions and Reactions

• Blessing's Take ([25:16] - [26:11]):

  • Criticizes the inclusion of Pokemon as weapons.
  • Appreciates the list’s inclusion of major titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and Elden Ring but finds faults with the order and certain placements.

• Greg's Take ([34:35] - [35:10]):

  • Strongly disagrees with Overwatch's placement, calling it “nuts.”
  • Supports the inclusion of titles like God of War 2018 and Sekiro, suggesting they deserve higher spots.

• Andy’s Role ([53:02] - [60:27]):

  • Offers support for certain DLCs and expansions, emphasizing the importance of substantial content additions like Blood and Wine for The Witcher 3.
  • Engages in friendly banter, adding depth to discussions on game expansions.

d. Audience Interaction ([49:10] - [52:56])

Listeners contribute via super chats, sharing their personal rankings and opinions. Notably, Zan Fair provides a list prioritizing titles like Elden Ring, God of War, and Zelda. The hosts discuss these inputs, reflecting on how personal preferences influence rankings.

4. Evaluating the Best Expansions and DLCs ([44:27] - [72:15])

a. Introduction to the Expansion List

Blessing introduces another list from Matt Mania at Blue Sky, focused on "The Eight Best Expansions in DLC That Are Like More Full-Length Games." The hosts explore various expansions, debating their merits and placements.

b. Key Expansions Discussed

• Blood and Wine (The Witcher 3) ([58:55] - [59:35]):

  • Celebrated for its extensive content and enriching addition to the base game.

• Monster Hunter World: Iceborne ([65:27] - [67:15]):

  • Greg praises Iceborne for its comprehensive expansion and involvement in the Monster Hunter series.

• Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree ([57:02] - [58:59]):

  • Highlighted for adding significant content and enhancing the base game’s experience.

• Other Notable Expansions:

  • Undead Nightmare (Skyrim)
  • Phantom Liberty (Cyberpunk 2077)
  • Assassin's Creed Odyssey: Fate of Atlantis
  • World of Warcraft: The Lich King

c. Hosts’ Evaluations and Preferences

• Blessing’s Insights ([65:40] - [67:04]):

  • Advocates for including substantial expansions like Blood and Wine and Monster Hunter World: Iceborne.
  • Critiques the phrasing of the list, arguing that terms like "full-length games" are subjective and can be misleading.

• Greg’s Perspectives ([67:14] - [68:42]):

  • Emphasizes the importance of content richness in expansions.
  • Appreciates unique additions like Shadow of the Erdtree and Blood and Wine, arguing they significantly enhance their respective base games.

• Andy’s Contributions ([58:55] - [60:27]):

  • Supports the inclusion of large-scale expansions and their impact on gameplay experience.
  • Engages with Blessing and Greg to refine the list, ensuring that only the most substantial DLCs are considered.

d. Final Thoughts on Expansion Lists

The hosts conclude that while the list includes many deserving expansions, the limited number of spots makes it challenging to cover all excellent DLCs. They acknowledge the subjective nature of such rankings and express appreciation for the diverse opinions shared by both the panel and their audience.

5. Audience Feedback and Super Chats ([44:27] - [72:15])

Throughout the episode, audience participation via super chats adds depth to the discussions. Listeners like Zan Fair and Dean contribute their personal rankings and opinions, prompting the hosts to reflect on the diversity of game preferences within the community.

• Dean’s Feedback ([51:12]):

  • Highlights the disqualification of certain games based on internal criteria, reinforcing the hosts’ stance on what constitutes a weapon or a deserving game.

• Chat Interactions ([51:58] - [67:15]):

  • Engage in friendly debates over game placements, providing real-time feedback and enriching the conversation with varied perspectives.

6. Conclusion and Teasers for Future Episodes ([72:15] - End)

As the episode wraps up, the hosts express satisfaction with their discussions on game rankings and expansions. They tease upcoming episodes, including a bracket-style showdown to determine which "dead IPs" should be revived, promising continued engagement with their audience's interests.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Greg on Assassin’s Creed Hidden Blade ([12:51]):

  "That’s a starting one. Yeah, yeah, yeah."

• Blessing on BioShock Wrench ([15:17]):

  "I think for me, when I think of BioShock, if you were to ask me to name a weapon in BioShock, I think the first one I'm naming is the wrench."

• Greg on Plasma Cutter ([20:28]):

  "That’s a great one."

• Greg on Halo M6D Magnum ([25:04]):

  "Halo Combat Evolved M6D Magnum. And that's right, so."

• Blessing on Pokemon Exclusion ([28:24]):

  "Pokemon don't count."

• Blessing on Overwatch’s Placement ([34:35]):

  "Overwatch 2016. You're nuts, bro."

• Greg on Best Expansions ([65:41]):

  "Pretty solid pick."

• Blessing on Monster Hunter World: Iceborne ([70:04]):

  "That's a great poll. Great call out."

Key Insights and Conclusions:

• Subjectivity of Rankings: The hosts emphasize that game rankings are highly subjective, influenced by personal preferences and the diverse tastes of their audience.

• Importance of Iconic Elements: Iconic weapons and expansions, such as the Halo pistol and Blood and Wine DLC, are argued to deserve higher placements due to their lasting impact and substantial contributions to their respective games.

• Critique of External Lists: The hosts critically evaluate external lists (e.g., Sports Illustrated’s GOTY), highlighting the importance of timing and comprehensive evaluation in creating credible rankings.

• Community Engagement: Active audience participation through super chats enriches the discussion, providing varied perspectives and enhancing the overall engagement of the episode.

• Future Directions: The podcast plans to continue exploring game rankings, including innovative formats like bracket-style debates to determine the revival of dormant game franchises, ensuring ongoing interaction and interest from their audience.

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the essence of the "Every Game of The Year Ranked" episode, highlighting the main discussions, key debates, notable quotes, and the interactive nature of the Kinda Funny Gamescast. Whether you're a seasoned listener or new to the podcast, this summary offers a clear and detailed overview of the episode's content and the passionate discussions that unfold among the hosts.