Kinda Funny Gamescast: Fantasy Critic 2025 - Detailed Summary

Release Date: January 6, 2025
Host/Authors: Tim Gettys, Greg “GameOverGreggy” Miller, Blessing Adeoye, Andy Cortez, Roger Picorni, and Paris Lilly

1. Introduction to Fantasy Critic League

At the beginning of the episode, Greg Miller introduces the annual tradition known as the Fantasy Critic League, a competitive game where panelists draft upcoming video games to build teams that will score points based on their performance on Open Critic. The objective is to curate the best possible lineup of games, predicting their critical reception throughout the year.

2. Explaining the Fantasy Critic Rules and Structure

Blessing Adeoye Jr. explains the foundational rules of Fantasy Critic:

• Drafting Games: Each participant drafts a total of ten games, five in the opening draft and five throughout the year using a secret bidding system.

• Scoring System: Games scoring above 70 on Open Critic earn points (1 point per score point above 70). Scores above 90 award double points (e.g., a game scoring 92 earns 24 points).

• Counter Picks: Participants must also draft "counter picks"—games they predict will score below 70. These counter picks can negatively impact opponents' scores if they underperform.

• Budget and Bidding: Each participant has a $100 budget for secret bids on games announced during the year. The highest bidder for a game secures it for their team.

• Eligibility: Only new releases, remakes, reimaginings, and free-to-play games are eligible. Expansion packs, DLCs, and games already in early access are generally excluded unless specifically allowed.

Notable Quote:
Blessing Adeoye Jr. [08:31]:
"Fantasy Critic is a game where we each draft a bunch of video games that are coming out throughout the course of the year. And we compete to see who can draft the best team of games based on what their score is going to be on Open Critic."

3. Drafting Process Begins

The panelists engage in a snake draft, where the order alternates each round to ensure fairness. The initial draft order is randomized, leading to surprising turns, such as Barrett Courtney being the first to pick. Each participant selects games based on their strategies, balancing high-potential titles with safe bets and strategic counter picks.

Notable Quote:
Andy Cortez [18:46]:
"If you win, you're first, and it goes down the line."

4. Game Selections and Panel Discussions

Throughout the draft, panelists discuss their choices, analyzing potential game performances based on past experiences, developer reputations, and current industry trends.

• Barrett Courtney opts for high-profile titles like Monster Hunter Wilds and Earth Blade, developed by the creators of Celeste. He emphasizes the importance of selecting games with strong developer backgrounds.

• Snowbike Mike selects Civilization 7 and Doom: The Dark Ages, expressing a preference for both strategic depth and action-packed gameplay.

• Tim Gettys picks a mix of announced and unannounced titles including an Unannounced Mainline 3D Mario Platformer and Pokemon Legends, aiming to capitalize on enduring franchises.

• Roger Picorni focuses on games like Ghosts of Yotai Yote and Metroid Prime 4, betting on established franchises to deliver critical success.

• Andy Cortez chooses titles such as Expedition 33 and Kingdom Come, Deliverance 2, highlighting his strategy of blending narrative depth with engaging mechanics.

• Paris Lilly leans into future Xbox exclusives like Fable and Assassin's Creed: Shadows, showcasing confidence in upcoming high-profile releases.

Notable Quote:
Snowbike Mike [31:29]:
"I'm gonna go with Civilization 7. I am going with that. That's a year of safety."

5. Counter Picks and Strategic Moves

Counter picking plays a pivotal role in the Fantasy Critic League. Panelists select games they believe will perform poorly, thereby reducing their opponents' potential scores.

• Greg Miller makes a bold move by selecting Grand Theft Auto 6, either securing high points if it performs well or risking points if it doesn't release on time or meets expectations.

• Blessing Adeoye Jr. opts for Earth Blade and later Mario Kart, balancing his team with both promising and potentially underperforming titles to maximize his score differential.

• Roger Picorni selects Dispatch and Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition, wagering on their critical reception based on open critic trends and developer histories.

Notable Quote:
Greg Miller [94:03]:
"With the first counter pick in the 2025 Fantasy Draft, I'm picking Grand Theft Auto 6. I will either live or die on that pick. We will see."

6. Finalizing the Teams and Strategizing for the Year

As the draft progresses, panelists finalize their teams, ensuring they have a balanced mix of high-scoring potential games and strategic counter picks. Discussions highlight the unpredictability of game releases, the impact of critical reviews, and the importance of timing in securing game picks.

• Barrett Courtney focuses on titles like Dispatch and Sea of Stars Throes of the Watchmaker, anticipating their release schedules and critical acclaim.

• Tim Gettys adds Resident Evil 9 to his team, anticipating its strong performance based on the franchise's history.

• Paris Lilly ports in Assassin's Creed: Shadows and The Outer Worlds 2, betting on affirming Ubisoft's commitment to the franchise's longevity.

Notable Quote:
Blessing Adeoye Jr. [104:33]:
"I could see this being a Hollow Knight situation. For indie developers, where, like, people are trying to see if this game can pull off the magic in year two."

7. Counter Picks and Playoff Strategies

The counter pick phase intensifies as panelists attempt to undermine each other's teams by predicting and selecting underperforming games.

• Greg Miller gambles on Grand Theft Auto 6, while Tim Gettys expresses skepticism about its release timeline and critical reception.

• Snowbike Mike counters with Hyper Light Breaker, assessing its multiplayer potential and early access impact.

• Andy Cortez uses Indiana Jones and the Great Circle DLC as a strategic counter pick, leveraging its franchise weight.

Notable Quote:
Andy Cortez [76:27]:
"Resident Evil 9. I'm gonna go Resident Evil now."

8. Final Team Summaries

In the concluding segments, each panelist presents their finalized team, detailing their picks and counter picks. The emphasis is on balancing high-stakes bets with strategic selections to maximize potential scores throughout the year.

Greg Miller's Team:

• Picks: Elden Ring, Night Reign, Metal Gear Solid Delta, Snake Eater, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Order of Giants, Mina the Hollower, Moonlighter to the Endless Vault
• Counter Pick: Grand Theft Auto 6

Blessing Adeoye Jr.'s Team:

• Picks: Split Fiction, Death Stranding 2 On the Beach, Wander Stop, Mario Kart, Unannounced Mainline 3D Mario Platformer, Mixtape
• Counter Pick: Mario

Barrett Courtney's Team:

• Picks: Monster Hunter Wilds, Earth Blade, Citizen Sleeper 2, Star Wars Vector, Sea of Stars Throes of the Watchmaker, Dispatch
• Counter Pick: Mixtape

Snowbike Mike's Team:

• Picks: Civilization 7, Doom: The Dark Ages, Avowed, Skate Story, Football Manager 2025
• Counter Pick: Hyper Light Breaker

Roger Picorni's Team:

• Picks: Ghosts of Yotai Yote, Metroid Prime 4, Beyond South of Midnight, Slay the Spire 2, Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition
• Counter Pick: Dispatch

Andy Cortez's Team:

• Picks: Expedition 33, Kingdom Come, Deliverance 2, Trails in the Sky First Chapter, Hyper Light Breaker
• Counter Pick: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle DLC

Tim Gettys's Team:

• Picks: Unannounced Mainline 3D Mario Platformer, Pokemon Legends, Dragon Quest 1 and 2 HD 2D Remake, Resident Evil 9
• Counter Pick: Dispatch

Paris Lilly's Team:

• Picks: Fable, Hollow Knight: Silk Song, Like a Dragon Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, Assassin's Creed: Shadows, The Outer Worlds 2
• Counter Pick: Resident Evil 9

Notable Quote:
Greg Miller [112:20]:
"What are you pointing yourself for? You could have anything on here that could either rake in the points or let you down."

9. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The episode wraps up with the panelists reflecting on their draft choices, the inherent risks in predicting game performances, and the excitement for how the Fantasy Critic League will unfold throughout the year. They emphasize the unpredictable nature of game releases, the influence of critical reviews, and the strategies they've employed to outmaneuver each other.

Notable Quote:
Greg Miller [113:57]:
"With the first counter pick in the 2025 Fantasy Draft, I'm picking Grand Theft Auto 6. I will either live or die on that pick. We will see."

Key Takeaways:

• Fantasy Critic League serves as a fun and competitive platform for panelists to engage with the gaming community by predicting game performances.

• The draft involves strategic selections balancing high-potential games with calculated risks.

• Counter picks are essential for undermining opponents' teams and maximizing one's own score potential.

• The unpredictability of game releases and critical receptions adds excitement and tension to the competition.

• Panelists showcase diverse strategies, from betting on blockbuster titles to favoring indie gems, highlighting the varied perspectives within the gaming community.

This episode captures the dynamic and engaging nature of the Kinda Funny Gamescast, blending strategic gameplay with lively banter and insightful discussions about the gaming industry's future.