Kinda Funny Gamescast: Video Game Podcast

Episode: Greg Played Hell Is Us! - Kinda Funny Gamescast
Release Date: May 30, 2025
Hosts: Tim Gettys, Greg “GameOverGreggy” Miller, Blessing Adeoye, and Andy Cortez

Episode Overview

In this episode of the Kinda Funny Gamescast, the hosts delve deep into their experiences with the highly anticipated game "Hell Is Us". Hosted by Tim Gettys, Greg Miller, Blessing Adeoye, and Andy Cortez, the discussion spans Greg’s three-hour playthrough, the game’s narrative and mechanics, and upcoming events such as the Summer Game Fest and the launch of the Switch 2. The episode also features interactions with listeners through Super Chats, enhancing the community engagement aspect of the podcast.

Greg's Experience Playing "Hell Is Us"

[08:06] Greg Miller: "100%."

[08:07] Tim Gettys: "But Greg Miller has now played it."

[08:08] Greg Miller: "I have. I played three hours of it."

[08:15] Tim Gettys: "Right before PAX East, and I want to hear all about it."

Greg shares his initial impressions of "Hell Is Us," highlighting the game's ambitious scope and the expectations surrounding its release. He traveled to Montreal to play the game before presenting at PAX East, expressing surprise that no one inquired about his thoughts despite his keynote speaking role.

[08:18] Greg Miller: "That's what's shocking to me, is that this game has been gestating. Is it real? What is it? Should we be excited? Should we not?"

Game Overview and Narrative

"Hell Is Us" is set in a dystopian 1993 during a civil war, blending retro and future technologies. Players take on the role of Remy, whose quest is to uncover the mystery behind his parents' disappearance and the ensuing chaos of the war.

[09:08] Greg Miller: "Hell Is Us is my most anticipated game for the rest of the year."

Greg praises the game's ability to resonate on multiple levels, combining elements that appeal to each host—Perry Poppies for Blessing, combat for Andy, exploration for himself, and puzzles that engage Blessing in a Resident Evil-inspired manner.

[10:15] Andy Cortez: "The biggest hook about this though, was when we were sort of seeing more of that developer deep dive and less of the just trailer."

He emphasizes the unique approach the developers took, focusing on organic exploration over guided gameplay, encouraging players to seek out their curiosities without relying on traditional quest markers.

Gameplay Mechanics and Challenges

The gameplay of "Hell Is Us" is described as a balanced mix of 50% combat and 50% exploration, with an emphasis on player agency and environmental storytelling.

[13:01] Greg Miller: "They have voice actors like Elias Tufexis, of course, in there. He's the main character that you play here is Remy."

Greg details the game's setting, the civil war's impact, and the intricate storytelling woven through environmental elements like mass graves and personal narratives from NPCs.

[22:00] Andy Cortez: "They look like a spot."

[22:07] Greg Miller: "Greg did they. They sent over their whole like little press tour presentation. We got to start it. So I was like, I'll print that off for you. I love that."

Storytelling and Environmental Design

The game excels in environmental storytelling, presenting gruesome scenes and intricate narratives without overt guidance.

[15:52] Andy Cortez: "But there's no ping. There's no this, there's no that. There's no go over here."

[16:00] Greg Miller: "He only knows one song. And so that's all he says, right. So, you know, oh, if I ever find more music, I should bring it back to him."

Greg shares specific instances where the game's design encourages exploration and interaction, such as aiding characters like Rebecca, the little girl in the attic, and uncovering the dark history of the town through environmental cues.

Combat Mechanics and Challenges

The combat system in "Hell Is Us" introduces unique mechanics that Greg finds both challenging and engaging.

[30:50] Greg Miller: "No, it starts off very much Greg Miller style combat where you know they talk about it's all you know, intense melee action or whatever."

He discusses the depth of the combat system, including parrying mechanics and the introduction of linked enemies that require strategic thinking and adaptation.

[33:19] Tim Gettys: "This is less about the combat but more just about what you're combating."

Greg explains the integration of combat within the game's narrative context, battling grotesque monsters amidst a backdrop of civil war.

Developer Insights

The hosts touch upon insights shared by the developers, emphasizing the passion and vision driving the project.

[22:15] Tim Gettys: "Why not?"

[22:16] Greg Miller: "Then I thought this was neat too. They made like a little newspaper thing for what is. Again, this is all stuff that just the 50 person dev studio did that they were like, we want it."

Greg highlights the attention to detail and the handcrafted elements that make "Hell Is Us" stand out, including dedicated voice acting and original compositions.

Host Reactions and Impressions

The hosts express their enthusiasm and anticipation for the game's full release.

[29:24] Greg Miller: "I really think it drives home like they know what they have here. And again to Dan's closing paragraph, right? I feel like they are uncompromising on what they have."

[38:13] Greg Miller: "But I don't want that. Like Bloodborne."

Greg conveys his excitement about the game's unique blend of exploration and combat, comparing it favorably to other titles while acknowledging its challenging aspects.

Super Chats and Listener Interactions

Throughout the episode, the hosts engage with listeners' questions and comments submitted via Super Chats.

[40:30] Greg Miller: "I was really impressed with it. Enemy variety and challenges there."

Listeners inquire about character customization, loot, and the game's design choices, to which the hosts provide detailed responses.

[44:21] Greg Miller: "Yeah, loot's a part of the game. Obviously. I didn't feel like it was like overflowing by any stretch of the imagination."

Upcoming Events and Future Content

The hosts discuss upcoming events, including the Summer Game Fest and the launch of the Switch 2, outlining their content plans for the week.

[06:54] Andy Cortez: "It's gonna be so much freaking fun."

[07:01] Andy Cortez: "It's a Night Rain competition. We're facing off in Giant against Giant Bomb with me. Blessing. Roger may not be there. We may need somebody in the chat to step in."

They outline a schedule filled with predictions, live reactions, and interactive streams, encouraging listeners to participate and stay tuned for exciting content.

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with the hosts reiterating their excitement for "Hell Is Us" and the upcoming events, encouraging listeners to stay engaged through various platforms like Twitch and YouTube. Greg emphasizes the game's potential to resonate deeply with players, while also maintaining a critical eye on its ambitious design.

[45:29] Andy Cortez: "I love to hear that demo in three days."

The hosts sign off with enthusiasm for future discussions and gameplay sessions, leaving listeners eager for more insights and content in the weeks to come.

Notable Quotes:

• Greg Miller [08:07]: "I have. I played three hours of it."
• Greg Miller [09:08]: "Hell Is Us is my most anticipated game for the rest of the year."
• Andy Cortez [10:15]: "The biggest hook about this though, was when we were sort of seeing more of that developer deep dive and less of the just trailer."
• Greg Miller [30:50]: "No, it starts off very much Greg Miller style combat where you know they talk about it's all you know, intense melee action or whatever."
• Greg Miller [38:13]: "But I don't want that. Like Bloodborne."
• Greg Miller [44:21]: "Yeah, loot's a part of the game. Obviously. I didn't feel like it was like overflowing by any stretch of the imagination."

For more insightful discussions and gameplay analyses, tune in to future episodes of the Kinda Funny Gamescast on YouTube, Twitch, and your preferred podcast platform.