Kinda Funny Gamescast: Rematch & Dune: Awakening Reviews – June 25, 2025

Hosts: Tim Gettys, Greg “GameOverGreggy” Miller, Blessing Adeoye Junior, Andy Cortez, and Nick Scarpino

Introduction and Overview

In the June 25, 2025 episode of the Kinda Funny Gamescast, the hosts dive deep into their reviews of two prominent games: Rematch, a new sports title from Slow Clap, and Dune: Awakening, an expansive multiplayer experience set in the iconic Dune universe. The episode promises an engaging discussion filled with insightful analysis, personal anecdotes, and enthusiastic gameplay commentary.

Rematch Review

Blessing Adioye Junior kicks off the Rematch review by expressing overwhelming enthusiasm for the game:

“This is maybe the most fun I've had in a video game so far in 2025. I'm just in love with it.” ([03:57])

Art Style and Visual Appeal Rematch boasts a distinct art style reminiscent of Slow Clap’s previous hit, Sifu. Blessing highlights the game's "sharpness of character design" and the "sleekness of the stages," emphasizing its visually captivating nature.

Gameplay Mechanics Comparing Rematch to Rocket League and FIFA, Blessing describes it as:

“Rocket League with people.” ([05:00])

Rematch strikes a balance between the arcade excitement of Rocket League and the authentic soccer experience found in FIFA. With modes including 3v3, 4v4, and 5v5, the game caters to different playstyles, emphasizing team chemistry and strategic positioning over individual statistics.

Strengths

• Visuals: Highly appealing art style and character customization.
• Gameplay Balance: Combines arcade action with genuine soccer elements.
• Team Dynamics: Focus on chemistry and teamwork without over-reliance on character stats.

Areas for Improvement

• Network Performance: Blessing notes issues like lag and rubber-banding, particularly on non-local servers:

  “I think it’ll get fixed over time, but that stuff still happens enough.” ([08:24])

• Single-Player Content: Unlike Rocket League, Rematch lacks robust single-player modes or bot matches, limiting solo play options.

• Cosmetics: The cosmetic options are seen as “boring” and “basic,” with a desire for more creative and diverse customization choices.

Future Potential With over 3 million players and counting, Rematch shows significant promise. Blessing is optimistic about future updates and content additions, hoping for enhanced cosmetics and continued support from Slow Clap:

“I think this game is going to be a staple. I think this game is going to be huge.” ([09:08])

Dune: Awakening Review (So Far)

Transitioning to Dune: Awakening, host Nick Scarpino and Snowbike Mike share their immersive experiences within the game’s expansive desert landscapes.

Gameplay and Mechanics Dune: Awakening combines survival elements with MMO-style questing. Nick praises the game’s onboarding experience and the seamless integration of Dune lore into gameplay mechanics:

“They do a great job of drip feeding you everything you need, nice and slow, at a good pace.” ([51:59])

Survival Elements The game emphasizes resource management, base building, and strategic crafting without being overly punishing. Unlike traditional survival games, Dune: Awakening offers a more relaxed approach:

“It's a lot more chill about it.” ([39:13])

Social and Multiplayer Dynamics The multiplayer aspect allows for cooperative gameplay, fostering teamwork and community interaction. The hosts recount humorous and challenging experiences, highlighting the game's ability to create memorable moments:

“This game has sold 3 million players. It’s on Game Pass.” ([17:37])

Threats and Challenges A unique feature is the Sandworm mechanic, which adds constant tension and excitement. Players must navigate the vast desert while avoiding or confronting these formidable creatures, enhancing the game's thrill:

“The threat of the desert, that is just the Sandworm itself.” ([47:15])

Story and Lore Integration Dune: Awakening effectively weaves the rich Dune lore into its gameplay through missions and environmental storytelling. Nick appreciates how the game allows players to feel part of the Dune mythos:

“It feels like you were in the movie.” ([33:44])

Areas for Improvement

• Enemy Variety: Andy expresses a desire for more diverse human enemies to keep combat engaging over time:

  “I just don't know how that progresses and how creative they can get with that.” ([48:10])

• Base Building Features: While the building mechanics are praised for their ease, some features like the blueprint system could be more intuitive:

  “I just wish it had the house blueprint mechanic like Nightingale.” ([55:53])

Future Prospects With ongoing updates and the introduction of PvP elements, Dune: Awakening is positioned for continued growth. The hosts remain excited about future content and community-driven features:

“This game is not cool is great.” ([61:03])

Community Interaction

Throughout the episode, the hosts engage with listener Super Chats, addressing fan questions and comments. Notable interactions include:

• Field Size Inquiry:

  “I don’t think the field is too big at all.” ([22:49])

• Game Mechanics Discussion:

  “How approachable is it for somebody that is not familiar with soccer games at all?” ([14:26])

These interactions provide additional insights and clarify gameplay aspects for listeners.

Conclusion

The June 25th episode of Kinda Funny Gamescast offers a comprehensive and enthusiastic review of both Rematch and Dune: Awakening. The hosts commend Rematch for its engaging gameplay and visual appeal while suggesting improvements in network stability and single-player content. Meanwhile, Dune: Awakening is lauded for its immersive world, seamless integration of lore, and cooperative multiplayer experience, with suggestions for enhancing enemy variety and base-building features. Overall, the episode reflects the hosts' passion for gaming and their commitment to providing thoughtful and entertaining content for their audience.

Note: Timestamps correspond to the original podcast transcript provided.