Kinda Funny Gamescast: South of Midnight Review – April 3, 2025

Hosts: Tim Gettys, Greg “GameOverGreggy” Miller, Blessing Adeoye Jr., Roger Piccor

Podcast Information:

• Title: Kinda Funny Gamescast: Video Game Podcast
• Episode: South of Midnight Review
• Release Date: April 3, 2025
• Description: Weekly video game reviews, previews, and analysis covering the latest in PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, and more. Hosted by Tim Gettys, Greg Miller, Blessing Adeoye Jr., and Roger Piccor.

Introduction and Context

The episode kicks off with Tim Gettys welcoming listeners and introducing the co-hosts: Blessing Adeoye Jr., Greg Miller, and Roger Piccor. Tim briefly touches on upcoming content, including potential announcements at CinemaCon, such as "Spiderverse 3" and "Spider-Man 4," and teases coverage of the Nintendo Switch 2. The team humorously discusses their recording in the past due to embargoes and personal commitments, setting a lighthearted tone for the episode.

Tim Gettys [00:00]: "What is up, y'all? Very excited to have all of you here today."

Overview of Current Gaming Events

Before diving into the game review, the hosts mention various gaming events and releases. Tim emphasizes the importance of their Nintendo Switch 2 coverage, which is set to go live shortly after the embargo lifts at 6 AM. Roger expresses skepticism about the channel's sudden surge in activity, reflecting on the unpredictable nature of live broadcasts.

Tim Gettys [01:05]: "We should have a ton of mini games caster. We'll see. We don't know what we get to or we have nothing."

South of Midnight: Comprehensive Review

General Impressions and Scores

The central focus of the episode is the review of "South of Midnight" by Compulsion Games. All five hosts have completed the game, providing a well-rounded perspective on its strengths and weaknesses.

Paris Lilly’s Perspective:

Paris leads the review, highlighting the game's impressive music, art direction, sound effects, and voice acting. However, she criticizes the gameplay for being repetitive and lacking depth, particularly in combat mechanics and story development.

Paris Lilly [06:56]: "The music in this game is incredible. It's really, really good... I want more from the gameplay that we got."

She assigns a score of 7.5 out of 10, appreciating the cultural representation but wishing for more engaging gameplay and a more cohesive story conclusion.

Greg Miller’s Perspective:

Greg offers a contrasting view, rating the game 9 out of 10. He praises the game's storytelling, art, and voice acting, drawing parallels to titles like "Jedi Survivor" and "Uncharted." Despite acknowledging the simplistic combat, Greg believes the overall experience and production values elevate the game beyond its mechanical flaws.

Greg Miller [12:03]: "This is amazing... I think this is something that people should experience."

Tim Gettys’ Perspective:

Tim aligns more with Greg's enthusiasm, awarding "South of Midnight" a 9 out of 10. He commends the game’s narrative integration with combat and praises the audio design, particularly the immersive soundscapes and expressive character animations. However, he acknowledges the need for improved combat mechanics and more varied abilities.

Tim Gettys [12:18]: "Everything Paris said... I think this game is amazing. Like, I think this game is a 9 out of 10."

Roger Piccor’s Perspective:

Roger presents a balanced view, giving the game a 7.5 out of 10. He lauds the game's emotional depth, character design, and storytelling but criticizes the repetitive gameplay and lack of enemy diversity. Roger emphasizes the strong narrative and art but feels the mechanics hinder the overall experience.

Roger Piccor [27:51]: "I think this is a really good game. This is a game that I would recommend to everybody that has game pass..."

Detailed Analysis

Story and Characters: The hosts unanimously agree that "South of Midnight" excels in storytelling and character development. The game features a Black female protagonist, Hazel, navigating the Deep American South, rich in folklore and cultural elements. The narrative delves into themes of abandonment, trauma, and betrayal, resonating emotionally with players.

Roger Piccor [25:11]: "The story is so emotional... I need to explain this to you right now."

Art and Audio: Paris and Tim commend the game's art direction and sound design, noting the seamless integration of music with gameplay moments. The jazz-influenced soundtrack and expressive animations create an immersive atmosphere.

Paris Lilly [07:54]: "The music is fantastic... the sound effects, the ambiance is amazing."

Gameplay and Combat: The primary critique revolves around the gameplay mechanics. Despite the game’s aesthetic strengths, the combat is seen as repetitive and uninspiring. The skill tree lacks depth, and enemy variety is minimal, leading to a repetitive experience. Some hosts experimented with skipping combat to enhance enjoyment, revealing inherent flaws in the design.

Greg Miller [08:43]: "The combat in south of Midnight just like I did in the preview... It's just rinse and repeat."

Technical Performance: Most hosts experienced smooth gameplay across various platforms, though a few encountered minor bugs and performance issues, particularly on the Xbox Series S. Overall, the game is praised as a technical marvel with minimal glitches.

Tim Gettys [56:08]: "The audio... was flawless, except for a couple of bugs."

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Overall Impression: The hosts collectively appreciate "South of Midnight" for its compelling story, rich cultural depiction, and outstanding audiovisual presentation. However, they acknowledge that the gameplay mechanics require refinement to match the game's narrative strengths fully.

Recommendation: "South of Midnight" is recommended for players who value strong storytelling and artistic presentation over complex gameplay mechanics. It is particularly praised as a worthy addition to the Game Pass library, offering an engaging narrative experience for a reasonable price.

Greg Miller [62:35]: "I highly recommend it especially as a game pass title... adjust to your own specifications."

Community and Replayability: While the game excels in narrative and presentation, the lack of side missions and varied gameplay elements limits its replayability. Hosts suggest that future iterations could benefit from more diverse combat mechanics, additional puzzles, and side quests to enhance the overall experience.

Paris Lilly [32:30]: "I want optional side missions so we can explore some of these other characters."

Conclusion

"South of Midnight" by Compulsion Games emerges as a standout title for its narrative depth and artistic brilliance, despite its repetitive gameplay. The Kinda Funny Gamescast hosts offer a multifaceted review, blending critical analysis with genuine appreciation for the game's strengths. They conclude that "South of Midnight" is a commendable effort that holds promise for future developments, urging listeners to experience its rich storytelling and immersive world.

Blessing Adeoye Jr. [62:01]: "This is one that I think might have more of the staying power than at least those games."

Notable Quotes:

• Tim Gettys [12:18]: "This game is amazing... I think this game is a 9 out of 10."
• Paris Lilly [07:54]: "The music is fantastic... the sound effects, the ambiance is amazing."
• Greg Miller [08:43]: "The combat in south of Midnight just like I did in the preview... It's just rinse and repeat."
• Roger Piccor [25:11]: "The story is so emotional... I need to explain this to you right now."
• Tim Gettys [56:08]: "The audio... was flawless, except for a couple of bugs."

Final Rating Summary:

• Paris Lilly: 7.5/10
• Greg Miller: 9/10
• Tim Gettys: 9/10
• Roger Piccor: 7.5/10

Average Score: Approximately 8.5/10

Recommendation: "South of Midnight" is a must-play for fans of narrative-driven games and those interested in immersive cultural experiences. While it may fall short in gameplay variety and combat complexity, its strengths in storytelling, art, and audio make it a valuable addition to any gamer’s library.

For more detailed discussions and additional content, tune into the full episode of Kinda Funny Gamescast on YouTube, Twitch, or your preferred podcast platform.