Kinda Funny Gamescast: The 2025 (Third Annual) Smileys Award Show
Episode date: January 9, 2026
Episode Overview
The Kinda Funny crew gathers for the Third Annual Smileys— their offbeat, “Kinda Funny style” alternative to typical Game of the Year awards, celebrating a broader range of 2025's games. The Smileys highlight hidden gems, genre standouts, personal favorites, and fun community moments. Hosts Blessing Adeoye Jr., Greg “GameOverGreggy” Miller, Andy Cortez, Roger McCorny, and Snowbike Mike break down their most beloved experiences, with input from the extended crew (including remote shout-outs from Tim Geddes and Barrett Courtney).
The crew’s chemistry, irreverence, and real passion for gaming shine throughout, balancing sharp analysis with inside jokes, audience interactions, and off-the-cuff banter.
Table of Contents
- Setting the Scene & Smileys Introduction
- Best Hidden Gem
- Best Style
- Best Old Game
- Best Multiplayer
- Best Story
- Best Mechanic / Feature
- KFGPP: Kinda Funny Games Preferred Partner
- Best Trailer
- Best Studio
- Memorable Moments & In-Jokes
- Notable Quotes
- Closing Thoughts & What’s Next
1. Setting the Scene & Smileys Introduction
[00:21–06:00]
- Blessing welcomes the crew, notes Tim’s absence due to illness (“He’s at home sick. He caught a cold...” [01:21]).
- Recap of Smileys history: Created to honor a wider breadth of games than just GOTY top 10.
- Andy describes Smileys’ spirit: “It's to kind of show off all of our different tastes and the things that we're into in video games and also just celebrate the most amount of developers and creations out there in the games industry.” [03:41]
- New and returning categories are outlined, with Bless emphasizing variety and community participation.
2. Best Hidden Gem [09:00]
Nominees & Highlights:
-
Dead Take
- Lovingly described as “FMV done right” (Barrett and Blessing’s pick).
- “There's a very interesting story being told here about Hollywood and the nature of performance and the nature of art and putting ourselves into art.” – Blessing [09:48]
-
Keeper
- Deeply atmospheric, emotional, with Double Fine’s signature art and design.
- “The visuals and the sounds were the big ones for me... I had a good time with this.” – Snowbike Mike [11:53]
- Tim's sick day written into KFG lore ("by the way, you're right about Keeper..." [12:24])
-
And Roger
- Mini-game anthology with emotional narrative, cryptic Florence-style storytelling.
- “It’s heartbreaking. It's beautiful. I loved it.” — Greg [13:54]
- “If you want interesting mechanics telling you an interesting story... it’s what I love about video games.” — Greg [15:30]
-
The Alters
- Unique clone-management, survival game; deep character work.
- “This is probably the most unique game of the year ... these clones of yourself are all different personalities ... made a different decision in your life in their version of your life.” – Andy [17:10–18:58]
Community shout-outs:
- Ender Magnolia (Lucid Dream); Andy extols its Metroidvania design [20:07–21:12]
3. Best Style [21:40]
Nominees & Highlights:
-
South of Midnight
- Striking visuals, music, and southern US setting.
- “One of the best looking video games of this generation … it just feels like this really beautifully art directed world.” – Roger [22:09]
- “I adored the soundtrack… just the ambiance music ... you can see it seeping through this. This is a great pick.” – Greg [22:49]
-
Claire Obscure: Expedition 33
- Vivid scale, visual effects, “particle effects with a purpose.”
- “Things just look really, really awesome all of the time... they listened to Andy’s lessons of what makes a game look cool: floating rocks.” – Andy [23:52, 24:51]
- “It doesn’t come off as noise, it comes off as art and design with a purpose.” – Blessing [25:14]
-
Death Stranding 2
- Next-level realism, surreal “homey” style, emotive environments.
- “If I were to rank highest fidelity video games ... Death Stranding 2 is number one.” – Roger [27:13]
-
Doom: The Dark Ages
- “Fucking in your face action. Heart pumping. It’s got everything I want.” – Snowbike Mike [28:57]
- Standout for bullet-hell visuals and monster design.
4. Best Old Game [35:30]
Nominees & Highlights:
-
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 Remake
- A nostalgia-fueled triumph.
- “The fact they were able to come back and deliver something that captures that glory ... is pretty incredible.” – Greg [35:56]
-
Metal Gear Solid Delta
- “To have it be as good as it was and such a great reminder of what Metal Gear was and I guess is.” – Greg [38:22]
-
Dark Souls
- Rediscovered, lauded for its endurance and depth.
- “As somebody who's currently playing Dark Souls, I will tell you, what a special game.” – Blessing [41:33]
-
Hollow Knight
- Revisiting before Silksong and rekindling metroidvania love.
- “It was so good and such an amazing experience ... it was such an all-encompassing gaming experience.” – Roger [43:17]
Also-ran: Final Fantasy X (Snowbike Mike’s homage to “laughs, tears, the hug… Blitzball...that shocking realization" [47:46])
5. Best Multiplayer [51:05]
Nominees & Highlights:
-
Elden Ring: Night Rain
- Unites solo and co-op magic; “FromSoft multiplayer done right.”
- “It’s just still so magical... you think, could it lose the mysticism? It just didn’t.” – Andy [51:13]
- “[It’s] the messiest multiplayer game possible—in the best way.” – Blessing [54:08]
-
ARC Raiders
- PvPvE thrill, hunting the human element.
- “It will always be my I'm coming after you game.” – Mike [56:35]
-
Marvel: Cosmic Invasion
- Cross-play, drop-in/out, family-friendly mythos.
- “Cross play ... throw out a friend code into the ether ... what a great multiplayer system.” – Greg [57:44]
- Greg played it with his son: “He was my co-pilot out there.” [58:57]
-
Schedule One
- Janky, emergent chaos—growing and selling drugs with your crew.
- “Playing with my brother is some of the most fun we've had playing a video game in years.” – Roger [59:30, 61:10]
6. Best Story [63:47]
Nominees & Highlights:
-
Claire Obscure: Expedition 33
- “Twists, choices ... the journey is incredible. The concept grabs you immediately.” – Blessing [64:08]
- “It's the almost boring choice, but it's the right choice.” – Roger [65:18]
-
Citizen Sleeper 2
- “A game about hope … built so that you have to be okay with failure ... how you're gonna learn and grow from this.” – Andy [65:46, 66:49]
-
And Roger
- “It does what I love about games... let's put you in someone else's shoes.” – Greg [67:42]
- “You can use gameplay mechanics to tell stories in unique ways that movies and TV can't.” – Blessing [68:23]
-
Octopath Traveler 0
- “Three movies in one... it just kept mutating and changing. I just love this game.” – Greg [68:53–70:36]
7. Best Mechanic / Feature [71:10]
Nominees & Highlights:
-
Player Plattering – Hell Is Us
- Clue-based navigation, “not handing you the game on a silver platter.”
- “You have a map, but it's not gonna fill in ... just the littlest amount of digging... I adored that.” – Greg [71:10]
-
Destruction System – DK Bonanza
- Environment-smashing DK mechanics.
- “Inspired and really different… I really loved this as a system.” – Blessing [72:22]
-
Dice/Stress System – Citizen Sleeper 2
- “It feels like going through some tough times in life... it affects your choices and your decision making.” – Andy [74:56]
-
Musical Boss Fights – South of Midnight
- Boss vocals tell story mid-fight; “That's one I compliment all the time—such a special, brilliant little thing.” – Greg [75:54]
-
Invasion System – Sniper Elite Resistance
- “I just invaded kids throughout their campaigns... chasing them, listening for alerts ... testicle shots. That rules.” – Snowbike Mike [76:21, 77:24]
8. KFGPP: Kinda Funny Games Preferred Partner [85:48]
A new category for favorite sidekick, companion, or memorable character.
Nominees & Highlights:
-
Oyuki – Ghost of Yot
- “A very interesting story … in relation to the Yotei Six. They did a great job.” – Greg [86:33]
-
Hornet – Silksong (ultimately “vetoed" in favor of Shurma)
- “I love her look, moves, voice, outfit, animations. 10 out of 10.” – (Tim, via Blessing) [87:30]
-
Invisigal – Dispatch
- “What a great arc ... chemistry with protagonist Robert … one of the reasons this character is nominated for DICE Awards.” – Greg [87:56]
- Blessing on “Twilight for men” theory and romance mechanics [88:23]
-
Rick – Kirby Air Riders
- “The way he'd just be running. His alt is ... he gets off the board, he just be running. He's going crazy mode.” – Roger [90:21]
-
Mike – Baby Steps
- “Not afraid to ask for help ... shout out to Mike for always being prepared.” – Snowbike Mike [91:13]
9. Best Trailer [92:13]
Nominees & Highlights:
-
Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic
- Huge community reaction; surprise Old Republic return with Casey Hudson.
- “Bringing out Old Republic ... it kept getting crazier.” – Greg [93:12]
-
Unbeatable
- “Trailer that pulls at the heartstrings, gives an emotional tone, and sells the original music.” – Barrett [95:00]
-
Clockwork Revolution
- “Gives Deus Ex/Dishonored vibes; great deep-dive trailer, explains mechanics and vision.” – Blessing [96:45]
-
Tides of Annihilation: Mirror Combat Trailer
- Stunned by technical prowess, even with frame drops. “Doing wild stuff with tech ... so far, awesome.” – Andy [98:42]
-
Wolverine
- First real look: “Brutality, EM rating, claws, a different kind of superhero game from Insomniac.” – Greg [100:51]
10. Best Studio [110:45]
Nominees & Highlights:
-
Team Cherry
- “After nearly a decade... they managed to deliver an all-timer and exceeded expectations.” – Andy [111:09]
- “Put out this game for $20 that ends up as being a favorite of the year amongst people.” – Blessing [112:26]
-
Obsidian
- “The workhorse of Xbox Game Studios ... putting out consistent things ... really great games.” – Greg [114:03, 114:32]
-
Sandfall Entertainment Interactive
- “Who the fuck is Sandfall? ... and then it so greatly exceeded [expectations] … just incredible stuff.” – Greg [115:03]
- “Becoming pop culture.” – Roger (on seeing their hoodies in public) [116:05]
-
Hazelight
- “Locked the fuck in ... able to make video games at a pace that is really respectable ... forefront of gameplay and tech.” – Roger [116:37–118:09]
- “Creative studio doing it right now.” – Blessing [118:48]
-
Round 8
- “What I think is one of the best DLCs ever made ... characters, side quests had me in tears ... this studio has it.” – Andy [119:09–120:24]
11. Memorable Moments & In-Jokes
- Tim out sick, remote contributions referenced throughout.
- The “shoes off” comfort segment—crocs, socks, and bare feet in the studio banter [04:25–07:36].
- Extended, hilarious food order clip: mashed potatoes crisis at The Cheesecake Factory, coconut shrimp misadventures [103:09–110:41].
- Sidebar awards for “most concerning undiagnosed ADHD moment,” “heartbreaking Nuzlocke deaths,” and “worst meal ordered.”
- Audience superchats woven directly into the show.
- Regular reminders: “No spoilers!” policy.
12. Notable Quotes
“It's to kind of show off all of our different tastes and the things that we're into in video games and also just celebrate the most amount of developers and you know, creations out there in the games industry.” – Andy Cortez [03:41]
“I think it's such a good marriage of gameplay and what the story is they're telling.” – Blessing (on And Roger) [15:58]
“This one holds a special place in my heart.” – Snowbike Mike (on MGS Delta and the abandoned alligator meat for their stream) [40:50]
“I, like, literally can't. Now here's the deal. Let's sweeten it up one more time for you, you know? Stop.” – Mike, pleading for mashed potatoes from the Cheesecake Factory [110:11]
“A game about hope … you're not really ever supposed to 100 this perfect ... you are going to fail. The game gives you the best couple of paragraphs of how you're going to learn and grow from this.” – Andy (Citizen Sleeper 2, Best Story) [66:49]
“Locked the fuck in ... able to make video games at a pace that is really respectable ... the forefront of gameplay and tech.” – Roger (Hazelight, Best Studio) [116:37–118:09]
13. Closing Thoughts & What's Next
[121:38–122:51]
- Blessing and Andy celebrate “Video games rock. 2025 rocked as a year for video games.”
- The Smileys reaffirmed as a beloved Kinda Funny tradition for its wide lens and personalization.
- Teaser: Monday’s big GOTY top 10 show incoming.
Summary
The 2025 Smileys award show is equal parts celebration, chaotic fun, and heartfelt critique. The Kinda Funny team highlights both the mainstream and the overlooked, mixing games industry commentary with their signature humor and transparency. They reinforce that the medium is more vibrant than ever, touching on community, personal milestones, and pure love of games.
If you missed the broadcast, this summary should get you caught up on every meaningful category, moment, and meme—setting the stage for the highly anticipated GOTY countdown to come.