Let's Play!

[Just_A_Glitch]

So, my friend and I have started an attempt to do a Let's Play recently of Resident Evil 5, and as a way to prep ourselves for this endeavor, we took to youtube to watch a few so we could see what to do properly. And what did we find out?

There are a TON of Let's Play videos. It was staggering.

So, I ask you, what is your favorite Let's Play video series, and why? Is it just because you enjoy the game, or is it the person playing it that makes you enjoy it? Do you prefer the person playing to commentate or do you just want straight game footage?

For me, I have grown to love Toby Turner's (Tobuscus) Let's Plays, especially of Dead Space 2 and Amnesia: The Dark Descent, and its DLC Justine (though after watching these, I don't think that game could possibly scare me now). He emphasizes his humor over his skill, which just makes the videos hilarious, and watching him cower in fear in survival horror situations is nothing short of hysterical.

So fellow Escapists, do you have a favorite?

 

[oplinger]

...Find slowbeef. Like his metroid prime series. And do it that way. Any differently and you're probably going to come off as annoying.

Or watch some Retsupraes ...And don't do that XD

 

[WhiteFangofWhoa]

JClement usually does all his with a friend cooperatively, and thus it's usually hilarious. I particularly enjoyed when he played through New Super Mario Bros. Wii's extra levels with what I presume are their girlfriends as the third and fourth player. Chaos and hilarity quickly ensued.

But one of my all-time favorites has to be Let's Play Doom 3 by Kikoskia. Probably because:
a) I hadn't played it.
b) Kiko is genuinely not used to scary games and freaks out quite a bit early on. By the end of it he's taking down armies of demons like they're nothing. It's charming.
c)'Hello sir' *shotgun to the face*

 

[Kopikatsu]

I don't really have any specific Let's Player that I follow, but...

I know what you mean about the gajillions of LPs. I've thought about doing one, but then even extremely obscure games that NOONE has heard of have at least three LPs.

The only way to get any kind of fame would be to have some kind of gimmick...but that's...eh.

 

[Avatar Roku]

Watch any Chip and Ironicus [http://chipandironicus.com/games/games.html] LP, they are fantastic. Personally, I recommend Metal Gear Solid 3.

 

[Just_A_Glitch]

I don't really have any specific Let's Player that I follow, but...

I know what you mean about the gajillions of LPs. I've thought about doing one, but then even extremely obscure games that NOONE has heard of have at least three LPs.

The only way to get any kind of fame would be to have some kind of gimmick...but that's...eh.

A different friend and I have plans to do a Let's Play of Rock of the Dead (ever heard of it? No one else has) and he says that he's only seen one other, very poorly done, Let's Play, that wasn't even finished.

 

[Avatar Roku]

I don't really have any specific Let's Player that I follow, but...

I know what you mean about the gajillions of LPs. I've thought about doing one, but then even extremely obscure games that NOONE has heard of have at least three LPs.

The only way to get any kind of fame would be to have some kind of gimmick...but that's...eh.

Gimmick, or overall quality. for example, the Lpers I mentioned above, Chip and Ironicus, are great because Chip is obsessive compulsive. He has to show off EVERY gameplay feature and at least show a few collectibles. This makes the LPs informative. Then, they both bring in insightful and/or hilarious commentary. Those are the main reasons they are as popular (among Goons, at least) as they are. No real gimmicks.

 

[Kopikatsu]

I don't really have any specific Let's Player that I follow, but...

I know what you mean about the gajillions of LPs. I've thought about doing one, but then even extremely obscure games that NOONE has heard of have at least three LPs.

The only way to get any kind of fame would be to have some kind of gimmick...but that's...eh.

A different friend and I have plans to do a Let's Play of Rock of the Dead (ever heard of it? No one else has) and he says that he's only seen one other, very poorly done, Let's Play, that wasn't even finished.

I've seen the game in Gamestop, actually...

Me and a friend were going to do one for Typing of the Dead, but we found a flood of LP's on it already...so now we've decided to do one of Reader Rabbit's Preschool.

I really think that the Carnival in that game was designed by the Umbrella Corporation's architect. "We have to find four trinkets to make the roller coaster run!"

 

[Just_A_Glitch]

I don't really have any specific Let's Player that I follow, but...

I know what you mean about the gajillions of LPs. I've thought about doing one, but then even extremely obscure games that NOONE has heard of have at least three LPs.

The only way to get any kind of fame would be to have some kind of gimmick...but that's...eh.

A different friend and I have plans to do a Let's Play of Rock of the Dead (ever heard of it? No one else has) and he says that he's only seen one other, very poorly done, Let's Play, that wasn't even finished.

I've seen the game in Gamestop, actually...

Me and a friend were going to do one for Typing of the Dead, but we found a floor of 'em...so now we've decided to do one of Reader Rabbit's Preschool.

I really think that the Carnival in that game was designed by the Umbrella Corporation's architect. "We have to find four trinkets to make the roller coaster run!"

Yeah, don't ever play it. It is horrible (only saving grace is it is narrated by Neil Patrick Harris, and the way he delivers his lines, you can tell he KNOWS it is bad).

 

[Avatar Roku]

Something else just occurred to me. Here [http://lparchive.org/Knights-of-the-Old-Republic-II/] is a great LP of KotOR 2. It's text, not video, but still, THIS is how you do commentary. Best I have ever seen in that regard.

 

[Danceofmasks]

I don't like LPs ...

However, I do watch as well as make video playthroughs.
By that, I mean just raw game footage. Emphasizing maximum skill and zero commentary.

Then again, I also watch Starcraft 2 replays for the same reason: to learn.

 

[Avatar Roku]

Ok, last recommendation, I promise. Here [http://lparchive.org/Sonic-The-Hedgehog-2006/] is the legendary Sonic 2006 LP. It's fun because you can hear their sanity gradually slipping, until one of the LPers snaps and starts speaking the words to Rocket Man at the end in complete monotone. So fun.

 

[Drakmeire]

I suppose they count as "Let's Plays" but I love the Video Games Awesome guys, they don't fully play the game but they are almost always funny, they play a huge variety and update often.
<youtube=6k99z5KRkyE>

 

[Kopikatsu]

I suppose they count as "Let's Plays" but I love the Video Games Awesome guys, they don't fully play the game but they are almost always funny, they play a huge variety and update often.
<youtube=6k99z5KRkyE>

I was laughing so hard at the end that I couldn't even breathe. Thanks for that.

 

[EdwardOrchard]

I hate to admit this, but watching LP's is one of my favourite pass-times. More than watching movies or actually playing games, I watch LP's....because, well, its kind of like both at the same time.

I've watched a lot of them, some good, some bad. Currently I'm watching Chip and Ironicus' LP of Drake's Fortune... I love their commentary, and it doesn't get in the way of showing off the game.

For me, its a lot like watching Mystery Science Theatre if anybody remembers that.

However, something I WISH somebody would do, is do a Let's Play, but REALLY get into it. Use their commentary to add narration to the game, or speak in character, as if they were the character's conscience, or something along those lines. A Let's Play that isn't just humorous commentary over gameplay, but a Let's Play that tries to be an actual movie.

Know what I mean?

 

[CD-R]

Kikoskia is my personal favorite.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Kikoskia#g/c/D7DE1C42D89C81C0

His videos are always very witty and he doesn't feel the need to swear or say memes all the time.

 

[LobsterFeng]

Kikoskia is my personal favorite.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Kikoskia#g/c/D7DE1C42D89C81C0

His videos are always very witty and he doesn't feel the need to swear or say memes all the time.

Yeah him and Necroscope86.

 

[Kopikatsu]

I hate to admit this, but watching LP's is one of my favourite pass-times. More than watching movies or actually playing games, I watch LP's....because, well, its kind of like both at the same time.

I've watched a lot of them, some good, some bad. Currently I'm watching Chip and Ironicus' LP of Drake's Fortune... I love their commentary, and it doesn't get in the way of showing off the game.

For me, its a lot like watching Mystery Science Theatre if anybody remembers that.

However, something I WISH somebody would do, is do a Let's Play, but REALLY get into it. Use their commentary to add narration to the game, or speak in character, as if they were the character's conscience, or something along those lines. A Let's Play that isn't just humorous commentary over gameplay, but a Let's Play that tries to be an actual movie.

Know what I mean?

I could try that with LA Noire, if you want... I would have to figure out how to record the video/audio, though.

Edit: After some thought, it would be easiest to just mute the game, then have the conversations with a friend while the characters talk. (But use clips from different cases and different dialogue to ad lib a totally new case.)