Poll: Do you watch "Let's Play" type videos?

[thenumberthirteen]

On occasion. Generally for entertainment value. Ones like Spoony's SWAT 4 (which I must have watched about 5 times) and Ripper LPs are a good laugh. I also liked Linkara's LP of Star Trek Elite Force. Since they involve going through the whole game it's a thorough, if spoileriffic way to check a game out.

 

[TheYellowCellPhone]

Ones I like is where there are multiple people, generally messing around and having fun or suffering together.

I do watch them, but usually of old or hard games.

 

[Irridium]

I do. I watch Spoiler Warning, which is a lets play Shamus Young(dude behind Stolen Pixels and "Shamus Plays") has on his Blog.

Basically its him and a few other people sit around and complain about games. Thats it really. Not for everyone, but I enjoy it. So far they've done Mass Effect [http://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?p=6796], Fallout 3 [http://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?p=7926], Bioshock [http://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?p=9071], and are now in the middle of Mass Effect 2 [http://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?p=9952].

They've also done an episode on Team Fortress 2 [http://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?p=9932] and Amnesia [http://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?p=10529].

Again, they nitpick and complain relentlessly. But they make it interesting and fun to watch. At least I think so, opinions will vary.

Although its getting less nitpicky now that they've gotten to the loyalty missions in ME2. Which is understandable, since those are the best parts of the game.

 

[GundamSentinel]

I'm watching one right now. Look up MoogleFTW on youtube and laugh your ass off. Insane randomness.

Oh, screw it:


LORD...! of the Dance!

 

[jamradar]

If they are funny commentators then yes(the yogscast lets play of Minecraft is hilarious).

Sometimes I will watch boring lets plays if it is of a game that I want but cannot get.

 

[skywalkerlion]

Sometimes, if it's a game I like, but if it's a LP with 10 episodes a day, all of which 20 minutes long, I don't have that much time, so I tend to ignore them alot

I like Spoony's LP of SWAT, and FPSKyle's LPs, and that's as far as it goes.

 

[theevilsanta]

I am a bit of a beginner in the field, but I find good Let's Play to be a great way to experience a game you don't want to pay for - or aren't sure if you want to pay for. TotalBiscuit's WTF is ... ? series has talked me out of some bad decisions and convinced of some great decisions for indie game purchases. Also just watching him level a bit in DC Universe: Online talked me out of blowing $50 bucks for just a great character creator.

Also X's Minecraft series is one of the best series on YouTube. His DukeNukem is pretty fun too.

 

[GiantRaven]

I do like Let's Plays but the people doing them absolutely have to be funny. I've looked around at different Let's Plays and there's nothing worse than watching someone play a game and them being incredibly dull. Thank god for Chip & Ironicus [http://chipandironicus.com/]. They provide great watchability just through their comedic duo dynamic even disregarding the Let's Play aspect of what they do completely. I would thoroughly recommend watching the various games they've played through.

Shamus Young's Spoiler Warning [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jh835yhzj0&feature=feedu] is also finally getting into full stride now, after a few games which weren't really that funny to watch, although they do focus a bit too much on negativity for my liking.

Also, on the more serious side, there are some fantastic screenshot LPs around. It's fantastic to see new life breathed into a game through a new view on character narrative and added depth.

Examples:
Arcanum [http://lparchive.org/Arcanum/Intro/]
Animal Crossing [http://lparchive.org/Animal-Crossing/Update%201/]
Vampire: Bloodlines [http://lparchive.org/Vampire-The-Masquerade-Bloodlines/Prologue%201/]

All three are fantastically written and completely and utterly compelling, even if you know the games well.

Apart from these examples though, I can only think of a couple [http://lparchive.org/Dead-to-Rights/#results] of other [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKJyv4uqsWI] Let's Plays that I really found interesting.

So yeah, in short, watch stuff by Chip & Ironicus. It kicks ass.

edit: Oh, and the Freelance Astronauts [http://www.freelanceastronauts.com/index.php] are pretty cool as well. I forget to mention them as I haven't watched much of their stuff but the JFK Reloaded [http://www.freelanceastronauts.com/games.php?id=1] and New Super Mario Bros. Wii [http://www.freelanceastronauts.com/games.php?id=52] LPs are pretty funny.

 

[BreakfastMan]

Yeah, I watch them sometimes, though the only reason I watch them is for a good laugh. They can be really funny sometimes (Spoony's SWAT 4 Let's play is especially hilarious). I never use them as a review though (I use actual written reviews for that!), because I do not like to spoil the game for myself (which is what usually happens in the Let's Plays). I like to have everything as fresh and new as possible when I pop the game in.

 

[GiantRaven]

Also, because I can't stop thinking of things I want to yell from the rooftops...

These delve more into Machinima more than Let's Play but Freeman's Mind [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7J80KD4BG7M] and Profound Moments in L4D2 [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnZeUQJALrY&playnext=1&list=PL952A8601B7969F1A] are Let's Play-esque and amazingly funny.

 

[busterkeatonrules]

I often watch LPs for games that are only available for consoles I don't have. The commentaries are usually entertaining, too.

Speaking of commentaries, I have to recommend this guy: pyschadelicsnake! Here, have a look at one of his videos:

Spoiler: I dare you not to laugh.

<Youtube=UNuHxK7Wtdg>

I found out about him less than an hour ago, from another thread right here on The Escapist! (Thanks again, [user]euro2019[/user]!)

 

[Forktongue]

I usually only watch LP series of games I've already played and enjoyed, and whoever is running it needs to actually be funny. For me, it's like a video game version of MST3K. If the folks running the LP focus on games they personally enjoy (like 20-sided) then more often than not the series is a lot of fun to watch.

It's the difference between mocking the flaws of something you like versus mocking the flaws of something you hate, if that makes any sense.

 

[The Rascal King]

I only watch LP's if the game the person is playing terrible. It's true entertainment to hear someone suffer through a crappy game.

 

[One Seven One]

Yes, I'll usually keep one up as background noise or as something to laugh at as I do work.

I like spoony's Final Fantasy and Phantasmagoria videos as background noise.

And I'm currently following Magaminx and Tobuscus's Let's Plays.

 

[OroCrimson]

I watch them. In fact, I'm a YT LPer myself. Did my debut with Castlevania SOTN.
I'd have to say my favorite LPer is Toegoff

There are many reasons to watch LPs:
~As walkthroughs that are slightly better than the boring professional stuff
~As a COMPLETE review to see if it is actually enjoyable, even if you are just watching a random episode in the middle
~To see what the commentator thinks about the game (sometimes funny to see)
~A game is too expensive/scary/fast or slow-paced/frustratingly difficult but you still have a cat-killing curiosity burning into your soul

Blind LPs are especially good (for those who don't know, its an LP during the commentator's first playthrough). I loved seeing Toegoff's reactions through Symphony of the Night as he went through territory that was familiar to me but not so much to him. Also, I saw his blind LP of I Wanna Be The Guy and couldn't stop laughing as he played through one of the most frustrating (but possible) games to come to existence, even though I hadn't played it myself. I guess watching their misery is part of the fun?

There are so many reasons to watch LPs. The list goes on. Most people blatantly look at LPs at just watching some other guy play the game. Perhaps they haven't seen the right LP, or even tried one at all. Who knows, but personally I believe there is an LP for everyone.

Now excuse me while I go find Let's Play My Little Pony - Scuba Diving Edition: War Against Seamonkies Episode 1.

 

[BeepBoopBrother]

I usually watch Let's Plays if it's an old game that I haven't played in a while or if I'm interested and haven't bought the title yet.

Also, I'd only watch them in the commenter was entertaining. Some of those guys can just drone on and on. And as some people stated before, it's pretty good background noise.

 

[GiantRaven]

Blind LPs are especially good (for those who don't know, its an LP during the commentator's first playthrough).

Really? The last thing I want to see is somebody wandering around not knowing what the hell to do. It stinks of a lack of professionalism and effort.

 

[Sir Thomas Sean Connery]

I love LPs.

Spoony is the best comedy wise, but I also like DarkSydePhil on youtube since he plays every single new game that comes out and I get a nice preview.

 

[thedeathscythe]

Yes, all the time. I'm currently following five of them.

And for anyone else that does, I don't want to sound like I'm advertising but you should check out this place [http://www.gameanyone.com].

I don't take it as advertising, but thanks! I'll check it out. I've seen a couple let's play videos, and I liked parts of them but none of them held my interest for more than a couple episodes, so I'll see if I can find a good one there. It's always awesome when it's a game you play or are starting to play, if you're good at the game or you're just beginning I find these videos interesting to watch.

 

[binvjoh]

Yep, I love em.

Actually I'm considering doing some of my own.