For those who don't know, Let's Plays (or LPs) are videos of people playing through a game, usually (but not always) an RPG. I've seen some mentions of them in other threads in this section and was wondering who DLP's favourites were.

But first thing first, what kind of LPers do you guys like? Do you like competent players? Funny ones? Players who bash or players who gush over the game they're playing? Do you follow LPs of games you've already played, games you're deciding whether to play or not, or games you have no intention of playing? Etc.

Links will be appreciated.

 

Considering starting a Let's Play?


I'm a bit of a LP addict. I just love watching video games in general, whether it's a friend playing them or some random on the internet.

Before I start posting links, though, when you say LP do you include gameplay commentaries for things like FPS or MOBAs? I tend to watch more of that than anything else.

Aside from Minecraft. My God I have watched so many hours of Minecraft. Mods, hardcore mode, How To Survive Your First Night, Skyblock, Adventure Maps. Pretty much every kind of Minecraft LP, I've probably watched it.


As for what kind of LPers I like, I usually prefer competent players with lots of technical knowledge of the game's mechanics. Especially if it's a game I've played. I'm actually pretty forgiving about people making mistakes, it's just more enjoyable when I don't have to cringe at awful decisions.

Aside from competency, though, humor is nice. Not stupid crap ('That's what she said... he he he.') but goofy little jokes about the gameplay can be fun. Etho's Lab and Star both do this very well.

 

My personal favorite is Two Best Friends Play.

 

Humor really does it for me, not the kind of forced humor or telling jokes but just kind of being funny in general. The only lets play I've watched more than one was IGN Darnoc's Skyrim videos, partly because I was too broke to be able to get the game so I had to enjoy it vicariously, but what kept me was the funny little comments he'd make. Also, his enjoyment of the game was something palpable, I could tell he was enjoying it immensely and so I was too.

That's for RPGS and the like. For MMOs/MOBAs/etc, well I only watch LOL streams such as TheOddOne who keeps me coming back for his knowledge of the game overall, mechanics and commentary which is also rife with humor.

 

The Syndicate Project does plays of Minecraft, Call of Duty Games, the latest Resident Evil game, the Sims 3and a few more. The guy's pretty funny and he tends to be very interactive with his community, plus there's a ton of videos to follow. http://www.youtube.com/user/TheSyndicateProject

There's Toegoff, who does LPs of RPG games like Dragon's Age, Baldur's Gate, etc.. He's a pretty cool LP'er, but he's done more than a few political videos so be wary of them. http://www.youtube.com/user/Toegoff

Warlord Erwin Rommel does Paradox Games like Victoria, Crusader Kings and the like and he does them rather well, IMO. A bit dull at times, though. http://www.youtube.com/user/WarlordErwinRommel

Jefmajor does Total War games among many others and I find him entertaining. http://www.youtube.com/user/jefmajor/videos?view=1

 

The only ones I've watched and enjoyed are the ones where the guy doesn't say a word.

 

I'm of the mind that having great knowledge of the game is a draw, as well as being genuinely funny, but what turns me off is making stupid mistakes, or taking far too long for the game (A relatively famous LPer, Maximus Black, took 40 videos that were 30 minutes each to beat Super Mario Sunshine), but what will really kill the LP for me is when the person has a shitty personality.

As Andro said, people who don't say a word or keep it minimal ("Hi, this is [insert name here] and we'll be playing [insert game here].") is usually the best formula.

 

I've been following Hardcore Skyrim for a while now, and while the narrator can be a bit annoying at times (and dense at others), he's always experimenting with mods and the likes so the gameplay adjusts around those all the time. Pretty cool.

 

There are a lot of let's players I follow, but my favorite is DinoRidingJesus.

 

I like both "Blind" LPs where it's the first time someone is playing, or reasonably expert (but not jerkish) playthroughs. I prefer games I've played, otherwise I get bored, and also games I actually like. Then it comes down to the specific style & humor of the player, which is highly subjective, so I don't know if you want to know about that aspect.

 

Nope, just looking for entertainment.

Sure, those count too.

Well, yeah, if you can. Shitty humour is a dealbreaker and certain styles can put off some viewers and draw in others at the same time. Just describe them which ones you like and why, if possible.

 

I'll second this, and the guy pumps out a shitload of videos. Two or three every day, all of them a decent length.

I'll also say TobyGames. I mostly follow him for his minecraft videos, but he does Skyrim and a few other games as well. He's pretty funny, and he's not bad at the games even though he likes to pretend he is.

 

EpicNameBro. I don't know why I like him but I do.

 

Tobuscus can be goddamn irritating at times when he's playing though. He's much more entertaining on his other channel.

 

I generally don't like these because the player always seems to have the need to narrate. If I'm going to watch a playthrough of a game, I'd rather just watch the game and listen to the music. Not interested in hearing some nerd provide unnecessary play by play commentary as though I can't see what's going on.

tl;dr What Andro said.

 

Quill18 on youtube does a lot of strategy games like Civ IV/V and the various Paradox Games. He also does a bit of LoL and Starcraft 2.

 

I've generally enjoyed RoahmMythril's, the occasional NintendoCapriSun though he tends to ramble now and again, and any of qzecwx's Mega Man/hacked Mega Man uploads.

 

Not really Let's Play, but I like watching Nuzlocke challenges. I'd rather play the game instead of watch someone do it.

 

I find Jesse of OMFGcata to be both a competent player and actually pretty funny and fun to watch because he enjoys playing what he is playing, he usually plays RPGs and MMOs. http://www.youtube.com/user/OMFGcata.
Also there is the Radbrad, a cool guy, not funny but just cool, like your chilling with him as he plays...or something like thathttp://www.youtube.com/user/theRadBrad

Oh and I have to ask how exactly does one go about getting paid to make LPs there is this LPer goes by the name GhostRobbo who gets paid to make this videos and he isn't part of a group like Machinima so I don't get how he does that. Oh you can also check him out if you want to see new games that come out.

 

I find Jesse of OMFGcata to be both a competent player and actually pretty funny and fun to watch because he enjoys playing what he is playing, he usually plays RPGs and MMOs. http://www.youtube.com/user/OMFGcata.
Also there is the Radbrad, a cool guy, not funny but just cool, like your chilling with him as he plays...or something like thathttp://www.youtube.com/user/theRadBrad

Oh and I have to ask how exactly does one go about getting paid to make LPs there is this LPer goes by the name GhostRobbo who gets paid to make this videos and he isn't part of a group like Machinima so I don't get how he does that. Oh you can also check him out if you want to see new games that come out.