A Super Great Friend, indeed.
June 2, 2011 6:59 PM Subscribe
A "Let's Play" is a narrated walk-through of a game. A master of the genre is Super Great Friend, and as he wraps up his rendition of the cult classic Deadly Premonition, he has announced a new website that collects his work in a single location.
What sets SGF apart from other let's play narrators? He plays each game as closely to 100% as he can, often providing the viewer with backstory and insight, and doing so with a pleasant voice, and a dry wit. He let's the game speak for itself while still providing his own unique spin on the experience. SGF's wheelhouse is survival horror, and to date he has LPed the following games:
Wikipedia links follow, with minor to major spoilers in each. I'd recommend reading the summaries only if you want to view the videos without spoilers. SGF operates mainly out of the Let's Play forum on SomethingAwful. If you'd like some more information about Let's Plays, or want to check out the work of some other narrators, you can do so at the LP archive.
Deadly Premonition was discussed previously here and here, and despite its flaws it comes highly recommended.
What sets SGF apart from other let's play narrators? He plays each game as closely to 100% as he can, often providing the viewer with backstory and insight, and doing so with a pleasant voice, and a dry wit. He let's the game speak for itself while still providing his own unique spin on the experience. SGF's wheelhouse is survival horror, and to date he has LPed the following games:
Wikipedia links follow, with minor to major spoilers in each. I'd recommend reading the summaries only if you want to view the videos without spoilers. SGF operates mainly out of the Let's Play forum on SomethingAwful. If you'd like some more information about Let's Plays, or want to check out the work of some other narrators, you can do so at the LP archive.
Deadly Premonition was discussed previously here and here, and despite its flaws it comes highly recommended.
The KoToR 2 Let's Play is an amazing read written by (IIRC) one of the people working on a patch to restore all the content cut from that game when I was booted out the door into stores about 6 months too early.
Do not touch that link if you don't have about 6-8 hours to lose. I'm not kidding.
posted by Decimask at 7:16 PM on June 2, 2011
Do not touch that link if you don't have about 6-8 hours to lose. I'm not kidding.
posted by Decimask at 7:16 PM on June 2, 2011
There's some stuff that's definitely blue in Deadly Premonition (trying not to spoil anything) but nothing outside of your typical R rated movie... why's it banned?
posted by codacorolla at 7:17 PM on June 2, 2011
posted by codacorolla at 7:17 PM on June 2, 2011
Yeah, I save LPs for Friday afternoons. They're big time-killers. Also great for experiencing adventure games.
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 7:18 PM on June 2, 2011
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 7:18 PM on June 2, 2011
Man, I was so psyched about the end of the Deadly Premonition Let's Play. I was literally checking multiple times a day for updates towards the end.
I didn't even realize that Let's Play's were an artform until Supergreatfriend created it.
I've been meaning to do a LP FPP Myself:
X's Adventures in Minecraft was a great series, also (as is his Portal 2 Let's Play)
But really, Yogscast took it to another level with their minecraft saga. They also did an excellent Portal 2 let's play -- they almost make it seem like it was designed for them.
posted by empath at 7:33 PM on June 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
I didn't even realize that Let's Play's were an artform until Supergreatfriend created it.
I've been meaning to do a LP FPP Myself:
X's Adventures in Minecraft was a great series, also (as is his Portal 2 Let's Play)
But really, Yogscast took it to another level with their minecraft saga. They also did an excellent Portal 2 let's play -- they almost make it seem like it was designed for them.
posted by empath at 7:33 PM on June 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
I really can't say enough good things about SGF's Let's Plays, though -- they're kind of the video game equivalent of the Red Letter Media review of Star Wars. He mixes discussions of game strategy tactics, with musings on the plot, reviews of movies mentioned in the games, subtle running jokes, etc, but always let's the game take the foreground.
I love his voice, too.. I'd listen to him read the phone book, I think.
posted by empath at 7:39 PM on June 2, 2011
I love his voice, too.. I'd listen to him read the phone book, I think.
posted by empath at 7:39 PM on June 2, 2011
Oh!: And if this isn't enough to scratch that 'watching strangers play videogames' itch, there is also the Warp Prism. Originally created to make watching starcraft streams easier, it's expanded to cover lots of games.
posted by empath at 7:41 PM on June 2, 2011
posted by empath at 7:41 PM on June 2, 2011
There's some stuff that's definitely blue in Deadly Premonition (trying not to spoil anything) but nothing outside of your typical R rated movie... why's it banned?Australia is a strange backward land that simultaneously does not acknowledge that adults play video games and supports government censorship.
The government's game rating board can refuse to classify titles, at which point they're illegal to import or sell, and the rating system they use doesn't have anything above the ESRB Teen category.
posted by nmiell at 7:43 PM on June 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
Australia is a strange backward land that simultaneously does not acknowledge that adults play video games and supports government censorship.
The government's game rating board can refuse to classify titles, at which point they're illegal to import or sell, and the rating system they use doesn't have anything above the ESRB Teen category.
Damn. That blows, and doesn't make a lick of sense. Well, sorry Australian friends, but at least there's a dude who'll play the game for you.
posted by codacorolla at 7:47 PM on June 2, 2011
The government's game rating board can refuse to classify titles, at which point they're illegal to import or sell, and the rating system they use doesn't have anything above the ESRB Teen category.
Damn. That blows, and doesn't make a lick of sense. Well, sorry Australian friends, but at least there's a dude who'll play the game for you.
posted by codacorolla at 7:47 PM on June 2, 2011
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeell, there goes my productivity this weekend.
Anyone happen to have a LP of Amnesia they'd recommend? I'm too scared to play it myself...
posted by jess at 7:47 PM on June 2, 2011
Anyone happen to have a LP of Amnesia they'd recommend? I'm too scared to play it myself...
posted by jess at 7:47 PM on June 2, 2011
It's worth it to note that not every LP is a straight narration of someone playing a game on their own; often the most memorable are ones that take reader input on different choices that pop up in the game.
posted by curious nu at 7:53 PM on June 2, 2011
posted by curious nu at 7:53 PM on June 2, 2011
Both already mentioned, but Illbleed and Drakengard are two of the craziest games I've ever seen, and I only saw them thanks to LPs. Seriously they are ridiculous in both premise and plot.
posted by graventy at 8:07 PM on June 2, 2011
posted by graventy at 8:07 PM on June 2, 2011
Well, sorry Australian friends, but at least there's a dude who'll play the game for you.
While I hate censorship, I do have to say it's a better game to watch than to play, so in this case, you're getting the best of it.
I'm so happy I get to see what happens beyond where my husband just got bored with the awkward game play.
posted by Gucky at 8:15 PM on June 2, 2011
While I hate censorship, I do have to say it's a better game to watch than to play, so in this case, you're getting the best of it.
I'm so happy I get to see what happens beyond where my husband just got bored with the awkward game play.
posted by Gucky at 8:15 PM on June 2, 2011
Argh, it looks like a lot of that TIE Fighter thing is lost from lack of WaffleImages. :(
posted by furiousxgeorge at 8:19 PM on June 2, 2011
posted by furiousxgeorge at 8:19 PM on June 2, 2011
jess: I liked Helloween4545's let's play of Amnesia.
It's a funny thing, but I can't stand to play survivor horror games, but I enjoy watching other people play them.
posted by demiurge at 8:20 PM on June 2, 2011
It's a funny thing, but I can't stand to play survivor horror games, but I enjoy watching other people play them.
posted by demiurge at 8:20 PM on June 2, 2011
Most Let's Play's of Amnesia annoy the shit out of me with the overacting.
Also, make yourself play. It's worth it.
posted by empath at 8:23 PM on June 2, 2011
Also, make yourself play. It's worth it.
posted by empath at 8:23 PM on June 2, 2011
If you like JRPGs or just funny banter between two dudes while playing an incredibly long video game, the Giant Bomb Persona 4 Endurance Run is a must-watch.
They also did two separate Deadly Premonition ERs but I didn't find them as great. But they can be found here.
posted by kmz at 9:18 PM on June 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
They also did two separate Deadly Premonition ERs but I didn't find them as great. But they can be found here.
posted by kmz at 9:18 PM on June 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
Yeah, supergreatfriend is a top notch LPer. I'd also recommend Dark Id's LP of Drakenguard and Accounting Nightmare's LP of Devil May Cry 2 in the LP Archives as a fantastic way to experience a pair of games that you'd never want to play yourself. Hopefully Dark Id's Nier LP will make it to the archives soon as combined with Deadly Premonition, it convinced me to pony up the money for a Something awful account, just to keep up with those two.
posted by Proofs and Refutations at 9:21 PM on June 2, 2011
posted by Proofs and Refutations at 9:21 PM on June 2, 2011
The KoToR 2 Let's Play is an amazing read written by (IIRC) one of the people working on a patch to restore all the content cut from that game when I was booted out the door into stores about 6 months too early.
Do not touch that link if you don't have about 6-8 hours to lose. I'm not kidding.
posted by Decimask at 7:16 PM
When someone posted "Jedi Jesus helps those who help themselves" I laughed so hard I almost had a stroke.
Seriously one of the best LP's ever, he completely deconstructs the game in a fantastic way.
posted by Sphinx at 9:22 PM on June 2, 2011
Do not touch that link if you don't have about 6-8 hours to lose. I'm not kidding.
posted by Decimask at 7:16 PM
When someone posted "Jedi Jesus helps those who help themselves" I laughed so hard I almost had a stroke.
Seriously one of the best LP's ever, he completely deconstructs the game in a fantastic way.
posted by Sphinx at 9:22 PM on June 2, 2011
Most LP's leave me cold, except for this man. A true artist of the medium.
posted by Strshan at 9:26 PM on June 2, 2011
posted by Strshan at 9:26 PM on June 2, 2011
Hopefully Dark Id's Nier LP will make it to the archives soon as combined with Deadly Premonition, it convinced me to pony up the money for a Something awful account, just to keep up with those two.
If you've got an Xbox 360 or a PS3 you should really just play Nier. It's usually super-cheap and mechanically it's... breezy. Nice combination of Zelda and a bullet-hell shooter, but since you can block or slash at any bullet you don't have to worry too much. You can skip all the really boring sidequests, and though I haven't finished it it seems like actually beating it would take less time than reading the LP.
By all means do read it, since it has nice background and bonus stuff. But play the game first.
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 9:48 PM on June 2, 2011
If you've got an Xbox 360 or a PS3 you should really just play Nier. It's usually super-cheap and mechanically it's... breezy. Nice combination of Zelda and a bullet-hell shooter, but since you can block or slash at any bullet you don't have to worry too much. You can skip all the really boring sidequests, and though I haven't finished it it seems like actually beating it would take less time than reading the LP.
By all means do read it, since it has nice background and bonus stuff. But play the game first.
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 9:48 PM on June 2, 2011
Lt. Danger's Neverwinter Nights 2 playthrough is exemplary even if you've already beaten the game. Great timesuck, but also some really insightful observations on the relationship between the D&D setting and actual medieval society. (I suspect he's a grad student or something.) Seriously one of the most thoughtful things I've read about games online, and I'm an /r/ludology regular.
posted by nasreddin at 10:17 PM on June 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by nasreddin at 10:17 PM on June 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
Yes, you're right LiB, as good as the LP is, playing Nier is even better. It's especially effective if you manage to avoid spoilers and don't stop at ending A, but continue on to get ending B in your second playthrough (C & D are worth getting, but not quite as essential).
Don't bother playing Drakenguard though, it's a terrible, terrible game and the LP is fantastic.
posted by Proofs and Refutations at 10:19 PM on June 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
Don't bother playing Drakenguard though, it's a terrible, terrible game and the LP is fantastic.
posted by Proofs and Refutations at 10:19 PM on June 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
Don't bother playing Drakenguard though, it's a terrible, terrible game and the LP is fantastic.
Also, read the Drakenguard LP before playing Nier.
I played a bit of Drakenguard 2 (there's also an LP for it). It's also mechanically smooth, but is also pretty boring and lacks Drakenguard's insanity. The action is okay, but the PS2 has God Hand and 3 Devil May Cry games, so....
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 10:20 PM on June 2, 2011
Also, read the Drakenguard LP before playing Nier.
I played a bit of Drakenguard 2 (there's also an LP for it). It's also mechanically smooth, but is also pretty boring and lacks Drakenguard's insanity. The action is okay, but the PS2 has God Hand and 3 Devil May Cry games, so....
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 10:20 PM on June 2, 2011
(For instance, don't miss Danger's musings on the nature of alignment in this update.)
posted by nasreddin at 10:29 PM on June 2, 2011
posted by nasreddin at 10:29 PM on June 2, 2011
I didn't even realize that Let's Play's were an artform until Supergreatfriend created it.
Hey, now. I'm not saying supergreatfriend doesn't do a damn good LP, but if you want a brilliant example of how an LP can both explore every corner of a game and turn it into its own unique narrative, while still being true to the game itself, you look first to Nakar's Ultima LPs. The last of which, Serpent Isle, finished months before SGF started LPing.
posted by kafziel at 11:09 PM on June 2, 2011
Hey, now. I'm not saying supergreatfriend doesn't do a damn good LP, but if you want a brilliant example of how an LP can both explore every corner of a game and turn it into its own unique narrative, while still being true to the game itself, you look first to Nakar's Ultima LPs. The last of which, Serpent Isle, finished months before SGF started LPing.
posted by kafziel at 11:09 PM on June 2, 2011
I'd play Deadly Premonition but it's banned in Australia.
Is it? Last I heard the publishers had decided not to bother submitting it for classification, meaning that it's unclassified but not "refused classification". I imported a copy from the UK and it is awesome (although completely insane and terrible in parts). I can't speak to the legalities of doing this, but it did get a 15+ rating under PEGI which suggests that it might not be RC here.
posted by A Thousand Baited Hooks at 2:05 AM on June 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
Is it? Last I heard the publishers had decided not to bother submitting it for classification, meaning that it's unclassified but not "refused classification". I imported a copy from the UK and it is awesome (although completely insane and terrible in parts). I can't speak to the legalities of doing this, but it did get a 15+ rating under PEGI which suggests that it might not be RC here.
posted by A Thousand Baited Hooks at 2:05 AM on June 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
The King of Dragon Pass LP linked above is one of my favourites as well and the archived version really doesn't do it justice. Other current SA LP favourites: Wiz's epic Europa Universalis: Rome LP, for the hilarious political bickering and for proving that the road to failure is paved with good intentions; TyrantSabre's LP of Stuntman, for the sheer pain it must have been to do a 100% run; Grey Hunter's War in the Pacific LP - for posting an update a day, every day, for nearly two years now; and the bazillion different Diplomacy LPs currently running, which make me glad that SA is currently blocking unregistered viewers and I don't have an account there, for otherwise, I would be hooked on LPs all day and never get anything done.
posted by daniel_charms at 4:01 AM on June 3, 2011
posted by daniel_charms at 4:01 AM on June 3, 2011
Lparchive.org has most of the good LPs (including Tie Fighter). My favourite is the astonishing, magisterial Civilization IV one.
The Terrible Secret of Animal Crossing and Ayn Rands Jagged Alliance 2: Project Gumpy is also brilliant
posted by Sebmojo at 4:51 AM on June 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
The Terrible Secret of Animal Crossing and Ayn Rands Jagged Alliance 2: Project Gumpy is also brilliant
posted by Sebmojo at 4:51 AM on June 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
Oh yes almost forgot - You Awaken in Razor Hill.
Which almost achieves Literature, at the end.
posted by Sebmojo at 4:56 AM on June 3, 2011 [3 favorites]
Which almost achieves Literature, at the end.
posted by Sebmojo at 4:56 AM on June 3, 2011 [3 favorites]
I would second the recommendation for You Awaken in Razor Hill, especially for anyone who knew anything about the frustrations of questing and leveling in pre-Cataclysm WoW.
It starts off being very silly and twists into something brilliant.
posted by honestcoyote at 5:48 AM on June 3, 2011
It starts off being very silly and twists into something brilliant.
posted by honestcoyote at 5:48 AM on June 3, 2011
If you like fun, joy, and a slightly less-intense LP style, check out Chip Cheezum and General Ironicus' run-throughs of Metal Gear Solid 3 and 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand. (Admittedly, I have issues with some of the culture of LPers but these two keep the "heh heh PORN" to a minimum.)
posted by sinnesloeschen at 6:43 AM on June 3, 2011
posted by sinnesloeschen at 6:43 AM on June 3, 2011
If you are into this kind of entertainment, it is hard to go wrong with Noah Antwiler's Swat 4 or Phantasmagoria. They are certainly masterworks of the form.
posted by Bachsir at 7:51 AM on June 3, 2011
posted by Bachsir at 7:51 AM on June 3, 2011
I can't favorite that hard enough, furiousxgeorge. Also seconding the love (not sure if that's the right word, but it'll do in a pinch) for The Terrible Secret of Animal Crossing..
posted by Alterscape at 9:42 AM on June 3, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by Alterscape at 9:42 AM on June 3, 2011 [2 favorites]
Watched the last episodes this morning. Sad to see such a great LP end, but it looks like there's plenty in this thread to fill the void.
posted by SomaSoda at 11:54 AM on June 3, 2011
posted by SomaSoda at 11:54 AM on June 3, 2011
What goony goons are here, outing themselves.
looks down at Posting as:, realizes he uses the same nick about everywhere, and shuts the hell up
posted by Samizdata at 12:47 PM on June 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
looks down at Posting as:, realizes he uses the same nick about everywhere, and shuts the hell up
posted by Samizdata at 12:47 PM on June 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
And thanks for the tipoff on SGF's site. Somehow totally missed that, despite some prior correspondence.
posted by Samizdata at 12:49 PM on June 3, 2011
posted by Samizdata at 12:49 PM on June 3, 2011
Ayn Rands Jagged Alliance 2: Project Gumpy is also brilliant
The Table of Contents is cracking me up. Wow
Having destroyed the looters somewhere in the myriad pages of the novel, having freed society from the taint of never-named socialism, and having been subdued by John Galt's presumably titanic and page-spanning penis, Dagny has undertaken an even more grueling challenge: to expel the terrible queen Deidranna from the island-nation of Arulco. Mind you, Dagny operates under the illusion that Deidranna is helping to promulgate a communist regime in Arulco. She is not disabused of this notion in the least by Enrico Chivaldori, financier for this bloody undertaking, without whose epic contribution of $35,000 whole dollars the player could never hire their operatives (apparently the yearly salary of a single juniour accountant is sufficient to bankroll a team of elite mercenaries who have, likely, spent more money on their weapon accessories alone). It is her goal, then, to destroy this regime, and to extend her railroad across the sea and onto the tiny nation, that democracy might make its way into the nation all the quicker, carried on the back of trains powered by magical static-electric motors, on rails made of fantastic steel forged in the mind of a tyrannical robot. Would that Rand were alive to see the newest adventure of her favourite Iron Lady (not Thatcher, though her socialist-shattering adventures are equally entertaining).
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 4:47 PM on June 5, 2011
The Table of Contents is cracking me up. Wow
Having destroyed the looters somewhere in the myriad pages of the novel, having freed society from the taint of never-named socialism, and having been subdued by John Galt's presumably titanic and page-spanning penis, Dagny has undertaken an even more grueling challenge: to expel the terrible queen Deidranna from the island-nation of Arulco. Mind you, Dagny operates under the illusion that Deidranna is helping to promulgate a communist regime in Arulco. She is not disabused of this notion in the least by Enrico Chivaldori, financier for this bloody undertaking, without whose epic contribution of $35,000 whole dollars the player could never hire their operatives (apparently the yearly salary of a single juniour accountant is sufficient to bankroll a team of elite mercenaries who have, likely, spent more money on their weapon accessories alone). It is her goal, then, to destroy this regime, and to extend her railroad across the sea and onto the tiny nation, that democracy might make its way into the nation all the quicker, carried on the back of trains powered by magical static-electric motors, on rails made of fantastic steel forged in the mind of a tyrannical robot. Would that Rand were alive to see the newest adventure of her favourite Iron Lady (not Thatcher, though her socialist-shattering adventures are equally entertaining).
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 4:47 PM on June 5, 2011
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This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
I also love Dark Id's LPs, like Drakengard. I'm playing the semi-sequel Nier now and reading his LP (not in the archives yet) after I'm done with a chapter.
Are there any LPs for Darklands? Found out about it through TV Tropes and would love to read an LP.
I'd play Deadly Premonition but it's banned in Australia.
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 7:08 PM on June 2, 2011