If you’ve seen my other post on this comm, you probably know why I am asking this. However, even if I did have a PC, I don’t think I would have the time and energy to play a game anyway. That’s why I’m now starting to prefer walkthroughs/playthroughs over actually playing the game myself. I know it’s not a replacement for a PC but it’s still enjoyable regardless. Also, my very first exposure to big games was actually through YouTube lets plays in the first place. What do you all think?
It’s the same in the sense of just knowing the information the game has I suppose but no it’s not the same as playing.
But it depends. Like if there’s a game I’m curious about but don’t think I’ll play then of course I’ll just watch someone else play it. If it’s a game I’m interested in and want to experience fresh on my own then no, unless I’ve played it already and the people playing it are amusing.
Absolutely not the same.
The key defining characteristic of a game is interactivity: the ability to affect the outcome in some way. Some games allow for less freedom than others in that respect, but watching someone else play and make those decisions for you is always going to be fundamentally different to playing it yourself.
Not to diminish the value of streams, especially if you find enjoyment in watching them, but you should understand that it’s not a comparable experience.
I completely understand that they’re a different experience but if I wanted to somewhat see a game’s story, would a playthrough suffice?
Yes. You probably will miss out on branching paths if any exist, but you will miss out on those in a regular playthrough anyway.
You also probably should’ve asked this question instead of the one in the title of the thread—they’re two fundamentally different questions.
I know narrative-driven games are dominant nowadays, but not every game is narrative-driven.
Thank you for the answer.
Absolutely, just keep in mind one thing: try to find Let’s Players who take things slow and pay attention to the story. It makes a huge difference.
Like watching playthroughs of Gow Ragnarok and Spider-Man 2. I don’t have a PlayStation so I couldn’t play them when they first released (they’re on PC now, but expensive), but I was on the hype train so I wanted to see what happened.
Now that I know what happens, I still want to play through them myself so I can make the decisions, like you say.
Not the same but is certainly valid as a way to enjoy the game.
I watch loads of Mario Maker 2 stuff but have never touched the game since I don’t have a Switch
No. Watching a playthrough is completely passive vs. playing through, interactive. Doing the actual playing through will light up distinct brain regions that passive consumption doesn’t.
Hell no. The essential difference between games and movies/television or books as a source of entertainment is that they’re participatory. The player’s choices during interaction affects the exact outcome.
That’s not to say there’s anything wrong with being entertained by others making those choices, but they won’t be yours.
Is watching a football game the same as playing a foodball game?
It will be a completely different experience - but as long as you enjoy it… who cares? You do what brings you joy.
Its a completely different form of entertainment, way more similar to watching tv.
The main difference is you dont need to plan or think yourself, your mind can take a break just following whats going on. This can be much more restfull and relaxing.
Compare that to activity playing the game and your using much more energy, your brain is calculating every interaction you have to make. It can be stressful at times. A mistake can feel like lost time but an accomplishment gets you a high you will never get when backseat gaming.
Completely different and up to personal preference on how people like to spend their downtime.
No.
Utterly not.
Watching a game be played is like listening to someone read you the script of a movie imo.
Yeah I will totally watch a playthrough over playing sometimes. There are many games and I only have so much time. Many playthroughs the person already had completed the game and then to boot they will edit out going back to save games. Heck back in the day we would hang at arcades and we did not have enough money to constantly play so we would watch each other or strangers play neat games. Someone who is good might regularly get a little crowd around them. And money is another thing along with time. Games cost money. I have not played deaths stranding or the last of us but I know the game.
EDITED - so I did not really answer the question. no its not the same but yes its an acceptable way to enjoy a game.
It’s not really the same, but it can be enjoyable in its own way. I watch a lot of Let’s Plays, but I tend to do so mostly for games I’ve already played myself, substituting it for a second playthrough. You can watch it mostly in the background - or skip through the filler - and still get another’s perspective on the best bits.
It’s also perfectly valid to watch playthroughs for games you are interested in experiencing but would not enjoy yourself. Very difficult games like Hollow Knight are a common example for this. It will give you an approximation without driving you to frustration - or getting stuck and unable to finish.
It’s never going to be the same though since the interactive element will be missing, and that aspect is the defining feature of games as an artform.
Depends on the game. For very linear narrative heavier games that are glorified visual novels, like SOMA for example, yeah probably.
For most games though no not at all.
It depends on the game.
If it’s a story based game, absolutely. Cut through the filler and get what you came for.
But something like a rogue-like or Call of Duty, no, you just watched somebody play a game, but didn’t actually get any of the “game experience”.
Is watching someone play the game the same as playing a game myself, absolutely not.
Can I get satisfaction and an understanding of a game I know I never would’ve played otherwise, yes.
I’m not going to put in enough hours to make it through difficult games like dark souls or Hollow Knight. But I’ll put a walkthrough on while I do work or chores so I can experience those games in some way.
I’m all for it, but it scratches a different kind of itch than playing a game does.
