@@filmotter yeah kind of? its about teenagers hitch hiking across the country to try and cross the border because of the current political state. but the hitchhiking usually goes wrong
Great video! Totally agree with you about Ori, too. I liked it enough, but thought it was very flawed and never really understood the praise for its visuals. The aesthetics seem...superficial in a way, especially compared to something like Journey. Anyway, I guess the last game I played that left me thinking was Norco or Kentucky Route Zero.
Totally agree! That's kind of what I wanted touch on with the Nighthawks portion. With interpretation being part of that personal analysis. I mean, we can all read whatever we want into the media we interact with. It's all about our unique perspective that we're bringing to it.
I don't think there's anything wrong with 5 hours video essay about design from ppl who don't design games sure it's not that deep. but nothing is. it's just another interpretation to say it's not that deep. and excellent video of course
Oh for sure. I completely agree. I was more-so poking fun at myself and my friends with that line. I love a five hour video essay sometimes. I just don't have the time or patience to make one. And thank you!
i started playing wow again recently, and the whole time i was thinking "thank god later i can watch taliesin explain why i should care about this on youtube"- hearing his breakdowns make me so much more excited about the game
Funnily enough, Final Fantasy VI and Final Fantasy VII were the first games that really captured my imagination and got me invested into a story and characters in a way I did not realize was possible. I really enjoyed this video Otter!
Thank you Chadley! Final Fantasy games (the ones I've played anyway) tend to do that and remind me how emotional and intricate a video game story can be.
Analysis of video games, movies, or any other form of medi or art is very important. I love what Indie and AA games have achieved over the last 10 years. Some AAA games truly push the bar but others stick to the same ting for the 100tg time with no real change.
I admire people that can distinctly say why they did or didn't like things. Personally, I struggle with that because the game either 'feels' good or 'feels' bad. And it's hard to put my finger on what does or doesn't drive that. Maybe I need to analyze a bit more to figure it out.
I agree, it kinda takes a bit of practice! I'd be interested to hear if you have any opinions that differ from mine about any of the games I mentioned. 🥰
As someone who has a lot of time invested in the idea that video games have literary value, this video was super satisfying to watch. You hit on all the points I would have and more! I especially liked the section about how sometimes you need to turn the analysis brain off and just vibe. I think I've found a good balance recently, where I will only really take notes and try to formulate a thesis for games on a second playthrough. The first playthrough is for *_*experiencing*_* (Also, Bash is one of my favorite abilities in any game lmao it's so much fun to me)
If I had more time for second playthroughs, I would honestly do the same. That sounds like a great way to balance things. Sadly, I just know I can't do that with the limited time I have.
As a person whose brain cannot stand still for a single moment, game analysis has been an almost zen point that I can center my focus on. Dark Souls, Hollow Knight, Undertale/Deltarune, and of course Final Fantasy have become such points of hyperfocus and refuge
Same here, Rich. I feel it especially when I'm researching for a video. The amount if hyperfocusing I will do becomes a relaxing way to unplug from the stress of the world. Because I'm apparently just that much of a nerd. 😆
The last game I've thought about deeply - or am in the process of thinking about deeply, is Elden Ring. The Souls series, and specifically Dark Souls 1, is my favorite work of art, period, and I've been unable to stop thinking and talking about it since I've first played it. While initially drawn to the series due to its aesthetic sensibilities and methodical, tactile combat, I've grown to adore its environmental storytelling and its exploration of various facets of the human experience, both through the arcs of the characters you encounter & interact with in-game, and through the various systems and mechanics that make up the games themselves. They have this...meditative quality, where gameplay and storytelling blend perfectly & the story is often told through the very act of playing the game. Back to Elden Ring though, my first playthrough of it was a lot more frustrating than I would've ever imagined, given my love for the previous titles & everything we'd learned about the game prior to release. I haven't been playing video games for nearly as long as I've been watching anime or reading manga/comics, and there's still a plethora of genres I've yet to touch. Elden Ring was my first open world game, and for this reason a lot of the flaws people have come to expect out of these games stuck out to me like a sore thumb, despite Elden Ring probably doing a much better job than most at circumventing them - namely the way it creates a world that is far too big for its own good & then struggles to populate it with new & interesting experiences on a consistent basis, being forced to reuse bosses, open world patterns & even entire areas (like in the case of the various catacombs, mines and caves). Previous games have had reused content too despite being much smaller than Elden Ring, Sekiro suffers most heavily from this, but even in Sekiro's case it only reuses mini-bosses, it doesn't reuse any of them more than 3 times & more often than not they'll be placed in a new environment that lends itself to a different approach than your initial encounter, so it's rarely an identical experience to the original, whereas Elden Ring has multiple bosses it uses 8-9 times, found in identical locations scattered throughout the world. There's also problems unique to the game itself that I won't get into at length because I've already spent more time on a single UA-cam comment than I should have (perhaps it's fitting for a video about the merits of taking time to analyze and engage with pieces of media on a more personal level though), mostly related to the boss design. Going through the game a second time, though, now that I am familiar with its world & characters and can more easily pick up on pieces of environmental storytelling that I missed on my first playthrough, it's quickly becoming one of my favorite narrative works. All of the problems I had with it on my first playthrough are still there but I'm also discovering a myriad of reasons to fall in love with the game. The methodical enemy placement that serves to highlight the dynamics of the various warring factions in the Lands Between, the use of visual metaphors to punctuate the game's exploration of the corruption of the upper class & the extent they're willing to go through, the suffering they're willing to inflict on others as well as on themselves to cling on to their power etc etc. It's absolutely a beautiful work of art worth giving a piece of your brain to. All of this to say that I agree with the message of the video lol. Analysis is absolutely worthwhile. Allowing yourself to become vulnerable when engaging with a piece of art and trying to understand what aspects of it resonate with you so strongly and why is imo one of the best things about being alive.
The last game I played that I want to dig deeper into is Stray, Road 96, OMNO, and The Artful Wscape to name a few. I started to expand my pallette on deeper video games and thinking about them as more than a game with Firewatch and Abzu. I and played many games prior to that which made me feel a little and I could see the deeper narrative but those two specific games opened up a part of my brain that changed my larger view on games. Arpund that same time I started watching more essays, Podcasts, and trying to soak in more knowledge. I have continued to try to learn from all forms of media or art and expand my brain as much as possible and find more to love about so many things.
Great vid as always Otter! As for games that made me analyse it deeper, Elden Ring. Just like all fromsoft games, it gives you little pieces to a large story. I haven't dived into lore videos yet as I haven't beaten the game (I'll do that later), but I ALWAYS read everything I pick up and really think hard about the connection to the world and what it means. I love that about those games. And the other is Outer Wilds. That game changed me deeply. There is so much to say about it that I'd be here for ages hahaha.
I can't wait to get around to Elden Ring, honestly. It looks like so much fun! 😭 And yeah, Outer Wilds was even better than I could have imagined. The story. The gameplay. The twists. The music. Just... pretty close to perfect. My only frustration was (spoilers for anyone scrolling through who hasn't played the game!) when I was trying to reach the inside of the Ash Twin project... it kind of felt like a bit of a logical leap that I had to stand under the door frame to make the warp happen properly? But other than that? Basically perfect!
Outer Wilds is my all-time favorite game, but the game that most recently got me to sit there and think for a while is Hunt: Showdown. Like what? A battle royale cowboy shooter? Actually yes! And the reason is that it's SUCH a brutal game. People can and often will kill you with a single bullet from a hiding spot they had set up in when they heard you coming that way two minutes ago. BUT there's something really interesting that happens when you actually turn your mic on and try to talk to people. There's a good chance they just shoot your ass, cuz duh, but sometimes ... they listen. In the most cutthroat game I've ever played, sometimes people stop. They listen. They cooperate. Or they joke, taunt, lie, etc. In a game where sound is THE aspect of the game that gets you killed, they speak up. I even started doing this thing where I'd kill the main objective boss then deliberately not claim it and wait for other players to come. Instead of fighting, I'd challenge them to a game of riddles for the bounty, and people DID IT! They played the riddle game! Nothing in any line of code said "you must listen to this weirdo and solve his riddles" but they did! For all the sneaky sneak and the shooty shoot, Hunt: Showdown is proof that multiplayer games are about connection and communication. If an option other than violence exists, lots of players will take it, even in the most brutal of games.
I've not played Hunt: Showdown, but honestly I think you've sold me on giving it a try. That sounds really interesting and like it would be surprisingly up my alley.
@@filmotter Like I said, it's harsh! Don't expect any kindness from the game or other players. But if you can find your footing, it's such a unique, great game. And then once you know the game well enough, you can start breaking the rules and become a fun little goober.
Let's just say I never watched game analysis videos and blind playthroughs before I played Outer Wilds. Nowadays, that's mostly what's playing on the TV while I work or do something :D And it also made me played awesome non-AAA games such as Firewatch, The Forgotten City, Edith Finch and SOMA.
Otter!! I love this so much. I was not expecting a therapy session on the importance of letting my brain rest, but I’m so pleased that I got this friendly reminder 💚
Right now I am playing through the Naruto series and dragon quest XI and as a person who loves to think deeper and more analytically on the media I consume I really do want to dive deep into the world of Naruto and Dragon quest as a whole. I really loved this video because it provided a good balance between why it's good to analyze video games and sometimes it's ok to just want to do something simple.
Another awesome video! I think I fall into that category of people that are looking to turn their brains off when they play games. I analyze information all day for work and want to just enjoy a story and escape from having to find what's making everything tick. Not to say I don't appreciate a story that gets a message across and makes me think (or a video essay about them) but I'm not really looking for deeper meaning in my games anymore.
[In response to the end of the video] My choice would be Portal. I’m 13, and have been getting into video games more heavily. I’ve been viewing them as art instead of toys for the past 6 months, and checked out Portal because it looked like a nihilistic and existential game. It was. Such a unique style which I haven’t seen recaptivated in any other art form. I have played it 6 times now!
If I put 41 hours on a Dark Souls 3 playthrough (on a work week no less!), I'd better have some thoughts bumbling in my head during and after😄 Souls games with their hazy story telling leave a lot of room for many, potentially conflicting theories. Very intriguing. I don't like horror games, but they make for good analysis videos. Silent Hill in particular has had good ones made. Shout-out to Aesir Aesthetics.
Ya had me till the negative take on Ori. But you're right, it's interesting to discuss what you'd call muddy, and I'd consider beautiful, and we can only do that with words and analysis
hey im student collage and im interested to Analyze i want make a thesis, this my reference "Analysis of Empathic Experiences in Video Games with Microblogging" from my lecturer do you have any idea for my title..?
What was the last video game to make you want to dive a little deeper and analyze it a bit?
For me it was Road 96. All the different scenarios and endings depending on how you play the game really makes you think.
@@nightmregod Oooh I think I remember seeing a trailer for that recently. Is that the game about the cross-country road trip gone wrong?
@@filmotter yeah kind of? its about teenagers hitch hiking across the country to try and cross the border because of the current political state. but the hitchhiking usually goes wrong
@@nightmregod Oh okay that sounds really cool! How long would you say it is?
@@filmotter uhhh one playthrough is probably anywhere between 7-10 hours. its relatively short.
Great video! Totally agree with you about Ori, too. I liked it enough, but thought it was very flawed and never really understood the praise for its visuals. The aesthetics seem...superficial in a way, especially compared to something like Journey.
Anyway, I guess the last game I played that left me thinking was Norco or Kentucky Route Zero.
Totally agree with you! I know a lot of people who like the visual style of Ori, but it's just not for me.
some interesting points in here, but i also think personal analysis (without doing official "research") is valid too
thank you for another video!
Totally agree! That's kind of what I wanted touch on with the Nighthawks portion. With interpretation being part of that personal analysis. I mean, we can all read whatever we want into the media we interact with. It's all about our unique perspective that we're bringing to it.
I don't think there's anything wrong with 5 hours video essay about design from ppl who don't design games
sure it's not that deep. but nothing is. it's just another interpretation to say it's not that deep.
and excellent video of course
Oh for sure. I completely agree. I was more-so poking fun at myself and my friends with that line. I love a five hour video essay sometimes. I just don't have the time or patience to make one.
And thank you!
i started playing wow again recently, and the whole time i was thinking "thank god later i can watch taliesin explain why i should care about this on youtube"- hearing his breakdowns make me so much more excited about the game
4:59
"They say that art reveals more about the viewer than the artist." -Diane Foxington
That's quite an appropriate quote, I'd say!
Funnily enough, Final Fantasy VI and Final Fantasy VII were the first games that really captured my imagination and got me invested into a story and characters in a way I did not realize was possible. I really enjoyed this video Otter!
Thank you Chadley!
Final Fantasy games (the ones I've played anyway) tend to do that and remind me how emotional and intricate a video game story can be.
Analysis of video games, movies, or any other form of medi or art is very important. I love what Indie and AA games have achieved over the last 10 years. Some AAA games truly push the bar but others stick to the same ting for the 100tg time with no real change.
I admire people that can distinctly say why they did or didn't like things. Personally, I struggle with that because the game either 'feels' good or 'feels' bad. And it's hard to put my finger on what does or doesn't drive that. Maybe I need to analyze a bit more to figure it out.
I agree, it kinda takes a bit of practice! I'd be interested to hear if you have any opinions that differ from mine about any of the games I mentioned. 🥰
As someone who has a lot of time invested in the idea that video games have literary value, this video was super satisfying to watch. You hit on all the points I would have and more! I especially liked the section about how sometimes you need to turn the analysis brain off and just vibe. I think I've found a good balance recently, where I will only really take notes and try to formulate a thesis for games on a second playthrough. The first playthrough is for *_*experiencing*_*
(Also, Bash is one of my favorite abilities in any game lmao it's so much fun to me)
If I had more time for second playthroughs, I would honestly do the same. That sounds like a great way to balance things. Sadly, I just know I can't do that with the limited time I have.
We should think more, people should all be a little critic themselves to ensure companies will make an effort making good games/stories.
Agreed. Although I also get it when people just want to mindlessly enjoy things here and there.
Firewatch really made me think a lot. Although I was kind of disappointed with the ending, that disappointment made the game make sense.
Same! I thought the ending fell short for me, but I also can't really be mad about it.
As a person whose brain cannot stand still for a single moment, game analysis has been an almost zen point that I can center my focus on. Dark Souls, Hollow Knight, Undertale/Deltarune, and of course Final Fantasy have become such points of hyperfocus and refuge
Same here, Rich. I feel it especially when I'm researching for a video. The amount if hyperfocusing I will do becomes a relaxing way to unplug from the stress of the world. Because I'm apparently just that much of a nerd. 😆
You mentioned "Catcher in the Rye" and suddenly I am filled with strange rage. XD
I know right? I thought that book was the worst!
The last game I've thought about deeply - or am in the process of thinking about deeply, is Elden Ring. The Souls series, and specifically Dark Souls 1, is my favorite work of art, period, and I've been unable to stop thinking and talking about it since I've first played it. While initially drawn to the series due to its aesthetic sensibilities and methodical, tactile combat, I've grown to adore its environmental storytelling and its exploration of various facets of the human experience, both through the arcs of the characters you encounter & interact with in-game, and through the various systems and mechanics that make up the games themselves. They have this...meditative quality, where gameplay and storytelling blend perfectly & the story is often told through the very act of playing the game.
Back to Elden Ring though, my first playthrough of it was a lot more frustrating than I would've ever imagined, given my love for the previous titles & everything we'd learned about the game prior to release. I haven't been playing video games for nearly as long as I've been watching anime or reading manga/comics, and there's still a plethora of genres I've yet to touch. Elden Ring was my first open world game, and for this reason a lot of the flaws people have come to expect out of these games stuck out to me like a sore thumb, despite Elden Ring probably doing a much better job than most at circumventing them - namely the way it creates a world that is far too big for its own good & then struggles to populate it with new & interesting experiences on a consistent basis, being forced to reuse bosses, open world patterns & even entire areas (like in the case of the various catacombs, mines and caves). Previous games have had reused content too despite being much smaller than Elden Ring, Sekiro suffers most heavily from this, but even in Sekiro's case it only reuses mini-bosses, it doesn't reuse any of them more than 3 times & more often than not they'll be placed in a new environment that lends itself to a different approach than your initial encounter, so it's rarely an identical experience to the original, whereas Elden Ring has multiple bosses it uses 8-9 times, found in identical locations scattered throughout the world. There's also problems unique to the game itself that I won't get into at length because I've already spent more time on a single UA-cam comment than I should have (perhaps it's fitting for a video about the merits of taking time to analyze and engage with pieces of media on a more personal level though), mostly related to the boss design.
Going through the game a second time, though, now that I am familiar with its world & characters and can more easily pick up on pieces of environmental storytelling that I missed on my first playthrough, it's quickly becoming one of my favorite narrative works. All of the problems I had with it on my first playthrough are still there but I'm also discovering a myriad of reasons to fall in love with the game. The methodical enemy placement that serves to highlight the dynamics of the various warring factions in the Lands Between, the use of visual metaphors to punctuate the game's exploration of the corruption of the upper class & the extent they're willing to go through, the suffering they're willing to inflict on others as well as on themselves to cling on to their power etc etc. It's absolutely a beautiful work of art worth giving a piece of your brain to.
All of this to say that I agree with the message of the video lol. Analysis is absolutely worthwhile. Allowing yourself to become vulnerable when engaging with a piece of art and trying to understand what aspects of it resonate with you so strongly and why is imo one of the best things about being alive.
Damn. Honestly that last sentence really hit me. I wish I had thought of that. 🤣
The last game I played that I want to dig deeper into is Stray, Road 96, OMNO, and The Artful Wscape to name a few. I started to expand my pallette on deeper video games and thinking about them as more than a game with Firewatch and Abzu. I and played many games prior to that which made me feel a little and I could see the deeper narrative but those two specific games opened up a part of my brain that changed my larger view on games. Arpund that same time I started watching more essays, Podcasts, and trying to soak in more knowledge. I have continued to try to learn from all forms of media or art and expand my brain as much as possible and find more to love about so many things.
I will watch this after completing outer wilds
Great vid as always Otter!
As for games that made me analyse it deeper, Elden Ring. Just like all fromsoft games, it gives you little pieces to a large story. I haven't dived into lore videos yet as I haven't beaten the game (I'll do that later), but I ALWAYS read everything I pick up and really think hard about the connection to the world and what it means. I love that about those games.
And the other is Outer Wilds. That game changed me deeply. There is so much to say about it that I'd be here for ages hahaha.
I can't wait to get around to Elden Ring, honestly. It looks like so much fun! 😭
And yeah, Outer Wilds was even better than I could have imagined. The story. The gameplay. The twists. The music. Just... pretty close to perfect.
My only frustration was (spoilers for anyone scrolling through who hasn't played the game!) when I was trying to reach the inside of the Ash Twin project... it kind of felt like a bit of a logical leap that I had to stand under the door frame to make the warp happen properly? But other than that? Basically perfect!
Outer Wilds is my all-time favorite game, but the game that most recently got me to sit there and think for a while is Hunt: Showdown. Like what? A battle royale cowboy shooter? Actually yes! And the reason is that it's SUCH a brutal game. People can and often will kill you with a single bullet from a hiding spot they had set up in when they heard you coming that way two minutes ago. BUT there's something really interesting that happens when you actually turn your mic on and try to talk to people. There's a good chance they just shoot your ass, cuz duh, but sometimes ... they listen. In the most cutthroat game I've ever played, sometimes people stop. They listen. They cooperate. Or they joke, taunt, lie, etc. In a game where sound is THE aspect of the game that gets you killed, they speak up. I even started doing this thing where I'd kill the main objective boss then deliberately not claim it and wait for other players to come. Instead of fighting, I'd challenge them to a game of riddles for the bounty, and people DID IT! They played the riddle game! Nothing in any line of code said "you must listen to this weirdo and solve his riddles" but they did! For all the sneaky sneak and the shooty shoot, Hunt: Showdown is proof that multiplayer games are about connection and communication. If an option other than violence exists, lots of players will take it, even in the most brutal of games.
I've not played Hunt: Showdown, but honestly I think you've sold me on giving it a try. That sounds really interesting and like it would be surprisingly up my alley.
@@filmotter Like I said, it's harsh! Don't expect any kindness from the game or other players. But if you can find your footing, it's such a unique, great game. And then once you know the game well enough, you can start breaking the rules and become a fun little goober.
Let's just say I never watched game analysis videos and blind playthroughs before I played Outer Wilds.
Nowadays, that's mostly what's playing on the TV while I work or do something :D
And it also made me played awesome non-AAA games such as Firewatch, The Forgotten City, Edith Finch and SOMA.
Soma is so good
Otter!! I love this so much. I was not expecting a therapy session on the importance of letting my brain rest, but I’m so pleased that I got this friendly reminder 💚
Haha, I'm always here to give unexpected therapy, Bean!
Wow your videos are so underrated, great job!
Thank you so much! I work really hard on them so that means a lot.
Right now I am playing through the Naruto series and dragon quest XI and as a person who loves to think deeper and more analytically on the media I consume I really do want to dive deep into the world of Naruto and Dragon quest as a whole. I really loved this video because it provided a good balance between why it's good to analyze video games and sometimes it's ok to just want to do something simple.
Great content, keep it up
Thank you! That's so kind of you.
Another awesome video!
I think I fall into that category of people that are looking to turn their brains off when they play games. I analyze information all day for work and want to just enjoy a story and escape from having to find what's making everything tick.
Not to say I don't appreciate a story that gets a message across and makes me think (or a video essay about them) but I'm not really looking for deeper meaning in my games anymore.
That is SUPER valid too. I personally work in the service industry, so after a day of work my brain needs all the exercise it can manage. 😅
[In response to the end of the video] My choice would be Portal. I’m 13, and have been getting into video games more heavily. I’ve been viewing them as art instead of toys for the past 6 months, and checked out Portal because it looked like a nihilistic and existential game. It was. Such a unique style which I haven’t seen recaptivated in any other art form. I have played it 6 times now!
If I put 41 hours on a Dark Souls 3 playthrough (on a work week no less!), I'd better have some thoughts bumbling in my head during and after😄
Souls games with their hazy story telling leave a lot of room for many, potentially conflicting theories. Very intriguing.
I don't like horror games, but they make for good analysis videos. Silent Hill in particular has had good ones made. Shout-out to Aesir Aesthetics.
Ya had me till the negative take on Ori. But you're right, it's interesting to discuss what you'd call muddy, and I'd consider beautiful, and we can only do that with words and analysis
Subscribed
Aw thank you so much. I appreciate it.
so good thank you
I really appreciate that!
hey im student collage and im interested to Analyze i want make a thesis, this my reference "Analysis of Empathic Experiences in Video Games with Microblogging" from my lecturer do you have any idea for my title..?
fellow- superrb , 💫
Thank you, I appreciate that!
This comment is an analysis of this analysis of analysis. In this essay I will-
Video games are art, did you know?
How can you not?
A teeny tiny thing that makes me sound like a jerk. Outer Wilds doesn’t have a « the » one the front, The Outer Worlds does though
OOP, you are so right! That will never not get me.
Breath of the Wild
Totally! That game is wonderful!