A little while back, I noted that since the whole ProJared fiasco recently (which seems to still be unfolding with layer after layer of pointless drama that really does not need to be in the public eye at this point) I'd been seeking alternative gaming-related YouTube entertainment, and had settled on GameGrumps.
After watching a bunch of their videos, I think I've nailed down one of the main reasons why their work appeals to me — aside from the by turns childish, absurdist and completely surreal humour, hurled good-natured insults that remind me of gaming sessions with my friends and frequent bursting into song, obviously. That is that they give games a chance, honestly and genuinely. At least that's the impression I've had to date, anyway.
Look over their list of past games and you'll see a bunch of stuff that is commonly considered shovelware, particularly on Nintendo platforms such as Wii and Switch. But these guys make an honest go of playing these games, engaging with them properly rather than writing them off immediately — and the results can be enormously entertaining, particularly in the case of things like quiz show and board game adaptations.
This kind of puts a whole new spin on a lot of these games. While playing something like Ultimate Board Game Collection on Wii by yourself would be a fairly saddening thing to do (not that this would stop me, since I picked up a copy for 50p after watching the Grumps' videos!) it becomes an entirely different experience when it's a "spectator sport". Same for the various digital adaptations of shows such as Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy! and their ilk.
This sort of game is best enjoyed with others. But GameGrumps' videos demonstrate that this doesn't necessarily mean actually having someone on hand to play it with you in the same room — though that would obviously be ideal. Rather, you can enjoy the experience of observing people playing it together and interacting with one another, and it can be a whole lot of fun, even when it's two "real" people and an AI.
Alongside this, I really appreciate them giving stuff that doesn't often get a fair look a chance. Just recently I've been watching their playthrough of House Party, a notorious release from a while back that, if you believe the things the mainstream press wrote about it, was entirely about getting your dick out and harassing women. Turns out that while you can indeed get your dick out and harass women in it, that is a quick route to a "game over". Rather, the game is actually a pretty interesting first-person adventure game, complete with plenty of "moon logic" puzzles.
Is it "good"? Matter of opinion; I actually rather like the look of it. Is it horrific, misogynistic filth that will destroy society? No; it's a dumbass game that involves varying degrees of deviousness to convince the characters (including the dudes) to get (fairly explicitly) sexy with you. I would not have known what this game was about if I had gone entirely by what the mainstream press had said; instead, I appreciate that the Grumps bothered to engage with it so comprehensively and honestly, offering their own critique on various questionable situations they find themselves in throughout the game where appropriate, and quite genuinely having a good time at others.
It's easy to be a YouTuber (or writer!) who plays "bad" games and takes the piss out of them. It takes much more effort, honesty, intelligence, charisma and chemistry to honestly engage with them and provide an entertaining experience both for yourselves and your audience. GameGrumps absolutely nail that formula, and I guess that's why they have millions of subscribers. I'm glad I finally joined them.
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