I've been watching various BG3 streamers for a while now, and I thought it would be nice if we could all share our thoughts about how they're doing. Perhaps we can turn each other on to new sources of information/entertainment also.
I'll start with one here:
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Streamer: WolfheartFPS Rating: 8/10
Pros: There's a nostalgia factor with Wolfheart for me. He's been with the game since early access. He believed in the game and followed it, and I think it's more than fair to say that the game built his channel. Well, I mean, he built his channel with his work, but the main content revolved around BG3. He's got a natural charisma, does well on camera, and he keeps grinding content. I especially appreciate that he puts effort into lore videos for the audience.
Cons: His gameplay can often be sloppy and half-hearted. Occasionally, I get the impression that he doesn't want to be there, as if his energy for BG3 has been drained dry over the years. There are times where it feels like he's calling it in, and it's often surprising how little he knows about the game after having played it for so many hours. One of the things that turns me off is that he can be unnecessarily rude to his audience, usually in the guise of "humor." I find that character trait suspect. To me, the "you guys are idiots, just kidding" thing feels like a passive-aggressive form of behavior.
Overall: Nostalgia wins out for me, giving Wolfheart a rating a 8/10. I think a lot of the drawbacks I find in Wolfheart's gameplay/demeanor probably stem from him "being at work." We all get burned out and let our dislike of work show sometimes, and I'm sure it's no different being a streamer. He's constantly dealing with folks in chat, and I imagine that can get tiresome, just like dealing with the public in any position. Bad feelings and small resentments are bound to appear.
For the most part, I don't watch livestreams, I just watch the occasional video on youtube when I have time. There is one twitch streamer whose reviews I trust, and that would be CohhCarnage
The first video I ever watched of his, was Divinity Original Sin 2 back in 2017. After watching his playthoughs, I bought the game to play myself and I loved it. In 2017, I didn't even know what a CRPG was. I love his playstyle, which is meticulously slow, combs through everything, hoarding loot goblin, looks for secrets everywhere, reads everything and plays on hardest difficulty. This is how I normally play, so I appreciate that he delves into the lore and gives all games and devs adequate time. I also appreciate that when he doesn't enjoy something, he just says "This is not for me," or "this game is very niche and would appeal to X kind of player." I appreciate that he realizes not everyone is going to love every genre, but you can still be respectful towards people who do enjoy the game. I love that his community is very kind and welcoming, and NON-TOXIC.
With BG3, I didn't follow the early access because originally Larian said they would not be coming to console. I was really sad about that, but I just told myself I'd watch Cohh play and that's that. When they announced the game would be coming out on PS5, I literally went out and bought a console JUST for this game, and I've loved every minute that I played.
With Cohh, I think the only things I need to hear, are if he says the words "This game is special." I think 90% of the suggestions he has given, and I have purchased, I really enjoyed.
I'll have to follow Cohh. I'm familiar with him because of his involvement in BG3, but I actually haven't watched him yet.
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Streamer: ItalianSpartacus Rating: 5/10 --note, I expect his rating will increase in time
Pros: This guy is enthusiastic and really puts out content. He's engaged with his community, and I really appreciate his energy.
Cons: Unfortunately, he doesn't have enough experience with the game yet. This feels like a major issue to me, mostly because I get the sense that he's spent more time putting out videos on "how to play/build a character" than he has actually playing the game. Some of his build videos, for instance, couldn't show the higher levels in action because he had yet to level up a character of his own to those levels he was advising viewers about.
Overall: I can't see going higher than 5/10 right now. He just doesn't really know the game that well at the moment. That said, he is currently working on an honour mode playthrough, and his chat gives him tips along the way. As such, I would expect his understanding of the game to eventually grow to a more reasonable level, which will inevitably increase the value of his streams.
She's a true gamer, knows the game pretty well and loves it tremendously
Enjoys learning different classes and challenging herself with self-imposed restrictions to make her runs more interesting and entertaining
Is quite charismatic and likes to joke a lot with comedic timings, even roleplay the dialogue choices at times
Has an actual mindflayer dummy next to her which creates some funny stream moments
Has beaten Tactician, Solo Tactician, Honour Mode and is now going through Solo Honour Mode
Even though I personally do not watch anyone play BG3 because I play it religiously myself, I do tune into her streams from time to time to check how her challenge runs are going and they never fail to entertain. Quite refreshing to see someone who actually knows how to play and creatively improvise when failures occur
CohhCarnage is also an amazing true gamer, mostly known for always doing 100% thorough playthroughs on hardest difficulties. Haven't watched him play BG3 though since I am playing it myself, but for any other game that I do not play he is the most thorough person you could watch play something as if you're playing it yourself, so definitely recommended.
Pros: He's been doing this since early access, and he's very knowledgeable about the game. In fact, I would say he's in the top percentage of folks who *know* this game. He's also a skilled player, and I enjoy watching his progression. Additionally, he always seems open to learning more and considering other opinions. His build videos and tier lists are top notch, in my opinion.
Cons: His videos on Youtube are a little too ad-heavy in my opinion. I appreciate the need for streamers to get ad revenue, but sometimes it feels overwhelming. The only other thing that works against him is that he doesn't have the most exciting personality. To me, that's not a huge drawback, but I do think it's worth noting for other potential viewers.
Overall: This is an easy 9/10 for me. If you're interested in learning more about this game, I highly recommend checking out Casual Veteran Gamer's channel on Youtube. I do not believe he currently streams on Twitch.
This is a cool thread, considering that I watched a Twitch stream of BG3 for the first time a few days ago, for the clothing drops they announced on Twitter. Thanks for the recommendation of a female streamer! I feel like those are less common than male streamers (?) and it’s cool to see other women enjoying the game as much as I do.
Pros: This channel has a lot to offer. The first video in his latest series starts off in the highest difficulty mode killing the Commander, the Mind flayer, and the two extra cambions on the Nautiloid. In addition to this, he talks through his strategy the entire time. So we basically have a channel that's both informative and skillful. Along the way, he discusses his "in character" and "out of character" reasoning for what he does. What's not to love?
Cons: I don't have much to mention here, at least as of now. The current ongoing series is a challenge run that he's performing. There are several rules to the challenge run, but a few things that stand out are: no long rests, no potions, and no exploits. As this series continues, I'll watch it and update any cons that I may notice along the way.
Overall: This is a strong channel. I heavily recommend watching his current series.
Cohh was special because even though he is a massive fan and even voices a character in BG3 he warned against buying BG3 initially because if its unfinished state.
Agree with JandK's 'cons' about Wolfheart and would add that I thought he sold out for BG3. His target audience seems to be adolescent males.
Cohh I rarely watch - he doesn't really do it for me. Nothing to do with him, I think he is genuine and knows his gaming.
Italian Spartacus I know from either CK3 or EUIV where he makes really informative guides and how-to content and didn't know he was into RPGs until I spotted a couple of BG3 vids a while back.
Luality is a star. I enjoy watching her think on her feet (which sets her apart from 95% of YT content creators).
There are several female YTers - MishkaRae, AGirlAndAGame, Emalynde, PaigeTheWitch, etc. Emalynde is probably my favourite although I haven't watched her BG3 content (I know her from her DAI content). Most of the Americans sound like they are three years old.
Casual Veteran Gamer I don't really like. The way he talks is enough to raise my hackles.
Another three I don't like are ESO, Renfail and Big Dan Gaming.
Spell&Shield makes some good content and talks like a human being.
If you want clueless, face-palming comedy then this is the guy: OmarioRPGGaming
He was exactly the same with PF Kingmaker and WoTR.
There's an American guy who is just as bad but I can't recall his name.
Pros: This channel has a lot to offer. The first video in his latest series starts off in the highest difficulty mode killing the Commander, the Mind flayer, and the two extra cambions on the Nautiloid. In addition to this, he talks through his strategy the entire time. So we basically have a channel that's both informative and skillful. Along the way, he discusses his "in character" and "out of character" reasoning for what he does. What's not to love?
Cons: I don't have much to mention here, at least as of now. The current ongoing series is a challenge run that he's performing. There are several rules to the challenge run, but a few things that stand out are: no long rests, no potions, and no exploits. As this series continues, I'll watch it and update any cons that I may notice along the way.
Overall: This is a strong channel. I heavily recommend watching his current series.
That made me really curious to see how this was even possible. But what do I see ? Barrelmancy, teleporting items between chartacters infight, firedippiing, shoving, throwing healing and speed potions in the group for mass effect and even picking a flying creature out of the air and throwing it to another enemy for damage. OK, very funny stuff all but not what I personally think a DND fight should be like. I don't hink this is the fighting style for players who prioritize on RP or something close to a tabletop fight.
[quote=JandK] OK, very funny stuff all but not what I personally think a DND fight should be like. I don't hink this is the fighting style for players who prioritize on RP or something close to a tabletop fight.
[quote=JandK] OK, very funny stuff all but not what I personally think a DND fight should be like. I don't hink this is the fighting style for players who prioritize on RP or something close to a tabletop fight.
This is how Larian wants you to play.
I beg to differ. If you put RP first, it is the player who "makes" the story. I don't have to pull an imp from the sky and throw it if Larian allows it. Because it makes no sense in "my" world. Similar to dropping a speed potion in our group and we all get hasted. It's like pushing some pieces from the chessboard while the opponent is not looking. I can do this, but it' s cheating, in "my" world. Things like shoving, barrelmancy can make sense in some cases. But here, the player knew that 2 cambions would be coming through that door in 2 turns and knew exactly the properties of brine containers on a nautiloid ship. I know that also, but it simply doesn't feel right for the PC to (ab)use that knowledge.
It's not a reproach for players who use these techniques, don't get me wrong. it's the richness of the game that allows widely different playstyles. I just wanted to add that streams like these don't add much to the RP-incli!ned crowd, IMHO. I 'm not following any of the channels actively. I just dropped in to a number of streams when they happened to be active, and all were showing exploits (or Larian freedom if you prefer that expression) I haven't seen one yet that prioritizes on RP. I suppose it is not very interesting for streamers as it's more personal and less spectacular to watch for others.
That made me really curious to see how this was even possible. But what do I see ? Barrelmancy, teleporting items between chartacters infight, firedippiing, shoving, throwing healing and speed potions in the group for mass effect and even picking a flying creature out of the air and throwing it to another enemy for damage. OK, very funny stuff all but not what I personally think a DND fight should be like. I don't hink this is the fighting style for players who prioritize on RP or something close to a tabletop fight.
It's certainly a fight that focuses on the tactics.
I'd argue that any RP in that situation wouldn't slow down to take on the cambion, much less multiple cambions and a mind flayer. Anyone stopping on the way to the transponder is probably doing it for the:
A. Sword, B. XP, C. Glory, or D. Some combination thereof.
Nevertheless, taking out the commander, the mind flayer, and the cambions is impressive.
[quote=JandK] OK, very funny stuff all but not what I personally think a DND fight should be like. I don't hink this is the fighting style for players who prioritize on RP or something close to a tabletop fight.
This is how Larian wants you to play.
I beg to differ. If you put RP first, it is the player who "makes" the story. I don't have to pull an imp from the sky and throw it if Larian allows it. Because it makes no sense in "my" world. Similar to dropping a speed potion in our group and we all get hasted. It's like pushing some pieces from the chessboard while the opponent is not looking. I can do this, but it' s cheating, in "my" world. Things like shoving, barrelmancy can make sense in some cases. But here, the player knew that 2 cambions would be coming through that door in 2 turns and knew exactly the properties of brine containers on a nautiloid ship. I know that also, but it simply doesn't feel right for the PC to (ab)use that knowledge.
It's not a reproach for players who use these techniques, don't get me wrong. it's the richness of the game that allows widely different playstyles. I just wanted to add that streams like these don't add much to the RP-incli!ned crowd, IMHO. I 'm not following any of the channels actively. I just dropped in to a number of streams when they happened to be active, and all were showing exploits (or Larian freedom if you prefer that expression) I haven't seen one yet that prioritizes on RP. I suppose it is not very interesting for streamers as it's more personal and less spectacular to watch for others.
What you do is irrelevant to Ixal's point. Larian's obsession with barrels, explosions, surfaces, verticality and the rest have been there from DoS. I'm struggling to come up with a non-Larian game which which features this type of thing as much.
"an incredibly special and magnificent game" - why is it incredibly special, how is it magnificent?
"no other game has attempted to do what this game does" - what does this game do that hasn't been attempted before?
"sets the bar" - what bar has been set?
"tries to do things no other game has tried to do" - such as?
He says "wait for a couple of patches" then later says "in a year's time".
"bleeds passion" - WTF does that mean?
This game has had five major patches in four months. Patch 5 was 30GB and I remember another being 10GB. For comparison Rogue Trader is a 30GB game and has released 5 patches in 3 weeks for a total of just over 2GB (with another patch due today(28th)).
Every platform it released on suffered from major problems.
Still, what Cohh said must be true because he had his serious face on and he paused between sentences to demonstrate the gravity of his words.
Cohh says that RT "lore, story, characters meets or exceeds" what he saw in BG3.
Roughly 18:30 mark.
Not really a surprise. Sadly, its not "lore, story, characters" which causes people to hype for BG3 but more superficial things thanks to more money thrown at it and pure thirst because it was designed that way instead of having more interesting characters.
