7 Brave Franchises That Held Out Impressively Long Before Adding Grappling Hooks

Grappling hooks are in basically every game now, but these holdout franchises waited multiple games and multiple years before caving. Such bravery!
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[@wulvercreative6511]

“I swear I can still hear him” Luke: “I’m not dead” “He’s still here in my heart”

[@SimuLord]

Here's your ninepence, see you next Thursday.

[@anarchyantz1564]

"It's almost like he is still alive with us again"

[@CelticVictory]

He's in my heart too.

[@Urfcannon]

we miss you luke, it's like we can still hear you and you're still here

[@LateSleeper]

Luke: "Stop telling people I'm dead!"

[@saidaestrategica]

His funeral was so sad

[@GeneCash]

@@saidaestrategica I still can't believe what Jane said at his funeral...

[@Baronnax]

@@GeneCash "Give me a minute alone with the body. I just need some marrow..."

[@jmhanna72]

​@@Baronnaxstop the disrespect

[@DMBLaan]

While Luke is retiring, he can take with him the knowledge that he was the start of a popular fan theory of Link is the Doom Slayer

[@kamenanew9867]

Its a fact I say

[@eddythefool]

Wait a second, how do we know that he's not this world's version of Link? I'm pretty sure he confirmed that he was in a video where he said he was a "young Link". I think this retirement might be because Ganon is back again/someone opened a hell gate so he's needed elsewhere.

[@sacrificiallamb4568]

@@eddythefool Can confirm, UK is hell gate.

[@stuartmorley6894]

​@@sacrificiallamb4568 the gate has opened and it's surrounding us on all sides.

[@stuartmorley6894]

​@@sacrificiallamb4568the gate was opened a while ago and we are all wading up to our knees in hell on all sides.

[@ryanwelton7020]

So glad Luke’s ghost is still here. also please continue to edit old footage of Luke into all the videos. It’s like he never left. 😂

[@Skilledscelidosaurus]

That fr sounds dystopian and wrong.

[@oxfanblink4115]

He is around still for now if you paid attention to his announcement that he’s going there’s going to be a live stream on his last day for Oxtra

[@RidireOiche]

"Get back to me" he says, knowing full well we can't now that he's gone...

[@ryadinstormblessed8308]

12:57 "Come back to me." You got some nerve saying that right about now, Luke! 😂

[@otterblau5253]

Test run of Jane's 43rd Luke clone is a success. It didn't melt this time!

[@MsCunningLinguistic]

Here's hoping its battery lasts longer than number 36! 🤩🫣

[@Swaanman]

I'm more worried that none of them spontaneously combust like number 25. Or turn evil like number 11.

[@JamesF0790]

I will treasure all these last videos with Luke. Good luck out there my friend, We'll be watching what you do in the future!

[@valiroime]

But not in a creepy stalker way

[@JamesF0790]

@@valiroime Yep!

[@waxknucklebearingjuice5592]

Speak for yourself...

[@Enigmaenick]

"no pun intended" YOU WROTE THE SCRIPT WHAT DO YOU MEAN??!!?!?

[@Bronzescorpion]

I always think the same whenever people state that in a place where they could have changed it if they wanted to.

[@VeronicaSipe]

@@Bronzescorpion just cause you didn’t initially intend it doesn’t mean you want to avoid it so much now that it exists that you would change your excellent verbiage. You just need people to know you did not invest time or effort into making a pun.

[@leithcrowther6086]

“I want attention for the thing I did because I think it’s great and I want you to think it’s great, too.”

[@Bronzescorpion]

@@VeronicaSipe While it is true that they didn't initially intended it, it is rather odd to specify that it wasn't intended, because you are then deliberately drawing focus towards it and thus are intentionally pointing it out. It makes sense to say it, when you realize that you made a point, that you wish you didn't, but can't take back. It doesn't make sense when you can change it, because if you don't care enough to avoid it, why care enough to point it outr?

[@300IQPrower]

as a writer i assure you sometimes it just be like that

[@AngelBeatYunara]

I was not prepared for the "meat cute" pun. Very well executed.

[@TheFallingFlamingo]

Are you trying to say a "meat cube"? Like a little cube of meat? Because... that's a good idea actually.

[@dallydaydream]

That demon was also very well executed o_O

[@theworm2105]

Wait a second,,,, executed,,,,,, meat hook shotgun blast,,,,, normally phrased as "well played",,,, DID YOU JUST?! lol, 👏👏👏 bravo.

[@andrewbyrne2173]

I grappled with whether that pun was funny, but Ellen has me hooked.

[@chrismanuel9768]

Yeah, it slayed me

[@warpstorm1988]

This is an oddly specific subject and I’m absolutely here for it 🤣

[@KERMiTtehDOG]

There's a finite amount of seven gaming related things lists.

[@username1660]

If a game can only be improved with the addition of a grappling hook then it should be an inevitability for any worth its salt. Therefore it is not a niche subject but rather an exploration of the video game equivalent of Carcinization.

[@brendanowicki3821]

I want to know which game specifically sparked this idea

[@goofyfurball7311]

Speaking of Bungie, they did finally add grappling to Destiny last year. It was initially supposed to be just for one class, but the testers had so much fun with it that they gave everyone a grapple and just gave hunters a special one.

[@ShakaarGaleed]

The Strand Darkness subclass is fun as hell to play with, no matter which class you're using it on.

[@TheFirstCurse1]

Sadly it's in Destiny 2, which is a dying cancer cell.

[@j0njn]

We’ll miss you and your objectively correct Link-theories, Luke. Best of luck going forwards. And best of luck to the Westawayless team.

[@peterhague5626]

I'm loving this farewell tour where Luke just does list videos that are entirely fan service. But he is the fan

[@benroberts5652]

7 Times Video Games Referenced Les Miserables

[@iainjames03]

Assassin's Creed gained rope-darts (and basic rope-swings) as early as AC4 but didn't get a grappling hook-like weapon until the rope launcher in AC: Syndicate - 8 games (and about 8 years) after the first AC.

[@darrienjones8917]

I was hoping that would be shown here but I guess it didn't count cus it wasn't the latest entry

[@benjaminolson7206]

Indeed, 8 games in is a lot more impressive when it's a franchise that doesn't come out with a game every year. But in Assassins Creed years 8 is equivalent to like 18 years for a normal games franchise.

[@TriXJester]

I'd argue the best grappling hook in games is actually the web-sling mechanic in the Spiderman games.

[@monke7919]

Or the whip mechanics in lego Indiana jones

[@TriXJester]

@@monke7919 You raise a good point, also a good mechanic.

[@sacrificiallamb4568]

@@TriXJester LEGO grappling hooks, Star Wars.

[@moritakaishida7963]

Not a grappling hook

[@TriXJester]

@@moritakaishida7963 Same concept in the mechanical sense

[@bigbobelow6147]

The ghost of Luke still lingers!

[@stevenharper9108]

Is this “Luke” in the room with us right now?

[@CantankerousDave]

He must have unfinished business.

[@SirAsdf]

And then there's the Legend of Zelda franchise which added a grappling hook pretty early on but has now completely abandoned it.

[@stevenharper9108]

And that’s why we stop talking about those games two months after launch. It’s all about the grapple.

[@sinteleon]

Yes instead of grapple-hooks, we've telekinetic arms instead. :P

[@mpearse89]

Was going to say the same thing. Bring back the hookshot!

[@cmdrvimes72]

Ellen: games are supposed to be fun. Outlast: nightmares ARE fun.

[@MrTLWolfTTV]

Here's a weird one but, King's Quest. The series started proper in 1984, and finally got a grappling hook in the more action-oriented Mask of Eternity, released 14 years later.

[@synapse7274]

No mention of Destiny? It's not a traditional grappling hook per say, but Strand essentially functions as a grappling hook-lite. And the Destiny franchise held on for nearly 10 years before introducing it lol

[@timidwolf]

I once called out WhatCulture for talking about the Doomguy/Link theory without crediting Luke. I probably wouldn't have if they hadn't ALSO incorrectly accredited another theory to Game Theory (whom merely talked about said theory a lot).

[@motalux]

your problem there is engaging with WhatCulture

[@Sir_Him]

I remember when WhatCulture used to be entertaining. That was a while ago.

[@MrYin90210]

Whatculture stealing material from other channels? Surely not....

[@Xhumed]

WhatCulture is a content mill, their writers rarely research things properly. I've stopped watching pretty much all of their channels at this point.

[@nicholasfarrell5981]

Did they ever stop zombie-ing Ash's old videos on the horror channel to trick her simps into thinking she was still around?

[@nikmcgarity]

I don't know if you can accurately call the blades of chaos "grappling hooks", but kratos did start using them as grappling hooks in Ragnarok.

[@GideonGrimmGaming]

But he didn’t start doing that in Ragnarok?? You could grapple in the first or second game I’m pretty sure.

[@mandoschMUh]

​@@GideonGrimmGamingbut not with such a regularity, I think?

[@TheFirstCurse1]

It was LONG before Ragnarok buddy. Like in the first game I'm pretty sure.

[@TheFirstCurse1]

​@@mandoschMUhNo he still did it in the first few games.

[@torgranael]

@@GideonGrimmGaming Yep. Literally the first boss(es) of the game, the hydra, had QTEs that had you yeeting them into its eyes and yanking its head(s) around like a rag doll.

[@mclarge90]

So am I going to cry at all of these last Luke videos, even if it’s whilst he is talking about how Toad’s limbs would be pulled from their sockets if they used a grappling hook? You bet I am.

[@catlover7466]

Now that Luke is gone, I gotta say I’m gonna miss the bloke this new guy is not so bad though; that joke about giving Mario a magic gun that kills Bowser or just a non magic gun works just as well that was actually hilarious. Mario with a gun just blasting Bowser

[@soulreapermagnum]

mario shoots bowser in the kneecap: where's-a the fucking princess?

[@lacrossev]

"Capcom finally gave in completely to the sensual thrill of grappling" was not a sentence I thought I'd hear. Not sure who wrote that in to the script, but kudos.

[@milanugrinovic]

Luke 😢 you’re the best. (and Ellen too ❤)

[@maxvel0city906]

That bungie cord / grappling hook joke really strung us along.😎

[@davebenhart4611]

We were all able to bounce back though

[@ryadinstormblessed8308]

Ellen never leaves us hangin' when it comes to puns!

[@bilbo_t_baggins2762]

Boo. Boo to max velocity specifically.

[@Xhumed]

I almost recoiled from that pun.

[@TBSxDRUMS]

Minecraft added a grappling hook to this year’s April 1st update. Some are theorizing that it was a test to see if they’ll eventually add it to the main game updates.

[@Chris-ev5ok]

I just found this channel. They're very funny, especially that Luke guy. Hope he sticks around.

[@drtauntsalot]

Another worthy example: Team Fortress 2. The Grappling Hook was added in 2015 with the Mannpower update, 8 years after the game was released, and a whole 16 years after Team Fortress first came out. Some developers might see an eight year old game and think: time for a remake. Not so Valve! They looked at the aging behemoth and thought: "you know what this needs? For scout to zoom around even faster!" I take my hat off to you Valve, Nay, I take my whole Towering Pillar of Hats off to you!

[@america2793]

I genuinely never seen it before XD

[@drtauntsalot]

@@america2793 To be perfectly honest, I had completely forgotten about it until I recently played a round of pl_downward. Which, as the name suggests, is pl_upward but flipped upside down. The grappling hook is pretty much the only way to get around that map, clinging onto the floor (ceiling?) for dear life while you're trying to push the cart.

[@Michael_Lindell]

Remember when the Civilization series added Grappling Hooks? For shame... PS. Do Luke's arms count as Grappling Hooks?

[@user-dk9te1bn1x]

Nah luke arms count as weapons thats how strong he is

[@TheWretchedOwl]

Imagine if they added a grappling hook to a spider-man game. Wouldn’t that be fun?

[@evillordbeerus2455]

Nathan's BFF Tenzin had a grappling hook in Uncharted 2, but he doesn't let you use it.

[@pipparobinson2035]

spiderman is the progenitor of grappling

[@sleepytime999998]

In gaming, I would think it would be Pitfall!.

[@brodriguez11000]

@@sleepytime999998 Those were vines, right?

[@paulbennett2284]

Nah, Bionic Commando?

[@drfrankensteinscreations8513]

Batman

[@Wildfire9002]

In one game spider-man can web swing to the sky

[@insertcreativename802]

The fact they didn’t mention The Meat Hook in Doom Eternal can be lit on fire is criminal

[@CLNCJD94]

My favorite thing about this list is that they talk about how awesome and fun the addition of these grapple hooks were in their respective games.

[@Sir_Him]

"Does Toad really have the upper arm strength to do this?" Considering he was the fastest, and therefore the strongest, one in SMB2 to dig or uproot vegetables, yes, yes he does.

[@skylerlightning4620]

Just Cause games have long been game that have grappling hook with it being one most flexible utility (I literally play Just Cause 2 and amount different grapple achievements is straight up insane from hanging enemies to melee them like piñata to straight up dragging wreck ball like items to kill enemies with) in entire genre. You probably could make entire list of different uses of grappling hook and all them could found in Just Cause series.

[@phuzz00]

Including "Oh no, I'm falling to the ground! I know, I'll grapple into the ground *even faster*, and then just walk it off!".

[@tvdinner1986]

follow-up vid idea: 7 games that used the grappling hook best and/or most uniquely

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Would Postal: Brain Damaged count?

[@hilgorgruppenschaaft2203]

I, for one, welcome our new Grappling Hook overlords

[@justalilchilly8501]

12:56 The fact that titanfall 2 was not in that list upsets me

[@apenguinthatlikestodraw2721]

The Lego games finally ended up adding a freestyle grappling hook in The Lego Movie 2 The Video game. It had been in the Lego series for a long time with the lego Batman and lego Star Wars games but in the Lego Movie 2 video game you can use it as any character anywhere and yes it is incredibly fun.

[@daviddalby6217]

(Best Mabel Pines voice) GRAPPLING HOOK! (They even made it the whole first series without using it)

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Am still shocked how that thing is underused over the course of the show. Still hoping for a sequel series to compensate, even if it means replacing the totes old and rickety one with an, I don't know, replacement implement that could be enhanced with reverse engineered tech from the Frog-Vasion.

[@SimuLord]

I can't wait for SCS Software to add a grappling hook to American Truck Simulator and Euro Truck Simulator 2. The multiplayer Convoy Mode would be so much more fun if they chained the trucks together like cars in Just Cause 3.

[@monke7919]

So sad to hear kirby is no longer considered a video game. As everyone of course knows this was Hal labs reaction to being asked for one: we already give you the whip wasn't that close enough. It will never be close enough

[@Rubunny]

Shoutout to the Lost Planet team for making a shooter with grappling hooks years ago. What a wild experience it was back then.

[@mkdfan]

I’m surprised Tomb Raider wasn’t an actual entry. TR didn’t have a grapple until it’s 6th mainline game.

[@Clara_linking]

Luke 😢 you’re the best. (and Ellen too ❤).

[@KratonWolf]

LoZ, probably one of the first to do it, has had them on and off and in different ways. OoT and MM had Hookshot and Longshot, WW had both hookshot and grappling hook used for different methods of traversal, and TP introduced the idea of two Hookshots one for each hand so you could web-zip around like Spiderman. And speaking of Spiderman, well, he's a living grappling hook.

[@america2793]

Sad to see luke go. I wish him luck on what he’s doing in the future

[@mooniejohnson]

At 14:17 I heard "puppy play time" and was very concerned my vet hadn't issued me a grappling hook last time I took my puppers in for a checkup...

[@Zenlore6499]

As Mabel would say: GRAPPLING HOOK!!!

[@FallenDecree]

Sea of Theives recently announced they'll be adding one in a few seasons, thought that be nice to note

[@ryangordon578]

The best grappling hook was in 007 Agent Under Fire. Multiplayer with grappling hooks that can attach to any part of a wall is tons of fun.

[@lem0nwings]

10:18 Got to respect that they went for “upwards traversal” instead of “verticality”

[@solareagle1802]

I'm surprised Assassin's Creed Syndicate wasn't featured on this list. About 10 years of that franchise, and one game finally added it. Technically AC3 has DLC that has a similar mechanic, but Syndicate actually has a real grapple hook.

[@chrisbennett9048]

Everything thing becomes crab and every game must grab

[@natecunha2795]

"Does Toad have the upper arm strength to do this?" Clearly, Luke has never played SMB2 on the NES, in which Toad was the team strongman...

[@lizardguyNA]

To be entirely fair, grappling hooks are cool if done correctly. Best one I've used so far is the Just Cause series, also Spider-man if you count webs.

[@brodriguez11000]

Batman.

[@MrSpartacusthegod]

I really enjoyed the grapple that got added to Destiny 2 with Lightfall, the 2023 expansion... about 6 years after the game launched, and 9 years after Destiny 1 launched haha

[@zacharysmith4856]

Now I'm remembering all those times I fell to my doom from a high ledge in the first three Uncharted games... where was your grappling hook, Nathan?!

[@loka7783]

Mario had a grapple long before the example you gave: Yoshi's tongue. A further disturbing thought: What if that vine.... wasn't a vine. 😈

[@sinteleon]

Not to mention yoshi's rongue functioned EXACTLY like the grapple vine. (both for being only able to grapple straight horivontally and then clinging onto said surface)

[@loka7783]

@@sinteleon EXACTLY!! (well plus it drew enemies in so he could swallow them, maybe that's why it's green? Too many greed shelled enemies? 🤔 )

[@alankerrr]

"Chief Whip". Damn. That's good

[@armelior4610]

Master Whip would have been more... evocative

[@thatoneguy4783]

Some good memories in 007 agent under fire multiplayer. We turned on grappling hooks and moon gravity with seeking rocket launchers for an invigorating game of tag

[@jonahfalcon1970]

One of my favorite lines in Halo Infinite when you grapple a Grunt: "HEY! There's NO WAY I'm heavier than you!"

[@vendrexlorddragon]

Destiny 2 waited intell 2022 to even think about adding a grapple hook in their space cowboy simulator

[@firetoacat]

There is always the Zipcaster from Splatoon 3. For a game that is all about being a paintball match with art supplies, adding a grappling hook in the form of ninja gear combined with goo that only last for seconds is a interesting choice.

[@stephaneboudreault8944]

We won’t be able to comeback to you Luke, you will be miss! But for all those Just Cause grappling Hook is the best! have fun in you Project!

[@snipe63]

Noooo, Luke will never get back to us on which game has the best grappling hook traversal system

[@empurress77]

"Yeet hook" lmfao! 🤣

[@fakjbf3129]

Assassin’s Creed lasted ten years before finally adding a grappling hook to the 8th game.

[@realGeorgelucas18563]

When Luke was talking about Monster Hunter I was expecting a joke about Resident Evil having one, completely forgetting about the hookshot in RE0. Imagine my surprise when the next entry came up.

[@LateSleeper]

The new stat for video games: TBGH (Time Before Grappling Hook)

[@dunstonlion1342]

"I left herbs for this bull****" is the most Resident Evil thing I've ever heard 😂

[@MrDudeshutup123]

Surprised Assassin's Creed Syndicate wasn't on this list.

[@kevmannion2545]

That was the one I was going to add 😂

[@SarimDeLaurec]

The best grappling hook traversal is found in Sanabi. So if you do a video on great grappling hooks, that could be a first entry.

[@tonyb6555]

Who's the new guy co-presenting this video? They seem pretty good, you should bring them in as a guest again from time to time.

[@Fenrisson]

In one of my favorite games, Tenchu, the grappling hook is of the essence. It's the only mandatory item to start a level with.

[@Jonathon_Hennessey]

I had an idea for a list video. Seven initially overlooked games that over time became positively reevaluated. One example is Alien Isolation. When it was released, it was criticised for the xenomorph's A.I being too smart among other things. Now though its considered a classic.

[@thedeadpoolwhochuckles.6852]

I don't recall it being unpopular.

[@Jonathon_Hennessey]

Perhaps unpopular is a poor choice of words. What I mean is games that when they were first released, they didn't do as well as their creators had hoped. But later over time became positively reevaluated

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Star Control II, Max Payne 3, Batman: Arkham Origins, BioShock 2, Star Wars: TIE Fighter, Soldier of Fortune, Wolfenstein 2009, Prey 2017, Chasm: The Rift, Homeworld: Cataclysm/Emergence, the list may go on.

[@sinteleon]

Too smart? That's the whole point. :V

[@jewelboyd3646]

And I can just imagine Vergil from DMC rolling his eyes and saying, "Amateurs" to all of these characters

[@travisspaulding5835]

I am asking for more you, Luke!

[@sazthompson8398]

“Come back to me” says Luke. The absolute nerve.

[@mediarare2386]

While I still have to "grapple" with the realization that Luke retires I continue to be "hooked" to Oxtra videos. I'm not even sorry.

[@FredCDobbs-rd5wi]

The Dragon Age series added grappling hooks for warriors and rogues in the third game, Dragon Age: Inquisition. They're not used for climbing, but rather to drag enemies closer, like Scorpion in the Mortal Kombat franchise. I think that still counts.

[@jorvach9874]

I'd say it counts! Although I think only the Warriors Grappling Hook drags enemies closer. The Rogue Grappling Hook sends you flying into the enemy instead! :)

[@hiatusinc]

The ghost of Luke appears so healthful and full of energy!

[@briantoller2186]

I'm surprised Assassin's Creed didn't get a mention. It feels like a natural fit for a grappling hook and it took them a full 7 games before adding one.

[@schoktra]

I loved grapple mechanics clean back to the NES's Bionic Commando. I'm glad other games are finally getting it.

[@deathnights-bane3301]

Its nice to know that the SAO games did full flight and flight combat multiple times before reversing into grappling hooks

[@ASLTheatre]

In Another Crabs Treasure you are given a grappling hook after the first boss. A welcome addition to a “Baby’s First Souls-like”.

[@madalice5134]

One of the skills you get in Final Fantasy 16 is the Deadly Embrace from taking Garuda's power. It's basically a deadly wind magic grappling hook that brings enemies to you or vice versa. It's one of my favorite feats in the game.

[@docette2015]

Team: "So, Luke, any specific topics you want to cover in your last few list videos?" Luke: "GRAPPLING HOOKS" Team: ". . .okay" Luke: "AND REITERATE THAT I'M THE 'LINK IS THE DOOM SLAYER' GUY" Team: "Well of COURSE"

[@RoboSparkle]

I'm very much a fan of the yeet-hook so happy to see that get a shout out! I'd add Final Fantasy to the list since the FFVII Remake added a Grappling Gun to scale the Sector 6 wall, when the original just had you... well, climb the debris! Tbh, it's very possible that this was in earlier entries in the series, but I'm pretty sure it's not in any of the mainline non-MMO entries up to FF13.

[@steelballs3]

Anyone else feel like they can hear Luke??? This may be my sign that I've been adding too much bourbon to my morning coffee

[@foxtrapped]

Every video merely grows my excitement for when my games are back shirt arrives

[@Merkwerkee]

I feel like the spiritual successor to this list would be "games we REALLY wish DIDN'T have grappling hooks"

[@ericcordry123]

The day my actual job involved me owning and using a grappling hook was the coolest I’ve ever felt

[@briansanders8122]

Don't forget the Elder Scrolls series. Not only did they add 'grapplebow' in general, but the Warden and Dragon Knight classes both have skills that might as well be grappling hooks.

[@GideonGrimmGaming]

I was so confused until I realized you’re talking about ESO 😂😂 I’m dumb I’m sorry 😂😂

[@Kicia84]

Came here to mention ESO, thankfully someone else did it.

[@dissuede6949]

What kind of nonsense are you talking of? There is nothing in The Elder Srolls called a "Dragon Knight".

[@Kicia84]

@@dissuede6949 elder scrolls ONLINE exist and Dragon Knight is one of the classes you can choose at the beginning. ESO is 10 years old

[@dissuede6949]

@@Kicia84 Never heard of that fan project.

[@Ylyrra]

Fair play, you managed to make me laugh out loud before I even watched the video with that title. :D

[@wanderlustwarrior]

Sonic Forces added one in that franchise's 26th year, 2017. Not for Sonic, but for the customizable player avatar of that game, to emulate Sonic's homing attack or for the occasional set piece.