LEFT ALIVE: A Future Cult Classic?

[@ThePerspectionist]

You had quality options this month with DMC 5 and Sekiro yet you chose Left Alive. You're a true hero for obscure games and a master of your craft.

[@sharuko24]

Fr, all the big titles are cool but so oversaturated by day 2.

[@viewtiful1doubleokamihand253]

Translation: "Dude, you are wasting your life, loser."

[@marisseandgale5365]

He's the AVGN of JRPG

[@ginger-ham4800]

This game wasn't obscure, it was just straight trash.

[@thaiboypsp3000]

@@sharuko24 that’s just you being a hipster.

[@shards-of-glass-man]

I lost it when the error message popped up. Such perfect comedic timing. Your PS4 deserves an award.

[@animedudevid]

As a day one buyer of this game it is very accurate too. Game would crash all the time after a death.

[@stefanssmellsvictory105]

Even the PS4 was, like, "fuck it! I'm done!"

[@nikGhost1]

"5 or so years from now, buy it for 10 bucks" Bought it two weeks ago at GameStop for 5 bucks

[@JVLY]

How'd it turn out?

[@nikGhost1]

July Jaziel enjoyable

[@va8157]

Just bought it for literally a dollar lol

[@niccoloconticelli6117]

ThorHighHeels. you are literally a godbless. In the game community we can only count the positive personality like you on a mutilated hand. Even with left alive i know that you have some positive thing to say. Now, i have not played the game, but the main reason i follow you is that i can find positivity here, even in this cozy dumpster fire.

[@Skip2TheEnd]

*Caution: The enemy is approaching*

[@lightnova1000]

Alert: Hostiles detected

[@Sorrelhas]

Careful: Antagonization is imminent

[@gv2212]

staff member has died

[@emulation2369]

You can't sleep while the enemies around 😐

[@hemangchauhan2864]

This really got me thinking about how much of mechanics can you cram in before you can start actually design the rest of the game. Left Alive clearly has a lot of mechanics, but nothing is given thought to how to design level or enemies. MGS games have a lot of mechanics, but since level design, enemy placement/AI and other things are generally excellent, mastering them feels rewarding. Mechanics make for good back of the box bullet points, but I think true value comes in design and utilization.

[@majormalfunction0071]

Hemang Chauhan It's a chicken-or-egg thing. You need content and mechanics that complement one another. Visualization tools are critical for figuring why something isn't working as intended. Design on paper only gets you far. Mad love for MGSV, but it's not perfect in this area. There isn't an incentive to do anything other than tranq, despite that "anything" can actually work (C4 + jeep = god-tier distraction )

[@jackwithahat8601]

Mario Bros had like 3 mechanics. Walk, jump, power up. Still a fun game to this day.

[@RexcorJ]

@@jackwithahat8601 And the levels were equally simple, but expanded as the levels went on (the same can be said of subsequent titles). So yeah, simple mechanics, but the levels all helped to utilize them all to some extent, thus making them masterpieces for the most part. :)

[@peppermintpig974]

@@majormalfunction0071 You know these guys aren't taking their time with design on paper though. Square sets a deadline and throws it to the third party developer, so they work on everything all at once without proofing and setting gates. You have to have at least two people sitting together questioning each other's design ideas and then figuring out the feasibility and the enjoyability in concept and then tons of early revision until you say "hey, this is cool" or "this could really work". Then you have a blueprint, and you can work from that, embellishing on the original design in ways that doesn't waste the time of the development/coders. This game is not good even on game design merits, and then there's no polish. If staying alive was the goal, there were far better ways of surviving, including getting out of that warzone city by ducking in a sewer. After a certain amount of time in those environments, it's just a static feeling thing without purpose.

[@hemangchauhan2864]

Biggest enemy in Left Alive : office chairs

[@contrabandresearch8409]

One day we will get a definitive stealth/mech hybrid game.

[@lonedrifter9994]

We already did and they were amazing, the games are called Phantom Crash from the original xbox and it's sequel S.L.A.I Steel Lancer Arena International that came out on the ps2.

[@niespeludo]

Titanfall 2 counts, on many levels at least and at Max difficulty.

[@lonedrifter9994]

@@niespeludo Titanfall 2 is awesome! shame it didn't get the popularity it deserved, would be awesome to see the titanfall games on Steam.

[@crashbandicoot5636]

You mean Metal Gear? Hell yeah we got it alright

[@ookie4179]

Titanfall 2 i know you won't read this but......i love you.

[@axelbahia1]

“Umm uuuh... oh oh” ThorHighHeels (19XX - 2019)

[@QuetzalOvejasElectricas]

So the game is sot of bad but you managed to find a playstyle that made it a bit enrtaining. And you liked it. And that is what makes you a spcial critic: I'm sure I would hate Left Alive but you just made it enjoyable by describing the Y and the X.

[@Leliel002]

q haces acá capo

[@DooberKnob]

I remember when this game was announced I was actually kinda hyped. It was giving me more classic MGS vibes than any MGS game since MGS4. I'm kind a bummed to learn the game stinks like asshole. I still might play it though to see if I can force myself to like it.

[@Ventraintale]

Doober Knob that’s the thing you can’t. Got it Day one on pc and I’ve never played anything more unplayable

[@OcanJi]

Did you like it?

[@cybercop0083]

An asshole stinks only half as shitty, once you patch it up😎

[@quint3ssent1a]

Problem with Binary Domain comparison: BD was fun to play, if a bit too generic. Left Alive is nowhere near BD level.

[@taylord5381]

Man I love that game. It's isn't fantastic, but the lovable characters and writing kept pulling me back.

[@magnatcleo2043]

Ah yeah, I like that game. Sadly, I never passed the hacking turret section.

[@ketrub]

yakuza dead souls >

[@jamesbrincefield9879]

Somebody randomly brought this game up to me last week. I forgot it ever existed and never played it, but I remember it being by far the game I was most anticipating when it was announced. The names attached to it made it sound like a dream team I would put together if I was funding a game made entirely just for myself to enjoy. I’ve been a massive fan of every game/anime these people have worked on since I was like 10 years old. I love mechs and have always felt they were severely underutilized in games. I thought this was going to be Square’s big comeback. Then it came out at some point with no fanfare, apparently wasn’t very good, and I didn’t even know any of this until last Tuesday. It’s really sad. I wish this game would have lived up to what I had imagined it to be all those years ago.

[@sabbathgita5511]

Yes. We need Zone of The Ender 3

[@YoungMachette]

The concepts from the Fox Engine were drool worthy, the bio frame, and the fact that the set piece was going to be prehistoric yet somehow involve mechs. Konami vs Kojima casualies such hard pills to swallow.

[@sabbathgita5511]

@@YoungMachette i feel you bro

[@DeepCDiva]

I think the thing that REALLY sets this back, even as a Cult Classic, is that the systems don't really work together at all, and even systems that are pushed to you(Like the traps) are just too slow and ineffective compared to running away. And I know that was part of your point, but since running away is not really a system or a solution the game seemed to acknowledge at all, even going against the cinematic tone of some mission setups(rolling away constantly kinda takes that away), that survivalist approach feels more like you're cheating the game rather than a purposeful mechanic. There's a lot of loveable jank in the game that I feel rewards more those willing to fuck around with it's broken parts, feels like less of a Cult Classic that is discovered with no expectations and more like a weird recommendation you give, with some major caveats.

[@Dizerfullpower]

What REALLY sets this back is Squenix shitting on a grave of Front Mission series with this one. Like, there's this TRPG series people know and love, you know what they'll also love? Us blowing money on a game with uninspired mech shooting that throws away the awesome series lore; uh, uh, that didn't work out, okay, we'll kinda sorta like bring the lore back and tack uninspired mech shooting to some CRAFTING STEALTH ACTION! Yeah, now that will really work!

[@SeekerLancer]

Most people have already forgotten the game exists so I don't think it has much chance of becoming a cult classic. There's just too many good games these day for stuff like this to be remembered.

[@Mokujo]

I really want to pick this up in like 5 years. Some of my favorite games are niche Japanese low-budget PS2 clunkfests. There's something so charming about them. Only the sound design is a turn off for me here.

[@junichiroyamashita]

Yeah they have personality, that i cannot seem to find nowadays.

[@Suzakuux]

Thing is about a lot of those clunky low-budget PS2 games was they were actually still fun to play and somewhat decently designed. There is a clear difference between entertaining jank and just straight bad.

[@heartlessangelrdk]

Its free right now if you have PS extra. Which is how I got here.

[@versatilelord8893]

For real! Same here

[@theaccountant1522]

I just bought this on the psn store a few days ago, i am absolutely loving it right now. I remember watching a review when it first came out and it was ripping the game to pieces but I loved the look of it and told myself I will get it once it’s on special, bought it for $12 and I wasn’t sure what to expect but right now I’m up to chapter 4 and loving every second. I’m playing on hopeless and this is pure survival, you actually have to rely on scavenging everything and crafting anything that can give you a chance, if you go in looking for a fire fight you won’t last long. I don’t think I have ever had to rely on guerilla warfare type combat this much in a game and I’m not even that deep in. I just spent almost 10 minutes in a room debating whether I should discard a bunch of crafting components to pick up a shotgun with 4 shells, first time I have ever thought that deeply for that situation. I can already see the game doesn’t just have choices through the story but you constantly have to make choices through gameplay too, like is it worth saving this person and then guiding them to the safe house, is it better to save all my equipment for the upcoming battle, your supplies are always in your mind, using even a single grenade takes thinking. I realise I’m early in but if the game doesn’t take some sort of drastic change then this might end up being right up there in my personal favourite games. I hope this game does gain a bigger cult following, unfortunately square enix did an awful job with it marketing wise, they also pushed it out way too soon judging from the review I remember watching. I feel like it was misunderstood from the beginning, I remember reviews complaining about the shooting mechanics and one section where you have to take out an entire squad starting with just a shovel, that’s what the game is, the shooting isn’t meant to be great, you aren’t meant to be able to take out a bunch of people in a pure fire fight, the whole point of the game is to use whatever you have at your disposal to survive. Anyone who enjoys survival games should try this.

[@Sorrelhas]

Considering what we consider "cult classics" today, I ask this question about every disappointing/low-quality piece of media I come across.

[@Garry_Combine]

Interesting. I do the same, I've actually found some decent obscure stuff. Nice to know I'm not alone.

[@davidkrickau5060]

Why is this game called Left alive? When enemy Soldierman Mc Dickhead sees you he kills you

[@nerosmith2578]

Playing as Steve Rambo is the correct way of playing a video game.

[@jackyfan]

To be really honest, the Front Mission universe didn't rip off MGS over the whole proxy war scenario. It has been a staple since the first release; Front Mission (1995) on the Super Famicom. I just came from watching your Front Mission 3 review, and being a 17 year old at the time of release, that game was like gold to me. It further expanded on the Front Mission world in a very big way and my soft teenage brain was SUPER impressed because I was invested in the franchise lore at the time. I gave so many concessions to Left Alive as I did for Front Mission Evolved and got burned so hard for it. It's really tough to deal with how little care SE has given this franchise, but it is also sort of understandable; the geopolitical landscape right now would not have let a game like Front Mission 3 release today. How FM3 characterised China (or the People's Republic of Da Han Zhong) is scarily similar to the policies the PRC is currently heading towards. It would make sense for SE to create future FM games that are not so expansive of the whole world now. But before China had become such an economic force in current times, two FM games had come out that followed the turn-base formula. Front Mission 4 was essentially The Phantom Menace of the whole franchise. SE overestimated the game's potential sales following FM3's success and it flopped. FM4 was literally about a trade war between the EU and Russia (known as the Republic of Zaftra in Front Mission). Not to shit on FM4, but it went from action hero movie (FM3) to brooding political thriller (FM4). Graphics were really nice though. Front Mission 5 spanned across a few decades in the FM world, following the lives of three kids during a proxy war which happened in Freedom city (from the FM1) and ended at the start of FM3 where MIDAS was stolen from a USN Alaskan base. Front Mission Evolved was essentially a white-washed impression on what anime would be like. It was hard to immerse in the world considering after all that has happened prior to Evolved. Left Alive felt like it was a game about redemption, but somebody dropped the ball in a major way. Its success felt like a guarantee but yet it turned out like it did. Sigh. JFC I'm disappointed at Square-Enix with what has happened to Front Mission :(

[@tionik06]

I love this perspective of going in fresh and appreciating a game for the vision the devs had as opposed to what magazines or reviewers told you it would be.

[@QuetzalOvejasElectricas]

Oh no, not MINDJACK. I had to review that game and I had forgotten about it. What have you done!? It's ALL COMING BACK.

[@thorhighheels]

looks like u got permanently mind jacked.

[@ZeGermanFox]

What makes me sad about Left Alive is how it’s one of the few “high-profile” Mech games from a big name studio and it flopped hard. Granted, they didn’t seem to really have much faith in it to begin with, but when something sells this poorly, there’s a very small chance of there being any more Armored Core/Front Mission games being made in the future :(

[@MFDOOOOM]

Armored Core is happenning!!

[@herbg4866]

This comment aged like milk

[@vicboss9902]

I kinda like to play it, too bad I don't have enough patience to endure the sloopy Gameplay. I don't think that it will end up being something as big as a cult classic, but I can definetively see It gainig a few more fans over the course of the time. Anyways, love your videos

[@alteredpenguin2073]

I got it a few days ago for 10 bucks I'm enjoying it. It has many flaws but still enjoyable for the price I got it for.

[@protofan419]

Y gonna give it to ya But X is gonna leave you dissapointed

[@luiscruz2595]

Protofan That depends if the people has the patience to repeatedly use the somewhat clunky dodge button to ran pass the enemies just the play the game's best parts, which even then are minimal.

[@GameplayVidHub]

This pun was spot-on. Great reference to DMX, soldier.

[@alexrodriguez8105]

I see what you did there. You get a like from me.

[@SmCxDramatik]

Literally just discovered your channel and its already an instant favorite

[@residentgrigo4701]

You should play Ring of Red on the PS2. The similarities are uncanny, despite the different gameplay genres. It was an absolute steal for the 5€ I paid but robbery for even a cent more. Famitsu also kinda liked Left Alive (31/40) but it´s proven to be a corrupt magazine, especially if SE is concerned.

[@juliusspacey1536]

resident grigo Yeah. Especially when they gave Umbrella Corps a 36. You just CAN'T get away with that.

[@XenoAlex2222]

Hi, to sprint faster than the normal run speed, you need to press R1 two times. To change to the over the shoulder view, aim with L1 and also press R1 :)

[@MesaAufenhand]

Instructions not clear, dick stuck on wanzer joints

[@dantedarkness]

@@MesaAufenhand do you not read the tutorials? Can't blame the teacher if you ignore the lessons.

[@MesaAufenhand]

@@dantedarkness r/wooosh

[@Btomaek]

the fire thing is funny "hay look a fire, better investigate"

[@superbn0va]

The patch improved the gameplay a LOT. Instant headshot kills and instant stealth kills are a major PLUS. If you like ps2 era games like spy fiction, metal gear solid, hitman etc. This is your hidden gem.

[@versatilelord8893]

Good to know bro Might give it go thanks to the patch I’m always on the look out for hidden gems Especially shit with the ps2 charm lol

[@skornie123]

Great review and unique look at this game^^ Its true you can learn so much from what seems to be "the worst". But even if it would be about "cowardice" it should have better dodging mechanic than the silly looking dodgeroll I think. But I gotta say I love the games World and character design

[@luiscruz2595]

skornie123 agreed. I actually enjoyed the world building and story of the game. The gameplay, on the other hand, was a complete opposite.

[@skornie123]

@@luiscruz2595 I really hope that this kickstarts or spawns some other similar games with that concept. Because I really like those worlds which are similar to ours , like in Ace Cobmat, but have some fantastical things mixed in. I also watched a cutscene video and I agree with you I like the story. Esspecially the one from the cop Olga, also her design is really cool^^

[@wpstudart500]

I bought this game absurdly cheap, and just for knowing Shinkawa was involved, I thought I would give it a go. I can see how it appealed to me and many others, but I spent two hours in the first section of the game and died so many times that I just gave up. Even in the easiest difficulty, this game is excruciating difficult and not so rewarding as Dark Souls, that you feel that you are progressing. Definitively not for me

[@112523]

someone i was friends with always kept telling me mindjack was a good game we are no longer friends. obviously

[@emulation2369]

This friend lives in your imagination

[@isaacwilson8682]

Caution. It's on sale right now.

[@Remmypuregurl]

Have you ever thought about streaming like on twitch? I would love to see you play your playstation collection live!

[@thorhighheels]

I have, but I can't where I'm currently living. Will for sure start streaming in the future though.

[@auraguardianred4771]

16:00 Love the weird ass Lego map reference

[@pennyisdreadful]

I subbed as soon as you said "she had a child once but it got dead in war"

[@flipkiller8521]

This game had potential.

[@herbg4866]

It’s your time, I’m glad you enjoyed parts. It’s 4.99 on psn now, I still won’t get it

[@ShoXwavee]

It will probably be for 5$ in 2 or 3 years.

[@normadicn5700]

Black Friday this year I will get it for £5

[@sukotsutoCSSR]

Why can't they just release a proper Front Mission game instead of using the Front Mission world to make unsatisfactory third person games without any flagship respect for this property? Glad they didn't put the name "Front Mission" in the title for this I finally got to play Front Mission 5: Scars of War - they could have built on that tactical RPG aspect, or maybe even some realism-based mech squad game with all weapons balanced (instead of that FM: Evolved macguffin shootemup that is tone deaf to the feel of the series) I wanted to love these Front Mission offshoots, but it felt Squenix always rolls their eyes whenever they're "obliged" to give part of the budget to this IP just to maintain it.

[@MD_Chaos]

You know I almost had the same experience with Left Alive when I played it. It's one of those games where you can see that there is a potentially really awesome game that is overshadowed by bad mechanics and shoddy execution. but I did enjoy the game as an experience, I do it is one of those games those flowed games that can still provide a fun experience. Infact some of those games you mentioned are some of my favorite games, Mainly Neverdead(the goat game), and Left Alive feels like one of those games, which I'm glad is still somewhat around this gen. Another thing, Left Alive's Wanzer designs are fucking based, especially the Volk.

[@GamerBoy870]

I just want a Front Mission Game you a GOOD one

[@darkdoescosplays]

I appreciate that you legitimately try to find the good in every game you review, while acknowledging the flaws.

[@redlunatic2224]

Future Fucko Reviews sounds like a great channel name. I might use that.

[@MySplatterhouse]

I'm sorry, I was done when what should've been a stealth kill didnt kill and the enemy soldiers didnt even die after 2 explosive traps, Spy Fiction on the PS2 did stealth better than this and that was a pretty blatant MGS knockoff!!!

[@duploman1000]

I personally like deadly combat in videogames.. more satisfying. As long as it's spaced out and methodical and you're not dying from BS every 10 seconds like in COD

[@edgarmorales9950]

So in other words, this is "Run like a Bitch!" The Game.

[@RezaQin]

Every modern shooter switches weapons with triangle\Y.

[@crozraven]

Nah man, the fact Square Enix had the odacity to basically low key rip off MGS series + double down on FM Evolved shenanigans instead of actually making an actual NEW Front Mission TB Tactical RPG is detrimental enough that this game is nowhere near "cult classic." I love Binary Domain, Deadly Prominition, Vanquish, & FEAR 3. Left Alive definitely NOT in the same level of those games. Hell, I even love FM Evolved more than this game & that saying something.

[@nope1018]

your tears are delicious

[@crozraven]

@@nope1018

[@y.bowcat7782]

front mission evolved is a pre good game tho

[@conflicthorizon]

It didn't steal from metal gear. its being compared to it.

[@a_brodo3158]

I know this is a late reply but F3AR does not deserve to be mentioned amongst those games you mentioned

[@attackofthecopyrightbots]

this really looks like them just trying to squeeze any money out of whats left of the front mission fanbase so i'll pass

[@whatamalike]

I paid 45 quid for this...I feel rather salty. But as a talking piece of certainly is going to be eternally interesting. Gameplay Garbo tho

[@-pressxtostart-]

You could have just waited, like what? A day? Youll learn.

[@whatamalike]

@@-pressxtostart- I know right? It was an impulse buy and I've learned my lesson

[@brazenash5871]

I enjoyed the game for what it was but I'm still somewhat disappointed, considering some of the people who were involved in Front Mission, Metal Gear and even Armored Core worked on this game so you would expect it to be legendary. In the end, it's just okay, and I can see why most were disappointed with the game.

[@Highwind452]

People should've looked at the actual developers instead of the flashy name dropping. The devs have one shitty anime game under their belt, that was my first clue. My main problem is that there's no sense of gratification or reward for outsmarting the game or making it through a particularly difficult section. It all feels so randomly hard for the sake of it.

[@rgmusic4769]

I do love me some dumpster fires my dumpster fire was "Deadly Premonition" it makes my pickle hard missed you're past videos man finally catching up on them

[@Heywoooo]

watching this reminded me of playing hitman, trying to find the optimal route through a sprawling map without getting seen and ending up cheesing your way through

[@JanJozefo]

Hey, I just wanted to say I appreciate the Hotel Dusk/Last Window music in this! Nostalgia struck me big time as soon as it started playing

[@jagcivtec]

I was too intrigued, had to play it. Game is only playable in the update "casual" difficulty and that doesn't make it like a shooter the as they alleged, it allows to play mostly like a stealth game (adds one shot death from head shots). The scope and subject are interesting and the mechanics give you options but the frustration mostly comes from the clunky controls and just weird unpredictable AI behavior that ruins your strategy and tactics.

[@caliggyjack7480]

I still find it so weird how this games most notable feature was it unintentionally predicting the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

[@shcdemolisher]

Even though they did go to war prior to it in 2014, yet everyone seems to have forgotten that conflict.

[@n0vi]

It's not weird, the game came out in 2018 and the Ukranian fascist overthrow (aided by the US) happened in 2014, with Ukraine shelling Eastern Ukrainian civilians for wanting to speak russian

[@JeedyJay]

5:23 - it needs to be said that this is a plot point that MGS4, in turn, "blatantly ripped off" of George Orwell's _1984._

[@viktor_v-ughnda_vaudville_476]

Yet this game still intrigued me and is still pulling me towards playing I think mainly because I’m a sucker for anything with designs and artwork from yoji shinkawa and mechas and with both this game has a gravity for me I can’t explain ugghhhh!

[@chimerainasuit]

Finished Left Alive today on Hopeless difficulty and I can tell you that I never got so much pissed playing a video game.

[@emulation2369]

Use shampoo instead of shampee next time 😉

[@TheEloheim]

I saw the copyright mark at the end of this video and had to do a double take. This game was just released in 2019?? I honest to god thought you were reviewing another underloved PS2 hidden gem from 10 years ago. My mind is blown!

[@DarkSentinel7]

A PS2 game? Are you serious?

[@ussr95]

Dude that office chair part fucked me up lol love your videos!

[@Gehrich_]

Been binging your videos since I discovered you yesterday. With my tastes leaning more towards the niche cult classics and panned AAA titles, "X doesn't meet expectations and Y gets ignored" is how I typically feel about the general audience views towards any game I like. Games that put the "X" in the backseat and focus on the "Y" tend to stand out for me. It's very refreshing to find a more chill comedic reviewer that seeks out the "Y" merits across many series, genres, and generations, and then weighs the "X" against the "Y." That is an effort that almost no "journalist" or big name YT reviewer will even consider putting forth. Someone that actually tries to like games by analyzing the total experience is rare, and guys like you cause people to question the negativity zeitgeist that traps so many gems. Subbed and bell'd, for sure. That said, this game definitely seems like an unintentionally broken "X" reinforcing the "Y" in a much too obtuse and frustrating fashion for me, at least in regards to gameplay.

[@tompuce84]

U know what, I'm watching dis kinda drunk, and it's just SUPERB, thx dude

[@Kenshiro3rd]

The proxy war shit has been part of the series since BEFORE MGS4.

[@luffy11234]

Yeah I'm still waiting for it to be 10$. I come from loving the Front Mission series (which when I found out about it a few days ago that its set in that same universe my heart sank a lil) so getting a new game in English since Evolved should be great.Fine don't be a traditional style game i'll take more regardless. Instead its a non optimized MGS, despite what your saying. I like your thoughts about how its a game that isn't trying to make you fight or stealth it up, but to run like hell. However I ain't got time to fight controls or the game itself to get a chance to be in a wanzer in a 2019 Front Mission game for a few minutes. I get where your coming from, but this game gets a "Boo you stink/10".

[@RICHUNCLEPENNYBAGS77]

Now $14 so you're almost there.

[@luffy11234]

@@RICHUNCLEPENNYBAGS77 Just paid 6.47$ on a steam sale. I waited long enough I think they can have that 5 or so dollars they make on the sale now.

[@RICHUNCLEPENNYBAGS77]

@@luffy11234 Hey, all it took was four years.

[@raikohzx4323]

The weird part is that running like a bitch is essentially meant to be your _first_ run. Once you beat the game, you can buy skill upgrades for successive playthroughs so that you can actually be.. kinda less ass. Your first playthrough? You're gonna make bad cutscene choices and get people killed, and you'll barely be able to save anyone if at all - and thus you'll get the bad ending. New Game+ playthroughs, you'll save more people, be able to handle forced combat better, and be able to work towards the best ending. It's a game where everything is broken and your first impressions will be godawful, but you're expected to play it repeatedly to do better and see more of the game. It's ambitious, too bad it completely falls apart otherwise.

[@KwadDamyj]

Not really. I think a cult classic is better defined as "quality, but an acquired taste". Left Alive is not quality and is an educational showcase in how to botch good ideas and waste the talents of some of the people involved, like the MGS artist, as well as wasting the Front Mission license in general. Lemme put it this way: Aliens Colonial Marines got more post launch support and fan attention than Left Alive.

[@Reddebrek46]

I completely missed a new Front Mission game, your review makes it look very interesting, I'll probably check it out.

[@mental263]

2:10 is that hotel dusk music. I love it

[@SpacexWitch]

I hope you get 1 million subscribers soon. Every. Video. Is interesting. Thank you, just subscribed.

[@mr_beezlebub3985]

I want to see Front Mission make a return.

[@ZekeBarzahd]

For some reason I thought of extermination, an obscure ps2 gem. No real point here, just though, just overcome by nostalgia.

[@jackcarr6686]

with reddit and just the internet in general I dont think cult classics can exist anymore, not easily anymore. everything either finds an audience or DIESSSS

[@thorhighheels]

Isn't something finding an audience exactly what makes it a cult classic tho

[@7ten]

@@thorhighheels Yeah I think that's a contractory statement haha

[@Entropic_Alloy]

I dunno. I like the Enix part of Square a bit more than Square, because Dragon Quest at least has been consistently good for over 30 years. But maybe that has less to do with Enix and more to do with Yuji Hori

[@fl0fi]

You make any random shitty game seem worth a play. Seriously my favorite gaming channel!

[@MrRoberto167]

Dude I beat the notification, that's a first.

[@treaverhargis2946]

What is that sound at 4:25 ? Is it from something. It's a great sound.

[@mategie6525]

3:14 What is the name of this game? It looks cool and I need it in my life.

[@wesleyferreira7511]

Have you discovered yet?

[@mategie6525]

@@wesleyferreira7511 Yes yes yes, it's called INVERSION

[@wesleyferreira7511]

@@mategie6525 thanks buddy!

[@MILDMONSTER1234]

Don't put vanquish on the same level next to Mindjack

[@thorhighheels]

that's not what i said

[@sladelius6174]

Neither are bad, but Vanquish is a masterpiece.

[@eandjproductions2]

Now when's the Vampire Rain review?

[@RC-pi8wn]

yeah, that game needs to be reviewed!

[@adventure3119]

1:14 on his journey to find CHAOS. As it were

[@doopmachine]

Jim Sterling just pissed all over this game, especially that AI caution aspect. Like, I understand, but damn. You really went in, and when you pointed out the cowardice angle, it just clicked. I started watching your stuff semi-ironically but you are an underrated and underviewed commentator.

[@thorhighheels]

Jim's great at shitting on shit, but he lacks nuance at times. Especially when he covers something mediocre like this game. Not to say that he was wrong though. I had to go through a lot of frustrating bullshit to end up where I did lol

[@shanehamilton5622]

7:01 Sounds like Todd Howard. In response to his question: YES. Resign

[@happyidiotic]

Forgot Left Alive when I moved out and regardless of how often i visit my parents I always forget taking the game with me. That being said I bought the game on release, installed it on my Ps, then took it out of the console, whimpered and never touched it again

[@JLCL01]

Maybe this is a part of Kojima's idea during the early development where in reality, most of us wouldn't be able to be Rambo badasses gunning down an army or sneaking about in tight suits seemingly being undetected. We'd just fucking hide and run like hell..Since he was barely involved, he likely didn't gave a shit if the ideas sounded bad or whatnot. Uhhh...or some meta post-modern shit like that IDK. At l;east MGS2 was fun yet had those mindfuck moments. This one sounds more like you'd end up with a migraine..

[@Raphael0654]

Stupified final thoughts: Nah...-but yea

[@thorhighheels]

pretty much

[@TheNeatoTin]

Check'd that Hotel Dusk soundtrack in the background

[@MaglaMach]

I thought this game was gonna be like Alpha Protocol, really rough around the edges but has a lot personality and a good story to keep you invested I might've been wrong

[@Tubeite]

Alpha Protocol was/is great.

[@stonerdemon]

The same was said about Devil's Third and I'm pretty sure it will happen with Rambo for the PS3 as well (already got a copy, just in case).

[@jammer2108]

Wait...people still remembers Rambo?

[@alexrodriguez8105]

@@jammer2108 *HE'S A MAN, NOT A GOD!"*

[@stonerdemon]

@@jammer2108 The NTSC version of the game is quite rare in used, good condition. Brand new is at $69 on Amazon as we speak.

[@jammer2108]

@@stonerdemon I can see your point then but I honestly don't think Rambo can become a cult classic (no offense). I can see why some might enjoy it but as someone who bought the game at full launch, I just couldn't stand playing the game. Personally, Time Crisis 4 Blazing Storm has a better chance on being a cult classic, and that game was just as flawed (although co-op did made the experience more tolerable). If games like Rambo can be considered as cult classics, then I guess any game can, like New Gundam Breaker, Life of Black Tiger, Umbrella Corps, Fighter Within, Starry Nights on the Switch, etc.

[@stonerdemon]

@@jammer2108 I think Rambo will never be a cult classic in the way Shadows Of The Damned is definitely going to be (for example). But it's just one of those games that were poorly distributed because of its bad quality. And judging by the game's price, it has the potential to become an eBay cult classic hahaha (not a game cult classic). Who knows, I just paid $17 for it. The NTSC version is getting hard to find in used condition. Of course, there are some old bad games that never climbed above $5-10, like Mademan, Rogue Warrior or Never Dead. I had high hopes for Never Dead, though.

[@MesaAufenhand]

Front Mission Dog Days is doing Left Alive better than Left Alive and it's not even a videogame

[@devilbat145]

That segment at 14:50 got me chuckling pretty hard.

[@Kimzao86]

I bought this game with the same mindset as you, maybe it was one of those games with low scores that turn out to be gems that will one day have a cult following for its story or interesting concept or characters, you even showed one of these games that I was thinking about, Deadly Premonition, but no, Left Alive turned out to be just bad, I fundamentally disagree with your point here. The only thing that saves itself here is the character design from Yoji Shinkawa, everything else is so bad. The gameplay is stiff and unresponsive, the animations are trash, stealth is so limited, the shooting is terrible, the AI is completely stupid and bugged, the performance is lacking, I honestly feel bad for who purchased a digital copy of this game on consoles and won't be able to refund it. This is a ''The Quiet Man'' level flop.

[@ShortBarrelRaifu]

@15:12 .... That's kinda make sense, cz loud sound from explosion will definitifely attract attention ... However, because this is a game & not meant to achieve a 'near realistic' dangerous experience like Arma3 IMO & have no other options to deal with this situation, this gaming time quickly deteriorate into bad gameplay experience.

[@MechanicWolf85]

A game where isnted of empowering you like a supersoldier, isnted put you in the shoes of (rational) cowards while hiding from an invading army, tanks, and Mechs I mean even a soldier with all there training would also be logical inoff to know that taking on an army alone is a bad idea

[@lumirairazbyte9697]

15:16 The failure of Left Alive in a nutshell.

[@-roejogan-]

Haven't played it yet, but from what you said about traps maybe you're supposed to be easily detected in order to more effectively lure guards into said traps.