Teleglitch: A Guided Tour

[@JimmyMcG33]

Fun video game fact: The TV I opened actually has a Trinitron CRT inside of it, which does not use the simple "three gun" arrangement--it has three cathodes, one for each colour, but contained in a single gun assembly. Trinitron tubes are, if I understand correctly, smaller than conventional tubes and that's probably why a Trinitron was in my little desktop CRT. Trinitron displays also eschew the 'traditional' pixel-like phosphor arrangement of shadow-mask CRTs, the Trinitron's aperture-grille phosphors are an array of coloured vertical lines from the top of the display to the bottom. This apparently reduces colour bloom in bright pictures, which allowed Trinitron TVs to be smaller and brighter than the traditional shadow-mask CRT tech, which would look like a blurry mess if it was packed into a similar tiny form factor. I also cut out a bit when I was talking about value engineering--one of my flatscreen monitors has started flickering when I turn it on, but my heavily modified, 40+ year old tube TV with two big holes in the front still works perfectly.

[@gregotox]

good hidden channel my guy. pretty damn good

[@sactownsacrament9416]

Came for Jimmy McGee, stayed for Technology Connections

[@Pasta221]

your newer TV is flickering? what do you mean by planned obsolescence? I don't understand.. (being ironic)

[@GeorgeTsiros]

The flatscreen monitor (be it LCD/TFT or OLED) are cheap products. I am not deriding you, or your choices. It's just that to get a decent quality flat-panel monitor you need to dump serious cash on them and _even then_ it is not a certainty that you are paying for quality :(

[@osaslol1343]

oh hell yeah my fav obscure roguelike that has more in common with a prison sentence than other games

[@GuardianDarzeit]

What does it have to do with a prison sentence ?

[@GameDevYal]

The final boss being the embodiment of the dynamic lighting engine is a nice touch. They knew how to play to the game's strengths.

[@chinbag]

I know most people watch your videos because there aren’t many reviews of the games you cover so I just want to say that since rain world, I stuck around because of the quality of your reviews. They are so well made and you are one of my very few subscriptions, so thank you for the great content! Oh and though I asked this last video, what are your thoughts on puzzle games?

[@JimmyMcG33]

I must have missed it, sorry. The only puzzle games that have really clicked with me are Portal and Tetris, and I enjoy puzzles within the context of other games (Half-Life 2's simple physics puzzles come to mind). Straight-up puzzle games are fun in short bursts but I stick to Picross, Minesweeper, or Solitaire. Other than those I haven't gone very deep into puzzle games, I gravitate to things like Dwarf Fortress or RimWorld when I want to be in a "puzzley" state of mind. Design-wise, I think (most not all ofc) puzzle games map nicely onto what I said in the video about 'mechanical possibilities'. They are usually about the friction between a set of rules and a set of limits (clicking a space tells you how many mines are around, clicking a mine kills you), and puzzle game reviews I've seen gravitate toward whether the rules are fair/fun and whether the game's possibilities are explored in full. I've heard Stephen's Sausage Roll is excellent in that regard. I also really want to check out Baba is You at some point just because it looks so mind-bending.

[@chinbag]

@@JimmyMcG33 Puzzle games are only mechanics and expanding said mechanics, so in a way they are the truest kind of game for me (sry if that sounded pretentious). Baba is you is amazing and the perfect introduction to the puzzle world, it was my first puzzle game. It is very challenging but offers a great experience for seasoned and new players. It expertly combines its own design language while still teaching newcomers the silent rules of Sokoban. Before baba, I had no interest in puzzlers, but it really sucked me in. Stephen's sausage roll is a sort of quintessential puzzle game and a kinda final boss for players. The Witness is also very great, but controversial for it's design philosophies. I could list so many, but this comment is already way too long. I think of the 3 aforementioned games at least one will really stick with you. I'm super passionate about puzzle games and think that it shares elements with every other genre, so I hope you enjoy Baba, and keep making great content!

[@NiamorH]

@@JimmyMcG33 Antichamber is also a great Portal-flavored first person puzzler, but you might already know it since it received quite a good feedback a few years ago.

[@bwaindead5539]

I’m the same, I came for the Rain World review (I watch almost every review or playthrough of Rain World that ever comes out) and I stayed for the quality content. I really love channels that talk about complex and convoluted topics, like science, politics, or lore, in a way that is mostly formal, but who also occasionally throw in casual breaks in tone, like an unexpected swear word or an off-script chuckle.

[@derdrakkar]

At first the ending seems a little out of place, but then I thought it's actually way darker than any more generically edgy story could be. A corporation teleported something from the very end of the universe, which ended up causing an entire planet to require being bombed into oblivion, and the world just carries on. The corporation involved gleefully continues the same experiment, just somewhere else. Nothing changed. Hundreds, if not thousands of deaths, destruction on incredible scale, business as usual.

[@ravenmcfann8280]

I remember being unable to get into this several years ago between the scarce items + the crafting tree, difficult encounters, and awkward aiming/fighting. Maybe I should revisit it. That research piece you did on Estonia was very well done. I always appreciate how you do your homework on these.

[@JimmyMcG33]

Thank you, I'm glad you appreciate these weird videos because I love making them.

[@ravenmcfann8280]

Sick. Have you played Furi before? I'm sure you have other ideas already but that might be one for you.

[@TooFewSecrets]

I really like how, after you get through the armor, the core itself seems to have very low health. It spends the entire game desperately throwing things in your way - hordes of undead, armed guards, killer robots, valuable scientists near the end, even the rest of its boss fight - but ultimately as soon as your shots are finally landing where they should have been this entire time, the AI is ended in one quick burst of laser fire. Suppose that says a bit more about Estonia's history with oppressors.

[@kezi_]

Teleglitch was one of the first-ever roguelites I ever played, the first game I ever modded (by editing the weapon files directly, which was incredible for kid-me), and still one of my favorite games of all time. I was never good enough to beat it, nor to rate it on the merits of the experience of beating it. But the difficulty always had me hooked, fascinated, addicted. I am thankful for you giving the game the kind of analysis it deserves. I think one of the greatest gifts an artist can receive is someone who cares about their art enough to dedicate part of their life to understanding it.

[@mauzilus]

It's wild how much of Estonian history is extremely similar to Lithuanian history, especially the recent few centuries. Those last crusades really shaped history for this part of Europe.

[@albedoshader]

What a great video! There’s a little interesting piece of info about the “black towers” that I noticed when I played this game 8 years ago or so. This was also explained and mentioned by the developers back then. The whole thing is actually in 2D. The impression of “towers” or “pillars” is an illusion. These black areas are simply 2D-shadows cast outwards by the in-game geometry, with the player as the “light source” at the center. It’s quite obvious once you think about it and look at it closely. The 3D-effect is just a trick your vision plays on you. I think it’s a really cool detail.

[@REDACTED0451]

Ive played this game since it came out because it was in one of the original Humble Bundles, I’m so glad you covered it.

[@JimmyMcG33]

It's so good. A lot of KZbinrs played it back in 2013 but it seems like it just fell through the cracks after that.

[@liamhobbs1401]

I'm not going to watch this video because I'd like to play it for myself but I wanted to comment and say since your Rain World video two years ago you've put out great stuff time and time again!

[@superbro6413]

32:30 That boss encounter spooked me real good, I was _not_ prepared My favorite part of the Guided Tour series is how you really give time to let the game breathe and speak for itself. I feel that these videos have a real distinct "flavor" to them, unique from other kinds of reviews you find across the site. Good stuff

[@BongoTurtles]

The “destroyer snake” is no joke, and it really does slap the player HARD if you aren’t expecting it. Over halfway through the game, it decides to let you know there’s boss fights. And they’re brutal. Makes you deathly afraid of open, arena-like rooms for the rest of the game.

[@theoutlawbrew]

I've loved this game since it came out. And I'm so happy to see more people engaging with a video for it.

[@Equinox_Fox]

Even a year later, it's only gotten another 30 reviews from the picture near the start of your video. It's on sale now and it's still one of the best obscure roguelikes I've ever touched. Thank you for showing it to me a year back.

[@ohok45624]

Well, at least for me personally, as cool as the game looks I suck at real time shooting games that are difficult, so have no interest in buying it. Rain World is probably the hardest game I've played on a technical low percentage of people beating it, but its not as combat focused as this game is.

[@Songbearer]

Marvellous! I feel that this game was sorely overlooked!

[@Hates-handle]

Yours is a criminally underated channel

[@BartleBay]

It's great to see this game finally get some of the recognition it deserves! I have been a huge fan of Teleglitch ever since it first came out, been playing it on and off ever since, to a point were I made a spreadsheet detailing my own calculations for HP, Damage Numbers aswell as quirks of enemies (Sadly this has been lost as I upgraded my PC quite a few times since all those years ago, yet I can still remember some of it). Tho I do have to point out one thing mentioned in the video. At 12:41 the sounds you were hearing were indeed there. Judging by the corridor you were standing in while showing this it seems like either the 4th, 5th or 6th level (Or really any level after the 6th) which actually does contain Patroling enemies! They tend to follow strict patrols moving from point A to B and back. These patrols are mostly comprised of Armed Guards of the Orange and Red variety, later on the giant green shirted Minigun Guards also tend to move around which is easily audible due to their stomping! There are also the grey shirted SMG guards which follow a smaller patrol, focussing on specific rooms from what I gatherd. Fun Fact: Sometimes the Patrols end point is in the entrance Teleporter Chamber, meaning with enough time, patrols will show up at your spawn point, almost as if checking for a rogue teleportation signal. But other than that, a spot on video on one of my all time favorite games that sadly never got the recognition it deserved. Great video and can't wait to check on your future videos :)

[@arilphoenix]

Oh damn this was one of my high school favourites! Glad to see this getting some attention, I still revisit this game from time to time so seeing such a thorough video on it makes me really happy. Hopefully this will get more people to try it out cause I know it made me reinstall the game for another few runs. Looking forward to your next videos!

[@user-jn6vo4zu5y]

It may sound weird but I'm really happy the 4-pixel guy made it out of the station. I have Teleglitch on steam but never played it much. Guess I will do so now. Great video.

[@moosemeesen3174]

Phenomenal video. I seriously appreciate you including huge chunks of barely edited gameplay with no voiceover, you nailed the tone continuing from your analysis of estonian history

[@darkangeljas]

Brilliant use of CRT footage, and transitioning between it and gameplay. Loved it!

[@masterzoroark6664]

I have the Die More Edition, but what urks me is that the ost it has isn't integrated into the game. I had it for some time ago, think I got it in 2016 or so. And on lore descriptions- I haven't found the AI note, but I did read a lot of notes on the zombies. Hell, there is one talking about a "crying batch of zombies" ones that did the assigned job perfectly, but constantly cried, company basically "turned them off", besides there is the one about donating corpses etc. (also hehe, that AI note is such a "comedy gold" in current predicament- just like in game's world, noone understands how what people like calling "AI" works)

[@licorice3333]

CRIMINALLY underviewed

[@jungamcgrunga4583]

I was fully immersed throughout the whole duration, excellent video!

[@RaeIsGaee]

Your videos are honestly some of the best on this website, let alone for videos centered around videogames. Your section about value engineering was also incredibly good, far better of an explanation than I could ever dream of making. Thank you so much for making such great videos!

[@Kalipp0]

Good stuff, I really enjoy your format and appreciate the work you put into your videos!

[@tritoner1221]

it's so nice how all the obscure games you cover on your channel are my favorites! i love teleglitch and i'm so happy a youtuber is giving our community some attention

[@ooSicknesSoo]

I love this game. Bought it years back, a classic for me now. Can get very intense and never finished it, but every run was big fun. A must buy if these games are your cup of tea!

[@kumisz2]

These guided tours are awesome

[@xmurae]

Always excited to see a new vid from you

[@xmurae]

also this game looks awesome

[@JimmyMcG33]

It rocks, there's nothing like it.

[@huskythebrorh]

This just showed up in my recommended and honestly, wasn't disappointed with what this game turned out to be and the very chill narration.

[@tabbyabby3525]

Oh hooray I remember you wanting to talk about this game since the Rain World review. Cool to finally see it!

[@sunnyenno9468]

and when the world needed him the most, he returned.

[@CH-bd6jg]

I got 4 minutes into this video and decided I wanted to play the game instead of watch a video essay on it. I'll be back to watch after, but I think this might be a game to be played, not a game to be talked at about.

[@BongoTurtles]

I love this game. Took me an even 24 hours of playing to beat the thing. Dying always felt fair, it was always my fault. The game is hard, sure, but not cheap. The right kind of challenge to sink your teeth into. Could not recommend enough. I love how you mention the map peeking to extend sight, I honestly just straight up never did that. But now that I know, I’ll probably be tempted.

[@suburu1]

although the game was overlooked it is a hidden gem of its own. Thought no one plays this game anymore till now really glad people still talk about it, really an awesome review keep it up👍

[@kriegerdrako]

I am probably repeating what other people have already commented, but I love Teleglitch, everything about it, and I am glad you went so indepth on it! I realize now that Teleglitch is about adapting and saving resources- at first I used the gun instead of the knife, but that wasn´t efficient enough. Try after try I got used to using the knife, until beating the first level solely with the it was not unthinkable but common.

[@GeorgeTsiros]

It's the first and _only_ game by the team! Everything in-game has been painstakingly taken care of. The graphics, the sound, the animations, the UI, the controls, everything is... I shouldn't say "perfect", but _flawless_ is a good match. The soundtrack, 5 tracks all in all, are so damn good I listen to them on shuffle-repeat while coding.

[@nothanksbro4525]

Always happy to see a new video from you!

[@tangerinacat2409]

another amazing video, extremely underrated channel

[@LeafMaltieze]

This is a fantastic video. I've loved Teleglitch since I got it in like 2014. I have never gotten past lvl 7.

[@papitasloup2119]

Idk if you're still making videos, but holy hell man these are great. I can see your channel being a big 1m sub video essay channel if you keep going Ps: if you're having trouble finding another obscure game as a subject, I'd suggest Darkwood, it's not too dissimilar from teleglitch except for that it's terrifying

[@JimmyMcG33]

Thanks! Darkwood's been in my backlog for a while, I really need to play it.

[@SevenRedSunsOfficial]

YES! NEW JIMMY McGEE VID!

[@iancsc]

Here's some engagement. Thanks for making a video about one of the few games I find perfectly designed.

[@ngastakvakis4425]

Wonderfully written; please keep doing these, these are wonderful, and I'm 100% sure these will catch on as a new genre.

[@mimejrtwemiwmiw5634]

You really have a great channel! You talk about interesting subjects in a competent an well-informed manner, and your video making is really both competent and confident, really love your sober and efficient style.Keep it up! I love your content and I'm pretty weirded out by the small scale of your channel compared to its quality

[@05Matz]

Teleglitch is awesome, and HIGHLY underrated. Thanks for explaining its charm to more people!

[@throbgoblin69]

Oh! I love this game, it never got the appreciation it deserved. Excited to watch this video for the next hour!!

[@thegoodoldays911]

Aww man I can already tell this video is gonna be something special. Definitely subscribing for future content. I do youtube searches on titles I feel are under-appreciated in the hopes they lead me to under-appreciated videos on sometimes and I'm glad it led me to you.

[@ics_de]

Dude ive just subscribed, i love these guided tours

[@domen8666]

That transition shot from CRT to capture at 47min was so fucking good! Big props, the details matter.

[@tsudonge]

I really enjoy your videos, I think you're rather good at cutting to the heart of things and cleanly explaining complex ideas, or ideas that aren't immediately obvious. The super high-effort production and research is really nice too. I look forward to the day when you get more recognition for the art you do.

[@high_foodcourt]

this was one of my favorite games back when it came out and i dont think i've ever seen a decent video cover it. plus im a bit of a crt nerd myself, glad you popped up on my feed.

[@nullarmo]

New to this channel but not new to the game. Played it over and over until I regularly ended up at the core with a few stacks of medkit50s, no deaths and enough firepower to make a squid look cute in comparison. Even to this day I haven't found a game that plays anything like it. Thanks for the review, it really makes my day when I see new Teleglitch content.

[@lemonysnow47]

was not expecting an overview of a countries history, and was pleased to see it well reasoned and implemented into a point about the game your reviews are awesome :)

[@gryphobiak.3711]

I just wanted to leave a comment to give my appreciation for your videos. Ive watched youtube for a long time and, though i really like creators who make their videos purely for entertainment, i found that a lot of video essayists and reviewers were too high energy for me these days. A lot of reviewers and youtubers speak with a cadence and use of hyperbole that reminds me too much of the brain parasite sludge of social media and its become hard to find channels that arent like that. Probably a harsh way to put it, but its how i personally feel. I like your straightforward approach to reviewing and how you explain your formatting and script choices and i like your editing choices, and i like the calm tone your videos take. The tone really makes your occasional break in character more potent. Im not done with watching this review but it may be one of my favorites to come from you. All of your videos have ridiculous amounts of forethought put into them, but this one especially feels like you had a vision for it. Thank you

[@websiteuser7926]

Can already tell this ones gonna be interesting, always a highlight of my day to see you've uploaded. Also, just wondering, have you played Space Funeral? It's one of my favorites, and I feel like you would appreciate it, as well as other thecatamites games

[@JimmyMcG33]

I have a dim memory of that game, I don't think I've played it but I will now. Thanks for the recommendation!

[@websiteuser7926]

@@JimmyMcG33 If you end up liking it, I also highly recommend CRIME ZONE, its very very short and has a cool way of conveying its narrative

[@oldekingcole6849]

Great work bud. Thanks for mentioning TotalBiscuit, when it came a truly in-depth examination of a game (setup menu included) he was king. Keep it up!

[@benisben7321]

great video, I was happy to see you upload again so soon after the last one

[@briefcreativity]

Great video! Thank you for taking the time to focus on making such a quality review

[@SmolBloof]

Honey, wake up. A Guided Tour is on!

[@phantasmrain]

Was very good video! Teleglitch is one of my favourites, and have yet to complete it. One day!

[@streamsofconsciousness8519]

The comment about audio reliance reminds me of DoomRL, with the monster growls telling direction and identity. So does the map visuals with regular Doom 1 + 2.

[@JimmyMcG33]

I actually tried making a video about Teleglitch a few years ago and it reminded me of Doom as well lol

[@AltmejdAdam]

Always glad to see people talking about Teleglitch

[@QuizzyQuin]

1st video I've seen from you and I'm so glad you're talking about such a fantastic, underrated gem. This game was given away for free by Humble around Halloween; very early in the company's history as a part of signing up for their updates/newsletter. I recall since that's how I received Teleglitch. Not sure if this was omitted from the video on purpose or for lack of source. Either way, great work!

[@Ava_Hofmann]

Really good review; I really love the way your essays essays take up games as entry points for bigger questions about politics, exploitation, and meaning. Really intellectually honest, thoughtful stuff.

[@fabianoyaga8610]

This game has been sitting on my library for years and this video made me realize what I've been missing, thank you! Also, in regards to games with such emphasis on sound design that it turns into a game mechanic, I suggest to check out Hunt Showdown. It's a first person, multiplayer horror game by Crytek focused on stealth and hunting monsters and other players with a focus on echolocation as the main source of situational awareness to plan strategies.

[@Patashu]

Hopefully I can find time to watch this. Teleglitch always struck me as the weird black sheep of the nascent action roguelike genre at the time that didn't catch on quite like its contemporaries, and I'm curious to learn what it's about.

[@atlas16198]

The section on Estonia's history of occupation and exploitation honestly gave me a newfound appreciation for Disco Elysium and its setting of Revachol, as it was also made by Estonian devs and clearly draws from the same sources

[@ghostwriter5685]

I beat this game only using Melee weapons. It felt impossible at times but it felt oh so rewarding when I did beat a difficult section. Something I wish this game did was make it so you had some combat progressions. Like if you mostly used melee you’d hit harder or faster, or if you used a particular gun a lot then you got more accurate and could reload faster. Dude has ostensibly been fighting for HOURS if not days by the end, so it doesn’t really make sense to me that he’s only as good with his weapons as he started.

[@Abstr_se]

How do you destroy the final boss?

[@ghostwriter5685]

@@Abstr_se with patience, positioning, and an ungodly amount of healing items.

[@echoniner2664]

ive just discovered your channel. this was a fantastic review, and your production skills, pacing and presentation are excellent. really value what youve brought to the table. your second half, delving into the history was an unnexpected surprise and instantly made me sub to the channel. i would suggest that you leave your captions on screen for a little longer, it is a pain to keep rewinding etc to read them, otherwise excellent stuff

[@Bolsty7]

The music is incredible IMO

[@notflaz4420]

Wow incredible video quality

[@lemonlordminecraft]

Such a supremely interesting game. Thank you for this introduction! Also the comment at 39:00 was insightful and funny.

[@joaopina5113]

Throughout this video, I kept thinking to myself "wow, this guy would probably like Tower Climb if he appreciates this game's difficulty and art presentation"

[@koveltskiis8391]

soundodger clip ♥️ also great video, your style is very enjoyable

[@jamesbrincefield9879]

This game looks so far ahead of it’s time. I can’t believe it’s like a decade old.

[@riummalcolm368]

Great work! Please continue making videos about games I like but suck too much to actually play

[@techpriestc5833]

one time i managed to kill 2 squids and 2 gray guards thanks to tactical pillar usage. another time i was running from a welder while reloading my heavy rifle, at which point I turned a corner and got shanked by 2 of its buddies. 10/10

[@ImpendingRiot83]

21:25 Every lasagna I make is a “lasagna of tension”. Nobody comes to my place for dinner anymore.

[@ImpendingRiot83]

25:34 My high school years, man… watching and/or listening to Wrongpuraes while doing another run of New Vegas or something. I feel the sands of my hourglass eroding me.

[@JimmyMcG33]

Yep. It's been a long fuckin time.

[@ImpendingRiot83]

@@JimmyMcG33 While you’re replying I just wanted to say, this was a great project, especially the Estonian history portion, I thoroughly enjoyed it and you really made it mesh well with the game thematically. Good production too, that CRT bit was a nice opener, hope that’s somewhat indicative of the direction some of those non-Guided Tour projects you mentioned in a community post might take.

[@SourSourSour]

I've played a lot of Noita, definitely wanna get into Teleglitch

[@hufox9]

Hey i just found your channel and i love it so much. Your work is great.

[@leftovernoise]

Yet another unreasonably good video

[@Sarahstearsdandelionseeds]

you sound like the guy that narrates the documentary Los Angeles Plays Itself i like this connection

[@infinitelibrarypod]

Thanks for covering this dude. A truly excellent game.

[@kairoro4533]

God its so nice to see a niche game get covered

[@TCrag]

Great review, you raised some excellent points. I agree that the map should not pause the game, keeping gameplay running on all cylinders is key for immersion. This is why I hate animations that some games use to lock a character into a kill sequence. Thief 2 the metal age is a great example of sound design in a game, the lack of music and the fact that all sound comes from an in-game source is key in my opinion. I also agree that difficult games demand your full attention and promote creative problem-solving.

[@joseneves5786]

really love your videos looking forward to the next

[@3thanguy7]

wow you're really gonna make a video on every one of my "man i wish i could get into this game" games, huh

[@JimmyMcG33]

I got you man

[@JimmyMcG33]

There's a typo at 55:51 like wtf dude check your video before uploading it

[@Breakfast_of_Champions]

Certified classic & Love at first sight for me🤩

[@spectr__]

> "Interesting game, let me check how much it costs..." > Click on Steam link, no Wishlist or buy button... As it turns out, I already have it somehow???

[@LutraLovegood]

For what it's worth I think the soundtrack goes very well with the game, reminds me of Ghost in the Shell (1997) and Neotokyo (2009).

[@bodinewilson]

Your videos are genius! Please keep making them! May the vagaries of the Algorithm smile upon you.

[@louiemac9455]

Damn! You explained the lore perfectly.

[@Kyfow]

Awesome video, I love that blunt as fuck ending. Also love the visuals from the CRTs blended in with the game's already blocky visuals. It seems like this game has a lot to offer and in a vague way reminds me of Synthetik, which came out later and was also a roguelike, also has teleporters, frantic shooting, tactical, satisfying gun control and a fucked up setting. Though that game seems way more streamlined than this one, for better or worse. Cheers! Looking forward to the next one

[@solizwei4458]

I was thinking about this game a few weeks back. Had forgotten the name and wondered what it was really like since most channels I followed gave up due to difficulty.

[@JimmyMcG33]

It only took me nine years to beat. Hope you enjoyed the video!

[@presauced]

A 1 hour video essay about an obscure video game that I've once played in my old laptop? Sure!

[@pegrat]

Another BANGER VIDEO! let's gooo!!!