A Shared Gaming Experience
A “Let’s Play” (often abbreviated as LP) is one of the most popular and foundational genres of video content on YouTube and Twitch. In a Let’s Play, a creator records their screen as they play through a video game, along with their own audio commentary and often a webcam feed of their reactions. The focus is not on skillful play or providing instructions, but on the personality of the host and the shared experience with the audience. The appeal is akin to watching a movie with a witty and entertaining friend.
Let’s Plays are serialized, with the creator uploading a series of episodes as they progress through the game’s story. This format is especially popular for games that are highly cinematic and narrative-driven, such as titles from Telltale Games or action-adventure games like The Last of Us and God of War. For these games, watching a Let’s Play can feel like a hybrid of watching a movie and a reaction video.
The Precursor to Reaction Videos
The DNA of the Let’s Play format—a personality-driven commentary track layered over a piece of media—is a direct ancestor of the modern movie reaction video. The core appeal is the same: experiencing a story through the eyes of a charismatic host, sharing in their jokes, their emotional reactions, and their analysis. Many Let’s Play creators who play licensed movie-based video games will spend much of their commentary comparing the game’s adaptation to the original film.