What happened..

Leaflit reacts to @andypantsgaming : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmoZ7vqXGc4

NEW ALBUM: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/leaflit/beep-boop-weeaboop-2/

Support me ♥ https://www.patreon.com/leaflit
Watch me ♥ https://www.twitch.tv/Leaflit
Kick me ♥ https://www.kick.com/Leaflit
Follow me ♥ https://twitter.com/Leaflit
See me ♥ https://www.tiktok.com/@leaflitvt
Discord ♥ https://discord.com/invite/leaflit
TTRPG ♥ https://rpg.angelssword.com/
MERCH ♥ https://shop.angelssword.com/

Hey everyone — it’s Leaflit! In today’s video I’m reacting to AndyPantsGaming’s video “Why modern characters suck.” He dives into why some recent video game protagonists — like Ellie in The Last of Us Part II, the lead in Star Wars Outlaws, Deathloop’s cast, and others — don’t hit the mark for a lot of longtime gamers.

A lot of the criticism centers on how characters today often feel built more around messaging or identity design choices than the compelling, memorable storytelling we grew up with. Think of classics like Solid Snake, Arthur Morgan, or Joel — characters with defining personalities, iconic journeys, and emotional depth that players remember for decades.

Take The Last of Us Part II as an example: many players felt that characters like Ellie or Abby were polarizing because the narrative structure and presentation made them hard to connect with in the same way as older protagonists. Some players saw this as a case of storytelling pushing themes more than character cohesion, leading to frustration.

Now, to be clear: games should evolve and experiment. But I’m critical of how the entertainment industry often pushes designs and character approaches that feel more like a checklist than a fully developed person you’d want to follow through an entire story. When storytelling focuses excessively on surface characteristics or social commentary instead of crafting compelling heroes or relatable flaws, it can drain the emotional impact of a game.

At the same time, there are creators and developers out there still putting out deep, believable, and unforgettable characters — the very kind that make players care about the journey, not just the aesthetic or theme. I’m supportive of those devs and critics willing to call out the trend and remind the industry what good character writing looks like.

If you agree that characters should have depth, memorable motivations, and real narrative weight — hit Like, Subscribe, and ring that bell. Comment below: What’s YOUR favorite main character in a game — and what makes them great compared to some of the modern leads?

modern video game characters critique, AndyPantsGaming reaction, Leaflit reacts gaming commentary, why modern game protagonists suck, classic vs modern game characters, video game character writing discussion, entertainment industry push vs classic heroes, Solid Snake Arthur Morgan characters, critic gaming characters, modern video game protagonists, character writing in games, gaming industry critique, Leaflit gaming reaction, AndyPantsGaming video, classic vs new game characters, storytelling in games, emotional game heroes, memorable video game protagonists, modern gaming character debate, Leaflit on game writing, AndyPantsGaming critique reaction, industry narrative problems, classic game heroes discussion

If you are the owner of the original video and you want this video removed, please contact: [email protected]

#gaming #vtuber #reaction