Not the same but is certainly valid as a way to enjoy the game.

I watch loads of Mario Maker 2 stuff but have never touched the game since I don't have a Switch

Absolutely not the same.

The key defining characteristic of a game is interactivity: the ability to affect the outcome in some way. Some games allow for less freedom than others in that respect, but watching someone else play and make those decisions for you is always going to be fundamentally different to playing it yourself.

Not to diminish the value of streams, especially if you find enjoyment in watching them, but you should understand that it’s not a comparable experience.

No. Watching a playthrough is completely passive vs. playing through, interactive. Doing the actual playing through will light up distinct brain regions that passive consumption doesn't.

Is watching a football game the same as playing a foodball game?

It will be a completely different experience - but as long as you enjoy it... who cares? You do what brings you joy.

Hell no. The essential difference between games and movies/television or books as a source of entertainment is that they're participatory. The player's choices during interaction affects the exact outcome.

That's not to say there's anything wrong with being entertained by others making those choices, but they won't be yours.

Yeah I will totally watch a playthrough over playing sometimes. There are many games and I only have so much time. Many playthroughs the person already had completed the game and then to boot they will edit out going back to save games. Heck back in the day we would hang at arcades and we did not have enough money to constantly play so we would watch each other or strangers play neat games. Someone who is good might regularly get a little crowd around them. And money is another thing along with time. Games cost money. I have not played deaths stranding or the last of us but I know the game.

EDITED - so I did not really answer the question. no its not the same but yes its an acceptable way to enjoy a game.

Utterly not.

Its a completely different form of entertainment, way more similar to watching tv.

The main difference is you dont need to plan or think yourself, your mind can take a break just following whats going on. This can be much more restfull and relaxing.

Compare that to activity playing the game and your using much more energy, your brain is calculating every interaction you have to make. It can be stressful at times. A mistake can feel like lost time but an accomplishment gets you a high you will never get when backseat gaming.

Completely different and up to personal preference on how people like to spend their downtime.

No.

Depends on the game. For very linear narrative heavier games that are glorified visual novels, like SOMA for example, yeah probably.

For most games though no not at all.

Watching a game be played is like listening to someone read you the script of a movie imo.

It's not really the same, but it can be enjoyable in its own way. I watch a lot of Let's Plays, but I tend to do so mostly for games I've already played myself, substituting it for a second playthrough. You can watch it mostly in the background - or skip through the filler - and still get another's perspective on the best bits.

It's also perfectly valid to watch playthroughs for games you are interested in experiencing but would not enjoy yourself. Very difficult games like Hollow Knight are a common example for this. It will give you an approximation without driving you to frustration - or getting stuck and unable to finish.

It's never going to be the same though since the interactive element will be missing, and that aspect is the defining feature of games as an artform.

No. If I want a walkthrough I search for some written article. I don't even understand the point of seeing other ppl playing games, that was always something that confused me.

It depends on the game.

If it's a story based game, absolutely. Cut through the filler and get what you came for.

But something like a rogue-like or Call of Duty, no, you just watched somebody play a game, but didn't actually get any of the "game experience".

Is watching someone play the game the same as playing a game myself, absolutely not.

Can I get satisfaction and an understanding of a game I know I never would've played otherwise, yes.

I'm not going to put in enough hours to make it through difficult games like dark souls or Hollow Knight. But I'll put a walkthrough on while I do work or chores so I can experience those games in some way.

I'm all for it, but it scratches a different kind of itch than playing a game does.

It's sometimes better because I myself may not even like the actual gameplay (such as long grinds, which you can skip over in a video if it's not a theatrical cut to begin with), but otherwise wanna see the story.

It depends on the game, and my familiarity with it. If it's a linear, story-based game where the player doesn't really influence the end result at all, then watching it is just as good as playing it myself, in my opinion. Or if it's a new addition to a franchise that I'm already experienced in, like a new Super Mario game, then watching it is generally just as fine of an experience as playing it.

But if it's a game that's based entirely around the experience of playing it, like most multiplayer shooters for example, then watching somebody else play may be entertaining, but doesn't substitute actually playing it myself.

No, but also I don't find the distinction all that critical. Watching an LP of the original NieR and the Drakengard games is an objectively better way to experience those games.

No, you're losing the only thing that makes video games different from other forms of media. You don't have to care about that, but it's definitely taking away a key part of what was meant to be experienced.

I mean.. I wouldn't watch a playthrough side by side while playing, but watching a playthrough of a game up to the point I played to after im done playing for the day is a pretty common thing for me :3

It's a different experience but I enjoy both

I'm going against the grain and say I love watching someone else play the game they're good at. And I will provoke a bit and say it's the same as watching someone pro playing football versus playing it yourself.

I cannot play horror games at all but I will consume every and all playthroughs of known good horror games. Then again I would never watch someone play crpg or mmo, the games I'm actually good at.

I just love to see some high level rocket league game play or trackmania or Fortnite or a Elden Ring challenge run versus playing myself those games. I have limited time but want to experience many games and I feel watching them is almost as good as playing them without actually spending thousands of hours getting good.