Regarding the original thumbnail: I made a really harmful mistake. I incorrectly assumed (which really shouldn't have gone to an assumption in the first place) that the art was official. Turns out, it wasn't. All I can really say is that I apologize. There are no excuses for it. It was my mistake. You can check out the original artist here: www.artstation.com/artwork/nl2kK
literally all of the love in the world for that. as an artist i appreciate the fact you’re going out of your way to credit the art like that. lov u kingk
"He gave his life thinking he'd just saved the planet, we should all be so lucky." - Carter A-259. This is one of the greatest quotes not only in Halo, but in my opinion, most cinema and video games. It still resonates that "This is all pointless" feeling.
"Jorge, the demolition expert, dies in an explosion. Kat, the tech savvy, dies from a headshot. Jun, the stealthy one, disappears without a trace. Carter, the leader, goes down with the ship. Emile, the closer quarter frenzy, dies with a sword through his chest. Noble 6, the lone wolf, dies alone." Saw something like this as a comment on a different Reach video, and it's just so perfect.
Tech savvy: dies from shield malfunction* They are supposed to be both ironic and following the trope. Jorge blows himself* up with an explosion. Carter *takes down the ship. Emil: "who's next?" He was. The lone wolf learns to fight in a team... Only to die fighting alone.
Halo Reach is easily my favorite. It's scary, sad, and tough. Lone Wolf is a reluctant acceptance that you have to trust other people to do what you couldn't. It's a passing of the flag to another game, another Spartan, and another studio. I love that damn game. RIP Jorge.
If human life will end up meaning nothing in the future, when the galaxy ends, why are we still improving ourselves, why do we do anything? There's no reason in the end, you have made an impact, but it won't exist later, it won't matter. I still do things cuz I feel like it, if I'm goin down, I'm going to fulfill what I want to do, if I don't want to make an impact, I can do that, if I want to try something, I will try it. I don't care that no one will know me, I don't care that what I do doesn't matter, I was still determined to go out having fulfilled my purpose, if I didn't do everything I wanted, I still did something. I don't like thinking that what I do doesn't matter, I. still. did. something.
here's something to think about: the elites in the Lone Wolf cinematic will remember this tiny spartan fighting until the last possible breath. how this six-man team delayed their overwhelming invasion over and over, fighting against impossible odds. and at the very end of it all, after the Covenant has won, here's Noble Six. fighting tooth and claw and making the Covenant hemorrhage for every inch they gain. A warrior's death. really, the only beings who will remember Noble Team are their enemies. and that's kinda badass.
@@EastmanWestman Yes, I know that. How is she a hero like Noble 6, though? What does Halsey have to do with the original comment, the idea of only the enemies remembering Noble 6?
There are two interpretations I think about regarding Lone Wolf: The first is that it is the culmination of something told to you at the beginning of the game by Carter: that the "Lone-Wolf stuff stays behind" and that you're now part of a team. In a sense, there is a tragedy in that Noble Six, a former assassin who specialized in dealing with human threats moves on to fight alongside a more protective force (I like your metaphor of the shield), only to survive all team members except Jun and then die as what he no longer was: a lone-wolf. It's probably tragic because Noble Six was very different from the heroic figure of the Chief: Six changed things from the shadows, killed entire militias and was mostly a dark tool of ONI that was given another perspective by being inserted into a team that works together, only to have that snatched away in a brutal manner. This interpretation is a little dark, and in it, you come to value the team greatly for what it was. The other reading is more closely aligned with what you said. In a sense, you are forced into a situation that mirrors that of the whole of Reach's story: the outcome is already decided. There is no difference if you are a new player who plays on easy, a hardened veteran, a solid player, etc. There isn't even a penalty, you can kill yourself instead of fighting and the outcome will be the same, no matter how well you played. Tracing this metaphor with the idea of dead being equal for all is, as you pointed out, kind of disturbing because it is inevitably true. I think this gives you a canvas with which to do what you want with the life you're given. And I think that is close to the central message of Reach, one in which, despite the fact that all is lost and that, in the surface, decisions seem meaningless, you are still given autonomy to act, you are treated as a free agent and given the choice to fight if you want (in this sense, Reach takes full advantage of being a videogame where you control and even customize the character). I think there is also a certain tragedy here too in that, you Noble Team and the dead Spartans you see in the level (which I would see as stand-ins for other players, other people like you) do not get recognition. This unsung quality is not as appealing as the hero story of the Chief, but we know it is at least as important, and that struggle is what matters.
these two interpretations can be brought together. although six dies alone, he does not die as a lone wolf. he goes down, fighting until his last breath, defending both reach and humanity as a whole - regardless of his efficacy, of if it's something that even CAN be protected. there's definitely something to be said about the change in character he must have experienced along the course of the campaign to get to that point, considering his backstory, right?
@@amaranthhhhh I really like that. I didn't mean to say they were opposed, and I certainly agree with what you added. He dies alone, but not as the lone-wolf he used to be. And I think that, even if it's left unsaid, there is probably a huge impact left on Six.
I wonder if people’s last thoughts are always regretful, or if some can go striding into death, knowing they lived their life the best way that they could have. I like to think of Noble Six as one of the latter. But Maybe he was too angry to even think about existential dread. His whole team was dead or fled, the first people who had given him real cameraderie after he had spent his career killing innies. A lone demon, an angel of death. And now he was back where he was, that was how he was going to die, and it was all the covenant’s fault. That was why he fought until the end, why he never just stood and took the needle to the face. He wanted to die full of piss and vinegar. Not a bad way to go. I wonder if, as the energy sword burned through the valves of his heart, he felt fear or calm. I mean, he didn’t hide in a fallout shelter. He stood out in an open plain to face his doom. And the covenant could have drowned him in ordnance or inexpensive grunts and elite minors, but they had too much respect for demons as enemies. They sent Ultras and Zealots after him, the best of the best seeking to test themselves against the greatest the human stain on the galaxy had to offer.
The ending of Reach is amazing. One of my favorite moments is shortly after Emile is killed. Being offered a chance to escape the doomed Reach, Noble 6 turns Captain Keyes down, and selflessly stays behind. When Noble 6 tells Keyes "Good luck Sir", and Keyes grimly turns away... It's such a powerful moment. Both men knew that 6 was going to die, but it had to be done. You stay behind, and give up your life so that others may live. It's a beautiful sacrifice. In the final mission, when the end is inevitable, Noble 6 fights on unbroken, against what might as well be an entire Covenant Army. Even when being pinned to the ground, seconds away from death, Noble 6 refuses to give up. It's a great message. Live every second like it's your last, and never stop fighting. No one can choose how they die, but we can all choose how we live.
Wasnt Keyes the one who trained every spartan? It would have been like losing one of your children for him as he always shows his admiration and almost love for the Spartans he has trained, both the 2s and 3s, even when halsey would be a bitch to the 3s, he was there to support them however harshly he did.
@@GK-mr9ko Yeah, I just binged the entirety of Fall of Reach before this comment, mistook names, now I reread it and yeah, it's Mendez that trains the Spartan IIs and IIIs, Keyes pulled that dope ass ship maneuver to kick some Covvie ass!
@@GK-mr9ko Also, yeah what I was talking about was the book Ghosts of Onyx, it covers the training of the Spartan-IIIs. Also Kelly is awesome in the book as well, I'd say she's my favorite II.
@@falcongamer58 Wait, please explain to me before I feel very disappointed in you because that's a Red vs Blue reference, not a Mandalorian. I hope I'm the one confused.
It's funny when you call it just delivering a package when that package saved the galaxy. It was a small part, unwritten, but it was a small part that let that happen. Every Marine Chief ever handed a rocket to, every Elite that helped carve the path to the sacred icon for the Arbiter, every warthog left behind in tip top shape so a get away could be made, where they pointless? I suppose it's a matter of perspective, but I loved that Six delivered Cortana because it was Bungie saying "Thank You, we got to tell thus story because of you the fans so it's only right that you get to be the one who started it all." Then you get closure. You don't get unceremoniously killed offscree like Rookie you get a chance to make a difference. Another small one but it's in your own hands to fight so hard that they have to send generals and Zealots and tanks all just to stop little old you. Kinda like in the Halo "head hunters" short. Those elites could be elsewhere but every second they're trying to kill you they aren't fighting the war. You make THERE death pointless and that has meaning to those they would've killed. Also Lone Wolf and it's infinitely spawning enemies only exists because fans were able to out survive impossible encounters like ones on Keyes that are suppose to force you to jump down the hole.There was only a finite amount of flood that could spawn and they even made it so they didn't come with shotguns and people still managed to kill them all! They had to find something there fans finally couldn't beat. Though I bet they were rooting for us to find a way.
@@lelouchvibritannia4028 Interstellar is a complex piece of media, for better or worse. It touches on many themes and ideas, and that quote is a rather surface-level viewing of it. Also, holy fuck that sounded pretentious, sorry.
It was always kinda ironic to me. You have done things that no human could dream of: - discover the Covenant's existence on Reach, - witness their slow upmarch to become an actual presence on the northern hemisphere and eventually the whole planet, - Fight them every step of the way, including a space mission to blow up a ship the size of a country, - and send Reach's survivors on their way once doom is certain. And then, at the end, there's the simplest objective: survive. It's simple! Just don't die. And yet, through all those trials and tests of strength, the simplest one is the one that is the hardest. You could hide. You could run to the mountains and hide, but NOT fighting isn't an option. You didn't fight tooth and nail to give up now. You didn't see your entire team go down fighting only for you to kneel and let it happen. Giving up *ISN'T* an option. Out of all the missions, out of all the objectives, surviving is the simplest and hardest of them all. 1 word, but no way to achieve it.
*CURRENT OBJECTIVE: SURVIVE* By the time of Lone Wolf, you have already completed your objective. No matter how few or how small your impact was, to the people you saved your sacrifice meant everything. Saving the galaxy is valuable because the people in it are valuable. Every moment of life is precious, and even though they too will eventually die, everyone you saved will be afforded so many more moments of life that they can use to make their own difference. Noble Six passed on the torch to Master Chief by giving Cortana to the Pillar of Autumn, he delayed the invasion of Reach, he saved many lives and made the savage acts committed by the Covenant cost them. At the end of the game, his purpose is completed. He has nothing left to fight for, he's going to die no matter how many Covenant he kills and it doesn't matter how many he kills because they are all condemned to die by glassing anyway. But Noble Six isn't about to let the last moments of his life get cut short even by a few seconds. He is going to fight for every last breath for the same reason he fought to save civilians in New Alexandria: Life is valuable. The Covenant is going to pay for what they did to Reach, even if it's by making the aliens responsible live a couple seconds less. Noble Six will not go quietly into the howling dark.
Thats why I didn't believe he lived, he chose to die on reach, to die on the same planet with his team, to die fighting on a planet they already lost, but he knows, one day, this war would end, and what they did was not for nothing
The moment you said "I think about death every day" I felt such a strong connection to you. Every word that you said after that resonated so much with me. I grew up playing these games just like you did and boy oh boy, we are not alone. I am also so afraid of death. I am so afraid of not doing anything important before I am gone. I am as afraid as we all are. This video has touched me on a level no youtube video has and I spend hours and hours here every week. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for speaking to us. This might be a video about Halo Reach but it is just as much a video about what life is all about. and you nailed it
It’s actually scary just how much i relate to the creator, I’m similar age, used to play this game religiously with all modes, I also was brought up catholic and then became non believing and because of that entered a sort of existential crisis and a few months back I came back to this games campaign and felt the campaign in a completely different way, It was genuine sadness as I saw myself die in lone wolf in a way, anyway. Growing up sucks
My first time experiencing existential dread was when I was 9 years old. I was on some ADHD medication that not only made me bipolar at the best of times, it made crying my default bodily reaction to ANY emotion. If the teacher called on me and I gave the right answer, I'd spring a leak. If I came across a funny joke in a book I'm reading at the library, cue waterworks. Am I slightly put out because the kid in front of me got the last chocolate milk? I'm sobbing like it's my personal Batman backstory. Despite all this, my uncle was one of those old guys who would tell you to "man up," and would then spend the next three hours screaming at you if you said "ow" a little too loudly after slamming your thumb in a car door. And one day when I was 9, he yelled at me because I'd "missed" a small clump of grass when mowing the lawn. He yelled at me for a good 15ish minutes, and wouldn't let me actually take the two steps *to* said clump and remove it, despite the fact that I was holding a pair of clippers specifically because that grass was half under the porch and thus completely out of reach of the lawnmower. After all that, I was a sobbing, emotional wreck, full of pent up, impotent rage which, after about 5 minutes, flipped into self-loathing and despair. (Of course, I'm a bipolar 9 year old, which meant I was an overdramatic little shit, too.) So I did the only sensible thing and took a nice walk out a third story window. I missed the concrete and landed in a large plant instead, so I walked back around and up to my room, watched the milkman deliver some milk across the street, and spent the next 4 or so hours in my closet switching between hyperventilating, giggling, and sobbing, as I came to grips with the fact that I could easily shuffle off this mortal coil at any moment, death was permanent, and I'd likely die completely forgotten. When I was 13 my mom died on April 1st due to complications with pneumonia, and the church we had the funeral at handed out pamphlets which had a LOT of very creepy quotes about "leading the flock" and "collecting those astray to add to the flock" and "the flock dies sinless because the good shepard guides them," all while the fat priest spent an ungodly amount of time self-fellating his amazing preaching skills in front of forty people while running his hand along my mom's casket incessantly. I became Agnostic rather quickly after that. I'm sure some crazy superbeing exists beyond our understanding of the universe, but I'm not about to worship them for benefits that I won't see until after my inevitable demise. It wasn't until after my mom died that I first played Reach. I'd played Halo: CE and loved it, playing it over and over. I didn't play 2, but I tried 3 and found that it hurt my eyes for some reason, making them feel itchy if I stared at 3's graphics for too long. I, rather tragically, never played ODST as a result, though I've been thinking about the MCC so I can. But Reach? Out of the three Halo games I'd played, Reach was my favorite, _because_ of the ending. It gave me closure on a... surprising number of hang-ups I'd had ever since I was 9. Death was inevitable, sure. But that's why there's no point in rushing headlong into death. Keep fighting for every second you've got, and when death finally comes for you, don't cower and beg. Shake Death's hand. Give him a hug. Embrace your death, because once you've given every inch of your life, you can relax. Whether there's a Heaven and Hell, a Limbo, a dreamscape, or nothing after death, that's no longer my problem. That's dead-me's problem. And he's had my whole life to prepare. I get bored with games that rely too much on power fantasy. I don't, and can't, appreciate receiving an OP+10 Sword of Overkill just for starting the game. I need to have to *earn* that awesomeness, which is why CE and Reach are my two favorite, not just to play, but to watch others play. Though I've definitely enjoyed learning about ODST. I really should have gotten it back in the day; jazz has always been my biggest weakness in games.
@@SuperiorPosterior I’m sorry to hear that deep story, but I honestly have to say your uncle wasn’t completely wrong with the man up talk, a bit too sensitive to be fair. Still yeah I agree reach hits deep although I understood just how deep later in my life when I was 15-16 I think and now watching the cutscenes makes me completely sad 😢
@@KrysFG Again, I was nine years old, and being forced to take pills that scrambled my emotions. I quite literally _couldn't_ "man up." It was a physical impossibility, and three years of mental and emotional abuse nearly had me committing suicide. I'm sorry that your pampered highness can't relate, but not everyone was born with a golden stick up their ass.
When it comes to Halo Reach, the mission "Lone Wolf" was a mission I never thought anyone would discuss in terms of its meaning. Your discussion about Existential Dread was well said and I can't really add anything to it. In fact I say I love this discussion on it. Though I just feel like sharing this line that I heard recently: "Its not the dying that frighten's us. It's leaving this world without having done our best." (Castlevania 2017) It's a line that stuck in a way that I didn't think it would. In a way it's become a motivator to me. Life has shown me in the face of adversity, we somehow find reason to keep going. Got to make the most of our time, and somehow in it's own way, our efforts do matter.
What makes Noble Six's story all the more sad is that while his contributions to the defense of Reach and humanity as a whole were substantial, and should've warranted him being remembered as a hero like the rest of Noble Team, canonically his entire existence was kept completely classified to the utmost degree, even after the end of the war and eventual rebuilding of Reach. He was completely excluded from the statue honoring Noble Team in the rebuilt New Alexandria, and he was all but erased from history, all because ONI higher-ups wanted to keep their "personal Grim Reaper" hidden. Arguably among the greatest heroes of humanity, and he was doomed to a fate where nobody except the top brass or those who served with him and lived to tell the tale would remember anything he did.
You're about the age I was when I had my existencial crisis. I remember I lived an entire year where every single waking moment was accompanied by the thoughts of the impending end. and it was weird, I couldn't rest any night, and yet in the morning, every other person I stumbled upon was normal. They didn't look like they had these thoughts, but I bet everyone has. It's something you overcome. Life seems so promising, so full of surprises when you're on your way to your 20's.... and then it stops, the wonder stops, surprises stop... being good. Surprises start to be bad, to be painful.... but you overcome it, you stick to your guns, you carry on, you stick it out, and you overcome it. Now I do not have those scary thoughts.... maybe once every various months, and now my girlfriend is going through her existencial crisis, which it pains me that nothing I say to her can help her make the thoughts go away. The only thing I can tell her is "I know what you feel because I've felt it. And you will overcome it". In time, you will overcome it.
Man it's really fuckin' weird to realize most people just aren't like you, not that everyone else is odd but that you're the odd one for having to face death so early in life and have that crisis of mortality and existence thrust on you before you could even read.
I love how you can basically feel Noble 6 sighing everytime he is on screen. From when he dangles Jorge’s dogtags to when he realizes he has to stay behind to die defending Reach to when he sees dead Spartans in the same place he is going to die in. You can feel the pointlessness in our actions as Noble 6. Its so depressing. Which is why this is my favorite Halo game.
It makes me cry every time I see Noble Six's helmet just sitting there underneath dust and echoes. His plasma ridden corpse probably just off camera. Symbolic for the fact that he died alone. Halo Reach is a masterpiece. And as an atheist myself I never had that fear of death. The point of life for me is just make people happy including yourself and appreciate the days you get to live.
@@ahaibeh91 yes people like me enjoy making others happy, like OP. For appreciation it’s whoever made the video explaining how to make the phone go text to speech, turd flinging monkey for stock advice and for referencing philosophers that I later read.
I remember playing through Reach for the first time last month. I knew that everyone was gonna die and when I got to that final mission In the war-torn desert. I was like is this really how it ends? Great feeling of a terrible feeling if that makes sense!
If you want something a little more hopeful but with the same sort of undertone in a package of childish awe, wonder and exploration, I recommend you check out the Outer Wilds if you haven't already. Make sure the trailers are the only thing you see of it, though. The best way to play it is by going in blind.
@@physical_insanity oof, I played like 10 hours trying to enjoy it and then just gave up on it because it really wasn't fun. I don't think I'll ever touch it again but I'm glad people can find to enjoy it, I can't expalin why I disliked it as much as I did, because I REALLY disliked it, but hey, people like it so I'm happy.
@@graphite7898 Hmm, well this is an odd take. I can't really determine what could be the source of your lack of enjoyment. The only thing I can think of is the amount of agency it gives you as the turn off, or the fact that immersing yourself is the key to the being engaged, but I don't want to sound denigrating. If I had to guess, it might be because of the mystery aspect and how it appealed to you. The game is structured in a way that you can literally pick up any piece and be as clueless as you would be if you picked up the the first or last one. Maybe it's because nothing made sense to you and the dots weren't connecting as they should have been, probably because you weren't in the right mindset because it was the wrong time of year for you, or you just weren't looking for an exploration/mystery game. I'd urge you to try the game again in a year or when you want to feel like a space explorer, architect, historian, whatever. The entire appeal for me was the unravelling of the mystery, immersing myself in the various environments (mainly because space scares me and I get the willies around heights) and that everything is presented before you, allowing you to learn the mysteries of the cosmos, meet people and just have a relaxing time while you float through a lovecraftian horror machine while eating some rations (oranges, I mean). If you're not a thinking person, then it's likely you won't enjoy it, but then again, that's only a temporary state of mind.
@@physical_insanity Oh my god, I'm so so sorry, I misread the name of the game, As I was reading your comment I was confused since you're description didn't fit what I was talking about, I'm so so sorry I'm actually an idiot. I thought you were talking about Outer Worlds. I really like Outer Wilds, I've only played a few hours but I found the exploration, the Lovecraftian-like world and mystery. Again, I'm so sorry, I read it as Outer Wilds like some illiterate. Sorry for the confusion. I'm so embarrassed right now it's not even funny.
The one thing I always remember about Reach is, when it first came out, how there was this odd, outspoken faction of the playerbase that hated it because they thought it deviated too much from Halo 3 and drew comparisons to CoD because of the addition of loadouts.... I also always remember Reach being the greatest shooter in the golden age of gaming, bar none.
“You don’t need to save the world to find meaning in life, sometimes all you need is something simple... like someone to take care of” - persona 3 I don’t remember who says it but damn
Yeah I had a couple friends I ran with back then after reach and into 4 I thought they would be there for at least reach they're still offline to this day Hopefully they're alright 👍 stay strong Spartans your never KIA just missing in action
I’ve always found this to be my favourite Halo campaign because of just how beautiful the tragedy is. Thank you for making this video and articulating what I’ve felt
I love Reach's story, and stories like it; knowing that the end is inevitable but still pushing on. It's the journey that counts, not the end itself. Kind of like life itself now that I think about it.
This is why Reach will always be my favorite game, no matter how badass and how many aliens you kill, sometimes you just aren’t the Master Chief who’ll just easily save the day. But I can’t help seeing the ending where YOUR actions are what helps Chief win the day eventually inspiring. Even when everything was hopeless and you’re going to die, your legacy lives on and you still matter in some way.
@@jimmythecrow Nah. Existentialism is knowing that there is no point to existence and still keep going anyway. In that sense, rejecting the nonsense of actually being alive IS being a coward. It's to drape yourself in lies to keep yourself going instead of embracing the absurdity. It's entry level modern philosophy really.
@@IrontMesdent Nihilism is the entry level that too many people are getting trapped in, Existentialism is the field. To anybody who thinks Rick and Morty is dropping facts, you're basic.
@@thedumbdog1964 honestly i think he was intentionally getting one thing wrong with each thing... calling high charity a frigate? Calling cairo stationa ship, etc?
This video was honestly beautiful. I was 12 when Halo reach released, I was already an avid Halo fan at the time deeply embroiled in the fallacy that was console and game patriotism (ie cod sux Halo rules, Xbox over ps3). Now as an avid PC gamer getting to rekindle those memories has been something. I immediately picked up reach and vowed to Speedrun the campaign because of how fast I used to run it back in 2010-2013. Then I realized there was things like parking a falcon on top a covenant drop ship to boost yourself in the first mission. So for now I'm putting that speedrunning plan on hold, I figure there are a lot of new skips to learn. But for your existential crisis. I recommend psychedelics, for me they allowed me to come to terms with myself and also my place in the world. I've found that the only point in life is to leave something to remember you, for me that point has been channeled into creating art and collecting books. For me I have set myself goals, I have ambitions. And part of the sole reasoning for all the ambition was to give me something to cling to when I was down. I have struggled with suicidal depression that started when I was 10. For me it took until I was almost 21 to really even start enjoying life, then I had to go through by far the most tumultuous year of my life. Bouncing between jobs with troughs of unemployment. I am the type that beats myself up for stuff, if I've been slacking on something I will beat myself up over it, but won't actually do it so the cycle continues. So the longer I went unemployed the more I hated myself, it's a cycle I've gone through more times than I care to admit most times not even pertaining to unemployment. It took me just learning sometimes you have to just do it. It's something I knew but didn't want to listen to. But breaking my inactivity was the only thing that would fix the problem, and I found it to be the only thing that brought me happiness. For me the idea of not accomplishing things or creating things is akin to death. It is stagnation. So for me I am not afraid of death, really haven't been for most of my life. Due to wanting to die for so long to me it's just a part of life. So for me my only goal is to leave a lasting impression. I have ambitions of making a massive time capsule of sorts. A library containing all the literature I enjoyed in life and enough practical books (ie medical books, botany books, and lexicons to understand them such as dictionaries) to rebuild the world. Another thing is that I have no desire to be interred in the ground not cremated. From a young age I've also wanted my tomb to be a mausoleum and I've wanted to bring some comfort belongings with me to said tomb when I pass. The list could go on for ages for me my life kinda revolves around going around and chiseling my mark upon the planet. I want the library to be remote similar to the seed bank in Norway (though for me I was thinking the middle of nowhere in Colorado due to land being cheap and rainfall being low). I would love nothing more than for there to be explorers a 100's of years from now that stumbled on my projects. In the grand scheme I'm doing nothing to change society, nothing grandiose, but in my eyes it is the ambition of my life. I think we all have to find that thing to strive for, that goal. For me that was once to simply carry on my family line, now I've realized there really isn't a point in it. If carrying on your line was all you had to do then abusive fathers of 10 would be our role models. No the goal is to enrich the next generation, in my eyes I can't do that in my current living state and fiscal state. So there is no sense putting my self worth in something that won't even be viable for me for another decade. So instead focus on the ambitions you can work on now. Funny thing that, it makes me feel like an RPG character grinding at a skill to level up, and I feel like I'm still in the beginning stages of most of said skills. I know this was very rambly but I've spent my life searching for meaning and reasoning. So it's very multifaceted, I think that's how we all are. We have different definitions on what the point is to life, and that is the beauty of it. We are like a million Petri dishes, people molded by environment and circumstance. Thus we have ever differing conclusions and journeys to said conclusions. One final aside, I came from a similar Christian background but early on convinced myself I wasn't going to the pearly gates or wouldn't want to because of dead family members seeing the person I was. Thus early on the idea of death as the cold end was on my mind, hence why I wanted a mausoleum. A place I wouldn't mind walking if I was damned to walk the earth forever filled with things from my life that I enjoyed. I realize that is an afterlife in a sense but it was only really a precaution you know. Like I'm fully prepared for once I'm dead there's nothing, but just in case I'd rather not wake up in spirit form clawing at a coffin. I honestly don't know the ruling on cremation lol but a scene from scrooged comes to mind for what my fear was. Heck I also figured if somehow they fucked up and interred me when I was alive that I could get out of a mausoleum. That was before I remembered they drain the blood and embalm you. Aight I'm actually done now I could actually ramble forever.
I am unequivocally impressed by both your ability to derive meaning from artistic properties and articulate them so well. Furthermore, what's so captivating is your ability to relate the messages of these games to your life and how they affect you. It's a talent, keep on keeping on brother.
I haven't even played any Halo game, but that scene with the helmet laying on the ground in front of that huge mountain gave me goosebumps. I don't think there's a reason we're here. I don't think there HAS to be a reason either. I've struggled with the same thoughts for a while too, and this is the answer I arrived at. I just want to live as long as possible on my own terms, doing what I like doing and what brings me happiness. Sometimes I get sad thinking of all the things I won't experience that'll happen after I'm gone but if you look too far ahead you'll end up missing what's right in front of you.
@@jonnyj. he’s probably saying that the fact he ever played any of the halo games was a mistake. I haven’t either, so in his eyes, I probably messed up, too. I would probably agree with him.
praeyden forgiven. I was in a car crash a few years ago, and it forced me to think about things I'd never really put much thought into before. Even after a few years I still had trouble articulating the exact things that were going through my head and my heart afterwards. KingK summarised things in a simple and well structured manner, and helped me put words to the feelings I had.
@@jordavi7501 have you ever tried articulating your thoughts by writing them down? I do that all the time, and am pretty much able to make sense of anything I really thought about (most of the time, except when it comes to extremely abstract things) but everyone is different I guess
Gorgeous. That last mission was seared into my mind, even when the rest of the campaign faded. I don't think I've ever fought so hard to stay alive in any game prior or since.
14:56 RvB reference? Honestly, I hadn't looked at Reach from such a perspective. As Halsey says in the final cutscene, it is not necessarily our deeds but rather our courage that survives the test of time. You can wait until your inevitable death, which doesn't require any courage or you can make the best of it, which takes courage but is worth it in the end.
This game shaped my childhood. It was the second game I ever played. Hell I didn’t even know who the master chief was. But finding myself fight an un winnable war against an endless horde of enemies changed the way I see the world today and what life was really for. Halo Reach is a masterpiece and nothing can change the way I think about it.
The superficial message of reach was obviously self-sacrifice for the good of the collective. The bulwark against existential dread is externalizing meaning; attributing meaning to something that is not you. Something that outlives you like a way of life or idea. The message of reach was the same as the ending of halo 3 - same as many war stories. There are many that go into the howling dark and do not return to experience the fruits of their labor. Dr. Halsey explained this during the final cutscene in reach. The very honest and personal take makes this video much more interesting though. A more nihilistic approach could have been to point out that even after all his achievements chief will die just like every common marine.
You brought tears to my eyes @kingk. Crazy how beautiful and true you made that closing segment. Reach always has been my favorite but it's nice that you've put it into words how I felt about it.
Yes, I was hoping one day I would see some Halo related from you. I don't know what it is, but you and Raycevick are great at doing these type of videos.
I look back into that helmet with a sense of sadness and a sort of "I let you down" feeling. I let noble six down by dying early in the last mission. I still feel bad for doing that.
This video hit me somewhere deep; I really appreciate how emotionally open you can be in your videos. My relationship with death in media has also changed drastically for the exact reasons you have. Though it's not as much bc I think about death all the time but the idea of mortality and the ease and swiftness at which it can just stop, and realizing that death isn't glorious but just the end is terrifying. I need to replay Reach bc I'd also probably have this exestential crisis as well during Lone Wolf. Beautiful video man, loved it
"You said to me: 'can you not live unless you were born for some purpose?' I'm not living for anyone else. There's no special meaning in living. When I sensed my own death, I wanted to live. I know now. That's all I needed. So...I don't *need you* anymore. It doesn't matter if you accept me or not. Here I am. *Alive.* " Tales of the Abyss changed my life in a lot of ways, but these words carry me to this day. It doesn't matter what the point is: just that you're here. Make of it what *you* will.
Bro, the your thoughts of death at the end of the video are exactly what I struggle with every day. I lost a great friend recently and it’s shaken me to the core. This video brings some kind of solace to me. Thank you.
As a person who suffers from existential depression since I was pretty young, Reach was always my favorite Halo story. The story just speaks so amazingly about all that hard work means anything in the end. It's so incredibly brilliant.
This is hands down your best video. You're a great writer. I'm always trying to look up for this kind of videos in RUclips but they are a rare find... I've never played Halo and I had no idea what was the story about, but this spoke me on a very personal level... You know, doing this type of videos is actually "carrying your gun". So much people reunited here sharing the panic of thinking about death... Sharing your feelings leads to empathy and that leads to making people feel understood. To me, life is beautiful because you get to find your personal meaning with other people.
This. This is your magnum opus King. This video spoke to me on a personal level. I too think about what was, and now the crippling and debilitating fear of death and the macabre. I have never felt the gambit of thoughts and emotions I had during these past 17 minutes. I want to thank you for giving me this opportunity for self-reflection and reminding me why I get out of bed each day.
It is kind of crazy how master chief was just a "win button" for war. Even sgt johnson(arguably the most badass character in vidya history) recognizes this multiple times throughout the series.
You never forget about 7:15. I still remember the exact feeling I had. It was like getting punched in the gut. You just spent presumably more than an hour grinding this level on legendary, only for Jorge to sacrifice himself, and then a covenant fleet appears in orbit. Heading into New Alexandria, my hopes were pretty low.
Interesting video. I also perceived Reach different after all those years and I also sometimes have this fear of death. The funny thing is, back as a kid it was a real struggle for me to complete this game on legendary alone...but when I did, I had fullfilled my purpose as spartan and simply stood there in lone wolf, not fighting, accepting my fate while the real me enjoyed the success and relieve of finally beating the campaign :) Great video for a great thematic game
This was an excellent and beautiful essay. Halo touched many lives in the deepest most profound ways, that it can even help us cope with our fear of death, itself.
"I didn't think it would end this way." "End...No death is but another path one that we all must take. The grey rail curtain of the world rolls back all turns to silver glass... and then you see it" "What Gandalf? See what?" "White shores and beyond a far green country under a swift sunrise." "That isn't so bad." "No. No it isn't."
Those 18:12 were an emotional rollercoaster. The next 30 I spent in reflection afterward were as well. I replayed Reach because of the PC re-release as well and felt all of the same things you did, and I appreciate seeing someone relate to what I was going through. Thank you for the effort you put into this video, you aren't the only one asking and struggling with these questions.
Hey, man, I really appreciate you putting this out. For the first time in my life I’ve been struggling with my own mortality and it’s been causing me a lot of anxiety. Hearing your perspective has helped a lot, and it’s helped hearing that other people have fear like I do, and knowing that you found direction gives me hope that I’ll find mine soon. Thanks for this
"Spes in virtute. Salus in victoria" There is hope in our courage. Salvation in our victory; that is the point. Live on. Persist. Something will come along which will matter to you more than your life or death does to yourself That is the lesson I learned from Noble 6
This video hit hard for me especially when my grandfather passed of an out of nowhere heart attack and the death of Kobe Bryant goes to show how death can come for us all even in the most unexpected times. No matter who you are No wonder I’ve recently came to the conclusion that Halo Reach is my favorite Halo. Not only I find the multiplayer the most enjoyable despite having some annoying issues, but also the story and how gritty and dark and yet the same time so beautiful. This was a beautiful video and made to 18 minutes go by fast I truly appreciate and yet also concerned about the message you’ve put out in this video
Not sure if this’ll help, but there’s a quote from Bart Campolo: “life is just a vacation from nonexistence”. Like he viewed not being born and death as the same thing. Life is just an opportunity to leave a note saying “I was here”.
Honestly such a dangerous, willfully ignorant view on life. Life isint supposed to be a vacation from anything, and we shouldint strive to the goal of "just have the opportunity to leave a note here". Shallow at best. Work fucking hard instill virtue, protect moral structures to leave the world better than how you found it. Fuck leaving a "note" metaphorically or not that attitude just isint enough.
David James you’re the ignorant one because your idea is a double edged sword. Yes, we should work together to everyone’s lives better, but not everyone has the same idea of “better”. Many extremists religious and political groups think the world would be better if they could exterminate anyone who isn’t apart of their group.
I shed tears at this. Thank you for making this video and showing how one of my favourite games still has lessons to teach me after all this time. It’s comforting.
This video really hit me at a personal level. The sentiments shared were all feelings that I've felt dearly for the past 3 years. Honestly I find it hard to get out of bed sometimes due to my almost overwhelming fear of being forgotten, and not having any real meaning to existing. Hearing your experience made me feel less alone. Thank you for making an amazing video, I'm glad I clicked on it.
Damn, this video is hitting me hard. I very much understand part of what you're going through though with those questions. I'm 18 and going to college without a job, I get myself anxious when talking to other people, I often make myself feel like I am not being productive and I also ask myself why we as people carry on when the world seems like it can get so bad. How many people are suffering from depression now? Or diseases, or hunger, or drought. Just this past January my last grandparent passed away and the punch of grief still hasn't even hit me yet. I ask what people like him did to keep themselves going for long enough to get there. Obviously there's no satisfying end-all answer, but I genuinely believe that it's some naive hope that we all can find that eventually everything will be better. "Eventually" is as uncertain as it can get, but clinging to hope is all I know to do. I suppose I am terrified of the inevitable end as well. Getting to the deathbed and thinking about how I didn't make the most of the time I had. Some people get diseases and make the last parts of their life some of their happiest moments. Despite having a time bomb over their head telling them "your end is soon." I have no idea how I could even process a feeling like that, much less make that ending chapter a fun one. I have absolutely no connection to Halo whatsoever, but holy shit this video hit me in a spot I didn't think it could. KingK if you are reading this, thank you for making this video, and just know that I think most people don't know the answers to questions like this. Part of life is figuring things out by experience, how do we learn to walk? We try and fall over, but get up and try again. Eventually walking is natural. I think that life can and will improve, and I hope it all gets better for you. Reading this over, it's incredibly corny sounding, but I think life's significant lessons can be corny sounding sometimes... Thanks to anybody who read this... KingK I hope it all gets better for you, and I appreciate what you had to say in the video.
I have never watched a single video from you in my life, but this? This was absolutely amazing, I loved everything about it and I was actually just playing Reach, and as someone who also played it a lot on 360 when I was a kid, it never hit me in such a philosophical manner. Thank you for bringing such an interesting and well versed video into the world
The way I see death is as an answer. Nobody really know what comes after. They have their best guesses and all that but no one actually knows. Once I die, whenever it come, i'll know, and i'll either continue on to see, to feel more, or I wont and I won't be there to be sad about it.
I’ll be honest, KingK. I was trying to avoid this video of yours. This game is... More than a video game.- At least to me. I had two friends when I was little. They were both brothers. And my circle was real small. I was picked on a lot, being on a lot of ADHD medicine was a good result of that. It didn’t help my social abilities much seeing how now at almost 23, I was mostly loopy half my life. But I admit, I was definitely weird still. But those friends I had, those two brothers, introduced me to not just Halo, but into the strongest friendships I had ever known. Now looking back, I wonder, just like you do, if it was all worth it or not. My closest friend died unexpectedly two years ago. The youngest of the two brothers. It happened in such a normal way. He died in a car accident. Now me and his older brother don’t talk anymore, and that loss has utterly changed me to my core as a person. I can’t say if it’s for good or bad, even now. Reach was the last game I played with him. All I know is when I hear anything Halo related, especially Reach.. part of me just shuts down. And another part of me wishes to be back in that room again playing with them. Halo Reach is a reminder to me, that no matter how much you want to try to control what you don’t want happening, sometimes there’s nothing you can do but pull against the chains and watch. Sometimes people die. But none of us expects it will be those closest to us. Especially at 19 years old.
From another person who’s closest, dearest friend died suddenly and randomly when I was 19, I completely understand the difficulty approaching certain media you experienced together thing. I don’t have any advice or anything, but I wanted to share a moment of solidarity with you. I also got bullied mercilessly, due in large part to my ADHD, and she was one of the first people to ever give me a real chance and stick with me and treat me like I mattered, and she’s just....gone. Things are different-I’m different-but despite everything, I’ve survived at least 10 years past it so far. It’s hard, but I’ve begun to be able to find joy in the act of living again, and though the pain of losing her never goes away fully, I find, within that pain and regret, an equally moving appreciation for being alive and knowing that even though I could’ve been a much better friend to her when she was alive, i still got the honor of being in her life at all. Her life was ultimately very short, but it was a life worth living, and I got to experience part of it with her.
Fun fact, you CAN actually run to the explosive barrels on the left side of the screen when you first spawn in and if you enable crouch then you'll never be spotted. The enemies don't generate stronger units unless you start killing others either so you won't come out to 50 elites with energy swords either.
TheGreatBackUp Never heard of that one but what I usually do is go into the broken house that's ahead of you, push the boxes into the corner and just hide behind them using crouch
I wanna say thanks for putting this out there. Honestly I have a lot of the same fears as you, and I've been struggling to find meaning as of recent, and idk, it was just nice to hear someone talk about it.
God King I really must say. I love your reviews but this took it to another level. You never fail to get to the heart of the games you review, but with this, you made it bigger than the game. You made the game real to yourself and by doing that real to all of us. Amazing work King. Good luck with whatever you may be going through.
Thank you for making a video talking about your existential struggle. I have a similar problem that makes me unable to sleep some nights. It’s good to know there are other people struggling with the same thing though. Makes me feel like maybe I’m not crazy and that others too feel the same way. Wish you all the best and just know that I understand the dread this puts you through. Something that helped me was categorizing my thoughts. If something is a bad thought, I simply address it as a bad thought and it is much easier to get out of my head after that and avoid fixating on it. Sometimes (like late at night) it doesn’t work but usually it is quite effective.
I had a really bad anxiety attack in one of my classes in my first semester of uni because I was thinking of death. Before that, I hadn’t been afraid of death and even welcomed it as a part of life. But for some reason I became so incredibly afraid of death because I couldn’t know what comes after.
My experience was very similar. It came out of nowhere. A few years ago, I didn't have these worries, and then for some reason I was just thinking about it everyday. Hope you're doing well.
KingK better now, but it really threw me for a loop and (surprisingly) got me to be more productive and cognitive of the world around me. I care about life way more now.
I had an extremely similar experience, a period of my life where I was in almost constant panic for the exact same reasons. The only way i could really cope was for my body to get sick of getting scared, and to just accept it. I still think about it almost daily, but the more I thought about it, the less scary it became. The fear will eventually go away.
I clicked on this video because I was having one of the worst days I've had in a while and because Halo always seems to make me feel better. What I didn't expect was a video that would literally speak to me in ways I never expected. I'm currently going through the worst time ever in my life. While I know we always go through hard times, it almost feels ironic because I've always been the most happy, go lucky person among all my friends and family. I've always been the friend to say that life is worth it, you have so much to live for and that no matter what happens, you'll always jump back and recover from your greatest falls in life, and though I try to show otherwise, here I am in one of the darkest moments of my life and I feel like I can't even stand behind those words I've spoken for so long. The final minutes of this video really stuck out to me though, mostly because I wasn't expecting this from this video. I've watched so many inspirational and motivational videos lately to make me feel better, but never have I seen something like this to use one of my favorite franchises to inspire me and it helps a lot. No matter how much I want to cry, give up, question my worth, I will keep going on, things will get better, and I hope anyone listening to this will realize this too. Great video. I hope this video will help other people like it's helped me!
I finally played this game when it released on Steam, and since then I haven't really been sure what to make of it. After watching this video, I have a newfound respect and admiration for it. Thanks.
I remember getting the Unfrigginbelievable medal on Lone Wolf, I used the Black Eye skull to regen my shields faster. My favorite mission in the entire franchise.
This video was perfect. Using Halo to illustrate an existential crisis you ponder day after day and man... Did you really strike a chord with me there. Subscribed.
This video really hit me hard because I’m at the same point in my life. I’m 22 and I have a daily fear of death. It’s a bit incapacitating at times. But... there is a weird solace in knowing that others out there are also facing the same exact struggles as you are. Keep struggling my friends.
Yeah, Reach is probably the most real down to life story in the entire series. Throughout the series, you were Master Chief, a solider with top of the line shielded armor that's 7ft tall and basically is as invincible as Doom Guy. It's a power trip. Reach is not that. Reach shows that you are just another solider, just another cog in the machine. Not quite Halo 3 ODST, but almost worse. It shows how powerful the Covenant really are and how hopeless fighting them truly is. While in ODST you are just a guy in armor without the strength enhancers, shields, etc, you were still powerful. Reach shows everyone of your team mates drop one after the other as the Covenant glass the planet over. A truly worthless fight yet we fight on as it's all we know. As soldiers it's all you can do. And like you said, Lone Wolf is likely the biggest down point in the series. To know the end is right here, yet you keep going anyways. Do we expect to get something in return or something? There just nothing, all you get in this mission, is death. There is no survival, no escape, no reward. Being a person who never personally believed in a life after death, I know what you mean. The idea you just cease to exist when you go is a dreadful thought; it's not a painful one in that the 13 billion years prior to me wasn't painful, but the idea of not existing is almost worse than that. The idea we are just the body we inhabit and that life is inevitably finite is a horrifically grim way of viewing things. Even worse when you know even the memory of you will die soon after. It's just what we are. We are part of reality, and we all know reality isn't always a graceful mistress. It's not something we can ever fight though we sure as hell will try anyways. Even if it was always going to be fruitless.
@Jfuwhgb Dnngjwo I could understand that considering ODST was originally going to be a fully open world game but ended up getting heavily modified from that original intent.
The literal title card of the game is presented as “here is the helmet of a dead spartan, you are the spartan and you are already dead, [Reach], now put that helmet on and go do what you have to do before you die”. It’s the most brilliant but underrated shit i’ve ever seen in a video game
Incredible video, I'm speechless because this was just so on the nose about my own thoughts and feelings towards existentialism. Thank you man, added to my favourites
for whatever reason Reach’s story has stuck with me for so long, and I really do see it as such an amazing narrative that left its mark on me when I was younger.
Regarding the original thumbnail: I made a really harmful mistake. I incorrectly assumed (which really shouldn't have gone to an assumption in the first place) that the art was official. Turns out, it wasn't. All I can really say is that I apologize. There are no excuses for it. It was my mistake. You can check out the original artist here: www.artstation.com/artwork/nl2kK
KingK don’t beat yourself up for it, honest mistake. Good video!
im sure they understand
That could literally be anyone’s helmet that’s just the end of the campaign screen
literally all of the love in the world for that. as an artist i appreciate the fact you’re going out of your way to credit the art like that. lov u kingk
Hey man you owned up to it so it's all cool man keep on moving
"He gave his life thinking he'd just saved the planet, we should all be so lucky." - Carter A-259. This is one of the greatest quotes not only in Halo, but in my opinion, most cinema and video games. It still resonates that "This is all pointless" feeling.
@@bored_236 Nope. He was Spartan 3, Alpha company. It's Carter A-259.
@@thexskating Alpha male Carter 😤
@@Oozywolf ALPHA!?!?! MORE LIKE........ ALPHA! Yaaaa what now??
Jon Ossim but doesn’t dot call him Sierra 259?
YayLaika oh ok, I’ve always called him Sierra 259, I think it sounds cooler anyway
"Jorge, the demolition expert, dies in an explosion.
Kat, the tech savvy, dies from a headshot.
Jun, the stealthy one, disappears without a trace.
Carter, the leader, goes down with the ship.
Emile, the closer quarter frenzy, dies with a sword through his chest.
Noble 6, the lone wolf, dies alone."
Saw something like this as a comment on a different Reach video, and it's just so perfect.
Jun actually survives the fall of Reach and later becomes the head recruiter and trainer for the Sparten program
Tech savvy: dies from shield malfunction*
They are supposed to be both ironic and following the trope.
Jorge blows himself* up with an explosion.
Carter *takes down the ship.
Emil: "who's next?" He was.
The lone wolf learns to fight in a team... Only to die fighting alone.
Ha, that’s mine ;)
@@goatman7362where did he go he was there one mission and wasn’t the next😂
@@hazemismail3010because he left with the doctor or whatever
Halo Reach is easily my favorite. It's scary, sad, and tough. Lone Wolf is a reluctant acceptance that you have to trust other people to do what you couldn't.
It's a passing of the flag to another game, another Spartan, and another studio.
I love that damn game. RIP Jorge.
RIP NOBLE TEAM
BLARGLESNARF rip Halo lol.
@@codyrisling1718 no
@@codyrisling1718 not yet
shows that the seeming successes of one may be built off the bones of those who passed the torch and made the whole thing possible!
Me: "Cool, a Halo Reach Review."
KingK: *"What's the point of life, if we could die tomorrow?"*
Me: "Oh."
Haha, same
😂😂😂
Lol exactly
If human life will end up meaning nothing in the future, when the galaxy ends, why are we still improving ourselves, why do we do anything? There's no reason in the end, you have made an impact, but it won't exist later, it won't matter.
I still do things cuz I feel like it, if I'm goin down, I'm going to fulfill what I want to do, if I don't want to make an impact, I can do that, if I want to try something, I will try it. I don't care that no one will know me, I don't care that what I do doesn't matter, I was still determined to go out having fulfilled my purpose, if I didn't do everything I wanted, I still did something. I don't like thinking that what I do doesn't matter, I. still. did. something.
You hit the nail right on the head with this
''your only real impact is to deliver a package and fire a railgun'' That sounds like reproducing.
You fucking PRICK lol! Ugh I didn't even think of that, thats hilarious :P
hahaha
Well some psychologists say everything in the world is related to sex.
@@Oozywolf and they are bad psychologists
"I would have been your daddy" Noble 6 impregnated humanity with hope.
here's something to think about: the elites in the Lone Wolf cinematic will remember this tiny spartan fighting until the last possible breath. how this six-man team delayed their overwhelming invasion over and over, fighting against impossible odds. and at the very end of it all, after the Covenant has won, here's Noble Six. fighting tooth and claw and making the Covenant hemorrhage for every inch they gain. A warrior's death.
really, the only beings who will remember Noble Team are their enemies. and that's kinda badass.
Well, Noble Six. There are statues of the rest of Noble Team.
But not Six. Only the Covenant remember the Lone Wolf in the Desert.
and Halsey.
@@EastmanWestman Excluding Jorge who is a II, Halsey has very little to do with the Spartan III program.
@@lelouchvibritannia4028 halsey knows about and has met noble team
@@EastmanWestman Yes, I know that. How is she a hero like Noble 6, though? What does Halsey have to do with the original comment, the idea of only the enemies remembering Noble 6?
There are two interpretations I think about regarding Lone Wolf:
The first is that it is the culmination of something told to you at the beginning of the game by Carter: that the "Lone-Wolf stuff stays behind" and that you're now part of a team. In a sense, there is a tragedy in that Noble Six, a former assassin who specialized in dealing with human threats moves on to fight alongside a more protective force (I like your metaphor of the shield), only to survive all team members except Jun and then die as what he no longer was: a lone-wolf. It's probably tragic because Noble Six was very different from the heroic figure of the Chief: Six changed things from the shadows, killed entire militias and was mostly a dark tool of ONI that was given another perspective by being inserted into a team that works together, only to have that snatched away in a brutal manner. This interpretation is a little dark, and in it, you come to value the team greatly for what it was.
The other reading is more closely aligned with what you said.
In a sense, you are forced into a situation that mirrors that of the whole of Reach's story: the outcome is already decided. There is no difference if you are a new player who plays on easy, a hardened veteran, a solid player, etc. There isn't even a penalty, you can kill yourself instead of fighting and the outcome will be the same, no matter how well you played. Tracing this metaphor with the idea of dead being equal for all is, as you pointed out, kind of disturbing because it is inevitably true.
I think this gives you a canvas with which to do what you want with the life you're given. And I think that is close to the central message of Reach, one in which, despite the fact that all is lost and that, in the surface, decisions seem meaningless, you are still given autonomy to act, you are treated as a free agent and given the choice to fight if you want (in this sense, Reach takes full advantage of being a videogame where you control and even customize the character). I think there is also a certain tragedy here too in that, you Noble Team and the dead Spartans you see in the level (which I would see as stand-ins for other players, other people like you) do not get recognition. This unsung quality is not as appealing as the hero story of the Chief, but we know it is at least as important, and that struggle is what matters.
well said
these two interpretations can be brought together. although six dies alone, he does not die as a lone wolf. he goes down, fighting until his last breath, defending both reach and humanity as a whole - regardless of his efficacy, of if it's something that even CAN be protected. there's definitely something to be said about the change in character he must have experienced along the course of the campaign to get to that point, considering his backstory, right?
I couldn't have said it any better myself.
@@amaranthhhhh I really like that. I didn't mean to say they were opposed, and I certainly agree with what you added. He dies alone, but not as the lone-wolf he used to be. And I think that, even if it's left unsaid, there is probably a huge impact left on Six.
I wonder if people’s last thoughts are always regretful, or if some can go striding into death, knowing they lived their life the best way that they could have. I like to think of Noble Six as one of the latter.
But Maybe he was too angry to even think about existential dread. His whole team was dead or fled, the first people who had given him real cameraderie after he had spent his career killing innies. A lone demon, an angel of death. And now he was back where he was, that was how he was going to die, and it was all the covenant’s fault. That was why he fought until the end, why he never just stood and took the needle to the face.
He wanted to die full of piss and vinegar. Not a bad way to go. I wonder if, as the energy sword burned through the valves of his heart, he felt fear or calm.
I mean, he didn’t hide in a fallout shelter. He stood out in an open plain to face his doom. And the covenant could have drowned him in ordnance or inexpensive grunts and elite minors, but they had too much respect for demons as enemies. They sent Ultras and Zealots after him, the best of the best seeking to test themselves against the greatest the human stain on the galaxy had to offer.
The ending of Reach is amazing. One of my favorite moments is shortly after Emile is killed. Being offered a chance to escape the doomed Reach, Noble 6 turns Captain Keyes down, and selflessly stays behind. When Noble 6 tells Keyes "Good luck Sir", and Keyes grimly turns away... It's such a powerful moment. Both men knew that 6 was going to die, but it had to be done. You stay behind, and give up your life so that others may live. It's a beautiful sacrifice.
In the final mission, when the end is inevitable, Noble 6 fights on unbroken, against what might as well be an entire Covenant Army. Even when being pinned to the ground, seconds away from death, Noble 6 refuses to give up. It's a great message. Live every second like it's your last, and never stop fighting. No one can choose how they die, but we can all choose how we live.
Wasnt Keyes the one who trained every spartan? It would have been like losing one of your children for him as he always shows his admiration and almost love for the Spartans he has trained, both the 2s and 3s, even when halsey would be a bitch to the 3s, he was there to support them however harshly he did.
@@zachsilby4569 that was Mendez who I believe survived with Halsey.
Keyes did go with Halsey to observe the Spartan II subjects tho including John 117
@@GK-mr9ko Yeah, I just binged the entirety of Fall of Reach before this comment, mistook names, now I reread it and yeah, it's Mendez that trains the Spartan IIs and IIIs, Keyes pulled that dope ass ship maneuver to kick some Covvie ass!
@@zachsilby4569 I’ve read the book but haven’t watched that yet, probably will tonight.
Yeah the Keyes maneuver was freaking amazing.
@@GK-mr9ko Also, yeah what I was talking about was the book Ghosts of Onyx, it covers the training of the Spartan-IIIs. Also Kelly is awesome in the book as well, I'd say she's my favorite II.
"Hey..."
"Yeah?"
"... You ever wonder why we're here?"
Oh no not the Mandalorian
@@falcongamer58 Wait, please explain to me before I feel very disappointed in you because that's a Red vs Blue reference, not a Mandalorian. I hope I'm the one confused.
@@graphite7898 oh sorry my bad i thought i was dealing with normies but yes, it originated from the popular youtube series red. Vs blue
@@falcongamer58 "the popular webseries red vs. blue"
that sounds a lot like the PSA intros man
@@idan7856 i said youtube series not webseries
“That’s a one way trip.”
“We all make it sooner or later.”
It's funny when you call it just delivering a package when that package saved the galaxy.
It was a small part, unwritten, but it was a small part that let that happen. Every Marine Chief ever handed a rocket to, every Elite that helped carve the path to the sacred icon for the Arbiter, every warthog left behind in tip top shape so a get away could be made, where they pointless? I suppose it's a matter of perspective, but I loved that Six delivered Cortana because it was Bungie saying "Thank You, we got to tell thus story because of you the fans so it's only right that you get to be the one who started it all." Then you get closure. You don't get unceremoniously killed offscree like Rookie you get a chance to make a difference. Another small one but it's in your own hands to fight so hard that they have to send generals and Zealots and tanks all just to stop little old you. Kinda like in the Halo "head hunters" short. Those elites could be elsewhere but every second they're trying to kill you they aren't fighting the war. You make THERE death pointless and that has meaning to those they would've killed.
Also Lone Wolf and it's infinitely spawning enemies only exists because fans were able to out survive impossible encounters like ones on Keyes that are suppose to force you to jump down the hole.There was only a finite amount of flood that could spawn and they even made it so they didn't come with shotguns and people still managed to kill them all! They had to find something there fans finally couldn't beat. Though I bet they were rooting for us to find a way.
This comment is so underrated it should be illegal for it to have so few likes
Well said, king. 👑
I don’t know why but I teared out a little
You can beat Lone Wolf by hiding, but not by fighting.
The mission Lone Wolf reminds me of the quote: "Do not go gentle into that goodnight."
Interstellar? That movie was so confusing as to the moral, but after watching this video, I understand.
@@lelouchvibritannia4028 No, not Interstellar, it's an old poem by Dylan Thomas.
Rage, Rage against the dying of the light.
@@lelouchvibritannia4028 Interstellar is a complex piece of media, for better or worse. It touches on many themes and ideas, and that quote is a rather surface-level viewing of it.
Also, holy fuck that sounded pretentious, sorry.
"why us?"
"because we're here, lad. no one else."
That's from Zulu right
@@TheRagingStorm98 indeed. it's a scenario not dissimilar to lone wolf. the only difference is the outcome.
It was always kinda ironic to me.
You have done things that no human could dream of:
- discover the Covenant's existence on Reach,
- witness their slow upmarch to become an actual presence on the northern hemisphere and eventually the whole planet,
- Fight them every step of the way, including a space mission to blow up a ship the size of a country,
- and send Reach's survivors on their way once doom is certain.
And then, at the end, there's the simplest objective: survive. It's simple! Just don't die. And yet, through all those trials and tests of strength, the simplest one is the one that is the hardest.
You could hide. You could run to the mountains and hide, but NOT fighting isn't an option. You didn't fight tooth and nail to give up now. You didn't see your entire team go down fighting only for you to kneel and let it happen.
Giving up *ISN'T* an option.
Out of all the missions, out of all the objectives, surviving is the simplest and hardest of them all. 1 word, but no way to achieve it.
*CURRENT OBJECTIVE: SURVIVE*
By the time of Lone Wolf, you have already completed your objective. No matter how few or how small your impact was, to the people you saved your sacrifice meant everything. Saving the galaxy is valuable because the people in it are valuable. Every moment of life is precious, and even though they too will eventually die, everyone you saved will be afforded so many more moments of life that they can use to make their own difference. Noble Six passed on the torch to Master Chief by giving Cortana to the Pillar of Autumn, he delayed the invasion of Reach, he saved many lives and made the savage acts committed by the Covenant cost them. At the end of the game, his purpose is completed. He has nothing left to fight for, he's going to die no matter how many Covenant he kills and it doesn't matter how many he kills because they are all condemned to die by glassing anyway. But Noble Six isn't about to let the last moments of his life get cut short even by a few seconds. He is going to fight for every last breath for the same reason he fought to save civilians in New Alexandria: Life is valuable. The Covenant is going to pay for what they did to Reach, even if it's by making the aliens responsible live a couple seconds less. Noble Six will not go quietly into the howling dark.
Thats why I didn't believe he lived, he chose to die on reach, to die on the same planet with his team, to die fighting on a planet they already lost, but he knows, one day, this war would end, and what they did was not for nothing
the only objective we cannot complete
The moment you said "I think about death every day" I felt such a strong connection to you. Every word that you said after that resonated so much with me. I grew up playing these games just like you did and boy oh boy, we are not alone. I am also so afraid of death. I am so afraid of not doing anything important before I am gone. I am as afraid as we all are.
This video has touched me on a level no youtube video has and I spend hours and hours here every week. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for speaking to us. This might be a video about Halo Reach but it is just as much a video about what life is all about.
and you nailed it
Same
It’s actually scary just how much i relate to the creator, I’m similar age, used to play this game religiously with all modes, I also was brought up catholic and then became non believing and because of that entered a sort of existential crisis and a few months back I came back to this games campaign and felt the campaign in a completely different way, It was genuine sadness as I saw myself die in lone wolf in a way, anyway. Growing up sucks
My first time experiencing existential dread was when I was 9 years old.
I was on some ADHD medication that not only made me bipolar at the best of times, it made crying my default bodily reaction to ANY emotion. If the teacher called on me and I gave the right answer, I'd spring a leak. If I came across a funny joke in a book I'm reading at the library, cue waterworks. Am I slightly put out because the kid in front of me got the last chocolate milk? I'm sobbing like it's my personal Batman backstory.
Despite all this, my uncle was one of those old guys who would tell you to "man up," and would then spend the next three hours screaming at you if you said "ow" a little too loudly after slamming your thumb in a car door. And one day when I was 9, he yelled at me because I'd "missed" a small clump of grass when mowing the lawn. He yelled at me for a good 15ish minutes, and wouldn't let me actually take the two steps *to* said clump and remove it, despite the fact that I was holding a pair of clippers specifically because that grass was half under the porch and thus completely out of reach of the lawnmower.
After all that, I was a sobbing, emotional wreck, full of pent up, impotent rage which, after about 5 minutes, flipped into self-loathing and despair. (Of course, I'm a bipolar 9 year old, which meant I was an overdramatic little shit, too.)
So I did the only sensible thing and took a nice walk out a third story window. I missed the concrete and landed in a large plant instead, so I walked back around and up to my room, watched the milkman deliver some milk across the street, and spent the next 4 or so hours in my closet switching between hyperventilating, giggling, and sobbing, as I came to grips with the fact that I could easily shuffle off this mortal coil at any moment, death was permanent, and I'd likely die completely forgotten.
When I was 13 my mom died on April 1st due to complications with pneumonia, and the church we had the funeral at handed out pamphlets which had a LOT of very creepy quotes about "leading the flock" and "collecting those astray to add to the flock" and "the flock dies sinless because the good shepard guides them," all while the fat priest spent an ungodly amount of time self-fellating his amazing preaching skills in front of forty people while running his hand along my mom's casket incessantly.
I became Agnostic rather quickly after that. I'm sure some crazy superbeing exists beyond our understanding of the universe, but I'm not about to worship them for benefits that I won't see until after my inevitable demise.
It wasn't until after my mom died that I first played Reach. I'd played Halo: CE and loved it, playing it over and over. I didn't play 2, but I tried 3 and found that it hurt my eyes for some reason, making them feel itchy if I stared at 3's graphics for too long. I, rather tragically, never played ODST as a result, though I've been thinking about the MCC so I can. But Reach? Out of the three Halo games I'd played, Reach was my favorite, _because_ of the ending. It gave me closure on a... surprising number of hang-ups I'd had ever since I was 9. Death was inevitable, sure. But that's why there's no point in rushing headlong into death. Keep fighting for every second you've got, and when death finally comes for you, don't cower and beg. Shake Death's hand. Give him a hug. Embrace your death, because once you've given every inch of your life, you can relax. Whether there's a Heaven and Hell, a Limbo, a dreamscape, or nothing after death, that's no longer my problem. That's dead-me's problem. And he's had my whole life to prepare.
I get bored with games that rely too much on power fantasy. I don't, and can't, appreciate receiving an OP+10 Sword of Overkill just for starting the game. I need to have to *earn* that awesomeness, which is why CE and Reach are my two favorite, not just to play, but to watch others play. Though I've definitely enjoyed learning about ODST. I really should have gotten it back in the day; jazz has always been my biggest weakness in games.
@@SuperiorPosterior I’m sorry to hear that deep story, but I honestly have to say your uncle wasn’t completely wrong with the man up talk, a bit too sensitive to be fair. Still yeah I agree reach hits deep although I understood just how deep later in my life when I was 15-16 I think and now watching the cutscenes makes me completely sad 😢
@@KrysFG Again, I was nine years old, and being forced to take pills that scrambled my emotions. I quite literally _couldn't_ "man up." It was a physical impossibility, and three years of mental and emotional abuse nearly had me committing suicide. I'm sorry that your pampered highness can't relate, but not everyone was born with a golden stick up their ass.
Emile: "I'm ready! How about you."
Top tier badass
It was a rhetorical question, sung not by a boy, but a man who had nothing to fear.
He indeed was ready. No word of a lie.
When it comes to Halo Reach, the mission "Lone Wolf" was a mission I never thought anyone would discuss in terms of its meaning. Your discussion about Existential Dread was well said and I can't really add anything to it. In fact I say I love this discussion on it. Though I just feel like sharing this line that I heard recently: "Its not the dying that frighten's us. It's leaving this world without having done our best." (Castlevania 2017) It's a line that stuck in a way that I didn't think it would. In a way it's become a motivator to me. Life has shown me in the face of adversity, we somehow find reason to keep going. Got to make the most of our time, and somehow in it's own way, our efforts do matter.
Similar to the philosophy associated with Franz Kafka. Noble 6 fights on even though it's hopeless.
KingK 2019: Mario Party
KingK 2020: Death comes to us all
lol
lol
lol
lol
lol
What makes Noble Six's story all the more sad is that while his contributions to the defense of Reach and humanity as a whole were substantial, and should've warranted him being remembered as a hero like the rest of Noble Team, canonically his entire existence was kept completely classified to the utmost degree, even after the end of the war and eventual rebuilding of Reach. He was completely excluded from the statue honoring Noble Team in the rebuilt New Alexandria, and he was all but erased from history, all because ONI higher-ups wanted to keep their "personal Grim Reaper" hidden. Arguably among the greatest heroes of humanity, and he was doomed to a fate where nobody except the top brass or those who served with him and lived to tell the tale would remember anything he did.
You're about the age I was when I had my existencial crisis. I remember I lived an entire year where every single waking moment was accompanied by the thoughts of the impending end. and it was weird, I couldn't rest any night, and yet in the morning, every other person I stumbled upon was normal. They didn't look like they had these thoughts, but I bet everyone has. It's something you overcome. Life seems so promising, so full of surprises when you're on your way to your 20's.... and then it stops, the wonder stops, surprises stop... being good. Surprises start to be bad, to be painful.... but you overcome it, you stick to your guns, you carry on, you stick it out, and you overcome it. Now I do not have those scary thoughts.... maybe once every various months, and now my girlfriend is going through her existencial crisis, which it pains me that nothing I say to her can help her make the thoughts go away. The only thing I can tell her is "I know what you feel because I've felt it. And you will overcome it". In time, you will overcome it.
Jona G so I’ve been dealing with that for 7 years and it sucks
@@ghostiewhostie238 No, I said I lived an entire year with that, it went from small to big, then big to small. But you overcome it, is what I meant...
Man it's really fuckin' weird to realize most people just aren't like you, not that everyone else is odd but that you're the odd one for having to face death so early in life and have that crisis of mortality and existence thrust on you before you could even read.
Glad l found somebody who fucking understands this shit
@@nickelakon5369 Ive had that crisis early when i was a kid. It doesn't bother you once you gained the correct mindset.
I love how you can basically feel Noble 6 sighing everytime he is on screen.
From when he dangles Jorge’s dogtags to when he realizes he has to stay behind to die defending Reach to when he sees dead Spartans in the same place he is going to die in. You can feel the pointlessness in our actions as Noble 6.
Its so depressing. Which is why this is my favorite Halo game.
we out here Feeling, main
It makes me cry every time I see Noble Six's helmet just sitting there underneath dust and echoes. His plasma ridden corpse probably just off camera. Symbolic for the fact that he died alone. Halo Reach is a masterpiece. And as an atheist myself I never had that fear of death. The point of life for me is just make people happy including yourself and appreciate the days you get to live.
That’s it? Do you really feel like that’s the only point of your existence? And who are you appreciative to? There’s gotta be more than that
@@ahaibeh91 yes people like me enjoy making others happy, like OP.
For appreciation it’s whoever made the video explaining how to make the phone go text to speech, turd flinging monkey for stock advice and for referencing philosophers that I later read.
@@ahaibeh91 Why does there have to be more?
The point of life is to have as many healthy offspring as possible. So if you cant get any bitches then your life has no meaning.
@@miniaturejayhawk8702 weird ass point of life
I remember playing through Reach for the first time last month. I knew that everyone was gonna die and when I got to that final mission In the war-torn desert. I was like is this really how it ends? Great feeling of a terrible feeling if that makes sense!
If you want something a little more hopeful but with the same sort of undertone in a package of childish awe, wonder and exploration, I recommend you check out the Outer Wilds if you haven't already. Make sure the trailers are the only thing you see of it, though. The best way to play it is by going in blind.
@@physical_insanity This.
Outer Wilds is great, was definitely a big contender for game of the year
@@physical_insanity oof, I played like 10 hours trying to enjoy it and then just gave up on it because it really wasn't fun. I don't think I'll ever touch it again but I'm glad people can find to enjoy it, I can't expalin why I disliked it as much as I did, because I REALLY disliked it, but hey, people like it so I'm happy.
@@graphite7898 Hmm, well this is an odd take. I can't really determine what could be the source of your lack of enjoyment. The only thing I can think of is the amount of agency it gives you as the turn off, or the fact that immersing yourself is the key to the being engaged, but I don't want to sound denigrating.
If I had to guess, it might be because of the mystery aspect and how it appealed to you. The game is structured in a way that you can literally pick up any piece and be as clueless as you would be if you picked up the the first or last one. Maybe it's because nothing made sense to you and the dots weren't connecting as they should have been, probably because you weren't in the right mindset because it was the wrong time of year for you, or you just weren't looking for an exploration/mystery game.
I'd urge you to try the game again in a year or when you want to feel like a space explorer, architect, historian, whatever. The entire appeal for me was the unravelling of the mystery, immersing myself in the various environments (mainly because space scares me and I get the willies around heights) and that everything is presented before you, allowing you to learn the mysteries of the cosmos, meet people and just have a relaxing time while you float through a lovecraftian horror machine while eating some rations (oranges, I mean). If you're not a thinking person, then it's likely you won't enjoy it, but then again, that's only a temporary state of mind.
@@physical_insanity Oh my god, I'm so so sorry, I misread the name of the game, As I was reading your comment I was confused since you're description didn't fit what I was talking about, I'm so so sorry I'm actually an idiot. I thought you were talking about Outer Worlds. I really like Outer Wilds, I've only played a few hours but I found the exploration, the Lovecraftian-like world and mystery. Again, I'm so sorry, I read it as Outer Wilds like some illiterate. Sorry for the confusion. I'm so embarrassed right now it's not even funny.
The one thing I always remember about Reach is, when it first came out, how there was this odd, outspoken faction of the playerbase that hated it because they thought it deviated too much from Halo 3 and drew comparisons to CoD because of the addition of loadouts....
I also always remember Reach being the greatest shooter in the golden age of gaming, bar none.
“You don’t need to save the world to find meaning in life, sometimes all you need is something simple... like someone to take care of” - persona 3 I don’t remember who says it but damn
Aigis
Most people aren't afforded that anymore.
Me: “oh kingk made a new video can’t wait to unwind and relax tonight.”
Kingk: “I fear death everyday.”
Really loved this video man, probably my favourite you've done. Great work dude!
Everyone's talking about the depressing ending, but I got depressed when he said that he had friends to play the game with
Forever lone wolf
Yeah I had a couple friends I ran with back then after reach and into 4 I thought they would be there for at least reach they're still offline to this day Hopefully they're alright 👍 stay strong Spartans your never KIA just missing in action
Exactly
Dang
I’ve always found this to be my favourite Halo campaign because of just how beautiful the tragedy is.
Thank you for making this video and articulating what I’ve felt
I love Reach's story, and stories like it; knowing that the end is inevitable but still pushing on. It's the journey that counts, not the end itself. Kind of like life itself now that I think about it.
This is why Reach will always be my favorite game, no matter how badass and how many aliens you kill, sometimes you just aren’t the Master Chief who’ll just easily save the day.
But I can’t help seeing the ending where YOUR actions are what helps Chief win the day eventually inspiring. Even when everything was hopeless and you’re going to die, your legacy lives on and you still matter in some way.
Dropping some quality Existentialist philosophy at the end there. Well done.
What philosophy?
Gaffgarion, Existentialism.
You mean being scared of the enevitable. That's called being a coward. Not existential
@@jimmythecrow Nah. Existentialism is knowing that there is no point to existence and still keep going anyway. In that sense, rejecting the nonsense of actually being alive IS being a coward. It's to drape yourself in lies to keep yourself going instead of embracing the absurdity.
It's entry level modern philosophy really.
@@IrontMesdent Nihilism is the entry level that too many people are getting trapped in, Existentialism is the field. To anybody who thinks Rick and Morty is dropping facts, you're basic.
"The Master Chief was a gun you pointed at the Covenant to win the war, whereas Noble Team are a shield to protect the world from their atrocities."
"Because our hearts are still beating, there is still more to be seen" that... That hit me hard
"Mongoose filled hurrah"
*Driving a warthog*
Umbongo yeah that offended me too
@@thedumbdog1964 honestly i think he was intentionally getting one thing wrong with each thing... calling high charity a frigate? Calling cairo stationa ship, etc?
Idk Puma sounds better
Calling high charity a frigate was my favorite one. Amazing video, almost made me forget there were any slip ups.
"Spartans never die, they just go missing in action." 😢
*Simmons:* Hey.
*Grif:* Yeah?
*Simmons:* You ever wonder why we're here?
XD Productions well that’s one of life’s great mysteries
Why we're stuck in a worthless gultch?
Protect me cone!
This video was honestly beautiful. I was 12 when Halo reach released, I was already an avid Halo fan at the time deeply embroiled in the fallacy that was console and game patriotism (ie cod sux Halo rules, Xbox over ps3). Now as an avid PC gamer getting to rekindle those memories has been something. I immediately picked up reach and vowed to Speedrun the campaign because of how fast I used to run it back in 2010-2013. Then I realized there was things like parking a falcon on top a covenant drop ship to boost yourself in the first mission. So for now I'm putting that speedrunning plan on hold, I figure there are a lot of new skips to learn.
But for your existential crisis. I recommend psychedelics, for me they allowed me to come to terms with myself and also my place in the world. I've found that the only point in life is to leave something to remember you, for me that point has been channeled into creating art and collecting books. For me I have set myself goals, I have ambitions. And part of the sole reasoning for all the ambition was to give me something to cling to when I was down.
I have struggled with suicidal depression that started when I was 10. For me it took until I was almost 21 to really even start enjoying life, then I had to go through by far the most tumultuous year of my life. Bouncing between jobs with troughs of unemployment. I am the type that beats myself up for stuff, if I've been slacking on something I will beat myself up over it, but won't actually do it so the cycle continues. So the longer I went unemployed the more I hated myself, it's a cycle I've gone through more times than I care to admit most times not even pertaining to unemployment. It took me just learning sometimes you have to just do it. It's something I knew but didn't want to listen to. But breaking my inactivity was the only thing that would fix the problem, and I found it to be the only thing that brought me happiness. For me the idea of not accomplishing things or creating things is akin to death. It is stagnation.
So for me I am not afraid of death, really haven't been for most of my life. Due to wanting to die for so long to me it's just a part of life. So for me my only goal is to leave a lasting impression. I have ambitions of making a massive time capsule of sorts. A library containing all the literature I enjoyed in life and enough practical books (ie medical books, botany books, and lexicons to understand them such as dictionaries) to rebuild the world. Another thing is that I have no desire to be interred in the ground not cremated. From a young age I've also wanted my tomb to be a mausoleum and I've wanted to bring some comfort belongings with me to said tomb when I pass. The list could go on for ages for me my life kinda revolves around going around and chiseling my mark upon the planet. I want the library to be remote similar to the seed bank in Norway (though for me I was thinking the middle of nowhere in Colorado due to land being cheap and rainfall being low). I would love nothing more than for there to be explorers a 100's of years from now that stumbled on my projects. In the grand scheme I'm doing nothing to change society, nothing grandiose, but in my eyes it is the ambition of my life. I think we all have to find that thing to strive for, that goal. For me that was once to simply carry on my family line, now I've realized there really isn't a point in it. If carrying on your line was all you had to do then abusive fathers of 10 would be our role models. No the goal is to enrich the next generation, in my eyes I can't do that in my current living state and fiscal state. So there is no sense putting my self worth in something that won't even be viable for me for another decade. So instead focus on the ambitions you can work on now. Funny thing that, it makes me feel like an RPG character grinding at a skill to level up, and I feel like I'm still in the beginning stages of most of said skills.
I know this was very rambly but I've spent my life searching for meaning and reasoning. So it's very multifaceted, I think that's how we all are. We have different definitions on what the point is to life, and that is the beauty of it. We are like a million Petri dishes, people molded by environment and circumstance. Thus we have ever differing conclusions and journeys to said conclusions.
One final aside, I came from a similar Christian background but early on convinced myself I wasn't going to the pearly gates or wouldn't want to because of dead family members seeing the person I was. Thus early on the idea of death as the cold end was on my mind, hence why I wanted a mausoleum. A place I wouldn't mind walking if I was damned to walk the earth forever filled with things from my life that I enjoyed. I realize that is an afterlife in a sense but it was only really a precaution you know. Like I'm fully prepared for once I'm dead there's nothing, but just in case I'd rather not wake up in spirit form clawing at a coffin. I honestly don't know the ruling on cremation lol but a scene from scrooged comes to mind for what my fear was. Heck I also figured if somehow they fucked up and interred me when I was alive that I could get out of a mausoleum. That was before I remembered they drain the blood and embalm you. Aight I'm actually done now I could actually ramble forever.
I’m very proud of you.
"Your life could amount to delivering a package it would still matter."
Well ... sounds like someone still has a hardon for Fallout: New Vegas.
I am unequivocally impressed by both your ability to derive meaning from artistic properties and articulate them so well. Furthermore, what's so captivating is your ability to relate the messages of these games to your life and how they affect you. It's a talent, keep on keeping on brother.
I haven't even played any Halo game, but that scene with the helmet laying on the ground in front of that huge mountain gave me goosebumps.
I don't think there's a reason we're here. I don't think there HAS to be a reason either. I've struggled with the same thoughts for a while too, and this is the answer I arrived at.
I just want to live as long as possible on my own terms, doing what I like doing and what brings me happiness. Sometimes I get sad thinking of all the things I won't experience that'll happen after I'm gone but if you look too far ahead you'll end up missing what's right in front of you.
I can say with absolute certainty: you fucked up
@@NobleVagabond2552 Um... who the fuck are you talking to? I 100% agree with OP's comment.
@@jonnyj. he’s probably saying that the fact he ever played any of the halo games was a mistake. I haven’t either, so in his eyes, I probably messed up, too. I would probably agree with him.
"...not even one person has your back here. It's just you... and the end"
Advertisement: ALL PEOPLE ARE TAX PEOPLE A-A-ALL PEOPLE ARE TAX PEOPLE
I hate that advertisement as much as the Google phone ads.
I mean, death and taxes, amirite?
Wow you really got me in this one. You literally put into words stuff I’ve never really been able to explain before. I share so many of those fears.
Yeah it was pretty good.
This hit pretty deep. 👍
Forgive my toxicity :)
How could you not explain something that is clearly spelled out in front of your face
praeyden forgiven.
I was in a car crash a few years ago, and it forced me to think about things I'd never really put much thought into before. Even after a few years I still had trouble articulating the exact things that were going through my head and my heart afterwards. KingK summarised things in a simple and well structured manner, and helped me put words to the feelings I had.
@@jordavi7501 have you ever tried articulating your thoughts by writing them down? I do that all the time, and am pretty much able to make sense of anything I really thought about (most of the time, except when it comes to extremely abstract things) but everyone is different I guess
Gorgeous. That last mission was seared into my mind, even when the rest of the campaign faded. I don't think I've ever fought so hard to stay alive in any game prior or since.
14:56 RvB reference?
Honestly, I hadn't looked at Reach from such a perspective. As Halsey says in the final cutscene, it is not necessarily our deeds but rather our courage that survives the test of time. You can wait until your inevitable death, which doesn't require any courage or you can make the best of it, which takes courage but is worth it in the end.
This game shaped my childhood. It was the second game I ever played. Hell I didn’t even know who the master chief was. But finding myself fight an un winnable war against an endless horde of enemies changed the way I see the world today and what life was really for. Halo Reach is a masterpiece and nothing can change the way I think about it.
The superficial message of reach was obviously self-sacrifice for the good of the collective. The bulwark against existential dread is externalizing meaning; attributing meaning to something that is not you. Something that outlives you like a way of life or idea.
The message of reach was the same as the ending of halo 3 - same as many war stories. There are many that go into the howling dark and do not return to experience the fruits of their labor. Dr. Halsey explained this during the final cutscene in reach.
The very honest and personal take makes this video much more interesting though. A more nihilistic approach could have been to point out that even after all his achievements chief will die just like every common marine.
You brought tears to my eyes @kingk. Crazy how beautiful and true you made that closing segment. Reach always has been my favorite but it's nice that you've put it into words how I felt about it.
Yes, I was hoping one day I would see some Halo related from you. I don't know what it is, but you and Raycevick are great at doing these type of videos.
Tomtrocity too soon 😓
Your narration was absolutely incredible. Made me get goosebumps
I look back into that helmet with a sense of sadness and a sort of "I let you down" feeling. I let noble six down by dying early in the last mission. I still feel bad for doing that.
This video hit me somewhere deep; I really appreciate how emotionally open you can be in your videos. My relationship with death in media has also changed drastically for the exact reasons you have.
Though it's not as much bc I think about death all the time but the idea of mortality and the ease and swiftness at which it can just stop, and realizing that death isn't glorious but just the end is terrifying.
I need to replay Reach bc I'd also probably have this exestential crisis as well during Lone Wolf. Beautiful video man, loved it
"You said to me: 'can you not live unless you were born for some purpose?' I'm not living for anyone else. There's no special meaning in living. When I sensed my own death, I wanted to live. I know now. That's all I needed. So...I don't *need you* anymore. It doesn't matter if you accept me or not. Here I am. *Alive.* "
Tales of the Abyss changed my life in a lot of ways, but these words carry me to this day. It doesn't matter what the point is: just that you're here. Make of it what *you* will.
Bro, the your thoughts of death at the end of the video are exactly what I struggle with every day. I lost a great friend recently and it’s shaken me to the core. This video brings some kind of solace to me. Thank you.
As a person who suffers from existential depression since I was pretty young, Reach was always my favorite Halo story. The story just speaks so amazingly about all that hard work means anything in the end. It's so incredibly brilliant.
Didn't you mean to say nothing?
@@cherlojomzyaduermanse what
@@jamesgorman899 tbh I don't know why I even wrote that
This is hands down your best video. You're a great writer.
I'm always trying to look up for this kind of videos in RUclips but they are a rare find...
I've never played Halo and I had no idea what was the story about, but this spoke me on a very personal level...
You know, doing this type of videos is actually "carrying your gun". So much people reunited here sharing the panic of thinking about death... Sharing your feelings leads to empathy and that leads to making people feel understood. To me, life is beautiful because you get to find your personal meaning with other people.
This. This is your magnum opus King. This video spoke to me on a personal level. I too think about what was, and now the crippling and debilitating fear of death and the macabre. I have never felt the gambit of thoughts and emotions I had during these past 17 minutes. I want to thank you for giving me this opportunity for self-reflection and reminding me why I get out of bed each day.
"Gambit of thoughts and emotions"
What? Care to elaborate?
@@knavenformed9436 ikr, it's as if people have never thought about this before.
It is kind of crazy how master chief was just a "win button" for war. Even sgt johnson(arguably the most badass character in vidya history) recognizes this multiple times throughout the series.
You never forget about 7:15.
I still remember the exact feeling I had. It was like getting punched in the gut. You just spent presumably more than an hour grinding this level on legendary, only for Jorge to sacrifice himself, and then a covenant fleet appears in orbit.
Heading into New Alexandria, my hopes were pretty low.
Interesting video. I also perceived Reach different after all those years and I also sometimes have this fear of death. The funny thing is, back as a kid it was a real struggle for me to complete this game on legendary alone...but when I did, I had fullfilled my purpose as spartan and simply stood there in lone wolf, not fighting, accepting my fate while the real me enjoyed the success and relieve of finally beating the campaign :)
Great video for a great thematic game
Excellent stellar video. It was so refreshing to see another creator tackle this subject that doesn't come up often enough. Thank you for this, homie.
Holy shit, it's the guy who first introduced me to existential dread.
This was an excellent and beautiful essay. Halo touched many lives in the deepest most profound ways, that it can even help us cope with our fear of death, itself.
"I didn't think it would end this way."
"End...No death is but another path one that we all must take. The grey rail curtain of the world rolls back all turns to silver glass... and then you see it"
"What Gandalf? See what?"
"White shores and beyond a far green country under a swift sunrise."
"That isn't so bad."
"No. No it isn't."
one of the best scenes of the whole triology. this and the moria speech by gandalf to frodo about gollum too
Gave me shivers reading that. I love that scene
Those 18:12 were an emotional rollercoaster. The next 30 I spent in reflection afterward were as well. I replayed Reach because of the PC re-release as well and felt all of the same things you did, and I appreciate seeing someone relate to what I was going through. Thank you for the effort you put into this video, you aren't the only one asking and struggling with these questions.
Very deep take, but I will leave you with my favorite quote:
"The journey beats the destination"
Hey, man, I really appreciate you putting this out. For the first time in my life I’ve been struggling with my own mortality and it’s been causing me a lot of anxiety. Hearing your perspective has helped a lot, and it’s helped hearing that other people have fear like I do, and knowing that you found direction gives me hope that I’ll find mine soon. Thanks for this
"Spes in virtute. Salus in victoria"
There is hope in our courage. Salvation in our victory; that is the point. Live on. Persist. Something will come along which will matter to you more than your life or death does to yourself
That is the lesson I learned from Noble 6
This video hit hard for me especially when my grandfather passed of an out of nowhere heart attack and the death of Kobe Bryant goes to show how death can come for us all even in the most unexpected times. No matter who you are No wonder I’ve recently came to the conclusion that Halo Reach is my favorite Halo. Not only I find the multiplayer the most enjoyable despite having some annoying issues, but also the story and how gritty and dark and yet the same time so beautiful. This was a beautiful video and made to 18 minutes go by fast I truly appreciate and yet also concerned about the message you’ve put out in this video
Not sure if this’ll help, but there’s a quote from Bart Campolo: “life is just a vacation from nonexistence”. Like he viewed not being born and death as the same thing. Life is just an opportunity to leave a note saying “I was here”.
Honestly such a dangerous, willfully ignorant view on life.
Life isint supposed to be a vacation from anything, and we shouldint strive to the goal of "just have the opportunity to leave a note here".
Shallow at best.
Work fucking hard instill virtue, protect moral structures to leave the world better than how you found it. Fuck leaving a "note" metaphorically or not that attitude just isint enough.
i've put my note down take me back
David James not everyone wants to make the world better. Most people just don’t want to be forgotten.
@@shizuwolf most people are selfish, lost children. Refusing to acknowledge their ignorance and duty to their fellow man.
David James you’re the ignorant one because your idea is a double edged sword. Yes, we should work together to everyone’s lives better, but not everyone has the same idea of “better”. Many extremists religious and political groups think the world would be better if they could exterminate anyone who isn’t apart of their group.
I shed tears at this. Thank you for making this video and showing how one of my favourite games still has lessons to teach me after all this time. It’s comforting.
I was not emotionally ready for the ending of that video.
Death scares us all...
This video really hit me at a personal level. The sentiments shared were all feelings that I've felt dearly for the past 3 years. Honestly I find it hard to get out of bed sometimes due to my almost overwhelming fear of being forgotten, and not having any real meaning to existing. Hearing your experience made me feel less alone. Thank you for making an amazing video, I'm glad I clicked on it.
Damn, this video is hitting me hard. I very much understand part of what you're going through though with those questions. I'm 18 and going to college without a job, I get myself anxious when talking to other people, I often make myself feel like I am not being productive and I also ask myself why we as people carry on when the world seems like it can get so bad. How many people are suffering from depression now? Or diseases, or hunger, or drought. Just this past January my last grandparent passed away and the punch of grief still hasn't even hit me yet.
I ask what people like him did to keep themselves going for long enough to get there. Obviously there's no satisfying end-all answer, but I genuinely believe that it's some naive hope that we all can find that eventually everything will be better. "Eventually" is as uncertain as it can get, but clinging to hope is all I know to do.
I suppose I am terrified of the inevitable end as well. Getting to the deathbed and thinking about how I didn't make the most of the time I had. Some people get diseases and make the last parts of their life some of their happiest moments. Despite having a time bomb over their head telling them "your end is soon." I have no idea how I could even process a feeling like that, much less make that ending chapter a fun one.
I have absolutely no connection to Halo whatsoever, but holy shit this video hit me in a spot I didn't think it could. KingK if you are reading this, thank you for making this video, and just know that I think most people don't know the answers to questions like this. Part of life is figuring things out by experience, how do we learn to walk? We try and fall over, but get up and try again. Eventually walking is natural. I think that life can and will improve, and I hope it all gets better for you.
Reading this over, it's incredibly corny sounding, but I think life's significant lessons can be corny sounding sometimes... Thanks to anybody who read this...
KingK I hope it all gets better for you, and I appreciate what you had to say in the video.
I have never watched a single video from you in my life, but this? This was absolutely amazing, I loved everything about it and I was actually just playing Reach, and as someone who also played it a lot on 360 when I was a kid, it never hit me in such a philosophical manner. Thank you for bringing such an interesting and well versed video into the world
The way I see death is as an answer. Nobody really know what comes after. They have their best guesses and all that but no one actually knows. Once I die, whenever it come, i'll know, and i'll either continue on to see, to feel more, or I wont and I won't be there to be sad about it.
I’ll be honest, KingK. I was trying to avoid this video of yours. This game is...
More than a video game.- At least to me.
I had two friends when I was little. They were both brothers. And my circle was real small. I was picked on a lot, being on a lot of ADHD medicine was a good result of that. It didn’t help my social abilities much seeing how now at almost 23, I was mostly loopy half my life. But I admit, I was definitely weird still.
But those friends I had, those two brothers, introduced me to not just Halo, but into the strongest friendships I had ever known. Now looking back, I wonder, just like you do, if it was all worth it or not.
My closest friend died unexpectedly two years ago. The youngest of the two brothers. It happened in such a normal way. He died in a car accident. Now me and his older brother don’t talk anymore, and that loss has utterly changed me to my core as a person. I can’t say if it’s for good or bad, even now.
Reach was the last game I played with him.
All I know is when I hear anything Halo related, especially Reach.. part of me just shuts down. And another part of me wishes to be back in that room again playing with them.
Halo Reach is a reminder to me, that no matter how much you want to try to control what you don’t want happening, sometimes there’s nothing you can do but pull against the chains and watch.
Sometimes people die. But none of us expects it will be those closest to us. Especially at 19 years old.
From another person who’s closest, dearest friend died suddenly and randomly when I was 19, I completely understand the difficulty approaching certain media you experienced together thing.
I don’t have any advice or anything, but I wanted to share a moment of solidarity with you. I also got bullied mercilessly, due in large part to my ADHD, and she was one of the first people to ever give me a real chance and stick with me and treat me like I mattered, and she’s just....gone.
Things are different-I’m different-but despite everything, I’ve survived at least 10 years past it so far. It’s hard, but I’ve begun to be able to find joy in the act of living again, and though the pain of losing her never goes away fully, I find, within that pain and regret, an equally moving appreciation for being alive and knowing that even though I could’ve been a much better friend to her when she was alive, i still got the honor of being in her life at all. Her life was ultimately very short, but it was a life worth living, and I got to experience part of it with her.
I came here expecting a videogame review and what I got was one of the best takes on the meaning of life I have heard so far.
not really, it's pretty dumb/low-level.
@@Impulse154 bruh
@@Impulse154 okay edgelord
@@antiproductive4131 ok boomer
Impulse
What a nice guy incel lmao
1st time viewer, made me tear up, really needed to hear what you had to say, your honesty in the video made me feel such a deep emotion.
Thank you
"You're eventually going to lose"
Challenge accepted, going to hide behind some boxes from the Covy
Fun fact, you CAN actually run to the explosive barrels on the left side of the screen when you first spawn in and if you enable crouch then you'll never be spotted.
The enemies don't generate stronger units unless you start killing others either so you won't come out to 50 elites with energy swords either.
TheGreatBackUp Never heard of that one but what I usually do is go into the broken house that's ahead of you, push the boxes into the corner and just hide behind them using crouch
@@epicone1998 I see, I prefer my method cus it's less setup.
u still gonna die to old age thought , see.
I wanna say thanks for putting this out there. Honestly I have a lot of the same fears as you, and I've been struggling to find meaning as of recent, and idk, it was just nice to hear someone talk about it.
Profound stuff. Wasn't expecting that going into this, good work
You have such an inspiring humanity about you. Thank you so much for the nostalgia and reminding me what this is all about.
God King I really must say. I love your reviews but this took it to another level. You never fail to get to the heart of the games you review, but with this, you made it bigger than the game. You made the game real to yourself and by doing that real to all of us.
Amazing work King. Good luck with whatever you may be going through.
Thank you for making a video talking about your existential struggle. I have a similar problem that makes me unable to sleep some nights. It’s good to know there are other people struggling with the same thing though. Makes me feel like maybe I’m not crazy and that others too feel the same way. Wish you all the best and just know that I understand the dread this puts you through. Something that helped me was categorizing my thoughts. If something is a bad thought, I simply address it as a bad thought and it is much easier to get out of my head after that and avoid fixating on it. Sometimes (like late at night) it doesn’t work but usually it is quite effective.
I had a really bad anxiety attack in one of my classes in my first semester of uni because I was thinking of death. Before that, I hadn’t been afraid of death and even welcomed it as a part of life. But for some reason I became so incredibly afraid of death because I couldn’t know what comes after.
My experience was very similar. It came out of nowhere. A few years ago, I didn't have these worries, and then for some reason I was just thinking about it everyday. Hope you're doing well.
KingK better now, but it really threw me for a loop and (surprisingly) got me to be more productive and cognitive of the world around me. I care about life way more now.
I had an extremely similar experience, a period of my life where I was in almost constant panic for the exact same reasons. The only way i could really cope was for my body to get sick of getting scared, and to just accept it. I still think about it almost daily, but the more I thought about it, the less scary it became. The fear will eventually go away.
It feels good to not feel like I'm not the only one that had this happen
I go through this every night before bed and end up sleeping really horribly.
I clicked on this video because I was having one of the worst days I've had in a while and because Halo always seems to make me feel better. What I didn't expect was a video that would literally speak to me in ways I never expected. I'm currently going through the worst time ever in my life. While I know we always go through hard times, it almost feels ironic because I've always been the most happy, go lucky person among all my friends and family. I've always been the friend to say that life is worth it, you have so much to live for and that no matter what happens, you'll always jump back and recover from your greatest falls in life, and though I try to show otherwise, here I am in one of the darkest moments of my life and I feel like I can't even stand behind those words I've spoken for so long. The final minutes of this video really stuck out to me though, mostly because I wasn't expecting this from this video. I've watched so many inspirational and motivational videos lately to make me feel better, but never have I seen something like this to use one of my favorite franchises to inspire me and it helps a lot. No matter how much I want to cry, give up, question my worth, I will keep going on, things will get better, and I hope anyone listening to this will realize this too. Great video. I hope this video will help other people like it's helped me!
I finally played this game when it released on Steam, and since then I haven't really been sure what to make of it. After watching this video, I have a newfound respect and admiration for it. Thanks.
The ending reminds me of a quotes from warhammer 40k, "While he has breath in his lungs and a gun at his hands his duty is not done"
I remember getting the Unfrigginbelievable medal on Lone Wolf, I used the Black Eye skull to regen my shields faster. My favorite mission in the entire franchise.
This video was perfect. Using Halo to illustrate an existential crisis you ponder day after day and man... Did you really strike a chord with me there. Subscribed.
"Do not go quietly into that good night. Rage. Rage against the dyeing of the light."
Interstellar. I was thinking of this quote.
This video really hit me hard because I’m at the same point in my life. I’m 22 and I have a daily fear of death. It’s a bit incapacitating at times. But... there is a weird solace in knowing that others out there are also facing the same exact struggles as you are.
Keep struggling my friends.
Yeah, Reach is probably the most real down to life story in the entire series. Throughout the series, you were Master Chief, a solider with top of the line shielded armor that's 7ft tall and basically is as invincible as Doom Guy. It's a power trip. Reach is not that. Reach shows that you are just another solider, just another cog in the machine. Not quite Halo 3 ODST, but almost worse. It shows how powerful the Covenant really are and how hopeless fighting them truly is. While in ODST you are just a guy in armor without the strength enhancers, shields, etc, you were still powerful. Reach shows everyone of your team mates drop one after the other as the Covenant glass the planet over. A truly worthless fight yet we fight on as it's all we know. As soldiers it's all you can do.
And like you said, Lone Wolf is likely the biggest down point in the series. To know the end is right here, yet you keep going anyways. Do we expect to get something in return or something? There just nothing, all you get in this mission, is death. There is no survival, no escape, no reward. Being a person who never personally believed in a life after death, I know what you mean. The idea you just cease to exist when you go is a dreadful thought; it's not a painful one in that the 13 billion years prior to me wasn't painful, but the idea of not existing is almost worse than that. The idea we are just the body we inhabit and that life is inevitably finite is a horrifically grim way of viewing things. Even worse when you know even the memory of you will die soon after. It's just what we are. We are part of reality, and we all know reality isn't always a graceful mistress. It's not something we can ever fight though we sure as hell will try anyways. Even if it was always going to be fruitless.
@Jfuwhgb Dnngjwo I could understand that considering ODST was originally going to be a fully open world game but ended up getting heavily modified from that original intent.
The literal title card of the game is presented as “here is the helmet of a dead spartan, you are the spartan and you are already dead, [Reach], now put that helmet on and go do what you have to do before you die”. It’s the most brilliant but underrated shit i’ve ever seen in a video game
Reach is one of my favorite shooters, up there with Crysis, Bad Company 2, Modern Warfare and World at War.
mw1 had a good campaign ngl
Incredible video, I'm speechless because this was just so on the nose about my own thoughts and feelings towards existentialism. Thank you man, added to my favourites
for whatever reason Reach’s story has stuck with me for so long, and I really do see it as such an amazing narrative that left its mark on me when I was younger.
Ho does this not even have 200k views. This is one of the best reviews of a game i have seen.