As someone who studied musicology a long time ago, I just want to say that leitmotiv is a German term (roughly pronounced lightmoteev), associated most strongly with the operatic works of classical composer Richard Wagner.
One can argue about whether the ratchet and clank melody is actually a leitmotiv or simply a (recurring) theme. Usually a leitmotiv is very strongly linked to a specific narrative element (associating it with 'ratchet and clank the video game' would be too broad in that sense, but I'm insinuating here, so apologies if the association was more specific), and if you want to be really purist about it, it should not just recur during a narrative, but also meaningfully change and develop, and add meaning to a narrative sequence that can't be gleaned from the (spoken) words and visuals alone.
In addition, you can argue about what one considers to be short. In music, a motif is about as short as a musical idea can get; still recognizable, but not a phrase with a clear beginning and an end. It's more like a word, with the individual notes as the letters. It doesn't even have to be melodic, it can also be a rhythmic figure or a harmonic progression. The problem with the leitmotiv is that it refers to the motif, but it is often considered a phrase, and a phrase can technically be a theme/melody. However, the idea behind a leitmotif is that it transforms, develops and is combined with other leitmotifs, which is more difficult to do with a full melody, and many of the leitmotivs used in classical music are somewhere between a motif and a very short phrase in size. So it is a bit unclear how long a leitmotiv can actually be.
Given all that, the ratchet and clank melody just sounds like a theme to me, like the Marvel theme or the main theme of Star Wars. That said, it all depends on how far you want to take the idea of a leitmotiv. There are certainly less rigorous definitions out there. But to me, the most important aspect is that a leitmotiv is clearly linked to a specific character, object, idea or location, it's not just a recurring theme.
End rant.
I really liked Jess's point about how closely aligned relaxing and tedious tasks are and how subjective the concept of a chill game is. For me, clearing a map in a Ubisoft game is relaxing, while cleaning up or ordering stuff in a virtual space is tedious, but I can totally see how for some people that'd be the other way around (or neither, or both). And I also don't care if there's a story that makes me feel things. For me, that doesn't take away from the chilling part of the game at all.
This detached documentary style of depicting historical events is an interesting approach. As a very casual AoE player (I only play campaigns) I quite liked the dramatized character stories of AoE2. That said, if the monks go wololo, I'm in.
@landhawk: Just want to say I support your view on the matter. Let's not forget that we are all individuals and look at the world through a very personal and selective lens. We shouldn't just make assumptions about what other people should know or do based almost exclusively on our own personal perspective and experience.
Yeah, I don't think I like George very much based on that story. But I guess if Jerry is happier for it, then no harm is being done. It just feels wrong.
On the one hand, I enjoy the power fantasy they're currently having with OP Shepherd on normal difficulty. On the other hand, it kind of deflates the impact some of the enemies have. I mean, those adjutants, and especially the Banshees later on, freaked me out when I was playing it for the first time. On higher difficulties they become pretty tough. To be fair, just by being more bullet spungy, but still...
Also, I had to count to ten when they missed that couch, but I was prepared for it. They're running past a lot of things. Granted, most of it is not particularly vital.
Looking forward to the Citadel dlc. Hope they save it for the very last.
*Abby saying she wants to try the banana kitkat that everyone likes
Vinny: I don't think I ate yours.
Abby: No, it's okay.
Vinny: I think I ate yours.
That was hilarious and adorable at the same time.
Also, conspiracy theory here: I think that ending was rigged. They were all in on it, including Dan. It was just too perfect. That is how it had to end and it did. Not that I mind, it was still great.
Having never played this game myself and having only seen speed runs and lore videos, it is very interesting seeing someone with absolutely zero experience tackling this game. I mean, kiting enemies one by one with pebbles, shooting enemies willy-nilly... it's mind boggling, but totally understandable at the same time.
If Jan perseveres and ends up beating this game, he should watch this first video again... ;-)
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