Let's Play Volume 4

Let's Play (Book) #4

by Leeanne M. Krecic

She’s young, single and about to achieve her dream of creating incredible video games. But then life throws her a one-two a popular streamer gives her first game a scathing review. Even worse, she finds out that same troublesome critic is now her new neighbor! A funny, sexy, and all-too-real story about gaming, memes, and social anxiety. Come for the plot, stay for the doggo. Volume 4 of Let's Play collects the chapters 58 through 75 of the Eisner-nominated webcomic phenomenon with over 7.5 million subscribers.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Manga, Romance, Comics, Webcomic, Graphic Novels Comics, Cozy

204 pages, Hardcover

First published July 18, 2024

About the author

Also known as Mongie

Leeanne M. Krecic is a comic creator, illustrator, concept artist, former code-monkey, part-time Amazonian princess, level 14 elven-mage, recovering MMO addict, retired tuba player, and a short-order cook to her cats.

She is also the creator of the Eisner nominated comic “Let’s Play.”

Reviews

[Michelle Easton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know I say this a lot but I genuinely love this series. The characters are relatable, the plot is realistic, and it’s just a fun time all around. That cliffhanger is going to drive me nuts though.

[A_Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this series. Always brings a smile to my face. Bowser is my favorite. Seeing a glimpse of Charles’ past was interesting…I have my theories. Link I’m fency on. I hope Sam grows out of her shell soon. I can see that she’s trying, but, as Charles pointed out, Sam’s family baby her. A lot. Also…IS MARSHALL OKAY???? That ending almost had me in tears! What HAPPENS!!

[Kiara · Rating 3 out of 5]

idk I'm just not as connected to the characters or the story as i should be at this point...

[Karin (desAlien) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Das Ende 😱
Und jetzt gibt es noch keinen Folgeband !?!

[Keira Mc · Rating 5 out of 5]

IT'S JUST SO GOOD I READ THE ENTIRE WEBTOON IN A SINGLE 24 HOUR STRETCH

[Melanie Galsheimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wieder ein starker Band! Ich mag diese Graphic Novel einfach. Die Charaktere sind alle so toll, dass man sich gar nicht entscheiden kann, welcher der „Richtige“ für Sam ist. Mein Herz haben sie alle.

Ich mochte, dass sich Teil 4 endlich mit Ruminate, dem Spiel der Protagonistin befasst hat und man als Leser in die Spielwelt eintauchen konnte. Auch dass sich Charles die Mühe gemacht hat, das Spiel zu spielen, fand ich klasse. Aber was hat es nun mit der Bekanntschaft von charles und Marshall auf sich? Und was war das für ein schreckliches Ende? Cliffhanger kann Leeanne einfach.

Ich habe vor dem Kauf eine schlechte Rezension zu Teil 4 gelesen, dass sich das Buch angeblich nicht nach vorn bewegen würde. Dass es an Story fehlen würde. Das kann ich nicht bestätigen. Ganz im Gegenteil. Ich mochte auch hier die Entwicklung der Charaktere, das nähere kennenlernen von Sam und charles, das sich festigende Band zwischen Marshall und Sam und vor allem die süße Fitnessstudio-Sidestory.

Let’s play lässt mich immer mit Lust auf mehr zurück. Jetzt heißt es erstmal wieder warten. Aber ich freue mich bereits, wenn es weitergeht. Es geht doch hoffentlich weiter? 🙊❤️

[Sea ~drowning~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

*sniffs* i thought the series was over but it ISN'T.
I am gonna DIE. The cliffhanger is freaking painful *sobs*
Also. I enjoyed this series. A lot!
I only wish the creator hadn't said that it's complete when it's not (on webtoon) because I do not like reading (or watching) unfinished stuff. Would have to read a nice book/comic to get over the cliffhanger of this one.
*silent screams*
BUT! I RECOMMEND THIS ONE TO EVERYONE...

IF THEY OKAY WAITING FOR A YEAR FOR FURTHER UPDATES.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

• Marshall 🥺
• Charles 🤭
• Not a fan of Eva
• This webtoon never fails to make me giddy
• It’s joy in art form

[Paws & Pages · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately I liked this volume the least. Sam gave off major pick me vibes and is definitely not a girls girl :/

[Andmorebook · Rating 5 out of 5]

O sondan sonra acil 5 istiyorum 👀

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nani the f**?!! Why you gotta leave me with cliffhangers?!! I just raged at this poor little volume that did nothing less than stomp on my heart. :: chef's kiss::

[Vex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do I really want our relationship to be more than just friends? Or do I just need to feel wanted by someone, and Link was the first guy to express any interest? Do I just need to feel desired? Did I really want to kiss Link? Or do I simply not want to be alone anymore?

Ouch. Getting a little too relatable there, Samara.

Season one finally ends, and the conclusion of it largely focuses on what the series initially started with: Ruminate. Sam's game, which she created practically all on her own as a passion project. The comic started with Marshall insensitively destroying her reputation with his shallow commentary and rabid fanbase. So, we finally see him replay it and give it a fair chance. We also get further exploration of Sam's relationship with Link and her budding "friendship" with Charles.

Ruminate's credits list Sam as the only programmer, meaning she really did make the whole game on her own aside from the art assets and music. That's honestly insane to me. How many weeks did that take, and why is this so advanced for something she made as a first venture? The game has multiple routes and open-ended problem-solving mechanics that had to require a whole lot of skill in coding. One thing I do find a bit laughable, though, is that the comic illustrates Marshall playing the game with the same art as the rest of the story.
But it's known that Ruminate is a pixel game.
I can only imagine what all these complicated and detailed scenes look like in their canonical condensed sprite forms.

I want to note that Marshall does record his replay, and the commentary he makes for the video isn't exactly typical of a normal let's player. I grew up watching let's players, including the ones Marshall is directly inspired by (cough—Markiplier). He doesn't talk like a let's player. His commentary is overly technical and is more akin to a critical review you'd find in text format than the comedic angle of a viral gamer trying to entertain a massive audience of kids and teens. His wording is so odd and unlike the demeanor of a popular content creator that it took me out of the scene a bit.

But it's very important to say that his character, in general, is very charming and easily likable. The volume (and season) ends with him apologizing to Sam for ruining her reputation and telling her Ruminate is a great game. The moment is incredibly sweet, and, even if it's not romantic in nature, the tenderness displayed makes it readily apparent that they have chemistry as a future couple. I really like them together. Adorable.

Marshall isn't the only player in this game of love, however.
...Charles is also here...!
...And Link.
I'm going to ignore Link because I don't care. Onto Charles!

To contrast with Marshall's bubbly, puppy-like energy, Charles is cold and serious. We get some insight into his personal life and the fact that he has previously been cheated on. As a result of the traumatic betrayal, he has become emotionally detached and views relationships as nothing more than sexual encounters. He will not allow himself to be vulnerable, though Sam's earnest personality is chipping away at his icy heart.
I want to like Charles.
His dynamic with Sam, while most definitely inappropriate in a professional setting, does have its compelling moments, and they do have some chemistry together. His bossy personality is kickstarting Sam's development into being a more confident person, which is a positive thing.

...But, look, I still think Charles is a bit of a creep. Worse, one could argue he's showing some misogynistic tendencies. He has two different interactions with two different women who have served as casual sexual partners. And in both interactions he speaks to those women condescendingly and disrespectfully. The first time it happens, the woman in question is being very rude, so his behavior may arguably be justified. The two imply they have a kinky dynamic, which makes his attitude almost come off like foreplay.
But then it happens again with someone else, and you realize this is just how he talks to ladies who dare to involve themselves with him. I understand he is cold due to being afraid of connections, but that doesn't excuse how demeaning and fairly insulting the way he treats these people is.
It makes me worry for Sam and how he may talk to her when they inevitably get involved.

Sam herself is an angel, and I have nothing new to say about her. She's making slow but noticeable progress, and her exploration of her romantic loneliness is realistic with how it's handled. And now that we've actually seen her game, it's obvious she is very talented. Talented, dedicated, beautiful, earnest, and kind. What a gem of a lady, honestly. Were it not for her looking like she could be my sister, I'd fall for her too. All these men need to step up their game.
Specifically the blondes.
Marshall is clowning on them, and he's not even available! It's embarrassing.
Oh, and he also might be dying.
But we'll figure out what's going on there in season two.

[Cynthia Gosselin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inclus chapitre 58 à 75

Je rêve du jour où le chien de Sam va finir par apprécié Marshall, il le faut ! Alors que je l’ai trouvé absent dans le précédent, je suis satisfaite avec celui-ci, mais son état m’inquiète. Depuis que Sam a exigé que Marshall rejoue à Ruminate, j’avais hâte à se moment et le voila enfin! J’aime trop les aventures de Marshall dans Ruminate, et aussi de voir que la dépression le quitte peu à peu. J’ai l’impression que Monica est néfaste pour lui… c’est dure toute facon de l’apprécier quand j’espère trop un Marshall & Sam.

Link qui se rapproche d’Angela ça me plait bien! Hâte de découvrir leur histoire.

Et Charles qui a une bague, il est marié wtf ?! J’aime comment le Webtoon nous amène toujours à imaginer le pire chez Charles, alors qu’au finale on lui trouve une douceur. Mais, j’ai de la difficulté à accrocher avec lui. J’aime qu’il aide Sam, mais sans plus.



*** 𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗜𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗦 ⤵️ ***
- 𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗱𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗲𝗹𝘀 -
La fin de la saison 1 , avec Marshall qui s’écroule sur le sol, wouah le suspence de mort ! J’ai adoré voir l’évolution du jeu de Sam, c’est fou les détails de Ruminate.

[Sebastian Lauterbach · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume completes Season One of the story and I think I will dip out.

The video game made by Sam is finally getting some attention and it is depicted by the artist substituting the NPC's with the main characters of the story. It doesn't work for me at all and it doesn't feel like a video game. These pages make a noticeable chunk of this volume, which brings my rating down.

The final cliffhanger is one, that was used before and I get the impression the writer has a hard time to tell something new. This volume gave me fewer laugh out moments than previous ones did and I'm not invested into the story enough to see what will happen next.

Still, these four volumes were fun to read, I just won't be revisiting them.

[Soobie has fog in her brain · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just when I was ready to give up on Let's Play, Krecic managed to surprise me.

In this volume there was way less angst than usual. All of Sam's paranoic thoughts weren't the focus of the plot. Neither were the three hunks that have a crush on her. Finally we got to see Sam's videogame as Marshall plays it.

I still think Ms. Krecic needs some sort of restraints because, really, there's so much fluff in this four volumes and a good editor would have told her to cut something short. I also don't like the waste of space on the page with few panels.

But I'm willing to back volume 5.

[aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this web comic so much! I'm not sure exactly what drew me to it but I'm glad I found it! Such beautiful characters and so much heart! I love that it focuses on a woman game designer. On top of being a female-front story, it focuses on mental health which is sadly too often ignored. What follows is a beautiful story that I am really looking forward to more content from!

[Arizona Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am getting close to the spot that I left off in the Webcomic, and oh mannnn. I love the development of Marshall here. I also really love the concept of Ruminate...I think it would be a fun game to play in real life. I know what happens next and that Marshall will be okay, but mannnn. His Depression is real, and I can't wait for his healing era.

[Heirs · Rating 4 out of 5]

C'est toujours un plaisir de relire cette histoire. J'aime toujours autant les personnages (même si j'ai oublié certains détails depuis ma lecture du tome 3), et j'ai hâte de découvrir la suite de l'histoire (j'attends la saison 4 avec impatience).
Quel plaisir également de découvrir le jeu de Sam ! C'est typiquement le genre de jeu dont je rafole, dommage qu'il n'existe pas en vrai.

[Randi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The storyline was excellent as always, and luckily the font/text was clearer and more legible to read than the first three printed books. Maybe it was larger or just better printed? Either way I hope this quality continues in the next volumes!

[Michelle Duda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t wait for volume 5!!!

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no clue this came out until I saw it in the library! This was such a good installment, but that cliffhanger was unfair.

[Caroline Lafarge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comme les autres tome
Petites pépite hâte d’avoir la suite et de retrouver le beau gallois !

[Émilie McDuff · Rating 5 out of 5]

J'ai trop hâte de lire le prochain tome !!! Je suis en amour avec cette jolie histoire et ces personnages trop attachant !!!

[Sophrosyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t wait for it to continue

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

58-75

[tehreem]

hes not gonna diee, RIGHT??

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 ⭐️

[hanafruit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this story so much!

[Jodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 Stars

[Gabby Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book and author!