I spotted not too long ago that it’s uncommon I watch one thing on YouTube until there’s a novel hook or problem connected. With regards to video games, it’s normally speedrunning makes an attempt, Nuzlocke runs, catching a shiny of each Pokémon earlier than shifting on — that type of factor — and this most likely explains why I’ve discovered GeoWizard, a channel that introduces self-imposed restrictions to exploring the actual world, so entertaining.
His headline sequence has a easy premise: making an attempt to cross a whole nation in as straight a line as attainable. As you possibly can think about, the obstacles when strolling coast to coast throughout European international locations are many and various; there are fast-moving rivers, felled forests, acres of farmland patrolled by diligent farmers, and fencing of each the thorny and artifical, barbed varieties. Even with some wiggle room of some meters both facet of the imaginary path to assist skirt across the worst risks or most severe trespassing, GeoWizard — actual title Tom Davies — does his utmost to stay to the route, and tackles no matter is thrown his manner with gusto and a digicam in hand.
Whereas every try naturally lends itself to drama at common intervals, they’re additionally a severe check of stamina, with early begins and lengthy days strolling over fields, valleys, and rolling hills. It helps that Davies is an efficient storyteller and snappy editor to make these prolonged expeditions pacy and thrilling, compressing hourslong treks by the countryside into tidy sped-up montages, earlier than deftly teeing up the subsequent spot of hassle to maintain you watching.
In early missions, insurmountable issues finally come up and issues are known as off. However with extra makes an attempt beneath his belt and classes discovered, preparation improves, largely within the type of a small assist crew who deliver with them very important tools corresponding to kayaks to assist cross lakes, or supply a quick respite from the weather with a snack-loaded van. Ultimately, the adventures increase from simply Davies to a wider forged that, like all good sequence, you’re delighted to see proceed popping up.
Fortunately, at the same time as makes an attempt start to succeed and international locations are ticked off the listing, the channel retains its low-budget appeal. Every little thing continues to be recorded on a rain-splattered GoPro, and recaps are annotated with Microsoft Paint-style scribbles over Google Earth footage, giving it a home made really feel one million subscribers in.
For those who’re , I’d advocate beginning with Wales try two or Norway, then progressing to extra Wales adventures, Scotland, and finally England — and when you’ve had your fill, branching out to GeoWizard’s different problem movies, from exploring cities with out utilizing roads to seeing how far he can go together with simply pocket change. And, for those who choose your adventures extra sedentary, because the channel title suggests he’s additionally a proficient Geoguessr participant — although a current video hints that the 2 worlds might quickly mix, and in that case, it may make for his most attention-grabbing set of challenges but.