Half-Life VR but the AI is Self-Aware (livestream VOD) (2020)

Equal parts digital puppetry, GMod YTP, and improv theatre, all rolled into an absurdist comedy onion that's often very funny and also often very stupid. What makes this work so well is inspired choice of material and the strong team effort. Material-wise, Half-Life has minimal story and no real characters, so the performers can play around in a defined space (concept, levels, events) while filling the void with their own creativity. Team-wise, people share the spotlight and set up gags for later; there's genuine theatricality, including a knack for props and stage management (of a sort) and multiple layers of kayfabe. What tumbles out of this whirlwind is peak “friends fucking about” riff comedy for the digital age. The final third or so does develop an obligatory narrative arc where the team ties together a bunch of their jokes into a semi-scripted dramatic climax that's good instead of great, but the denouement brings back the wild bullshit with flair.