Squid Game: Unleashed Review – A Fun Game Marred by Poor Adaptation

February 20, 2025 moneymetrics.org_admin Technology

A Party Game with a Disturbing Twist

The popular Netflix series Squid Game has taken the world by storm, captivating audiences with its thought-provoking storylines and nail-biting game challenges. The show’s success has led to various spinoffs, including a new mobile game called Unleashed. While it may share some similarities with the original series, this game takes a peculiar approach that is both fascinating and frustrating.

A Watered-Down Experience

In Squid Game: The Challenge, players compete against each other in a series of games inspired by the show. However, unlike its predecessor, Unleashed prioritizes fun over tension and suspense. This mobile spinoff is more akin to Fall Guys than Squid Game, with a focus on multiplayer gameplay and colorful visuals.

Aesthetics that Fall Short

Visually, Unleashed closely resembles the show it’s based on. The game features a range of characters, both from the original series and new ones created specifically for this title. Although the graphics have a cartoonish feel to them, they can be quite graphic at times. Players are sometimes shot or crushed by obstacles, which may seem out of place in a mobile game.

The Show’s Connection is Skin-Deep

While Unleashed pays homage to its source material, it does so without delving deeper into the show’s themes and storylines. The connections between the two are largely superficial, making it challenging for newcomers to understand the context behind the game.

Respawning and Short Match Times

To mitigate frustration, most games in Unleashed feature respawning mechanics. This means that even if a player fails at a particular challenge, they can simply restart from where they left off. Additionally, each match lasts only a few minutes, making it easy to play short sessions on the go.

Free-to-Play with In-App Purchases

Despite being completely free for Netflix subscribers and non-subscribers alike (for a limited time), Unleashed follows the typical free-to-play model. Players earn in-game currency by winning matches and completing objectives, which can be used to unlock new characters, costumes, and emotes.

Pop-Ups and Notifications Galore

Unfortunately, this mobile game is plagued by pop-ups and notifications that often feel intrusive. Every time a player logs in, they’re greeted with messages about new content or events, such as Christmas-themed challenges. This can be overwhelming and detracts from the overall gaming experience.

A Misguided Interpretation

While Unleashed is not a bad game per se, it fails to capture the essence of Squid Game. It’s an attempt at creating a multiplayer party game that, in many ways, resembles Fall Guys but with a Squid Game twist. However, this approach completely misses the point of the original series.

A Cartoonish Take on a Grim Story

The problem with Unleashed is that it fails to convey the same level of tension and suspense found in Squid Game. The game’s creators have opted for a more lighthearted, colorful approach that feels at odds with the show’s themes.

A Missed Opportunity

In contrast, other games like Fortnite have successfully adapted their source material while maintaining a tone that is consistent with the original story. Unleashed, on the other hand, seems to be another example of Netflix expanding its universe without fully understanding why it exists in the first place.

Conclusion

While Unleashed is an enjoyable mobile game in its own right, it falls short as a faithful adaptation of Squid Game. Its attempts at capturing the show’s essence are half-hearted at best, resulting in a confusing and inconsistent experience. For fans of the series, this spinoff may be disappointing; for newcomers, it may not provide the same level of engagement that the original show offers.

Rating: 6/10

Recommendation: If you’re looking for a fun multiplayer game with colorful visuals, Unleashed might be worth trying. However, if you’re a fan of Squid Game, this spinoff may not live up to your expectations.

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