The Unlikely Twists of Squid Game: Unleashed
In a surprising turn of events, Netflix’s latest mobile game spinoff, Squid Game: Unleashed, takes the dark and suspenseful world of Squid Game and turns it into a fun multiplayer party game. While this might sound like an exciting twist on the original series, it ultimately falls short in capturing the essence of what makes Squid Game so compelling.
A Brief History of Squid Game
For those who may not be familiar with the show, Squid Game is a South Korean Netflix series that follows a group of individuals who are deeply in debt and struggling to make ends meet. They are invited to participate in a mysterious game where they must compete against each other in various schoolyard games, but with deadly consequences if they lose.
The show’s success can be attributed to its ability to blend social commentary on class inequality and the exploitation of the poor with dark humor and suspenseful storytelling. The series also explores themes of trauma, personal growth, and redemption, making it a thought-provoking watch.
Squid Game: Unleashed – A New Spin
In Unleashed, players take on the role of contestants in these schoolyard games, but with a twist. Instead of facing life-or-death consequences, they compete against 31 other players across three random games pulled from the show. These games include familiar favorites like "red light, green light" and racing across a bridge made of glass.
As players progress through the game, others will slowly die off, and by the end, only one player will be left standing – with a massive cash prize to boot. This is where things get interesting, as Unleashed deviates from the original series in significant ways.
Aesthetics and Game Mechanics
Visually, Squid Game: Unleashed closely follows the show’s aesthetic. Players can choose from a variety of characters, some of whom are pulled straight from the show, while others are new creations for the game. The colorful graphics and cartoon-like style give off a lighthearted vibe, which is further amplified by the presence of familiar elements like green track suits and masked guards.
However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that these surface-level connections to Squid Game don’t quite translate to an immersive experience. The story element is completely absent, making it difficult for new players to understand the context behind the game’s mechanics.
In fact, many of the elements that make Unleashed a fun mobile game are also what prevent it from being a good adaptation of what Squid Game is all about. To reduce frustration, most games have respawning, which means that even if you fail at "red light, green light" and get shot by a guard, it’s not game over – you’ll simply be slowed down in your progress to the finish line.
Similarly, each match can be completed in just a few minutes, making it perfect for short sessions on-the-go. While this is great news for players who enjoy playing mobile games, it also erases any tension that’s so core to Squid Game‘s appeal.
The Problem with Adaptations
In an effort to make the game more accessible and appealing to a wider audience, Unleashed has adopted many of the features common in free-to-play games. Players earn cash by winning matches and completing goals, which can be used to unlock new characters, costumes, and emotes.
This might seem harmless at first glance, but it ultimately leads to a jarring experience that feels more like a typical mobile game than an adaptation of Squid Game. Every time I log on, I’m greeted with a flurry of pop-ups and notifications informing me about new content or events. It’s not uncommon for me to be gifted emotes or costumes without even asking for them.
Take the example of Kang Sae-byeok, whose tragic death was one of the most poignant moments in season 1. In Unleashed, I can now make her twerk in the middle of a deadly obstacle course – a far cry from the emotional resonance of the original scene.
Conclusion
While Squid Game: Unleashed is not a bad game, it’s clear that its creators have missed the mark when it comes to capturing the essence of what makes Squid Game so compelling. By focusing on gameplay mechanics and aesthetics rather than storytelling and themes, they’ve created a game that feels like a shallow imitation of the original series.
This is not entirely unexpected, given Netflix’s history with adapting their shows into mobile games. Like Fortnite, which took the dark and suspenseful world of Battle Royale and turned it into a playful, colorful experience, Unleashed has taken the same approach with Squid Game.
However, unlike Fortnite, which managed to avoid tonal dissonance by creating a cartoonish, multiversal world that’s far removed from the island full of kids killing their classmates, Unleashed is stuck between two worlds. It wants to be a fun, lighthearted game while also paying homage to the original series – and ultimately fails to do either justice.
In the end, Squid Game: Unleashed feels like another misstep in Netflix’s efforts to expand the Squid Game universe. While it may appeal to fans of mobile games and party play, it’s unlikely to satisfy those who are looking for a more immersive experience that truly captures the essence of what makes Squid Game so great.
