Unleashing the Thrill: A Fun Game, a Flawed Adaptation, and the Future of Squid Game

Squid Game’s Unleashed: A Charming, yet Tonal Misfire

In Netflix’s latest mobile spinoff, the dark and suspenseful world of Squid Game takes a drastic turn. Unleashed, a multiplayer party game, replaces the show’s deadly and intense atmosphere with a more lighthearted, family-friendly experience. It’s as if someone took the same ingredients from Squid Game, mixed them with a dash of Fall Guys, and served with a side of adorable, cartoon characters.

Aesthetics and Gameplay

Visually, Unleashed sticks to the show’s style, with cartoonish characters and a blend of green track suits, masks, and obstacle courses. The game’s 31 players compete in three randomly selected games from the show, such as "red light, green light" or racing across a glass bridge. As players drop out, the last few remaining win a significant cash prize.

Short and Sweet Games, Respawn Mechanics, and In-App Purchases

To reduce frustration, most games come with respawning, allowing players to restart quickly, slowing down their progress, but not eliminating them from the match. Short gameplay and respawning create an experience that’s great for short, on-the-go sessions, but it erases the tension and uncertainty that made Squid Game so compelling.

Similar to other free-to-play games, Unleashed structures its model around in-game earnings, unlocking new characters, costumes, and emotes. These rewards come with a price – constant pop-ups and notifications, reminding you of your recent unlocks and current events. I’ve even received a zombie costume and a twerking emote, adding to the jarring atmosphere.

A Misfire in the Making

Unleashed is an enjoyable mobile game, but it misses the mark in terms of its connection to Squid Game. Netflix’s expansions often seem to misunderstand the essence of the show, adopting a lighthearted, amusement park-like approach, as seen in this latest installment. Unleashed’s Disneyfication of Squid Game’s dark atmosphere and themes can be attributed to its inability to grasp the show’s core essence, much like Fortnite’s colorful, cartoon-inspired take on the original film Battle Royale. Fortnite succeeded in creating a distinct, multiverse, separate from the grim reality of the movie. Unleashed, on the other hand, seems like a part of Squid Game that doesn’t understand why the series exists.