[spoilers sorry lole]

last 2 eps completely ruined the show; too many things left unexplained or given corny ass reasons; last episode REALLY horrendous; tried to make us sympathize with psychos; mid ass ending; hella plot holes and pretty predictable [spoiler] (was able to guess that front man was cop brother cus like who else would it be + old man was behind it all due to the fact that he was #1 like srsly) [/spoiler]. really peaked in the "game" part of the show. why fly the vips in so late too? why have the organ plot? and in the marble game, why did ali lose since one of the rules were they HAD to play a marble game, yet lost despite not playing any? i get theres very few rules but one of the rules was they HAD to play a marble game but idk. they should have both died at least as a compromise lole. and final fight was so predictable with the anime-ass rain + ground stab near head instead of the finishing blow and suicide lmaooo.

game-part alone nice 7.5. kinda stupid fun to watch and shit.

kinda psuedo deep commentary on society (yea bro ur not wrong capitalism is ass and pushes us to do wild shit) and show was also pretty corny lolz

The first few episodes were really good but it started falling apart a few episodes in when they tried to push the whole "humans are terrible" narrative while still needing to keep the main character as the exception. Protagonist plot armour was also really obvious which diminished the tension. You can pretty much guess who lives and who dies in each episode.


I was so excited to see Gong Yoo in the beginning and was almost expecting to see his face any time someone took off their masks and even [spoiler]the Frontman until it was super obvious a few episodes in that he was the officer's brother[/spoiler].


Anyway, this was a show I was only vaguely interested in watching but pushed it to the top of my to-watch list because all my friends were telling me to watch it. After binging it, I realised that it was definitely overhyped. All the friends who were recommending this to me should go watch Liar Game and Battle Royale instead. Pros I can think of are: characters who you either like or hate intensely, some interesting games. Cons are unnecessary side plots, certain actions from the characters not making sense or being inconsistent.

[spoiler]The ending was the worst part of the show. His mom dying felt like the writers piling on the main character without it really doing much. I'd have preferred to see him actually becoming a good son after everything made him realise what a POS he'd been. Why did he wait a whole year to fulfill his promise to Sang-Byeok? How did Sang-Woo's mom still have her shop? And who leaves a luggage case full of cash on the street for everyone to see to call after a guy with wine coloured hair? Was he really thinking about going after the squid game people and risk his future with his daughter? Last episode drops the rating a whole point by itself.[/spoiler]

As per usual with many popular shows and films, it’s overhyped, overly serious and kinda dumb.
It’s a show that thinks that people with shitty lives and gambling problems are willing to die for a 0.1% chance of winning a lot of money.
Bit of a thin motivation, wouldn’t you say?
Wouldn’t you probably flee the country, if your financial situation was that shitty? Wouldn’t you rather rob a bank, or a rich family? Yeah me too, I wouldn’t hesitate for a single second if it was between that or participating in some sadistic game.
It’s such a silly concept, and yet it’s presented as if this is some sort of serious and important drama with a lot of social commentary about the nature of humanity.
I’m sorry, but this is a show where the big villain looks like he walked out of a comic book (he literally looks like Victor van Doom from the Fantastic Four), and his minions have masks with Playstation buttons on them.
It’s schlock, but it thinks it’s _Parasite_.
And don’t get met even started on the acting, it’s fucking horrible.
This might’ve worked if our characters would be forced to participate involuntarily, but at that point you’re just remaking _Battle Royale_ and _The Hunger Games_.

A perfect opening and great second episode , is let down by below average follow up episodes , which are unable to achieve the tensions or intrigue presented in earlier episodes. It may be masterpiece for those who have find death game genre through squid game, but the series death game personally didn't do much for me because I have expirenced the games and tension and political commentary from superior servings such as Kaiji and thousands of other death battle manga, Liar Game being the best .

first two episode 10 and 9
middle episode rating average 6
Final episode 5(unnecessarily extending the stale concept)

Overall 6.1/10

Visually excellent, the dark broody streets of run down neighbourhoods contrasted with the pastel, immaculate high contrast world of the game, Superbly cast and acted, the characters are well written, their desperation made palpable and importantly, all too believable. Kept me invested throughout with episode 6 being one of my favourite and most emotionally resonant episodes of television I'd seen in a while. Goes a bit off the boil towards the end which was my least favourite part and almost undoes some of the earlier good work but overall entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable.