Netflix Games shows promise, but a lack of compelling new content had me wanting more

This past calendar week, Netflix officially made its next large leap into the video game industry. The Netflix Games umbrella has now arrived on Android devices, giving u.s. a outset look at what the streaming goliath may bring to the tabular array.

For the past few days, I've defended some time to explore the five mobile games available at launch. On November 3rd, Netflix released the following titles: Stranger Things: 1984, Stranger Things iii: The Game, Shooting Hoops, Card Smash, and Teeter Upward. All of these games are now bachelor to download and play for free every bit long as y'all have an active Netflix subscription and are able to sign in to your account.

From a evolution and publisher perspective, Netflix partnered with a Texas-based studio BonusXP to develop Stranger Things: 1984 and Stranger Things 3: The Game. Shooting Hoops and Teeter Upwards stalk from publisher Frosty Pop. Rounding out the bunch are Amuzo & Rogue Games, who brought Card Blast to life.

Across the five titles, Netflix Games currently ranges from casual to more than immersive experiences. Let'southward accept a expect at each game to come across simply how successful the first wave of Netflix Games is for the mobile market.

Stranger Things: 1984 (formally known equally Stranger Things: The Game) is a pretty robust pixel-based run a risk game centred around Netflix's premier Stranger Things series. It's packed with retro nostalgia, not solely based on the material only also how the game looks and plays. You tin play equally a number of core characters, solve puzzles, defeat enemies, and cruise around the city of Hawkins. I had a lot of fun with this ane as it invokes a lot of NES-era energy.

As for Stranger Things iii: The Game, the game nevertheless holds a very retro feel while playing. However, the telescopic of the game is a chip more expansive. The game serves equally a companion slice to the 3rd season of the series. You can play every bit i of 12 characters and team up with friends for some classic beat 'em upwards action. The game as well offers really unique puzzles. Fans of the show will also appreciate some of the graphic symbol moments depicted in the game.

Teeter is a game that is not based on an established Netflix IP. Here, you'll residue a brawl on a board and try to guide information technology into a hole by tapping the screen to raise the lath. It's simple in concept but challenging in execution, every bit the game throws more physics-based puzzles into the mix. While still remaining on the casual side, I had some brainless pop-in and pop-out fun with this game.

Side by side upward is Shooting Hoops. At first glance, I was positive that this game was based on the short-lived blithe series Hoops, starring Jake Johnson. However, once I started playing, I quickly realized that the game wasn't based on the Netflix IP at all. In the game, yous must sink a basketball strapped with a dart gun into a hoop. The brawl will bounce in the reverse management of which y'all tap on the screen. At that place'south a steep learning curve that threw me off the game initially. Over time, I did go a hang of it but the game wasn't engaging enough to stick with past a dozen or so levels.

Finally, we have Card Blast, Netflix Games' last offering. Once over again, this game isn't based on a series or motion-picture show. Card Smash is a thinly veiled 'lucifer-iii' type game. As a random hand of cards floats across the screen, you must pair cards together to make the best poker easily possible. Points are determined by whether you can form a flush, pair, three of a kind, or straight. Power-ups tin also be collected to improve scores or freeze the cards from moving beyond the screen. Some puzzle elements are interesting, but this was another championship that failed to go on my attention for all also long.

"…information technology'due south articulate that ads, microtransactions, time gating, and other nefarious tactics usually seen on the mobile market place won't be included in the games"

As far as the Stranger Things content goes for Netflix Games, the offering is pretty solid. BonusXP put a lot of thought and intendance into their games. Though, a lot of why its games stand out is attributed to the fact that both titles were developed and published exterior of the Netflix Games launch. Stranger Things: 1984 was first launched in 2017, while Stranger Things three: The Game followed in 2019. It's only the three unestablished titles that are truly new to the mobile ecosystem

It'southward absolutely a little disappointing that Netflix Games didn't release a new must-play feel based on something recently in the zeitgeist. Stranger Things content is ever welcome in my life but nosotros're currently in an extended lull between seasons. If I was looking for something more involved outside of that IP, Shooting Hoops, Carte Blast, and Teeter Up sadly aren't going to give that to me. Netflix thankfully has a lot of interesting IPs to work with. The possibilities are countless with the likes of Squid Game, The Queen'south Gambit, Big Mouthand others up its sleeve.

That said, Netflix Games does evidence promise. Netflix has ensured players that the games released will range and cater to beginning players to the more than established. As well, it's clear that ads, microtransactions, time gating, and other nefarious tactics normally seen on the mobile market won't be included in the games. Netflix has also confirmed that some of its games can exist played offline, though at that place will exist those that require an LTE/Wi-Fi connection.

Mike Verdu, vice president of Netflix's Game Development branch, has made it articulate that the company will be adding to the "entertainment offering in the months ahead." In September, it was announced that Netflix acquired its very first game development studio, Oxenfree maker Night School Studio, to become the outset major supporting team in its pursuit of establishing itself in gaming. Not much is known on what the studio volition exist working on or if it volition fifty-fifty be a mobile game. Even so, the prospect of a game based on a Netflix IP in the same vein as Oxenfree or Subsequently Party is very tantalizing.

Currently, the Netflix Games catalogue is only bachelor on Android devices. iOS support is said to be "on the mode." Still, details on when Apple users can swoop in have not been announced by Netflix.