Earlier than you scoff on the very concept that somebody may not know who Mr. Beast is, to be clear, I’ve heard of him. I do know his YouTube channel may be very well-liked with youthful individuals, however I have a tendency to make use of the platform for book-related content material, the occasional podcast, and tutorial movies on issues like how one can clear my coffee-maker (to make use of an precise current instance). I’m a girl in her 40s who in all probability isn’t inside Mr. Beast’s goal demo, and but, I agreed to observe three episodes of the sequence with my Prime subscription as my a part of a deal I made with fellow CinemaBlend author, Mick Joest.
No main spoilers from Beast Video games forward! I describe the sequence a bit with some examples, however I don’t identify particular contestants or the outcomes of particular competitions. (The sequence debuted in December and has been releasing new episodes all through the beginning of the 2025 TV schedule.)
First, Let Me Clarify The Deal
I’ve been recommending The Traitors to Mick since final season. He and I are each Large Brother followers (he recurrently writes in regards to the actuality competitors sequence every summer time), which is why I need him to observe The Traitors. Not simply because it options some Large Brother contestants every season, but additionally as a result of there’s a social component to the sport that’s much like the CBS hit. I do know Mick watches fairly just a few sequence already, so his time is restricted, however I’m satisfied he’ll like The Traitors if he offers it an opportunity.
In the meantime, I hadn’t initially thought-about Beast Video games as one thing I’d wish to watch. However Mick isn’t the one CinemaBlend author who’s spoken extremely about it because it premiered, and when he introduced it as much as me as a fan, I bought much more curious, so we made a deal — I’d watch three episodes of Beast Video games, and he’d watch three episodes of Season 1 of The Traitors. Jury’s nonetheless out on whether or not or not he’ll be a Traitors fan, however I’ve watched greater than three episodes of Beast Video games, and whereas I am not completely caught up on Season 1, I’m able to report in about Beast Video games, as a result of wow…
Edge. Of. My. Seat. Significantly, From The Begin
Some Fast Information About Beast Video games
–New eps arrive weekly on Prime.
–Episodes are about an hour.
–Season 1 has 9 eps to date.
–The Season 1 finale streams Thursday, February thirteenth.
–Watch Beast Video games on Amazon Prime.
For individuals who haven’t watched, Beast Video games was created and is hosted by Jimmy Donaldson (a.ok.a. Mr. Beast, the mega-popular YouTuber), and is a contest all about eliminating individuals every spherical to get nearer to a grand prize of $5 million. That in itself doesn’t sound all that thrilling to me, because it appears like a typical recreation present on paper, however the best way that eliminations occur is what had me on the sting my seat from the primary 5 minutes of the present and on.
Season 1 begins with a thousand hopeful contestants, and instantly begins the elimination course of by giving individuals decisions. I gained’t get into specifics as a result of watching how every performs out is absolutely a part of the enjoyable, however some examples embrace providing a bribe to self-eliminate, or incentivizing individuals to self-eliminate with a purpose to save the opposite members of their group. In one other situation, accepting a bribe means eliminating your complete group together with you. So the bribe-taker will get a prize for primarily ending the sport for themselves and all of their group members.
As I’m watching, my consideration is split between attempting to guess what individuals are going to do and in addition questioning what I’d do in any given situation. And similar to The Traitors, which — when at its finest — has no scarcity of jaw-dropping moments, the Beast Video games gamers’ decisions aren’t all the time straightforward to foretell.
There’s Undoubtedly A Social Aspect To This Recreation
One of many issues I like about Large Brother is that attending to the tip normally isn’t nearly successful competitions. That’s a component, for certain, however because the houseguests get rid of one another, placing your self able the place individuals wish to preserve you round is vital to survival every week. Beast Video games appears actually related in that respect.
Clearly, the episodes are reduce right down to give attention to the competitions, so we do not get to see all the socializing happening, nevertheless it’s clear as the sport goes on that the contestants are bonding and forming friendships. And in some instances, individuals are taking a dislike to different individuals. These components issue into a few of the competitions in key methods. In truth, Beast Video games appears intent on utilizing the assorted connections and rivalries so as to add further pressure and emotion to the video games.
Think about rising shut with one other participant solely to be put in a state of affairs the place it is you vs. them when it comes to who’s eradicated or advancing. That’s truthfully a obscure and fairly delicate method of describing a few of the eventualities we see play out, as a result of a few of the conditions appear downright unimaginable.
In the meantime, there are individuals who discover themselves focusing on one other particular participant for one motive or one other. However, whether or not or not they get the chance to take a shot is solely depending on the subsequent spherical and what the principles are. The video games and guidelines preserve altering all through, so you do not all the time know what you are up in opposition to till it is taking place.
Folks Are Enjoying This Recreation With Differing Targets And Values
I’m not right here to guage. This isn’t to say that I haven’t been overflowing with private opinions (not all of them optimistic) about how a few of the competitions have performed out. What I am getting at right here is, I do not assume that taking part in truthfully or as a “good individual” is essentially higher than taking part in a sneaky recreation in Beast Video games.
It is a competitors sequence and successful is the purpose. The factor about it’s, it would not appear to be set as much as cater towards one kind of participant over the opposite. Everyone seems to be presumably there to attempt to win the cash, however when push involves shove, are they prepared to betray friendships (and even merely different gamers they barely know) for their very own acquire? And in that case, what’s their worth? In the event that they settle for that worth, does it work out for them or come again to chew them quickly after?
There would not appear to be one reply for any of these questions so far as what we have seen, and I like that. Even when individuals behave predictably, the competitors not often does. Whether or not you’re being selfless or egocentric, there’s no assure it’s going to work out in your favor.
I’m Rooting For Some Particular Gamers Over Others, However Who Wins Isn’t The Solely Factor I Care About
Sure, I’ve my favorites. I gained’t get into spoilers right here, however I’ve been overjoyed by a few of the wins I’ve seen individuals have on this present, and saddened by a few of the losses, however there’s extra than simply the grand prize being handed out. Gamers have alternatives to win cash and prizes (and never all the time at the price of staying within the recreation).
So, we’re seeing individuals provided cash and different issues all through the sequence, and whereas plenty of contestants go away empty-handed, fairly just a few do not. That is significantly satisfying and lessens the frustration when a favourite participant is eradicated, however with some type of prize of their pocket.
In fact I’m curious to see who wins, particularly because the numbers dwindle even additional, however I actually simply wish to see how the remainder of this season performs out. What different eventualities are they going to be put in? Are the individuals who’ve confirmed to be reliable going to stay reliable? What different twists and turns does this sequence have in retailer? What different prizes are going to be placed on the desk to tempt individuals?
In brief, I’m not simply fascinated by realizing who wins, I’m excited to observe extra of what occurs between the place I left off and the finale, which streams tomorrow.
I’ve little question I’ll be caught up by the point it does. Sure, I barely knew what Beast Video games was earlier than I agreed to observe it, and I doubt it will be for every little thing however at this level, I’m all in.