Squid Game and The Blood Joy/ 鱿鱼游戏的血腥娱乐 Part 2

#Ipohboymovie : 7.4 /10
#IMBD : 8.1/10
#RottenTomatoes : 94/100
#GoogleRating : 4.7/5

[Part 1] / [Part 2]

Following the Part 1 of the storyline review, in this post, I am gonna talk about the game design and lessons behind each game, and some of explanations were referenced from this post1 and post2.

Red Light and Green Light

“1st Lesson: To be the first to test water, you must be very capable; else, you might fail greatly and unexpectedly."

Red light and green light crossing is almost basically everybody childhood games. In western countries, they refer this as “statue”; while in other Asian countries, they are called as 1, 2, 3, Wooden Guy (in Malaysia). The game mechanism is not much different comparing different countries. When the game master (Gargantuan) speaks/ sings, players are allowed to move forward to cross the finish line. However, those who are caught moving after the game master once turns around, they will be considered to be losers. They surely did not expect to be shot dead! That’s why there will be those “blunt” ones who are adventurous to test water for you.

Gargantuan, which is a gigantic doll, was idolised for its bizarre yet adolescences appearance, under the artificial blue sky and sandy landscape. This was said to be similar as scene in The Truman Show (1998). However, to me, it felt that like our training/play field (padang besar) at our schools.

Dalgona/Ppopgi

“2nd Lesson: Even you are in deep s***, your calmness is the solution to any difficulties”

Dalgona, unlike the previous game, is more common in Korea. A cookie-like dessert, made in the form of honeycomb toffee candy, was passed to the players. But, there’s a catch where the players needed to carve out a circle, triangle, star or umbrella perfectly, else they will be “eliminated”.

Without the tips, the player 456 chose umbrella based on his liking or gut feelings (which again proven to be unlucky). The game play happened in children’s playground, with so many colours, supposedly to be a happy place. Ironically, this would be the grave of many players, the last of their good memories as a child. Player 456, in the nick of time, thought of a way to melt the sugar, using his saliva! This portraits how he sailed through a storm with a calm thought.

Tug of War

“3rd Lesson: Nobody will know the outcome of unknown combination”

The tug of war is a well-known game involving strong physique to pull to the side of the winner. When the players were mixed with mostly less muscular guys, women and old man such as players 456, 001 and 67, it was kinda destined to lose.

But with good strategy from player 001, it showed that an old man can a gem as they are more experienced in life. As the tug of war was contested at highly elevated ground, the losing side would descend to their deaths.

Games of Marble

“4th Lesson: Once an ally, may never be an ally forever. Protect yourself more”

The next game involves the marble game. It was more of a free-style game, but those with the more marbles in the pair, can continue to the next game. But, the more compelling of this game was the scene, whereby it featured a sunset background with houses from other eras. Kinda nostalgic !

The more memorable scene was the betrayal of Player 199, when he foolishly handed over his marbles to Player 218. But, as a factory worker, hardly believable that player 199 could not differentiate the rocks and marbles. Anyway, bear in mind that your friends and your mentor can very well change over time, and they might not be who they were years ago. Just beware !

Crossing Glass Tile

“5th Lesson: Life sometimes is about luckiness and probability”

In the beginning of the game, player 456 was a great showcase of pure bad luck, thus, in the next time, players needed to choose one number from 1 to 16. He hesitated in grabbing the number between 1 and 16, knowing that he would either the most unlucky or lucky contestant.

As lady luck was on his side, 16 meant that he would be the last to cross the deadly glass tile, while others would need to guess which glass was tempered or fragile. A lot dropped and died, some were suicidal. And, there were 3 left! So, as the number of people changed, luck changed.

Squid Game

“6th lesson: People still can change if they want to”

Squid game was introduced in the very first episode when the boys were young. Now, at the training field, two childhood friend, with the Supreme Spectators, they needed to fight for the final cash money! This really resembled “Gladiator 2000”, where they would fight to the death, but now in the form of offense and defence team. Player 456 won the game, yet he was obliged to do the final kill, yet at this stage, his conscience broke through and hesitation was getting stronger. This moment, player 216 decided to sacrifice himself. That’s why people can change, for better or worse, if they want to.

So, which game is your favourite? Let’s discuss and comment.