When you thought Squid Sport was the height of Korea’s TV thoughts video games, assume once more. The Satan’s Plan is again on Netflix right now with a brand-new season — and it’s by some means much more addictive, extra devious, and extra intellectually cutthroat than earlier than. This isn’t only a recreation present; it’s a cerebral battle royale the place genius meets betrayal, and the place one incorrect transfer can land you in jail. Nicely, the present’s model of jail, not less than.
At first look, this Korean actuality competitors appears like your typical “sensible individuals in a home” setup. However give The Satan’s Plan a couple of minutes, and also you’ll rapidly understand that what’s truly taking place right here is one thing nearer to Squid Sport meets Survivor meets a type of Mensa braintrust. Over the course of 1 week, a bunch of contestants — together with common individuals in addition to players, actors, and even Okay-pop idols— are locked collectively in a swanky residing area and compelled to battle it out in ruthless, logic-based video games which can be so complicated you’ll really feel like you have to pause the episode simply to maintain up.
Every day brings two matches: A prize match (the place gamers cooperate to earn gold items) and a principal match (the place losers get tossed into jail). These gold items act like forex. You may commerce them, bribe with them, and use them to purchase benefits. Run out, and also you’re out. And don’t let the glossy set design idiot you — the principles listed below are all the time shifting, alliances are razor-thin, and your finest good friend in a single spherical would possibly sabotage you within the subsequent.
Right here’s an instance of how The Satan’s Plan works (or, not less than, the sport portion of the present):
One mini-game from Season 1, referred to as Fragments of Reminiscence, compelled gamers to investigate a chaotic hospital scene, memorize the picture’s tiniest visible cues, after which recall particular particulars below stress. Get a query incorrect? You’re achieved. Determine to cross on too many questions somewhat than threat a incorrect reply? Your crew would possibly run out of gamers and lose the entire problem. And bear in mind: Each received match provides actual money to the ultimate prize pot, which might develop to a staggering 500 million Korean received (about $350,000). But when gamers fumble too many video games alongside the way in which? That pot stays empty.
The newly arrived Season 2 brings a brand new batch of schemers into this fiendishly intelligent labyrinth. And identical to earlier than, virtually something goes — in need of violence or stealing — which suggests the actual recreation is psychological. You’ll see offers lower in corners, belief manipulated for survival, and friendships examined below a microscope.
Lengthy story brief, it should be abundantly clear to Netflix subscribers if it’s not already: If a collection comes out of Korea, odds are it’s in all probability smarter, sharper, and extra addictive than no matter else you’re at the moment watching. As for The Satan’s Plan, this present, in my humble opinion, stays the neatest, sneakiest, and most high-stakes actuality collection that’s nonetheless flying below too many individuals’s radar.
