I know 9/10 is a strange rating but I have my reasons. A lot of the reviews are calling it out for 'bad acting' except the entire show is unscripted. Minus the side characters and a few planned deaths, they winged everything. Joey didn't choose people based on their ability to act, he chose people who he knew would have great reactions to the things taking place. Also, to y'all saying they're 'breaking character'... they don't have characters. The roles are just meant to sort of enhance the experience. The reason they talk about being YouTubers all the time is because they are and the little character acting they're doing isn't to pretend they aren't.
When I initially watched every season after the first, I was skeptical. The characters in future seasons seem to grow more and more problematic. Despite this, I regretfully say that the show actually made me like some of the people I hate when they're actually on YouTube. It had pretty wicked monster design as well as intense challenges that I would definitely be surprised about if I hadn't been a baby and looked up the deaths beforehand.
The number one example of problematic, 'problematic', or just plain annoying characters is in season 3. I initially hated the inclusion of Nikita Dragun, Roi (a.k.a guavajuice), and Manny MUA, but since watching the season, I've grown a new appreciation for Manny. I like Nikita's character at times, even though she can be a bit much, but I still don't like her IRL. Not to mention the inclusion of some of my favorites. Tyler Oakley in season two and MatPat, Rosanna Pansino, Safiya Nygaard, and Colleen Ballinger in season three.
I'm trying not to include spoilers so that for those of y'all who want to see the reviews before watching can know these pretty simple details. I didn't like a lot of the seasons for the first episode but now I'm absolutely hooked. Especially on season 3 which has some pretty amazing reactions from Colleen who is an absolute queen.
Don't worry about Joey being 'biased' because he helped create the game. He stayed completely out of the puzzle making process and left it up to his awesome producers (shoutout to one of the executive producers Adam Lawson, that dude's the best). He tried to stay as out-of-it as he could so that he could actually be in the show himself. Definitely turned out really great in that aspect. Joey really brings in this element of mystery. Is he evil? Is he not? I don't actually know and it hasn't been revealed.
If you're going into this series completely blind. Keep an open mind and remember that this is an elaborate escape room game with a bunch of influencers who stayed up late to be able to film at midnight.
