In Squid Game, the games themselves are insanely hard and challenging, testing every facet of the character’s mental and physical fortitude and forcing them to either work together or betray their allies to make it out alive. With the prize so high and the price for losing even higher, each game is crafted in evil and unbalanced ways, to favor certain types of players and little out the weaker ones.
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Whether it is strength, agility, precision, or intelligence, there is no room for error but even players who may be highly skilled or hyper-intelligent, struggle to clear some of the games involved in Squid Game as there is just as much luck involved when it comes to the more cruel and unfair games in the show.
9
Russian Roulette
A Game Of Luck Those Who Dare
A basic premise with deadly consequences for the player who loses, Russian Roulette makes an appearance early in the second season, with the Recruiter initiating the test of courage. It’s simple enough: just pull the trigger and hope there isn’t a bullet in the chamber. It starts out with okay odds and gradually becomes more and more scary and dangerous.
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Without the promise of a monetary reward, the incentive becomes that of pure survival. And because the odds are equally bad for both players, decreasing with every turn, it is one of the fairer games comparatively but still a deadly outcome for the loser.
8
Red Light, Green Light
Patience Is A Virtue
The first main game in the series and one of the easiest and simplest. Just get to the other side without being spotted, as the lines of rifle-wielding guards will be quick to shoot down any movement. Being the first game, it is relatively easy and fair for every player involved. It just requires some decent nerves and speed to make it across the finish line.
The game becomes even more balanced as in the second season, Gi-sun brings his previous knowledge and cries out to the other players, aiding them with coordination and communication. While there are opportunities for other players to sabotage to an extent, it is still a pretty solo-oriented game that is beatable without much effort or worry.
7
Squid Game
The Titular Finale
The game the show is named after puts two players in a 1v1 of strength, speed, and mental fortitude, as in the case of the show, it is Gi-hun and Sang-woo who are pitted against each other in a brutal fight to the death can only end with one winner.
There are several ways the final game could pan out. For instance, one player could be significantly larger and faster than the other, being able to win off of sheer power. But the biggest factor is the psychological battle at play. Players have to kill someone they potentially made friends with or had significant affection towards, making it incredibly difficult to give it their all when the person on the other side of the game area is someone so dear to them.
6
Dalgona
Make The Right Choice
Dalgona is an interesting game, as, unlike many others, it involves little to no physical strength or interactions with other players. Instead it is entirely solo based and requires careful movements and precise cutting, so as not to break the cookie and be executed on the spot.
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The problem arises from the players’ introduction to the game space. Instead of explaining the game beforehand, players are asked to choose a shape on the wall and start a line in front of their selection. With no information or clue as to what the game will be, the selection is effectively random, and thus, some will be happy with their lucky choice of a square or triangle, while others will be unfairly bestowed a fate with the umbrella and have to quickly guide the needle through the outline before the timer ticks to zero.
5
Marbles
Choose A Fate Of Your Own
Another game dependent not on brawn but on brain power, the marbles game is an evil and crafty creation by the makers, forcing a duo of what were assumed to be teammates, to quickly become rivals, resulting in some heartbreaking sacrifices and deaths that were among the most memorable.
At first, it seems like a fairly even setup, as the players are allowed to decide on any kind of game, whether throwing-related, counting, or random dumb luck. But when placing two friends, lovers or other companions against one another, the fairness goes out the window as the players either have to decide to win and lose a part of themselves or die to allow them to live. It is one of the more cruel games mentally, and though it doesn’t involve too much combat or planning, the mental aspect is still incredibly challenging and leaves many players scarred to the core.
4
Tug of War
Strong Body, Strong Mind
Once again, the creators of the games force players to make a choice before the game is even revealed. The Tug-Of-War game is incredibly punishing for teams that are ill-equipped for the physical and mental requirements for succeeding in this very basic test of strength. By giving players a free choice, many made assumptions that the game was going to require stronger teammates, which meant that the larger players naturally gravitated to specific teams.
After the decisions, many teams were left with a mix-match of semi-athletic players and older individuals with weaker physical capabilities, making the upcoming game nearly a guaranteed loss. It is an unfair draw of hands with teams being decided more on the ability to bully and pull together a lucky set of players, which forced many into a less-than-desirable group and required significant communication and willpower to win versus the physical attributes of the opposing team.
3
Six-Legged Race
Coordination In Competition
While many of the games are unfair for their premise or imbalance of ability, the main difficulty with the Six-legged Race is the lack of control over 80% of the outcome. If the other players in the group don’t have the nerve or the ability to perform under pressure, then it’s game over for everyone involved.
As a result of this lack of control, many players resort to yelling and threatening their terrified teammates to attempt to motivate them, but at the end of the day, the success of the game is pretty much down to whether each individual is capable of completing their own playground game and if even one link breaks, then the whole thing comes crumbling down. Each part may be simple but in a complete sequence, it is a mad dash to the finish line, with little room for error.
2
Mingle
All Out Panic And Mayhem
In terms of cruelty levels, it doesn’t get much tougher than Mingle. A playful tune then instant carnage as players rush for the nearest door, hoping that they have the correct number in their room when the clock hits zero. No more, no less, and no room for error for anyone and anyone can become an enemy or ally in seconds.
The fairness aspect comes from the lack of ability to change the outcome once the doors close. The whole game is over within a matter of moments, with each round eliminating some opponents who were too slow and others who were physically shoved aside, despite previously being allied with those inside the rooms. Friendships are arguably the most valuable asset in the game, but even those are cast aside when life is on the line and many players are left out of groups that they certainly belonged to, all because of the cruel numbers randomly picked each round.
1
Glass Bridge
Let Fate Take The Wheel
Arguably the hardest, and certainly the most unfair, game in the entire series, the Glass Bridge tasks the remaining set of players with crossing a set of glass panels in rows of two, with one side safe and the other a fall to death. One contestant points out that the chances that he guesses every single one correct are in the region of 1/30000, and with literally zero skill or preparation that could help, the lives of the contestants are left up to fate.
It is only thanks to Do Jung-soo that the final few even make it to the end, thanks to his knowledge as a glassmaker allowing him to perceive differences in the panes. But if it weren’t for his fortunate presence in the final four, it is almost certain that no one would have made it through alive, and by making victory basically a game of luck, it is obviously cruel and unjust, especially considering the hardships of the previous games that have already been endured.