The Phenomenon Known as Fall Guys

Released earlier this month, Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout has emerged as one of the most popular games of 2020. The concept of the online multiplayer elimination game is very simple: Be the last of 60 contestants to survive multiple rounds of action to claim victory. Gameplay mechanics are very simple to grasp and the game itself can be enjoyed by both adults and children alike. Most of all the game is fun. Sounds like a winner to me.

According to GameSpot.com, Fall Guys is the most downloaded game globally on Playstation Plus and has already surpassed $7 million in sales on the PC platform. That is more than just a great start, it is an insanely successful beginning for a game that burst onto the scene less than 30 days ago. But when considering the characteristics of the game I mentioned in the above paragraph, it shouldn’t be much of a surprise that this game has exceeded expectations. If a game is first and foremost a game that players of all ages can find fun, you just may have a winner on your hands. This is true within any sector of entertainment. One of the main reasons that the launch of Star Wars was successful in 1977 and continues to be one of the most popular brands to this day is because of its appeal to all ages and also how fun the movies are to watch.

I’ve had an opportunity to try Fall Guys within the past week and even though it is not necessarily my cup of tea, it was easy to recognize why this game is so popular. It has a fun, silly and childlike charm to it that can be a draw into itself. Because of its aesthetics, it isn’t a game that is meant to be taken seriously. Sure players are playing to win but in no way did I ever feel a sense of tension during my two runs in the game. Maybe it could be the fact that in no way is the game trying to be realistic or based on any sense of realism. Whatever the case may be, what the game has and aims to be works very well.

I am very happy for Devolver Digital for their success with Fall Guys. The publisher is known for games such as Enter the Gungeon, RUINER, Shadow Warrior, BroForce, My Friend Pedro, and Hotline Miami. Devolver Digital prides itself in working with independent developers and it shows because their games tend to be much different than the mainstream game offerings. However, the majority of the publisher’s games appeal to a more mature audience. That is what makes Fall Guys such a pleasant surprise.

If you happen to be reading this before the end of August, you can download this game for free if you already subscribe to PS Plus. The game is also available for PC through Steam for $19.99. I highly recommend that you check it out if you are curious about the hype surrounding the game. With an “E” rating, it also is a title that you can allow your children to play without having to worry about questionable content.

Season 2 will be coming in the future and there are also plans in place for a mobile version of the game. I believe this game has the potential of being just as big on the mobile platform if the gameplay mechanics and controls are implemented properly. This is a game I can easily see people playing on their phones while waiting in the lobby of a doctor’s office. So I look forward to seeing how this game progresses in the future.

Just wanted to shed some light on this game. I definitely appreciate that it represents the most important aspect of gaming: Fun.

-TVGA

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