I’ve been playing Fall Guys since its launch in August 2020, and I’ve seen the game evolve from having a lot of potential to becoming somewhat stagnant over time. Recently, I achieved 100% completion, which was both fun and agonizing, and it gave me a deeper understanding of the game, leading me to write this review.
To start, Fall Guys is a fun and entertaining game. I enjoy playing solo or with friends, although it’s definitely more enjoyable with a group. That said, the game can get repetitive during longer sessions; it’s best played in bursts of one to three hours.
Most levels are fun, interesting, and sometimes challenging, while others can be rather boring. A recent addition I love is the ability to carry teammates (literally), which is both cute and helpful, especially since it lets me carry my girlfriend during matches. The developers have also introduced the functionality to create, host, and play custom games, which has been a highly requested feature. This addition is perfect for warming up or practicing specific levels if you’re aiming to improve. Furthermore, the frequent rotation of game modes keeps things fresh by introducing new levels regularly.
Now, for some broader points about the game, which aren’t entirely related to the gameplay experience but are worth mentioning.
In March 2021, Fall Guys developer Mediatonic was acquired by Epic Games, and in my opinion, this was a turning point that led to a stagnation in its development.
Previously, you could earn cosmetics no matter their rarity just by playing the game. Winning a match rewarded you with Crowns, which could then be used to purchase cooler costumes. I personally got a lot of great skins this way. However, the current system no longer allows you to buy anything meaningful without spending real money. Microtransactions have been heavily injected into the game, making it far less rewarding to win a match. Now, the only incentive for winning is bragging rights (yay, I came first… 🤦♂️).
This shift is typical for any game acquired by Epic. They’re doing the same thing to Rocket League, and it’s disappointing to see. Sure, making the game free-to-play (F2P) brought in a massive player base, but for players who want to invest more time, there’s little incentive to keep going.
All in all, Fall Guys is still a fun game, and I do recommend it. However, it does become repetitive and boring after a while, something the developers could work to avoid. Unfortunately, I doubt Epic Games will prioritize this, as their focus seems to be on monetizing the IP they’ve invested in. It’s not just about making money—it feels like they want all the money.