When Squid Game first released, it was spreading and gaining praise all around the world like electricity. The series came out of nowhere to dominate conversations, social media, and Halloween costumes (you know you saw at least ten pink-suited guards that year on instagram). But fast forward to Season 2, and things haven’t gone as smoothly for the show. The sequel has left many fans feeling upset, with widespread criticism that it lacks the impact, originality, and emotional depth of its groundbreaking overly successful predecessor, that was the first season.
Season 1 had a novelty factor. It introduced us to a brutal, high-stakes risky “Death Game” that combined easy nostalgic childhood games with mental torture. Each challenge was a punch to the chest, crafted to shock and surprise the audience with the unique perspective for shows that was the first of its kind. By contrast, Season 2 couldn’t replicate that first-time thrill.
For one, we already know the rules: lose the game, lose your life. The games in Season 2 felt less impactful because the element of surprise was gone. Red Light, Green Light was horrifying in Season 1, in Season 2, it was just a familiar tune. The lack of shock factor made it harder to connect emotionally with the players’ struggles, also we knew as audience that people were gonna die so it felt like rereading a book.
Critics of Season 2 point to its weaker, more predictable plot as a truly major letdown. The first season kept us guessing at every turn, who would survive? What were the motivations behind the games? What really were the games? Why run the games? Season 2, however, fell into the trap of convenient good natured coincidences and forced dramatic moments.
Take, for example, Gi-hun’s vague and often aimless plan to bring down the organization behind the games. While it’s understandable that his trauma would make him act impulsively, the lack of a concrete plan made parts of the season feel meandering. Even the conversation about the Front Man’s dead wife felt boring, adding little to the repeating narrative.
And then there’s the finale, which turned into an action-heavy military assault. While some viewers appreciated the change of pace, others found it sudden and disconnected from the pattern that made the first season hit.
Season 1 was made around a basic logic that made its world feel real. Season 2, on the other hand, a basket of inconsistencies.
For example, why did the players suddenly start cheering for their enemies, only to oppose a moment later? And why did the anti-game let’s leave this mess group risk their lives to attack the guards after a few motivational speeches? These moments felt weird and made the story feel less like a psychological drama and more like a soap opera with a higher body count.
One of the best features of Season 1 was its characters. Gi-hun, Sang-woo, Sae-byeok, and Ali weren’t just players in a game, they were mirrors to societal struggles, each bringing their own baggage and aims to the table. Their story arcs were realistic, emotional, and deeply human.
Season 2, however, struggled to replicate that depth. While we did get some interesting backstory for major characters like the Recruiter and the Front Man, the new characters lacked the same emotional pull. The subplot involving Soldier 011’s perspective gave potential, but it was overshadowed by weaker, more basic old character arcs.
Even Gi-hun’s journey felt weak. The once-relatable hero became harder to root for as his decisions became more out on a whim. And while his determination to stop the games is admirable, his lack of direction made the plot feel scattered.
Part of Season 2’s challenge was living up to the originality of Season 1. The concept of a deadly competition rooted in childhood nostalgia was fresh and unsettling in 2021. By 2024, it’s a formula that risks feeling overused.
Season 2 tried to expand the Squid Game universe, telling more into the operations behind the games. But instead of satisfying people’s curiosity, the series reopened old familiar themes about greed and corruption. These were powerful in Season 1, but in Season 2, they felt like a reheated meal.
That’s not to say there weren’t bright spots. The insider scenes of the Recruiter’s role added a new layer of drama, and the decision to focus on the Front Man’s pov offered some fresh insights. But these moments were overshadowed by a general normal sense of déjà vu.
Interestingly, not everyone feels Season 2 was a disappointment. Some viewers liked the shift in focus from the games to character development. They enjoyed seeing more about the inner workings of the games and the people who keep them running.
For these fans, the action-packed finale was a nice change of pace. The remix of the Squid Game theme and Fly Me to the Moon brought a sense of big time drama and excitement that stood out in an otherwise uneven wavery season.
If there was one episode that came close to the magic of Season 1, it was Mingle. The stakes felt slightly higher, the tension high. It was a small echo of the first season’s brilliance.
Still, even among those who enjoyed Season 2, there’s a feeling that it didn’t quite live up to the hype. The pacing issues, lack of emotional investment in the new characters, and cliffhanger ending left many feeling upset.
Speaking of that ending, we need to talk about the elephant in the room. Season 2 didn’t so much end as it paused, leaving viewers hanging in the middle of the story. In today’s times of instant gratification, that’s a risky move. Fans who waited three years for a follow-up expected a full narrative arc, not a mid-season break.
Sure, cliffhangers have their place, but they need to be earned. Season 2’s ending felt less like a known storytelling choice and more like a marketing strategy to keep viewers hooked for Season 3.
The heart of the issue might be this: Season 2 couldn’t decide whether to stick with what worked or try something new. Season 1 was about the games and the people trapped in them, and that simplicity was its strength. Season 2 tried to evolve, exploring the broader world of the games, but it didn’t fully commit to either approach.
The result was a season that felt caught in limbo, neither a satisfying continuation of the original story nor a bold reinvention.
All in all, Season 2 of Squid Game isn’t a bad show. It’s just a victim of its own success. The big expectations set by Season 1 were always going to be hard to meet, and the sequel’s flaws were multiplied under the weight of that pressure
Here’s hoping that Season 3 can learn from these hiccups. Because if Squid Game has taught us anything, it’s that sometimes, you only get one chance to play the game right.
