Among Us review

A Dive into the Virtual Deception

Among Us is a multiplayer game developed and published by the American game studio InnerSloth. It gained a sudden surge of popularity during the pandemic, quickly becoming a cultural phenomenon. The game revolves around a crew of spacemen trying to maintain their spaceship, with a twist - there are imposter(s) among them with a mission to sabotage the crew's efforts and take control of the spaceship. The crew must figure out who the imposter is before it's too late, leading to an exciting premise of deception, investigation, and teamwork.

The player base consists primarily of young adults, as the game requires strategic thinking, well-formed arguments, and sometimes even ruthless manipulation. However, its simplistic design and easy-to-understand mechanics make it approachable for all ages. Additionally, the game's online multiplayer functionality allows friends or strangers from around the world to play together, making it a socially engaging activity.

A Closer Look at the Strengths and Weaknesses

The strength of Among Us lies in its addictive gameplay that is both thrilling and intense. The game successfully fosters a sense of intrigue and suspense throughout its course. The colorful, bubbly graphics and expressive character design make it visually appealing and help alleviate some of the intense atmosphere created in the gameplay.

Despite its popularity, the game is not without its weaknesses. For starters, the game is heavily dependent on the honesty of its players. If a player chooses to share the identity of the imposter outside of the game (often through a separate chat or call), it can ruin the whole experience. Additionally, the limited number of maps and tasks can eventually lead to repetition, making rounds predictable.

The game also lacks a robust reporting or penalty system for inappropriate behavior. Harassment or harmful behavior from other players can significantly impact the gaming experience, and unfortunately, these incidents are not rare. A stronger system to report and penalize these infractions could greatly enhance the overall player's experience.

Interesting Facts About the Game

• Among Us was initially inspired by the party game "Mafia", where you try to figure out who among the group is dishonest.
• The actual development time of the game was around six months, but the game was not a big hit from the start.
• The game's popularity exploded when popular streamers and YouTubers, like Sodapoppin and PewDiePie, started playing the game and broadcasting it to their massive fan bases.
• Among Us was nominated for Best Mobile Game and Best Multiplayer Game at The Game Awards 2020 and won the award for Best Mobile Game.
• The developers initially intended to make a sequel called "Among Us 2", but due to the sudden popularity of the original game, they decided to cancel Among Us 2 and instead relentlessly improve the features of the original game.
• The game supports cross-platform play, meaning mobile and PC gamers can play together.
• Despite its simple graphics, Among Us requires strategic communication and deduction skills. 
• The astronauts in Among Us have no name or identification marks, and players usually identify them by their color.
• Initially, the game had only one map (The Skeld), but due to its popularity, the creators added two more - Mira HQ and Polus, followed by a fourth one named Airship. 
• Among Us also inspired a huge fan art trend, with people creating their interpretations of what the crewmates and imposter(s) would look like in real life. 
• As of 2021, Among Us has been downloaded more than 200 million times on mobile platforms. 
• The game had a peak of 3.8 million concurrent players in September 2020.  
• In the game, the players who are killed become "ghosts." These ghosts have tasks to finish to help the other players win, so the game does not end when the player dies. 
• Some players have created modes and special rules of their own in the game to make it more exciting, such as Hide and Seek, Protect the President, and more.

The Gamer Experience

As for user impressions, the reception of Among Us has been majorly positive, earning a 4.5 out of 5 on the Google Play Store, with over 10 million downloads. Comments often highlight the game's strong social aspect and its uncanny ability to foster engaging discussions and spirited debates.

However, there have been criticisms directed towards the lack of variety in gameplay and the occasional toxic player. These valid points of feedback point the way to potential improvement paths for the developers.

In summary, while Among Us is not without its flaws, it has successfully carved its place in the gaming world, offering a unique and exciting experience that bridges the gap between virtual and social gaming.