Among Us, with Friends? | Review | Android & iOS
I have said this before, keeping it simple can be a winning formula. With regards to developing your potentially viral video game; personally, if the gameplay’s fun, is accessible, and keeps its player coming back for — just one more go, there’s hope. After all, arguably, as Stevie Nicks sings —
“Players only love you, when they’re playing.”
I’ve noticed through social media, also online articles, this is something being talked about by both developers and gamers alike, much, recently. Possibly due to the recent release of Fall Guys, too Among Us’ resurge in popularity since hitting mobile. Not that it’s easy, just a method that’s neither new, nor ground-breaking. In fact, we could revisit video games’ beginning, almost, to recall Pong for evidence on how popular simplicity can be. Then again throughout gaming history, by proven successes: Pac-Man, Snake, and more recently Tetris 99, et cetera, etc.
A family member introduced me to Innersloth’s Among Us, but it wasn’t until I shared with friends, that the real fun began. This multiplayer game even has its own sub genre: social deduction, and is perfect for some quality entertainment during lockdown.
Played locally via wifi or online, with 4–10 players, Among Us is a space-themed game of teamwork and betrayal. Journeying back to civilisation, you discover something’s not quite right. The ship’s falling apart. Your crewmates are losing their heads, literally. Could there be … an impostor aboard?
Nobody knows until shortly after launch whether they’ve been replaced by a parasitic shapeshifter. There could be one, two, even three alien scum on board. Whoever you are, you’ll have your own set of goals. Crewmates must work together to correctly identify, then eject the pretender/s or complete tasks before they’re picked off. Impersonators, contrastingly’ve different objectives; sabotage and kill! This really throws a spanner in the skull, sorry … works. OK, I admit, that does sound sus’. It’s game over, when teammates’ve collectively completed duties, otherwise ejected said impostor/s. Hoodwinkers can win, sabotaging ship, else murdering 80% of its crew, if my math’s correct (?)
It is so fun, guys! Whether you’re playing sleuthing handyman crewmate or bare-faced lying assassin, you can easily lose time. Which’s Among Us’ main attraction. An attribute that even the sometimes clunky input controls can’t overshadow. Some friends have called its graphics, ugly. I disagree, finding them easy on the eye, comically cute — even Nintendo DS era reminiscent. There is not really any music to shout about, and the sound effects just work. You’ll likely find this game accessible, then have good times mastering it. There’s ‘freeplay’ mode, where you can both explore, familiarising yourself with the layout of all three ships and practice tasks, venting — cold-blooded murder, before hosting or joining a lobby. I’ve also put together a ‘getting started’ guide, which contains the core basics to help get you going. Think of it as a briefing before lift-off.
Among Us’ only contra, personally I feel, is actually player based. Let me clarify that. Mostly, you’ll meet like-minded players. But, as the saying goes — there is always one who wants to spoil things. It’s so annoying when games get cut short because players have left since things haven’t gone their way, and really frustrating upon realising people are conspiring together using outside means. Let’s not forget them who use the platform as a dating app. Oh, then those infamous hackers, pulling strings, manipulating gameplay. There’s even been a huge spam attack recently. Chat can be censored, though currently people are free to use whichever name they create. Hosts can ‘kick’ most troublemakers. Quitters? They’re more difficult to avoid.While this toxicity does not completely ruin, stop me advocating, nor should it put you off playing Among Us. It’s still a shame: Recommending gathering 9 buddies for private matches, so to avoid the aforementioned noyances. Because these experiences are about spending time with mates, but strangers too, then sometimes making new pals. I’ve had some fun times and made good friends from mulitplayer games. Which is the perfect segway to; unfortunately, we can’t add friends in-game, yet. But! Thankfully accounts are coming sometime next month, which’ll hopefully put the kibosh on much of that hacking and spamming currently plaguing servers. In the meantime, there are official, and unofficial Among Us Discord communities, where you can meet agreeing players.
They did say work hadn’t officially started. However, Innersloth announced recently, Among Us 2 is cancelled. That said, the developers also mentioned everything that was going in the sequel, will now be added to the o.g. version. So, all is not lost! Among Us will be bigger and better than ever, which is a glowing silver lining if you ask me. Spaceships are currently decked in Halloween fandangles. I can see Among Us trending some time yet. If you would like to give the game a try, it’s available at £3.99 on Steam (Windows,) direct from Innersloth (itch.io,) and via Apple’s App Store or Google Play for free. Cross-platform too!
A happy Chewbacca plays Among Us!
Would you like some fun gameplay for viewing? Perhaps, how not to be an impostor? Guidance on being good spirited and helping your crewmates?Thanks my friends, who joined in. Thought I’d try something different. I had a blast making this!
