I still can't believe it's been over two decades since the first season of Survival Game dropped in 2000. That was something truly mind-blowing! The dynamic plot twists, the spine-tingling suspense, and that open-ended finale all left me eagerly anticipating a thrilling continuation in the second season.
And finally, the wait is over. I've just binge-watched the entire Survival Game 2 series on Premier, and I'm still reeling from the conclusion. I'm more than happy to share my thoughts without giving away any spoilers.
Don't worry, I'll keep it subtle – just enough to keep you on your toes during the show.
For those who might be wondering, Survival Game 2 is currently airing on TNT. Let me warn you upfront: if you haven't seen the first season, it's a waste of time to start the second without watching the first. Trust me on that one.
Even if you have seen the first season, but didn't quite connect with it, watching the second might not be the best use of your time either. However, if you're hooked and have invested your time and emotions into the show, you'll likely find yourself glued to the screen, searching for hidden meanings and trying to solve the mystery before anyone else. And when it's all over, you'll be eager to discuss the finale with fellow fans.
✔️ WHERE WAS SURVIVAL GAME FILMED?
Just check the credits for the answer.
While the first season pretends to take place in the taiga, it's actually set in Abkhazia!
The filming locations for this survival game
I was impressed by the specific locations shown in the screenshots, so if you're feeling adventurous, you could even plan a themed photoshoot:
As for where Igra na vyzhivanie 2 was filmed, it's pretty obvious without any hints - Uzbekistan.
Igra na vyzhivanie 2 filming locations
Yeah, the creators clearly wanted to add a Middle Eastern vibe, but personally, all that yellow and heat got old pretty quickly.
I much preferred the dark, moody landscapes of the first season's "taiga" scenes.
✔️ SOUNDTRACK, Igra na vyzhivanie
I'm a sucker for a good soundtrack, and this show's got it. I never would've thought a poem like 'Wide, My Native Land' could be turned into something so ominous, but the way it's whispered by the girl is just chilling. There's nothing particularly special about the poem itself, but the way it's delivered is what gets me. I found myself looking forward to the intro every time, even if the visuals were a bit lacking. Kudos to the sound team!
The second song in the survival game was a great touch. Now I'm listening to the poem at the start and the song at the end, and it's just perfect.
Survival Game Soundtrack
If you're interested, the artist is DRIADA, 'Krai'.
✔️ THE CAST OF SURVIVAL AND THEIR CHARACTERS
I'm not going to list everyone, because that's not the point of this review. I just want to share some of the actors who really stood out to me.
Linda Lapina and her dual roles as the twin sisters
Linda Lapina in Survival
I think she did an amazing job!
Linda's portrayal of the twin sisters, especially the fiery and seductive Vika, was spot on. She really made me believe she was playing herself, and I'm pretty sure she's just as fiery in real life.
I was really impressed with how Olga's character evolved, but then she just disappeared, and all that energy and charisma were gone. What was left was a pretty one-dimensional girl with some serious emotional issues. I have to admit, I totally bought into the idea that the actress was just like her character in real life.
Julia Volkova (role - Marina Cherkizova, cook)
I have to say, I was a bit surprised by how much I liked Julia's performance, especially given the role she was given - the stereotypical 'helpful local' who knows all the secrets of the forest. But she just seemed so down-to-earth and relatable, I found myself really rooting for her.
It's actually pretty interesting to note that she was a contestant on Season 2 of The Factory of Stars. I used to watch that show all the time, and I didn't even recognize her! I guess she's come a long way since then.
Irina Voronova (role - Anastasia Frolova, jeweler)
I have to admit, I said I'd only mention the ones who really stood out, and this actress was one of them. She had the most wooden performance out of all the characters - it was like I couldn't look away from her. I found myself staring at her lips the whole time, and it felt like they were living their own life and not even under her control. Her voice was just as bad, completely emotionless and never matched the drama of the situation.
Vladimir Vereshchagin (Nikolai Subbotin)
Nikolai Subbotin in Survival Game
I added him to this list as an exception because the main character, Nikolai Subbotin, is definitely memorable. I sat there, trying to come up with something unique to say, but I just couldn't. He did a great job, and that's all I can say.
Tatyana Novak
Tatyana Novak in Survival Game
Tatyana Novak is the only one from Survival Game who stuck in my head, and it's because of one episode where she was way too vengeful.
Chadov, Bortich, Vernik
Survival Game
I've gotta say, it felt like we were playing ourselves, but it didn't quite come together. I'm still trying to wrap my head around it.
✔️ SURVIVAL GAME, SERIES DESCRIPTION
Both seasons of Survival Game have the same underlying theme.
16 contestants are dropped into a reality TV show similar to Last Hero. In that one, it's called The Survivor.
On the surface, the rules seem pretty straightforward. You just need to make it to the end, completing challenges along the way. If you're not feeling it, you can always bow out and hit the gong.
But, of course, that's not how it goes down. In both seasons, things quickly spiral out of control from the very first episode.
The host's initial promise that the last person standing will be the winner has long since lost all meaning. What's the point of even trying? The only thing holding people back is their own self-imposed limits and personal values.
It's a tough call for every player - do you help others sometimes at the expense of yourself, or do you stick to the 'every man for himself' rule? In these new circumstances, even a stash of snacks seems like a weakness and a betrayal.
Things get even tougher because each new season throws the players new challenges, where some characters really bring their A-game and make it hard to take them down - even for the viewer. Let alone the other players. Sometimes they can't resist the temptation to do the same.
SURVIVAL GAME WITH A TWIST
The first season had a lot of explicit content, and I'd say it was a bit too much at times. Some of the scenes added to the story, but others were just cringeworthy.
Some of the more explicit scenes were actually kind of cool, though.
Survival Game with a Twist
But some of the scenes were just plain awkward and I'd rather forget they existed.
Steamy moments in the sauna
I have to say, I was a bit disappointed with the way the men's storylines played out in both seasons. In fact, I'm a bit regretful that I had to watch the show without any censorship.
✔️ STEAMY FINALE
I'd sum up the first season, and the finale in particular, with three words: 'game-changer'!
The show's creators really know how to play with your emotions and make you think.
Expect to see it all:
Biological warfare, alternate forms of existence...
Love, betrayal, and deceit...
Women who prefer women, and men who prefer men...
One thing that struck me about this show is how it seamlessly blends reality and fiction. You're watching and wondering where the line is between what's real and what's just a product of people's twisted minds trying to make you believe it's real.
I had the same thoughts as the characters, to be honest. Since it's positioned as a historical event that could've actually happened, you start to question what's real and what's just a product of people's paranoia.
The show's ability to keep you guessing is what makes it so engaging. I found myself trying to pick up on subtle clues and spotting characters who might be involved in the chaos.
What I loved about this show is how unpredictable it is. I'm used to figuring out the main antagonist early on, but this show had me stumped. I had a ton of theories, but none of them panned out!
Now, let's talk about the second season...
✔️ SURVIVAL GAME 2, CAST
Honestly, the new cast didn't impress me. None of them stood out. They just felt like an extra addition to the main characters from the previous season.
Karen Oganessian was the only one who managed to shine, and even that's a stretch. He was the only bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season.
✔️ SURVIVAL GAME 2, NUMBER OF EPISODES
Survival Game 2 number of episodes
Fortunately, there are only 8 episodes. I already mentioned that I didn't enjoy the second season.
If you haven't read that, let me reiterate. I think they could've been condensed into 2 episodes without losing any value. Or, they could've made a feature-length film and attached it as a companion piece to the first season. Like Twin Peaks. That way, the show wouldn't feel so dragged out and unnecessary.
✔️ SURVIVAL GAME 2, RELEASE DATES
The first episode is already out on Premier. You can safely binge-watch the entire season without waiting for the TV broadcast.
However, it's only just starting to air on TV.
First off, the premiere episode dropped on TNT on November 28th at 9pm.
The show airs every weekday from Monday to Thursday.
So, the final episode of Season 2, which is the eighth episode, will air on December 8th.
✔️ SURVIVAL GAME 2: THE FINE PRINT
What I'd recommend to first-time viewers is to pay close attention to the relationships between the sisters Oli and Viki, starting from their childhood.
Survival Game 2: The Fine Print
This isn't a spoiler, since most of the plot twists are still up in the air, but the narrative has become a bit clearer, and I wish I'd paid more attention to some key moments during my first watch.
Think of these tips as advice I'd give myself in hindsight, to make the viewing experience more engaging and less confusing.
(1) Pay attention to who dies and how.
(2) Keep an eye on the dynamics between Oli and Viki from the very beginning.
(3) Listen carefully to the snippets of information about the project organizers.
(4) Don't trust anyone, not even yourself when you think you've got it figured out.
These tips will come in handy not just for the season finale, but for the entire second season.
✔️ SURVIVAL GAME 2: THE ENDGAME
The Last Episode of The Hunger Games 2
I've already seen how the second season of The Hunger Games ends, but I'm not going to spoil it for you.
Yes, we'll find out who it is, and yes, we'll learn why.
But from these answers, new questions will arise.
First, what's the point of it all, and second, who are you, really?
And, of course, a few plot twists will remain unexplained.
And that's where the promise of a third season of The Hunger Games comes in.
✔️ WILL THERE BE A HUNGER GAMES SEASON 3?
It's not even over yet, but rumors are already circulating that a third season of The Hunger Games is in the works, and it's set to release in 2023. I'm not expecting any wild reactions, but I'll definitely be watching. I've got a soft spot for this show, just like I did for Major, Twin Peaks, and who knows what else...
✔️ HUNGER GAMES SIMILAR SHOWS
Are there any shows like The Hunger Games? Of course, there are.
First and foremost, Lost comes to mind. I think it's the OG of this genre. It's got the perfect mix of a gripping start, a bunch of seasons released while it's still popular, conspiracy theories, and debates about the ending that still go on to this day. And let's not forget the infamous finale.
And then there's Squid Game, Call Center, and The Hunger Games themselves...
So, if you like this genre, you won't have a hard time finding something similar.
I've got to give the first season a full 5 stars, but the second season is a solid 2 out of 5 for me, so I'm averaging it out to 4 stars - yeah, I'm a math whiz