I’m Shocked Stranger Things’ Best Spin-Off is this Free 81 Metacritic Game

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It’s hard to believe, but the end of Stranger Things is here. I first started watching when I was in college, and now, almost ten years later, it’s amazing to see the show finish its run. Stranger Things has been a huge hit for the past decade, and though the final season had some flaws, it marks the end of a really special time for television. The finale feels both sad and satisfying, and I’m a little surprised the show didn’t branch out into other areas, like video games, before concluding.

Okay, so there’s a ton of Stranger Things stuff everywhere, right? I mean, Eggo waffles are flying off the shelves and everyone was rocking Hellfire Club shirts after Season 4. It’s huge in pop culture, but honestly, it feels weird that it hasn’t really blown up in gaming. There have been a few Stranger Things games, but none of them have become massive hits. It’s a bummer because the show feels perfect for a game, and I even heard one promising one got canceled! Still, that doesn’t mean the games aren’t worth checking out. There’s one in particular, called Stranger Things: The Game from 2017, that I think is actually really good – it might be the best thing we’ve got right now, even if a lot of people missed it when it first came out.

Stranger Things: The Game is also titled Stranger Things: 1984 depending on the online store.

Stranger Things: The Game is an Underrated Retro-Inspired Gem

Image via Netflix
  • Stranger Things: The Game is only available for mobile devices (iOS and Android).
  • The game takes place between Season 1 and Season 2.

Currently, Stranger Things: The Game is the best-received game based on the show, and it’s easy to see why. Its retro 16-bit style and gameplay, reminiscent of classic games like The Legend of Zelda, perfectly capture the feel of the 1980s setting. Turning Stranger Things into a pixelated, top-down adventure just feels right. Previous Stranger Things games haven’t quite succeeded, but this one does a great job of maintaining the show’s atmosphere, even with its limitations as a mobile game. In fact, being designed for mobile devices actually helps the game, as it suits the simple, classic gameplay. Players get to control many of their favorite characters, and while not everyone is included, the selection is still enjoyable.

Image via Netflix

Every Playable Character in Stranger Things: The Game

  • Hopper
  • Mike
  • Nancy
  • Lucas
  • Will
  • Dustin
  • Eleven
  • Max (added in honor of Season 2)

While not a complex game, Stranger Things: The Game was a fun and simple way for fans to enjoy more of the show’s 80s vibe after finishing the series. Its simplicity is actually a strength, making it a relaxing experience that adds to the Stranger Things universe. It’s arguably the best video game based on the show, but other options exist too. Though they don’t quite reach the same level of enjoyment, they’re worth checking out, particularly for devoted fans looking for even more Stranger Things content after the finale.

Stranger Things Games Feature One Hit and Two Misses

Game Metacritic Score
Stranger Things: The Game 81
Stranger Things 3: The Game 53
Stranger Things VR 44

While games like Stranger Things 3: The Game and Stranger Things VR didn’t receive high praise from critics, they demonstrate Netflix’s attempts to expand the Stranger Things universe into gaming. Adapting a popular franchise into a video game is challenging, and historically, licensed games haven’t had a great reputation. They’re often seen as quick and easy ways to make money, but Stranger Things: The Game managed to avoid that trap by offering simple yet engaging gameplay with a distinctive style. Despite its success, the game also serves as a reminder of another Stranger Things game that was planned but ultimately canceled.

The world of Stranger Things has expanded into several popular video games. You can find references and content from the show in games like Fortnite, Dead by Daylight, and surprisingly, even Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.

Telltale’s Canceled Stranger Things Game Could Have Been the Franchise’s Big Break Into Gaming

Image via Netflix
  • Little is known about the game, but it was slated for a 2019 release.
  • The game was canceled when Telltale Games abruptly shut down in 2018.

It’s disappointing that this project joined the list of promising games that were ultimately canceled. While game cancellations happen, they’re always tough to see. Telltale Games was known for creating excellent adaptations of popular movies and TV shows, like their versions of Batman, Game of Thrones, Back to the Future, and The Walking Dead. It’s a shame we won’t get to experience their take on Stranger Things.

Despite being revived under new ownership (LCG Entertainment), Telltale Games’ Stranger Things game remains unfinished. The studio is currently focused on the sequel to The Wolf Among Us, and its plans beyond that are still unknown.

While Stranger Things hasn’t become a massive gaming success, it does have one standout achievement. Despite some ups and downs throughout its run, the show has consistently been enjoyable and brought a wave of 80s nostalgia back into the mainstream. From sparking a renewed love for Eggos to introducing a new generation to Dungeons & Dragons, the end of Stranger Things represents the conclusion of a beloved era in pop culture.

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2026-01-05 17:06