As a fan of "Kaiji," an anime that I hold in high regard for its masterful blend of psychological depth and strategic, I was drawn to "Tomodachi Game" due to its thematic similarities.
My thoughts, categorized into Story and Enjoyment:
Story: 6/10
"Tomodachi Game" wastes no time, plunging viewers directly into the "Friends Game" from the very first episode. This rapid progression, however, comes at a cost. The characters, labeled as "friends," are thrust upon us without background or development, As a result, I didn't feel much tension or understand the significance of their relationships.
Strategy Game: I really liked the games and the rules themselves but the way the games play out and the result is often easy to guess (Predictable)
Psychological: The anime failed to deliver the psychological intensity that fans of the genre, including myself, crave. It doesn't do as well is in how it shows the characters' inner struggles and mind games. It's not as gripping or deep as what I loved in "Kaiji." This anime doesn't really get into what the characters are thinking or make you feel the tension between them.
Enjoyment: 8/10
I found "Tomodachi Game" to be quite enjoyable. I just really like these kinds of shows where characters have to think hard and outsmart each other.
Summary:
If you are a fan of psychological & Strategy games animes, then "Kaiji" is a must-watch. If you've enjoyed "Kaiji", consider giving "Tomodachi Game" a chance.