Netflix is known for pretty awesome reality competitions and game show-type programs; hello Squid Games: The Challenge and Culinary Class Wars! But their latest offering, the new white elephant-inspired game What’s In The Box? leaves a lot to be desired. It’s got a glitzy and fun stage, an incredible Neil Patrick Harris as a host, and the bells and whistles. But it’s just a bit too complicated for its own good.
Neil Patrick Harris hosts What’s in the Box? on Netflix
What’s in the Box? plays out a bit like a reality competition show rather than a game show. The new show features the same contestants for the whole season and focuses a lot on contestant reactions (or confessionals) and prizes rather than gameplay. Fans will have to decide if that’s something they like.
The concept is akin to Deal or No Deal, with hints of Family Feud and trivia like Jeopardy. However, there are so many additional elements it makes it hard to follow. To start, host NPH stands in front of 13 enormous gold boxes, each contain an unbelievable, life-changing prize.
Then, eight two-player teams try to open as many of the 13 boxes as possible and hold on to the prize. To open a box, contestants play closest to the pin and guess a number. Those who come closest to the correct answer advance to the Center Circle, where the host presents them with four items, dates, or trivia to arrange in order.
Each answer gives them a turn in the guessing game, “The Grid.” They randomly pick a number 1-13, looking for the right three words pertaining to what’s in the box. If they guess all three words, they get what’s in that box. However, there are also wild cards on the grid, like a Steal card. Confused yet?
The team with the most boxes won after all 13 are opened can play for the Superbox worth over $250,000.
While NPH is funny and definitely charming as the host, the game just has so many extra elements that it gets confusing. Plus, the reality elements like interviews, potential alliances, and team cams give it an additional complicated layer.
It looks exciting, and the contestants are chatty and willing to do what it takes to win, but overall, the complicated gameplay and added elements make it much more complicated than it needs to be, taking away from the game’s charm.
What’s in the Box? is streaming on Netflix.
TELL US – HAVE YOU SEEN WHAT’S IN THE BOX? DID YOU ENJOY IT?
