The Sequel To That Netflix And Chill Game Is Better Than The First

Dating, for the most part, sucks. You spend your time searching for a decent, interesting human being to spend time with while navigating creeps who hit on you just because you’re wearing a Spider-Man shirt (true story). But the game Flix and Chill 2: Millennials will remind you that while dating is difficult, finding your significant other makes it worth the trouble in the end.

Melanie has the option of ending up with Winnie in the first episode.

Like its predecessor, Flix and Chill 2 is a point-and-click game that contains episodes in which you play as different characters. The sequel has four episodes, whereas the original had five. The end goal is the same: To go home with someone at the end of the night. In order to win someone’s heart, you must pick the right dialogue options.

In my piece on the original Flix and Chill game, I pointed out some racist language and problematic actions that made me uncomfortable. Thankfully, I didn’t encounter any of these issues in the sequel. Three out of four characters are people of colour, and at least two main characters, Melanie and Rose, are LGBTQ. In the second episode, in which you play as Frank, you can get an achievement called “Bicurious” for agreeing to meet a character named Hector at an open mic. I was disappointed that the game didn’t have a route where I could have Frank pursue Hector; after their encounter, Hector would just say he was busy.

In addition to examining romantic relationships, the game explores what it’s like to be a millennial. It criticises “selfie culture”, but it also praises millennials for pursuing their artistic dreams. Characters talk about living with their parents, working multiple jobs to make ends meet, or working soul-crushingly long hours at their jobs. These aspects make the game more complex and relatable.

In comparison to the first game, the stories have more depth and character exploration. You learn about the characters through how they communicate with each other and through their actions. Even if you don’t wind up with someone at the end of the night, you won’t necessarily feel like a total loser. Melanie proudly boasts her independence if she doesn’t go home with anyone, but Rose will mention that she “feels lost” if she rejects her friend Jackie’s advances. It paints a deeper picture of millennials’ relationships than the first game.

Flix and Chill 2: Millenials and the original Flix and Chill are both available on Steam for $US0.99 ($1.25).