Gameboys (2020)

Philippines Premier BL!

The Good : This series pioneered the PH BL to come out during this trying times of pandemic. it definitely set such high standards . free to watch as long as you have youtube (and internet).

The Bad(?) : episode are being shot the same within the same week it premiers. a couple of delays/schedule changes due to demand/success and the changing quarantine restriction due to pandemic. handled by a small team with setup done by themselves (actors) and shot using their own devices.. well technically some of this issue wasn't totally bad because it have caused the series to be better, and even inspired and motivated the team to work harder to deliver quality content.

The Awesome : everything else is AWESOME! quality performance done by non-mainstream actors - relying on talent rather than popularity - very wise decision. From the main actors to the supporting actors they were all superb, they were all cast'd *chef kiss* perfect ! 10/10! Story was well written, with very relatable and realistic characters. direction and execution was on point. The soundtrack - all original made just for the series. This is series will make you fall in love, smile, laugh, swear, cry and more! all the elements you need mushed perfectly in one show! Ideafirst Company - the people behind the series are so loving just like a grandpa spoiling a grandchild. they will embrace you with arms wide open and they do listen! plus plus plus they wont block your videos if ever you decide to make a reaction video (as long as it is under fair use and transformative). over all this series deserve an award for being the best BL the Philippines has ever seen!

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The One That Must Be Named!

This is a very short review because nothing can be ever added to what other reviewers had said (youtube and here in mdl) about the remarkable journey this series had.

WHY I LIKED IT? 1) Tight, almost seamless, story. 2) Great characterization and versatile actors (antagonist have real motives to create problems and not just placeholder characters) 3) Gender representation is grounded in near reality 4) Timely and timeless issues were tackled but it never superseded the love story of the main characters. 5) It is full of positivity.

WHAT I DISLIKE ABOUT IT? The frequent change in its time slot. Aside from that, nada!

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ICONIC BL SERIES OF THE YEAR

There's no doubt, Gameboys have it all from acting, script, music, cinematography, drama, romance and the cliffhangers. This is the second BL series I watched after 2gether, I tried watching other PH BL series but no offense to the fans and creators, you can't beat Gameboys' charm and iconic scenes. All actors were great, the way they tell us the story is amazing. Not only gay people can relate, but us girls too. Oh, who would not fall for a guy like Gavreel, and yeah, being stubborn like Cairo? All scenes are memorable, a roller coaster episode, a much awaited meet-up and the most iconic pandemic kissing scene. No one can beat that! Now, we are waiting for the next 3 episodes, I bet they will give us more. They will set the bar up high and make us fall in love again and again.

P.S. A lot of current issues were discussed and it makes me proud that Gameboys fam made us realize a lot. That's why they deserve all the recognition and achievements they are getting. Kudos to the team. We can't wait for more!

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*Chef's Kiss*

I'm a newbie in the world of BL, I only started last April 2020. To be honest, I was a bit hesitant with watching Pinoy BLs. It's not because I didn't believe we can make a high-quality show, it's just that it might be difficult to accept if we produce shows that will have the same problematic tropes that some Thai BLs have. Being a part of the community here in the Philippines is already hard enough as it is, so having those problematic tropes presented to Filipinos (BL or non-BL Viewers) makes me think it's harder to sweep it under the rug.


I only watched this randomly because my YT feed has been filled with BL Recos. To be honest I only knew Kokoy, but now I'm regretting not knowing Elijah before and watching his films. (I'm catching up!) Episode 1, I would say, is enough to make you curious. Episode 2 though, is what made me crave for more. And boy, was I given more than I could ever ask for. I'm not complaining tho! Every episode is a rollercoaster of emotions, and you can't just predict something because you will always be surpised how things will turn out. It will play with your emotions, but you will gladly embrace it. The cliffhangers will frustrate the fuck out of you, especially when you see Direk Ivan Andrew Payawal's name flash on the screen, but I believe it has become a part of CaiReel's beautiful journey.

This series is tagged as BL but after watching it, I couldn't really agree 100% anymore – it's more than that. Aside from tackling LGBTQIA+ issues, it also tackled issues with Mental Health, Death, Family, Friendship, and Love. Every LGBTQIA+ needs parents like Leila and Arthur, who will understand and accept you for who you are. We all need a Pearl (best girl!) who will always support us, but won't tolerate us, who will be our family when we don't have any. We all need a Gav, who won't get tired of babying us and will always make you feel appreciated. We all need a Cai, who will fight for your love. We all need a Terrence and Wesley, who will make us realize why it won't work with them, and that there's someone out there that is really meant for you.

All the cast deserves a pat in the back, all of them are *chef's kiss* perfect for their roles. They were effective and convincing. Kokoy and Elijah have already made a mark in the industry, no doubt about it. This year, albeit disastrous and traumatic, is their year. No doubt about that.

Can we also talk about the songs??? All the songs are perfect for the situation of when they were first introduced. No song was used "just because". All the songs are singable and mirrors whatever is happening in the scene. I'm just here patiently waiting for all the songs to be complete on Spotify.

Kudos to everyone from The IdeaFirst Company for being able to create a relatable show during this pandemic. Aside from it being the FIRST Pinoy BL, it's also the first one to have this type of set-up where it maximizes all social media platforms for the entire show. Also, I love how they feed the FamDom with "ayudas" when we least expect them. They're also the first ones who included YT reactors in their MV, as well as their zoom sessions. In return, the FamDom loves and supports the entire TIFC and all their other projects.

This is The IdeaFirst Company Ecosystem, and the FamDom is here to stay..

P.S.
See you sa PND and Gameboys 2!

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Unique, adorable, and real

This series surprised me in a lot of ways. I never thought it was possible to be engaged in a story where characters are only interacting thru video chats, much less create a show of them mostly doing this 90 percent of the time.

The shows tackles real life issues and handled them in the most realistic way. Whenever a major event happened, it never dragged on nor milked it for its worth. You never feel the passage of time when watching every episode because every little thing thats happening within the show is enjoyable and leaves you wanting more.

This series will also make you feel a lot of emotion, you will cry and laugh at the same time! The characters felt like real people with their own designs and agenda. You will empathized with the antagonists because they are not like one of those one dimensional characters we usually see in most bl, especially in thai bl. Gay characters here weren't there for our amusement and fetishization, they were there to tell a story that they are just like us straight people, normal human beings experiencing real love. Kudos to the scriptwriter and the director for doing an amazing job in creating a bl story with a real lgbtq+ representation.

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I didn't have many expectations before watching this series. But I was really amazed by how great the actors are, especially the two main characters. You could feel everything they felt, and it felt genuine. My heart broke multiple times for one of the main characters, Cairo. He had to go through a lot and I'm glad that he learns to deal with it and accept it at the end.
I really enjoyed how understanding the supportive cast was. Usually, the second love interest becomes a bitter and jealous person, and I'm glad that they didn't do that with this series. They actually had moments of personal growth and it makes them look like real persons instead of a person they used just to further the storyline.

Would one hundred percent recommend! Great acting, nice storyline, and amazing, authentic characters.

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Brilliant in every way

This show is completely brilliant. I discovered it on Netflix and had to force myself to stop watching and continue the next evening because otherwise I would have continued watching till the next morning.

The central performances are convincing and so lovely. I can actually believe Gavreel and Cai fell in love. Supporting characters are all great, I can't even be mad at Terrence. Pearl was brilliant too.

The songs were great. I really enjoyed the way the show told its story by (almost) only showing the relationship grow in modern social media, vidcalls, etc.

I couldn't help rooting for Cai and Gavreel, plus one (kind of funny/weird) kissing scene and a real one, what more could I ask of a TV show?

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Relevant, Honest, and Current

This series is NOT made for old folks like me who are simply not into social media stuff. That does not mean that I can not appreciate what has been done in this series. It is both significant and profound. This series is based almost exclusively on two things – the computer and the pandemic. Both have been dealt with realism and gut-wrenching emotions. There is such a socially responsible message here that is almost as important as the development of their relationship. In fact, the one can does not happen without the other. Perhaps once this pandemic is over, we can look at this series and its message as passé but until then, it is RELEVANT.

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I'll get what they have please!

Loved the show. Honestly, between the university, family deaths (2) because of COVID-19, and much more. This show was right to earth. I loved the way how they decided to incorporate new technology. Social media has being a window for many, and for these guys, it was more than games. I whish I was a gamer just like them so I can find somebody as lovely as Santos. They show is different for what many are used to. To be honest, the acting is on point. So honest and pure! To the point that at the last episodes, I was drinking (long and bad day) that they made me cry. Give yourself a chance to fall in love with these characters and open you mind to new beginnings. Have your bilingualism ready and start loving! If anybody knows if they are going to make a second part, please comment on this post ^_^.

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Surviving in the time of Pandemic

The only BL drama that tackles a lot of things. As a person that has an LGBTQIA+ in the family...I am more understood about their situations and their feelings... this drama taught me the importance of family and friends...being not together during these difficult times but watching Gameboys during its premier help us to get together via a video platform.

Because of this too I beginning to attach myself to other people and making friends especially and being part of the community...understanding them more and more.

I also took an interest in films and other movies especially indie movies... always watching k dramas but I guess our own produced films are more interesting because it tackles what's really happening here.

Because Gameboys also helps to motivate me. The producers, the staff are struggling to get through because of the lockdown, everything is canceled, and cannot even go out of their own houses, everything is paralyzed for 2 months and Gameboy was born during that time. The same thing happened to us business owners and employees, having anxiety, and some of us are depressed so Gameboys helps us live and should be continued no matter what.

I am so proud of this company The IdeaFirst Company for creating Gameboys and all the characters to life. Looking forward to the Gameboys the movie, Pearl NextDoor, and Gameboys 2

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Beautiful series

The first time I saw YT recommend this series, I didn't pay attention to it. But then I saw people here talking about it and that got me curious about GameBoys that I decided to give it a go. And I must say...I am glad that I did as it did not dissapoint it!

Story-10/10
With the simple story of two boys meeting online as Gav beat Cario to evolve into them falling in love with one another (Gav had a crush on Cario) to them dealing with jealous ex-boyfriend's, the death of Cario's dad, meeting each other for the first time, jealousy and abandonment issues- these boys went through all of this and set in the background of COVID-19. They had me crying for them during thier pains, trying to be like Pearl telling them 'get back together, you knuckle heads!' And just seeing how everything played out. And it was done beautifully and realistically.

Also, I would like to add, I felt the kiss here more than in a recent Thai BL that finished this Friday, cause it was a part of thier story- not something just added to apparently appease fans who were furious from the first season due to the lack of kisses.

Acing/Cast- 10/10
All of the actors were phenomenal. Even Terrence and Wesley, who I have a small hatred for cause of them destroying the happiness of my boys. Cario's mom and brother were a breath of fresh air, as they understood what he was going through. I am so grateful in having such positive family members in a BL series, cause some Thai series don't have this and it annoys me.

I LOVED Peral! In the beginning when we are introduced to her, I must say I didn't fascinate her. But as the series progressed, for me she was like us fans, trying to get Gav and Cario together, because you know how much they care for eachother. And in the final episode when Wesley and Terrence were flirting, her reaction was exactly my reaction!

The actors who played Gav and Cario did a fantastic job and I hope that they get more roles in the Philippines.

Music-10/10
The music is top notch that it has me signing along with it!

Rewatch Value-10/10
Although this show made me cry a lot, I would watch it again and cry some more. Everything about this series was perfect that I actually feel to binge watch it very soon.

Overall-10/10
This is the first series that I would recommend to anyone who wants to watch a BL series, even overtaking SOTUS. I love this series so much that I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone.

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This series is truly a game changer. I never expected something like this can come out from a BL genre. Its uniqueness captured audition in the first few episodes, the acting and story kept us drawn towards the series. There was never a dull moment and each episode gives you a different feel. The emotional rollercoaster ride was never too dramatic. Everything felt so real, you even feel the actors are your actual friends.

Most people say this is the best BL series this year, but for those people who have been watching BL series for a long time, this series is simply the best, ever.

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