Love in the Time of... COVID
A completely non-toxic BL. I know, this should be a given, but still isn't, so I guess it's worth emphasising. At first, the characters seem rather flat and predictable, maybe even shallow, but when we get to know them better, we discover their depth. Acting is great. It's a real pleasure to watch the characters' faces, how Cairo opens up and starts to smile, and how Gav shows something more that that charming playboy-smile - still remaining charming, of course. Pear is my personal favourite: I dream to have somebody like this around. A person with positivity, kind heart and a truthful word to share, when needed. The idea of hyper-realistic camera work, where we remain in the world of social-media all the time, together with the characters, who are in the lockdown, is not new, but it represents accurately the experience shared by people around the world during the pandemic. This show is heartwarming and brings sunshine to your day, regardless of the weather. Strongly recommended, if you want to improve your mood and get sentimental. <3Was this review helpful to you?
An Extraordinary but simply Marvelous Story.
Hey I'm from India 🇮🇳 and after watching this series I want to go and live in Phillipines. Game Boys is really a awesome series if u want to watch please give a shot then you will know it's a gem in BL World. This series is very realistic and have so many marvelous dialogs. By using only web cam this show proved it that u don't need expensive things to make a good content. The Characters in this show were most amazing Characters in this world. Cairos character development is so good to see like how he says "Baby" and Gav we all need in our life ❤ Pearl is such a Queen The President of our Fandom "Third Wheel". I know my review not good enough but I'm genuinely telling that this show is a gem ♥...Thank You.Was this review helpful to you?
Cute and Touching
I started watching this a while back and stopped after episode one because I didn't want to watch something about Covid-19 and social distancing--I read and watch romance as a form of escape. But I decided to give it another try, and I'm glad I did.The adorable leads made the show. What good actors for such young guys. There are some real tear-jerking moments, so be prepared for that.
The only negatives were that I wished for more time face-to-face without masks and about 50 less repeats of the word "baby." I also would have loved a more permanent happy ending, but I think they're gearing up for a season 2.
There were several side-stories that were really worthwhile, including the one with Cai's ex bestfriend and Gav's ex-boyfriend. Themes are acceptance, jealousy, loss, guilt, loneliness, and coping with the pandemic.
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Teenage Emotions Deftly Portrayed
As someone who grew up when gay meant happy and had no sexual meaning, I have been drawn to the BL genre. It seems to relate in so many ways to my upbringing. The contrast between the characters of Cairo and Gavreel drew me in. The director has created a fast-paced, sympathetic portrayal of their emotions, their doubts, and their hopes. I can see why Kokoy is such a popular actor. He projects a wide range of emotions with his face. Very convincing. Several times I just wanted to hug Elijah and tell him everything would be OK. Gameboys is also an excellent window into the world of gaming, video calls, and how teens interact socially using their smartphones and computers.Was this review helpful to you?
PERFECT! SIMPLY PERFECT!
Like the tittle says, I can't find any flaws with this series, the cast AMAZING, the acting SPECTACULAR, the characters OUSTANDING, the plot BREATHTAKING. Everything from beginning till the end was just perfect. I loved how they used modern technology as a way of communication and seeing how the characters actually are, its like we were there with them. I like how there are no unnecessary additions in this series cause that is what I hate the most, cause it just ruins time. It focus on the characters and their developments. I even liked the side characters and that is rare for me since I don't care or am indifferent to side characters since they steal the lead time but in this series I like all the side characters. Pearl was just an amazing character, she helped the leads come closer together and also had a very good personality on her own. Terrence was also a good villain and I like his redemption at the end and also Wesley as he was a plot device to make the characters come closer together and the other characters too. Like I said, all of these characters were important and weren't just there for the sake of existing. They all contributed something and had nice personality of their own. This series made me laugh, cry, and made me miserable for being single...like omg. The chemistry of the main leads was fire and sweeter than honey. I cringed everytime Gav flirted with Cai, but its the good kind of cringe. This drama is simply perfect.Was this review helpful to you?
The Best FILIPINO BL EVER
THIS WAS MY SAVIOR DURING THE PANDEMIC !! I FIRST WATCHED THIS ON NETFLIX AND FELL IN LOVE.. THE FILPINO BL WORLD was such a force in 2020 and it hasn't been the same since... no one have been able to touch the magic of gameboys the series and I doubt anyone ever will. Kokoy De Santos shines in this and every other series he is in. he is truly at the top of the industry in his country when it comes to BL's. honestly no one else comes close.. this was really good.. the chemistry. the plot. it had the perfect balance of everything need for a perfect BL series.Was this review helpful to you?
Refreshing BL Series
I genuinly have nothing bad to say about this show. I was a bit slow getting into everything the first two episodes, but by episode three i was hooked. This story hit all the emotional beats flawlessly and nothing felt unnecessarily drawn out or rushed. The pacing was perfect.The development of their relationship was so realistic and I was stunned at how well relationship issues and family issues were portrayed. Every character had their flaws but they weren't overwhelmingly negative just real. This feels like a BL made with LGBTQ+ people in mind and just felt like a wonderfully put together story that was handled with care.
The only small criticism I had was towards Cairo's acting at the beginning but that may just be personal preference and didn't actually change how much i enjoyed the story at all. I thought his acting got better towards the middle and end anyway. That for me was so easy to look past though and that's why I'm giving this a 10 regardless. This is definitely worth the watch.
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BL done right... Wow!
I don't even know where to start. I had no expectations for this just a ran out of shows to watch and OMG I can't believe I'm just watching this. Its sooooo good.I marvel at the fact that it remains so politically correct and respectful. The entire series just had me in awe. The characters demonstrated respect for each other, adhered to covid protocols and were respectful to the LGBTQ consistently. There were none of the common tropes like 'husband and wife' or 'I don't like men, I just like you'. Instead, the characters were written with real stories that truly reflected and respected the LGBTQ experience. It was an emotional rollercoaster and man did I bawl. Happy tears and sad tears. I love how the main characters developed there relationship in an organic way with both having pure intentions. I'm not gonna like the "baby' got annoying at some points but it was worth it since it carries such great significance to the story and the lead characters relationship. Pearl annoyed me at times too. her character is written with a very much exaggerated demeanour but her friendship and just being a decent human being made up for it. They explored real life arguments and experiences and I love that both characters recognised where they erred and owned up to them. Really happy with the ending. You will be too, *wink*.
10/10 - Absolutely earned it.
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Go, watch it!
As soon as I started this series, I was regretting that why did I not watch this last year. As I was watching, I was cheesing out so hard, throughout all the episodes, literally. Ofc, I cried too, but, man, so glad I watched this today. Better late than never I guess, lol.Anywho, jokes apart, firstly, I did not feel like I was watching a BL tbh. No offense to other BL's, I love them too, but, this was like a breath of fresh air and definitely going on my rewatch list. This drama really depicted all the feelings, raw emotions, you know. Like, even though they were apart and literally courted each other via video calls, I was fangirling like crazy. Their chemistry, their acting, just, soo good. Top notch if you can say. I was giddy and so hyped up like, all the time.
Also, I personally, hate the "Baby" thing, but OH MY GOD! caireel have made me rethinking my preferences, lol. It did not made me cringe at all, in fact, it got me more giddy. Felt like I was third wheeling the whole time, ksksksks.
This drama depicted a lot of things, but personally, some amazing things I liked were the way they focused on mental health, acknowledgment and acceptance of one's own mistakes and forgiveness. Also, loved the supporting female character. Big shoutout to Pearl. She carried the show and did most of the excited screaming and fan-girling for us, lol.
This series has everything (maybe not for some if y'all are into skinship). But for me, I do enjoy a great storyline with amazing depiction of emotions. I am telling you all, I literally forgot sometimes, many actually, that I am watching a series and not just some real life love story of 2 people.
IT YOU HAVEN'T WATCH THIS YET, WATCH IT. YOU WON'T REGRET IT, I PROMISE!
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Watch. Just watch it.
If there is anyone else left in the world to watch this show after me, my free advice to you is do give this show a chance.---
The production is commendable - almost the entire story is shared via phone or computer screen of the characters but still was done so smoothly, and the watching experience was great.
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PLOT was strong, and beautiful. Not only did it deal difficult and maybe even relatable topics -- with the struggles of the characters when faced with life changing events, how affected they are by the pandemic in their own different ways, and even about coming in terms with ones sexuality -- the writers managed to keep it both natural without dragged out drama (noting saying I am drama hater), and light hearted.
I am thoroughly amazed because the rollercoaster of emotions were balanced out very well, like with light hearted and fluffy scenes which will not leaving you feeling too heavy even after the super intense situations - you can almost watch how time hurts and heals in a time-lapse.
The writers made sure not to add anything too problematic, things said and done mostly are "just the right thing" but in spite of this the characters are not perfect. They are a little flawed, they are at times insecure, they are still finding themselves - they are Human.
The characters are not all over the place as plot proceeds, they either are the same person who starts to show more of themselves, or the same person you knew who slowly but surely develops.
I love how there are no black and white here, even the "bad guys" are not justified but instead their side is simply shown and they were then given a chance to be better, and to me that is just Beautiful writing!!
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I am not going to talk much about the acting, I do not have any way to put it in right and deserving words. But can I just say the actors I considered "amateurs in a web drama" proved me SO SO WRONG and I am ashamed how quick I was to judge and THANKFUL just to have had the chance to witness this level of acting!!? I cried with them, smiled with them, laughed and my heart felt their pains.
Kokoy was my first favorite with his how he portrayed a confident, charismatic young man (Gavreel) who never held back his feelings initially. And he was too good, developing the character by slowly showing his other "human" sides. I took Elijah lightly, his reserved-ish character probably did not give him much chance to act more was my reasoning to self - BUT from that one scene (you might know if you have watched) that guy DESTROYED me. Both because that scene took this series to another level of brilliantness, and from there his character slowly developed.
Even every other actors surpassed my expectations, including ones who played Pearl, Cairo's family, Terrance and Wes.
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Overall - I usually am okay with BLs being compared with other BL series because it needs to catch up with decades of hetero- relationships in media. BUT, Gameboys crossed the threshold, it stands for itself, and definitely does not need the BL tag's support it to show what it's worth. It can easily compete with most mainstream shows /series/dramas any day <3
That is----- Gameboys is not just a "good BL", it is a great series. Period.
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If you don't watch this, you'll regret
Alot of shows turn out quite bad due the to interference of the pandemic, but this show was about the pandemic!The storyline, the emotions and the people around them the couple are what makes the whole show even more wholesome.
I love how this show contains lessons for so much more factor in life, families, relationships, past relationships, coping with lost. Its a roller coaster of warmth, cuteness, laughs, smiles and tears yet no awkwardness was in it. 10 minutes into the show I'm already smiling, 15 minutes in to the show I don't want to stop watching.
It's soooo rare for a show to have your tears fall for something that happens around the main character. Watch this show for a change in the BL world, set a new standard for yourself. Its a must watch
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One of the best BL series I have ever watched
This is the first time that I have written a review. I had to create an account just for this masterpiece. The movie has everything : the plot, the acting, the chemistry of the main leads. It was a roller coaster of emotion for me when watching this show. For me, the climax of this series is in episode 8,which is a mix of different emotions. I found myself both crying and laughing and was totally carried away. Kokoy and Elijah did such an amazing job. They portrayed their character very well. I love when Gavreel kept calling Cairo "baby". Although he was clingy, he was truly attentive to Cairo. I couldn't take my eyes off them every single moment. They are so adorable. I am praying for season 2. Sorry if you find my review difficult to understand. I am doing my best to express my feelings for this movie.Was this review helpful to you?
