(Image credit: Mediatonic)

Season of the Rhino

Beat the summer heat and explore the jungles in the latest update to Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout. Mediatonic put out their fifth season for the game, and although it comes with six new levels, they can get lost within the content. The fresh obstacles are not as impactful as prior seasons but add dimension to regular play. The Load Screen reviews Fall Guys Season 5 available on PC and PlayStation.

With five seasons and significant midseason updates, there is a ton of content and iterations of maps for the game’s randomized playstyle. While this makes each competition feel unique, it is getting harder for anyone looking for newer content. Since one of Season 5 additions is a final round, it is hard to make it to the end contest, only to run into another random selection. When players get into the new content, they will find it different enough from existing races, survivals, and climbs.

The new season brings three obstacles that only appear in added rounds. The Lily Pad Drum is the first, and it is my least favorite addition to the game. It functions similar to fans and paddles by getting players to higher ground. However, the drums are more unpredictable and are often used in line where players jumping requires some precision. The erratic behavior of bouncing beans combined with series of drums is more annoying than fun.

(Image credit: Mediatonic)

The other two obstacles are a lot more engaging than the drums. The Rhinos are robotic brutes that can send competitors flying, but they only appear in two rounds so far. Unlike the Lily Pad Drums, the volatile nature of these beasts ramps up the physics mayhem. The other obstacle is frog bubbles that expand to extreme proportions in an instant. They are used with platforms to slow down player progress and as potential springboards in other places. Both the Rhinos and the frog bubbles bring the right level of mischief to the competition.

There are six new rounds, and they vary from races to survival and include a unique final round. Treetop Tumble is a decent gauntlet that shows off all the new obstacles, including the Rhinos. In contrast, Lily Leapers is a race that features the Lily Pad Drums exclusively and is pretty straightforward. Pegwin Pool Party is an individual competition in a small arena where holding onto Pegwins scores points. Stompin Ground is a player survival on a small platform surrounded by Lily Drums and ruled by three angry Rhinos.

The last two rounds feature separated sections for bean rivalry. Bubble Trouble divides into five areas with different obstacle setups surrounding a giant spinning wheel. Players fly all around the arena because the round is a bubble popping competition, and they spawn randomly across the five mini-zones. Lost Temple is a multi-room race to crown a champion since it is a final round only. Doors divide each room set up in a large grid that has multiple solutions to the maze. This round reminds me of several gameshow obstacle courses that jostle competitors in the same ridiculous ways.

(Image credit: Mediatonic)

The color palette for the new levels is a return to the classic pastels of Fall Guys. Season 4 used vaporwave colors and dark schemes that bring a color difference when the rounds are randomly selected. Even Season 3 levels feel more distinctive with their snow themes and snowflake patterns. The Aztec prints do not stand out enough for me in the new season, despite the reworked Aztec-themed hammers.

Fall Guys Ultimate Knockout has a ton of content and fierce competition, making the Season 5 levels get lost in the mix, especially since they have a traditional color palette for Fall Guys. Without playing the featured gameplay section, it is hard to experience some of the new content. I did enjoy the Rhinos, but they need room to roam and are only in two rounds. Maybe during the midseason update, Mediatonic will unleash Rhinos in other areas but not the Lily Pad drums. 

Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout - Season 5

• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4

• Developer: Mediatonic

• Publisher: Mediatonic

• Release Date: July 20, 2021