Do I need a Netflix subscription to play this?

Yes. While it was originally a standalone free app, it is now part of the Netflix Games catalog. You'll need to log in with your Netflix credentials to play, but there are no additional costs or in-app purchases once you're in.

Does the game follow the plot of the show?

It acts as a bridge between Season 1 and Season 2. It covers many of the main events of the first season while introducing some new locations and setups for the second. If you want to avoid show spoilers, play the game after watching Season 1.

Is there any online multiplayer or chat?

No. This is a strictly single-player, offline-capable adventure. There is no way for your child to interact with strangers or be exposed to user-generated content within the game.

How long does it take to finish?

A standard playthrough takes about 5 to 8 hours, depending on how much of a completionist your kid is with collecting hidden VHS tapes and Eggos.

Stranger Things: The Game – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Stranger Things: The Game

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

game2017

84%

WISE Score

A pixel-perfect 16-bit adventure that proves mobile tie-in games don't have to be garbage.

Stranger Things: The Game

game

2017

84%

WISE Score

A pixel-perfect 16-bit adventure that proves mobile tie-in games don't have to be garbage.

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Where to Play

Platform availability info not available. Search for "Stranger Things: The Game" on your preferred gaming platform.

Screenwise Verdict

It is rare to find a licensed mobile game that isn't a transparent cash grab, but Stranger Things: The Game is the exception. It’s a love letter to the 16-bit era, playing like a top-down Legend of Zelda clone with a synth-wave soundtrack.

Because it’s now tucked inside the Netflix app, it’s remarkably safe. No ads, no pop-ups, no 'buy more lives.' It’s just a complete, well-designed adventure game that respects the player’s intelligence. If your kid is into the show—or just likes retro puzzles—this is a no-brainer download.

Age Fit

Perfect for 9 or 10-year-olds who want a taste of the Stranger Things world but aren't quite ready for the jump-scares and body horror of the actual show.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The game focuses on the core 'party' of kids working together, using their specific strengths to solve puzzles and progress. It captures the show's theme of friendship without the more intense, traumatizing elements of the later seasons.

Imaginative

A pitch-perfect 16-bit recreation of Hawkins. It doesn't just skin a generic game with the brand; it builds a world that feels like a lost SNES classic, rewarding exploration and curiosity.

Safe

Since it moved under the Netflix Games umbrella, it's free of the typical mobile gaming rot: no ads, no predatory microtransactions, and no unmoderated social chat. Violence is strictly pixelated cartoon fare.

Enriching

Solid logic-based puzzles and environmental navigation. It requires players to think through which character's unique ability (like Lucas’s wrist rocket or Nancy’s bat) is needed to clear an obstacle.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Retro Charm that actually feels authentic, not just a filter slapped over a lazy game.
Zero Monetization because it's bundled with a Netflix subscription—no 'energy' bars or gem-buying nonsense.
Puzzle-Solving Gameplay that rewards players for exploring every corner of Hawkins and the Upside Down.
Character Variety lets kids play as the whole crew, each with unique mechanics that matter for progression.

⚠

What to Watch For

Pixelated Violence includes enemies exploding into red pixels; it's very '80s arcade,' but it is there.
Show Spoilers for Season 1 are baked into the plot, so if they haven't seen the show yet, the game will spill the beans.
Difficulty Spikes in some of the later dungeons can be genuinely frustrating for younger players who aren't used to old-school puzzle logic.

Conversation Starters

"Which character's special ability did you find most useful for getting past the Hawkins Lab guards?"
"How does the game's version of the Upside Down compare to how it looks in the actual show?"
"The game looks like something from the 1980s—do you think games back then were harder or easier than what you play now?"
"If you could add one character from the later seasons to this game, what would their special ability be?"

Deep Dive

The 'Anti-Mobile' Mobile Game

When this launched in 2017 to bridge the gap between Seasons 1 and 2, everyone expected a low-effort marketing tool. Instead, we got a deep, multi-hour adventure that feels like it was unearthed from a 1991 time capsule. For parents, the biggest win here is the complete lack of friction. You don't have to worry about your kid accidentally spending $50 on 'Eggo Coins' or being harassed in a global chat room. It's a self-contained, single-player experience.

Gameplay Mechanics

The game uses a simple 'tap to move/attack' interface that works surprisingly well. The real meat of the game is the character switching. You start as Chief Hopper, but as you rescue the kids, you unlock their abilities. Lucas can hit distant switches with his slingshot; Nancy can break through walls with her bat. It’s a great way to introduce kids to 'Metroidvania' style logic—where you see an obstacle you can’t pass yet, knowing you’ll need to find the right friend to help you later.

Is it too scary?

While the show leans heavily into horror, the game keeps it light. The 'monsters' are pixelated sprites, and the tone is more 'Spooky Adventure' than 'Nightmare Fuel.' If your kid is okay with the concept of a parallel dimension and some mild cartoon combat, they'll be fine. It’s arguably the best 'entry point' for the franchise for younger fans who aren't ready for the live-action intensity.

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