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Love Island: The TV Show VS Love Island: The Game - Which is better?

Love Island: The TV Show VS Love Island: The Game - Which is better?

But does the island love you back?

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I sat down and I watched Love Island. I've never done it before, believing it to be one of those typical, cynical voyeuristic experiences that only boring and shallow people watch. Which would really leave you to believe I should've watched it already.

But alas, that is finally rectified, and I jumped in with the very latest episode. I do like a good surprise.

So the question that is inevitably on your lips is, is Love Island anything like Love Island: The Game? Well, in lots of ways, yes! But we've managed to nail down a few where the experience distinctly differs.

Take a look at our list and let us know if you'd like to be on Love Island's next season, or if The Game is enough to satisfy you.

Love Island The game
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1
Voyeur VS player

Possibly the biggest difference between watching Love Island and playing Love Island: The Game has to be your perspective.

Watching Love Island is a bit of a voyeuristic experience, watching the emotional trials of a group of people, even seeing them react to public scrutiny of their relationships - somewhat haunting.

It doesn't feel that way in the game, where you're living it up beside the pool with the rest of the housemates, flirting with lads and drinking cocktails.

Love Island The game

2
Real realism

You have to admit though, the people in Love Island are very, well, genuine. When you see them try to talk to each other, flubbing their words and inserting swears to fill dead air, you can tell that they are, in fact, real.

Over on Love Island: The Game though, yes, they're digital charicatures obviously, but they're just… Fake. I guess. Look, I know that's a terrible observation, but it feels poignant.

Like, the abs. In The Game? Chiseled. And I'm devastated. Love Island? Realistic. And I'm not too jealous.

Love Island The game

3
All about me

I don't like it when the spotlight isn't on me. Anyone else get that? It's not fair.

And when watching Love Island, well, it's all about them. Their relationships or whatever. I don't like it. Why isn't there a TV show about me?

Conveniently, Love Island: The Game is from my perspective, my custom character, and you best believe, it's all about me. I can get just as argumentative and judgemental as anyone else, and you best believes the boys want me. I'm a walking thirst trap.

Love Island The game

4
Digital dialogue

It's in the dialogue. As I've mentioned, the Love Island cast feel very genuine, but the cast of The Game… Well, they're better talkers.

It's the wonder of having everything you ever need to say pre-written, I suppose, you seem far more verbose. Frankly, I cringed a bit when watching the shoe a lad decided to woo his lady friend by telling her the time they'd spent together had been "like, really, like, so sick."

The gents in Love Island: The Game feel like they play up to having a smaller vocabulary, comparatively, but that could just be the writers letting too much flair show through.

Love Island The game

5
Heart

Love Island has heart, guys. It really does. I didn't know, I thought it was really shallow, but there were actually a few "aww" scenes that made me smile.

Who knew? Like, I thought it was just swearing and shagging, but apparently there are some genuine emotions thrown in there too, brings a tear to my eye.

It's hard to see the game, meanwhile, as anything but a bit cynical. But I guess that makes shooting down the lads way funnier than it is on the show, where someone actually gets their feelings hurt.

Love Island The game
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Dave Aubrey
Dave Aubrey
Dave is the Guides Editor at Pocket Gamer. Specialises in Nintendo, complains about them for a living.