Mythic Quest is a quirky workplace comedy series from Apple TV+. The show revolves around daily life in a fictional video game studio and all the chaos it brings. Though Hollywood has given us its fair share of tech comedies, notably, The IT Crowd and Silicon Valley, Mythic Quest, on the other hand, has perfected the formula of using technology in comedy through its stunning visuals and interesting premise.
It offers the best of both worlds
Mythic Quest is the first-ever live-action series coming from Ubisoft. After misses like Assassin's Creed, Ubisoft finally accomplished critical and commercial acclaim with Mythic Quest. A series about an MMORPG made in collaboration with a video game conglomerate has its pluses, especially the graphics. The clips of the Mythic Quest game, shown throughout the series as transitions between scenes, are visually stunning and an added asset to the show's aesthetic. From gaming jargon to VR headsets to gaming platforms and conventions, every scene is well-researched and flawlessly captures the world of tech and gaming, in just the right amounts.
It's got the coolest ensemble
Every workplace, tech or not, is a collective of people of varied mindsets, forming grounds for unexpected allies and intolerable enemies. Mythic Quest captures this aspect quite humorously. Like in the real world, each character in Mythic Quest is flawed. These wacky, imperfect, and relatable people are each given great individual story arcs, and we see them evolve with each episode.
The show features a diverse cast and strong Asian leads, and their camaraderie is enjoyable. Rob McElhenney is perfect as the condescending visionary Ian Grimm, often reminding one of the uber-famous tech billionaires. Danny Pudi as the morally grey Brad Bakshi shines throughout the series. Charlotte Nicdao's portrayal of tech genius is a tad bit stereotyped, but fun to watch.
It doesn't shy away from experimenting
With Mythic Quest, creators Rob McElhenney and Megan Ganz brought forth a pathbreaking series. The show though establishes as a comedy frequently shifts between genres. There are moments that are heartwarming as well as heartbreaking. The episodes are unique and incredibly executed.
Mythic Quest‘s beautifully crafted standalone flashback episodes offer a surprising dimension. Guest starring Christin Milloti and Jake Johnson, A Dark Quiet Death explores the life of a couple in the nineties, and how their shared passion to create a groundbreaking video game. The episode is a homage to the early video game designers and their vision. Spanning two decades, A Dark Quiet Death is an emotional and ironic tale of love, success, and failure.
Backstory! and Sarian are the two other standalone episodes that shed light on how C.W. Longbottom, Poppy Li, and Ian Grimm entered the world of gaming. It is interesting how the show contrasts its tone from futuristic tech to an era sans the internet. The flashbacks are emotional and deep, unlike the rest of the episodes, which are light-hearted. One common thing that ties all these varied stories together is the love of games and technology. Many tech comedies failed to present this aspect. The reception of these episodes has now led to a new spin-off series on Apple TV+, titled Mere Mortals, which would explore the lives of players, employees, and fans impacted by video games.
Like several other sitcoms, Mythic Quest took the opportunity of the pandemic to create its quarantine episode. Set as a video conference, the episode shows how technological advances can bring people together no matter the circumstances.
It's a satire on the video game industry
The makers of Mythic Quest succeeded in creating a spot-on portrayal of the gaming and tech industry. Plots revolving around ten-year-old gaming influencers, chaotic gaming conventions, and using video games as a medium to spread hate propaganda, are accurately depicted. Further, the show sheds light on the toxic work conditions of the gaming industry and how workers are often overworked and underpaid. Also, the series highlights the deficit of women in gaming and gender stereotypes. Crazy bosses, unrealistic deadlines, and messed up hierarchies are some of the moments that perfectly depict the reality of tech organizations. From the metaverse euphoria to tech's sudden obsession with diversity and inclusion, it's fascinating to see how the writers keep the show relevant with the times.
Mythic Quest is a well-crafted workplace comedy that makes you laugh, cry, and wonder. Certain aspects of the show are so well-researched that the folks in tech and gaming find it relatable. It's an intelligent and touching show with smart writing that deserves a lot more recognition.
Mythic Quest Season 3 is now available to stream on Apple TV+.
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