Built to Survive is an American reality television show that premiered on the National Geographic channel on January 28, 2020. The show revolves around eight different groups of people, who are all experienced engineers and DIY specialists, living in different extreme environments and attempting to survive for 30 days with only limited resources.
Throughout the series, the eight groups are tested both mentally and physically as they adapt to their respective environments and must use their skills and knowledge to create shelter, gather food and water, and create tools and equipment to help them survive. The show's premise is similar to other survival series, such as Man vs. Wild and Survivor, but with a focus on the creative engineering solutions the contestants come up with.
There are eight different environments featured in the show, including a jungle, desert, high mountains, snowy wasteland, coastal plateau, volcanic island, deep forest, and steep canyon. Each group is given a specific area to survive in based on their strengths and experiences, and each episode shows how they use their engineering knowledge and expertise to survive.
The show's host, Max Joseph, is a filmmaker and TV host known for his work on Catfish: The TV Show, and he guides viewers through each episode. Joseph is joined by a team of survival experts who provide commentary and advice throughout the episodes.
Built to Survive stands out from other survival shows in its focus on creative engineering solutions. Those who enjoy engineering challenges and admire the ingenuity of others will find this series particularly engrossing. With the addition of a host who is well-known for his TV experience, this show has clearly aimed to appeal to a wide audience.
One of the show's strengths is the range of environments that the contestants are placed in. From the lush jungle to the barren desert, viewers are treated to a range of stunning visuals and unique challenges. The contestants are pushed to their limits as they face dwindling resources and harsh conditions, and the show does an excellent job of presenting their struggles in an engaging way.
Another strong point of Built to Survive is the contestants' ability to think outside the box. The contestants are all trained engineers and DIY specialists, and the show celebrates the ingenuity of these individuals who are able to create solutions to problems that viewers might not predict. It's satisfying to see how these contestants are able to use their skills to create solutions that many others would not be able to come up with.
Built to Survive is adept at presenting complicated engineering concepts in an accessible way, making it suitable for people who are not familiar with the field. The explanations of how the contestants create solutions to the unique problems presented in each environment are clear and easy to understand, and it's fascinating to see the thought process that goes into their creations.
Despite its strengths, Built to Survive isn't perfect. The show's editing can be choppy at times, and the contestants' individual stories can feel rushed or incomplete. Additionally, certain environmental challenges feel like repeats of earlier ones, making the show feel somewhat repetitive on occasion.
Overall, Built to Survive is an enjoyable and engaging show that is well worth watching for anyone interested in survivalist challenges, DIY engineering, or just appreciates creative problem-solving. Its unique focus on engineering sets it apart from other survival shows, making it a refreshing change of pace for the genre.
Built to Survive is a series that ran for 1 seasons (1 episodes) between July 1, 2020 and on
