The new season 7 vs. Wild has started and viewers are surprisingly satisfied with the first episodes. However, not everyone who wanted to tuned in.
How did the start go? The first episode of 7 vs. Wild started on time at 00:00 on October 7, 2025, on Amazon Prime and ran technically flawlessly. However, there was still some annoyance: the new season is no longer free, like all previous seasons.
For fans, a shock, as until now it was possible to watch 7 vs. Wild without an existing subscription on Prime Video. This is no longer possible. Accordingly, viewers reacted angrily on Reddit, finding themselves in front of a paywall at midnight:
- Julz_298: “Phew, if this was actually intended, I’m definitely out for now. Don’t feel like being forced into Prime. I’ll just wait for the YouTube release. Such a shame.”
- guyondrugs: “Yeah, same for me. I wanted to give it a chance, only to see the app wants to sell me a Prime subscription.”
Other users point out that you can test Prime Video for free for 30 days if you wish. Although this is not enough for the entire season 5 of 7 vs. Wild, as it runs until December, it at least gives you the chance to get a feel for the new season before purchasing.
Former contestant Knossi also wants to watch the new season:
Attention: From this point onwards, there are spoilers for 7 vs. Wild season 5 episode 1.
7 vs. Chico
How is the first episode received? The first episode of 7 vs. Wild received positive feedback from viewers. The early shots of the rainforest were very visually striking and looked technically better than the preview clip, which was recently criticized for its image quality.
Viewers also liked the suspense arc of the first episode; they found on Reddit that the episode could also have been called “7 vs. Guide” or “Where is Chico”. The tense situation was well received by viewers, and the fact that the group stands against the guide Chico is appealing to many and is a significant part of the episode.
Some viewers found the inserts amusing, which showed how far the group still is from their goal. The displays came whenever a participant complained about the strenuous path.
What was criticized? No episode of 7 vs. Wild goes without criticism. This time, viewers especially disliked the new style with inserts and cuts. The episode featured constant inserts for the way, the distance, to animals and clues, but also when switching between contestants.
The inserts did exist in previous seasons. However, in the new season, they switch to another participant only after a few meters. This makes it feel almost like a continuous scene experienced from different perspectives, making some viewers find the inserts distracting rather than helpful.
Despite many fears and significant criticism of 7 vs. Wild in the lead-up to the season, the first episode is well received by many fans. Even without Fritz Meinecke, the format seems to still work. Whether the positive first impression lasts or the mood shifts remains to be seen. When the next episode of 7 vs. Wild will air can be found in our overview: 7 vs. Wild Season 5 Amazonas: All info on participants, start, and location
Your opinion is important to us!
Do you like the article? Then let us know!