Standoff 2’s latest update, Beholder: Gambit – The Summer Update, completely retools what players expect from a typical match. Alongside battle pass additions and new improvements to the audio system, this update introduces a limited-time event that throws standard gameplay out the window. Instead of team-based tactics and traditional bomb defusals, players face a gauntlet of individual challenges known as the Beholder Games.

The Beholder Games mode takes the familiar mechanics of Standoff 2 and throws them into unpredictable trials that focus on movement, timing, and creative thinking. Each trial has a unique win condition, tight time limits, and a rotating structure that means no two runs feel the same. Whether you’re outwitting lasers or tossing grenades over glass walls, success here depends on skill, observation, and adapting fast. Here’s how it all works—and how to win.

Audio and Battle Pass Changes

Before jumping into the trials, let’s cover what else is new. The Beholder: Gambit update also introduces a refined audio system that’s more dynamic and location-aware. Footsteps now react better to surface types, and directional sound cues are sharper, helping players track enemies or environmental threats with greater accuracy. It’s a noticeable upgrade for anyone using quality headphones.

On the battle pass front, players can unlock exclusive summer-themed cosmetics, including new character skins, weapon finishes, and avatar icons. The XP gained from participating in Beholder Games feeds directly into your progress. The more trials you clear—and the better your placements—the faster you move through the tiers.

The Beholder Games: Full Trial Breakdown and Tips

The Beholder Games is a special event mode added in the Beholder: Gambit update. It replaces traditional matches with a sequence of randomized trials, each lasting around two minutes. These trials are solo challenges where players must complete objectives that focus on parkour, reaction time, precision, or clever movement. Some involve combat, but most throw players into obstacle courses, trap rooms, or puzzle-like gauntlets that test different skills than usual. The better you place in each trial, the more points and XP you earn toward the battle pass. With a rotation of ten unique trials, it’s both unpredictable and highly competitive.

Here’s a complete overview of all the trials in this game mode:

Stop! Go!

A test of movement timing, where players must sprint only during green phases and freeze instantly when the screen turns red. Stepping forward even slightly during a red signal sends you back to the starting line. The goal is to reach the finish line before time runs out.

• Use first-person view for tighter movement control.
• Pay attention to the rhythm—light changes often follow a pattern.
• Stay away from dense crowds to reduce accidental bumps.
• Tap to move in bursts instead of holding the key.

Maze

A dense, foggy labyrinth filled with tight corridors and dead ends. There’s only one path that leads to the goal, and you have two minutes to find it. Completing it earns points—getting lost or running out of time means nothing gained.

• Stick to one wall (left or right) to naturally navigate to the end.
• Don’t rely on other players—they’re often as lost as you.
• Note failed paths for faster retries.

Everyone is an Enemy

The most combat-focused trial, this is a fast-paced free-for-all deathmatch where every player spawns into a compact arena and must get as many kills as possible in two minutes. Only the top three in kills earn points.

• Keep moving to avoid ambushes and flanks.
• Target distracted or low-health players for fast frags.
• Use your mini-map and audio cues to locate enemies.
• Hold control of the center for easier access to opponents.

Illusory Bridge

Players must cross a narrow bridge made of wooden platforms. The twist: some of these platforms are illusions. If you step on one, you fall into the lava and restart from the beginning. The objective is to make it across as quickly and cleanly as possible.

• Observe others ahead of you to spot which tiles collapse.
• Jump diagonally for better angle control and more platform options.
• Don’t rush—precise timing beats fast resets.
• Follow the crowd early, then break away once the path is clearer.

Phantom Platforms

This mode challenges players to cross a gap using invisible platforms. Players are armed with handguns that can shoot infinitely. Shooting ahead reveals where the platforms are by watching bullet impacts, allowing you to safely plot your route.

• Fire short bursts forward to detect solid ground before jumping.
• Take diagonal paths to open more landing options.
• Watch for bullet ricochets to confirm a hit platform.
• Fire again right after landing to prepare the next step.

Exploding Isles

A wide chasm filled with solid platforms—each spaced out enough to require frequent jumps. The twist is that these platforms explode at random intervals. Some glow red right before they detonate, but there’s no consistent pattern. Players must keep moving and pick the safest route through the chaos.

• Jump constantly but smartly—standing still almost guarantees elimination.
• Prioritize platforms that aren’t glowing or are further from recent explosions.
• Change direction if a cluster ahead looks unstable.
• Move diagonally or sideways to avoid boxed-in areas.

Grenade Battle

All players are placed in a circular arena, with each slice of the circle separated by tall glass walls. Only grenades are allowed, and players must eliminate each other by tossing or lobbing them over barriers. Points are awarded based on kills.

• Use tap throws to lob grenades into adjacent segments quickly.
• Cook grenades for mid-air kills by holding the throw button.
• Move around the circle to avoid predictability.
• Throw at diagonals—players often forget to watch those angles.

Hidden Targets

Players spawn in a large arena equipped with rifles that have unlimited ammo. Instead of enemies, you need to find and shoot scattered hidden targets throughout the map. The more you destroy, the higher your score.

• Use wide sweeps with your crosshair to scan corners and vertical spots.
• Jump and reposition to check behind cover or inside structures.
• Don’t over-aim—quick flick shots work better here.
• Revisit dense areas for additional targets.

Laser Room

This mode features long corridors filled with lasers. Touching any laser resets your progress. You’ll need to duck, jump, and time your movements perfectly to reach the end and score.

• Toggle crouch for smoother control under low beams.
• Time jumps carefully—some lasers alternate movement.
• Study patterns before running through sequences.
• After a reset, rush back to difficult sections—you already know the way.

Parkour

A vertical and horizontal obstacle course packed with jumps, platforms, and gaps. Players must navigate from start to finish in under two minutes, with checkpoints placed along the way. Falling resets you to the last checkpoint, but you only score if you reach the end.

• When you reach an intersection, make sure to look around; there might be paths that aren’t very obvious, but that could help you cross faster. Make sure to look up, too!
• Slow down at tricky sections—mistakes cost more time than caution.
• Learn when to walk versus sprint for platform control.
• Focus on one segment at a time to avoid getting overwhelmed and disoriented.

Beholder: Gambit gives Standoff 2 a completely different energy. These trials are creative, chaotic, and actually require a different kind of skill than traditional bomb or frag matches. It’s about agility, quick thinking, and sometimes just watching what the crowd is doing before making your move. If you’re serious about grinding the battle pass, mastering these trials is the fastest way to level up—especially since your XP payout is directly tied to how well you perform.

And for players who want every possible edge—especially for modes that rely on precise jumps, fast turns, and sharp visuals—the best way to play Standoff 2 is on PC with BlueStacks. Smooth controls, better frame rates, and a bigger screen can easily mean the difference between falling into lava or making it to the top of the leaderboard.