Knockout City

Long the bane of existence for many a Physical Education student, dodgeball is making its way back to mainstream. Knockout City takes the sport out of the school gymnasium and onto the high-rise rooftops of the future for fast paced, team-based fun that's relatively easy to pick up, but nearly impossible to put down. Matches are easy to jump into and usually last no longer than ten minutes or so. While pickup games are still fun to play, getting together a solid Crew of friends for a match is an absolute blast. Either way, working together as a team is just as (if not even more) important than quick reflexes or precise aim (though those help out a lot too). The game doesn't just make this easy, but it encouraged friendly get togethers with bonus XP and unique friend and Crew challenges to complete. There are some minor frustrations in gameplay, usually from random inexperienced or just plain irritating players. This might be spamming a Pass request or missing a well-aimed shot because a teammate decided to roll into your grip without warning. Or, the most frustrating of all, players rage quitting mid-match.

What makes Knockout City so much fun is its basic accessibility. Players create their custom characters and deck them out in all kinds of cosmetic bling to stand out from the pack, but nothing gives any special advantage over any other. It's a level playing field. Timing for special throws like curveballs and lobs can take some getting used to, but eventually become much easier with practice. Unique balls, selected at random at the start of the match, can swing the balance of power when used correctly, but like every other part of the game, can still be countered. For example, it's so fulfilling to see an opponent stand in stunned silence when you catch a full-speed sniper ball and wing it back at him. But even if that opponent's shot had hit and won them the match, it just so wild and entertaining that you can't wait to jump right back in for just one more match.