Stikbold! A Dodgeball Adventure
Overview -
Plenty of children know the thrill of throwing a rubber ball at an unsuspecting foe and smacking them right in the face. Indie developer Game Swing looks to bring that excitement to the virtual realm with their first retail title 'Stikbold! A Dodgeball Adventure.' The Copenhagen based developer has teamed up with publisher Curve Digital to bring their eccentric party game to both consoles and PC.
'Stikbold' began life as an entry in the 2013 Nordic Game Jam and later as a PAX 10 selection. Has it managed to fulfill its potential and recapture the magic (and subsequent horror) of dodgeball?
Video Review
While not a technical marvel, Game Swing has developed a good looking game that is full of style. The blocky characters are reminiscent of 'Minecraft,' and every single stage shows off a different locale. The amount of unique artwork is impressive as each level is filled with interactive objects and hazards to avoid, but sadly there are only 5 stages to check out.
Audio Review
'Stikbold' doesn't have a soundtrack that will leave you humming it for weeks later like 'Undertale,' but it does have a nice array of catchy tunes. The light-hearted music is fitting for the game's atmosphere, and the sound effects provide a satisfying "thump" when someone gets hit with a projectile. The voice acting is also top-notch using a made-up language that combines Danish and English.
Final Thoughts
'Stikbold! A Dodgeball Adventure' may not be the cream of the crop when it comes to local multiplayer games, but it's a heck of an alternative. There's enough depth to keep players coming back for more, but not enough content to recommend long play sessions. A completely ridiculous, albeit short, campaign also helps round out an enjoyable package. 'Stikbold' offers up all the fun of dodgeball with the added bonus of not getting smacked in the face with a large rubber ball.
