{"id":32178,"date":"2021-07-19T15:54:42","date_gmt":"2021-07-19T13:54:42","guid":{"rendered":"\/blog\/?p=32178"},"modified":"2021-07-19T15:54:42","modified_gmt":"2021-07-19T13:54:42","slug":"we-review-eas-dodgebrawl-battle-game-knockout-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/blog\/we-review-eas-dodgebrawl-battle-game-knockout-city\/","title":{"rendered":"We Review EA\u2019s Dodgebrawl Battle Game, Knockout City"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Where other games like\u00a0Rocket Arena<\/em>\u00a0failed to grasp an immediate audience, EA\u2019s new \u2018dodgebrawl\u2019 battle game,\u00a0Knockout City,<\/em>\u00a0has garnered a massive player base in a short amount of time since its launch. But, what is getting players to sign on? Much like the highly popular\u00a0Fortnite<\/em>,\u00a0Knockout City<\/em>\u00a0has managed to find the perfect balance between being accessible, while still having enough depth and strategy to keep you engrossed. The immediate pick-up-and-play familiarity of dodgeball\u00a0mixed with some fun and dynamic environmental mechanics, means that you get an experience where you already know the rules before you\u2019ve even discovered the game.<\/p>\n

Of course, the fun of\u00a0Knockout City<\/em> is adapting to the curveballs that the developers have integrated into that tried-and-tested formula. Much like\u00a0Rocket League<\/em>\u00a0emulating a vehicular-football set-up,\u00a0Knockout City<\/em>\u00a0works on the same premise with everyone\u2019s favourite rubber-balls-to-the-face pastime, but the real fun comes in with the tricks and twists that you have to capitalise on (and watch out for).<\/p>\n

\"Knockout<\/p>\n

Also read:<\/strong>\u00a03 Games Under R400 You Need to Play<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The game sticks with a simple setup. 3v3 battles mean that the game isn\u2019t overwhelming, it\u2019s easy to find people to play with thanks to quick and levelled matchmaking, and you\u2019re able to coordinate with your smaller team rather than a horde of random people going AWOL. You also start each match with nothing, leaving everyone in a mad scramble to find balls to attack with, so there\u2019s a great level playing field from the get-go.<\/p>\n

The mechanics in Knockout City keep it simple too \u2014 you\u2019re able to throw, pass, and catch; and these three principles make up most of what you\u2019ll be doing across Knockout City\u2019s handful of colourful and different maps. The game utilises an auto-lock on feature when throwing at opponents, but you\u2019ll have to be within a certain proximity and trajectory, of course. On the defensive front, you can dodge if your timing is right, but even better, catch the ball being thrown at you with a perfectly-timed pull of the left-trigger.<\/p>\n

\"Knockout<\/p>\n

This risk-reward of throwing and risking a catch, or anticipating a throw from an opponent only to try and nab it back is exhilarating and gives players who don\u2019t want to dive into a world of customisable weapons and XP something more simple to enjoy. With that said, though,\u00a0Knockout City\u2019<\/em>s straightforward approach has\u00a0a lot<\/em>\u00a0of tricks to master.<\/p>\n

You can add in lob shots or curve throws (to hit players hiding behind cover or around corners, respectively) using acrobatic moves before throwing.\u00a0The game also features a handful of ball types to mix up the gameplay and give you some options when attacking. From the Moon Ball, which allows the player holding the ball to jump higher, to the Bomb Ball, which is a time-bomb that explodes on impact, there\u2019s a lot of variety in the way you want to play. There\u2019s even a sniper-shot ball to launch a fast, almost undodgeable direct hit!<\/p>\n

\"Knockout<\/p>\n

Also read:<\/strong>\u00a03 Great Xbox Games Under R200<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

In addition to the range of ball types you can also use your teammates, literally!\u00a0If you\u2019re stuck in a position without any balls and need some ammo ASAP, you can request your teammate to bundle into a ball and launch them at the opponent. It\u2019s an ingenious way to balance the gameplay even if you can\u2019t get your hands on any balls, and adds an unpredictable element to your strategy. Of course, this has a risk too, as you can easily be caught and used against your own team.<\/p>\n

The levels themselves are also a highlight, where traversal and mastering your jumping becomes a must if you\u2019re going to survive a few rounds. Gusts of wind, quick-travel tubes, and even moving cranes can be capitalised on in order to get to higher ground and take advantage of the game\u2019s impressive verticality \u2014 you really never know where a ball is going to hit you from.<\/p>\n