BattleBlock Theater

Charming, clever and funny, this is one of the best new platformers on the PC at the moment. Recommended.

94%Game Brain Score

humor, story

grinding, stability

97% User Score Based on 45,458 reviews

Critic Score 89%Based on 6 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom €4.49

Buy NowGet on Steam €4.49 Buy NowGet on Xbox Games Store

About

BattleBlock Theater is a single player and multiplayer casual platformer game with a comedy theme. It was developed by The Behemoth and was released on April 3, 2013. It received positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"BattleBlock Theater" is a quirky platformer game where you play as a prisoner forced to perform in a theater run by cats. Your goal is to rescue your friends by fighting through hundreds of levels filled with puzzles and battles. The game features co-op gameplay, both online and local, as well as arenas with various game modes for up to four players. You can also create and share your own levels with the level editor.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Skip User Reviews

97%

Audience ScoreBased on 45,458 reviews

humor8.7k positive mentions

grinding88 negative mentions

humor
8,754 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in "Battleblock Theater" is widely praised for its absurdity and charm, with many players highlighting the hilarious narration by Will Stamper as a standout feature. The game combines quirky storytelling with slapstick comedy, often resulting in laugh-out-loud moments, especially during co-op play where players can inadvertently sabotage each other. While some find the humor to be juvenile or repetitive, the overall consensus is that the game's comedic elements significantly enhance the fun and replayability, making it a must-play for fans of lighthearted platformers.
- “Battleblock Theater is a quirky platformer with a hilarious story centered around shipwrecked prisoners forced to perform in deadly theater shows run by evil cats.”
- “The real star is the narrator, Will Stamper, whose over-the-top, sarcastic commentary adds endless humor and charm throughout the game.”
- “This game bursts with personality, offering a dazzling array of challenging levels brimming with quirky puzzles, frantic action, and irrepressible humor.”
- “This 'story' is unfunny and bland to say the least.”
- “Uugh this game is honestly really unfunny and the humor is just repetitive random yet the creators of it would still act above the whole random humor thing if you made fun of it for them today, as if they have some moral high ground.”
- “Boring, repetitive, not funny, and worst of all it's too late to get a refund.”
story
4,262 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
48%
2%
The story of *Battleblock Theater* is a quirky and humorous narrative that revolves around shipwrecked prisoners forced to perform in deadly theater shows run by evil cats. While the plot is often described as silly and nonsensical, it is delivered with engaging narration by Will Stamper, which adds a comedic flair that keeps players entertained throughout the game. Although some players feel the story lacks depth and can be repetitive, the overall charm and humor make it a memorable experience, especially when played with friends.
- “Battleblock Theater is a quirky platformer with a hilarious story centered around shipwrecked prisoners forced to perform in deadly theater shows run by evil cats.”
- “Buckle your pants because you're about to experience the story of a lifetime!”
- “The story is a true definition of insanity, although the story was made to be like that, which makes this game unique.”
- “The story isn't interesting, the challenges aren't exciting, the animation isn't spectacular.”
- “Sure, it's pretty funny, but it fails as a satisfying conclusion or payoff for the rest of the story that I was genuinely invested in.”
- “The story is also somewhat weak, sadly :(”
gameplay
2,795 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
43%
3%
The gameplay of Battleblock Theater is characterized by its engaging platforming mechanics, humorous narration, and cooperative elements that enhance the experience, especially when played with friends. While many players appreciate the game's charm and variety in level design, some find the gameplay can become repetitive and frustrating as it progresses. Overall, it offers a mix of fun, challenge, and comedic moments, making it a solid choice for fans of the platformer genre.
- “I love how they combine strategic, skill-heavy gameplay with absolute nuisance and chaotic humor.”
- “The game’s distinctive art style and fluid gameplay create an engaging and often chaotic experience.”
- “The gameplay is intuitive and the levels are diverse and engaging.”
- “Terrible gameplay + terrible control.”
- “The gameplay itself is nothing to get excited for.”
- “The gameplay is far too simple and repetitive that it gets boring really fast and everything in the game is already found elsewhere.”
music
2,022 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
38%
1%
The music in Battleblock Theater is widely praised for its catchy, upbeat tracks that enhance the game's whimsical atmosphere and humor. Players frequently mention how the soundtrack, including memorable songs like "Buckle Your Pants," gets stuck in their heads, contributing to the game's charm and replayability. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, complementing the engaging gameplay and hilarious narration, making it a significant part of the game's appeal.
- “The vibrant, hand-drawn art style and infectious soundtrack create an immersive playground where every death is met with laughter and every victory feels like a triumph.”
- “The soundtrack alone makes this game worth it.”
- “The music is amazing, the majority of the levels are well designed and fun, the narrator is goofy and always puts a smile on my face, and the story is a dark humorous masterpiece.”
- “The controls are finicky, jumps unclear and level designs that are generic, screws you over with its fake difficulty and is a nightmare to a+ music was lacking, voice over was alright to begin with, then it got annoying and repetitive.”
- “The only cons I have is that there isn't much variety in the levels and listening to the same soundtracks can get old, also the later levels will be more of an unfairly hard than a challenge.”
- “The music is so strange, and at points slightly annoying if you hear it for too long, but it is often funny and sets the tone for the level very nicely.”
graphics
1,650 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
45%
1%
The graphics of "Battleblock Theater" are widely praised for their vibrant, hand-drawn art style that captures a whimsical and humorous aesthetic, reminiscent of classic platformers. Players appreciate the charming cartoonish visuals, which are complemented by a catchy soundtrack and engaging animations, making the game visually appealing even on lower-end hardware. Overall, the graphics contribute significantly to the game's fun and chaotic atmosphere, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.
- “The vibrant, hand-drawn art style and infectious soundtrack create an immersive playground where every death is met with laughter and every victory feels like a triumph.”
- “Prepare to be amazed by Battleblock Theater's stunning graphics, which infuse the game with vibrant and lively visuals.”
- “The art style is colorful and vibrant, complemented by a catchy soundtrack that perfectly captures the whimsical atmosphere.”
- “I've experienced weird graphical glitches that no amount of reinstalling or cache clearing can fix.”
- “The visuals are extremely bland and repetitive, and they too feel like they were made in flash.”
- “The graphics get a b-”
replayability
370 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
44%
2%
BattleBlock Theater is widely praised for its high replayability, largely due to its robust level editor and community-generated content, which provide endless opportunities for new gameplay experiences. Players enjoy the challenge of collecting gems, achieving better scores, and exploring various game modes, making it a fun option for both solo and multiplayer sessions. While some reviews mention limited replay value after completing the main storyline, the overall consensus highlights the game's engaging mechanics and humor as key factors that keep players returning.
- “The level editor allows for endless replayability.”
- “The game is super replayable and really fun for trying to beat your own records, and it's even better with friends.”
- “Battleblock Theater's level variety in the story mode, combined with the ability to create your own levels gives this game high replay value.”
- “However it has fairly low replay value, relatively few unlockables and the occasional inconsistencies in difficulty curve.”
- “Great game to play with friends but sadly no replay value unless you use mods.”
- “Unfortunately, the game doesn't have much replay value, as nothing new is unlocked upon completion; however, you can go back to any level to try to best your time or obtain every collectible.”
emotional
166 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke a wide range of feelings, from laughter to tears, often within the same session. Players frequently mention being moved by the touching story and its heartwarming moments, particularly the impactful ending that leaves many in tears. The combination of humor and emotional depth creates a unique experience that resonates strongly with players, making it both a fun and poignant journey.
- “I cried at the end.”
- “This game made me cry and made me smile, and the intro or trailer is so funny, it's perfect.”
- “The story was so good, it made me cry.”
grinding
144 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
37%
61%
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and repetitive, often requiring players to replay levels multiple times to collect items or achieve high scores. Many reviewers express frustration with the game's design, particularly in later chapters where the challenge becomes overwhelming and the enjoyment diminishes, leading to a sense of burnout. While some players find value in the humor and cooperative play, the overall sentiment is that the grinding detracts significantly from the experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Medium level of grinding.”
- “Grinding isn't necessary to progress.”
- “The most terrible and tedious thing is to run 2 or even 3 times through the level to pass it with all the gems, yarn, and good time.”
- “I thought this game was supposed to be a casual platformer that anyone can pick up and enjoy, so I bought it for me and my wife, but some levels are so annoying and tedious that we both wished to just finish this game at a certain point and end this minor suffering.”
- “Ultimately, 100%ing the game turns into a dull, tedious grind that almost made me stop playing.”
optimization
118 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
56%
3%
Overall, the game's optimization is generally well-received, with many players noting that it runs smoothly even on lower-end computers, experiencing minimal interruptions or bugs. However, some users have pointed out issues with clunkiness and a lack of optimization in certain areas, particularly in multiplayer settings where high latency can affect performance. Despite these concerns, the game's charming visuals and engaging voice acting contribute positively to the overall experience.
- “Everything from the level and puzzle designs to the customization and especially the performance from Will Stamper as the voice of the narrator, the game just oozes so much personality and charm.”
- “The game runs really well, no framerate drops, no crashes at all, no clunky menus, everything about this game's performance is perfect.”
- “I want to highlight the great voice performance made by the narrator, it's awesome.”
- “It felt clunky and minimally optimized and created a few irritating moments.”
- “A 2-dimensional puzzle platformer game with progressively challenging levels bundled with unpredictable hurdles and hazards requiring quick thought and reflexes to overcome, and upon completion the player is rewarded with immense satisfaction and a performance review.”
- “Game controls optimized for controller noobs, so nobody wants you.”
stability
102 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
6%
86%
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs and glitches, particularly in online co-op modes, which can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences. While some users experienced little to no issues, others highlighted game-breaking glitches and connectivity problems that hindered their enjoyment. Overall, the game's stability appears to be inconsistent, with a notable divide between those who encountered severe issues and those who found the gameplay smooth and enjoyable.
- “One of my favorite games; the art is amazing, it's funny, the programming is good, little to no glitches, and the narrator makes me feel bad about myself!”
- “The mechanics are simple and easy to learn, it wasn't buggy at all, it didn't lag or crash on me, it was just a pleasant little game.”
- “The controls are very smooth and responsive and this game has little to no glitches.”
- “What looks like a fun platformer is actually an incredibly buggy and awful online co-op experience where half the puzzles are broken, one player has to do them alone because certain things like just picking up rocks for puzzles will just kill the non-host player, at times making it look like you're both seeing two completely different timings for things, or just bugs out and leaves your character stuck.”
- “Amazing game, but there are some glitches that never got fixed that are almost game-breaking.”
- “This game is so buggy that I am totally unable to play the game via online multiplayer.”
atmosphere
86 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
41%
3%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its vibrant art style, whimsical sound design, and engaging narration, which together create a playful and lighthearted experience. Players appreciate the silly humor and energetic soundtrack that enhance the overall enjoyment, although some note a lack of variety in atmosphere across different levels. Overall, the combination of colorful visuals, entertaining voice acting, and a unique storytelling approach contributes to a captivating and memorable atmosphere.
- “The art style is colorful and vibrant, complemented by a catchy soundtrack that perfectly captures the whimsical atmosphere.”
- “The game's colorful visuals and whimsical sound design create a playful and lighthearted atmosphere that is infectious.”
- “Not only is this game's atmosphere charming and hilarious, its music is captivating and well constructed.”
- “The levels from chapters 1 to 5 play out exactly the same and there are no distinguishable differences in theme or atmosphere, or the methods of hindrance the cats and environmental obstacles possess between the chapters.”
- “The whole game has this very silly atmosphere, and they try to push that on early with the announcer having a silly voice and commentating lines such as 'no, no, don't die' when you die.”
- “While we're on the topic of the levels, this is where the game's charm comes in: the atmosphere and design.”
character development
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
47%
Character development in the game is highlighted by its charming and humorous character designs, which are complemented by a variety of customization options that enhance player engagement. Reviewers praise the immaculate execution of character design, animations, and cutscenes, noting that the overall aesthetic contributes significantly to the game's appeal. The lighthearted tone and whimsical graphics encourage players to enjoy the experience without taking it too seriously, making character development a standout feature.
- “The story, character development, controls, and artwork are amazing.”
- “The character design is good, the cutscenes are fantastic to watch, and it's just all around a good game to look at.”
- “So many character designs which push your motivation and joy.”
monetization
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
88%
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some players labeling it a "cash grab" despite the absence of microtransactions. While the game features engaging gameplay and humorous advertisements, the lack of online cooperative play options and a limited player base detracts from the overall experience.
- “Controls are tight, levels are challenging, lots of fun customizations, and no microtransactions.”
- “This is a cash grab, plain and simple.”
- “Absolute cash grab.”
- “The only downside of this game is that it lacks advertisement and playerbase as you can't really play online co-op without a friend, as you will never find other players with the average in-game player count around 300 only.”

Skip Critic Reviews

89%Critics’ scoreBased on 6 critic reviews

Skip Game Offers

Buy BattleBlock Theater

10h Median play time

32h Average play time

10h Main story

40h Completionist

6-30h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 72 analyzed playthroughs

Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like BattleBlock Theater

92%38kreviews

Castle Crashers

2012

Casual Hack and Slash

90%12.1kreviews

Ultimate Chicken Horse

2016

Casual Platformer

+11

83%27.1kreviews

Human Fall Flat

2017

Platformer

91%10.7kreviews

Duck Game

2015

Arcade Shooter

84%2.6kreviews

The Adventure Pals

2018

Role Playing

+10

More games like BattleBlock Theater

Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

BattleBlock Theater is a casual platformer game with comedy theme.

BattleBlock Theater is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, Mac OS, Phone and others.

The main story can be completed in around 10 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 40 hours to finish. On average players spend around 32 hours playing BattleBlock Theater.

BattleBlock Theater was released on April 3, 2013.

BattleBlock Theater was developed by The Behemoth.

BattleBlock Theater has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its humor but disliked it for its grinding.

BattleBlock Theater is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Castle Crashers, Ultimate Chicken Horse, Human Fall Flat, Duck Game, The Adventure Pals and others.

BattleBlock Theater

Platforms