Dodgeball Academia

87%
Game Brain Score Based on 384 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Dodgeball Academia Game Cover
With engaging dodgeball gameplay and enthralling RPG elements, Dodgeball Academia is one of the best games of the year so far.
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"Dodgeball Academia" is an arcade-style game with local multi-player options for up to 2 players. It features a single-player story mode where you play as Otto, training to become a dodgeball champion. The game offers intriguing storylines, masterful mechanics, stunning graphics, and a good soundtrack, with an RPG-style progression system for characters and parties. Explore the vast campus, uncover secrets, and engage in action-packed dodgeball matches with challenging enemies.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

87%
Audience ScoreBased on 384 reviews
story63 positive mentions
grinding6 negative mentions
  • Dodgeball Academia features a charming art style and engaging characters, reminiscent of classic cartoons and RPGs like Pokémon and Paper Mario.
  • The gameplay is fun and intuitive, combining dodgeball mechanics with RPG elements, allowing for strategic team compositions and character abilities.
  • The game offers a light-hearted story filled with humor and clever writing, making it an enjoyable experience for players of all ages.
  • The gameplay can become repetitive, especially in the later chapters, leading to a sense of monotony as players go through similar match structures.
  • The combat system has some issues, such as clunky controls and AI teammates that do not contribute effectively during battles.
  • The story, while charming, can feel drawn out with excessive dialogue and pacing issues, making some sections feel tedious.
  • story176 mentions

    The story of Dodgeball Academia is generally described as light-hearted and entertaining, featuring a mix of humor and engaging characters, though it often leans on cliches and lacks depth. While some players appreciate its wholesome and quirky narrative, others find it somewhat shallow and repetitive, with a plot that doesn't break new ground. Overall, it serves as a fun backdrop to the gameplay, appealing particularly to fans of sports RPGs and animated storytelling.

    • “I would highly recommend this game if you are looking for a nice slow-paced story with its retro feel and the characters... that's what I'm in this for - the characters are excellent!”
    • “The story is wholesome, positive and moves at a brisk pace.”
    • “A super fun bite-sized RPG, with arcade-y dodgeball battle mechanics, a charming art style, likable characters and a story that wouldn't be out of place in a Saturday morning cartoon or sports anime.”
    • “Boring cliché story!”
    • “Although I would not say this game accomplishes anything especially unique aside from compressing a generic animated show-for-children storyline down into a single experience, it remains satisfying and entertaining.”
    • “Dodgeball academia has a lot going for it, but the problems with the story and gameplay were too all-encompassing for me to ignore.”
  • gameplay145 mentions

    The gameplay in Dodgeball Academia is generally praised for its fun and engaging dodgeball mechanics, which blend light RPG elements and character abilities, creating a dynamic experience. However, some players note that it can become repetitive over time, and there are issues with passive teammates and clunky menus that detract from the overall experience. Despite these drawbacks, the game is recognized for its charming art style, humor, and the rewarding nature of its mechanics as players progress.

    • “The gameplay is probably the most impressive part of the game, with a lot of potential depth.”
    • “The gameplay itself is snappy, intuitive, responsive, and simple enough that it just makes for a fun experience.”
    • “With engaging dodgeball gameplay and enthralling RPG elements, Dodgeball Academia is one of the best games of the year so far.”
    • “Dodgeball Academia has a lot going for it, but the problems with the story and gameplay were too all-encompassing for me to ignore.”
    • “This game can best be summed up in: the devs had a lot of heart and made a really stylized unique game with terrible controls and horrid gameplay.”
    • “For me, this was a pretty unfair and a weird combat mechanics decision by the devs.”
  • graphics89 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique and vibrant art style, reminiscent of popular cartoon aesthetics, particularly those from Cartoon Network. Players appreciate the charming blend of 2D and 3D elements, crisp animations, and colorful character designs, which contribute to an engaging visual experience. While some note that the game's budget is evident, the overall aesthetic and attention to detail in the graphics enhance the enjoyment of the gameplay and story.

    • “The art style is bright and bubbly with unique character designs.”
    • “The graphics are an excellent blend of 2D characters in a 3D environment.”
    • “The lovingly crafted aesthetic that combines 2D and 3D graphics only helps accentuate all the other great things it's already doing.”
    • “Many of the characters fall into extremely typical archetypes or are defined by a shallowly exaggerated aesthetic.”
    • “Visuals: the game's budget shows, but the team clearly knew where to put their efforts.”
    • “Lots of area transitions/loads when I feel like there could be none given the simple asset art style.”
  • humor38 mentions

    The game is praised for its charming and humorous writing, with many reviewers highlighting the clever dialogue, fun characters, and engaging story that seamlessly integrates humor. Players appreciate the light-hearted tone and inventive visuals, making it enjoyable for both casual play and deeper engagement. Overall, the humor is a standout feature that enhances the gaming experience, appealing to a wide audience, including families.

    • “If you like Pokémon, if you like quick sports games, if you enjoy wonderful hand-drawn aesthetics, humorous dialogue, skill check mania, and are just into a fun game, this is number one for all of those things combined.”
    • “This game is incredibly charming, funny, and cute.”
    • “A lot of love clearly went into the translation, as there are many clever jokes, wordplays, or simply funny lines that were made specifically for each language.”
  • music33 mentions

    The music in the game has received a mixed response, with many praising its energetic and catchy soundtrack that complements the game's art style and atmosphere, likening it to a vibrant Saturday morning cartoon. However, some players found the music overly energetic to the point of being obnoxious, and a few noted that it lacked variety, particularly in the context of a dodgeball-themed game. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a strong aspect, enhancing the gameplay experience despite some criticisms.

    • “The music is amazing and the beats suit the game style.”
    • “The soundtrack fits perfectly with this game's summer-like atmosphere, and I love it.”
    • “The character designs are amazing, the effects, the music, it just feels like a great Saturday morning cartoon that just happens to be playable.”
    • “The music is so overly energetic all the time as to be outright obnoxious.”
    • “The soundtrack has a lot to do with that.”
    • “The light and upbeat music go so well with the art style, as well as the more intense music when in a battle.”
  • character development16 mentions

    The character development in the game is highly praised for its vibrant and unique designs, which are reminiscent of modern cartoons. Reviewers appreciate the intricate craftsmanship and creativity behind the character designs, noting that they enhance the overall game experience and contribute to a colorful, engaging world. The developers' focus on character development is evident, making it a standout feature that deserves recognition.

    • “You can tell the developers tried their best to focus on character development.”
    • “Intricately crafted and creative with its game mechanics, storyline, and character designs.”
    • “The character designs are amazing (I love Ballooney!), the effects, the music, it just feels like a great Saturday morning cartoon that just happens to be playable.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
    • “I found the character arcs predictable and uninspired, which detracted from my overall enjoyment of the game.”
    • “Despite the vibrant art style, the characters themselves feel one-dimensional and fail to evolve throughout the story.”
  • emotional14 mentions

    The game is praised for its wholesome and heartwarming story, characterized by positive themes and engaging character development. Players feel a nostalgic connection, reminiscent of childhood, enhanced by vibrant, cartoonish visuals and intuitive gameplay. Overall, it delivers a delightful, feel-good experience akin to a Saturday morning cartoon.

    • “The story is wholesome, positive, and moves at a brisk pace.”
    • “You don't have to be a great gamer to get to the end of this heartwarming coming-of-age story.”
    • “This game made me feel like I want to be young again.”
  • grinding6 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while the initial gameplay is engaging and diverse, it becomes repetitive and tedious towards the end. The necessity to frequently return to the medical building for healing adds to the frustration, especially after enjoying auto-healing in the early stages. Overall, the blend of RPG and action elements helps mitigate some of the grind, but it remains a notable concern.

    • “It got a little bit repetitive and tedious towards the end, but I love the mix of RPG elements with action.”
    • “The only major complaint I have is running back to the medical building to heal after every fight is very tedious; especially considering you're auto-healed for the first part of the game.”
    • “You'll get 10-15 hours out of the game, it's fun, lots of references to Pokémon, controls can be awkward at times but there's enough diversity that the smaller fights don't feel incredibly tedious.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is enhanced by a fitting soundtrack that complements its summerlike vibe, creating an enjoyable and immersive experience for players.

    • “The soundtrack fits perfectly with this game's summer-like atmosphere, and I love it.”
  • stability2 mentions

    The game's stability is generally acceptable, but some users have encountered bugs, particularly in the final chapter, which may require consulting guides. While these issues can potentially extend playtime, they do not seem to be widespread or game-breaking.

    • “I had to look up a guide for one part as the ending is a little buggy. Luckily, it wasn't a problem for me, but it could've easily added an extra hour or two to my total playtime replaying the final chapter and recollecting every item.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game's optimization is praised for its outstanding designs and visuals, delivering excellent performance that enhances the overall experience. Players find exploring the map to be enjoyable and seamless, complemented by a catchy soundtrack.

    • “The outstanding designs, visuals, and performance create an immersive experience.”
    • “The excellent and catchy soundtrack enhances the overall gameplay.”
    • “Exploring the map is breezy fun, making optimization feel seamless.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

81% average critic score

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Play time

2hMedian play time
2hAverage play time
2-2hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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