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Foul Play

With great wit and humour, Foul Play is a thoroughly enjoyable brawler that will keep you entertained for a good while.
Foul Play Game Cover
70%Game Brain Score
story, graphics
gameplay, grinding
75% User Score Based on 364 reviews
Critic Score 65%Based on 11 reviews

Platforms

LinuxXbox 360Xbox Series X|SPCPlaystation 5Mac OSPlaystation 4Xbox OneXboxWindowsPlayStationPlaystation Vita
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Foul Play Game Cover

About

Foul Play is a single player and multiplayer casual hack and slash game with a comedy theme. It was developed by Mediatonic and was released on September 18, 2013. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

In "Foul Play," become the daemon-hunter Baron Dashforth in a side-scrolling co-op brawler set on a theater stage. Perform impressive takedowns and attacks, and use stage-tricks to keep your audience enthralled. Play single-player or with a friend in local or online co-op, and discover the truth about the mysterious Foul Play. Explore 22 acts, fight over 50 enemies, and learn 12 electrifying stage-tricks. The game features beautifully animated scene changes and a "Daemon Diary" that charts your daemonology discoveries.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
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+7
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75%
Audience ScoreBased on 364 reviews
story29 positive mentions
gameplay19 negative mentions
  • Unique and charming theater setting that adds a fresh twist to the beat 'em up genre.
  • Engaging combat mechanics that focus on combos and audience approval, making gameplay feel rewarding.
  • Humorous writing and entertaining character interactions enhance the overall experience.
  • Repetitive gameplay with limited enemy variety can lead to boredom over time.
  • Technical issues such as crashes and lack of resolution options detract from the experience.
  • Controls are primarily designed for controllers, making keyboard play less intuitive and frustrating.
  • gameplay
    102 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of this title is characterized by its beat'em up mechanics, which, while initially engaging, quickly devolve into repetitive button-mashing with limited variety in combat options and enemy encounters. Players appreciate the unique performance-based health system and charming presentation, but many find the overall experience shallow and lacking depth, leading to boredom over extended play sessions. Despite some enjoyable moments, the consensus suggests that the gameplay does not justify its price, with better alternatives available in the genre.

    • “The gameplay highly resembles Castle Crashers while at the same time adding a movie-like atmosphere as you follow the protagonist throughout the stories of his life.”
    • “The graphics are characteristic and pleasing, the sound is just right, and the mechanics will give you the joy of beat-em-ups long gone with enough twists and combos to help you battle through the game without getting bored.”
    • “Foul Play is a novel idea which takes an age-old mechanic and twists it into something new and unique, and its great theatre aesthetic and witty humour are both enjoyable to behold.”
    • “Extremely boring and repetitive gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is very repetitive and shallow; there is no progressive system unless you want to count some new useless combos as progressive. I couldn’t feel rewarded at all.”
    • “While the core gameplay mechanic (there's no traditional health, rather depending on keeping combos going to stay alive) is fairly neat, and there's charm, it's too mashy and repetitive to justify the $15 price tag.”
  • story
    82 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is presented as a theatrical performance, blending humor and quirky narratives that engage players throughout the experience. While some find the storytelling innovative and entertaining, others criticize it for being generic and overly simplistic, with a short runtime that may leave players wanting more. Overall, the unique art style and comedic elements contribute to a fun co-op atmosphere, making the story a highlight for many, despite some repetitive gameplay mechanics.

    • “The story is great, the art design is beautiful, and the overall game is fun, especially in co-op!”
    • “The story, in which you search for your long lost father, takes you to exotic places and confronts you with all kinds of supernatural beings.”
    • “A rollicking good time, especially if you make use of the co-operative mode; the gameplay seems to be a fairly standard beat-em-up fare, but the story is entertaining so far, and the conceit that the gameplay is in fact a stage play is both amusing and an excellent justification for the star-based rating system.”
    • “The game flow, hardly breathtaking by itself, is constantly interrupted by a million cutscenes (storytelling, you know), which is kinda annoying.”
    • “The story is serviceable but the lack of emotion due to the voiceless characters just kills it.”
    • “To top it off, the story is only 4 hours long without much extra to do unless you are one of those 100% completion type people.”
  • graphics
    71 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming, cartoonish art style that enhances its theatrical atmosphere, drawing players in with its unique presentation and humor. While some users noted the lack of resolution options and occasional glitches, the overall aesthetic is praised for its creativity and appeal, particularly to younger audiences. Despite some criticisms regarding simplicity and limited character customization, the visuals are generally regarded as pleasant and fitting for the gameplay experience.

    • “It has a unique graphics style that will pull you in and a story that actually gets fascinating the longer you play.”
    • “The art style is lovely; it's so smooth and nice to the eye.”
    • “The graphics are great and the co-op is really a lot of fun.”
    • “There's no option to change the resolution and no useful graphics tweaks.”
    • “At first glance, it may seem like a poorly made game with terrible graphics from the developers 'Mediatonic, the Irregular Corporation'.”
    • “If you are somehow interested because of the art style and silliness, I'd suggest skipping this one.”
  • humor
    51 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's humor is a standout feature, with many players praising its clever dialogue, quirky characters, and entertaining background gags that enhance the overall experience. While some found the humor charming and consistently funny, others felt it became repetitive or fell flat at times. Overall, the combination of a humorous storyline and engaging visuals makes it a delightful choice for co-op play, though some players noted that the humor's appeal may diminish as the game progresses.

    • “Hilarious through and through, great gameplay and visuals.”
    • “Fantastically charming and witty game with more character and humor than you can shake your cane at.”
    • “A fun story, some cheeky humor in the background with 'dead' actors crawling off the stage and wrong backdrops will be enough for any fan of the beat ‘em up genre to enjoy.”
  • optimization
    26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization is primarily tailored for controller use, enhancing the performance-based gameplay that combines beat 'em up mechanics with theatrical elements. While the controls are intuitive and the performance meter adds a rewarding layer, some players find the gameplay repetitive over time. Overall, the game offers a clever and engaging experience, though it may not be revolutionary in its execution.

    • “The more combos and hits you make on your enemies, the more your audience approval goes up, and the quicker you can unlock your special move and unleash a lot of hits.”
    • “The real beauty of this game is the small touches and continual nods to remind you that it's all just a performance.”
    • “All you have to worry about is the quality of your performance, trying to fill the always present meter and amaze the crowd, allowing you to do even more impressive stunts as a reward.”
    • “Unfortunately for me, it is highly optimized for controllers.”
    • “It's a clever take on the genre that makes for a somewhat interesting experience, but in spite of the description's 'rewards performance over pummeling', the gameplay does get fairly repetitive and it's easy to lose interest after a few levels.”
    • “For me, the gameplay mostly involved lots of button-mashing, which is how I play every fighting game ever, but the idea of your performance skills being the main criteria for success makes this game something unique.”
  • music
    24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players noting that it complements the action and storytelling effectively, creating a cozy and enjoyable atmosphere. While some find the soundtrack to be repetitive or forgettable, others appreciate its fitting nature and lively style, enhancing the overall experience. Overall, the music is described as good, with standout moments that contribute positively to the game's charm.

    • “I loved the game when I first played it back before the issue and I still think the writing, music, comedy, and style in this game are superb.”
    • “The music fits well, and perfectly suits the seriousness of some situations.”
    • “The art style is cool, the music compliments the experience, and the idea that you're in a play/theatre is actually really interesting and unique.”
    • “The music also didn't impress, because I can't remember if there even was music in it in the first place, and if so, if it was any good.”
    • “The soundtrack fits the theme very well and I do like the menu music, though it's nothing spectacular, it's just good and fits the game well.”
    • “Sound and music works okay in the game; the music fits for action or storytelling parts, but the sounds can be repetitive.”
  • atmosphere
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is a standout feature, blending quirky humor, thematic backgrounds, and a light-hearted tone that enhances the overall experience. While some players noted issues with controls and repetitive combat, the immersive graphics and engaging story contribute to a captivating environment reminiscent of Victorian times and theatrical settings. Despite minor technical glitches, the unique art style and comedic elements create an enjoyable atmosphere that resonates with players.

    • “The atmospheric backgrounds, extras, costumes, and the gags all come together thematically to bring you enjoyment.”
    • “The gameplay highly resembles Castle Crashers while at the same time adding a movie-like atmosphere as you follow the protagonist throughout the stories of his life.”
    • “The set pieces are wonderful, and you'll find yourself chuckling at the background gags or soaking in the atmospheric cutouts of spooky castles and ancient pyramids.”
    • “Or maybe this is another beat'em up with a quirky atmosphere that has bad controls, clunky combat, and bland button-mashing gameplay.”
    • “Despite the combat being boring and repetitive, the story and atmosphere definitely manages to let the game be amazing.”
    • “Throughout the game, a lot of textures were glitching and it kinda spoiled the atmosphere of the scenes when it happened, but that's all.”
  • grinding
    9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, often feeling like a chore rather than an engaging challenge. While the game offers some fun elements, the combat mechanics can lead to frustrating interruptions, and the rewards for completing challenges are seen as insufficient. Overall, the grinding experience is described as shallow and more tedious than enjoyable, with players expressing a desire for more meaningful rewards for their efforts.

    • “I tried to force myself through this tedious chore but eventually concluded that I've already lost the money; there's no point in losing the time as well.”
    • “Moreover, it does sometimes get a little repetitive and tedious as you progress, with sporadic pay off.”
    • “However, the game is both tedious and shallow.”
  • replayability
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the unlockable items, leveling system, and the ability to revisit levels for better scores, others find the main campaign too short and lacking in content. Despite its engaging storyline and characters, the limited length may lead some to recommend waiting for a sale. However, for fans of the genre, the multiplayer options and achievements provide ample opportunities for replay.

    • “Fresh and innovative sidescrolling beat 'em up with a well-wrought storyline, witty dialogues, lovely characters, simple game mechanics, and high replayability.”
    • “It's got unlockable power-up items you can equip, a leveling system, achievements, online/multiplayer, and lots of room for replayability.”
    • “Too short though and little replayability, so I would recommend getting it on sale.”
    • “The main campaign is short but fair for what you pay, and you always have the replay value of revisiting earlier levels to improve your scores and target missed objectives.”
    • “I have to admit, I'm not the biggest fan of this genre; however, I enjoyed Castle Crashers. I respected its humor, and it has much more content and replayability, with up to 4 people.”
  • stability
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is inconsistent, with some players experiencing smooth performance at 60fps, while others report significant bugs and freezing issues, particularly when using controllers. Despite its appealing graphics, the presence of glitches detracts from the overall experience.

    • “The game runs great at 60fps with a GTX 780 and an i7 4770K.”
    • “I haven't experienced any crashes or bugs; the stability is impressive.”
    • “The performance is smooth and consistent, making for a seamless gaming experience.”
    • “This game is buggy as hell.”
    • “Using an Xbox 360 controller as suggested, it works for a few seconds in the menu and then it pretty much freezes, but the music continues.”
    • “Whenever I attempt to play the game, it freezes and says something has gone wrong. I redownloaded it and the same thing happened.”
  • character development
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is praised for its vibrant and humorous art style, which enhances the overall experience and complements the characters' personalities effectively.

    • “The character development is truly exceptional, with a colorful and unique sense of humor reflected in the art and character designs.”
    • “The depth of each character's backstory adds layers to the gameplay, making every interaction feel meaningful.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, showcasing their growth and personal struggles in a relatable way.”
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65%Critics’ scoreBased on 11 critic reviews
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7h Median play time
7h Average play time
7-7h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Foul Play is a casual hack and slash game with comedy theme.

Foul Play is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, Mac OS and others.

On average players spend around 7 hours playing Foul Play.

Foul Play was released on September 18, 2013.

Foul Play was developed by Mediatonic.

Foul Play has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its gameplay.

Foul Play is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Icey, Final Exam, Shank, Fight'N Rage, Stories: The Path of Destinies and others.