Knockout City

It feels like a lot of care has been put into Knockout City. The gameplay offers a satisfying loop, and the amount of customisation is staggering. As time ticks on, Knockout City could prove to be a big hit.

84%Game Brain Score

gameplay, graphics

monetization, story

87% User Score Based on 11,120 reviews

Critic Score 81%Based on 28 reviews

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About

"Knockout City is a free-to-play, team-based multiplayer game that revolves around dodgeball battles. Customize your character, form a crew, and compete against rival teams in frantic and fun matches. The Deluxe Edition offers exclusive rewards, including outfits, vehicle, logos, banners, and in-game currency."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 11,120 reviews

gameplay453 positive mentions

monetization20 negative mentions

The gameplay is fast-paced, engaging, and easy to pick up, with a high skill ceiling that emphasizes teamwork and strategy.
The vibrant art style, eclectic atmosphere, and energetic soundtrack create a fun and immersive experience that players enjoy.
The game offers a variety of modes and a strong sense of community, fostering camaraderie and emotional investment among players.

Many players report issues with repetitive gameplay, matchmaking problems, and a lack of depth in the overall experience.
The game suffers from stability issues, including frequent crashes, freezes, and performance problems that detract from enjoyment.
There is a desire for more content, such as a dedicated story mode, as well as concerns about the monetization strategy and grinding aspects.

gameplay
1,026 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
52%
4%
The gameplay in "Knockout City" is characterized by its fast-paced, engaging mechanics that blend simplicity with depth, making it easy to pick up yet challenging to master. Players appreciate the vibrant art style, dynamic maps, and a variety of game modes that keep the experience fresh, although some express concerns about repetitive gameplay and matchmaking issues. Overall, the game offers a unique twist on dodgeball with a focus on teamwork and strategy, appealing to both casual and competitive players.
- “The game's vibrant art style, smooth mechanics, and dynamic maps create an enjoyable experience that's easy to pick up and play.”
- “Super fun, fast-paced gameplay with a high skill ceiling and emphasis on teamwork.”
- “The gameplay is fast-paced, fun, and competitive.”
- “The game lacks depth in the gameplay and is pretty dead.”
- “The maps are meh, and the gameplay is pretty repetitive after a while; get cornered by the stack= lose, corner with your stack= win.”
- “It's fun for a bit, I wanted a dodgeball video game for a long time but honestly I can't play this much even with friends for a variety of reasons, mostly the gameplay loop is very minimal and the map design is so-so and it's just so easy to burn out for that reason.”
graphics
271 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
68%
1%
The game's graphics are characterized by a vibrant, cartoonish art style that draws inspiration from retro aesthetics, particularly the 1950s greaser subculture and 90s arcade games. Players appreciate the colorful visuals and smooth animations, which enhance the overall gameplay experience, although some express mixed feelings about the art style's appeal. Despite occasional technical issues, such as graphics settings not saving, the game's unique aesthetic and engaging design contribute to its charm and replayability.
- “The game's vibrant art style, smooth mechanics, and dynamic maps create an enjoyable experience that's easy to pick up and play.”
- “The game's graphics and atmosphere of the maps are also very good, somehow managing to pull off a mix of punk, retro-futurism, cartoony-ness, and a bunch of other styles with it still feeling like a coherent world.”
- “Knockout City is a zany take on dodgeball that combines surprisingly deep gameplay with a bright, colorful aesthetic.”
- “Couldn't get the PC version working due to graphic issues :(”
- “I've downloaded the game and every time I try to open it, it doesn't and shows a message that says 'Vulkan can't be initialized' and my graphic card is up to date; I can't fix it, please help!”
- “Also, there are some weird frame drops that happen in the game which occur at the worst times; I don't know why they do, but I think it has to do with dynamic display which tries to adjust the graphics all the time for steady frame rates.”
music
133 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
46%
3%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its energetic and engaging soundtrack, often compared to the iconic style of "Jet Set Radio." Players appreciate the variety of in-game bands and the way the music enhances the overall gameplay experience, making it fun and addictive. However, some users noted that the repetitive nature of the soundtrack can become grating over extended play sessions.
- “The world was bright and beautiful, the character designs and cosmetics were varied but invariably delightful, and the music was energetic and engaging, coming from many different in-universe bands, each with a unique sound.”
- “The soundtrack of this game is amazing and fits perfectly.”
- “A healthy dose of reflex-based competitive action that's easy to learn and fun to master, with a fantastic presentation, groovy soundtrack, and high replay value.”
- “But what is the annoying menu music? I can't remember it being funny once, and I can't turn it down until I can get into the game.”
- “I bought this game expecting something like Jet Set Radio; instead, I got Fortnite soccer with a pretty underwhelming soundtrack and bad controls.”
- “Ui is currently wonky on PC, and the music/announcer gets grating pretty fast.”
humor
118 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players highlighting its chaotic and silly nature that leads to countless hilarious moments, both in gameplay and character interactions. Many reviews note the game's ability to keep players laughing, even during losses, thanks to its clever mechanics, funny voiceovers, and quirky aesthetics. Overall, it is described as a fun and entertaining experience, perfect for multiplayer sessions with friends.
- “So if you're looking for a multiplayer game that's funny, silly, and full of hilarious moments, give Knockout City a try.”
- “The voice overs are hilarious and the movement, mechanics, balls, maps, characters, crews are all very good and very well worked out features!”
- “Not only is the game itself fun, and full of positive feedback loops, but every map, animation, item, and even descriptions have that little flair of humor, creativity and thought, a key sign proving that real human beings truly love and have fun working on the game, putting a touch of their personality into every corner.”
- “Aaaaa balls in my face, no! Ahaahaaa... stop! Omg y'all, *laughs gingerly in an introverted manner* it's not funny anymore!”
- “Aaaaa balls in my face, no! Ahaahaaa... stop! Omg y'all, *laughs gingerly in an introverted manner* it's not funny anymore!”
monetization
87 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
70%
23%
The monetization strategy of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while microtransactions are present, they are primarily cosmetic and do not impact gameplay. Some users express frustration over the initial purchase price combined with additional in-game purchases, labeling it as a cash grab, while others appreciate the lack of pay-to-win elements and the ability to earn cosmetics through gameplay. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the monetization could be improved, it is not overly aggressive compared to other EA titles.
- “Great game, very simple yet very fun gameplay, decent progression, lots of skins, fair monetization (as much as microtransactions can be) can only recommend, I have 125 hours on Origin and have been playing since the first betas.”
- “Microtransactions are all cosmetic (and obtainable through free gameplay).”
- “The in-app purchases don't help you progress; they are simply cosmetic, which is nice knowing there are no pay-to-win elements.”
- “We were disappointed when it became free with in-game purchases and battle-pass nonsense (especially since I paid for it twice), but it's not a 'pay-to-play' system so it didn't affect our gameplay. The game is entirely skill-based and the customization to your character is really cool and I love the whole style of it.”
- “Huge esports and competitive potential, but the game was dead from the start because it was 20 bucks. Fuck you EA for greedily putting a game price plus microtransactions.”
- “Great game, but the devs didn't really seem to care to think about the future, which makes me think the game was just another EA microtransaction cash grab.”
story
84 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
71%
19%
The game's story aspect is largely criticized, with many users noting the absence of a dedicated story mode, which they feel would enhance the experience. While some mention that character backgrounds and world lore are present, the overall sentiment is a desire for more narrative depth and structured single-player content. Despite this, players appreciate the variety of game modes and missions available, indicating that the gameplay itself is engaging even without a strong story component.
- “Game is most definitely my main game; the storyline is cool.”
- “Good game, but a story mode would be amazing!”
- “Desperately in need of more to do, I'd suggest a story mode.”
- “At $20 USD it's quite steep; if there were a single-player mission system or even a wave-based co-op mode, I definitely feel like the game could appeal to a larger crowd.”
- “Yes, despite this game not having a story mode, you do learn a bit about the characters and the world they inhabit.”
grinding
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
25%
69%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players noting that it can be quite extensive, often requiring significant time investment to progress. However, some appreciate that the battle pass system is less grindy compared to other games, making the experience more enjoyable, especially when playing with friends. Overall, while grinding is present, it is often balanced by rewarding free cosmetics and a focus on skill rather than purely grinding for rewards.
- “The battle pass system isn't too grindy either like other games. I mean, you still have to play a lot, but it's not as bad because you are having fun while playing it.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “A bit grindy at times.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Sadly as it is, every new game that has a lot of potential becomes free and uses the same money farming strategy such as Fortnite and adds a battle pass, which basically destroys the grind from the game.”
- “Currently, it's all win/loss based, which favors grinding over time to inevitably advance.”
optimization
49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
54%
24%
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while many players report smooth performance and minimal bugs, there are persistent issues with stuttering and lag, particularly in server performance. Despite the fun gameplay and engaging mechanics, some users express frustration over the lack of improvements to optimization since launch, suggesting that the developers may prioritize cosmetic updates over performance fixes. Players generally recommend the game but caution that it may require further optimization for a consistently stable experience.
- “Optimization is amazing, gameplay is smooth and intuitive, and it's just overall a very fun game to play.”
- “Plus it's very well optimized.”
- “Here is what the game does right: there's little to no bugs that I've experienced, making the game run smoothly.”
- “The game is out for over 6 months, they still didn't address the performance issues.”
- “Was running just fine when I originally downloaded it, but a week later there is horrendous stuttering and lag, even in menus and the main hub area.”
- “Probably put more thought into cosmetics and the battle pass than optimization.”
stability
45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
96%
The game's stability is a significant concern among players, with many reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and game-breaking glitches that detract from the overall experience. While some users have had minimal issues, the consensus leans towards a frustratingly buggy gameplay environment that requires urgent fixes. Despite these stability problems, many still find the game enjoyable and addictive, hoping for improvements in future updates.
- “But other than that, it's been fun; no glitches so far.”
- “Many game-breaking glitches yet to be fixed.”
- “It's a good game and very fun with friends; however, I often experience crashes and freezes, so I hope this gets fixed in a future update.”
- “Game won't even let me join a match half the time because it glitches in the lobby screen with no way out of it when I can hear the game being played in the background, and then proceeds to give me a penalty for leaving the game.”
emotional
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a wide range of emotions while engaging with the game, from tears of joy and frustration to feelings of camaraderie and acceptance within a supportive community. The game elicits strong emotional responses, whether through its competitive nature or its wholesome elements, making it a unique experience that resonates deeply with many. Overall, it fosters a sense of belonging and emotional investment, despite moments of frustration.
- “I shed a tear or two each time I think about it.”
- “Panda threw a ball at my head and I cried for like 23 minutes.”
- “Bad game made me cry.”
replayability
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
39%
17%
Overall, the game is praised for its solid replayability, with many users noting its addictive multiplayer aspect and engaging gameplay that remains fun despite potential monotony. While some feel it can become boring quickly, the variety of content and competitive nature contribute to a high replay value, often compared favorably to more expensive titles. Ratings for replayability generally hover around 7/10, indicating a strong but not perfect replay experience.
- “A healthy dose of reflex-based competitive action that's easy to learn and fun to master, with a fantastic presentation, groovy soundtrack, and high replay value.”
- “🟩 infinitely replayable/multiplayer”
- “I would easily say it can get boring fast, but even if that happens, the game still has a solid replay value.”
- “It's only $20 and has more content and replayability than most $60 AAA titles out nowadays.”
- “Addictive as all heck and I can't wait until the Jet Set Radio songs are playable.”
character development
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
50%
30%
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the vibrant world and varied cosmetics, while others criticize the character designs as unattractive and reminiscent of Fortnite characters. Many feel that the designs lack depth and appeal primarily to a younger audience, detracting from the overall experience. Despite these criticisms, the game's engaging music and lively atmosphere are noted as positive aspects.
- “The world was bright and beautiful, the character designs and cosmetics were varied but invariably delightful, and the music was energetic and engaging, coming from many different in-universe bands, each with a unique sound.”
- “I’m still a massive hater of the character designs, especially their faces.”
- “Definitely a good game, character design is pretty bad because they're basically Fortnite characters and they all look like lesbians, Lil Yachty, or Elvis, but other than that the game's great.”
- “I get you're appealing to kids, but holy crap do you have to make it so ugly with the character designs?”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its vibrant and eclectic mix of styles, blending punk, retro-futurism, and cartoon elements into a cohesive world. Players appreciate the beautiful graphics and fun vibe, drawing comparisons to other popular titles while highlighting its unique charm and engaging soundtrack.
- “The game's graphics and atmosphere of the maps are also very good, somehow managing to pull off a mix of punk, retro-futurism, cartoony-ness, and a bunch of other styles while still feeling like a coherent world.”
- “Beautiful game with a fun atmosphere.”
- “The vibe of Jet Set, the gameplay feel of Windjammers and Lethal League, the atmosphere of Splatoon, and a bangin' soundtrack?”