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.

87%Game Brain Score

gameplay, graphics

monetization, story

87% User Score Based on 5,560 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 5,560 reviews

gameplay223 positive mentions

monetization10 negative mentions

gameplay
506 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
52%
4%
The gameplay of Knockout City is widely praised for its fun, fast-paced mechanics that are easy to learn but difficult to master, offering a unique twist on traditional dodgeball. Players appreciate the vibrant art style, smooth controls, and variety of game modes that keep the experience fresh, although some express concerns about repetitive gameplay and matchmaking issues. Overall, the game is seen as a delightful blend of competitive and casual play, making it enjoyable for both new and experienced players.
- “The gameplay is fast-paced, fun, and competitive.”
- “The game's vibrant art style, smooth mechanics, and dynamic maps create an enjoyable experience that's easy to pick up and play.”
- “The gameplay is intuitive and smooth, and very satisfying all around.”
- “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
132 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
67%
2%
The game's graphics are widely praised for their vibrant, cartoonish art style and smooth animations, which create an engaging and enjoyable atmosphere. Many players appreciate the unique aesthetic that blends retro and futuristic elements, reminiscent of classic arcade games, although some express mixed feelings about the character designs. Overall, the visuals contribute positively to the gameplay experience, despite occasional technical issues and varying opinions on the art style's appeal.
- “The game's vibrant art style, smooth mechanics, and dynamic maps create an enjoyable experience that's easy to pick up and play.”
- “The graphics are sweet, the cosmetics are sweet, and the many combinations of attack that you can master are fabulous!”
- “The game's graphics and atmosphere of the maps are also very good, somehow managing to pull off a mix of punk, retro-futurism, cartoonishness, and a bunch of other styles while still feeling like a coherent world.”
- “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 work and shows a message saying 'Vulkan can't be initialized.' My graphic card is up to date, and I can't fix it; please help!”
- “Also, the graphical settings don't save, and that is a bit annoying.”
music
65 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
45%
5%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its energetic and engaging soundtrack, often compared to the iconic sounds of "Jet Set Radio." Players appreciate the diverse range of in-game bands and the way the music enhances the overall gameplay experience, although some note that the repetitive nature of certain tracks can become grating over time. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's vibrant atmosphere and enjoyment.
- “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 is a work of art, the announcer really knows how to get you pumped for the match, while also making you feel a sense of failure when you get absolutely pwned in this game.”
- “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
59 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players highlighting its funny mechanics, hilarious voiceovers, and the chaotic nature of gameplay that leads to memorable moments. Many reviews emphasize that the game is enjoyable whether winning or losing, as it consistently elicits laughter and fosters a fun atmosphere, making it a great choice for multiplayer sessions with friends. Overall, the game's comedic elements and lighthearted vibe contribute significantly to its appeal.
- “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! Nooo, ahahaha... stop! Omg, y'all *laughs gingerly in an introverted manner* not funny anymore!”
monetization
43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
70%
23%
The monetization model of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while it includes cosmetic microtransactions, these do not impact gameplay and can be earned through regular play. Some users express disappointment over the game's transition to a free model with in-game purchases, feeling it detracts from the experience, while others appreciate the lack of aggressive monetization typical of EA titles. Overall, the consensus is that the game offers fair monetization practices, but concerns remain about potential future changes.
- “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.”
- “The in-app purchases don't help you progress; they are simply cosmetic, which is nice knowing there are no pay-to-win elements.”
- “Microtransactions are cosmetic only, and can be achieved just by playing.”
- “Hope this game comes back in the future with better monetization so it can thrive like it should.”
- “Great game but devs didn't really seem to care to think in the future which makes me think the game was just another EA microtransaction cash grab.”
- “I'm sure you know where I'm going with this... it's not gacha levels of cancer, but it's an obvious cash grab.”
story
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
71%
19%
The game's story aspect is largely criticized, with many users noting the absence of a traditional narrative or story mode. While some appreciate the character backgrounds and world-building elements, there is a strong desire for a more developed story experience, such as a single-player mission system or a dedicated story mode, to enhance gameplay. Overall, the consensus is that the game lacks a compelling story, which detracts from its potential appeal.
- “Game is most definitely my main game; the storyline is cool.”
- “Yes, despite this game not having a story mode, you do learn a bit about the characters and the world they inhabit.”
- “Good game, but a story mode would be amazing!”
- “Desperately in need of more to do, I'd suggest a story mode.”
- “This game has no story.”
- “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.”
grinding
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
19%
69%
Overall, players express that grinding in the game can be quite extensive, often requiring significant time investment, with some humorously suggesting it feels like needing a "second life." However, many appreciate that the grind is balanced by enjoyable gameplay and rewarding free cosmetics, making the experience less tedious compared to other titles. While some find it a bit grindy at times, the game is generally seen as more skill-based, with a focus on fun rather than purely on 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.”
- “Oversaturated FPS and not-so-free grindy free-to-play games out there.”
- “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.”
optimization
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
54%
25%
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while many players report smooth performance and minimal bugs, there are persistent issues with server stability and occasional stuttering, particularly after updates. Some users express frustration over the lack of attention to performance improvements despite the game's enjoyable gameplay and concept. Despite these concerns, many still find the game fun and recommend giving it a try, especially for its engaging mechanics.
- “Nice game with a nice idea and really nice performance overall.”
- “Here is what the game does right: there's little to no bugs that I've experienced, making the game run smoothly.”
- “Optimization is amazing, gameplay is smooth and intuitive, and it's just overall a very fun game to play.”
- “The game is out for over 6 months, and 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.”
- “Also, I want to briefly mention that this game is optimized like melted butter.”
stability
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
95%
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 a few users have noted minimal issues, the majority express frustration over the persistent bugs and technical problems, indicating that stability remains a critical area needing improvement.
- “But other than that, it's been fun; no glitches so far.”
- “The game runs smoothly without any crashes or major bugs.”
- “I've experienced consistent performance throughout my playtime.”
- “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 is bad; every season is filled with glitches.”
- “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
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a wide range of emotions in their reviews, from tears of joy and connection to frustration and disappointment. The game evokes strong feelings, whether through its competitive nature, community spirit, or personal experiences, highlighting its ability to resonate deeply with players. Overall, it seems to foster both wholesome moments and intense emotional reactions.
- “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
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
22%
33%
Overall, the game exhibits a mixed perception of replayability. While some users find it can become boring quickly, they still acknowledge a solid replay value, rating it around 7/10. Others highlight its addictive multiplayer aspect and diverse content, emphasizing that it offers more replayability than many higher-priced titles, making it a fun and engaging 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.”
- “5/15 game time / replayability”
- “It's only $20 and has more content and replayability than most $60 AAA titles out nowadays.”
character development
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
20%
60%
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising the variety and energy of the character designs and music, while others criticize the aesthetics as unattractive and overly simplistic, likening them to Fortnite characters. Overall, the character designs seem to polarize players, with a significant number expressing dissatisfaction with their appearance.
- “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
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The game's atmosphere is praised for its vibrant and cohesive blend of punk, retro-futurism, and cartoonish styles, creating an engaging world. Players appreciate the fun vibe reminiscent of titles like Jet Set and Splatoon, complemented by an energetic soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
- “The game's graphics and atmosphere of the maps are also very good, somehow managing to pull off a mix of punk, retro-futurism, cartoonishness, 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?”
- “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth needed to immerse players in the game world.”
- “Despite the vibrant visuals, the overall atmosphere is overshadowed by repetitive gameplay and dull environments.”
- “The game fails to create a compelling atmosphere, leaving players feeling disconnected and uninterested.”