Mutant Football League

93%
Game Brain Score Based on 773 reviews
  • humor
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Mutant Football League Game Cover
A retro revival given a modern coat of paint, Mutant Football League sticks to its 16-bit roots and showcases the funnier, gorier, side of American football.
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Mutant Football League is an arcade-style football game where mutants and monsters clash in fantastical arenas filled with deadly traps and ruthless fans. Gameplay features strategy, online multiplayer, and over-the-top dirty tricks like bribing referees and growing in size to pummel opponents. This next-gen successor to NFL Blitz and Mutant League Football delivers intense action with a focus on bloody-fun and humorous mayhem.

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

Reviews

93%
Audience ScoreBased on 773 reviews
humor144 positive mentions
story3 negative mentions
  • Captures the spirit of the original Mutant League Football with modern graphics and gameplay.
  • Hilarious commentary and clever team/player names add to the fun and humor of the game.
  • Fast-paced, arcade-style football with unique mechanics like 'Dirty Tricks' and environmental hazards.
  • AI can feel unbalanced, often leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
  • Limited single-player content and lack of customization options for teams and players.
  • Repetitive commentary and some bugs can detract from the overall experience.
  • humor145 mentions

    The humor in "Mutant Football League" is a standout feature, characterized by its dark, irreverent comedy and clever parodies of NFL teams and players. Players appreciate the hilarious commentary, often delivered by Tim Kitzrow, which adds to the game's chaotic and entertaining atmosphere, making it a fun experience for both solo and multiplayer sessions. While some find the humor repetitive or juvenile, many agree that it successfully blends absurdity with sports, creating a uniquely enjoyable gaming experience.

    • “What really makes Mutant Football League stand out is its humor and fantasy-driven chaos.”
    • “From the hazards on the field to the special powers each team can unleash, the game is filled with moments that will have you laughing while you’re on the edge of your seat.”
    • “The commentary is hilarious and the cartoony violence makes for a truly enjoyable experience.”
    • “The joke writing has a few flat notes designed more to make boomers laugh about 'non-politically correct' things, which can be okay if done well, but they're just unfunny when they're not.”
    • “The humor feels outdated and relies too heavily on clichés that fail to land.”
    • “Many of the jokes fall flat and seem to miss the mark entirely, leaving me more confused than amused.”
  • gameplay129 mentions

    The gameplay of "Mutant Football League" is characterized by a chaotic blend of fast-paced, arcade-style football infused with brutal and humorous elements, reminiscent of classic titles like NFL Blitz. While it offers engaging mechanics such as "dirty tricks" and interactive arenas, some players find the gameplay can become repetitive and lacks depth over time. Overall, it provides a fun, if somewhat janky, experience that appeals to fans of both arcade sports games and traditional football.

    • “The combination of fast-paced gameplay, strategic team management, and insane, violent plays makes every game an exciting spectacle.”
    • “Gameplay wise it's a perfect mix between brutal arcade violence and strategic decisions, both in offense and defense.”
    • “The gameplay is fun and addicting, and the announcers are hilarious.”
    • “The gameplay is standard for any football game, so skip this if you have played one.”
    • “Just play the demo; the game doesn't get much more in-depth after you buy the full version. No player or team customization, 0 online players, repetitive gameplay, and the players talk in a made-up mumbling 'language' with super cheesy captions.”
    • “Controls are super clunky, gameplay is janky, and you can just spam jump to outrun defenders half of the time.”
  • graphics66 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their modern enhancements, with many users noting the beautiful and detailed 3D models and environments that elevate the nostalgic experience of the original titles. The cartoonish art style complements the game's humor and chaotic gameplay, while the visuals are described as solid and visually appealing, even if not groundbreaking. Overall, players appreciate the updated graphics that successfully blend nostalgia with contemporary design, contributing to an enjoyable gaming experience.

    • “The game's graphics are excellent, with beautiful and detailed 3D models and environments.”
    • “The graphics are amazing, announcers are funny and vulgar in a very fun way, and you can still bribe the ref.”
    • “The graphics are smooth and the gameplay is fun.”
    • “Due to the muddiness of the graphics and the various sizes of the character models, it can be very difficult to select your player or determine what player you have selected.”
    • “It is not bad but just a bit confusing considering the setting and the art style.”
    • “There are not a lot of display options currently other than resolution and graphics quality, but that may change in the future.”
  • story19 mentions

    The game's story is largely minimal, focusing on gameplay and character dynamics rather than a traditional narrative. Players experience a classic underdog sports story, enhanced by the unique and humorous character matchups, but ultimately, the story is shaped more by player choices and team progression than by a structured plot. Many reviewers express a desire for a more developed story mode to complement the game's colorful setting and characters.

    • “I love building a team from lowly rookies to a stacked team - it turns the gameplay from pure sports to something more in-depth and RPG-like, and your own personal story begins to flesh out as you advance your players and your team.”
    • “The difference in this sports underdog story is that your team is the kids from Stranger Things, and the enemy team is comprised of Jason Voorhees, Tony Montana, Frankenstein, and a literal Terminator.”
    • “Story: the game's story is minimal, focusing solely on the gameplay and the unique characters and settings of the game.”
    • “Although each team riffs on a real-life counterpart, and builds upon a theme, such as galaxy chaos being made up of aliens, there's no story elements to the game.”
    • “The game doesn’t have a story other than the one that the player creates for themselves, which is aided by the dynasty mode due to the player’s team in this mode starting out as underdogs.”
  • music17 mentions

    The music in the game features a mix of alternative rock and heavy metal tracks that enhance the overall atmosphere, with some players praising the effective sound design and fitting musical choices. However, opinions are divided, as some tracks are considered subpar, and the lack of background music during gameplay can detract from the experience. Overall, while the soundtrack has standout moments, it also includes a range of amateur contributions that may not appeal to all players.

    • “The game's sound design is also effective, with a great soundtrack and sound effects that add to the game's atmosphere.”
    • “The music is also so fitting because its heavy metal riffs complement the brutal action of this game quite a bit.”
    • “The game has a top-notch soundtrack that makes me want to crack skulls in and out of the game.”
    • “For the majority of the game, there isn't any music to listen to.”
    • “Some of the songs are truly horrible and there is no way to change or control in any way what plays besides turning off the music.”
    • “However, if you decide to turn it off, there isn't accompanying background music to bolster your gameplay.”
  • replayability12 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability, offering multiple seasons, tournaments, and a variety of teams and characters that encourage different strategies and play styles. While some players may find the gameplay repetitive and lacking depth, features like Dynasty mode and engaging commentary enhance the overall experience. Overall, it is recommended for its fun and replay value, with a score of 8.5/10 for replayability.

    • “The game's variety of teams and characters also adds to the game's replayability, as players can try different strategies and play styles.”
    • “Dynasty mode was a great free add-on that brought a lot more depth and replayability to the game.”
    • “Easy to pick up and figure out, but there’s enough depth to add replay value.”
    • “While the game's lack of depth and repetitive gameplay may limit its appeal to some players, its excellent graphics and sound, as well as its strong replayability, make it a worthwhile experience.”
    • “Only wish it was still in an early access phase, as a few pieces could be added to improve replayability.”
    • “I like that you unlock teams as you play, but the better overall stat teams should be locked to increase replayability.”
  • stability10 mentions

    The game's stability is generally good, with most players reporting smooth performance, particularly on systems like Linux. However, there are occasional bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, such as disappearing objects and incorrect play executions. Despite these issues, many users feel that the game remains enjoyable and worth purchasing.

    • “Runs great on Linux; very fun game.”
    • “Other than that, the game runs great!”
    • “Runs great (GTX 1070) and looks great (polished).”
    • “The game is a little buggy but runs well, as I had the ball disappear multiple times when it was thrown into a pit or wormhole.”
    • “I know that I could just put it in practice mode and button mash until I figure things out, but quite frankly I'm done trying to wrestle with this intuitive buggy mess.”
    • “Some plays just don't work well and seem buggy (most option plays show the RB running to a side, starting the play, RB doesn't move. Some plays are shown incorrectly. Goal line blitz right is blitz left and blitz left is actually blitz right).”
  • optimization9 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization on PC is noted to be less impressive compared to consoles, particularly the PS4, though it still runs smoothly on older hardware. Users have praised the game's performance, especially in online multiplayer, and some have highlighted excellent SLI optimization. However, there are calls for improvements in keyboard optimization.

    • “Optimization: 10/10 it runs extremely smooth”
    • “Performance is good on a somewhat outdated machine (running GTX 850m, i7 core).”
    • “Online multiplayer performance is solid.”
    • “The game isn't as optimized on PC as it is on consoles (at least PS4 where I also have the game).”
    • “After case heat and power delivery issues made me remove a GPU, I was immediately taken aback by MFL's SLI optimization.”
    • “Guess I'm waiting even longer until I see a keyboard optimization update.”
  • atmosphere6 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is enhanced by effective sound design, including a captivating soundtrack and sound effects, contributing to a charming and immersive experience. Its art direction and unique blend of arcade football with a quirky, slightly crude vibe evoke nostalgia while maintaining a distinct identity. Overall, the atmosphere is described as engaging and enjoyable, appealing to fans of both classic and unconventional sports games.

    • “The game's sound design is also effective, with a great soundtrack and sound effects that add to the game's atmosphere.”
    • “Really well done, very good game feel and atmosphere!”
    • “It's a simple arcade football game reminiscent of NFL Blitz from the '90s, with an atmosphere similar to Blood Bowl games, featuring monsters, gore, and weird playing fields, though the game mechanics are thankfully not like Blood Bowl.”
    • “This is not a particularly family-friendly game, and the often crude commentary contributes to the somewhat cheesy atmosphere of the game.”
    • “Tim Kitzrow's performances add considerably to the charm and atmosphere of MFL.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    The monetization strategy in the game includes microtransactions for cosmetic items, which some players view as unnecessary and a potential cash grab, detracting from the overall experience. However, there are positive remarks about the ability to unlock content without relying on loot boxes or additional purchases, suggesting that a more straightforward approach could enhance the game's appeal.

    • “While not necessarily egregious, the presence of microtransactions for cosmetic items may be a downside for players seeking a fully unlocked experience.”
    • “I unlocked something in-game without loot boxes, microtransactions, and DLC. 10/10 must buy!”
    • “Microtransaction pressure: while not necessarily egregious, the presence of microtransactions for cosmetic items may be a downside for players seeking a fully unlocked experience.”
    • “Most of the time, it's a cash grab.”
    • “Just don't put microtransactions into this game, and it will sell like hotcakes!”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players note that while Mfl features some grinding to unlock certain teams, it avoids excessive grind through its DLC model, which is free of lootboxes and grindy currency systems. Overall, the grinding aspect is manageable and tied to fulfilling specific scenarios rather than being overly burdensome.

    • “Not all teams are unlocked at the start, so a bit of grinding needs to be done to unlock a few teams; for others, it's just a matter of time or fulfilling a scenario.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development in the game is praised for its engaging design and the incorporation of intense, dynamic elements, such as violence and technical play, which enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the depth and creativity in character portrayal, contributing to a compelling gameplay atmosphere.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

70% average critic score

Buy Mutant Football League

Play time

7hMedian play time
7hAverage play time
6-7hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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