RoboDunk
- September 25, 2023
- Jollypunch Games
- 2h median play time
Get on Steam"RoboDunk" is a local multi-player fighting game that combines NBA Jam's exciting dunks and Rogue Legacy's roguelite campaign. Players can choose from a variety of robots, each with their own upgrade tree, and engage in single-player or co-op battles in randomly generated matches. The game features satisfying tackles, explosive weapons, and the opportunity to collect permanent upgrades even after death.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Reviews
- The game offers a fun and chaotic blend of basketball and robot brawling, making it perfect for both solo and multiplayer experiences.
- The art style and animations are charming, reminiscent of stop-motion LEGO, and the gameplay is easy to pick up yet hard to master, providing depth and replayability.
- The roguelite elements and variety of robots keep the gameplay fresh, with unlockable lore and customization options that enhance the overall experience.
- The solo experience can feel less engaging compared to multiplayer, and some players have reported bugs and inconsistencies with AI behavior and game mechanics.
- The CPU AI can be frustratingly difficult, leading to moments that feel cheap or unfair, particularly in later rounds of the campaign.
- There is a lack of online multiplayer options, which limits the game's potential for larger group play, and some players have noted issues with controller setup on certain devices.
- gameplay26 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its frenetic pace and engaging mechanics, reminiscent of a 2v2 basketball game with a focus on dunks, enhanced by a variety of robots and unlockable content that keeps players returning. While the core mechanics are polished and easy to learn, they offer depth and competitive elements that reward precision and experimentation. Overall, players find the combination of fun, challenge, and unique aesthetics to create a compelling gaming experience.
“The variety of robots keeps gameplay fresh, and the unlockable lore and robots will keep you coming back.”
“Fast-paced basketball game featuring engaging mechanics and epic dunks, robots, lasers, and explosions!”
“It may seem simple at first, but there's some cool depth to the gameplay; make sure to experiment, and you might find crazy combinations to make the best dunks.”
“Gameplay-wise, I would describe it as Mario Strikers if it was a 2v2 basketball game where you can only dunk.”
“The mechanics took some getting used to, but I think the game explained itself well for the most part.”
“It is simple to learn, but there are some neat gameplay tricks that allow for more skillful play.”
- graphics22 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming, Lego-inspired aesthetic and stop-motion animation style, evoking nostalgia for classic titles like NBA Street. Reviewers highlight the unique and spunky visuals, which blend well with the gameplay, creating a satisfying and engaging experience. Overall, the art style is considered a standout feature that enhances the game's appeal.
“The artstyle and graphics themselves are worth your buck; the Lego-inspired style is amazing and super charming.”
“Beautiful graphics and aesthetic, kind of reminds me of stop-motion Lego animation on a cinematic level.”
“Super cute, unique graphics is also a plus and blends well with the overall feel of the game.”
“The artstyle/animation is sick.”
“The game meets my expectations with a charming retro aesthetic that's meticulously crafted.”
“Robodunk takes me back to playing NBA Street on the PS2, but this time we have Legos and ultra clean visuals.”
- story6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The story in the game has received high praise, with players expressing surprise at its depth and quality, especially given their usual indifference towards narratives in roguelikes. The backstory is particularly noted for its complexity, aligning with the developer's reputation for strong storytelling.
“The story in here is awesome!!”
“I normally don't play roguelikes for the story, so I wasn't expecting much.”
“The backstory is also crazy, but I couldn't expect anything less from this developer.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability through its engaging roguelite mode, which can be enjoyed solo or with friends, as well as additional endless and versus modes. With a variety of modifications, robots, and maps, players can expect a fresh experience each time they play.
“The roguelite mode adds a ton of replay value and is a blast to play through with a friend over Parsec or locally.”
“You'll get heaps of replayability out of this one, with not only a rogue-lite campaign, but also an endless and versus mode, all with a bunch of modifications, robots, and maps available.”
- music4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's soundtrack has received high praise for its energetic and engaging quality, enhancing the overall experience. Additionally, the lore surrounding the robot designs adds depth and enjoyment, drawing comparisons to the nostalgic feel of Bionicles.
“The game has a great soundtrack, and the in-depth lore about the different robot designs and why 'dunk' is the meaning of life is just the icing on the cake.”
“The soundtrack is amazing, and the lore tidbits are quite enjoyable to read through; it's kind of reminiscent of Bionicles.”
“The soundtrack goes crazy, and the lore tidbits are quite enjoyable to read through; it's kind of reminiscent of Bionicles.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highly praised, with players finding the writing to be both hilarious and uplifting, particularly enjoying the quirky concept of robots aspiring to dunk. This blend of comedy and positive messaging adds a unique charm to the overall experience.
“The writers for this lore are hilarious!”
“It is inspiring and has positive messaging with all the humor that comes from robots wanting to dunk!”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is marred by frustrating gameplay experiences, such as unexpected CPU behavior and glitches that disrupt the flow of play. Players express disappointment over inconsistencies and unexplainable events that detract from the overall enjoyment and immersion.
- stability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game demonstrates excellent stability, particularly on the Steam Deck, where users report smooth performance.
“Runs great on Steam Deck.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players report a significant amount of grinding in the game, with some dedicating around 22 hours to single-player modes, often in contrast to just a couple of hours spent in multiplayer. This suggests that the game may require extensive grinding to progress or unlock content.
“I'm at about 1-2 hours of playtime with buddies, and 22 hours of grinding different single-player modes.”
