Smashbox Arena
- December 7, 2016
- BigBox VR, Inc.
- 16h median play time
Smashbox Arena is a fun PSVR title that has some great gameplay but can be short-lived.
Get on SteamSmashbox Arena is a team-based VR game that combines elements of sports and shooters. Players equip themselves with a virtual ball and gun, and compete in a variety of arenas to eliminate the opposing team. Use power-ups, blocks, and strategic throws to outmaneuver and outscore the competition in this energetic and engaging multiplayer experience.
PC
Playstation 4
Virtual Reality
Windows
PlayStation
PlayStation VR
Reviews
- Smashbox Arena offers a fun and engaging multiplayer experience, reminiscent of dodgeball with unique power-ups and tactical gameplay.
- The game is well-polished with good graphics and smooth mechanics, making it easy to pick up and play while still offering depth for skilled players.
- The community is friendly and active, enhancing the overall experience with enjoyable interactions and competitive matches.
- The game suffers from a lack of players at times, leading to matches often being filled with AI bots instead of real opponents.
- Some players have reported issues with teleportation mechanics and hitbox inconsistencies, which can detract from the gameplay experience.
- Customer support has been criticized for being unresponsive, leaving players frustrated when encountering technical issues.
- gameplay53 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Smashbox Arena is widely praised for its engaging mechanics, polished visuals, and fast-paced action, making it easy to pick up yet challenging to master. The innovative teleportation mechanic adds strategic depth, while the well-designed power-ups and community-driven multiplayer enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the game's accessibility for newcomers and the potential for competitive play, with many noting its addictive nature and fun factor.
“The gameplay is easy to grasp and spectate.”
“The controls are easy to pick up for beginners and the gameplay has enough depth to keep you coming back to improve your skills.”
“The mechanics of the game are easy to grasp (plus it has a good tutorial) and it has some of the best polish of any VR title out right now.”
“I didn't need more than just a few minutes of gameplay to realize this game lacked the depth I needed for replayability.”
“At first glance, the gameplay of Smashbox Arena is quite simple.”
“This essentially is paintball from Rec Room with a few more bells and whistles (power-ups, better teleport mechanic, ability to block/catch incoming balls) and some polish on top.”
- graphics20 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally praised for being clean, smooth, and visually appealing, with many reviewers highlighting the fun art style and polished visuals. While some describe the graphics as merely "good enough," others commend the superb implementation of 3D elements and the overall aesthetic that enhances the gameplay experience. Overall, the graphics contribute positively to the game's immersive and enjoyable atmosphere.
“It has amazing graphics and the game mechanics are superb.”
“Super fun gameplay, great visuals, and great sound effects.”
“The graphics and scenery, 3D elements are well done.”
“The graphics are ok.”
“Graphically, this game is very slick; you have to give credit to the developers for that, but the gameplay is where it all falls down for me.”
“There were no glitches or frame rate drops, and there were no issues with the graphics or interface that prevented me from getting immersed in the game (other than a little lag).”
- story10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The game's story mode is primarily seen as a tutorial rather than a narrative-driven experience, with players appreciating its role in easing newcomers into the gameplay. While the mode offers a challenge against AI opponents, it lacks a substantial storyline, which some users found disappointing. Overall, it serves as a functional introduction to the game rather than a compelling narrative.
“The story mode is a fantastic way to introduce players into the game!”
“The bots are good, and the game includes both a tutorial and a short single player 'story' mode, so if you want to get up to speed before playing against real people, you can.”
“I also am working through the story mode on hard and just love the challenge.”
“The only thing I disliked was that the story mode had no story.”
“I was able to breeze through all three difficulties in story mode fairly easily.”
“I've only played for a few minutes doing the tutorial and the story mode.”
- replayability10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many users highlighting the excitement of facing new opponents and engaging in skill-based matches. However, some players feel that it lacks depth, leading to a less satisfying experience over time. Despite mixed opinions, the general consensus is that the game offers significant replay value, especially for those seeking competitive gameplay.
“Replay value for this type of game is huge because you always have new opponents.”
“This game has the most replayability of all my current VR games.”
“Incredibly replayable, lots of skill, and when you get even matchups it's an absolute blast.”
“In the end, I refunded the game because I could see that this game had little replay value for me.”
“I didn't need more than just a few minutes of gameplay to realize this game lacked the depth I needed for replayability.”
“The price seems perfectly fair to me for a game with this high of replay value - I have 2 HTC Vives, so after playing for less than 10 minutes, I had purchased a second copy; this is probably the most fun I've had with the Vive in the ~7 months I have owned it.”
- humor7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a standout feature, consistently eliciting laughter and joy among players. Many users report that the combination of adrenaline and comedic moments leads to an engaging and entertaining experience, often resulting in memorable interactions and lasting friendships. Overall, the game fosters a lighthearted atmosphere that keeps players laughing throughout their sessions.
“I also can guarantee that you'll hear nothing but people laughing and having a good time the entire time you're playing it.”
“I spend half of my time in this game sweating from adrenaline, the other half laughing uncontrollably.”
“I made multiple new friends instantly and we played online for almost 4 hours straight and by the end of it we were all exhausted, hungry, and laughing our asses off!”
- stability5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
Overall, the game demonstrates strong stability, with users reporting minimal issues such as slight lag but no significant glitches or frame rate drops. Players appreciate the polished experience, especially in comparison to other titles, highlighting its reliability during gameplay.
“The game runs great.”
“Funniest game for the Vive so far; it runs great, and the multiplayer experience will keep you coming back for more.”
“I went from playing onward with tons of glitches and bugs and performance issues to this super well-polished game, and it was like a breath of fresh air.”
“There were no glitches or frame rate drops, and there were no issues with the graphics or interface that prevented me from getting immersed in the game (other than a little lag).”
“I have had zero technical glitches during gameplay so far.”
- optimization3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received high praise, with users noting a significant improvement in performance, stability, and polish compared to previous versions. Many players feel it offers a refreshing experience free from glitches and bugs, making it a preferable choice until other games resolve their performance issues.
“Great performance!”
“I went from playing Onward with tons of glitches, bugs, and performance issues to this super well-polished game, and it was like a breath of fresh air.”
“I think I'll stick with this until Onward works out their performance bugs.”
“The game runs poorly on my system, even with the settings adjusted to low.”
“Frequent frame drops and stuttering make it hard to enjoy the gameplay.”
- music2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music aspect received criticism for the absence of a soundtrack, which was noted as a significant drawback by users.
“That's my only complaint: no soundtrack.”
- character development1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Character development is criticized for lacking originality and artistic skill, resulting in designs that feel cheesy and underwhelming. This suggests a missed opportunity for deeper and more engaging character portrayals.
“Had the character design been developed by someone with original and artistic talent, it may have worked, but it seems like someone with very little skill in that area came up with the design, and it came off feeling cheesy.”
“The character development feels shallow and uninspired, lacking any real depth or growth throughout the game.”
“I found the characters to be one-dimensional, with predictable arcs that failed to engage me emotionally.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players express growing skepticism towards monetization practices in VR games, citing concerns over incomplete titles, cash grabs, and exaggerated marketing claims.
“Many VR players have become justifiably cynical about half-finished games, cash grabs, and overhyped experiences.”
“The monetization strategy feels exploitative, prioritizing profit over player experience.”
“It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game fully without spending extra money.”
Critic Reviews
Smashbox Arena Review - Are You Not Entertained?
Smashbox Arena's core gameplay makes for tension-filled multiplayer showdowns, proving that simple design is all you need sometimes. However, dearths of content, modes, and polish sell it short when it could shoot for so much more.
50%Smashbox Arena Review
Smashbox Arena might be amusing for some multiplayer shenanigans, but it is very rare to find anyone online to play with given the niche base of VR (with PS Move sticks, no less). The story mode is very deceptive and is really just the multiplayer stages with AI enemies and partners, with no story at all. Even the announcer for the matches sounds like he is extremely bored and is about to yawn. There is a complete lack of appeal and energy, and the overall presentation just feels like it was made by an amateur programmer and not a designer at all. The lack of controller options really hurt this - not that they would make Smashbox Arena much better, since it is nigh empty of content.
20%Smashbox Arena Review
Smashbox Arena’s knockout gameplay is entertaining online – assuming you can find a match. While there is a small community on the servers right now, it’s difficult to predict how long that will persist, and thus purchasing is a bit of a risk. Unless you can convince friends to pick up the package, then be warned that the single player content is thin, even if the core gameplay loop is undeniably fun. More work in the art department could have elevated the release enormously, so ultimately you’re left with an ugly but enjoyable multiplayer game that will be defined by the number of people who stick with it beyond launch.
60%
