Sportsfriends
- December 19, 2014
- Die Gute Fabrik
With its deep, varied gameplay, Sportsfriends is the most exciting local multiplayer game since Wii Sports.
Get on Steam"Sportsfriends" is a collection of four local multiplayer-focused games, including the retro-styled fighting game BaraBariBall, QWOP-like pole vault dueling game Super Pole Riders, high-velocity sports game Hokra, and physical party game Johann Sebastian Joust. These titles offer simple yet strategic gameplay, making them great for events and parties. Note: J.S. Joust requires Playstation Move controllers and Bluetooth on Mac and Linux, while others need USB gamepads with twin analog sticks.
Mac OS
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Windows
Linux
PlayStation
Playstation 3
Reviews
- Sportsfriends is a fantastic local multiplayer game that serves as a great social tool and party starter, engaging even non-gamers.
- The collection of mini-games offers diverse gameplay experiences, with standout titles like Super Pole Riders and Johann Sebastian Joust providing hilarious and competitive fun.
- The game is easy to pick up and play, making it accessible for groups, and it features excellent music and appealing design.
- The game lacks online multiplayer support and requires specific controllers, which can limit accessibility for some players.
- It only supports even numbers of players (2 or 4), leaving a gap for groups of 3, which can be frustrating.
- Some games in the collection feel shallow or forgettable, and there are calls for more content to enhance the overall experience.
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players finding it consistently hilarious and a source of laughter during gameplay. Many users report that it creates a fun and entertaining atmosphere, making it a great choice for local co-op sessions.
“A fun game that made me laugh a lot!”
“My god, that's hilarious!”
“I randomly bought this game while visiting a friend, and we were looking for a local co-op game to play on the TV. By far, Super Pole Riders is instantly fun; no one I've had try this didn't break down laughing during it. It's just fun!”
- gameplay3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its simplicity and accessibility, making it easy to jump into, yet it offers a challenging experience that is difficult to master. Players appreciate the high replayability and engaging mechanics, with a fun and silly atmosphere complemented by excellent music. Overall, it is regarded as a standout local multiplayer experience, reminiscent of the excitement found in Wii Sports.
“Simple gameplay, difficult to master, high replayability.”
“Simple, easy-to-hop-in gameplay, silly in all the right ways, excellent music.”
“With its deep, varied gameplay, SportsFriends is the most exciting local multiplayer game since Wii Sports.”
“The gameplay is overly simplistic, making it difficult to stay engaged for long periods.”
“The mechanics are clunky and often lead to frustrating experiences during play.”
“There are too many bugs that disrupt the gameplay, making it hard to enjoy the experience.”
- music2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its excellence, enhancing the overall experience with appealing sound that complements the gameplay and art style. Reviewers appreciate its ability to create a fun and engaging atmosphere, making it easy for players to immerse themselves in the game.
“The excellent music enhances the simple, easy-to-hop-in gameplay, making it silly in all the right ways.”
“The appealing art, sound, and music complement each game perfectly.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the high replayability of the game, noting that its simple gameplay mechanics combined with a challenging mastery curve encourage repeated playthroughs.
“Simple gameplay, difficult to master, high replayability.”
“Each playthrough feels fresh and offers new challenges, making me want to dive back in.”
“The variety of choices and outcomes keeps me coming back for more.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game to be highly emotional, often experiencing laughter to the point of tears, particularly when enjoyed with friends. The social aspect enhances the emotional experience, making it best played in a group setting.
“I laughed until I cried... best played with three friends and four wireless controllers.”
Critic Reviews
Mostly fun, with friends
A collection of fun, forgettable mini-games, Sportsfriends demands local players but struggles to be the life of the party.
60%Sportsfriends review: life of the party
Sportsfriends is a party for everyone
90%Come together – Sportsfriends PS3 review
What the individual games of this indie anthology lack in scope or depth is made up for by the sheer diversity on display, as well as the high level of commitment to the social and physical aspects of gaming. Sportsfriends represents a high point of a growing trend in independent game development, and functions as a template for future indie collective releases. There are several areas in which the individual games of this collection could be improved, but Sportsfriends achieves what it set out to do, and for that it is to be commended.
80%
