The Spike
- June 5, 2020
- SUNCYAN studio
- 13h median play time
Get on Steam"The Spike" is a physics-based sports game where you play as a sentient volleyball trying to defeat your opponents in intense matches. Use unique abilities and strategic planning to outmaneuver the other team and score points. With fast-paced gameplay and charming graphics, it's a fresh take on the sports genre.
iPad
iPhone
PC
Phone
Windows
Android
Mobile Platform
Tablet
Reviews
- Fun and addictive gameplay with simple mechanics that are easy to learn but hard to master.
- Great customization options for players and a unique 2D volleyball experience.
- Challenging AI that tests your skills, making matches exciting and rewarding.
- Lack of updates and content, leading to repetitive gameplay and boredom after completing the story.
- Numerous bugs and issues, including random data resets and poor AI performance.
- No multiplayer mode, which limits replayability and social interaction.
- story117 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally perceived as short, shallow, and somewhat generic, leading to player boredom after completion due to a lack of additional content or modes. While some players find the plot enjoyable and the cutscenes visually appealing, many express a desire for more in-depth character development and expanded storylines, particularly for different player roles. Overall, the narrative aspect is seen as a mixed bag, with potential for improvement through updates and additional content.
“The story in this game is also very good and intriguing; it's also fun to replay the story just in case you get bored of grinding out the tournament mode.”
“It has a really good plot (Jaehun and Siwoo).”
“I believe it's worth your money because you instantly get hooked in the storyline and the gameplay is a bunch of fun.”
“The main story is way too short and shallow, and the AI is a mess.”
“The story is very generic, and you wouldn’t even bother keeping the main character because he isn’t that good in the late game.”
“Mainly its storyline being small and no multiplayer mode, players can get bored easily as there are no new things to do after completing the storyline.”
- gameplay84 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by simple and easy-to-learn mechanics that provide a satisfying depth for players who invest time in mastering them. While the game offers a fluid and dynamic experience inspired by real volleyball, some mechanics, like receiving, could use improvement. Overall, players find the gameplay enjoyable and rewarding, though some express a desire for more content and less reliance on repetitive tournament play.
“Easy to learn and a little hard to master, the game mechanics are very simple and easy to learn, but you still have to play without any training wheels to really prove if you have truly mastered the game. Turning off beginner options takes a while to get used to, but it feels really rewarding once you have truly mastered how the game is supposed to be played.”
“Surprising amount of detail, fluidity, and freedom to the overall gameplay and physics inspired by real volleyball, although maybe the mechanic for receiving could use a little more love.”
“The way they made a simple game have such good gameplay is amazing.”
“Though, from actual gameplay, it's kind of boring. The tournament after you beat it 700 times and you get one strong team, hard match, and the others seem to have forgotten how to play volleyball, making it easy to farm.”
“Gameplay seems fun, but it's extremely buggy.”
“So after playing the story over and over, it feels less and less like grinding the mechanics in this game mean anything, and after a while, it all feels pointless because there's nothing left to gain.”
- grinding30 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- -3 % neutral mentions
- 93 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessive and tedious, particularly due to the gacha system that requires significant effort to obtain high-tier characters. While some enjoy the challenge and replayability of the story mode, many express frustration with the repetitive nature of grinding for resources and the high costs associated with recruiting new players. Overall, the game is seen as fun and engaging, but the grind can detract from the experience, especially for those who prefer a more casual gameplay style.
“This game is super fun and I recommend buying it if you enjoy grinding. It's a game where you have to grind, but it's still very enjoyable. If you're interested in volleyball, this game teaches you how to receive, set, spike, and even block. Overall, it's an amazing game, and I would rate it 100 if I could. I only played 7.4 hours because I don't usually like grindy games, but I still found it very impressive.”
“If you like to grind games, this one is definitely for you. It's a fun experience, and even though it requires grinding, the gameplay is engaging. The details, especially with the special characters, add to the overall enjoyment. I highly recommend it for anyone looking to get into volleyball.”
“This game is a great choice for those who enjoy grinding. It's fun and offers a lot of depth in learning volleyball skills. Even though I don't typically enjoy grindy games, I found this one to be quite amazing and worth the time spent.”
“The gacha system is really bad and it takes a lot of grinding for an S-tier character.”
“Basically, expand on the missions section - but rework it as it's currently very tedious and too grindy for a game that seems like it's trying to be more casual and fun.”
“So after playing the story over and over, it feels less and less like my grinding in this game means anything, and after a while, it all feels pointless because there's nothing left to gain.”
- graphics26 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally described as simplistic and cartoonish, with a notable disparity between the high-quality cutscenes on mobile and the lower-quality visuals on PC. While some players appreciate the art style and smooth animations, many express disappointment in the lack of resolution options and overall graphical updates, suggesting that the visuals do not meet the expectations of PC gamers. Overall, the graphics are seen as adequate but in need of improvement to enhance the gaming experience.
“The story mode cutscenes have very high quality art on the mobile version, not that I'm trying to insult the artist, but why wouldn't you use the same artwork for the PC version?”
“Mobile graphics are really good!”
“The simplistic graphics and animation are smooth and the story is perfect for the game this is.”
“Considering this is being evaluated as a PC game, having the graphics phoned in like this isn't going to result in a high quality, visually impressive game that PC gamers are used to seeing.”
“There's no option to change the resolution and no useful graphics tweaks.”
“The mobile app features simple, cartoony 2D graphics, of the type you normally expect to see in low effort mobile apps.”
- stability10 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its enjoyable gameplay, but it is plagued by numerous bugs and glitches that detract from the overall experience. Users report issues such as gameplay resets and other minor glitches, indicating that while the game has potential, it requires significant stability improvements.
“Gameplay seems fun, but it's extremely buggy.”
“One of the best volleyball games I've played, but it's buggy.”
“Buggy sometimes (weird pull if you dive the last rally, hit the net and it will reset the three count, other small stuff like that).”
- monetization8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has received significant criticism, particularly for its poor implementation on mobile platforms and the perception that it is a cash grab aimed at PC gamers. While some users acknowledge the presence of in-game purchases without labeling the game as "pay to win," the overall sentiment suggests disappointment in the game's transition from mobile to PC, with concerns about the lack of value and the abandonment of the original version.
“I understand that you have in-game purchases, and I don't have a negative opinion about that. However, the creation of personal players could disrupt the game and profit balance, but your game is not 'pay to win.'”
“Although this game is somewhat okay, the monetization on mobile is horrible, and it's incredibly easy to get the premium currency on the PC version. It's disappointing that they are abandoning this for a newer version, as they want to integrate PC and mobile users. There seems to be a monetary vision behind this, especially since this version isn't available anymore and buying the premium currency isn't possible.”
“Although this game is actually somewhat okay besides its horrible monetization on mobile and how incredibly easy it is to get the premium currency on the PC version, it's actually disappointing that they are abandoning this for a newer version. They want to integrate PC and mobile users, which is obviously a monetary decision, since this version isn't available anymore and buying the premium currency isn't possible.”
“The Spike is a mobile app that's been dumped on Steam as if it was a real PC game (it's not). It's a cash grab from greedy mobile developers. This mobile app is a grind-heavy 'volleyball' 2D arcade game with no real value as a serious PC game. It's just here to try to scam PC gamers into paying cash for a free mobile app.”
“Gamemaker Studio is most commonly used to make retro pixel shovelware and cash grabs.”
- music4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, effectively setting a positive mood and drawing comparisons to the theme song "The Feeling of Not Losing" from Kuroko no Basket. Additionally, players appreciate the option to add their own music, enhancing the overall experience.
“The ability for the player to add their own music to the game.”
“Music is pretty good and sets a very good mood, reminding me of the theme song 'The Feeling of Not Losing' from Kuroko no Basket.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game highly replayable due to its engaging gameplay and simplicity, with many enjoying the exploration of different storylines and settings. The fun factor contributes significantly to the desire to revisit the game multiple times.
“Great game! Simple is good, and it's very fun and highly replayable.”
- humor2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is consistently described as funny, indicating that it effectively incorporates humor throughout its design and gameplay. Players appreciate the comedic elements, suggesting that it enhances their overall experience.
“This game is hilarious and kept me laughing throughout!”
“The humor in this game is top-notch, with clever jokes and witty dialogue.”
“I love how the game incorporates humor into its gameplay, making every moment enjoyable.”
