Knockout City is an accessible fun filled online multiplayer dodgeball game that has the makings of becoming the next Rocket League. Filled with personality in the characters and art style, Knockout City is an all around must have for online multiplayer noobs and vets. Dodgeball has never been so fun!

Upon loading up, Knockout City quickly floods you with vivid colors and slick presentation. Dropping you into an offline hub, you are invited to learn the basics of gameplay through short tutorial missions against AI bots. Knockout City gets you up to speed quickly so that you have confidence enough to try your hand online. Somehow, win or lose, you always feel as if you have a chance to win or make a comeback. 

As you could imagine, throwing and catching the ball are the key skills to master. Somehow, in the midst of jumping, running, dodging, and rolling this game manages to have an impressive level of skill. Working as a team to both protect teammates and find situations to outnumber your foes takes timing and strategy. 

The key factor in the fun that is had here rests in the map design and the various special balls that are used. Rather than having an average wide open playing field with one team on one side and another team opposite of them, Knockout City provides a more Deathmatch styled battlefield. 

Maps with verticality provide cover, jump pads, out of bounds gaps, and more that vary the action. The special balls also spice up the battles as well. Some turn those that are hit into balls. Some are bombs with a timer. Others are footballs that fly faster than regular balls. Basically the maps and the special balls provided are the ‘spice’ that makes Knockout City feel different.

The only thing that puts a damper on the whole experience is trying to figure out the longevity of the game. While there is a leveling system involved (as most multiplayer games do), the only rewards provided are character customization options. Just as with most games today, the microtransactions and any bonuses are all for skins, emotes, banners, hair-dos and such. While this progression is interesting, it isn’t necessarily something that is going to improve the game’s replayability. 

This progression system for skins and such needs skins and rewards from other games, shows, movies, or celebrities. Much like what is done in Fortnite, Knockout City needs something to play for. Even Rocket League learned and began offering cars like the Batmobile, Ecto-1 from the Ghostbusters, the Jurassic Park vehicles, and more. While those aren’t earned through the progression system, they are provided in the store. Knockout City without a doubt could benefit from this strategy.

Knockout City provides an accessible online multiplayer competitive game that doesn’t involve guns and destruction. As a game that could be fun as a child or an adult, Knockout City provides a competitive streak that the whole family could enjoy…for a while.