Key

Game: Robot Roller Derby Disco Dodgeball
Developer: Erik Asmussen
Known For: ???
Release Date: February 19th, 2015

Current Status: Satisfied

Out of all the games that we're released this year, I'm pretty sure Robot Roller Derby Disco Dodgeball caught me by the most surprise in a few different ways. In one way, I really wasn't entirely sure how the concept of dodgeball could be implemented in a video game, but it was done very well in this setting and it just works. The other way is the enjoyment as a whole that this game brings. There are a lot of games out there that involved competitive team based strategy, but there aren't a lot of games with that concept that also don't make you feel like crap whenever you die or lose a round. It's got sort of the same charm as Rocket League in the sense that you can get good at the game in a short amount of time, but it takes time to master the craft and get really good or extremely good. There's been a few times when i've played against people or even bots and I get my ass handed to me because they're able to pull off tricks and shots that I wouldn't even think we're possible under any circumstance. But part of that helps me realize that the more time you put into the game, the better you'll get at it. Just remember that you are playing dodgeball, so you will have flashbacks to gym class in elementary school where you were always picked last and put on the ****ty team. That doesn't happen often in this game, but hey, the game has to have some sort of side effect, right?

So, let's talk about the overall presentation of the game, shall we? You can probably tell by just looking at the image above that this game will involve some sort of crazy lighting effects and badass music. Well, you'd be correct on both counts. The game looks and sounds fantastic in the way the levels are designed, and how the walls sort of move with the music that is currently playing. I have heard that you can put your own music into the game, but honestly, the soundtrack to this game is fantastic. I even have a copy of the soundtrack on my ipod. Listen to one of the songs for yourself and you'll see what I mean:



As you're fighting for points in a game of dodgeball, you'll be caught by the gaze of strobe lights and flickering lights surrounding you as you try to beat the other team in a fast paced face off. The game does an excellent job of emphasizing quickness. There's really no time for chit chat or relaxing as you play, which is actually quite nice, because it allows you to actually focus on the game instead of trying to troll everybody in the server.

There is only one thing I will say as a negative and it doesn't really have anything to do with the game. The community is small, but it's not so small that you won't find games. There just isn't a lot of people aware of this game (curse of it being released as an indie game), so the servers are usually filled with bots. But as I said earlier, that's not really a bad thing as the bots are quite fun to play against. I've gotten into a few games where there are actual people playing, and it really feels no different than playing with bots, so really, it's not the biggest problem in the world. Hopefully if this game gets more attention, more people will want to play it.

To wrap things up, Robot Roller Derby Disco Dodgeball is an excellent release for this year and probably one of the best party games that has come out this year. If you have a few friends that you like to play with and you're looking for a fun way to spend an afternoon, definitely pick this up. I haven't really played with friends yet as none of my friends on Steam are too interested in this type of game, but I can imagine it being a **** ton of fun for people who are just looking for a good time.