Genre : Video Game
Publisher: Gamecock Media
Developer: Blazing Lizard
Players: 1-4
Retail Price: $10
Availability: Xbox 360
If there was ever a battle that needed to be decided, it would probably be who would win a fight between a pirate and a ninja. It only makes sense then that Blazing Lizard would decide to make Pirates and Ninjas the stars of their dodgeball experience. Oh, and just in case those two teams weren’t enough, they also threw in some Zombies and Robots to help round things out. Since the choice of teams was probably the perfect combination, the question then becomes how well does the game perform. Pirates Vs Ninjas Dodgeball is definitely worth your time if you are looking for a fun and engaging multiplayer experience on Xbox Live. The major downside to the game is that it hits a few bumps along the way in the single player mode.
From a gameplay perspective, the controls are responsive and easy to pick up and play. Your character is controlled by using the left analog stick to move around the map and you are provided appropriate buttons with which to throw, catch and jump. The right analog stick is responsible for dodging, and although you only control one character at a time, you can easily switch to become any one of the characters on your team. The X button provides you with the ability to send an opponents shot back towards them if timed correctly and is also responsible for attacking your opponent if they are close enough. You are not able to do damage to them with your attacks, but you are able to stun them which leaves them defenseless against your throws.
One other notable maneuver is your character’s special ability. As far as special abilities go, each team has a power that helps shift the tide of the game in your favor. Each power is unique to the team and does a good job of representing that teams abilities. Ninjas have the ability to turn invisible, while Pirates will throw a bomb that stuns any opponents it hits. Each of the four teams has four players that you can choose from when you start a game, but you have the ability to switch between characters at any point. Each team has its own feel and it’s a shame that there are only four teams available to play with. The game’s official website makes mention of bonus teams, so I would assume there is a strong possibility we will see additional teams added in as downloadable content. This would also imply that we might see additional levels as well, as each team in the game has its own environment.
The visuals in the game look great for an XBLA game, and the characters each have their own look. The levels are surprisingly detailed and provide their own obstacles, and it is really the lack of levels that is a disappointment for me. Even though each environment is unique, there are only four possible choices and repetition begins to set in after awhile.
One of the methods the game uses to keep the action varied is by providing three different modes of play, which are Classic, Enhanced and Combat. Classic is your typical game of dodgeball with two teams of up to four players on a side and a line down the middle. You have to stay on your side of the arena and they have to stay on theirs, and the winner is the team who depletes the health of each of the opposing teams characters. Enhanced is a variation of the classic mode and allows you to travel onto your opponents side of the arena for up to three seconds before they are forced to return. Combat is the biggest variation to your standard dodgeball format as there are no lines to separate teams, and the battle can be chaotic. The goal is still the same, but you are allowed to move anywhere on the map you want.
This game can be incredibly fun with a group of friends if you are going to be playing online, but I didn’t share that same feeling while I was playing on my own. The single player story mode the game presents allows you to choose one of the teams and play through their customized story. The stories the game provides are entertaining and do a decent job of giving a back story to each of the game’s characters. The problem lies in the actual gameplay, as it can be a frustrating experience for a number of reasons. The AI in the game can be incredibly challenging once you get to the four on four games, and this is made even more frustrating by the camera angles the game presents. It is sometimes hard to judge the depth of the level and where a ball has landed, or where you need to jump to get over an obstacle. This, coupled with the fact that the opponent’s AI always seems to be superior to your own teammates, can make for a challenging experience.
Even though the game isn’t perfect, if you’re looking for a fun game to play with a group of friends you’ll enjoy this game. I believe that the game could definitely benefit from some additional teams and maps, but what you are provided with will keep you busy for more than a decent length of time. Overall the game is an excellent addition to the Xbox marketplace and if you have been waiting for a Dodge Ball game to come along, you should definitely give this game a shot.
