Cosmetics are unlocked by leveling up, completing Contracts, or purchasing items with Holobux earned. With all of these cosmetics at your fingers, the first thing you'd probably think is "how much?" but there is a distinct lack in microtransactions that I genuinely adored. Up to 32 people can join a crew and can complete challenges to expedite XP gain and unlock Crew cosmetics for the whole team.Įverything from taunts to sunglasses and gloves and can be swapped in and out to create your ideal character. You can even take it a step further by creating a Crew, which is Knockout City's clan system. Everything from taunts to sunglasses and gloves and can be swapped in and out to create your ideal character. There are a lot of looks and a lot to unlock, with 17 customization slots in the menu, each with a couple of rarity tiers. The cosmetics also add a lot to the charm of Knockout City. One level sees you dodgebrawling between rooftops, while the other has a train that periodically runs through the map, taking out anyone who finds themselves in its way. There will be six maps available at launch, each with their own distinct flavor and hazards. Nicknamed "Tech Deco" by the studio, the unique flair of the world adds to the character of both your dodgebrawler and the areas you find yourself in.
The world of Knockout City is vibrant and unique, with a mix of both retro rockabilly fashion and futuristic technology. Source: Electronic Arts (Image credit: Source: Electronic Arts) My favorite was the cage ball, which forces players into a ball that can then be chucked at other players or right down a pit. There's a bomb ball with a timer that starts ticking as soon as it's picked up, and a moon ball that sends players flying upon impact. In addition to the default dodgeball, one of five special balls will be randomly assigned to the map that can really mix up the gameplay. You'll have plenty of different opportunities to catch players off guard. Finally, if you're facing a particularly skilled foe, you can add a curve to your throw to catch them off guard. If you find yourself without a ball, a teammate can become your ball for an instant KO. If you get caught in the sights of another player, for example, you can shoulder tackle them and knock the ball from their hands. This makes Knockout City incredibly accessible, but there's a lot of depth hidden underneath the surface. Unlike other shooters, putting yourself in the line of fire is beneficial.
You never feel like you're at a disadvantage, even when players are running, jumping, and even gliding all around the map. The game features a very generous auto-aim that helps you pick off opponents, but those who find themselves on the receiving end of an attack will have their screen filled with a red border that highlights the direction the ball is coming from. Unlike other shooters, putting yourself in the line of fire is beneficial, and this risk and reward keeps the momentum high during matches. However, whether Knockout City has the legs to keep the momentum going remains to be seen. It also features cross-play and cross-progression and sidesteps any of the nasty microtransaction business that has become so prevalent in many multiplayer shooters. Knockout City taps into the multiplayer sweet spot that makes abnormal shooters like Splatoon so addictive, while offering short and sweet skirmishes across inventive maps.
So what about Knockout City? After spending a few hours with the game at Knockout City's review event, I'm happy to report that Valen Studios has a standout title on its hands, one that feels great to play and begs to be mastered. It's a sweet spot that many games strive for, but few nail successfully. Published by Electronic Arts under its EA Originals label (the same label that published A Way Out, It Takes Two, and Sea of Solitude), Knockout City hopes its multiplayer offering will be easy enough to pick up and play, while still offering a high skill ceiling for competitive players. This comes courtesy of Velan Studios, the team responsible for last year's mixed reality racing game Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit on the Nintendo Switch.
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