Beastieball

Release Date: November 12, 2024 Early Access

RPG, turn-based, volleyball, puzzle elements, elements of strategy, indie games, jRPG, multiplayer, singleplayer, internet

99%

Steam

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A turn-based RPG inspired by Pokemon series. In Beastieball we explore the open world and train a volleyball team composed of fantasy creatures. Building relations between the collected monsters is important and allows to use unique combos during volleyball matches.

Plot
Gameplay
Game modes
Graphics and music

Beastieball combines the monster-collecting and training gameplay known from the Pokemon series with team volleyball. The creation of this independent game was overseen by the Canadian named Greg Lobanov.

Plot

We start the game as an assistant coach of the local, lowest-ranked Beastieball crew. This is a team volleyball game featuring small monsters. One day, the League appears with plans to build a stadium over the nature reserve where our character regularly spends time. To counteract the creation of infrastructure, the hero decides to rebuild the team and raise his ranking.

Gameplay

In Beastieball we travel around the open world collecting and training monsters in order to defeat eight trainers in the ranking. The game of volleyball is played in turn-based mode. Each team sends two players to the field and up to three can wait on the bench. In each round, one of the teams has the ball, which puts them on the attack. In the meantime, the opponent's defense tries to predict where the attack will occur and prepares to react.

During each turn, a player can make three moves, such as a pass or a position change, before the ball is sent to the other side. The creatures hit by the ball receive damage, which depends on the distance between them and the net. The match ends when either team is "swept" or scores a certain number of points. Points are scored by hitting the ball into the ground, which happens when there is no monster in that spot, or its stamina has run out.

Players differ in personality, size and color, so there are no two exactly the same. Their abilities are determined by strengths and weaknesses in three categories: body, spirit and mind.

Beastieball is a team sport. Every pair of players playing together gradually becomes close to each other. Their personality and style of cooperation influence what kind of special pair they will create - "partners", "besties", "rivals" or "sympathies". The bond between them gives access to unique combos.

Apart from matches, we explore the world and solve puzzles.

Game modes

In addition to the single-player campaign, Beastieball also offers to take our team online to duel with other players.

Graphics and music

The colorful Beastieball was created in Game Maker Studio 2. The game's soundtrack was composed by Lena Raine, known primarily thanks to creating the music for Minecraft.

Videos and Screens

[1:13] Beastieball Early Access Launch Trailer

99%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive (824)

STEAM

User Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

Innovative Gameplay: The turn-based volleyball mechanics add a unique twist to the creature-collecting genre, making battles more engaging and tactical. Players appreciate the emphasis on strategy and skill rather than brute force.
Charming Creature Designs: The beasties are described as adorable and well-designed, with a wide variety of unique characters that players feel attached to. The designs and personalities of the creatures enhance the overall experience.
Rich Story and Characters: The narrative is engaging, featuring memorable characters and a storyline that resonates emotionally with players. Many reviews highlight the humor and heart present in the writing.
Quality of Life Features: The game removes tedious mechanics common in other monster collectors, such as breeding and IV training, allowing players to focus on enjoying the game. Players appreciate the streamlined mechanics that enhance accessibility.
Strong Community Engagement: Players feel a connection to the developers and the community, noting the responsive nature of the team and the ongoing updates that improve the game.

The main cons of the game

Early Access Issues: As the game is still in early access, many players note that there are unfinished art assets, missing animations, and some bugs. These aspects can detract from the overall polish of the game.
Limited Post-Game Content: While the main story is complete, some users feel that the post-game content is lacking, with few incentives to continue playing after finishing the story.
AI Behavior: There are mentions of AI being occasionally predictable or not as challenging as some players would like, which can impact the overall combat experience.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

Public Matchmaking: Some players express a desire for public matchmaking in online PvP, which is currently not available.
More Completed Animations: Users hope for more finished animations for the beasties, as many are still in placeholder or rough sketch form.
Expanded Post-Game Content: Players are looking for additional challenges or content after completing the main storyline, such as more robust end-game modes or activities.
Localization: A few reviews mentioned a desire for translations into other languages, such as Spanish, to reach a broader audience.

Summary

Overall, Beastieball is praised for its innovative approach to the creature-collecting genre, its charming characters, and engaging gameplay, while also acknowledging the typical early access shortcomings. Players are excited about the game's potential as it continues to develop.

Summary generated on: December 9, 2024