Release Date: January 30, 2018
Platform(s): PS4*, Steam PC
Developer: Fun Punch Games
Price: $14.99

Strikers Edge, developed by Fun Punch Games, is basically a game of Dodgeball with weapons combined with classic arcade visuals and sound. Two or four players are put in an arena that is divided down the middle and contains barricades, which can be broken. Depending on the characters chosen, players throw swords, axes, arrows and more at their opponents to try to eliminate them. The gameplay is extremely simple, you control your character with the left analog stick and aim with the right. Players can also dodge, block and use a special attack. The action is very fast-paced and can get quite intense.

Each character offers slightly different movesets, but the only way to learn each one is simply by playing as each character. While there is a tutorial that shows the basics of the game, there is no training mode that allows you to practice. With that said, there is a campaign mode that contains a storyline for each character. These storylines are pretty thin, but it helps make the somewhat repetitive single player mode a little more enjoyable.

Multiplayer is where Strikers Edge really shines and playing with others is a much more enjoyable experience than facing the AI over and over. Online multiplayer features cross-play with the PC version, but finding an opponent can take a while. The online matches I played were quite fun, but there was definitely some noticeable lag, which is a bit of a problem in a game that has you aiming precise shots and second guessing your adversary's movements.

Local multiplayer is definitely the best experience. Playing with 4 players on the couch, throwing, dodging, blocking and yelling at each other can get pretty hectic and fun. I played several matches that had everyone in the room watching and yelling as me and my foe were both down to our last bit of energy and one of us would dodge just before getting hit. Moments like that are what makes Strikers Edge fun. Unfortunately, after a few matches, it does get a little repetitive and old. Strikers Edge is very light on content, with only four arenas in which to fight and very few modes to try. The stages alter things slightly with different obstacles and hazards, but you'll quickly grow tired of them.

Overall, Strikers Edge is a good, fun couch multiplayer game. The pixel art style and sound are almost perfect for this type of game since there is so much going on at all times. The controls are easy and fluid, but the gameplay gets boring after a little while. Having more modes, such as a free-for-all, as well as more variety in arenas would be a great addition. With improvements, I could see this being a big multiplayer game.

Pros
Local multiplayer is lots of fun
Unique characters
Pixel art style fits the game very well

Cons
Gets repetitive after a short time
Lacks content
Campaign lacks depth

A special thanks goes out to Fun Punch Games for providing us with a review copy on the PS4.

Strikers Edge Review