OddBallersis a new multiplayer party game from gaming giant Ubisoft based upon the backbone of P.E. classes everywhere: dodgeball. Players can connect with up to six friends on most platforms and battle it out in a tournament of brains and brawn.OddBallersalso featurescross-platform playin its online mode, allowing friends and strangers alike to connect regardless of what they use to play.
At its core, the objective ofOddBallersis to eliminate all opponents by hitting them with expertly aimed throws of a ball. However, the game adds layers of zaniness and complexity to keep things interesting. With multiple arenas, innovative minigames, and countless bizarre items,OddBallerselevates the elite sport of dodgeball into something new and a little absurd.
1Pay Attention To The Arena
One big factor that shapes the gameplay ofOddBallersis the arena. With over twenty unique ones to choose from, each game ends up being its own unique affair. Some arenas are littered with explosive obstacles, while others feature differently shaped boundaries that change the path of rebounds. Each arena will have its own set of challenges and benefits.
RELATED:Underrated Party Games On Nintendo Switch
Players looking to get the most out of the game should pay close attention toall of the details in each arena, as many small elements can come in handy. Obstacles can be grabbed and used to block shots, turnips can be pulled up to be used as dodgeballs, and explosives can be targeted to hit nearby players.
2Focus On The Objective
Though most games will focus on theclassic last-man-standing formula, many other minigames will have different objectives tied in. Players will sometimes be divided into teams to see who can play a French horn the longest or will have to unite against a common NPC enemy. Each style of minigame will have its own unique elements thrown in.
Players who can meet these objectives tactically will see the most success. In team-based games, it’s often easiest to have one person nominated to meet the goal, while the others focus on defending them from the other team. Whatever tactic players choose, it should be with the objective clearly in mind.
3Don’t Get Cornered
True in real life dodgeball as it is inOddBallers, players should do everything they can to avoid getting cornered. Whether it’s movable objects or other players that are blocking them in, it’s a good idea to shift these obstacles away.
RELATED:Best Indie Party Games
Keeping some extra space around themselves will also allow players to dodge and dive more freely, increasing their chances of evading a hit. Health is limited to only a couple of hits, so it’s important to minimize any chance of getting caught out.
4Watch Out For Ricochets
The boundaries of the arena can simultaneously be a player’s best friend or worst nightmare depending on how they are used. Any ball or object thrown will ricochet off the boundary, and it will still count as a hit. Not all arenas have the same boundary shape either, so players should make note of how each type rebounds.
Boundary ricochets can be used to a player’s advantage if throws are aimed carefully tohit nearby opponents. This can be especially useful if opponents have obstacles in front of them or are preoccupied only with shots aimed directly at them.
5Catch Enemy Throws
One key strategy to level upOddBallersgameplay is to catch any balls that enemies have thrown. Catching a throw before it rebounds will make the player’s own throw extra powerful. Extra powerful throws are faster, go further, and can do more damage than regular throws.
Catching an opponent’s throw requires good timing and a keen attention tothe field of play. Anything that can be used as a ball can be caught, so this strategy can be used in nearly every arena. It can be especially useful in arenas where there are very few balls to go around.
6Deflect Shots Where Possible
Catching throws or dodging is not the only way to avoid being hit inOddBallers.Players can use a variety of tools to deflect shots away and save their own skins. A well-timed throw in the direction of an opponent’s own will send both balls flying. However, players should be careful not to get caught in the rebound.
RELATED:Party Games With Surprisingly Deep Lore
Shots can also be deflected using any of the obstacles available in the arena. These obstacles can often be moved and relocated somewhere more strategic to be used as barriers between opponents. However, this isn’t foolproof, as high-powered shots can shatter anything in their path.
7Choose Balls Wisely
In addition to the regular red rubber dodgeballs nearly everyone can recognize,OddBallersfeatures several other items and balls that can be used toknock opponents off their feet. Different items and balls will have different features, so it’s important to use the right tool for the task.
The non-ball items will often disappear once they’ve hit a person or object, so they should be used and aimed with care. Both the red and gold dodgeballs can be used again once they’ve hit their target; however, the gold has a high-powered charge similar to that of a caught throw.
8Evade Interference
No matter how long the match turns out to be, players who die early will still get the opportunity to participate and can interfere with the arena from the sidelines. This interference usually takes the form of laying down explosives or messing with the obstacles on the field.
Players still in the running should be careful to avoid this interference from eliminated players, or at the very least keep one eye on them. Though it might seem a little unfair at first, this element goes a long way towards keeping the game interesting for all players, and helps toratchet up the tensionfor those left standing.
OddBallersis available now on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, Luna, and PC.
