After being shown off during last week’s Nintendo Direct, Knockout City got another trailer at PlayStation’s State of Play. More gameplay focused this time around, developers Velan Studios gave us a look at this new take on the team-based multiplayer genre, including the ability to “be the ball”, quite literally.
Knockout City see’s you take part in a colorful and fast-paced game of dodgeball. Describing the title as a “team-based multiplayer action game”, the developers showcased two different game modes, as well as some of the things you can get up to while you fight your enemies.
There’s a 1v1 “Face Off” mode, where you and an opponent take each other on in a constantly shrinking battleground. Early on in the match you have the room to pull off some impressive jumps as dodges to avoid being hit, but as the map closes in, it looks like you’ll have to get more aggressive. There’s also “Team KO”, a 3v3 mode where you have to work together to survive.
The developers say that every map will have a different unique ability. Back Alley Brawl, which will be available during the beta, has transportation tubes you can use to try and sneak up on your opponent who thinks you’re on the other side of the map.
Different balls come with different abilities, such as the sniper ball shown off in the trailer, which can lock onto moving enemies. And of course, you can opt to become the ball yourself if you think it will help. If you go for that, your teammate can charge up a special attack, which casts area-of-effect damage, and can potentially instant kill and enemy.
While lobbing the ball at your opponent is the aim of the game, dodging is just as important. Knockout City appears to feature a lot of platforming around the map too, so you can dodge attacks in a range of different ways.
Knockout City is set to support cross-play from launch, as well as during its beta, which will kick off May 21, 2021. It will be available to play on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, and PC.
Sony’s State of Play revealed a range of details on new and previous confirmed titles, including the PlayStation 5 update to Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time, and a new look at the upcoming Returnal. Keep an eye on GameLuster.com for live coverage of the showcase!
