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Stikbold! A Dodgeball Adventure

Stikbold! A Dodgeball Adventure

Game Swing · released Apr 1, 2016

ActionIndieSportsPCPlayStation 4Xbox OneNintendo Switch

Stikbold is a glorious and intense sport which will put your friendships to the test with fast-paced, hard-hitting and occasionally hilariously unfair action! Or play the co-op story mode to unlock the full roster of quirky sporting heroes and earn achievements.

81
VGC Score
·No trend datamedium confidence
75%
At launch
89%
Steam all-time
73%
Press
71%
Recent sentiment

Screenshots & trailers

Review sentiment over time

Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.

How this score was computed

The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.

ComponentPositiveQuality (0-100)Weight (pseudo-reviews)
Press reviews (OpenCritic)738
All-time Steam reviews89%83242
Metacritic user ratings0
Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted)71%681
Calibration prior (typical game)7250

Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 4 reviews sampled · 1 total reviews in window · weighted 0.5 up / 0.2 down · computed 4h ago · full methodology →

Press & Creators reviews (33)

Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.

  • 80
    trust 76Jan 1, 2018

    Stikbold! A Dodgeball Adventure Deluxe fully deserves a place among Nintendo Switch's already amazing line up of local multiplayer titles. It's accessible yet deceptively deep twin stick-based mechanics make for a decent amount of challenge in the solo campaign, even if it's a little on the short side. Even with no online, using bots or getting up to five other friends involved, multiplayer matches are a joy and always thoroughly entertaining. Striking a great balance between cooperative and competitive play styles, It's combination of charming presentation and witty retro humour are sure to keep the laughs coming regardless of player demographic.

    read full review ↗
  • 75
    trust 70Dec 31, 2017

    Overall, Stikbold is an engaging multiplayer game that has some wild action and distinguishes itself with a great idea in the form of the Wheel of Rumpus mode. While the Story Mode isn’t terribly long it is quite a lot of fun and it’s great that you have the option to either tackle it alone or with a friend. Results will vary depending on your group but if you like chaotic and raucous fun to get people laughing it sets the table for a good time.

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  • 70
    trust 70May 31, 2016

    It's probably says a lot for a game when the only real complaint is that there isn't more of it. Stikbold! hits all the right targets, but it feels as if it is just missing a little more. Online multiplayer would have been amazing, and a bit more depth in both the single player campaign and multiplayer options would have made this title complete. It's still good fun while it lasts, and even more so if a couple friends can be found for some dodgeball shenanigans. While it might not be the best party game, it is still a very good one - besides, how many other games are there where you can throw dodgeballs at enormous whales and honey loving hippies?

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  • 70
    trust 69Apr 6, 2016

    Fresh and frantic, Stikbold! A Dodgeball Adventure is a pleasant surprise, with moreish multiplayer and a beguiling, unique style that sets it apart in a crowded genre.

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  • 70
    trust 68May 6, 2016

    Stikbold is not going to set the world on fire, but it is one of the best competitive/co-op experiences I have had in a while. There is a lot to see and do, even with a criminally short list of modes and features. The story mode is entertaining and the multiplayer had me coming back for more and more. I recommend checking it out if you enjoy local multiplayer games with an interesting twist.

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  • 75
    trust 65Apr 1, 2016

    Stikbold! is a beautifully unique party game at its core. Though a short campaign allows you to familiarize yourself to the gameplay, it’s lacking refinement to be considered worth much of your time. Multiplayer is where the game blossoms, it becomes an outstanding display of cartoon chaos. With so many different possibilities and room for further content, it’s best played with a gaggle of mates alongside you.

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  • 70
    trust 65Apr 1, 2016

    At its heart, Stikbold’s a fairly simple game of hitting people with balls, but it has a bunch of fun and silly ideas alongside that which turn it into a manic little party game to while away a few hours.

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  • 70
    trust 64Apr 1, 2016

    If you're looking for something unique, then Stikbold! A Dodgeball Adventure may be right up your alley. A combination of twin-stick shooting, mature cartoons and a creative take on dodgeball, it's a fun and challenging little game.

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  • 65
    trust 63Apr 8, 2016

    Stikbold! A Dodgeball Adventure has its good side. The campaign, while short, starts out fun and isn't lacking creative scenarios, while the multiplayer is good for a short romp. Sadly, the game is let down by the later campaign levels, the iffy AI, and the overall lack of content.

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  • 78
    trust 63Apr 8, 2016

    Stikbold: A Dodgeball Adventure is a great game for local on couch co-op or multiplayer action, but doesn't offer much thrill as a single player game.

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  • 100
    trust 61Apr 2, 2016

    At its roots Stikbold is a great party mayhem game, but it is also brimming with goodies and extras to keep you coming back for more. The heir to the Super Dodge Ball legacy has been crowned.

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  • 75
    trust 61Apr 10, 2016

    $10 is the right price for this indie anything higher would have not been worth it. Very good party game for your friends, parents, or anyone.

    read full review ↗

…and 21 more tracked reviews.

Patch history

  1. Free update!
    Apr 20, 2017significant · resets scoring window
  2. Free update!
    Apr 20, 2017
  3. Patch Release
    Sep 27, 2016
  4. Patch Release
    Sep 27, 2016
  5. Patch released
    Apr 8, 2016
  6. Patch released
    Apr 8, 2016