Joystiq [Xbox]

Combat Dodgeball

Our game: Pirates vs Ninjas -- Pirates win

Combat Dodgeball is undoubtedly the most chaotic of the three multiplayer modes. Essentially, there are no rules in Combat Dodgeball. There are two teams (up to 8 players total) and a predetermined number of balls (up to 5) all on one court with no boundaries. There is no center line and players are free to go wherever they want for as long as they want. It is, essentially, what a regular game of dodgeball would devolve into if the gym teacher left the room. Going into it, we were worried that it might be a little too frenetic, but it actually proved to be very fun.

It's hard to describe it properly, but it's perhaps most closely related to a round of Power Stone 2. There are so many things happening at once, it can be difficult to keep track of it all. You may have another player dead in your sights only to realize -- too late -- that another player has already sent a power shot in your direction. Some super powers also affect teammates, so it's important to be mindful of your teammates' positions, lest you stun them and make them a target.

It was this mode in particular where we learned that effective teamwork can be devestating. The Blazing Lizard team knew how to set us up with their special abilities and subsequently knock us down with nasty power shots. Surprisingly, we actually found Combat Dodgeball to be the most fun of the three mulitplayer modes.

02/09/08