Kraken Smash: Volleyball

Genre: Sports (Volleyball) / Platformer / Party Game

Players: 1-4 Team Competitive (Local)

.

Review:

Kraken Smash: Volleyball is a family-friendly multiplayer-focused side-view Volleyball game with Platformer and Party Game elements released in 2021 on PC and 2022 on Nintendo Switch. In this game, players play as cartoony squids playing… well, Volleyball.

The presentation here is decent, with cartoony looking color-coded squid-like creatures against a somewhat abstract simple background, giving the game a sorta’ “punk” look that works well enough. That said, the game’s soundtrack is oddly subdued compared to the striking visuals and fast-paced action, and I feel like this game would have been better-served by music that’s more energetic.

As you might expect, this is a pretty simplified version of the sport, with players moving around along with a jump and a dash move, and either hitting the ball with your head for a small physics-based impact, hitting it with anormal attack to propel it upward and forward, or using a spike to quickly smash it down and toward the opponents’ side of the net. That’s pretty much all there is to it here.

All of this makes for a pretty accessible Volleyball game that’s going to be pretty fun in party scenarios, though be aware that the game only allows for 1v1 and 2v2 play – if you only have three players, one of them will have to sit out the game, even though this game does have a bot opponent to play against in single-player mode.

On that note, the computer-controlled bot isn’t very bright or creative, and as there are zero options or game modes here, that makes for a pretty monotonous single-player game. In fact, this game is overall pretty simple and lacking in features when compared to the somewhat similar Wrestledunk Sports, which does cost $8 more than this but comes with a great deal more variety.

I suppose, for only $5, Kraken Smash: Volleyball does make for an entertaining, accessible, multiplayer-focused Volleyball game, and if you’re looking to add a game to your Party Game rotation for only a few bucks, this isn’t a bad choice. That said, players willing to spend a bit more may want to consider Wrestledunk Sports, which has similar gameplay but is far more varied, with more options.

tl;dr – Kraken Smash: Volleyball is a family-friendly side-view Volleyball game that’s simple and fun in multiplayer. It’s sorely lacking in game modes and options, but for only $5 that’s somewhat forgivable. This is a good addition to your Party Game rotation, though you might want to consider spending more to get the similar and much more varied Wrestledunk Sports.

Grade: B-

^{You can support eShopperReviews on Patreon! Please click HERE to become a Sponsor!}

^{This month’s sponsors are Jamie and His Cats, Ben, Ilya Zverev, Andy Miller, Homer Simpin, Johannes, Francis Obst, Gabriel Coronado-Medina, Jared Wark, Kristoffer Wulff, and Seth Christenfeld. Thank you for helping to keep the reviews coming!}