Gang Beasts is a beat 'em up party game developed and published by English indie studio Boneloaf. The title would originally be published by Double Fine Presents until May 2020 and self-published afterwards,[1] while it would later be published in physical form by Skybound Games.[2][3] The game released for Windows, macOS, Linux, and PlayStation 4 on 12 December 2017, following an early access period for the PC platforms that began in August 2014. It was also released on the Xbox One on 27 March 2019.[4][5] A version for Nintendo Switch was released on 12 October 2021.[6]
Gang Beasts | |
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Developer(s) | Boneloaf |
Publisher(s) | Double Fine Presents (2017–2020) Boneloaf (2020–present) |
Composer(s) |
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Engine | Unity |
Platform(s) | |
Release | Linux, macOS, Windows, PlayStation 4 12 December 2017 Xbox One 27 March 2019 Nintendo Switch 12 October 2021 |
Genre(s) | Beat 'em up, party |
Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Gameplay
editIn the game, players fight each other as floppy ragdolls in multiple melee fight sequences, and hazardous environments, set in the fictional metropolis of Beef City. At initial release, it contained eight multiplayer stages, and costume customization. The core gameplay involves using various physical abilities such as punching or kicking an opponent until they are knocked out, and then attempting to toss them over one of the stage hazards. Opponents that have been knocked down are not completely defenseless however, as they can fight back to be released.[7]
There are 21 different playable stages that you can choose from freely.
- Alley
- Billboard
- Blimp
- Buoy
- Chutes
- Containers
- Elevators
- Girders
- Gondola
- Grind
- Incinerator
- Lighthouse
- Ring
- Roof
- Subway
- Towers
- Train
- Trawler
- Trucks
- Vents
- Wheel
Reception
editAggregator | Score |
---|---|
Metacritic | PS4: 68/100[8] XONE: 67/100[9] NS: 68/100[10] |
Publication | Score |
---|---|
Destructoid | 6/10[11] |
PC Gamer (US) | 64/100[12] |
Hardcore Gamer | 4/5[13] |
Shacknews | 6/10[14] |
In its freeware alpha state, as well as upon Steam Early Access release, the game was met with positive response from critics and fans.[15][16][17] Comments include Keith Stuart of The Guardian calling it "probably one of the silliest beat-'em-ups ever made,"[18] Jessica Conditt from Engadget calling it "a jolly good time",[19] and Steve Hansen from Destructoid highlighting how its weirdness plays out well.[20]
Outside of early access, Gang Beasts received mixed reviews from critics on both the PC and PlayStation 4 versions of the game. On Metacritic, the game holds a score of 67/100 for the PlayStation 4 version based on 8 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[8]
The game was nominated for "Excellence in Multiplayer" at the 2018 SXSW Gaming Awards,[21][22] and for "Multiplayer" at the 14th British Academy Games Awards.[23][24]
References
edit- ^ Phillips, Tom (1 June 2020). "Gang Beasts will be kept alive via new self-published updates". Eurogamer. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
- ^ Rice, Greg (18 August 2014). "Double Fine Presents: Gang Beasts". Double Fine Productions. Archived from the original on 13 January 2016. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
- ^ Gera, Emily (5 March 2019). "Party Brawler 'Gang Beasts' Coming to Physical Retail". Variety. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
- ^ "Gang Beasts FAQ". Gang Beasts. Archived from the original on 24 December 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
- ^ Spafford, James (28 November 2017). "Hilarious multiplayer brawler Gang Beasts gets a confirmed PS4 release date". PlayStation Blog Europe. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
- ^ Brian (6 October 2021). "Gang Beasts Switch release delayed a few days". Nintendo Everything. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ Smith, Graham (3 May 2016). "Gang Beasts Grapples With Online Multiplayer Beta". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 1 March 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
- ^ a b "Gang Beasts for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 10 December 2017. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
- ^ "Gang Beasts for Xbox One Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive.
- ^ "Gang Beasts for Nintendo Switch Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive.
- ^ Moyse, Chris (20 December 2017). "Review: Gang Beasts". Destructoid. Enthusiast Gaming. Archived from the original on 30 December 2017. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
- ^ Schilling, Chris (21 December 2017). "Gang Beasts review". PC Gamer. Future US. Archived from the original on 26 December 2017. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
- ^ Robertson, Tyler (19 December 2017). "Review: Gang Beasts". Hardcore Gamer. Archived from the original on 26 December 2017. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
- ^ Mejia, Ozzie (18 December 2017). "Gang Beasts Review: Royal Fumble". Shacknews. Gamerhub Content Network. Archived from the original on 26 December 2017. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
- ^ Bramwell, Tom (10 September 2014). "Gang Beasts Early Access review". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 26 December 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
- ^ Smith, Adam (4 April 2014). "Hands On: Gang Beasts". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 26 January 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
- ^ Labbe, Mark (31 August 2015). "PAX Prime 2015: Gang Beasts Hands-On Preview – Goofy Brawler". PlayStation LifeStyle. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on 29 December 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
- ^ Stuart, Keith (21 July 2014). "Gang Beasts – probably the funniest fighting game ever made". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 26 January 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
- ^ Conditt, Jessica (19 August 2014). "Burn, crush your jelly pals in Gang Beasts from Double Fine". Engadget. AOL Tech. Archived from the original on 25 January 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
- ^ Hansen, Steve (2 September 2014). "Gang Beasts out on Steam, fight your friends like a drunk on skates". Destructoid. Enthusiast Gaming. Archived from the original on 3 February 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
- ^ McNeill, Andrew (31 January 2018). "Here Are Your 2018 SXSW Gaming Awards Finalists!". SXSW. Archived from the original on 1 February 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
- ^ IGN Studios (17 March 2018). "2018 SXSW Gaming Awards Winners Revealed". IGN. Archived from the original on 18 March 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
- ^ deAlessandri, Marie (15 March 2018). "Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice at forefront of BAFTA Games Awards nominations". MCV. Archived from the original on 16 March 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
- ^ Makedonski, Brett (12 April 2018). "BAFTA names What Remains of Edith Finch its best game of 2017". Destructoid. Enthusiast Gaming. Archived from the original on 25 April 2018. Retrieved 13 April 2018.