HyperBrawl Tournament combines several trends from online games this generation to create an experience that provides a lot of fun, arcade action but doesn't quite have the stamina to truly shine. From developer Milky Tea Studios, HyperBrawl Tournament is a 2v2 arcade sports game for all major consoles that combines handball with wacky combat, taking inspiration from sources as varied as the soccer-based action of Rocket League to the co-operative heroes of Overwatch, and even possibly filling a gap for FIFA fans avoiding the latest game's troubled launch.
While there are a few different game modes, the core concept of HyperBrawl Tournament is simple. Two players per team are chosen from a cast of characters that fall under three categories: fast, nimble "Swift" heroes; slow, powerful "Tank" heroes; and balanced "Core" heroes. A team weapon is also chosen, which can provide game-changing effects when used. These vary from swords that unleash a spinning whirlwind to defensive shields that can be strategically placed. The goal of the game is to score the most points by throwing a ball into the other team's net. Holding the trigger for longer will increase its power, and importantly, the flight of the ball can be adjusted with the analog stick, allowing for crazy curved goals that avoid defenders.
Combat is a fun twist, allowing players to punch and kick in attempts to pry the ball from opponents or knock them out completely, giving the other team a temporary disadvantage. Getting knocked out consistently enough will provide the opportunity to throw some one-hit K.O.s, and the result is a fun and frantic arcade experience, where clutch knockouts and clever plays bring satisfaction.
Unfortunately, the experience is currently a little shallow. The different heroes don't provide much variety beyond the three archetypes, the game's seven modes do little to shake up gameplay, and the campaign mode doesn't even allow for full customization of teams. Games like Overwatch and Rocket League managed to stay relevant by consistently adding new content, like skins and themed events, which HyperBrawl Tournament still has time to implement. However, both those other games had very different ways to play on launch, and it doesn't help the feeling of repetitiveness in HyperBrawl Tournament when the announcer repeats the same four or five jokes in one match.
Another thing to consider is the game's price. While it isn't as high as traditional full retail prices, it is a confusing choice given the competition. Rocket League, which benefitted from releasing for free on PlayStation Plus, recently went free to play and topped one million concurrent players soon after. Overwatch regularly has free weeks, Fall Guys had a similar boon from PlayStation Plus, and Genshin Impact is raising the standard of free-to-play games. These games are supported by microtransactions, sometimes with troubling consequences, but HyperBrawl Tournament also pushes MTX on top of its entrance fee, combining the worst elements of both approaches.
HyperBrawl Tournament at its best is simply fun, particularly for its couch co-op, which feels like it is slowly dying out as an option in most multiplayer titles. Letting off a shot so powerful it hits an opponent and sends both the defender and ball flying into the net is always satisfying, just as a well-worked bank shot or expertly placed mine is. However, if it wants any chance to stand strong in the increasingly competitive multiplayer market, HyperBrawl Tournament needs to add to its playbook, or it'll face a knockout blow sooner rather than later.
HyperBrawl Tournament is out now for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. Screen Rant was given a PS4 key for the purposes of this review.