Crunchball 3000
A cross between ice hockey, American football, rugby and soccer, but with armor.
That pretty much sums up Crunchball 3000, a free java-game developed by Ben Olding Games.
This is very reminiscent of a game called Speedball that used to be available on Amiga. In fact, the developer of this game specifically credits Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe as his inspiration.
The game is set in a future where all forms of sport are outlawed. However, Crunchball gains a huge underground following because people are yearning for the physical sports that used to be played, so the government, in an effort to avoid civil unrest, sponsors a Crunchball League.
Cue our entrance.
Let's break some bones
Gameplay
Crunchball is easy enough to pick up, and the controls are changeable. The aim of the game is to score more goals than your opponent. You do this by chucking a metal ball in the opposition goal. To prevent the other team from doing so you need to tackle them, either by running into them or, when you’re close, pressing the tackle button. If the tackle — an elbow jab or a barge — is successful the player will fall down and lose possession.
Long may the Peacelovers sit atop the table
The action isn’t limited to single games, however. You can play a campaign, where you start off as a Division Four team and attempt to work your way up to champions of Division One. Along the way you’ll be able to spend your winnings to improve your players, both in ability and equipment, and eventually have a force that can fight with any team. You can also buy better players at the end of each season. And unlike today’s sports, drug cheating doesn’t appear to be frowned on. Neither is bribery. Well, actually, if you get caught doing either of those things there’s a stiff penalty, but if you can get away with it… Hey, maybe it’s not much different from today’s sports after all.
Like the old Amiga game, this is surprisingly addictive. Nothing quite like the rush of jarring somebody’s bones, is there?
Technical
The graphics are slick and a nice homage to the particular style of the old Amiga game. The sound gets annoying after a while, but is definitely retro.
Being able to change the controls is a big bonus, and there is also a download available so this game can be played with a joypad.
You are a winner!
The physics are also surprisingly realistic. It’s very difficult to turn on a dime and sometimes when you run into someone wrong you’re the one who ends up on your back. Players have ratings for speed, tackling and passing and these are reflected in the way they carry out these actions.
Apparently, the developer mentions, the game is best played in Firefox.
Multiplayer
While the game does have a multiplayer option, it is limited to two people sharing a keyboard (or, with the download plug-in, two joypads). Unfortunately this means everything’s a little cramped, and exuberant play might end up with you actually elbowing your playing partner. An added touch of realism, perhaps?
But overall, this game is solid, easy to play and a lot of fun.
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Score goals. And hurt your opponents too while you’re at it. | ||||||
Game: Crunchball 3000 | Developer: Ben Olding Games