Berlin (dpa) — Football simulations have been the mega-sellers in the video game industry for years but there are plenty of other sports games available that offer lots of exciting action and strategy.
These three are reinventing sports video games and well worth a look for anyone seeking something beyond the likes of "EA Sports FC".
“Rocket League”
In "Rocket League" cars race after a ball in an arena and try to get it into the opponent's goal. The ball goes up the walls, through the air, and everywhere else at full speed.
When the small development studio Psyonix first released the game in 2015, no-one had any idea that it would become a success story. By now, more than 75 million players have gotten behind the wheel and fought crazy duels.
“Rocket League” requires well-trained thumbs on the gamepad and a good sense of space in order to estimate the trajectory and speed of the ball.
You can also meet and compete with like-minded people in various leagues in the e-sports scene. Here too, “Rocket League” is quite a phenomenon and players have won six-figure sums.
The game has been free since 2020. Continuing development is paid for through downloadable content. That content is cosmetic and includes items such as new paintwork and wheel rims and special goal celebrations. The game also offers cross-play, which means you can play between PCs and different consoles.
The strange mix of football and car action requires some training, but makes up for it with spectacular sports duels. A modern classic and unlimited fun, “Rocket League” is available for Windows, the PS4/5, the Xbox Series and the Nintendo Switch.
“Blood Bowl 3”
The “Warhammer” universe from the British game manufacturer Games Workshop is one of the most successful tabletop series in the world. While the humans and other creatures that populate the game usually meet on battlefields, there is still time for sport, namely "Blood Bowl".
In this fantasy football variant, teams try to get the ball into the opponent's end zone by any means available. Now in its third edition, "Blood Bowl" is the video game adaptation of the popular tabletop template.
Orcs, dwarves and the like compete against each other in a football arena. Every team has its strengths and weaknesses. While humans are good all-rounders, dwarves excel at defence and elves with their speed and precision.
The moves take place in rounds. Each time the players have to decide whether to make a risky pass or block their opponent. The game’s variety comes into play primarily through the different peoples and their abilities.
Fans of turn-based tactics can fine-tune their game strategy and duel online alone with the computer or with human opponents. It’s not all just brutal action, strategy and tactics are also important.
“Blood Bowl” is exciting, tricky, and crazy at the same time. The game is available for Windows, the PS4/5, the Xbox One/Series, and the Nintendo Switch.
“Windjammers 2”
Summer, sun, frisbees: “Windjammers 2” is the return of a video game classic from the 1990s. The principle of the game is simple: the players have to throw their Frisbee into the opponent's goal.
What seems child's play at first quickly becomes a challenging reaction test. Up to two players can fight exciting duels online or at home in front of the screen.
Players have a bird's eye view of the court and it takes great skill to push the Frisbee into the opponent's goal. The controls are easy to learn: you move around using the gamepad and catch and throw the Frisbee by pressing a button.
Quick reactions and perfect timing are crucial. For variety, players can choose between eleven different characters who differ in speed, endurance, and throwing strength.
In single-player mode, the simple gameplay quickly loses its appeal. However, if you play with other people this uncomplicated sporting game becomes a lot of fun. An upcoming update will enable players to play each other across PCs and consoles.
Easy to learn, a little messy, but always entertaining, “Windjammers 2” is the perfect game when you have time to kill. It’s available for Windows, the PS4, the Xbox One, and the Nintendo Switch.
