Smashbox Arena (2016)

Team-based action game with insane physics-driven power-ups. Shoot, duck behind cover, and coordinate with teammates...all in glorious VR! Play both Singleplayer Story Mode and Online Multiplayer!

Shooter Sport Indie Action indie developer vr onlyPlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), SteamVR

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Plot-driven, contemporary, spare and unpretentious.

character-ledplot-driven
contemporarynostalgic
sparerichly built
unpretentiousprestige
earnestironic

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From the critics

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Hardcore GamerJames CunninghamJan 20174/5
Smashbox Arena is a fantastic take on dodgeball, combining the classic playground activity with an arena FPS to make something fast enough for good competitive gaming while remaining appropriate for all ages.
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Pure PlaystationChris HardingJul 20178.5/10
Smashbox Arena ticks all the boxes: Fun? Yup. Functional? Yup. Plenty of content? Yup. More content on the way? Yup! You can't go wrong! If you've been itching for a tactical team-based shooter, by default this is the best thing available, but it's pretty damn great in its own right anyway.
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Use a PotionDaryl LeachJul 20178/10
Smashbox Arena offers incredibly fun multiplayer action, with its dodgeball antics proving to be a blast to play in virtual reality. Wiping out your opponents with a mixture of balls and brutal weapons was really satisfying, whilst the interactive moments in between matches where you could goad opposing players was a bit of a guilty pleasure. You’re just guaranteed to have a good time – even if it does have a fair few bugs that need ironing out. The only concern I have is whether or not the game will have a thriving community or not. If people keep playing the game, I could see myself hooked to Smashbox Arena for a long, long time. If not though, I’m not sure how long I’ll stick with it. For now though, it’s a hell of a lot of fun and most certainly the most enjoyable multiplayer experience I’ve had in Playstation VR.
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Cubed3Albert LichiAug 20172/10
Smashbox Arena might be amusing for some multiplayer shenanigans, but it is very rare to find anyone online to play with given the niche base of VR (with PS Move sticks, no less). The story mode is very deceptive and is really just the multiplayer stages with AI enemies and partners, with no story at all. Even the announcer for the matches sounds like he is extremely bored and is about to yawn. There is a complete lack of appeal and energy, and the overall presentation just feels like it was made by an amateur programmer and not a designer at all. The lack of controller options really hurt this - not that they would make Smashbox Arena much better, since it is nigh empty of content.
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TheSixthAxisJim HargreavesAug 20173/10
The truth is, even if the servers were packed, it wouldn't do much to save this shooter. Developer Bigbox VR has some interesting ideas though these are bogged down by mediocrity at every corner. You may be able to squeeze a few minutes of fun from Smashbox Arena, but beyond that it's an incredibly hard sell.
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Snippets via OpenCritic, where 25% of critics recommend it.

About the game

Platforms: PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), SteamVR
Developer: BigBox VR
Publisher: BigBox VR
Released: December 21, 2016
Modes: Single player, Multiplayer
Perspective: Virtual Reality

IGDB rating 6.8/10 from 5 ratings.

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