Strikers Edge

No time for Bullshit Review:
Yo Pros:
-FAST&FUN PVP 1v1 and 2v2 Skillshot/dodge gameplay.
-Cool Pixel Style, with legit hitboxes for those Hardcore gamers.
-Twitch implementation which makes streaming fun.
-Multiple Heroes and each have a different playstyle.
-Multiple maps with a variety of hazards.
-Available room at character select...potential for MORE deadly pixel people!!!
-Very Short Campaign for Each Hero but it let's you try them all out decide which you like best with some dialogue.
- PVP Communication funtion - you can use the 1-4 keys on keyboard to control this, and the directional keypad on a controller to use basic comms.
Dem Cons:
-Server issues are to blame for the horrid lag in PVP.
-This client based resolution and Windows/Fullscreen. Listen, if you want to make this an easy to stream game, then make it accessible to the streamers, all options and edits to the game should be under Settings.
-Playerbase is a bit low, sure games can be found but don't be suprised if you hit 8-10 min queue times...hopefully this gets some exposure, IGN. POLYGON where you at, PR team!?
I do recommend, because i enjoy it. and i like seeing fresh games that have "CONS" that can be fixed...you know, that whole procces of staying through it's evolution and seeing it rise like a damn phoenix? Cool, glad we can relate. There is plenty of space for new heroes and maps so it's future is bright. If you believe they can fix the CONS then it's a SOLID pick-up, even if it's just LOCAL PLAY with ur friend who sucks at these games to make you feel better about yo'self.
OH, damn - almost forgot! i even made a video about the game - COME SEE MY FINE FACE and HELLA AMAZING SKILLS BELOW!

Review by Sven Evil - Steam's best local 4-player curator! See 100s of more local 4-player reviews at my curator page!
Simple dodgeball variant from a medieval fantasy realm... choose between 8 different heroes, play a short single player campaign with each of them - and then DUKE it OUT with your friends!
Kill your foe(s) with lethal medieval weaponry, like spears, arrows, axes or spells. You have 4 different arenas to play in, but they are just candy for the eye and play only marginally different.
1v1, 1v2, 2v2... CPU can take over missing players...
All in all the game is fun for an hour or two when you have some friends to play with (or fight some strangers you met on discord), but it does not come close to the best games of the genre.
Game supports local and online play, XBox 360 and XBox One controllers worked fine.
Conclusion:
Easy to understand, fun to play. Rounds do not take very long. Great party game!

Strikers Edge is a simple yet challenging and fun game. Perfect for some quick matches in between something else.
Addicting gameplay and gorgeous pixel art graphics. Give it a try!

Overview
Strikers Edge is a great game of killer dodge ball that supports between 1 and 4 players. The short campaigns are fun and bots can provide some solo enjoyment. The game shines when there are at least two people in an adrenaline fuelled duel to the death. Each campaign provides the back story of each character and their motivations for fighting. The pixel art is beautiful and backgrounds have easily recognizable, unique hazards. An interesting mechanic is that players can see each other’s aiming reticle leading to fake outs and mind games. The sound design is good and satisfying, especially explosions. The only detraction for this game is that it is multiplayer focused and it doesn’t have many people in its online community to play matches against.
Game Breakdown
Gameplay:
The game consists of two or four participants on either sides of a river that divides the play area of both teams or individuals. These arenas aren’t static however. Each stage has a hazard or obstacle that effects the pace of the match. For example, one stage has two rocks which provide cover. These hazards aren’t always helpful. Another stage has a poison river which spits puddles which damage a player’s character and creates area denial. Since hitpoints are a sacred resource in this game, this is a hazard that is important to pay attention to.
Each character in this game has an equal amount of hitpoints and stamina. If the player’s character loses all of his or her hitpoints the player loses the round, and potentially the match. The other bar, which is blue, beneath the hitpoints is a character’s stamina. By attacking, the player uses up a bit of stamina. This is to combat potential attack spamming.
Attacks come in one of two flavors. The basic attack and the charged attack. A basic attack uses up a bit of stamina but allows the player to keep player movement momentum. Basic attacks simply take a bit of health off of an enemy and is released quite quickly. A full stamina bar allows a good flurry of attacks before it depletes. The other attack that a player can use is the charged attack. While it deals more damage and often applies status debuffs, the player’s character becomes very slow while charging. This gives the other player a chance to attack an easy target, so charge attacks are a tradeoff. Charged attacks can be activated after being thrown or landing using the special ability button. These extra abilities can be anything from creating a line of fire which damages and ignites enemies, to an explosion at a shield’s position. Beware of the tricks an opponent may play on you.
While playing both players can see each other’s aiming reticles to see where attacks are being aimed. This provides a layer of deceit and mind game to attacks. For example, the character Argalus’ special attack allows him to throw a shield which bounces off of walls and obstacles. The player using Argalus could make his or her opponent believe that Argalus will throw below the opponent. Mid charge however, Argalus rapidly aims upwards at the now dodging opponent and releases the charge attack early, creating a basic attack. There are ways to defend against attack.
The first way someone can defend is by using a block. Every character starts a round with three blocks which slowly recharge. Besides negating damage, blocks also provide buffs. These come in three types. A character, depending on who it is, may receive a heal, gain a defense boost so they take less damage, or gains an attack speed buff. Blocks can be used defend against charged attacks. It is a tough decision on when to best block. Instead of a block, the player may also use a roll. A roll allows the player’s character to quickly change direction so they don’t suffer a direction change momentum penalty. Rolls use stamina however, which is the same resource one uses to attack. This creates an offensive and defensive balance that the player must maintain to be effective. Lastly, attacks can block an opponent’s attacks. A basic attack blocks a basic attack and a charged attack blocks another charged attack. A charged attack will destroy any normal attacks in its path.
The movement in the game may feel like one is sliding on ice due to having trouble changing direction. This is based off of a momentum mechanic which balances the mind game aspect of the game. The player must commit to a movement, attack, or action. This creates a strategy layer where players must plan their moves in advance and modify these plans on the fly. While some players may not like this slippery movement mechanic, I felt that it only added to the competitive metagame that this game has.
As for single player content, there are bots of many skill levels to play against. If a player wants some lore with their bot matches, a short campaign is provided for every hero. These campaigns can be difficult, especially when they introduce new challenges to an already simple-yet-complex set of mechanics. Unfortunately, the multiplayer community for this game is sparse and could use some new players. Streamers also have a set of features that help entertain the crowd through powerful Twitch integration. The chat can introduce modifiers to spice up gameplay, throw power-ups to certain opponents, and can cheer and boo to be annoying, a staple of the twitch chat we all both love and hate.
Overall, this is a great competitive couch coop game that anyone who is a thrill seeker can enjoy. The mechanics are simultaneously easy to learn while complex to master. Arenas have varying hazards which create the need for new player strategies. The only sad part is that the game is a bit obscure so its multiplayer community is small at the moment.
Story:
The story of each mini-campaign is great and provides motivation as to why each fighter decides to go on their homicidal journey. While they are short in length, they allow the player to further connect with a favorite character. I appreciate that the developers put work on lore for a mainly multiplayer focused game.
Sound:
Each attack is quite satisfying and recognizable. Explosions sound like they will do quite a bit of damage, which they will, while thrown weapons provide a nice “thunk” when getting impaled in back wall of the arena. Characters sound appropriately burdened by a sudden roll, though rolling is frequent enough that the rolling sound clip can get a bit annoying.
Graphics:
The graphical style is pixel art. The developers for Strikers Edge really know how to cram as much detail into a piece of pixel art as possible. Backgrounds are incredibly beautiful and animations are extremely fluid. While death animations aren’t very violent, the addition of a slow-mo effect makes it look all the more brutal.
Conclusion
Pros:
Great Gameplay
Easy-to-Learn, Hard-to-Master
Excellent competitive game
Local Multiplayer
Breathtaking visuals
Cons:
Small Online Multiplayer Community At the Moment
Rating
9/10.
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A very solid and fun party game. Essentially it's 1vs1 or 2vs2 dodge ball. It also reminds be of Pudge (Hook) Wars - custom game in Dota 2.
It's not a perfect game, there might be a room for improvement in attack animations and their timings and risk-reward for using the ultimate abilities. The campaign was extremely short and not quite challenging on normal difficulty.
Steam Controllers were kind of ok with this game, but the default mode for the right 'stick' doesn't feel perfect. I haven't played 2v2 yet but I expect the game to shine in that mode.
I've received Strikers Edge for free for review purposes.

It has a very well-crafted art style, fun mechanics, and acceptable gameplay. If it's at a good price, I would buy it without hesitation, but only if you have friends to play with.

My son and I had some fun with this one. It reminds me of a cross between Windjammers and a fighting game. It's the perfect game to load up with someone if you just have a little time to kill and want to try something different.