Volleying

The whole scenario is so amusing due to the characters' responses to obstacles and their efforts to maintain their balance on their unsteady limbs. There is no need for intricate tactics or the agility of a mongoose — the amusement lies in witnessing your hero's clumsy approach to the flying object. The game is uncomplicated and vibrant, and the sound of the jumps enhances the chaotic nature of the gameplay.

As the start to the -ing series, I have to admit they started off strong with Volleying. The gameplay is straight forward and solid with execution. The movement mechanics feel solid, with boosting being the only exception. It doesn't feel as consistent when attempting to use it, but works for the most part.
From the 1v1s to the 2v2s, the game's courts are strangely both claustrophobic and spacious. There were times in each game where I felt either unable to make the required distance to avoid loosing a point and other times when I felt confined by the map's size. Other than that, the game's volleyball a strange affiliation with either being to floaty or straight bowling ball weight depending on how you hit it. Customizing the balls/courts isn't a difficult task, its just entering the files and customizing the template using a 3rd party software.
Finally is the bots and their difficulty levels. I have to admit, the bots power scaling is actually not that bad. (at least for 1v1s, I have yet to find the friend to join with me for 2v2) The bot's power is very accurate to the easy/medium/hard difficulty names, as they progressively get better at reacting to the ball and sending it back. My favorite detail is the ball control timer. If you hog the ball for a long period of time, the ball starts to flicker in opacity to symbolize the need to send it over the net. I assume this mechanic is meant to be nothing to deep, but I still find it great as its almost a direct translation of Volleyball's 3 touch rule into the game. I'm glad they took the "time" approach rather than count the touches, as it incorporates a real element of the sport in a fun yet balanced way. Getting a 7x0 in Hard mode is definitely worth the grind, as you start to understand the deeper complexities of this game's mechanics after some hours of playtime.
8.5/10

Volleying, developed and published by Gestalt Development Studio, is a minimalist yet energetic physics-based sports game that reimagines the concept of volleyball through chaos, timing, and unpredictable movement. At first glance, it might seem like a straightforward competitive arcade experience, but the game quickly reveals layers of nuance through its physics-driven design. Each match unfolds as a balance between reflex and control, where even the smallest miscalculation can turn a clean volley into comedic disaster. It thrives on spontaneity, forcing players to constantly adapt to the erratic momentum of both the ball and their own character.
The core gameplay captures the essence of volleyball but filters it through a physics simulation that makes every match distinct. You control a small sphere-shaped character, moving, jumping, and dashing across a simplified court to keep the ball in play. The objective is simple—send the ball over the net and make it land on your opponent’s side—but the unpredictable motion of the ball means that no two volleys ever behave the same way. Players must manage a short dash mechanic, which can be used to reach difficult angles or save a play at the last moment, but it comes with a cooldown that adds a subtle layer of strategy. Timing and positioning matter just as much as raw reaction speed. When the match’s pace ramps up, with the ball bouncing in unexpected arcs and players dashing to recover impossible hits, the chaos becomes part of the charm.
What sets Volleying apart from other minimalist sports games is how it embraces unpredictability as a feature rather than a flaw. The physics engine makes every rally feel alive—sometimes graceful, sometimes absurd. A perfect volley can suddenly turn into a chaotic scramble as the ball clips a corner or rebounds at an odd angle, leading to moments of frantic improvisation. This constant unpredictability ensures that even after hours of play, matches remain fresh and full of surprises. The game shines most brightly in multiplayer, where human opponents introduce their own unpredictable behavior on top of the physics. A well-timed hit or an accidental misfire can swing momentum in an instant, and the laughter that follows is part of the experience’s appeal.
Volleying also offers flexible ways to play, supporting both local and online matches through Steam’s Remote Play feature. Players can compete one-on-one or in teams, with options for 1v1, 2v2, or cooperative play against the computer. Each mode maintains the same physics-driven gameplay but scales in intensity depending on the number of participants. The addition of randomized items in certain modes—like temporary size changes that make characters huge or tiny—adds a layer of unpredictability and lightheartedness that fits the game’s personality perfectly. While the single-player mode is functional for practice, it’s clear that Volleying is meant to be enjoyed with friends, where the energy of live competition amplifies the fun.
Visually, the game opts for clean simplicity. The design is stripped down to its essentials: smooth courts, bold colors, and clearly defined elements that make it easy to follow the ball amid the chaos. This clarity allows the game’s physics and movement to take center stage without distraction. The minimalist aesthetic is complemented by a responsive interface and a sound design that emphasizes feedback—each bounce, dash, and impact carries an audible pop that enhances the sense of momentum. While the visuals aren’t flashy or complex, they contribute to the game’s identity as a focused, skill-based experience rather than one reliant on spectacle. Players can even customize the look of the courts and characters by modifying local files, a small but welcome touch that encourages creative expression.
Despite its many strengths, Volleying is not without limitations. The physics that make the game exciting can also be frustrating, particularly when a perfectly aimed shot behaves unpredictably due to an odd collision or strange bounce. The dash cooldown, while adding balance, can feel overly restrictive in heated moments, leading to a few unavoidable mistakes that feel more like bad luck than bad play. The game’s overall content is somewhat thin—there are no career modes, elaborate tournaments, or progression systems to sustain long-term investment. Once you’ve experienced the core mechanics, what remains is the joy of casual play rather than structured progression. For those seeking a deep sports simulation or extended single-player content, Volleying’s minimalist approach may feel too slight.
Nevertheless, what Gestalt Development Studio delivers with Volleying is a refreshingly pure and entertaining take on competitive physics games. It thrives on spontaneity, laughter, and the small triumphs that come from mastering chaos. It’s the kind of game that turns mistakes into moments of joy and close calls into adrenaline spikes. While its simplicity may limit its staying power for solo players, it more than makes up for it with its multiplayer energy and replayable physics-driven fun. Volleying isn’t a game you play to win so much as a game you play to experience—the unpredictable, messy beauty of motion, reaction, and momentum colliding in the most unexpected ways.
Rating: 7/10

It's cheap enough to be worth it.

You do volleying