Hello Everyone, and welcome to another E3 2019 coverage. We got the chance to check out an indie developer known as Mediatonic with publisher Devolver Digital. Mediatonic is a relatively small company and they were at E3 this year showing off their game at the Devolver Digital location just across the street from E3. There, we had the chance to talk a little bit about the game and jump right in to have the silliest racing known to man.
Taking inspiration from shows like Takeshi’s Castle from Japan, and WipeOut which also took inspiration fro Takeshi’s Castle, Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout is a goofy, fun, and exhilarating experience in the form of a battle royal style gameplay. As we said, it is a race, so there can only be one victor. Play online with 99 other compitetors—although, we were told that it was 69 players not including yourself but, the press release says 100 so I guess we’ll have to see which route they take—and see if you can muster the courage to make the right choices and hit every mark you need to in order to survive. The challenge varies upon maps being played as each one is unique in its own way. They are, of course, competitive play styles but there is also cooperative play styles as well. So not everything is about me, me, me all the time—which isn’t an issue but it can be.
The characters you play as are blob looking creatures in the most comical way possible. When running through the maps obstacles and facing other players, it can become very entertaining and intense at the same time. It’s really fun! There is a lite customization system in the game that allows you to dress up your character so you can either win or ultimately fail in style. The different types of challenges we tried but is not limited to, a King of the Hill style challenge, a winner takes all challenge and a timed tag challenge.
The different types of obstacles in each map range from falling ball/boulders, slides, giant brushes, wall, rotating arms, and so much more. Choosing the right direction to run is also something important and final because once you make the wrong decision, it could cost you everything. Our characters name was Peter Pancakes, and we won 2 out of the 3 challenges we played. The angle of the camera when running was nice and smooth as it didn’t really take away from the experience and would move in and out casually in the 3rd-person. We can’t wait to try more of the challenges and maps.
You do have two main buttons to use in the game and that is the tag button—only useful in certain challenges, and the dive button...which we were told really doesn’t do anything to help other than just something extra to do when crossing that finishing line. It would actually be nice if maybe there were a finisher dance move when you cross the finishing line successfully while activating the dive move at the perfect time?! The game is still in its alpha stage so there is lots of room for improvements. For now, the game is already looking great!
Most challenges in the game are around 10 - 15 minutes with you having to be the best of 3, and when thinking about difficulty, Mediatonic wasn’t thinking about how crazy they can make it so to receive a salty response, they did it for the sole experience of having fun and challenging people in ways that will make them come back. That is why they chose a wacky and humiliating way to engage players.
Honey’s Final Thoughts
Ultimately, this game is the bees-knees and it deserves a checkout. We really think this game is going to go far and will be the next big thing on Twitch or YouTube. The concept is really silly and humiliating to the point that it is so stupid it’s great! And it really is! Mediatonic has really got something here and we hope they grow in popularity in the future. Game is looking at a release in 2020 so make sure to keep an eye out for further details in the future. If you all have any questions or comments about the game, make sure to sound off in the comment section below!
Ja ne!
Author: Alfonso "Fonzy" Ortiz