Gamefings logoimg

Review of Knockout City on PS5

by Max Rathon Max Rathon photo May 2021
Cover image of Knockout City on PS5
Gamefings Score: 8.5
Platform: PS5 PS5 logo
Released: 21 May 2021
Genre: Action, Sports
Developer: Velan Studios
Publisher: Electronic Arts (2021-2022), Velan Studios (2022)

Introduction

Ever thought dodgeball would make a fabulous basis for a video game? Neither did we, but here we are! Knockout City fluffs your misconception by mixing the charm of the playground game with an online competitive twist that's more addictive than that one level in Candy Crush you just can't seem to clear. Imagine running around a vibrant, colorful arena with friends, trying to bombard your opponents with an assortment of balls ranging from a regular ol' dodgeball to a time bomb disguised as one (because what's better than an explosion?).

Gameplay

Knockout City lets you unleash your inner dodgeball enthusiast with colorful balls of all sorts, with game mechanics that can make or break your high school PE reputation. Team-based matches put you against rival squads in a brawl that can include various modes like Team KO, which is just like team deathmatch but with less blood and more rubber. Each match is a tantalizing blend of strategy, skill, and the occasional unexpected all-out pandemonium when someone decides to use their teammate as a projectile. That's right, you can literally throw your friends at enemies. Forget superheroes, this is the real buddy throw! The game features five maps embodying the pastel-colored vibrancy of a futuristic metropolis, ripe for ambushes and showdowns. Because what's a dodgeball game without environmental hazards that can knock you out faster than your middle school crush rejected you? Map strategies are paramount, as understanding the layouts can be the difference between glory and a quick ticket back to respawn-ville. Players earn Holobux (which are surprisingly not edible) to customize their characters further and show off their hard-earned style, making every victory a fashionable one.

Graphics

Visually, Knockout City is like a candy-coated dream sprinkled with the glitter of an arcade - vibrant and appealing without being sickeningly sweet. The art style is a delightful blend of cartoonish whimsy and modern graphics that bring the characters and arenas to life, turning dodgeball into a spectacle that's just as entertaining to watch as it is to play. On the PS5, the game runs smoothly, delivering silky frame rates that make sure not a moment of action skips past - because getting knocked out should be the only thing that happens in this game, not your frame rate.

Conclusion

All in all, Knockout City is an exhilarating experience that succeeds at transforming a simple game of dodgeball into an addictively fun online arena. Whether you're in for competitive matches with friends or gloriously chaotic brawls against random strangers, this game brings the joy of dodging, diving, and throwing your friends into the fray. Even though the game transitioned to free-to-play and sadly shut down its servers, it remains a bright spot in the multiplayer gaming world that reminds us all of simpler playground days. Just remember, as it turns out, dodgeball is way more intense when played with virtual abled bodies instead of your classmates! Stay sharp, stay positive, and throw those balls like your future depends on it (well, maybe just your winning streak does).

See Latest Prices for Knockout City on PS5 on Amazon

See Prices for Knockout City on PS5 on Ebay

Related
Latest
image for news article 'Sophie Turner Is Lara Croft — How Tomb Raider's Brutal Skill Ceiling Will Shape Amazon's TV Take'
Hemal Harris - 04 Sep 2025
Sophie Turner will play Lara Croft in Amazon's Tomb Raider series. Here's how the show can capture the games' brutal challenge loo...
image for news article 'Gamescom 2025: From Hornet's Revenge to Gunfights in the Future — The Biggest Reveals, Ranked by Hype (and Probability of Screaming)'
Gemma Looksby - 27 Aug 2025
Gamescom 2025 unleashed release dates, surprises, and enough nostalgia to power a retro arcade. Hollow Knight: Silksong finally la...
image for news article 'From Sidekick to Symptom: An In-Depth Look at How Game Characters Grow (and Break) Over Time'
Tanya Krane - 22 Aug 2025
A witty, in-depth analysis of how video game characters evolve - from antiheroes and companions to tragic villains - and how gamep...
image for news article 'Helldivers 2: The Ultimate Skill Test — How to Survive When Friendly Fire Is A Feature'
Hemal Harris - 22 Aug 2025
Helldivers 2 turns cooperative shooters into a terrifying teamwork exam. From friendly-fire fiascos to stratagem juggling and glob...
image for news article 'PlayStation Plus August Drop: Mortal Kombat 1, Spider-Man, Sword of the Sea and Two Resident Evils — Sony’s Buffet of Beatdowns and Beachside Introspection'
Chucky - 22 Aug 2025
Sony's August PlayStation Plus drop mixes Mortal Kombat 1 and Marvel's Spider-Man with day-one indie Sword of the Sea, EDF6 co-op ...
image for news article 'Tariff Drama and Console Character Arcs: How the PS5 Price Hike Recasts PlayStation's Story'
Tanya Krane - 21 Aug 2025
Sony just raised PS5 prices in the US - but this is more than a number. We break down the cast, the catalyst (hello, tariffs), and...
image for news article 'The Nintendo Switch 2: An Overhyped Second Date That Actually Went Well'
Chucky - 14 Jun 2025
Nintendo Switch 2 has hit the market, and it's selling like hotcakes! Here's what you need to know about this slightly improved se...