Gnomeball

criminally unpopular. Gameplay depth is insane for this scope. Controls are snappy and sharp. genuine etalon for an indie game.

Very fun to play game!

Gnomeball is a really cute little football game that I found much more fun than I expected. The idea is basically football played by tiny gnomes in a miniature garden, and the whole thing has a very playful feel to it. I liked the simple presentation because it gives the game a lot of charm without getting in the way of the actual matches. It feels like the sort of game I can pick up quickly and start having fun with almost immediately. The controls are simple, but there is more to the football than just running around and kicking the ball. I can kick it low or high, head it when it is in the air and use timed dribbles to get around defenders. I enjoyed learning how these different moves work because even though the basic controls are easy to understand, there is still room to get better at actually controlling the ball. Getting a good pass or pulling off a well timed dribble feels genuinely satisfying. The different pitches also help keep the matches from feeling exactly the same. Some of them have special conditions that change how I have to approach the game, which adds a little extra variety to what could otherwise become a very basic football experience. I also like that I can play against the AI when I do not have anyone else around. The AI can put up a decent challenge, although I sometimes found it a little frustrating while I was still getting used to the controls. The gnomes themselves are another nice part of the game. There are different characters to unlock, and I like having some choice over who I take onto the pitch. They fit the silly miniature garden setting perfectly and give the game more personality than a completely generic arcade football game would have. There is not really a big progression system or story here, but I do not think that is necessary. The matches and unlocking characters are really the main reason to keep coming back. My biggest issue is that Gnomeball feels quite limited if I am looking for a game I can play for a really long time. The matches are fun, but there is only so much variety you can get from this kind of small arcade football game. I also think the lack of online multiplayer is a missed opportunity. The game supports local multiplayer for up to four people, which is great if I have friends sitting with me, but being able to play online would have made it much easier to keep coming back to. I also have to mention that the game is controller only. There is no keyboard and mouse support, so I need a controller to play it properly. That is not a major problem for me because this type of game works well with a controller anyway, but it is something worth knowing before jumping in. I think the local multiplayer is probably where Gnomeball is at its best, especially because the simple controls make it easy for someone to pick up without having to learn a huge number of buttons. Overall, Gnomeball is a charming little arcade football game that I had a good time with. The cute gnome theme, simple controls and surprisingly enjoyable ball mechanics make the matches more entertaining than the basic idea might suggest. I would have liked online multiplayer and more variety to give it greater staying power, but as a free game it is easy for me to recommend trying. It is lighthearted, easy to understand and has just enough depth in its football mechanics to keep me interested. Rating: 6.5/10