Speedball

This is a good concept but bad in practice. The complete lack of care go into this is obvious. I would happily play this game with a bit more time spent on being able to make custom characters, teams, ability's, etc. Online mode is horribly basic with no joy. All in all, a disappointing waste of an hour.

bad mechanics, no fun at all. how this game can get a positive reviews riddles me the original amiga version back in 1990 was more fun

I see a lot of people complaining about it needing more features, and I agree it would be better with them and it's a bit pricey at $30 without them. But I got it on sale and as a huge Speedball 2 fan, this nails the feel and gameplay of the original. Having a blast with it and playing with a friend is even better.

AI on your own team does literally nothing while the PC AI is hyper aggressive and auto succeeds just about everything they do, single player is obnoxiously remnant of blitz style cheating on normal difficulty. Fix player team AI or delist this garbage.

The field and control mechanics are unlike any game I've played before. Unfortunately, the tutorial is also incredibly inadequate. After the tutorial, you definitely need to open a practice game and train until you've nailed the controls. Getting used to the controls and the field takes time, and on top of that, tracking the ball is extremely difficult. I still haven't figured out if there's a way to track it besides just following it with your eyes. I spent the first 10-15 minutes of the game trying to figure out how I should play and what I needed to do. I came back from the brink of Alt+F4 3-4 times. But once you figure out the game's mechanics, it suddenly becomes super fun. It's a game where you can challenge your friends and have a lot of fun.

Disappointing evolution of a classic As someone who still proudly remembers clearing the screen and dominating the classic era, I really wanted to love this. I know it’s in Early Access, but right now, it completely misses the mark of what made Speedball II a masterpiece. First, the camera angles are a mess. There are only two modes, and neither gives you that crucial, classic top-down view that made the original so tactical. The gameplay shift also feels like a massive step backward. The original Speedball was absolute perfection with just 8-way directional control and contextual short or long button presses. This modern iteration tries to use 7 or 8 different inputs, and the result is just incredibly wooden and clunky. As a standalone, generic 'violent steel stadium ballsport,' it might eventually find its footing. But it completely lacks the spirit, soul, and rhythm of Speedball. It’s gone from a lightning-fast, slick, and intuitive experience to something that feels inherently bland and unwieldy. Honestly, a straight, polished port of the classic game with upgraded visuals and minor refinements would have been infinitely more satisfying than this. I hope the developers use Early Access to turn it around, but right now, I'm highly dubious.

Played during a free weekend. The game as it is is actually quite good. The controls are relevantly simple to pick up and the gameplay is quite smooth during the matches and the difficulty is adjustable so you can be challenged depending on your skill level. The problem is there is zero depth to it to justify the price tag. There is no team management or team training ability to improve your players/team over a season and you are unable to progress the same team over multiple seasons. Full price for the content provided is simply an insult and i cannot justify the 70% off price that is currently offered either. In the unlikely event they drop the price to between £2 to £3 i would say its worth a play but otherwise avoid this as the cash grab it is.

Speedball is actually a really fun game. The matches are fast-paced and packed with action, featuring plenty of tackling, hard hits, and ball throwing. It's easy to pick up, exciting to play, and keeps the adrenaline flowing from start to finish. A great choice if you're looking for a quick and energetic sports experience. The problem is that the game is essentially dead. There are no active players, and you likely won't find anyone to play against online. Unless you're planning to play with friends or against bots, it's hard to recommend picking this up.

Speedball is a futuristic sports-action title developed and published by Rebellion, reimagining the classic arcade franchise for a modern audience. Set in a dystopian future where violent entertainment has become a dominant form of public spectacle, the game transforms a simple ball sport into a fast, aggressive competition filled with heavy tackles, strategic team play, and high-speed action. While it remains faithful to the spirit of the original series, it also introduces contemporary features designed to appeal to both longtime fans and newcomers. The game's central concept revolves around two teams battling inside enclosed arenas where physical domination is often just as important as scoring goals. Rather than focusing solely on athletic skill, matches encourage players to use force, timing, and positioning to gain an advantage. Every contest feels energetic due to the constant movement of players across the field, and the combination of passing, tackling, and quick counterattacks creates a rhythm that rarely slows down. The straightforward objective makes it easy to understand, but mastering the flow of a match requires practice and awareness. One of Speedball's greatest strengths is the way it combines arcade accessibility with tactical decision-making. Success is not achieved by simply charging forward and attacking opponents. Players must understand when to pass, when to challenge for possession, and how to exploit weaknesses in the opposing team's formation. The game rewards aggressive playstyles, but reckless behavior can quickly lead to turnovers and missed scoring opportunities. This balance between strategy and action helps prevent matches from becoming repetitive and gives each game a competitive edge. The futuristic arenas contribute significantly to the overall experience. These environments are designed to enhance the spectacle of the sport, creating a setting where every collision feels impactful and every goal carries weight. The visual presentation favors clarity and speed, ensuring that players can easily follow the action even when the pace becomes frantic. Character animations and environmental details support the game's energetic atmosphere, while the sound design reinforces the intensity through crowd reactions, hard-hitting impacts, and dramatic match presentation. Beyond the on-field gameplay, Speedball offers customization features that allow players to build teams with distinct identities. Team appearance, player configurations, and tactical preferences provide opportunities for personalization. Although the customization systems are not especially deep compared to those found in simulation-focused sports games, they add a welcome layer of progression and encourage experimentation. Building a roster that reflects a preferred style of play gives players an additional reason to invest time in the game. The variety of available modes also helps maintain long-term interest. Single-player leagues offer a structured way to experience the game, while online multiplayer provides the competitive environment where the mechanics truly shine. Local multiplayer remains a valuable inclusion, allowing friends to compete directly without relying on online connectivity. This mix of options ensures that different types of players can find a mode that suits their preferences, whether they enjoy solo progression or competitive matches against human opponents. Despite its strengths, the game is not without limitations. Some players may find the long-term progression systems somewhat shallow, particularly when compared to larger sports franchises that feature extensive management mechanics and deeper customization. Certain aspects of the experience can feel streamlined, and there are moments when the game's ambitious premise seems capable of supporting more features than are currently available. While the core gameplay remains entertaining, additional depth could have strengthened replay value even further. Nevertheless, Speedball succeeds in delivering a distinctive interpretation of futuristic sports entertainment. Its emphasis on fast-paced action, brutal physical confrontations, and accessible gameplay creates an experience that stands apart from traditional sports titles. The game captures the excitement of an over-the-top televised spectacle while still providing enough strategy to keep matches engaging. Although it may not fully satisfy those seeking an ultra-deep sports simulation, it excels as an arcade-style competition built around intensity and momentum. Rating: 7/10

I tried it... I tried to like it, but I just cannot. The controls for this game are infuriatingly complicated for no good reason at all, and trying to work out which idiot has the ball or indeed where it had vanished to, make this unplayable at best. I love playing both Speedball and Speedball 2 on both C64 and Amiga (I still give the CD32 version a bash as it is a good game), but this is just not how to update a title. There was an old PS1 game called "Riot" which was Speedball like and played way better than this does. Even on sale I will be giving this a miss I am afraid.