Clawball, a 3v3 feline-themed soccer game inspired by Gorilla Tag, was the focus of our hands-on experience with its alpha build. Listed here are our impressions.
After examining ARVORE’s previous projects, including Pixel Ripped and YUKI, it was a pleasant surprise to learn that the Brazilian studio had announced Clawball. Innovative multiplayer soccer takes a bold approach with arm-swinging locomotion, blending the unbridled energy of Gorilla Tag with the high-flying excitement of Rocket League. As someone who has devoted years to participating in this endeavor, I was once thrilled to take the initiative.
In the game of Clawball, two teams engage in a competition to score the most points before time expires, employing their paws to hit and catch a blowfish serving as the ball. To ensure seamless operations, regular staff rotation is crucial, allowing each team member to take turns leading efforts and ensuring no single individual bears the full responsibility of meeting objectives for an extended period. The time restrictions appear reasonable, with matches neither feeling rushed nor dragging on indefinitely; additionally, the game goes into overtime when scores are tied, ensuring a thrilling conclusion.
What sets Clawball’s arm-swinging locomotion apart from other VR “soccer” games is its reliance on movement rather than teleportation or floating platforms; unlike Ultimechs, which utilizes teleportation between separate pads, and Sky Strikers, which takes a similar approach. While navigating the environment was relatively smooth, I did need to spend a bit of time adjusting to the control scheme. Distinguishing the amount of drive necessary to generate sufficient momentum in my arm swings and successfully propel myself into the air proved challenging, but it’s likely that this obstacle will dissipate as I continue to practice and hone my technique.
You won’t uncover specific abilities or final talents, unlike certain video games that offer them. The limited capabilities in this sector result in a straightforward and uncomplicated move set. Given my affinity for video games featuring analog movement controls, I found that using my hands to govern each action and hitting the ball rapidly afterward occasionally felt slightly clumsy. Despite all the challenges, achieving our goals collectively proved to be incredibly fulfilling.
During the playtest, I found enjoyment despite being unable to locate Clawball’s social playground; however, ARVORE has a solid foundation to build upon. The hilarious fanfare surrounding each game was an absolute delight to behold? Profitable staff revel in their success, likened to Formula 1 drivers celebrating with champagne on the podium, while their underperforming colleagues react with frustration, hurling insults or even tomatoes in a display of disappointment.
Currently, ARVORE’s focus lies in refining the core gameplay experience before expanding its scope with additional content. Power-ups and wall climbing are under consideration, but ranked online multiplayer is not a priority for the game’s initial release. While cat customization options are limited in this initial release, additional cosmetic choices will likely be introduced over time.
Clawball aims to debut with a free-to-play early access release on Quest in October, with a full launch slated for 2025. Join ARVORE’s Discord community to participate in the exclusive closed beta test.
