What is #IDARB?
There is always a sort of apprehension to playing games you’ve have never heard of. What is this game about? Did I not hear about it because it isn’t any good? I think in scenarios such as this, one should hold onto the motto of “Don’t judge a book by its cover”, because sometimes the most fun or memorable moments can and do come from titles such as this. Ladies and gentleman, I present to you a review for #IDARB. A game that everyone should take a much closer look at.
In #IDARB, the player is tasked with a very simple idea. Jump around on 2D style platforms, with pixel art graphics, electric retro music, and try to get the ball to the goal on either end. The farther back a shot, the more point’s players earn. Whoever has the most points at the end of the game wins. Yep… that’s pretty much it.
MSRP: $9.99
Multiplayer: 1-4
Price I’d Pay: $9.99
The player will either be alone, with friends, or with AI trying to score his ball into the opposite end goal post. Granted there will be an opposing team doing the best to prevent players from scoring. This entails jumping around, knocking the ball out of the other players pixels, and being placed in the middle of a sometimes chaotic session. Yes #IDARB is a 2d sports game. While it’s simplistic in nature and easy to play, it’s a sports game that will have folks laughing, cheering, yelling, crying, fighting, and even ending friendships. #IDARB is that good.
While simplicity is the spice of life, mastering #IDARB and getting really good at it will be the challenge. Playing against AI can only get the player so far, but going online with friends to tackle other teams, or playing locally will have players absolutely pumped during sessions. Rounds only last seconds and when it gets down to the wire, the win came come from out of nowhere. The fact that there are halftime shows and instant replay slowdowns just adds to the competitiveness of the game. Does the player pass to their friend, go for the shot, or perhaps try to bounce the ball off the wall and into the goal?
While not endless, there is plenty of ways to take advantage of the situation with skill and sometimes luck.
What also makes #IDARB stand out is it’s interaction into social media. Twitter tags with #IDARB are displayed at the bottom throughout the game and every game session has its own personal tag that other viewers can interact with. When live streaming and someone tweets, the message gets displayed and in some instances can even affect the game for all who are playing. Players can also create their own characters to use with the editor, create their own banner, and even compose their own soundtrack, all within the game.
Explaining #IDARB is impossible, you have to play it to appreciate it.
I jumped into #IDARB thinking it would be a simple indie game that I’ve never heard of and forgettable at the end of the day. To all the developers out there of this game, I offer apologizes, I was very wrong. #IDARB is one of the most refreshing and fun experiences I’ve had with a game in a long time and has one of the best end credits of a game I’ve ever seen in my entire life. With the way social interaction and customization works, the simplicity yet complexity of the game and the fact that the game just has a ton of heart put into it, we have a winner here.
I highly recommend #IDARB, and this comes from someone that doesn’t play sports games, yet I knew the moment I yelled at my TV during a slow motion instant replay victory, this was special. #IDARB will be a social favorite for years to come.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.
