Perhaps the most surprising addition to the PlayStation 4 instant game collection bunch, “Sportsfriends” is a non-assuming charming little collection of four original mini-games by Danish indie developer Die Gute Fabrik. Originally released earlier in May of this year, it is one of six free games up for grabs for Playstation Plus subscribers of the Playstation 3 and 4 variety this September. Many might pass on it based on its appearance or lack of reputation, but doing so would definitely be a mistake.
The most admirable quality of “Sportsfriends” is the overall quirkiness it offers. From the wonderfully minimalistic design, to the eye grabbing color palette, to the ability to remove monkeys in the options menu (and yes, that does exactly what it sounds like); the game manages to provide an inviting atmosphere that just oozes a sense of childlike happiness and fun before anything is even played.
BaraBariBall (or BBB for short) is essentially volleyball with punching. Players compete to get the ball and slam it into the opposing side’s goal post marked by the waterline on the opposite side of the field. Using a combination of simplistic grabs, throws, punches, and jumps, players go head-to-head in what is probably the most competitive (and addicting) game Sportsfriends has to offer. BBB even offers a simple rock, paper, scissors style character selection in which players can choose between speed, power, or balance best suited to their play style.
Super Pole Riders is the only game in the collection not actually made by the developer. Instead it is the brainchild of Bennet Foddy, infamously known for the memetic rag-doll flash game sensation QWOP. Following a somewhat familiar (yet not nearly as frustrating) gameplay mechanic to its predecessor, players control vaulters carrying a pole with the objective of kicking and slapping an orb placed in the middle of the field into the opponent’s goal.
As with BBB, the game is won by whichever side reaches three points or whoever has the highest score by the buzzer. Super Pole Riders also offers a fairly generous selection of characters to choose from. However, there’s little to separate them from one another outside of their physical appearances and a one word description of their personalities. If nothing else this is likely some sort of humoristic jab at the extensive stat lists that differentiate characters in more serious competitive titles.
Johann Sebastian Joust is a game of keepaway scored to Bach’s Brandenburg concertos in which human opponents have to try and knock the controller out of the player’s hand. Essentially it is a party game that is more than likely to be entertaining depending on the number of people involved. If nothing else it’s a great minigame to listen to, though it doesn’t really offer up much on its own otherwise.
As dull as Joust may be without a generous helping of players, Hokra is unfortunately the weakest game in the bunch. Hokra is a “king of the hill†type game in which players try to take the ball and keep it in their designated color zone long enough to score a point and win the match. Ordinarily it’d be more enticing to play if the design wasn’t reminiscent of pong in color. Hokra’s non-existent appearance represents the downside of the minimalistic style that makes “Sportsfriends” oh so charming. Overall, it’s just very dull to look at and play, which is a shame considering the otherwise wonderful aesthetics of this collection.
One bad egg isn’t enough to spoil the bunch though. “Sportsfriends” redeems itself in spades between BBB and Super Pole Riders. Those two are more than worth the price of admission if you have a couple of friends and an afternoon to kill. Even Joust should be fun, if given the right group of people. As long as Hokra’s avoided or simply ignored, “Sportsfriends” is a well enough addition for anyone looking to play a quick little distraction here and there between the upcoming blockbuster releases this fall.
Hokra – Release Trailer from Die Gute Fabrik on Vimeo.
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