Developer: RageCure Games
Publisher: Firestoke
Platform: PC, PS5, PS4, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Tested on: PC
Goons: Legends & Mayhem – Review
Released on the 11th of April 2024, Goons: Legends & Mayhem (just ‘Goons’ from here on out) is a hockey-themed game developed by RageCure Games and published by Firestoke. While the game focuses on hockey, it is a blend of various genres to come out of the gate as a beat ‘em up sports, arcade party game. That being said, let’s join the mayhem!
Story
When you start the game for the first time it is immediately clear that Goons is more than just a party game. The tutorial immediately kickstarts the story. In the tutorial, we learn that an evil wizard called the Grand Mascoteer has taken over Zambonia. You play as the heroes who have to save the kingdom. Of course, in a kingdom where everything is centered around hockey that means beating his minions… in hockey. The game doesn’t take itself too seriously with multiple fourth-wall breaks and a comedic touch to the in-game conversations.
Graphics
Goons has a very stylised art style which gives it a very cartoonlike look. This cartoonish look combines very well with the overall silliness of the game. The simple characters also help during the action parts of the game as they are easy to focus on during the more active parts of the game. This simple style also loans itself nicely to differentiate the heroes and enemies as the enemies are all near copies of each other. The style also flows nicely between the characters and the environment.
Sound
The game’s sound design is on point although it is by far the easiest item to criticize. There is a different tune for the overworld and during minigames but this music lacks character. It doesn’t sound out of place but it also wouldn’t sound out of place in any other game. Everything is functional, but it’s nothing to write home about.
Gameplay
Goons is a party game, and as such it focuses on short, high-action games where the goal is to score as many points as possible while playing against NPCs or other players. Here this means playing ice hockey. This isn’t the only game mode as you have different controls for the hockey matches and for the overworld exploration and minigames.
Besides the difference between overworld and hockey-match gameplay, the game also has various game modes. In the overworld, as well as some minigames, you are in control of an ice truck that has a much simpler control scheme. This ice truck is your main method of transportation, and it can use a dash action that almost immediately refreshes.
Besides a few minigames and transportation, you use the controls for the heroes. The heroes have their own set of controls. Of course, they can move around but besides movement, they can emote, something needed in games where you can play in multiplayer against friends and total strangers. The characters also have a special ability and a dashing skill. The playable characters can be put into three categories based on their special skill.
After the tutorial, you start with three characters: Brazier, an offensive wizard whose skill is launching a fireball. You also immediately unlock Helmwing whose barrier-skill firmly puts her as a defensive specialist. During the tutorial, you unlock Blizz a support character who can slow and temporarily freeze enemies in place. This way the player has access to all types of roles for the real game.
The real game has two main game modes: story and match. In story mode, you follow the story through Zambonia to defeat the Grand Mascoteer. This comes with minigames where you use the car but also gimmick fights against people the Grand Mascoteer has hypnotized. These gimmick fights use the base idea of hockey but add extra rules that are left for you to explore and figure out by yourself. This makes these fights a nice exploration challenge but with the extra missions for more rewards, their replayability is high as well.
By completing parts of the story, you unlock new playable characters, stickers, and points. With those points, you can buy upgrades for the car as well as stickers that you have unlocked. Winning games and completing the story missions also give you experience with your character.
The party game aspect is in the actual ice hockey matches which can range from a 1v1 to a 3v3 format. These matches can be played against other players or NPCs. In these matches, players are located on the ice and work in teams both against the goalie as well as against the other team. Players can use their normal attacks, shoves, and special abilities to try and influence the game in their favor. The basic flow of a game favors hitting the goalie with a charged attack so he is dizzy and then using that timeframe to score from his blind spot. The hard part is that both teams aim for the same goal. This rewards skillful gameplay, since if you just mindlessly spam your skills, the odds are high that you don’t have them ready when you need them to capitalize on an opening.
The game supports both keyboard and controller input and handles them both equally well, although on keyboard it can be tricky to line up your shots as you can only walk in the direction of your mouse cursor.
Conclusion
Goons: Legends & Mayhem manages to combine its genres flawlessly. It has something for the relaxed solo gamer, the completionist, and the high-octane game addict. The story is simple and cliché but doesn’t take itself seriously which makes it enjoyable. Meanwhile, the gameplay itself is simple enough that people who only game casually can enjoy it. In a few words: if you enjoyed Omega Strikers you’ll enjoy Goons: Legends & Mayhem with the added bonus that you can play completely solo with an enjoyable story mode.
No Comments