Play Turn Based F2P Soccer in Gobbowl

Isn’t it funny that as gamers we’ve barely questioned games about super fast hedgehogs collecting rings, an Italian assassin’s past vicariously experienced by a modern day bartender, and a gorilla in a red tie that fights crocodiles, but a turn based soccer game sounds strange?

Gobbowl is a browser based, free-to-play tactical MMORPG from developer Ankama that pits two teams against each other in a game of what is essentially soccer. The most interesting aspect is the “simultaneous turn-based gameplay” in which both players create their strategies and place their players at the same time. You won’t be able to see what you’re opponent is up to, so it’s important to make sure you cover as many possible threats to your game plan. Each character on your team can be given orders that correspond with the four elements. Earth is for attacking, fire is for dodging and catching, air is for passing, and water is for speed. Once both coaches (players) have their strategies in place, the actual game will play out in an animated sequence based on the orders each character was given. During the game, the two coaches can chat with each other leaving plenty of opportunity for smack talk and cries of anguish as a meticulously orchestrated stratagem falls apart.

The most interesting thing about Gobbowl is its legacy since it shares a universe with its two predecessors, Wakfu and Dofus, which where more traditional tactical RPGs. It even uses the same 14 classes and four elements that governed the previous games’ mechanics. It’s brilliant to see the mechanics of an RPG applied to something besides combat.

I find myself completely baffled that I’m excited about a sports game. Unfortunately I accidentally entered my birth year incorrectly and have been dubbed too young to play the game. If you’d like to give it a try, game is currently in open beta until it launches on October 26th.

Gobbowl Official Site