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 Since my current job gives me free reign over an Internet connection, I tend to avoid browser games for fear destroying my productivity. Even still my previous coverage of the game left me excited, so I was very happy to be given the opportunity to preview the game. The game was developed by Ankama games, whose previous credits include MMOPRG’s Dofus and Wakfu. After making my way through the game’s humorous tutorial and several games against other players, I’ve emerged with a lot to say about this bizarre game. I’ve played all kinds of games across many genres of ridiculous combinations, but I can safely say Gobbowl is the first turn-based tactical sports game I’ve played. Up until now I’ve avoided sports games even more so than browser games, but Gobbowl proves you can combine two things you dislike to form something awesome. I never expected to enjoy a game like this as much as I have, in spite of thus far not being very good at it.
Set in the same world as its RPG brethren, Gobbowl simply involves choosing one of over ten preset teams and playing matches against other players. You can either choose to have an opponent randomly selected for you or challenge a specific player. Once you’ve completed three matches (win or lose), you’ll be able to view your team’s glorious standing on the game’s worldwide leader boards. As of now that is what the game has to offer if you don’t plan on spending any money, but some interesting extra like fully customizable teams and extra arenas offer incentive to invest some of your hard-earned cash into the game.
 Each match involves both players selecting five of their ten available Gobbowlers and placing them on strategic locations on a hexagram cell map. Once the match starts, players simultaneously issue up to three commands for each Gobbowler on the field. The goal is to simply get the titular ball across the field into the opponent’s goal area. Once orders have been issued, a short animated sequence plays out the results for that turn. Orders are assigned to one of four elements; earth for fighting, air for passing/receiving, water for sprinting, and fire for interception/dodging. Each Gobbowler also has a unique skill to his or her class. These can vary from changing one’s stats to healing teammates. The key is to make use of each Gobbowler’s strengths in each element effectively. Based on which arena you’re playing in, matches can last from 15 to over 20 turns. The chosen arena also governs how often special skills may be used. Once all turns have been played, the team with the most points wins.
After completing the tutorial, which I found a bit lacking in terms of complete coverage of mechanics, a good amount of teams are available from the get-go with varying amounts of players possessing different strengths and weaknesses. The team I chose focuses mostly on passing and moving quickly, but also includes one extremely powerful fighter. My usual strategy involved having my fighter wade into the fray and make sure the ball was on the ground and ready for one of my faster characters to grab it and pass it to a line of skilled receivers. I still longed for a team with maybe one or two more skilled fighters, but was disappointed to discover that I can’t switch teams. It seems at least for now one has to pay for use of more than one team.
 In spite of a few shortcomings in player experience thus far, Gobbowl has plenty of delicious feasts for the senses. The game is very colorful and has a unique art style that shines from its characters to the great animations that play out during matches. The music is fitting for the setting of each arena, but not always for the action on screen. The beach arena, for example, keeps its calm, relaxing tone even when players are punching the snot out of each other and performing passes across the field. The sound effects accompanying player actions are mostly what you would expect, but certain exceptions like an added Wilhelm scream when a player gets tackled are a nice touch.
Overall I had a positive experience with Gobbowl. If you’re looking for a casual cure to Internet boredom or are in need of a new set of RPG mechanics to master, I highly recommend giving this unique game a try.
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