Then it got delayed to early 2021.
And now the game’s first season has - double checks - finally arrived.
Ollie had some experience with the game before, while Liam and I went in totally blind.
We all emerged from our play sesh glowing with praise albeit with a tinge of worry.
Would it get any traction, or quickly succumb to the cheery sports game curse?
Ed:Alright, I think we’re all agreed that Roller Champions has strongKnockout Cityand Destruction AllStars energy.
Having rolled around for a bit, do you guys see yourselves going back?
At this point the game really does seem far stronger than it has any right to be.
Ed:I feel the same way as you Liam.
But once I’d learned the wheels, I was totally hooked in.
The game feels excellent in the hands or feet, I suppose.
Ollie:So, quick rundown of the rules.
Youve got 2 teams of 3, and the aim is to score more goals than your opponent.
Ah, but thats not all.
That will also end the game immediately, because the first team to reach 5 goals wins.
Liam:Can we talk about tackling?
Ollie:Yeah, Im glad theres no referee in Roller Champions.
Its enormous fun, but its also a big part of the games skill curve.
Not that we saw many of those.
Most of us press people were just kind of flopping about learning how to stay on two feet.
Despite the game’s skill-ceiling, anyone can have fun with it.
Liam:Id definitely encourage everyone to at least give it a try, especially considering its free.
The market for free-to-play multiplayer stuff is so saturated, quality doesnt guarantee success either.
Liams right: Ive seensimilar games that I absolutely adoredget shut down because no one played them.
And theres a very real chance the same will happen here.
The thing Rocket League has going for it is that its just football.
Everyone knows it, everyone gets it straight away, despite the monumental skill ceiling.
It all feels so good.
And it wasn’t like this sequence of events was super difficult to pull off.
Now, enough gushing.
I think it’s about time we had a nice chin scratch and grumble.
Is there anything you’d like to see tweaked or improved?
Ollie:I think the core systems are near-perfect.
The only thing Id love to see is more variety in the arenas.
There are three different loops to choose from, but theyre all functionally identical.
They differ only in cosmetic appearance.
Stuff like that could help keep a willing playerbase interested.
Liam:I completely agree.
Its quite exciting to discuss a live-service game while its still in its infancy, isnt it?
The possibilities are endless!
Sorry, got carried away with the ideas there.
Ed:They could go full Knockout City and just have dodgeball on rollerskates.
God, I’d love that.
Ollie:Dead By Daylight on rollerblades.
Liam:These are all genuinely great ideas.
Honestly, Im itching to dive back in now that weve been chatting about it.
I even considered buying a real pair of rollerblades this morning.
This game has ruined me.
Ollie:Ubisoft definitely has enough clout and money to take Roller Champions in a really exciting direction post-release.
All they need are players.
I think its safe to say the game has very quickly won the three of us over.
Ed:Come on everyone, give Roller Champions a chance.It’s free.
Do it for Ollie.
Ollie:;_;
