Over the last decade, fewer couch co-op games have been released. Now many may blame corporate greed, but with online gaming improving, many do not feel the need to go to each other houses to play, which is honestly a shame. Despite couch co-op becoming rather limited, many still feel nostalgic about their prior experiences. Although many AAA titles discourage local co-op, the demand is still out there. Because of this void, indie developers are creating games that are meant to be played with others. At PAX East 2020, we had the opportunity to sit down and experience Aeolis Tournament with seven other players and now we get to see how the full game compares to others in this genre.
Despite COVID-19 looming over PAX East and multiple AAA developers pulling out of the event, indie games livened things up. Yes, PAX East is typically about the indie games for us regardless but over the last two years, big developers have stolen part of the spotlight. At PAX East 2020, I personally previewed Aeolis Tournament and fifteen other games including FallGuys, Destroy All Humans (2020), and Final Fantasy 7 Remake. However, only one title really blew us away at PAX East; Aeolis Tournament. At their booth, Beyond Fun Studio set up an eight-person and four-person co-op area. During the demo, the eight-person area allowed players to battle against one another while using Gamecube controllers and sitting in Saucer Chairs. This setup reminded us of other fun couch co-op games, such as Halo 3, CoD Zombies, and Heave Ho.
So why is Aeolis Tournament so special? This co-op game allows for eight players to battle it out without creating a toxic environment; it does what Mario Party cannot, it provides competitive gameplay without creating toxicity.
Gameplay Options
Aeolis Tournament provides players with the option to play locally or online. Players can also invite friends on their friend’s list to join them, even if they do not own the game. Local play allows the players to battle it out through couch co-op play. Players also have the option to choose between a Quick Game or Tournament play. After selecting either mode, players are then tasked with picking between six characters; each character has their own unique attributes with varying Speed, Weight, and Power. After choosing their character, players can select different skins to make their characters unique. Skins and costumes can be unlocked for free based on the players’ performance.
Once each player character is locked in, the group can then decide on the rules of the game or tournament. In Quick Play, players can choose between six different game modes. The six-game modes are Perfect Storm, SnowBall Battle, Marble Thief (free for all), Sportsball, Air Hockey, and Explosive Dodgeball (teams). In Tournament Play, the game modes are randomly chosen. After the game type has been selected, players must decide upon the game’s rules. Aeolis Tournament allows the players to choose between the number of players in the game, bot difficulty, game rules, game length, chaos mode, and the number of games.
Gameplay Setup
Games can have anywhere between 2-8 participants. The player then can decide on the CPU (Bots) difficulty range falling between easy to hard. In Quick Play, players decide if they want each game mode to be decided based on points earned in an allotted time, eliminations, or first to a specific amount; in tournament play, these are randomly decided. Quick Play forces the player to choose only one game mode at a time whereas, in tournament play, players must decide how many games they want to play. Tournaments range between three to eight games. Game length can also be altered ranging between short to long. In Aeolis Tournament some modes are better left short especially when in a bot-dominated lobby. Finally, players can choose between Chaos Mode or normal play. Chaos Mode randomly assigns players to each team.
Gameplay Impressions
Aeolis Tournament gameplay is rather straightforward. Players must use their air cannons to push opponents and objects around the board. In each game mode, random power-ups spawn that can temporarily increase a character’s speed, weight, or power. These power-ups can easily change the tide of battle. After each game, players are awarded points based on their performance. If you are on the winning team you will earn more points, meanwhile, each team MVP earns additional points. At the end of the tournament, the player or players with the most points win the tournament. Yes, it is possible to have a draw.
Aeolis Tournament’s game modes are rather straightforward too. Prior to each game, the rules of the game are explained. If for whatever reason the rules are skipped, each game mode’s rules are displayed on each level. So it is easy to find out what you have to do to win. Aeolis Tournament is more fun to play with friends than against bots. Bots even on average difficulty can be idiotic. In some game modes, players can come back from a deficit by scoring the golden object. Golden balls and pucks grant the player double the points of the normal object. These golden items caused us to win some game modes when we should have definitely lost.
Each game mode can be fun with the right amount of people. The only game mode that is slightly difficult is Marble Thief. Marble Thief requires players to take balls to their color-coordinated goal. The game features four ball types and the player’s only punishment for falling off the map is having to respawn. In other game modes, the player can be hit with objects to become temporarily disabled.
Graphics
Like most indie games, Aeolis Tournament focuses more on gameplay than graphics. Now, this is not a criticism of Beyond Fun Studios’ Aeolis Tournament but is just me saying to look beyond the graphics. Each visual effect is clear and easy to see. This allows the player to see each cannon shot, explosion, lightning strike, snowball hit, and goalpost collision. Each map is unique and has its own special effects. In Ice Hockey, the player naturally collides with objects and slides across the ice. At no point will you question what happened as long as you are paying attention.
Each character is well defined with no two-characters looking exactly the same. Each player’s character is color-coordinated so that they can tell whose who. These colors also help the players see how many points they’ve earned after each game mode. Each character has a variety of skins that can be unlocked. Some skins are color-specific such as Yellow Lighting, Orange Flames, and Green Digital Code; however, accessories can be placed on any color character such as a top hat or snow hat.
Thankfully, Beyond Fun Studios did not include a spectator crowd in Aeolis Tournament. This allows the player to focus on the action rather than what’s going on around the arena.
Controls
Aeolis Tournament‘s controls are simple and easy to master. The player holds A (Controller) or Z (PC) to absorb air then releases the button to shoot their cannon. Short taps of the button release small blasts of air. The player controls their character either using the left joystick or the directional keys. Y is used to show the player’s location and to taunt. Honestly, using a controller makes Aeolis Tournament a lot easier to play. These easy controls make it so that even small children can play and have fun.
Audio/ SFX
When it comes to the audio and sound effects of the game, we have no complaints. Each level’s sound effects immerse the player into the game mode that they are playing. Explosions ring out when they explode. On Perfect Storm, you can hear the thunder as the lightning strikes. In Air Hockey and Sports Ball, you can hear the clang of the ball as they hit off the goalposts. Finally, on the snowball and air hockey mode, you can hear the snowballs hit when they connect with a player. Each object makes the appropriate sound when it comes in contact with something else.
The game’s overall soundtrack is upbeat and fun rather than competitive and intense. Each character’s voice line is unique and the human boy sounds like Chowder from the Cartoon Network series. However, the character voice lines can get annoying after a while. Some variety could be nice.
Replay Value
When it comes to Aeolis Tournament, the game’s replay value comes down to what the player takes from it; it is rare that each tournament will be exactly the same. The game is definitely more fun to play with a group of players rather than against bots. We do wish that Aeolis Tournament came with more than six game modes but for its price, you get a good amount of content.
Sadly, the game’s Steam community is rather limited. At no point during our playthrough were we able to find a match online just by searching. Thankfully, the PC version does have a discord option that allows the player to talk to the community to orchestrate a game. The game supports quick jump in, jump out gameplay that makes it great for parties. Just make sure you have enough controllers.
Verdict
If you have never heard of Aeolis Tournament then you are missing out; the game is a hidden gem. Despite only having six game modes, you will most likely never have the same experience twice. The game is great to play with friends or strangers and is made to be played at parties. Sadly, the online community is not there yet. The game has a lot of potential and could be the next hit party game if it were to catch on.
The game’s visual effects and graphics are crisp and clear. The soundtrack is rather limited but upbeat and energizing rather than fast and aggressive. The game feels like it was created for a fun experience rather than a competitive one. With simple controls, the game is easy to just pick up and play. Honestly, this game deserves more notoriety than it has received. Despite a four-month gap between our two play sessions, the game still provided a fun and relaxed experience; except for when the bots do not play properly. Hopefully, Beyond Fun Studios updates the game to allow Cross-Play with the Nintendo Switch.
If you have never heard of Aeolis Tournament, it is worth checking out.
Aeolis Tournament is available on Steam and the Nintendo Switch for $14.99 USD and more information is available on the official website. A steam code was provided for the review.
