Bare Butt Boxing Review: A colorful but shallow party game that quickly loses its charm.
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Bare Butt Boxing Review (PC) – Falling Flat on Its Cheeks
When Fall Guys burst onto PS Plus a couple of years back, it brought a fresh wave of chaotic fun to the party game scene. I had a blast with it, managing to snag a few victory royales and spending countless fun hours bouncing around with friends. Now, Bare Butt Boxing tries to jump on the same bandwagon, much like Gang Beasts or Party Animals. However, despite its catchy name and colorful presentation, it falls short in delivering a lasting and engaging experience.
An Unimaginative Premise
Bare Butt Boxing might catch your eye with its cheeky title, but the actual gameplay is far from innovative. The name promises slapstick humor and fun, but it only partially delivers. The “Bare” part is accurate, but there’s little humor in the butts and no satisfying punch in the boxing. Instead, it leaves players with a fleeting novelty that quickly wears off.
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The premise is simple: you control a little avatar in a chaotic free-for-all, punching other avatars into glowing portals to score points. If you get hit or fall off the map, you lose points. You have a dodge move, a stronger attack, and a few items to throw at opponents. This might sound entertaining, but it quickly becomes repetitive.
Minimalistic Gameplay
Bare Butt Boxing is as straightforward as it gets. The gameplay revolves around simple mechanics that can be summed up in a few sentences. You punch, dodge, and use items to knock opponents into portals. The game offers four modes, but they all feel remarkably similar.
Game Modes:
- Basic Free-for-All: This mode is the most straightforward. You punch other avatars and try to knock them into the portals to score points. The last player standing wins.
- Ball Mode: Here, instead of knocking opponents into portals, you have to hit a ball into the portal. It’s essentially a chaotic version of soccer.
- King of the Ring: In this mode, one player gets powered-up gloves and can score points. Other players try to knock the glove-holder out to take the gloves and start scoring.
- Cycle: This mode is essentially a variation of the free-for-all, with some minor tweaks that don’t significantly change the core gameplay.
Despite the different modes, the core mechanics remain unchanged. Whether you’re hitting a ball or an opponent, it all feels the same. The simplistic controls—limited to a couple of buttons—further exacerbate the issue. After just a few rounds, the gameplay becomes monotonous.
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Uninspiring Execution
The lack of depth in Bare Butt Boxing extends beyond its gameplay. The controls feel floaty, and the ragdoll physics, while initially amusing, quickly become frustrating. The chaos is meant to create a sense of fun carnage, but it often ends up feeling more like a poorly executed joke than an engaging party game.
During my time with the review version, I couldn’t find a single other real-world player to join. Playing with bots didn’t help either; the limited AI offered little challenge or entertainment. While local co-op and online modes are available, the servers were barren, making it difficult to test these features thoroughly.
Cosmetic Customization and Progression
One area where Bare Butt Boxing tries to add some variety is in its cosmetic customization. Players can unlock different avatars, boxing gloves, and title cards. However, the grind to earn these items is painfully slow. Winning matches grants a paltry 12 coins, making it feel like an eternity to afford anything worthwhile. Either the prices need to be reduced, or the earning rate significantly increased.
Final Thoughts
It may seem like I’m overly harsh on Bare Butt Boxing, but the truth is that it simply doesn’t offer much to get excited about. It’s a colorful, if uninspired, party game that tries to capitalize on its cheeky title but falls flat in execution. While it can provide a few minutes of amusement, it quickly becomes a slog. Unless it finds a dedicated audience, I can’t see it holding players’ attention for long.
In the grand scheme of party games, Bare Butt Boxing feels superfluous. It’s not harmful or offensive, but it’s also not compelling enough to stand out. At £11.39, it’s a tough sell, akin to charging a premium for an amateur boxing match. If you and your friends are curious and willing to split the cost, it might be worth a try, but don’t expect it to replace your go-to party games like Fall Guys, Gang Beasts, or Party Animals.
FAQs
What is Bare Butt Boxing?
Bare Butt Boxing is a party game where players control avatars and engage in chaotic battles, attempting to knock each other into glowing portals to score points. It features simple controls and various game modes.
What platforms is Bare Butt Boxing available on?
Bare Butt Boxing is available on PC via Steam. It was released on August 1st.
Who developed and published Bare Butt Boxing?
The game was developed and published by Tuatara Games.
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What are the main game modes in Bare Butt Boxing?
There are four main game modes:
- Basic Free-for-All: Knock opponents into portals to score points.
- Ball Mode: Hit a ball into the portal to score points.
- King of the Ring: One player gets powered-up gloves and can score points until knocked out.
- Cycle: A variation of the free-for-all mode with minor tweaks.
Is there local co-op in Bare Butt Boxing?
Yes, Bare Butt Boxing offers local co-op, which is a great feature given the decline in local multiplayer games.
How is the online multiplayer experience in Bare Butt Boxing?
During the review period, finding real-world players to join online matches was difficult. The servers were largely empty, and playing against bots didn’t provide much of a challenge or entertainment.
Are there customization options in Bare Butt Boxing?
Yes, players can unlock different avatars, boxing gloves, and title cards. However, earning the in-game currency to purchase these items is a slow process, making it feel like a grind.
Is Bare Butt Boxing worth buying?
At £11.39, Bare Butt Boxing is a tough sell. While it can provide a few minutes of fun, it quickly becomes repetitive and lacks the depth and engagement of other party games like Fall Guys, Gang Beasts, or Party Animals. If you’re curious and willing to split the cost with friends, it might be worth a try, but don’t expect it to replace your favorite party games.
In-Depth Analysis
Gameplay Mechanics
The gameplay mechanics in Bare Butt Boxing are extremely simplistic. Players have a basic punch, a stronger wind-up punch, and a dodge move. Additionally, there are a few pick-up items scattered around the map that players can use to gain an advantage. However, these mechanics are not enough to sustain long-term interest.
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The four game modes, while offering slight variations, do not significantly change the core gameplay experience. The basic free-for-all mode is straightforward and can be fun for a short period. Ball Mode, where players hit a ball into the portal, adds a slight twist but ultimately feels like a repetitive exercise. King of the Ring introduces a power-up mechanic, but the novelty wears off quickly. Cycle, the fourth mode, is indistinguishable from the basic free-for-all, adding little to no variety.
The controls, although simple, feel unrefined. Punching lacks impact, and the ragdoll physics, meant to add a layer of chaotic fun, often result in frustrating and unpredictable outcomes. The floaty nature of the controls can lead to moments where player input feels disconnected from the on-screen action, detracting from the overall experience.
Visuals and Sound Design
Visually, Bare Butt Boxing is colorful and vibrant, which fits well within the party game genre. The character designs are whimsical, and the environments are lively. However, the art style, while appealing, does not compensate for the lack of depth in gameplay.
The sound design is serviceable but not particularly memorable. The sound effects, such as the punches and item interactions, are adequate but do not add a significant layer of enjoyment. The background music is upbeat and fits the party game vibe, but it can become repetitive after extended play sessions.
Multiplayer Experience
One of the critical aspects of a party game is the multiplayer experience. Bare Butt Boxing offers both local co-op and online multiplayer modes. Local co-op is a welcome feature, especially given its decline in recent years. Playing with friends in the same room can lead to moments of fun and laughter, albeit short-lived due to the game’s repetitive nature.
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Online multiplayer, on the other hand, suffers from a lack of active players. During the review period, finding matches with real-world players was challenging. The servers were often empty, resulting in matches filled with bots. While the bots are functional, they do not provide the same level of engagement as playing against human opponents. This lack of an active online community significantly diminishes the game’s replayability.
Customization and Progression
Customization options in Bare Butt Boxing include different avatars, boxing gloves, and title cards. These cosmetic items can be unlocked using in-game currency earned by playing matches. However, the rate at which currency is earned is exceedingly slow. Winning a match grants only 12 coins, making it a tedious grind to afford any worthwhile items.
This slow progression system can be discouraging for players looking to personalize their experience. Either the cost of cosmetic items needs to be reduced, or the rate at which players earn currency needs to be increased to maintain player interest.
Potential for Improvement
Bare Butt Boxing has potential, but it needs several improvements to realize it. Here are a few suggestions:
- Refine Controls: Improve the responsiveness and impact of the controls to make the gameplay feel more satisfying.
- Add More Variety: Introduce additional game modes and mechanics to keep the gameplay fresh and engaging.
- Increase Currency Gain: Adjust the in-game economy to allow players to unlock cosmetic items at a reasonable pace.
- Enhance Online Experience: Implement features to encourage online play and attract a larger player base, such as matchmaking incentives or regular updates.
Conclusion
Bare Butt Boxing attempts to carve out a niche in the crowded party game market with its cheeky premise and colorful presentation. However, it falls short due to repetitive gameplay, unrefined controls, and a lack of an active online community. While it can provide brief moments of amusement, it struggles to maintain long-term interest.
For players looking for a new party game, there are better options available. Fall Guys, Gang Beasts, and Party Animals offer more depth, variety, and engagement. Bare Butt Boxing might be worth a try if you’re curious and have friends willing to split the cost, but don’t expect it to replace your favorite party games anytime soon.
Additional FAQs
How many players can play Bare Butt Boxing?
Bare Butt Boxing supports up to 8 players in both local co-op and online multiplayer modes. However, due to the lack of an active online community, finding matches with real players can be challenging.
Are there any microtransactions in Bare Butt Boxing?
As of the review, Bare Butt Boxing does not feature microtransactions. All cosmetic items are unlocked using in-game currency earned by playing matches.
Does Bare Butt Boxing have controller support?
Yes, Bare Butt Boxing offers full controller support, which is recommended for the best gameplay experience.
Can you play Bare Butt Boxing solo?
Yes, Bare Butt Boxing can be played solo against bots. However, the experience is more enjoyable with friends or other human players, if you can find them online.
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What are the system requirements for Bare Butt Boxing?
The system requirements for Bare Butt Boxing are relatively modest, making it accessible to a wide range of PC configurations. For the best performance, check the game’s Steam page for detailed system requirements.
Will there be future updates or additional content for Bare Butt Boxing?
There is no official word on future updates or additional content for Bare Butt Boxing. It’s advisable to keep an eye on the developer’s announcements for any news regarding updates or expansions.