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Thread: Xbox Outlaw Volleyball: A Review

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    Default Xbox Outlaw Volleyball: A Review

    The third in my Xbox reviews. Please continue to feel free to put these up if you like Joe

    (The others...)
    TMNT - http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=44678
    Pure Pinball - http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=45598

    Outlaw Volleyball... a game about Volleyball with a bunch of string-bikini clad women and strange men. I bought this game for two reasons. The first, and perhaps the more important was that I have a soft soft for Volleyball games. Whether it was SuperSpike Volleyball on the NES or Malibu Beach Volleyball on the Lynx, I love a good digital game of volleyball. It was the only sport that I played in high school, and even though there are pretty much no newer 6-on-6 games, the beach volleyball alternative is just fine by me.

    The second reason that I got the game was because it was $9.99 at Best Buy new. I picked up a few games shortly after getting my Xbox, and this was one of them, along with Halo (pack-in) and Tony Hawk 2X.

    The first thing that you notice with any Outlaw game is that the characters are always extreme. Unfortunately, while this is slightly amusing, it is wholly unnecessary -- especially the racial sterotypes that the game gives to everyone. You have the native american woman who wears a leather pelt bikini, feathers and warpaint. A Mexican woman named Chica who has a strong accent. And so on. If the characters had their "attitude" removed, even with the graphics being the same, I wouldn't feel dirty playing it. But with their stereotypical roles, the game loses appeal.

    The actual game of volleyball is surprisingly easy to get the hang of and play. You pick your characters and then take on other teams in many different gameplay variations from rally rules to the number of points scored. Unfortunately, there is the really crappy Hot Potato mode that the game relies on far to heavily. In Hot Potato, as you hit the ball back and forth, it gets hotter until it explodes. If it explodes on your side of the net, you lose a point. This is extremely annoying, as it is very difficult to time perfectly (the ball can't just be on its way, but MUST be on the other side of the net. This is really, really annoying). It makes some of the games based on luck, not on skill.

    There is another game mode, I believe called Land Mine. In this game mode, if the ball hits the ground for a point or side out, a stick of dynamite is placed there and it explodes after a few seconds, sending any characters too close to it skyward. The problem with this mode is that while it is okay in multiplayer games, in single player games you can lead the computer into blowing itself up time after time. This again makes the gameplay rather annoying.

    Combine those two game types, and you're in for a real crappy game.

    Luckily, the rest of the game solidly makes up for it. Bumping, setting and spiking is easy to learn, and you can get into the game in no time at all. You can aim your spikes to avoid the defender, or you can tip it over. You can block the spike, but will have to be careful not to have your other player out of position and miss.

    The regular gameplay, without Hot Potato and Land Mind modes, is just as perfect for a Volleyball game as Virtua Tennis was for Tennis. The modes work just perfectly.

    Add that into the way fun training thing that seems to be based on the Virtua Tennis mold. Bump the ball into the center of a circle to score a bunch of points. Serve the ball into various targets. Spike the ball into various targets. Block your opponent's shots a bunch. This totally reminds me of the world tour practice mode for Virtua Tennis, and it is really fun. Sometimes, this gets overly difficult, but just like Virtua Tennis, it always makes you feel like you can get it done.

    The sound is good. Some people don't like the music, but I think that it fits the game rather well. I don't know if there is an option to inport your own music, but the in-game soundtrack isn't bad at all. The sounds of the ball hitting things and the characters is good, but hearing the same characters say the same things over and over does get annoying.

    Now, for some quick gripes:
    - It seems to take forever to unlock your characters. If I have to beat the games to unlock a character, I probably am not going to go back through the game again with that character.
    - This game is begging for a character creator, even if it would be rather simple. I'm very surprised it didn't get one.
    - The challenge mode has a few games that are really tough, and really long. For instance -- win 3 sets of 21 with side out rules and hot potato. It's too much luck, and then you can play one round for an hour and not make it anywhere.
    - Along with the one above, you can't save mid-set
    - Some of the challenges start out extremely hard, while others aren't. It would've been nice if these were more balanced.

    And a few things that are good:
    - The graphics for the game fit it perfectly. The players look real and move realistically The courts are extremely well detailed.
    - The game included a free sampler CD of some of the music included. For $10.00 with a sampler CD, you can't go wrong.
    - The challenge mode is extremely long. You'll spend hours playing through it all, and you will get better while doing it.
    - The challenges - even those that are really difficult - are really fun. They'll keep you playing for a long time.

    Overall, at $9.99 I feel like I got this game for a steal. I would have happily paid $30.00 for it and not have been disappointed. From what I have heard, it is much better than DOA: Beach Volleyball. I haven't played that one yet, but I will because it is a Volleyball game. But it can wait. OV is too solid to worry about paying $30.00 for one that is known to be weak on the volleyball portion.

    Outlaw Volleyball will make you sometimes feel like you have to play it for longer than you should, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

    Overall Ratings:
    Graphics - 9
    Sound - 9
    Control - 10
    Gameplay - 7
    Overall - 7

    As is my standard, Gameplay matters the most. Outlaw Volleyball gets a 7 because of the overused Hot Potato and Land Mine modes that simply aren't that fair or that fun. Without those two modes, or with less of a reliance on them, it would have scored a 10 there and maybe even a 9 overall. It is a very solid game, and if the offensive material was left out (and you could even leave the bikini-clad women in it because it is, after all, a beach volleyball game) it could have scored a 10.
    Dan Loosen
    http://www.goatstore.com/ - http://www.midwestgamingclassic.com/
    ** Trying to finish up an overly complete Dreamcast collection... want to help? (Updated 5/3/10!) http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=61333

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    Overall, a great review! I disagree a bit about minor things (like the Hot Potatoe rule), but otherwise it is right on target; the review gives an accurate impression of the game, it's gameplay, and the major strenghts and weaknesses. I'd would have given the control a 9 (not a ten), and would have given the overall gameplay an 8 (not a 7).

    I picked it up like you for $10 some time ago, I didn't expect much and it was sitting on my shelves for some time. I started playing it, and found it's gameplay so addictive that I played through evry tournamnt and did it all. The mini games are GREAT, in my opinion better even than in Virtua Tennis and Tennis 2K2. The game even has atmosphere! It was one of the biggest surprises this year for me, and the title is a great example for a game found in bargain bins which delivers great gameplay.

    Stereotypes? Nothing against it as long as they are presented as carricatures. As a German, I'd have loved to play as a character in Lederhosen, eating a Bratwurst and making dumb comments in a typical German accent. I love it when Americans make fun of Germans. (becasue I love it to make fun of myself)

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    Kirby (Level 13) norkusa's Avatar
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    Another fine review Goatdan. I thought Outlaw Volleyball could have been a great game but the creators screwed it up with over-simplistic gameplay. It's just too easy to get to the ball in this game. And when you play the CPU at the higher difficulty levels, single points can carry on for a ridiculously long time (5 min points are common). I wouldn't be surprised if that was the reason they threw the "Hot Potato" mode in there. Without it, matches could last an ungodly long time.

    I thought the fighting mode was pretty pointless too. At least you have the option of starting fights though, so you aren't forced to do it.

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    Double post. Sorry.

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    Quote Originally Posted by norkusa
    I thought the fighting mode was pretty pointless too. At least you have the option of starting fights though, so you aren't forced to do it.
    Oh man, I forgot all about the fighting mode.

    Useless doesn't even begin to describe it, but considering I have probably used it three times since getting the game, it doesn't bother me much. Thank god the computer can't start fights, or that would have totally killed the whole game.

    I think that the entire reason for having that in there was so that drunk people could fight their friends at parties. It would be fun for that...
    Dan Loosen
    http://www.goatstore.com/ - http://www.midwestgamingclassic.com/
    ** Trying to finish up an overly complete Dreamcast collection... want to help? (Updated 5/3/10!) http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=61333

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    Great review again, Dan. I'll definitely have to bug my brother some more about lending me his copy.

    Are the stereotypes really that bad though? They sound to me like the typical stuff sound in most fighting games, but I could be wrong - I guess I'll have to judge for myself.
    Formerly the poster known as Retro Pro

    My review of Road Trip for PS2: http://digitpress.com/reviews/roadtrip.htm

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    Great review.

    I own both this game and DOA: XBV and I think DOA is the MUCH better volleyball game. Plus the eye candy is better. But DOA has a more realistic volleyball simulator in there.
    "Four o'clock and all is well.....wish I was in bed, Sir."
    -- Guard in the Imperial City, Oblivion

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    Quote Originally Posted by DaBargainHunta
    Great review again, Dan. I'll definitely have to bug my brother some more about lending me his copy.

    Are the stereotypes really that bad though? They sound to me like the typical stuff sound in most fighting games, but I could be wrong - I guess I'll have to judge for myself.
    They are relatively similar to what you found in older fighting games, but in fighting games they don't seem to be quite so extreme too me. It just seems like we're starting to go beyond the belief that gaming sterotypes are funny if presented in the same way as Speedy Gonzales or whatever.

    If the stereotypes had been handled differently, such as them being charactures like a German with a bratwurst or something, I think that's fine. But it doesn't seem to be like that. The game seems like it is taking these too seriously.

    Just check out this page to see a big ol' pictures of some of them:

    http://www.simonsays.com/ssimkt/outl...l/gallery.html

    The only thing about it all is that the game doesn't need it and it doesn't add much of anything too it. Instead of making up a bunch of different types of people, I would've rather just played with nice looking men and women. Considering that the players aren't that different in skills or abilities, it doesn't make sense to me that their sterotypes need to be.

    I guess that this is an Outlaw "signature" thing, but it is unnecessary and at least a bit of a turn-off for me playing the game.
    Dan Loosen
    http://www.goatstore.com/ - http://www.midwestgamingclassic.com/
    ** Trying to finish up an overly complete Dreamcast collection... want to help? (Updated 5/3/10!) http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=61333

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    Cherry (Level 1) DaBargainHunta's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by SoulBlazer
    I own both this game and DOA: XBV and I think DOA is the MUCH better volleyball game. Plus the eye candy is better. But DOA has a more realistic volleyball simulator in there.
    I have my bro's copy of DOA Volleyball, and while the volleyball part of DOA is indeed top-notch, all of that other crap (buying gifts, finding girlfriends, etc.) drags it down for me. I hope Outlaw Volleyball focuses on just the game. When I had to describe DOA Volleyball to someone the other day, I jokingly called it a "lesbian simulator," and that really isn't too far off the mark if you think about it.

    Quote Originally Posted by goatdan
    Just check out this page to see a big ol' pictures of some of them:

    http://www.simonsays.com/ssimkt/outl...l/gallery.html
    Good Lord, at first I thought you had accidentally linked me to a porn site. Not too subtle.

    Honestly, it's hard to really tell from the pictures alone. The Natasha character with the gun looks a bit suspect, but without knowing anything about her (or any of the other characters in the game), I can't really pass judgment yet.

    I guess that this is an Outlaw "signature" thing, but it is unnecessary and at least a bit of a turn-off for me playing the game.
    I think that's exactly what it is. I'll post my own thoughts when I finally get to try out the game. I will say this though - the different locales look very cool and fun to play in.
    Formerly the poster known as Retro Pro

    My review of Road Trip for PS2: http://digitpress.com/reviews/roadtrip.htm

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    Cherry (Level 1) DaBargainHunta's Avatar
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    Okay, I finally borrowed the game from my brother. Here are my initial impressions based on an hour or so of play time:

    - The gameplay is pretty good. It's very remiscient of Beach Spikers on GameCube, which definitely isn't a bad thing.

    - I like how the Outlaw Tour season mode has different stipulations (such as "score the most points in 5 minutes"). That definitely spices up the game.

    - The multiple outfit selections (most of which have to be unlocked) are a nice addition too.

    - I like that you can switch between team members during the game. I could be wrong but I don't think Beach Spikers has this option (it HAS been a while since I've played that, so if I'm mistaken, I apologize ahead of time).

    - I've only seen one locale so far in the three games I've played - the Bronx area with the beach in front of several rundown buildings. Pretty nice looking. I'm sure the Outlaw Tour mode will eventually take me to other areas.

    - I wish more characters were available from the beginning. I'm not sure about the other modes, but in the Outlaw Tour mode, you only get to choose from four at first. (As for the ethnic stereotypes mentioned in Dan's original review, I haven't noticed anything too outrageous so far, but I'm still early in the game and haven't seen too many of the characters yet.)

    - The default camera view ("Follow") seems like the best one, but I'm not perfectly happy with it. It's okay when I'm serving, but it seems too distant to me when I'm receiving. Yeah, there are other camera views that make things more even, but they're zoomed so far out that you can't appreciate the game's graphics nearly as much.

    - The announcers are cute and clever at first, but they get old and obnoxious pretty quickly. I think that's true of most sports games with running commentary though.

    - This may be nitpicky, but I wish we could create our own characters. Beach Spikers has this feature, albeit in very limited fashion, but it's still nice.

    Overall, I'm having a good time so far. Outlaw Volleyball is definitely worth the budget asking price.
    Formerly the poster known as Retro Pro

    My review of Road Trip for PS2: http://digitpress.com/reviews/roadtrip.htm

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