| | First Encounter
Sometimes game developers push the envelope, especially given our politically correct world. Such was the case with Outlaw Golf. But, as the results have shown, while it may have been … on the edge … it certainly proved to be rather successful. So, now that time has passed, Simon and Schuster are once again teaming up with Hypnotix games to come up with another edgy title: Outlaw Volleyball.
We all know how successful DOA Xtreme Beach Volleyball was, so it will be interesting to see how Outlaw Volleyball turns out. As far as comparisons go, I don't recommend even trying to make one. The only similarity between the two games is the fact that they both involve two-on-two volleyball. But, while life on Zack Island was filled with fun in the sun on lush tropical beaches, life on the Outlaw Volleyball circuit is something a bit more … colorful. The tour itself consists of 16 venues, each accompanied by the obligatory crowd of belligerent, angry, disrespectful, and beer-swillin' criminals, rednecks, and gangstas. Yep, you guessed it folks. These are most definitely not the kinds of places you are going to want to visit on vacation. If they are, I suggest you seek professional help.
Even Jordan would be envious of that spike.
Since this is two-versus-two volleyball, that means you are going to need a ready supply of victims … I mean partners … to play with and against. To that end, Hypnotix has tossed in 16 different personalities of varying degrees of sanity, for your enjoyment. Some of the players have decided to take a break from the Outlaw Golf tour and are spending some time playing games in the sand. The rest are newly introduced—and hopefully newly vaccinated—additions to the Outlaw world. From London's underground Punk scene to the austere and solemn halls of the American prison system, the players have arrived from just about every oddball, backwoods, in-bred, neurotic, psychotic corner of the world. If you can think of a form of dementia or neurosis, the odds are good that one of these people has it!
That is all well and good, but it doesn't mean a whole lot if there aren't any actual gameplay elements. Luckily, that little detail wasn't overlooked by the development team. The basics lay out like this: Controls are straightforward, but just like Outlaw Golf, they can be unforgiving. If you get sloppy and don't position yourself correctly, don't be surprised if you miss the ball entirely. Instead of having a Composure meter (like inOutlaw Golf), Outlaw Volleyball has a Momentum meter. The function is just like it was last time around: The better you play, the higher your meter will be, and the worse you play, the lower your meter will be. When it's high, your players will play better, hit harder, and be able to nail some vicious spikes. If it gets low … well, let's just say that it's not a pretty picture. Unlike Golf, Volleyball is a team sport, so you can't really beat the snot out of your partner and expect good results. Instead, since there isn't a caddy to pick on, you get to pick a fight with an opposing team member. Oh, and by the way, Outlaw Volleyball includes a fighting engine (admittedly rather simple) for the inevitable tussle between teams. If you want the benefits to your momentum, you had better be prepared to get a little banged up for it. These people aren't getting paid to take your abuse like your old caddy was, so they will fight back. 
White trash fight!
As if that all wasn't enough, there is actually character development and memory for each character. You can level up their skills while you play, and if you should happen to make them mad, they will remember it. Some of these people will hold a grudge till it dies of old age. I'm not sure about you, but I'd rather not have someone like Killer Miller (you know, the mass murderer that got off on a technicality) on the other side of the net and mad at me. That could result in something … unpleasant. But, hey, that's life on the Outlaw Volleyball tour. By Carlson |
