Beastieball is an indie, role-playing game (RPG) that’s fun and engaging. It uses a similar gameplay style from the popular video games of Pokémon and makes its own style that revolves around sports. First impressions of Beastieball, it’s a ball of fun.

Gotta Recruit Them ‘All

Instead of “capturing” creatures like in Pokémon, you engage “beasties” to join your team by a friendly match of volleyball or at times a non-sport battle. Instead of using pokéballs, you give the beastie a jersey if they have an interest in joining. It makes it a more “friendly” way when compared to Pokémon’s capturing system.

Early in the game, you can collect data on each beastie. Giving you the info on the strengths and weaknesses that can give you a lift on the best team to make in upcoming volleyball matches.

You need at least two to play a volleyball match. Two on each side on a set of four squares. Maneuver your beastie anywhere you need to compete but beware, leaving a certain set of squares alone and you can lose the match, regardless how high your beastie’s levels are. Win best of three in competitive matches or only one if playing with wild beasties. It requires setting up and strategy the further you play.

When your beastie earns a high enough level, they can transform into a different form than can gain better stats and moves.

Earning money is based on sponsorship you gained during competitive matches or outside them, such as collecting data on beasties. The money is needed if you want to recruit more beasties, give them items to regain stamina or more.

Gotta Venture Forth

The game’s style is an artistic, 2.5D environment. Characters and beasties are drawn in 2D with the buildings and environment in 3D. You’ll control your muted character which can be altered anytime. So you won’t have to spend long minutes or even hours deciding the color of your character’s hair and names. You can change any of this anytime and that’s a nice bonus feature to have. Additionally you can change the menu interface’s color theme based on the various styles available.

The soundtrack, fun and energetic, is composed by the talented Lena Raine (Celeste, Chicory: A Colorful Tale). It brings nostalgia from games like Pokémon but with more volume and styles. Well worth listening to when away from playing Beastieball.

The Final Match

First impressions, Beastieball is fun and engaging to play if you’re looking for something that’s like Pokémon but with a twist.

A Steam code provided for this article. Played on the Steam Deck. Players can purchase the game now on Steam.