Divekick (PSN)

Earlier this year when Evo, and various other fighting game tournaments were going on I caught word of "Divekick" through a fellow fighting game enthusiast who goes by the username @IFD_Delusion. It was by mere chance that I had noticed his tweet about the game, and after seeing him play it hands-on in one of his Youtube videos I knew this was something worth my time, and attention. Very rarely do fighting game developers think this far outside the box. It is insane at how complex the guys, and gals of One True Game Studios were able to make this two button brawler. Initially started as a joke to poke fun at fighting game stereotypes, and gaming industry stereotypes this unique indie title was eventually placed into the Kickstarter program where it evolved into a full fledged fighter worthy of the praise the fighting game community had given it. Thankfully they were able to get the project funded. As an indie fan, a fan of artistic creation, and a fan of the gaming industry I can tell you now through hands-on experience that it's very much worth playing. Being the passing fad, or modern day craze that it is you will no doubt find humor, and fun times along with many others at the helm of this PS3, PS Vita, and PC exclusive.

At this point it is probably no surprise to you that Divekick is indeed a two button fighter. It's pretty much a given fact, especially with Youtube commentators such as 'Miles923' going mad over the game in their videos. What may not be so apparent though is the overall attention to detail that the developers have applied to every aspect, and feature found within the game. Like any proper fighting game you will find that the game includes a full fledged story mode filled with animated intros, and ending sequences that fully explain the characters' back stories. Not online does it have a fully fleshed out story mode, but it also contains proper online/offline multiplayer support for those looking to take on the best of the online/offline gaming community. During your playthrough you will find plenty of hidden jokes, and puns that every retro, and modern-day gamer will be able to understand. Some of these contextually suggestive themes come in the form of intermittent hints told by 'Uncle Sensei" himself while other more subtle puns, and jokes happen in a slightly less than obvious way.

The cast of interesting, and oddly crafted characters that seem to be ripped from an unrealized idea for an "Adult Swim" cartoon breathe life into this mixed up tale about gaming community, and gaming industry stereotypes. In total I believe there are "12" individual characters that each possess unique aerial attacks, ground attacks, and specials which take full advantage of the two button controller layout. Among the roster you'll find the oldschool retro gamer in the form of a crazed looking Vietnam vet named "Uncle Sensei", a devilish troll named "STREAM" who dishes out the insults in the form of popular online census and memes, A female monk named "Kung Pao" who could easily pass as Kung Lao's twin sister (Think Copycat Ideas), An egotistical champ named "Jefaily" whose head inflates with each win, A godlike fighter named "Kenny" who has a halo over his head (Think "Top Tier"/Daigo), "Dive & Kick" who basically represent the fanboys of the gaming industry, A beastly overgrown cigar smoking badger named "Redacted" who represents the publisher, An obese pajama wearing boy named "Mr. N" who represents the casual/lazy gamer, A female nurse named "Dr.Shoals" who represents god knows what?, and finally the boss of all bosses named "S-KILL" who represents the cheap ass money grubbers out there who are constantly dishing out half-assed products/games for top dollar profit.

Gameplay in this contextually created fighter comes in the form of both offline, and online modes as I've said before. At the heart of the game you'll be able to learn the back story behind each of the wacky roster members as you play through the several interesting stages of the "Story" mode. Like any offline story based fighting game mode you will go up against a series of AI opponents whose jobs are to obviously outsmart you, and ultimately win. To avoid such a loss you will need to dive, and kick your way to victory using the two buttons you assigned at the start of the game. Each match you take on will require you to successfully land five kicks to your opponent. These kicks can land anywhere on the opponent's personal being, but must hit them first instead of the other way around. Keep in mind that landed kicks only count if your feet/foot touches the opponent first. Aside from basic diving, and kicking you will also be using specials to gain victory over your opponent. By beating every character along the way including the final boss, "S-KILL" you will earn the privilege to gaze upon your chosen character's final animated story panel.

Specials, Air attacks, and Ground attacks in this particular fighter are an effective way of throwing your opponent off guard. While the specials can be performed at fairly much any point, the air, and ground specials can only be used when your Kick Factor Meter/Gauge (which actually looks like each characters' foot) is filled to a certain point. In order to fill your meter you must continuously dive, and kick using your previously assigned buttons. I found through experience that assigning "X" for dive, and "SQUARE" for kick works quite well in helping to effectively build meter as well as assisting you in attacking in a more well executed manner. The air attacks, and ground attacks will ultimately allow you to perform character specific special moves that can be used to distract, strike, or immobilize your opponent in an unorthodox manner. In other words it's a way to keep them guessing while you sneak in that final kick.

When it comes down to multiplayer options Iron galaxy Studios included both offline, and online modes. The offline multiplayer comes in the form of a "VERSUS" option. Here you, and a buddy can dive kick it together until you've had your fill of fun. The offline mode makes for a great party game, and even great subject matter for Youtube videos such as the ones you've likely watched on Miles923's channel. If you wish to take your "Dive Kick" mastery to the next level you can choose to battle the online gamers of the world via a nice variety of online multiplayer options. The developer has included the usual "RANKED", "UNRANKED", and "ROOM" oriented matchmaking options. To make things more competitive in nature they have also included online leaderboards for each online game type as well as personal stats that go along with your PSN ID. The stats included the usual losses, wins, and even a disconnection percentages for those of you ragequitters out there who like to spoil everyone's fun. You know of whom I speak (Glares and points at ragequitting reader).

To sum it all up the rules of "Divekick" are the same regardless of whether you play online, or offline. The first to five successful kicks wins. In order to win your kick must connect, and it must connect first. In order to use special attacks you must build meter by diving, and kicking. If you happen to land a "Headshot" during a round the character that was kicked will be stunned in the following round limiting their movement, and attack capabilities for a short period of time. Assuming either player doesn't land a kick before the timer runs out during a round the player with the character closest to the center red dividing line wins. Another thing I should also mention before I close is that when selecting your character you can also choose his, or her duds. In simple terms, you can choose which color palette swap you wish to go with. For those of you looking for some SFxT (Street Fighter X TEKKEN) GEM based goodness you'll be glad to know that online, and offline gameplay can be enhanced through such a feature. Gems like the "Yolo" GEM will limit matches to a single round (Hence the name "YOLO") while other gems give you percentage based boosts on such things as Kick Factor Meter, Kick, and even Dive. Details like these give the game it's proper fighting game flair.

Now on to the verdict ...

Dive Kick is a proper pun filled blow to the balls of the gaming community, and the entertainment industry. I mean that in the most positive way possible. Ironically though the sarcastic humor that went into the game's creation actually speaks truthfully about the current sate of gaming, and the entertainment industry as a whole. Every stereotype associated with modern-day/retro entertainment, and the online communities that follow them faithfully are all represented in a true-to-life yet exaggerated mannerism that everyone can understand easily. There's no secret that all of us associated with gaming, and entertainment clash with one another often. I think it's this exact point that the developers were trying to get across to everyone. Sure it's actually a fun game, and the puns/jokes make for a good laugh, but there is a serious side to it all as well. Like a political cartoon this two button brawler aims to awaken us in a lighthearted manner. In that respect it get's a resounding applause from your's truly.

As a proper video game, "Divekick" was ingeniously crafted. Every pun filled character comment, every piece of onscreen dialogue, and every button press effect came together in a way that makes this a fighting game that's much more than just some joke. I absolutely loved the brilliantly designed roster of characters, and even found a favorite go to character with the devilish "STREAM". As simple as one may perceive this game to be it is actually not, and that in itself is another reason I enjoyed playing Divekick. Like a proper battle of the wits you'll find the back, and forth action of Divekick to be just as thought provoking in nature as a chess game between two skilled chess masters. Every movement counts. Whether you are diving, kicking, or using specials you will find that you are either setting yourself up for a win, or setting yourself up for a loss.

Some other really cool extra features that I forgot to mention earlier on in the review include the "Fraud Detection" system, and the onscreen messages that pop-up if you get multiple "Headshots" (kicks to the head). For example if you happen to lose four matches in a row to your opponent an in-game siren will sound off displaying the words "Fraud Detection" as a robotic sounding female announcer voices a similar phrase. The degrading stamp of certification can be averted though assuming you don't lose the fifth, and final round. If you do happen to lose all five rounds your icon will be branded with a "Fraud" stamp of approval. It's the fighting game equivalent of being called salty. The multiple "Headshot" messages, on the other hand appear in bold letters praising the winning player in a CoD (Call of Duty) sort of way. It'll start off saying "HEADSHOT!" with the first strike to the head, then move on to "Double Kill!", and so forth, and so on. It's these types of features that really make this over-the-top fighter shine the way it does.

As far as recommending it goes I think "Divekick" will ultimately be a passing fad. Sure it'll gain the gamers' attention for a while, but like the developer said in an earlier interview it was merely a joke intended for fighting game fans, and those involved in the gaming industry. Since the asking price is a lowly $9.99 though I still think it's worth a purchase even if it's only for Youtube, or journalistic purposes. Perhaps you may even find the online gameplay as enjoyable as the many gamers who funded the Kickstarter program. Who knows, right?