Paddles

Paddles (2022) is an action party game where you move your paddle to deflect balls, like Pong or Arkanoid but here you play against three other people. It's a battle to score points and keep your balls in play as you take on different levels, modes, and types of balls. It's a familiar concept that's quick to grasp but difficult to master as other players direct the curving balls in your direction.

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In each level, you aim to defend yourself from incoming balls and survive longer than the other players. You do this by moving your paddle, a small horizontal bat, to deflecting the balls. What makes it tricky and tactical are the many different types of balls in play, often simultaneously. Some curve in strange paths and others that move far quicker (or slower). By moving your paddle to the perfect position, you can skillfully angle the outgoing balls to make them move towards the other players, making it more difficult for them.

You all play on the same shared screen but the different level layouts change the way you play by adding obstacles and angled walls the balls deflect off. The two modes, versus and party, offer different objectives, with versus acting more like traditional Pong, with two players, and party mode providing the hectic four-player experience.

The result is a game that is simple enough to control for anyone in the family to participate, but with enough nuance in angling the balls to reward skill and strategy. It's a fun game to play with family or friends in short rounds, providing a lighthearted competitive experience.

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Our examiner, Ben Kendall, first checked Paddles 19 months ago. It was re-examined by Ellen Robertson and updated 2 weeks ago.