Boomerang Fu
Boomerang Fu | |
---|---|
Developer(s) | Cranky Watermelon |
Publisher(s) | Cranky Watermelon |
Designer(s) | Paul Kopetko |
Artist(s) | Julian Wilton |
Composer(s) | Paul Kopetko |
Engine | |
Platform(s) | Windows PlayStation 4 PlayStation 5 Xbox One Nintendo Switch |
Release |
|
Genre(s) | Fighting, party |
Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Boomerang Fu is a fighting game developed and published by Cranky Watermelon. The game was released for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One on August 13, 2020. The game released for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 on January 13, 2022. In the game, players control anthropomorphic food-based characters armed with boomerangs and various superpowers. Boomerang Fu received generally favorable reviews.
Gameplay
[edit]In Boomerang Fu, players control food-themed characters armed with boomerangs. Players can either throw the boomerangs or use them as melee weapons.[1] Thrown boomerangs will fall to the floor if it hits an object. Dropped boomerangs can be recalled by the player.[2] Each character can only be hit once unless the player that got hit has the Shield powerup.[1] The game has over 30 different arenas.[3] To earn a point, the player or players have to be the last one standing.[4] It can be played in single-player against AI-controlled opponents.[2] The game also supports local multiplayer, allowing up to six players per match.[5][2] If you get out of the dotted lines for a while, your character dies.
Powerups
[edit]Power-ups can be picked up during matches by touching blue books, and provide permanent upgrades for as long as the match lasts.[2] There is a way to change it so that losing players get the shield powerup. It is also possible to set how fast blue books appear.
Powerup name | What it does |
---|---|
Caffeinated | Move faster than regular speed |
Dash through walls | Allow to move through walls while dashing |
Teleport boomerang | Throw the boomerang and press the dash button to teleport to the first boomerang thrown by you |
Explosive boomerang | Causes your boomerang to explode after you throw it |
Multi boomerang | When you throw a boomerang, it splits into five boomerangs |
Extra boomerang | Get a second boomerang; the second boomerang is in your character's other hand |
Ice boomerang | Makes an ice path wherever it goes. Anyone who steps on it will slow down and freeze after a while; to get unfrozen, spam dash. But be quick; an opponent could just slash or throw a boomerang on you, or push you against a wall! |
Disguise | Stand still to change into a nearby object |
Shield | Get another hit; once you get hit with this powerup, it dissapears. |
Battle royale | Shrinks the dotted line area, which makes less space to play |
Telekinesis | Control your boomerang by holding dash and then using the normal movement controls; but there is a limited radius where this powerup will apply |
Decoy | Make a fake clone of the same character as whoever collected the decoy powerup. The clone CANNOT use boomerangs |
Bamboozled | Inverts your controls for a few seconds |
Game Modes
[edit]There are three modes in Boomerang Fu. Only one is available in the demo.
Game Mode | Description | In Demo |
---|---|---|
Free for All | Regular kind of game; no teams | Yes |
Teams | Work together with other people on your team. Points are shared with your team | No |
Golden Boomerang | Keep the golden boomerang for a few seconds! The golden boomerang makes you slower. | No |
Development and release
[edit]Boomerang Fu was one of 13 ID@Xbox games announced for the Xbox One.[6][7] It was also one of the 30 games featured at Microsoft's booth at the 2019 Game Developers Conference.[8][9] The game's release date was announced on July 9, 2020.[10][3] On August 13, the game was released on Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.[3][11] The game later released on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 on January 13, 2022.[12]
Reception
[edit]Aggregator | Score |
---|---|
Metacritic | 78/100[a][13] |
Publication | Score |
---|---|
Gamezebo | 4/5[1] |
Nintendo Life | 7/10[2] |
Boomerang Fu received "generally favorable" reviews according to review aggregator Metacritic.[13]
Ollie Reynolds from Nintendo Life rated the game 7/10 stars, praising the premise, gameplay, and power-ups. However, Reynolds criticized the lack of online multiplayer and the few game modes.[2]
Maria Alexander from Gamezebo rated the game 4/5 stars, calling the game's presentation "adorable". However, Alexander was disappointed by the lack of online multiplayer.[1]
Awards and nominations
[edit]Boomerang Fu received the award for Best Gameplay at the 2020 Australian Game Developer Awards.[14][15] The game was also nominated for Best Sound and Game of the Year, but lost to Audioplay: Alien Strike and Moving Out, respectively.[16] It also received a nomination for Best Sound for Interactive Media at the 2020 Australian Screen Sound Guild Awards.[17]
Year | Award | Category | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
2020 | Australian Game Developer Awards | Best Gameplay | Won | [18] |
Best Sound | Nominated | [19] | ||
Game of the Year | Nominated | |||
Australian Screen Sound Guild Awards | Best Sound for Interactive Media | Nominated | [17] |
References
[edit]- Notes
- ^ Score based on 5 reviews.
- References
- ^ a b c d Alexander, Maria (10 October 2021). "Switch Review Round-Up - Boomerang-Fu, Exodemon, Nongünz, and more". Gamezebo. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f Reynolds, Ollie (31 August 2020). "Mini Review: Boomerang Fu - Light-Hearted Chaos That's Great With Friends". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
- ^ a b c Romano, Sal (9 July 2020). "'Frantic boomerang brawler' Boomerang Fu for Xbox One, Switch, and PC launches August 13". Gematsu. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- ^ Pocket Gamer staff (22 February 2022). "Top 25 best Switch multiplayer games". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- ^ Musgrave, Shaun (13 August 2020). "SwitchArcade Round-Up: 'Collar X Malice -Unlimited-' Review, 'Faeria' and Today's Other New Releases, Plus the Latest Sales – TouchArcade". TouchArcade. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
- ^ Sheehan, Gavin (11 March 2019). "Xbox Announces 13 New Games Ahead of GDC 2019". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- ^ Leonard, Matt (11 March 2019). "13 new ID@Xbox games announced, along with some ports". GameRevolution. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- ^ Fogel, Stefanie (11 March 2019). "Microsoft to Showcase 30 Games at GDC 2019". Variety. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- ^ Sinha, Ravi (12 March 2019). "CrossCode, Afterparty, and More Confirmed for Xbox One at GDC 2019". GamingBolt. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- ^ "Boomerang Fu - Release Date Trailer - IGN". IGN. 9 July 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- ^ Craddock, Ryan (13 August 2020). "Cute Multiplayer Madness Awaits In Boomerang Fu, Out On Switch Today". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- ^ Whritenour, Jacob (13 January 2022). "Boomerang Fu Available Now for PS4, PS5 - Hardcore Gamer". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- ^ a b "Boomerang Fu for Switch Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
- ^ Handrahan, Matthew (8 October 2020). "League of Geeks named Studio of the Year at Australian Game Developer Awards". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- ^ O'Connor, James (7 October 2020). "Australian Game Developer Awards 2020 Winners Announced--Moving Out Takes Top Prize". GameSpot. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- ^ Walker, Alex (7 October 2020). "Here Are The Winners Of The 2020 Australian Game Developer Awards". Kotaku Australia. Archived from the original on October 19, 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- ^ a b "ASSG AWARDS 2020 – Non-Feature Nominations". ASSG. 21 October 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- ^ "WINNERS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 2020 AUSTRALIAN GAME DEVELOPER AWARDS". GCAP22: Ambition. 7 October 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- ^ "IGEA ANNOUNCES FINALISTS FOR THE AUSTRALIAN GAME DEVELOPER AWARDS". GCAP22: Ambition. 20 September 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2022.