MisBits has recently been released on Steam, and MeinMMO author Benedict Grothaus has already played it. His assessment: It’s a lot of fun. However, it would be even better with a few more players.
What is MisBits? It is hard to describe what MisBits really is. Roughly, one could compare it to a collection of games or a fair, as it offers various ways to play.
MisBits doesn’t have one mode that is played repeatedly, but many modes that are all very different. It is not “a shooter” or “a racing game,” but offers a bit of everything. For example, there are
- Deathmatches like in Unreal Tournament or DOOM
- Race/Sport modes in the style of Rocket League
- Huge worlds full of mini-games, almost like Mario Party
All of this is combined with colorful, timeless comic graphics and crazy content like giant pickles that you use to decapitate others and steal their bodies or exploding chickens. Sounds crazy? It is!
I have been able to play MisBits both at PAX East in Boston and at home. The game was released on March 5 for PC on Steam in Early Access. I found it very entertaining both times, but I would wish for a few more players.
Many features and something for everyone
What makes MisBits good? What surprised me most while playing is the variety of options that MisBits offers. No matter what I feel like, I will find something to pass the time in one of the modes.
Feeling like a hearty brawl? Jump into the deathmatch. A round of soccer with exploding chickens, witch doctors, and dinosaurs? Let’s go to Kick-Brawl. Or do I want to look at creative modes with custom rules from developers or other players? Then I will find it in the arcade.
At PAX, I played several rounds of deathmatch against other attendees. Competing with ten players in a small arena with different bodies (each with various abilities) and insane weapons like pickles, paintbrushes, and bullets for victory is a lot of fun.
However, I also checked out the other modes. Kick-Brawl follows the same principle as Rocket League, but here as well different bodies await me – partly “super” toys like a T-Rex that are particularly powerful. Personally, I didn’t like this mode that much.
At home, I looked at the various arcade modes that the developers have already implemented. There are some tricky jumping puzzles and obstacle courses that are enjoyable even alone, but there are also interesting duel possibilities with specific rules (such as only certain abilities). Mazes and snowball fights are also included, but I haven’t had the time to check out all the modes yet.
How does it play? With the wide range of different variants, I always find something I enjoy. For me, MisBits is currently the epitome of casual gaming, in a positive sense.
A round lasts about ten minutes. This way, I can also squeeze in a few games in the evening before I have to cook or when I’m waiting again for players for the new Battle Royale from CoD.
The access is always easy. The rules are never complicated, and it usually explains itself what to do – especially in deathmatch and kick-brawl that is clear. MisBits provides a really pleasant “hop on, hop off” feeling.
Anyone who generally has little time but loves gaming should definitely give MisBits a chance. There’s a lot of variety bundled in one place, and even with limited time, one can quickly get started.
The best mode: The Playhouse
What is the Playhouse? However, I find the absolutely best mode so far is the Playhouse. It’s a kind of giant playroom where the toys (us) can move through a toy landscape just like in Toy Story.
The Playhouse offers several rooms that seem gigantic because we are so small. Everyday items like building blocks, rulers, or crayons lie around, which are set up as various obstacles or constructs.
Often behind these constructs hides a part of a minigame. Scattered throughout the toy box, I discover mini-games – here’s a time trial race, there a target shooting, elsewhere a chicken challenge.
For each mini-game, there is also a leaderboard for the current session. I can particularly imagine that a lot of fun comes from this when playing with friends, as multiple people try to outdo each other in every game.
What is particularly fun: However, the mini-games themselves are not the highlight for me personally. There is just an incredible amount to discover in the Playhouse. It’s a huge playroom – and of course, messy. This greatly appeals to my exploratory instinct.
And indeed, there are many hidden secrets to find. I discovered this when I decided to check under the bed out of curiosity. Surely, no one would hide anything there… or would they?
Turns out there is a golden altar in there, before which a bunch of frogs kneel and worship a golden chicken. A little gimmick that made me chuckle.
Motivated by this, I continued exploring and during my half-hour session in the Playhouse, I discovered an extremely detailed sports shoe, several interesting books, and a volcano that catapults me around the area. Quite entertaining!
More to come!
The modes that are currently in the game are not final. More game modes will come, including a creative mode where players can create their own games and rules.
Players will then have almost all developer tools available to unleash their creativity. I am already looking forward to seeing the first players create their own puzzle maps or huge houses for me to explore.
There are already games in the Steam Workshop, though these are from the developers themselves. Since Early Access, new arcade games have been steadily added, and more will come in the future.
MisBits is great, but too empty
How is MisBits received? I personally find the game great, especially for the reasons mentioned above. Other players see it similarly. The reviews of MisBits on Steam are “Positive” with 87%.
- 2rad4rio says: “MisBits is a third-person… uh… game where you do things. It’s hard to give it a genre because it’s quite original.”
- Sandlerkoenig Eberhard says: “Fast, humorous, and full of action. If you enjoy throwing bombs, swinging giant pickles, or eating your friends with a T-Rex while everything feels fair, I can only recommend choosing this game!”
Some players also indicate that it’s more fun with friends. However, the developers are continuously working on new content, which is very well received.
What is still missing from the game? However, there is also some criticism. The biggest problem at the moment is that the players are lacking. The rounds are really fun, but finding a game for specific modes (especially deathmatch) can sometimes be tough.
The more people would check out MisBits, the more fun they would have, as it does thrive on multiplayer matches. While individual modes can be fun alone, it’s definitely better with others. Once more people start playing MisBits, it will be a real hit!
You can find MisBits on Steam, available for $12.49 in Early Access.
Disclaimer: MisBits is published by 3BlackDot and Pow Wow Entertainment in collaboration with Webedia. MeinMMO is part of the international Webedia media group.
