Gang Beasts

Gang Beasts, an ostensibly multiplayer brawler, celebrates the absurdity of physics-led pratfalls more than technical combat. This game from Boneloaf is an ode to slapstick humor, a quality it shares with Coffee Stain Studios' Goat Simulator. While the game has its fair share of frustrating moments and questionable mechanics, its flaws often contribute to its charm. 

Gang Beasts offers a unique gaming experience where wobbly fighters duel in compact arenas. The creators might draw comparisons with classics like Streets of Rage or Double Dragon, but Gang Beasts is a different beast altogether. Its purposefully clumsy, tottering characters make the fights feel like comic altercations rather than precision-based brawls. The controls, although not one-button simple, are intuitive, with a surprisingly broad moveset. 

There's a certain thrill to mastering the game's physics. Regular kicks are difficult to land, but when combined with a jump at the right time, they can send opponents flying. Players can throw jabs, grab onto people or objects, and even climb walls. However, most games descend into a frenzy of button mashing, with the occasional lucky hit taking someone out. The chaotic nature of the game, while frustrating, often results in hilarious outcomes.

The stages in Gang Beasts are as much a part of the game as the fighters. Some levels have giant chutes that open and close beneath you, while others feature collapsing floors or thin ice. Customizable outfits add to the humor, enhancing the fun of watching a pumpkin-headed man throwing a bear into a grinder, or a penguin getting hit by a road sign on a runaway truck.

Unfortunately, Gang Beasts fall short when it comes to online play. Matchmaking can be slow, and the game's inherent clumsiness, which is a source of fun in local multiplayer, often translates into frustration during online play. In addition, the game modes like the challenging Waves mode and the chaotic football mode, while initially entertaining, reveal the game's fundamental flaws and can lose their charm quickly.

In conclusion, Gang Beasts is a game best enjoyed in the company of friends, where its clumsy controls and physics-led pratfalls can incite laughter and provoke friendly rivalries. Despite its flaws, it remains a great game for a quick, fun session of local multiplayer gaming.