Knockout City is available to download RIGHT NOW!
Table of Contents
Check out everything you need to know about EA's newest 'dodgebrawl' game, including gameplay features, trailer and how you can get a 10-day free trial!
Latest - Knockout City OUT NOW
Knockout City is now finally available to download!
The hotly anticipated game is available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Series X|S, PC and Nintendo Switch.
Plus, the game is also on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and EA Play AND is free to play for 10 days from launch!
Knockout City Controls Guide
| Action | PS4/PS5 | Xbox One/Series X|S | Switch | PC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Move | Move L stick | Move L stick | Move L stick | W/A/S/D |
| Move camera | Move R stick | Move R stick | Move R stick | Move mouse |
| Sprint | Hold L3 | Hold L stick | Hold L stick | Shift (toggle) |
| Jump | X | A | B | Space |
| Glider | X (in mid-air) | A (in mid-air) | B (in mid-air) | Space (in mid-air) |
| Flip | △ | Y | X | Q |
| Throw | R2 | RT | ZR | L click |
| Charged Throw | Hold R2 | Hold RT | Hold ZR | Hold L click |
| Fake Throw | R2, R3 | RT, R | ZR, R | L click, F |
| Curve Throw | R2, O | RT, B | ZR, A | L click, E |
| Lob Throw | R2, △ | RT, Y | ZR, X | L click, Q |
| Catch/Deflect | L2 | LT | ZL | R click |
| Dodge/Tackle | ▢ | X | Y | Ctrl |
| Spin | O | B | A | E |
| Pass | L1 | LB | L | Click scroll wheel |
| Ball Up | R1 | RB | R | Alt (hold) |
| Emote | D-pad Up | D-pad Up | D-pad Up | 1 |
| Menu | Options | Menu | + | Esc |
Of course, timing is everything in Knockout City.
The biggest thing to master is catching the ball, so make sure you practice this in the Hideout.
Ensuring you are far away from your opponent gives you more time to catch the ball, and it's important not to panic when the target border appears.
If you can't see your opponent, it then makes sense to go for a combination of dodges, jumps, flips and using your glider.
When attacking with the ball, utilising the fake throw can help you suss out the movements of your opponent, but the most powerful throw of them all is the curved throw, which is very difficult to defend.
Remember to charge up your throw to ensure you hit the target, plus, charging up a balled up teammates presents the opportunity of taking out multiple opponents in one fell swoop.
Knockout City Release Date & Time
An official release date and time for Knockout City has been revealed.
Knockout City arrives on Friday, 21 May 2021 at approximately 1pm BST / 8am ET / 2pm CET.
For more information on the upcoming KO City schedule, head to the Knockout City website.
10-day free trial available
The studio has just announced an in-game Block Party, granting a 10-day free trial to all.
From Friday, 21st May at 1pm BST / 8am EST until Sunday, 30th May at 1pm BST / 8am EST, Knockout City will be freely available to all players on all platforms.
It has not yet been made clear if you'll need a PS Plus subscription to join the fun.
During this Block Party period, not only will you be able to sample the game for free, but there's a whole bunch of stuff happening in and out of the arena.
Livestreams, exclusive gear, community tournaments, and more are scheduled for the game's launch period.
If you enjoy what you play during this free trial, you can go on to purchase the game and your progress will carry over.
Platforms
The game will be released on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch.
You can also play the game as an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriber, or an EA Play subscriber (PC only).
Trailer
The reveal trailer for Knockout City arrived on 17 February 2021.
Price
On all platforms, Knockout City Standard Edition will cost $19.99 / £19.99.
There will also be a Knockout City Deluxe Edition, which will cost $29.98/£29.98
Beta
Knockout City has been celebrated for the amount of testing that has been made available to the public throughout its development.
The next phase of development includes the Cross-Play Beta weekend on 2-4 April 2021.
This will be available on all platforms with the option of testing out a new playlist, or faces off in 1v1.
To sign up for the Beta, head here.
Free to Play
Not only that but for its initial day of launch, 21 May - Knockout City will be free to play!
This gives you a great chance to test out the full game before making a purchase.
It will include:
- New Map - BackAlley Brawl
- New Ball - Sniper Ball
- New Styles - Epic Customisations
- New Playlist - 1v1 Face-off
We also wouldn't be surprised if Knockout City follows the likes of Fall Guys, Worms Rumble and Destruction AllStars in being included in June's PS Plus free games, given as it featured so prominently during February's State of Play.
Gameplay Features
Rule the city through lightning-fast multiplayer matches featuring mind-blowing dodgeball mechanics.
Increase the strength of your attack by passing to power up dodgeballs, targeting your opponents with a variety of specialized balls, or “Balling Up” at any time to get thrown (yes, like a ball) by teammates.
Assemble an All-Star dodgeball Crew with your friends for multiplayer matches in a seamless cross-play experience.
Together, knock out opponents in 3v3, 4v4, or free-for-all matches, and dominate as a team to unlock distinctive, Crew-only rewards.
Customisation is everything in Knockout City - create your brawler, from clothing to body type, and add unique KO Effects, Gliders, Taunts, and Victory and Defeat Poses.
Plus, unlock Crew rewards like vehicles and logos.
Battle it out with other Crews across dynamic maps all over the city.
Dodgeball thrives between skyscraper rooftops, across busy streets—and even at the local construction site.
While you’re dodging dodgeballs, watch out for moving cars, rooftop drops, and even a wrecking ball or two.
It’s easy to pick up and play thanks to familiar controls, but practice is key to becoming a champion.
On a level playing field, only the most skilled ballers stand out from the crowd. Use your knowledge to master the intricacies of the game for spectacular KOs.
Get the job done with a variety of Special Balls, from the zero-gravity Moon Ball to the ticking Bomb Ball and the trapped Cage Ball.
And remember, if there's no ball nearby - just Ball Up and get a teammate to throw you!
Knockout City achievement list revealed
The full Trophy list for Knockout City has emerged on PSNProfiles ahead of its launch this week.
There are 50 achievements worth a total of 1,000 Gamerscore, 16 of which are secret.
The single gold Trophy requires you to earn 250,000 XP, and there's no telling how long that'll take.
You'll need to play 30 matches with a friend for one Trophy, and win 10 of those for another.
Competing in 100 matches total will net you another bronze, and winning 30 of those will bag you one more.
The list also asks you to score 1,000 knockouts, catch 1,000 balls, and make 1,000 assists.
You'll also need to win while wearing cosmetics of certain rarities, complete daily challenges, and partake in the game's Crew system.
Finally, there are a bunch of Trophies for getting a KO in certain locations, or specific ways.
For the full achievement list, click here.
Knockout City origins
It's a pretty radical idea, giving dodgeball a new lease of life but the beauty of powerups and crazy locations, so how did Velan actually come up with Knockout City?
Fortunately, the above video reveals all.
Switch game of the year?
Monster Hunter Rise has perhaps been the most significant release on Nintendo Switch so far in 2021 but that could be rivalled by Knockout City.
With full cross-platform support and an arcade feel, it feels like the title was designed with the Switch in mind.
Check out the full details on Switch here.
The story behind Knockout City
On the official EA website, we can get more of an idea of the work that went into creating Knockout City.
Four years of development went into the title, with the location of Knockout City allowing the Velan Studios team to "experiment with all-of the-wall mechanics we can imagine".