Outlaw volleyball is a good game. It's quick to pick up with simple controls, meaning players can compete relatively evenly regardless of experience - although improved timing and positioning will inevitably pay off.The game is based on beach volleyball (although in this game, the volleyball is not necessarily played on a beach; more on this in a minute), and features 2 teams - each of 2 players, trying to get the ball to hit the ground on their opponent's side of the net.
The 'Outlaw' part of the title means the game has some wayward characters, and many of their little comments and celebrations are quite amusing. The commentary is also rather funny, although it does get tiresome after a while - at which point you can simply turn it off and play some music instead. The 'Outlaw' tag also means it can place matches in some rather unexpected locations, such as in a prison or a toxic wasteland as well as the beach. Most of the locations are packed full of humourous or ironic touches, as are many of the features in this amusing title. Finally, it allows a player the option of starting a fight (surely a first for a volleyball game), similar to the old NHL '95 game on the Megadrive. If you have a beating token, you can use this to duck under the net, and pick on an opponent, with a simple punch/kick mechanism. Win the fight, and you steal some 'momentum' (confidence) from your opponent. This is very satisfying in the multiplayer environment.
A good variety of game modes are provided:
1. Normal - normal volleyball rules.
2. Hot Potato - if the point isn't won in a set time, the ball explodes, and if it's on your side of the net you lose.
3. Casino Rules - the longer the rally, the more money in the pot, most money (not points win)
4. Bombs - On a winning shot, where the ball hit the sand a bomb appears, which will explode a few seconds into the next rally, disadvantaging the losing team a bit further.
These can all be played in Rally mode (where you win a point when you win a shot) or Side Out (you only get a point if you win a shot you served, else you just gain the serve. Also, games can be to 7, 15 or 21 points, and can be decided by 2 point clear as well.
Despite all these variations, the single player game gets quite monotonous with a lot to unlock. It doesn't really matter which variation of the game you play, the core gameplay is the same, and the shot variation feels quite limited after a while. However, playing with more than one player (you can play in any combination in exhibition mode, so 1-on-1, 2-on-1, 2-on-2, 2 on the same side against the computer) and the game feels more varied and comes to life a lot more.
There are many amusing mini-games, which come in the form of drills - and when completed improve a character's stats. These are generally excellent fun, although after the first few, these have to be unlocked (there's over 20 in total), and this does take a while.
Undoubtedly the best volleyball game about and one of the best multiplayer sport titles in my opinion too - similar to Virtua Tennis in terms of multiplayer fun. The game is not impressive enough in it's own right to recommend buying a console for, but if you own an XBox, have a few controllers and a few friends, get this title.
