Since Awesomenauts first came out a few months ago, it's been impossible to get me to shut up about it. Don't be put off by the childish vibe - the kids TV look is purely tongue in cheek. Beneath the brightly coloured exterior is a fantastic team game that's deliciously hardcore.
Awesomenauts is utterly incredible, but the tutorial within the game isn't very strong - if you're struggling to work out what it's all about, check out my beginner's guide.
It hasn't been blessed with astronomical sales, but it's been addictive and satisfying enough to retain a constant flow of Xbox Live players. I've probably chalked up 50 hours playing it, and haven't started to get bored. Online stability and leaderboard glitches have both stopped the experience from being perfect in the past, but this week's patch seems to have fixed both issues in addition to adding two new characters for free.
Two new characters! For free! We can't think of many developers that are willing to give away stuff this chunky, and it helps that both characters are totally ace. Coco rides a hoverboard around to harass enemy players across the map, while Derpl Zork is an idiot alien in a robo-suit that fires holographic cats. Both add something new to the game, and mix up the strategies you'll have to use.
Tweaks and balancing across the board should encourage more varied playing styles, ensuring that people like me are still playing for months. If you've got 800MP spare on your Xbox Live account, I'd recommend that you buy Awesomenauts immediately. Use the beginner's guide above to get past the initial learning curve, and you're looking at one of 2012's finest online games.
4 comments so far...
kronk10 on 25 Jul '12 said:
Will it help if i download it tonight to shut you up
Rewave Acid on 25 Jul '12 said:
the main reason i haven't bought it (aside from the infuriating way your bullets stop after a few feet) is that it is of the same ilk as LoL and HoN and I have tried those games and man, i have never been so bored and frustrated in my life. I thought i liked every genre but to me this new 'MOBA' thing just seems derivative and designed to piss me off ^_^ however it is obvious to see this game is a labour of love so for the developer's sake I hope this coverage you're giving it helps the game in some way
kronk10 on 26 Jul '12 said:
Downloaded this last night and did not stop playing it for 4 about hours! Very very fun and addictive but a huge learning curve and very difficult multiplayer does make it slightly annoying! I have played some of the characters but love lonestar even if i die alot while using him he is very fun to play! Just gotta practise and hopefully win more than 2 games
my stats are woeful 2 wins and 20+ losses 
kronk10 on 27 Jul '12 said:
Played this again last night and got my ass handed to me on a plate but i am getting better BUT this game suffers with the same thing that puts me off most multiplayer games and thats the people you play against! I had about 3 vile and foul messages last night 1 from a guy who said among other things that i cannot play i took the bait and reply back telling him to grow up its just a game and that my skill on the game is not very good as i got the game 1 day ago! Now i know that i am not very good but i should not have to put up with this crap. I am fed up with multiplayer gaming and its not even action type games that suffer from this hatred i remember nearly every time i won a game on magic the gathering 2012 i would get a foul message telling me i cheated etc etc etc. It puts me off this game so much that everytime i game ends i wonder what type of abusive message am i going to get! rant over sorry