Stylized artstyle that's treat to see, well composed mix of 2D and 3D graphics, varied levels which comes with just the right size and bunch of lighthearted witty dialogues that adds to the fun factor. It's almost perfect recipe for a little hidden gem... Except you are forced to play unholy amount of dodgeballing.

But but why are you mad mister commie sir, you decided to buy and play a game with name of Dodgeball Academia, did you really not expect to Dodgeball all the time? Ah of course I did, little Jimmy. But hear me out. Dodgeball in this game is really basic and lacks variety, and no one likes to do the same thing in repeat for 10 hours just to read some okayish jokes!

And this is where accessibility options comes in, you can set your damage to 400% and your defense to infinite and just cheat matches if you're sick of catching and throwing balls. I treated it as an another walking-talking RPG and I still found it fun. I am recommending this game because it screams quality and effort but all things considered, this concept would've worked way better as an animated feature rather than the game format.

"Why, I feel all thin, sort of stretched, if you know what I mean: like butter that has been scraped over too much bread."
— Bilbo Baggins

Dodgeball Academia has a lot going for it, but ultimately, it doesn't offer enough to recommend.

On the positive side, the game clearly shows care and attention to detail. The graphics are a standout, with a 3D world and 2D characters that create a vibrant, eye-catching aesthetic. The story, while not particularly deep, is light-hearted and enjoyable for players of all ages.

The gameplay starts off strong, with fast-paced and entertaining mechanics, but the excitement wanes after 5-10 hours. With a total playtime of around 20 hours, it simply lacks the depth and variety needed to keep it engaging for the long haul. Early on, I had a feeling this might be an issue, especially after noticing that only 15% of players ever finish the final chapter.

The game's core mechanics either needed a significant overhaul to maintain interest or the overall length should have been trimmed down to about 10 hours to prevent fatigue.

In the end, despite the clear passion put into the game, I can't recommend it. The fun just doesn't last long enough to justify the full experience.