Stickman Basketball 2017 delivers fast-paced take on basketball to the Windows Store. Available for Windows 10 PC and Mobile, the game has single and multiplayer modes, hundreds of basketball teams to choose from and four difficulty levels.
Graphics are colorful with lively animations. Controls are laid out simplistically to let you concentrate on the game at hand, and there are plenty of bonus items to unlock (ball styles, dunk techniques, etc.). Stickman Basketball is currently priced at $1.99 in the Windows Store and all in all, it is a slam dunk of a time waster.
Gameplay with Stickman Basketball 2017 is progressive with only the tutorial available when you first launch the game. Once you complete the tutorial, the primary menu slowly populates with additional gaming options such as quick games, party mode and seasons. You also have options to view rewards, achievements and accessing the game's settings.
Stickman Basketball has 115 different teams to choose from in playing games that span three fictitious leagues. The quick game and season modes are single player games. The party mode is a multiplayer game that supports up to four players who compete for the best game score. Each player competes against the computer in a quick match, and the one with the best overall game score wins. It's not the best multiplayer mode around but a decent way for you and your friends to burn a little down time.
Single player games include the quick game and season modes. The quick game is just as you would expect and the season mode offers a few options with regards to the length of the season. You can compete in a 9, 15 and 29 round season or a best-of-three styled season where you compete against 16 teams.
Gameplay is consistent throughout the game modes with an on-screen joystick to control the player's movement and aim and two control buttons to handle switching players, passing, jumping and shooting. There are game options that include difficulty levels (easy, normal, hard and pro), the period length (4, 6, 8 and 16 minutes) and running modes (manual and automatic). You also have a few uniform options for the players.
Basketball games follow the traditional rules as far as inbounding the ball, three-point shots and going out of bounds. There is no backcourt violations or other fouls, though. Gameplay does have a 24-second shot clock, but the pace of play is fast enough that rarely becomes a factor.
The joystick controls the player's movement and passing aim. A small arrow will appear beside the player to help you adjust your passes. On defense, the Switch Button toggles between your roster on the court to help with your defense. If a player gets near an opponent, who has the basketball, just tap the jump/block button to try to steal the ball.
Unlockable content is available that includes different basketball styles and slam dunk methods. Slam dunks are played out in slow motion for added emphasis, and it's kinda neat to see how aerobatic these little stickmen can get.
The game clock does zip along at a fast pace with a full game lasting only a few minutes. This makes Stickman Basketball 2017 ideal for short periods of time, or you can increase the quarter length for those occasions you want to spend more time with the game.
Players will become fatigued and slouch as they run down the court. This impacts their ball handling and shooting abilities. I would avoid passing the ball to these players until they catch their second wind and show a little more pep in their step.
All in all, Stickman Basketball 2017 is a fun sports game for Windows 10. Game controls are not overly difficult, and the graphics look good. Animations are lively, and the only gripe I have with the game's appearance is the wish for more distinction between the basketball court and sidelines. It would help reduce the number of times you accidentally dribble off the court.
Gameplay has a nice pace, easy controls and while the multiplayer mode isn't terribly appealing, the single player games provide a solid challenge. Stickman Basketball 2017 is available for Windows 10 PC and Mobile and currently priced at $1.99.
Download Stickman Basketball 2017 from the Windows Store
