Hockey Beasts is a casual sports game that puts players in control of cartoon animals competing in fast-paced hockey matches on Xbox One and Xbox Series consoles. The core experience revolves around choosing an animal team and competing to score goals while navigating the unique traits each squad brings to the rink.
Gameplay
Matches emphasize simple controls that new players can grasp immediately while rewarding precise timing and positioning for consistent success. Each animal team features distinct movement and physical attributes that influence how matches unfold. Bulls and elephants lean on power and reach for strong checks and puck control, while monkeys and giraffes prioritize speed and agility to outmaneuver opponents. Crocodiles, deers, pigs, and goats round out the roster with their own balanced or specialized approaches that reward different playstyles.
Short match lengths keep sessions engaging whether playing alone or with others. Rebounds often produce unpredictable bounces, and collisions between players create chaotic moments that can lead to either brilliant scoring opportunities or accidental own goals. The emphasis stays on reading opponents and capitalizing on positioning rather than complex button combinations.
Game Modes
Local play supports up to four participants on the same screen for quick couch sessions. Online competition expands to six players total, allowing larger groups to join matches across the internet. Tournament structure provides an additional layer where players compete across multiple matches to claim overall victory. Standard matches focus on scoring the most goals within the time limit or reaching a set goal threshold first.
Teams and Playstyles
Selecting a team goes beyond appearance because each animal brings measurable differences in speed, strength, and reach. Players can try every squad through dedicated achievements that track participation with crocodiles, bulls, deers, giraffes, monkeys, pigs, goats, and elephants. This variety encourages experimentation to find a preferred style that matches personal strengths in reading the ice and anticipating collisions.
Expressive cartoon animations highlight the animals during play, with colorful arenas providing clear visual distinction between matches. The physics-driven interactions produce messy puck movement and frequent awkward player contact that defines the lighthearted tone.
Is It Worth Playing?
Hockey Beasts suits players seeking accessible multiplayer sports action without steep learning curves or long commitments. The combination of local and online support makes it suitable for both solo practice and group gatherings. Short matches allow for flexible play sessions that fit casual schedules. Different team attributes add replay value as players test strategies across the roster. Those who enjoy physics-heavy competition and cartoon-style presentation will find consistent entertainment in the core loop of positioning, timing shots, and adapting to chaotic rebounds. The game remains a straightforward choice for anyone looking for light competitive hockey with animal teams on Xbox platforms.