KICK BUDS playtest first impression: A fun idea that struggles where it matters

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The creators of eFootball, KONAMI, recently surprised everyone with the launch of KICK BUDS playtest live. This new game is a fast-paced, party-style take on football. As someone who tried it out from the US, I found the experience to be somewhat uneven. The biggest issues started with the playtest itself, which wasn’t very smooth.

Even though the current playtest is available in several regions, the overall experience isn’t very impressive. Finding a match takes a long time, and even when a game is found, the connection isn’t always stable. We frequently encountered issues where the game would almost start, show the ready screen, and then disconnect.

We’re experiencing frequent connection problems, and it often feels like there aren’t enough people playing to find matches. While we know this is a test version, stable connections and reliable servers are essential for a game of this size, and they need improvement.

Two modes, but only one is actually playable correctly

The game offers two ways to play: Party Royale and Soccer Royale. Currently, Party Royale is the primary mode, played over three rounds. The goal is straightforward: score goals to advance.

In the initial round, most players – 6 out of 8 – advance, typically by reaching a target score. Later rounds introduce varied challenges, but the core gameplay always stays true to football.

Soccer Royale is designed for teams of three, and since the solo and duo modes weren’t available in this test, I tried it out. However, I couldn’t actually find a single game to play. Because of that, it didn’t really feel like I could test it at all.

The idea of mixing soccer with the unpredictable fun of a party game sounds really good, and sometimes, it actually is! With balls appearing all over the place, players rushing around, and the challenge of stealing goals, it has moments of genuine excitement.

However, the game doesn’t quite deliver on its promises. While the focus on football is interesting, the gameplay itself feels surprisingly flat. After the initial flurry of activity, it lacks lasting depth and excitement. The kicking system, on its own, isn’t compelling enough to sustain interest, and currently feels too simple to keep players engaged for very long.

Controls and movement feel off with the visuals not poppy enough

One of the most significant problems is the control scheme. It feels fairly basic, and could even be considered clunky. Moving your player feels awkward, actions don’t always register properly, and it’s hard to get a sense of impact when you hit the ball or bump into others.

Look, I get it – this game is meant to be wild and crazy, but there’s a line. Right now, it feels less like fun chaos and more like it just wasn’t finished. It’s really frustrating because the controls feel so clunky and unresponsive, and it totally ruins what should be the most exciting parts of playing.

I also have some issues with how the game looks. While the character designs fit the style, the overall presentation isn’t very appealing. The colors could be brighter, and the environments feel a little bland. Plus, the camera angle sometimes feels too close and low, which is a bit strange.

Final Thoughts

KICK BUDS has a promising concept: blend the excitement of soccer with the fun and unpredictability of a party game, offering a new take on a familiar style. And it actually delivers on that promise. However, many other aspects of the game still need significant improvement.

Honestly, as someone who’s been playing, the core stuff just doesn’t quite click yet. The controls, how my character moves, finding matches, and just the overall experience… it all feels a bit disjointed. It’s like the game is still trying to figure out how to blend the simple act of playing the sport with all the fun, crazy stuff happening around you, and that really shows when you’re actually playing.

It’s understandable why they haven’t released their own party royale game. The market is already crowded with popular options like Fall Guys, Sonic Rumble, Stumble Guys, and Eggy Party, and launching another one that doesn’t measure up wouldn’t make sense.

Look, I really want to love this game, and it has so much potential! But right now, it needs a few key improvements. The core gameplay needs to feel really solid and satisfying, and the matchmaking needs to be more reliable. Honestly, it just needs to be more fun to play. Because at the end of the day, a cool idea isn’t enough – the actual gameplay has to be enjoyable, or people won’t stick with it. I’m hopeful the developers will address these things, because I think they can really turn this into something special.

KICK BUDS shows promise, but it needs more refinement and a clearer vision to truly shine and remain enjoyable for players.

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2026-03-20 05:12