Xbox's Newest Party Game Gives Fall Guys a Run for Its Money – and It's Free

We tried out a lot of games during Gamescom 2023, Europe's largest gaming convention, but one party game stood out amongst the pack.

A Fun Game to Play with Friends and Family

While gaming can be thought of as a solitary hobby, there are plenty of amazing games that are best played with friends and family.

Party Animals offers fun with friends or family.

Wacky Co-Op Party Games

Party Animals allows for eight-person co-op play, where you team up and take on others in wacky party games.

We had the chance to play two of these. One included four teams of two while the other featured two teams of four.

Floppy Animals and Unpredictable Games

The hook with Party Animals is the titular animals. If you've ever played Fall Guys you'll get the general vibe here.

All of the animals play the same, but they are exceedingly floppy. Floppier even than Fall Guys, making them hard to control.

But there was nuance to this. You can punch, grab items, climb walls, and run. Using a combination of these can do more maneuvers like a flying headbutt.

You'll need all of these tools if you want to get ahead of the competition, as many of the games are fairly unpredictable.

A Free-for-All Battle

The first game we played took place on a large platform with weapons that were periodically thrown onto it.

Poison gas surrounds the platform, and getting knocked off can be devastating if you don't drag yourself out right away.

It's a free-for-all, and the last man (donkey?) standing is announced the winner for their team.

Unpredictable Football Fun

The second game we tried was four-a-side football with a giant inflatable ball and huge goals.

With our two teams on separate sides of the room, it was fun to discuss our strategy, with some playing defense and others going on the offense.

Still, the ball was very unpredictable, but that is all part of the fun.

A Contender for the Title of Most Popular Party Game

While Party Animals might not take over as the most popular party game, it is definitely a contender to add to the rotation.

When you consider that Party Animals will be free on Game Pass, it could get the success that it needs.

Party Animals will be released as an Xbox exclusive when it comes to console and Game Pass on September 20.