Fight of Animals: Arena

Fight of Animals: Arena is a whimsical, comedy-driven platform fighter where viral animal memes battle it out in a 2D scrolling arena. Developed by Digital Crafter, the game features a simplified control scheme with light, heavy, and special attacks, making it accessible for casual players while still offering depth for fighting game enthusiasts. Players can choose from a roster of absurd characters like Power Hook Dog, Muscle Beluga, and Kung Fu Dachshund, each inspired by internet-famous animal photos. The game supports up to four players locally or online with rollback netcode, blending chaotic multiplayer fun with lighthearted, meme-worthy humor in a fantasy setting.

Fight of Animals: Arena – A Meme-Fueled Brawler That Defies Expectations

Introduction: The Unlikely Rise of a Meme Fighter

In the crowded landscape of fighting games, where hyper-competitive titles like Street Fighter and Tekken dominate, Fight of Animals: Arena (2020) emerges as a delightful anomaly—a chaotic, meme-infused brawler that prioritizes fun over complexity. Developed by Digital Crafter, the studio behind the controversial Fight of Gods, this spin-off expands upon its predecessor’s absurd premise: what if viral animal memes battled in a fighting game?

At first glance, Fight of Animals: Arena appears to be a joke—a novelty title capitalizing on internet humor. Yet, beneath its ridiculous surface lies a surprisingly polished, accessible, and genuinely enjoyable multiplayer experience. This review dissects the game’s development, mechanics, cultural impact, and legacy, arguing that it stands as a rare example of a meme game that transcends its gimmick to deliver lasting entertainment.

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Development History & Context: From Viral Jokes to a Full-Fledged Fighter

The Birth of a Meme Fighter

Fight of Animals: Arena is the sequel to Fight of Animals: Legend of the Strongest Creature (2019), a 1v1 fighting game that gained notoriety for its absurd roster of animals based on viral photoshopped images. Characters like “Power Hook Dog” (a dog with a boxing glove for a head) and “Muscle Beluga” (a buff, anthropomorphic beluga whale) became instant memes, drawing attention from both fighting game enthusiasts and casual gamers.

Digital Crafter, a Taiwanese studio, recognized the potential of their concept and expanded it into a full-fledged platform fighter with Arena. The shift from a traditional 1v1 fighter to a 4-player brawler was a bold move, positioning the game closer to Super Smash Bros. than Street Fighter.

Technological & Design Constraints

Built in Unity, Fight of Animals: Arena leverages a simplified control scheme—just four buttons (Light Attack, Heavy Attack, Special, and Burst/Super)—making it instantly accessible while still allowing for deep combos. The developers also implemented rollback netcode, a rarity in indie fighters at the time, ensuring smooth online play.

The game’s art evolution is notable: early renders were crude, but the final product features refined, cartoonish illustrations that enhance its comedic tone. The stages, too, are packed with interactive elements (falling icicles, hidden bushes, slippery ice), adding layers of chaos.

The Fighting Game Landscape in 2020

At the time of its release, the fighting game community (FGC) was dominated by:
– High-skill-ceiling titles (Guilty Gear Strive, Granblue Fantasy Versus)
– Platform fighters (Brawlhalla, Rivals of Aether)
– Niche experimental games (Fantasy Strike, which also simplified controls*)

Fight of Animals: Arena carved its own space by embracing absurdity while maintaining legitimate fighting game mechanics. It wasn’t just a joke—it was a competent, fun alternative for players tired of ultra-serious fighters.

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Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive: No Plot? No Problem!

The “Story” (Or Lack Thereof)

Fight of Animals: Arena has no traditional narrative. There are no cutscenes, no lore, no character arcs—just animals fighting for dominance in a meme battlefield. The Steam description sums it up:

“Animal memes have joined together to fight for the top spot. What more do you need?”

This anti-narrative approach is deliberate. The game rejects storytelling conventions, instead relying on:
– Pure spectacle (a fox with a sword, a crow with gorilla arms)
– Internet humor (characters like “Egg Dog” and “Fluffy Sheep”)
– Player-driven chaos (throwing items, environmental traps)

Themes: Absurdity, Accessibility, and Internet Culture

1. The Power of Memes

   • The game is a celebration of internet culture, turning viral jokes into playable fighters.
   • Characters like “Crowrilla” (a crow with gorilla arms) and “Kung Fu Dachshund” (a wiener dog in a martial arts stance) are embodiments of surreal humor.

2. Democratizing Fighting Games

   • By stripping away complex inputs, Fight of Animals: Arena lowers the barrier to entry while keeping depth for hardcore players.
   • The “Combo Breaker” mechanic (pressing Super while being hit) ensures even newcomers can escape overwhelming pressure.

3. No Animals Were Harmed (But Plenty Were Pummeled)

   • The game includes a disclaimer emphasizing that no real animals were harmed—reinforcing its self-aware, tongue-in-cheek tone.

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Gameplay Mechanics & Systems: Simple Controls, Deep Chaos

Core Gameplay Loop

Fight of Animals: Arena is a platform fighter with:
– 4-player local/online battles (with rollback netcode)
– Item-based combat (weapons, food, traps)
– Stage hazards (slippery ice, falling debris, hiding spots)
– Simplified inputs (4 buttons + directional attacks)

Combat & Movement

• Light/Heavy Attacks – Basic strikes with varying knockback.
• Special Moves – Directional inputs (like Smash Bros.) for unique abilities.
• Burst/Super – A powerful attack that can also break combos.
• Double Jump & Dash – Adds verticality and mobility.

Items & Environmental Interaction

Unlike traditional fighters, Arena introduces randomized items:
– Weapons (swords, hammers, bombs)
– Food (restores health or acts as projectiles)
– Traps (spikes, falling icicles, hidden bushes)

This unpredictability keeps matches fresh, though some players criticize it for reducing skill-based play.

Character Roster & Balance

The roster includes 12+ fighters, each with distinct playstyles:
– Power Hook Dog – A bruiser with heavy punches.
– Magic Squirrel – A fast, projectile-based trickster.
– Fluffy Sheep – A tanky, defensive character.
– Kung Fu Dachshund – A high-mobility, combo-heavy fighter.

Balance Issues?
– Some characters (Fluffy Sheep, Kung Fu Dachshund) are considered overpowered in the community.
– The lack of a tier list or patches means balance relies on player skill rather than developer tweaks.

Multiplayer & Online Play

• Rollback netcode (a rarity in indie fighters) ensures smooth online matches.
• Lobby system allows for easy matchmaking.
• Criticism: Some players report low online populations, making it hard to find matches.

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World-Building, Art & Sound: A Cartoonish Meme Battleground

Visual Design: From Meme to Masterpiece

The game’s art style evolved from crude renders to polished, exaggerated cartoon characters. Each fighter has:
– Exaggerated proportions (muscular belugas, tiny dogs with giant fists)
– Vibrant, saturated colors (reinforcing the comedic tone)
– Dynamic animations (squirrels flipping, foxes dashing)

Stage Design: Interactive Chaos

Stages are more than backgrounds—they’re active participants in battles:
– Swamp Stage – Slows movement.
– Iceberg Stage – Slippery surfaces, falling icicles.
– Forest Stage – Hiding in bushes for ambushes.
– Christmas Stage – Recycled from Fight of Gods (a nod to the studio’s other work).

Sound & Music: Lighthearted & Energetic

• Upbeat, chiptune-inspired tracks that fit the chaotic action.
• Exaggerated sound effects (“POW!” on hits, cartoonish grunts).
• No voice acting—just written sound effects and meme-worthy text.

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Reception & Legacy: A Cult Classic in the Making?

Critical & Commercial Reception

• Steam Reviews: 93% Very Positive (54 reviews)
• Player Feedback:
  • Praised for: Accessibility, humor, multiplayer fun.
  • Criticized for: Repetitive moves, balance issues, low online population.

Influence & Legacy

• Proved that meme games can be mechanically sound.
• Inspired similar “joke fighters” (e.g., Kiborg: Arena).
• Showed that simplified controls don’t mean shallow gameplay.

The Future of Fight of Animals

• No major updates since 2021—will it remain a niche cult hit?
• Potential for a sequel? The community still craves new stages and fighters.

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Conclusion: A Meme Game That Actually Delivers

Fight of Animals: Arena is more than a joke—it’s a legitimate, fun, and accessible fighting game that embraces absurdity without sacrificing depth. While it may never reach the competitive heights of Smash Bros. or Street Fighter, it carves its own niche as a party brawler for meme lovers and fighting game casuals alike.

Final Verdict: 8/10 – “A Ridiculous, Replayable Gem”

✅ Pros:
– Hilarious, meme-worthy roster.
– Simple but deep combat.
– Great local multiplayer chaos.
– Rollback netcode (a rarity in indie fighters).

❌ Cons:
– Some balance issues.
– Low online player base.
– Could use more post-launch support.

Who Should Play It?
– Fans of platform fighters (Smash Bros., Brawlhalla).
– Gamers who love internet humor and absurdity.
– Players who want a casual but competitive multiplayer experience.

Fight of Animals: Arena proves that even the silliest concepts can become great games—if executed with care, polish, and a deep understanding of what makes fighting games fun. Let the meme battles begin! 🐶🥊🦊