Pixel Cup Soccer is a retro-style arcade game. Play friendly matches, tournaments or create your team and lead it to glory in career mode! You can play it alone or with up to 8 friends, locally or through Steam remote, you can choose whether to play competitively, cooperatively, or even both!
The control scheme is simple yet engaging, allowing players to easily pick up and play. Four buttons handle pass/shot choices, one switches players, and one triggers skill moves. Players can also use the D-pad to dynamically shift between defensive and offensive tactics.
The game offers a variety of gameplay mechanics that add depth and strategy. These include short passes, through passes, lob passes, aimed shots, controlled shots, player skills, and super shots. The wide range of animations, such as overhead kicks, scorpion kicks, scissor kicks, and diving headers, further enhance the dynamic and arcade-style gameplay.
One unique aspect is the unpredictability and randomness of certain events, which some players find to be a positive addition. Occurrences like players tripping over the ball, goalkeepers being knocked out by fireworks, and other unexpected moments add to the game's humor and charm.
The extensive customization options allow players to create their own teams, adjusting everything from the name and players to the shirt colors and club flag. The deep player editor enables users to fine-tune the appearance, name, and number of each individual player, as well as choose a team captain.
The career mode is a highlight, enabling players to build their team from the ground up and climb the ranks to become the Champion of the Club Global Cup. The light team management experience allows players to manage their squad, make substitutions, and adjust formation and tactics. Upgrading players' skills using XP earned through matches is a rewarding progression system.
The diverse selection of game modes, including friendly matches, tournaments, and the robust career mode, provides ample replayability. The tournament mode, in particular, has been praised for its variety and challenge. The inclusion of random events and challenges within the career mode, such as dealing with hooliganism or players struggling to afford to quit their second jobs, adds a layer of humor and uniqueness. Furthermore, the extensive customization options, the ability to create and share custom teams and tournaments through the Steam Workshop, and the cooperative and competitive online play using Remote Play Together further enhance the game's replayability.