Pummel Party is a 4-8 player online and local-multiplayer party game. Pummel friends or AI using a wide array of absurd items in the board mode and compete to destroy friendships in the unique collection of minigames.
Players can select 4 to 8 participants, then battle it out in the game's board mode or dive into its collection of over 50 minigames. In the board mode, players navigate hazardous terrains to collect keys (functioning as coins) and purchase "chalices" (serving as stars) to win the game. Along the way, they can acquire a diverse arsenal of absurd weapons and items, such as a "Remote Controlled Eggplant," to use against their opponents, leading to "many funny and rage inducing moments."
The minigames offer a balance of "simple nostalgic fun and unique evolutionary challenges." For example, players can knock each other into an abyss in "Snowy Spin," race to dig up treasures in "Sandy Search," or try to avoid holding the bomb when it explodes in "Explosive Exchange." Reviewers praised the quality and variety of these minigames, with 89% of over 39,000 player reviews being positive.
Players can compete either online or locally, and the game also supports the addition of AI bots to fill out the roster. Reviewers noted that the game is best experienced when playing with friends, as the competitive nature of the gameplay can "destroy friendships."
While the base game offers 6 unique game boards and a substantial collection of minigames, some reviewers expressed a desire for the developers to continue expanding the game's content. The addition of a workshop feature, allowing players to create their own custom maps and minigames, was widely praised as a way to further extend the game's replayability.