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Finally we can go back to emulating Juanín García, Alberto Entrerríos or Mikkel Hansen who play handball in this Handball 21 analysis.
It has been four years since we won a handball title, unlike many other sports such as golf or tennis. And honestly, it couldn’t be. So it had to be in this fateful 2020 when lovers of this sport have something to celebrate, the return of handball to the world of video games. So what do you think if we stop the nonsense and start honing the lens with this Handball 21 analysis?
Enjoy the games from minute 0
Let’s start with what comes to mind as soon as we enter Handball 21, the menu and game modes. We have at our disposal the typical fast game, in which we can choose a team of up to 8 leagues, including the Spanish Asobal League and the French NHL. Too bad not to have the Ciudad Real Handball, what times were those. In turn, we can play in championship mode, selecting a team and fighting to win the national championship trophy.
Of course, given that a sports game cannot be missing these days, we have at our disposal the possibility of creating a team from different packs, which we will buy with a virtual resource. How to win it? Basically playing. From there we will be able to use this team to advance in a championship and win it, as it cannot be otherwise.
Last but not least is the online mode, in which we will play matches against other players, using our custom team or another existing one. I already see everyone using PSG or Barça, but that is why it will be more satisfying to win with Málaga. There are also several ways to enjoy the game, for example with challenges, which will guarantee us envelopes and currency to buy even more. Get all players!
Perhaps, looking at other sports titles, you might miss some modes focused on creating a character and directing him, or some national teams. What we have at hand in Handball 21 is to have fun with games and leagues from the beginning, to play from the moment we turn on the console or PC.
Blissful blow to the hip
And now we’ll get to the heart of the matter, the holy grail of any sports game, its playability. What does Handball 21 offer us in this regard? Well, plain and simple, a handball simulator that’s easy to handle and play. And this may seem complicated at first, taking myself as an example. In attack he did not give, he did not know how to shoot well and in defense he was a colander. But as you play, you start to see that it’s easy to control and partly fun.
I say partly because sometimes the defense (which is more of a group than an individual one) does not finish carrying out the actions we feel. The most normal thing in handball is that there are a lot of contacts, a lot of free kicks. And here it is true that there is, but sometimes in an unreal way. It can only be that the pivot, as soon as he receives the ball, if there is a nearby rival, starts to make a fuss and gradually leaves the area. That I grew up watching Rolando Urios get away from three rivals and score from the ground. Why can’t I do this?
In this case, we have tactical games for this. If we want to focus our game on pivot, we will have to make use of these strategies, otherwise I have not succeeded. Maybe I’m useless, but I couldn’t. And it’s a pity, because in a handball simulator I expected a more polished contact game, and not so generic and not very close to reality.
On the other hand, we have up to three types of throws: single, hip and bounce. God bless the hip shot, because it’s giving me all the wins. It is true that some, like the boat, are more suited to extremes, but with the normal launch I have not been very successful. On the other hand, shooting with the hip scores almost every shot. It has saved me many games. Also, just before writing this text I played and scored all the goals with this type of shot.
So, to sum it up, Handball 21’s controls are simple to handle, although in some cases like the defense it has a little more crumbs to get the most out of what it offers. However, the final feeling is that some actions will not end up being used, such as stealing the ball.
Referee, contact!
One thing that bothered me at first was the refereeing, since pushing the player out of the area usually results in a free throw. In that second game, however, it was the exclusion and finally the expulsion. In the end, I played with two fewer players.
Leaving all that aside, and as I said, the contact between the players is very simple. In a sport like handball, the fight between players is something of fundamental importance, especially in the pivot position. In Handball 21, on the other hand, I did not see the possibility of conquering a rival’s body or of overflowing with speed without making the always recurring animation of contact appear. It’s always the same.
On the other hand, the AI of colleagues is sometimes dazzling by its absence. Unless we use a tactic, they won’t move from where they are, waiting for a ride. As for the defense, sometimes a little more support from teammates would be appreciated when blocking shots.
Finally, the question of goalkeepers. In doing this analysis of Handball 21 there was one thing that shocked me, the goalkeepers. Because suddenly there is a section where both goalkeepers are David Barrufet and José Javier Hombrados, who the next minute are puppets who stop nothing even if they are on the course. The movements they make when it comes to tackling are very forced and the control of the goalkeeper in some head-to-head shots leaves a lot to be desired.
One more thing, I noticed a lot of slowdowns when running with the ball. While it doesn’t affect the game too much, it’s something that gets pretty annoying. And it’s not for lack of PC power, eye. It always happens in the sprint animation on the track.
To wrap up this analysis, Handball 21’s graphics are a notch below current standards. While it is true that the design of the best known players is quite reliable, in general the detail of the face is very simple. The court is beautifully created, with merchandise and other accessories worthy of a handball match.
A diamond in the rough
Handball 21 gives us the possibility to have fun with handball with a simple gameplay for any player, which makes us entertained almost from the first minute. However, there are some aspects to polish, such as in the case of defensive driving. Also, things like contact between players aren’t implemented and developed as well as a physical sport-based game like this requires.
However, Handball 21 becomes somewhat addicting as we play, knowing more and more moves, tactics and games. In addition, it offers many licenses, for both teams and players. In short, a nice handball game, but with some sections to improve to be an excellent handball simulator.
This analysis was developed with a copy provided by NACON.
Handball 21 review for PC
We like it
Easy to use controls
A multitude of licenses and equipment to play
It can be better
Goalkeeper and AI teammate
The simulation of physical contacts, very simple and repetitive
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