File 05 · Platform fighter review
Brawlhalla
Knock rivals off the stage in a fighter that is simple enough for the sofa and sharp enough for ranked.
Save Point
score
Brawlhalla belongs to the platform fighter family: instead of draining a health bar, you hit opponents until they fly further and further, then send them off the screen. Each fighter, called a Legend, uses two weapon types from a shared pool — sword, spear, gauntlets, scythe and so on — so learning one weapon carries over to a dozen characters.
It is wonderfully quick to teach. Light attack, heavy attack, dodge, jump, throw. Within ten minutes a group of friends on different devices can be in the same lobby, because cross-play covers consoles, PC and mobile. Matches last about three minutes, so a few rounds fit neatly into a short break.
There is real depth for those who want it: dodge reads, weapon throws, edge-guarding and a ranked ladder with seasonal resets. Rotating events and weekly modes keep things fresh. A rotation of free Legends changes every week, and everything else can be bought with currency earned through play. If you decide to stay, the All Legends Pack is a one-off purchase that includes every future fighter, which is a refreshingly clear deal.
On the downside, the presentation is plain next to bigger-budget fighters, and the sheer number of crossover skins can make the screen busy. Online play depends on connection quality, as with any fighter. For a free game that your whole group can install tonight, though, it is hard to beat.
Score breakdown
Two attack buttons, a dodge and a jump. The tutorial takes five minutes.
Weapon pick-ups change your move set mid-match, keeping fights readable but varied.
Sixty-plus fighters, ranked seasons and a steady stream of events.
Fighters can be earned by playing; a single fair-priced pack unlocks all of them forever.
Runs on nearly anything, phones included, with full cross-play.
Scores are our editorial opinion. How the weighting works.
What stands out, what to weigh up
Stands out
- Truly free to enjoy
- Cross-play across seven platforms
- Shared weapons make new fighters easy to learn
- Great for local play
Weigh up
- Modest presentation
- Ranked demands a stable connection
- Crossover skins clutter the visuals
In-game screenshots
Official images © Ubisoft, shown for the purpose of review.
Your first session: four tips
- Try every weapon in training
Find two weapons you like, then look for a Legend who carries both.
- Learn to dodge, not just attack
A well-timed dodge leaves opponents open. Mashing attacks is the most common beginner habit.
- Play Experimental 1v1
This casual queue is quicker and calmer than ranked while you learn recoveries.
- Save currency for a main
Use the weekly free rotation to test fighters before spending earned currency on one.
Our verdict · 8.7 / 10
The best free fighting game for mixed groups. Low barrier, quick rounds, and more depth than it first lets on.
Best for: Groups on mixed devices
