Awesomenauts

Awesomenauts is a 2D multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game where two teams of up to three players fight each other on side-scrolling maps with platforms. The game is set in 3587 where the Ones and the Zeros (a red and a blue robot army) fight with the help of hired mercenaries. One of those teams is called Awesomenauts, controlled by the player. The goal is to help one army win by depriving them off the drill used to gather the scarce Solar metal. A match is won by defeating the other team's solar drill.

At the start of a match each side drops down at an opposite side of the map. While dropping down, the rocket can be steered to collect solar coins, the in-game currency. Each side has access to multiple turrets, divided over multiple horizontal levels of platforms, that spawn droids. These droids are AI-controlled creatures that move forward and attack anything in their way automatically. They help the player's character to take down opposing turrets, droids and mercenaries. The character also uses droids to hide behind them and let them absorb damage, while attacking the other team's turret. By destroying turrets the path is slowly opened up to the other team's solar drill, which provides the win condition to end the match once destroyed. Droids attack mercenaries as well and the mercenaries of the other team are much harder to kill.

Defeating enemies is awarded with solar coins, which also slowly build up during the game. These can be spent at the in-game shop at any moment to purchase additional abilities. Characters also have access to a teleport to return to the shop right away. Defeated mercenaries respawn, but it takes some time for them to arrive again and the killer earns coins with it. Each character has access to a number of offensive and defensive abilities next to the regular attacks and the most powerful ones have a cooldown time. These are bought in the shop and can also be defined in a load-out once that function is unlocked. After every match a certain amount of experience (XP) is awarded. It adds to a general XP bar that gradually unlocks new playable characters, items and other features such as the load-out. A large number of playable characters is available, each with their own characteristics and abilities, from moving speed to melee and ranged attacks. They are grouped into classes such as tank, brawler, support, pusher, healer, assassin, harasser, defender and sniper. Additional characters can be bought as DLC.

Multiplayer is available on a single screen or online. Matches can be played as open online games, private matches or an offline practice mode with AI-controlled team mercenaries. The PC version includes a ROLFNauts unlockable mini-game.