Quick summary
Brawlhalla is a free-to-play platform fighter from Blue Mammoth Games that emphasizes fast, reactive combat. It borrows the high-energy, launch-to-KO feel of arena brawlers and packages it with a wide roster and frequent updates. Matches play out on small, floating stages where movement and spacing are just as important as combos.
Core gameplay loop
Players battle until one competitor remains or the round timer expires. Knocking an opponent off the stage scores a point; losing your footing costs you one. Damage is tracked with a meter in the corner of the screen—higher damage makes foes easier to launch. Combatants are called Legends, each able to wield two weapon types, grab and throw items such as bombs and mines, or fight bare-handed. The game supports online and local play for up to eight participants and includes competitive playlists like Ranked and seasonal progression via Battle Passes.
Match types and options
Brawlhalla offers a variety of formats to suit different playstyles:
- Friendly 2v2 — team up with a partner or play solo in a cooperative two-on-two match.
- Experimental 1v1 — a testing ground for new mechanics and trial features.
- Strikeout 1v1 — pick three Legends and face off in a limited-stock 1v1 series.
- Free-for-All — chaotic free-for-all action where every player fights for themselves.
Party-style and objective modes include:
- Capture the Flag — team-focused maps that require coordination to steal and return flags.
- Brawlball — a goal-oriented mode with ball-passing and scoring mechanics.
You can also create custom rooms for private online or local matches.
The Borderlands crossover: what changes and what doesn’t
Brawlhalla added a crossover with Borderlands that brought characters such as Claptrap, Lilith, Tiny Tina, and Krieg into the roster as themed skins. These additions come with signature animations and cosmetic weapon appearances, but they do not alter core Legend abilities or move sets. The crossover captures Borderlands’ personality and humor while remaining primarily a visual and thematic enhancement.
Limitations to note:
- The collaboration focuses on characters, skins, and a few themed items/maps rather than deep mechanical changes.
- Players looking for substantial shifts in gameplay may find the additions cosmetic and the overall experience familiar.
Final thoughts
Brawlhalla is a solid pick if you want a fast, accessible platform fighter with cross-play support across platforms and flexible match creation. Its roster variety and frequent cosmetic collaborations keep the game lively, but players seeking major gameplay overhauls or consistently novel content may find things becoming repetitive over time.
Technical
- Windows
- Android
- iPhone
- Mac
- English
- French
- Italian
- Spanish
- German
- Japanese
- Korean
- Portuguese
- Chinese (Simplified)
- Free