Always remember the five D's of dodgeball: dodge, duck, dip, dive, and dodge. Sounds so simple, but it's really something else. Thankfully, Brazilian game studio Pocket Trap has announced a new sports RPG, Dodgeball Academia.

Announced at this year's PC Game Show, "Dodgeball Academia" is a sports RPG starring Otto, a new dodgeball student. Who doesn't love an underdog story?

To become the school's dodgeball champion, he must fight his way to the top. The matches are a mix of RPG elements and real-time combat, and in your downtime you will need to run around and explore the school to gather team members. Once they have the ultimate team, they can fight their opponents on the court.

The dodgeball matches appear to be 3-on-3, but from the trailer it looks like there are other challenges mixed in, such as boss fights and time trials. Characters in the party level up through RPG-style progression, gaining unique skills such as healing other players, unleashing powerful energy beams, and (my personal favorite) whacking opponents on the court. It is not clear whether the player controls only the protagonist or the entire team, but it appears that the player can control how the players use their abilities during a match.

I really like the look of Dodgeball Academia. The matches look fun and energetic, and the cartoonish visual style matches the chaotic nature of the sport. Combined with EA's recently released multiplayer game Knockout City, dodgeball is truly a sport for the ages.

Dodgeball Academia will be available on PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Switch in August 2021.