You may not be big on soccer per se, but Evoplay has gone way out of its way to create an experience that will stick with you and make you come back for more.
Penalty Shoot-Out Cup Mania builds on the popular format and delivers fresh ways to engage with the company’s product.
The game employs a lot of the player-centric gamification mechanics that have become Evoplay’s signature style in developing fresh content.
Players are invited to kick a ball from the penalty spot and try to outwit the goalie in securing a goal.
Taking a Look at the Original
In the game, players get a real FIFA-esque treatment, with the cool music setting the tone, and you picking the nation you want to play with, giving soccer aficionados another reason to revel in the beautiful game.
The original game is pretty straightforward from that point on. The goalie will be half-crouched and ready to pounce as you pick one of five available positions to shoot the ball.
Penalty Shootout is quite captivating, operating on a similar premise. Set a bet, pick your position, and shoot the ball, while you watch the goalie trying to fend it off.
The gameplay is also incredibly fast-paced, but the selection of a position to shoot at gives you a brief pause in-between rounds and creates an interesting loop that involves decision-making.
However, the new game freshens things up and draws on other popular mechanics and the instant play gameplay. For starters, Evoplay has picked the pace of play in the sequel.
Penalty Shoot-Out: Cup Mania Changes Things Up
Rather than having to stop and think between rounds – picking a position – you can click and shoot a ball instantly with the results present. Each successful score adds a multiplier, and you can cash out after any shootout.
If you fail to cash out and the goalie actually saves the ball, you end up losing the original stake and your multiplier value.
Evoplay CEO Ivan Kravchuk has welcomed this new opportunity, hailing the new installment in the series, and adding:
“Penalty Shoot-Out: Cup Mania builds on a familiar format that players already enjoy, while introducing more intensity, clearer progression, and a stronger competitive edge.”
The new game was naturally introduced in time for the World Cup 2026, which is now just months away.