BattleBlock Theater is a running, jumping and fighting game where you are a prisoner forced to play through deadly levels for an audience of cats! You move around the world, running, jumping and punching to collect the games and get to the exit. It's a satisfying combination of silliness and timing with a number of ways to play with or against your friends.

Each level is made of different types of blocks (collapsing, sticky, bouncy, volcanic and so on). You need to deftly guide your character to work with these hazards to get through the level and find enough gems to unlock the exit. Add to this the deadly spikes, water pits, and various deadly creatures and you have a chaotic yet fun challenge.

It's a game that's as much about goofing around as it is winning in the fastest time. This means that playing co-operatively adds not only another player to help you on your way but also the chance to sabotage one another or race for a high score.

The result is a party game that offers a quick fix of challenge and mayhem. It's a glorious mess of ideas that work together to create a surprisingly coherent whole. Perhaps most telling, it's a game that gets players laughing at the delights and howling at the disasters of attempting each level.