BALL x PIT

Overall, Ball X Pit is one of the most fun games I’ve played this year. The bouncing-ball mechanic is a game-changer. Couple the addictive gameplay with the upgradeable characters and light sim elements, and Ball X Pit is easy to recommend.

93%Game Brain Score

gameplay, music

grinding, story

96% User Score Based on 13,592 reviews

Critic Score 86%Based on 4 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $0

Buy NowGet on Steam $14.99 Buy NowGet on Xbox Games Store Buy NowGet on PS Store $0

About

BALL x PIT is a single player survival shooter game. It was developed by Kenny Sun and Friends and was released on October 15, 2025. It received positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

BALL x PIT is a fast-paced action game featuring unique characters like the Falconer and Carouser, each with distinct ball-launching abilities. The Regal Update introduces new balls with diverse effects, such as explosive Fireworks and heavy-hitting Stone Balls, plus a fresh game mode. Players must strategically use these tools to outmaneuver and defeat foes.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 13,592 reviews

gameplay976 positive mentions

grinding383 negative mentions

The game features a satisfying gameplay loop with engaging mechanics and a variety of character options that enhance replayability.
Players appreciate the absence of microtransactions and ads, providing a refreshing experience focused on fun gameplay.
The music and art style are widely praised for their charm and ability to create an immersive atmosphere that complements the gameplay.

The grinding aspect of the game can feel tedious and repetitive, especially in the late game, leading to mixed feedback from players.
Some players find the town-building mechanics clunky and uninteresting, detracting from the overall experience.
The game's story is minimal and lacks depth, leaving some players yearning for more narrative engagement.

gameplay
2,109 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
51%
3%
The gameplay of "Ball x Pit" is characterized by its addictive loop that combines classic breakout mechanics with roguelite elements and a unique base-building system. Players engage in fast-paced, chaotic action while managing character abilities and evolving ball mechanics, leading to a satisfying progression experience. While the core gameplay is praised for its simplicity and fun, some players find the town-building aspect tedious and the overall gameplay can become repetitive over time, though the variety of characters and their unique mechanics help maintain interest.
- “The metaprogression is satisfying and rewarding, and the way that the settlement building plays into the gameplay mechanic is surprising and enjoyable as you try and figure out the optimal solution for maximizing resources/construction/bounces.”
- “The gameplay loop is extremely fluid.”
- “The gameplay is very simple and satisfying, the weapon combinations are pretty cool, the soundtrack's got bangers and the base building + material harvesting is some of the most original I've seen in any game.”
- “The gameplay is very repetitive and tends to feel more like a 15 minute dps check that is endured to see how well different ball combos do.”
- “The gameplay loop is so incredibly tight it's hard to stop playing...ever.”
- “The gameplay loop is simply not fun.”
music
674 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
37%
2%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many players praising its energetic and catchy soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience. While some noted that the music can become repetitive over extended play sessions, the overall consensus is that it effectively complements the game's chaotic and engaging mechanics. The integration of enemy chants and dynamic music that builds in intensity during gameplay further elevates the experience, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “The music is absolutely phenomenal and elevates every run, while the different combos can make things escalate in the most delightful way.”
- “The soundtrack is superb and I really liked the artistic style, seems like a dark fantasy board game, I dunno.”
- “The music is great and getting into the rhythm of a level and beating it is awesome.”
- “The music isn't anything special either; you'll quickly get tired of listening to it after a few times, and it was already boring from the start anyway.”
- “Music - while okay in short bursts, it gets incredibly repetitive during longer sessions and I ended up muting it and listening to my own music or YouTube.”
- “However, there is one major aspect that detracts from the long-term experience: the music.”
grinding
394 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
2%
97%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback from players. While some find the resource gathering and base-building mechanics tedious and overly grindy, others appreciate the depth they add to the gameplay loop, allowing for satisfying progression. Overall, many players agree that while the game can become repetitive and grindy, especially in the late game, it remains enjoyable for those who appreciate a grind-focused experience.
- “This game is a blast, not grindy, plenty of meta currency, plenty of cool combos to find... great game.”
- “I usually don't go for all the achievements, but in this one I did because they were not grindy at all. That's because of the pace and the constant unlocks; it's just chef's kiss.”
- “I didn't think I would like it that much, but the progression is very well tuned so it's not too grindy or too easy.”
- “The gameplay isn't really good though, your chance of success in any level is more about grinding levels rather than skills.”
- “The base building aspect is also clunky and tedious and feels like a chore by the end of the game.”
- “The farming part felt like busy-work.”
graphics
362 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
47%
1%
The graphics of the game have been widely praised for their aesthetic appeal, featuring a charming blend of pixel art and low-poly designs that enhance the overall experience. While some users noted a lack of graphical fidelity, the unique art style and vibrant visuals were highlighted as key strengths, contributing to an engaging and immersive gameplay atmosphere. However, a few critiques mentioned issues with clarity and readability, particularly in chaotic scenes, suggesting that while the visuals are captivating, they could benefit from improved functionality in certain aspects.
- “The graphics are gorgeous, the music is phenomenal, the art direction just nailed everything.”
- “The visuals are clean and colorful, and the soundtrack keeps the energy high.”
- “The art style is a kinetic explosion of color and movement, with every bounce accompanied by vivid particle effects and a soundtrack that pulses with relentless energy.”
- “The only bad things I can say about this game is that the character design, aesthetically, is horrendously ugly, and the idea that the characters are all shooting the balls out of their mouth makes me uncomfortable.”
- “It's visually cluttered, dark muddy graphics that makes you gag, with a 3-second looped background audio track that makes you want to mute the audio after 1 minute.”
- “Even with reduced projectile effects, late-game visuals get noisy and uncomfortable to look at (if you are a night gamer).”
replayability
217 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
41%
3%
The game "Ball Pit" is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, with players highlighting its diverse character options, unique ball combinations, and engaging mechanics that encourage experimentation. Many reviews note the game's ability to provide endless fun through various upgrades, new game+ modes, and frequent content updates, making it a standout in the roguelite genre. However, some players express concerns about diminishing replay value after extensive play, particularly once all content is unlocked.
- “Bouncing balls, ball upgrades, ball evolution, base building, many unique characters, free content updates, and infinite replayability.”
- “The gameplay loop is very good at drawing you in, and the different playstyles that come with each character add a lot of replayability.”
- “Replayability is a primary feature and a core selling point of Ball x Pit, and the game should be widely recognized for its endlessly replayable experience and remarkably moreish flow.”
- “I guess it lacks any real replayability for me.”
- “The developer, of course, skimps on production costs by using the roguelite approach and faking replayability – a million modifiers, but after a while, you're still doing the same thing.”
- “There isn’t enough variety to make each run feel unique, which affects replayability over time.”
story
115 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
79%
11%
The game's story is largely considered minimal and shallow, with many players noting that it lacks depth and character development. While some appreciate the focus on gameplay over narrative, others express a desire for more lore and storytelling elements to enhance the experience. Overall, the consensus is that the game is enjoyable despite its narrative shortcomings, appealing primarily to those who prioritize mechanics over story.
- “The small bits of world storytelling are a great sprinkle on this already well-frosted cake.”
- “I have a lot of respect for a game that understands that story is not its main draw and doesn't put undue time and energy there... but yet... I was yearning for the ball lore.”
- “The general story is simple and doesn't really matter much but gives enough to the overall theme of the game to have a fun concept to play off of.”
- “Story - there is none.”
- “If you’re a story-focused player, don’t expect much here.”
- “There is no actual story to follow.”
humor
56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it genuinely funny due to quirky character abilities, amusing gameplay mechanics, and a lighthearted tone that evokes nostalgia for classic arcade games. However, some reviewers noted a lack of consistent humor throughout the game, feeling that while the concept is silly, the execution can be surprisingly dull or repetitive. Overall, the game's charm lies in its goofy elements and unexpected synergies, making it enjoyable for those who appreciate its comedic aspects.
- “As I was first starting to unlock characters, I found myself laughing at the new gimmicks because they were goofy and I was having so much fun.”
- “The ways you are permitted to tamper with the game structure through the different characters made things a lot more interesting; some of the extra rules the unlockable characters offer genuinely made me laugh out loud from how kooky they are.”
- “Genuinely such a fun indie game, music is banging, funny synergies, would recommend to anyone :)”
optimization
51 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
57%
6%
Overall, the game's optimization is highly praised, particularly for its smooth performance on the Steam Deck and other platforms, even during chaotic gameplay. Players appreciate the balance between casual play and deeper optimization strategies, with the town-building mechanics adding an engaging layer of complexity. However, some users have reported occasional performance hitches, raising concerns about the game's stability under extreme conditions.
- “The combination of characters, the town-building efficiency, the optimization of ball evolutions connected with character passives - it's everything you would want in this kind of game.”
- “You unlock upgrades, characters, optimize the flow, and reach that sweet spot where everything just clicks and runs smoothly.”
- “Performance is stable, even when the screen is filled with a literal storm of projectiles—a crucial aspect for a game in the bullet-hell adjacent genre.”
- “Overall, I think this is a great roguelike, but it isn't one you are likely to play forever; once you've seen the levels and the synergies, it becomes a well-built but very predictable and easily-optimized experience.”
- “Game has severe optimization issues.”
- “The town building was super fun early on, but my late game town became very 'ugly' to be optimized, but I eventually reached the point where that didn't really matter.”
monetization
41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
12%
73%
The monetization aspect of the game is highly praised for its absence of microtransactions, ads, and additional costs, providing a refreshing experience reminiscent of mobile games without the typical cash-grab tactics. Players appreciate the straightforward pricing and the focus on fun gameplay rather than exploiting players for money, likening it to a legitimate version of the fake mobile game ads that often mislead consumers. Overall, the game is celebrated for delivering value and enjoyment without the intrusive monetization strategies common in the genre.
- “No microtransactions, no DLC, no ads, no extra money being thrown to the wolves. It's very refreshing to just play a game and not be blinded by dark patterns and advertising.”
- “A more than reasonable price with no microtransactions makes this game great value and a must-play.”
- “A game that plays like a game that's meant to be fun and not a game meant to hypnotize you into buying microtransactions.”
- “I could very easily see this same game being on a mobile app store, but unlike mobile developers there's no intrusive ads, there's no money grabs every time you play a round.”
- “The trailers and other advertisements are so heavy on the humor just for the game itself to have zero humor.”
stability
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
41%
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while many users report excellent performance on the Steam Deck and other devices with no significant bugs or crashes, others have experienced frustrating glitches, including freezing and crashes. The game is generally well-optimized, but some players have noted that it can be buggy and unpolished at times.
- “It's also well optimized and runs great on Steam Deck even with the most visually game-breaking combos.”
- “Runs great on Steam Deck—solid 90 fps even when things get hectic.”
- “It runs great on both Deck and on PC.”
- “Also had many glitches happen, including enemies that don't leave the board after dying, menus getting stuck and not letting me leave them, and also hard crashing to desktop.”
- “The game is quite buggy and some aspects felt rather unpolished to me.”
- “Technically, it's ok, performance is good, but I did experience a couple of crashes/freezes over my 30 hours of play.”
character development
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
61%
17%
Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising the clever and varied character designs that enhance gameplay and cater to different playstyles, while others criticize the overall aesthetic as unappealing and the progression system as lacking depth. The art style is noted for its charm and uniqueness, though some find it unsettling, and there are calls for more diverse design options to improve player engagement. Overall, the character designs contribute significantly to the game's atmosphere, but opinions on their execution vary widely.
- “The standout is definitely the varied character designs that alter how the game feels and plays and caters to a surprising number of playstyles, preventing the game from getting stale. Impressively, it has a well-thought-out balance curve, which is something that many vampire survivor clones lack.”
- “The writing and character design are also charmingly irreverent, perfectly capturing Devolver Digital's signature, slightly manic energy.”
- “Clever character design and traits make every run feel a little different.”
- “None of the character designs really stuck with me, which made me sad, and there is an overall lack of build options in the base options offered.”
- “The character design feels awful, progression seems meaningless, the levels and bosses don't do anything interesting, and the economy section is really tedious and uninteresting.”
- “The only bad things I can say about this game is that the character design, aesthetically, is horrendously ugly, and the idea that the characters are all shooting the balls out of their mouth makes me uncomfortable.”
atmosphere
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
23%
18%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its phenomenal music, which enhances the overall experience with a cohesive and relaxing soundtrack that complements the visuals. Reviewers highlight the charming retro art style and engaging sound design, creating an immersive environment that captivates players. Overall, the combination of music, visuals, and unique character design contributes to a rich and enchanting atmosphere that keeps players invested.
- “The music in particular is atmospheric, relaxing, unique, and also coherent - songs from different levels sound like they're part of the same album, so to speak.”
- “The art style is amazing, the game oozes atmosphere and character.”
- “The music is phenomenal on each level and especially the chanting of the enemies as they get closer to you really adds to the atmosphere.”
- “The artwork and overall vibe lean into a charming retro style with pixel 3D sprites and surreal atmospheres.”
- “Awesome music and sound design and mystical atmosphere.”
emotional
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while some players find it to be a wholesome and relaxing experience that provides a sense of achievement through simple gameplay, others feel frustrated by the lack of depth and emotional engagement, describing it as a repetitive grind with minimal impact. The nostalgic elements and lighthearted features, like petting a dog, are appreciated, but the overall sentiment leans towards disappointment due to the game's failure to deliver a more meaningful emotional connection.
- “No story to emotionally attack you, no complicated menus, just pure little chaos and upgrades that make you feel like you've achieved something even if you haven't moved from the sofa in hours.”
- “A fun game, but town mechanics make me want to cry (openly).”
- “Wholesome game and I surely recommend.”