Ball laB
- March 8, 2018
- Viktor Yurchuk
Get on Steam"Ball laB" is a physics-based puzzle game where players manipulate various mechanisms to guide a ball through labyrinthine levels. Using realistic physics simulations, players must navigate the ball to the goal while collecting optional stars for higher scores. The game features increasing complexity and various environments, providing a challenging and engaging experience for puzzle enthusiasts.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- Ball laB offers a unique and imaginative take on the puzzle genre with gravity-defying mechanics and mind-bending puzzles.
- The game features charming visuals and a playful aesthetic that enhances the overall experience.
- It provides a challenging platforming experience that appeals to players who enjoy difficult games and precision-based gameplay.
- The controls are often imprecise and can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences, with issues like input delays and unresponsive buttons.
- The game lacks a narrative or thematic context, which may leave players wanting more depth and motivation.
- Many players feel that the game is poorly designed, with levels that can be excessively difficult and not logically adjusted in terms of physics.
- gameplay22 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Ball Lab" is characterized by its innovative gravity-defying mechanics and intricate puzzles that challenge players to think creatively and strategically. While the unique mechanics provide a refreshing twist to traditional puzzle-solving, they can also lead to frustration due to imprecise controls and a lack of polish in the gameplay feel. Overall, the game offers an engaging experience for those who enjoy experimenting with physics, but the handling issues may detract from the enjoyment for some players.
“With its gravity-defying mechanics, mind-bending puzzles, and charming visuals, the game invites players to dive into a world where logic and experimentation collide.”
“This unique mechanic adds a refreshing twist to traditional puzzle-solving, requiring you to think creatively and strategically.”
“In conclusion, Ball Lab offers a refreshing and challenging puzzle experience that's built on gravity-defying mechanics and creative problem-solving.”
“The gravity-based gameplay can be both the game's strength and its limitation.”
“It's janky and unsatisfying to play... and any experienced gamer will tell you, the handling, responsiveness, and general gameplay feel of the control scheme must be well polished for this kind of game to succeed.”
“Unfortunately, this is something the developer seems to have phoned in, with little to no apparent gameplay testing.”
- graphics20 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are polarizing; while some praise its charming, colorful, and minimalist design that enhances puzzle-solving, others criticize it for using outdated retro pixel art and lacking customization options. The visual appeal is described as either engaging and playful or mediocre and reminiscent of early 2000s flash games, leading to a mixed reception overall.
“With its gravity-defying mechanics, mind-bending puzzles, and charming visuals, the game invites players to dive into a world where logic and experimentation collide.”
“The game's visual design boasts a playful and colorful aesthetic that adds to its charm.”
“The minimalist art style focuses attention on the puzzles themselves, creating a clean and uncluttered environment that keeps the focus on the task at hand.”
“Ball Lab is a mobile app that's been dumped on Steam as if it were a real PC game (it's not)... it's a cash grab from greedy mobile devs. The game is an extremely mediocre 2D retro pixel platformer that uses the 'minimalist' label as an attempt to excuse any effort into the graphics, and it shows.”
“A choice was made to use obsolete, decades-old retro pixel 'art' as a substitute for contemporary PC graphics.”
“And this game is already lacking in reasons to play it; the monochrome graphics are visually unappealing, there is not even the flimsiest of excuse plots, and it's not like the world is lacking in hardcore platformers to challenge the masochistic.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization of "Ball Lab" is criticized as a cash grab, with users feeling that it is a poorly executed mobile app masquerading as a legitimate PC game. The game's minimalist design is seen as a cover for a lack of effort, further fueling the perception of greed from its developers.
“Ball Lab is a mobile app that's been dumped on Steam as if it were a real PC game (it's not). It's a cash grab from greedy mobile developers. The game is an extremely mediocre 2D retro pixel platformer that uses the 'minimalist' label as an attempt to excuse any effort in the graphics, and it shows, too.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Players find that while the game runs smoothly, the missions become excessively long and tedious as they progress, detracting from the overall enjoyment.
“Missions get increasingly too long and tedious as you progress, which hinders fun significantly.”
“The grinding feels excessive and detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
“Repetitive tasks make the gameplay feel like a chore rather than an adventure.”
- story2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The story is criticized for its increasingly lengthy and tedious missions, which detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- music2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received positive feedback, with users highlighting the surprisingly great soundtrack as a standout feature.
“Very good actually, surprisingly great soundtrack.”
