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
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
Xbox
Reviews
- Ball laB offers a unique and imaginative take on the puzzle genre with gravity-defying mechanics and creative problem-solving.
- The game features charming visuals and a minimalist art style that keeps the focus on the puzzles themselves.
- Players who enjoy challenging platformers will find satisfaction in the diverse range of puzzles and the game's learning curve.
- The controls are often imprecise and can lead to frustrating moments, making the gameplay feel janky and unsatisfying.
- Many players find the game to be overly difficult, especially in later levels, which can detract from the overall enjoyment.
- The game's lack of narrative context and poor visual quality, reminiscent of outdated mobile apps, leaves much to be desired.
- gameplay11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is characterized by innovative gravity-defying mechanics and intricate puzzles that encourage creative problem-solving, making for a refreshing puzzle experience. However, while the unique mechanics are engaging, they can also lead to frustration due to imprecise controls and a lack of polish, which detracts from the overall enjoyment. Players seeking a challenging adventure may appreciate the charm and complexity, but the gameplay's execution leaves room for improvement.
“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.”
“Its charming visuals, diverse puzzles, and unique gameplay mechanics make it an engaging choice for players seeking a different kind of puzzle adventure.”
“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.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are polarizing; while one title features charming, colorful visuals and a minimalist art style that enhances its puzzle-focused gameplay, another is criticized for its outdated, low-quality retro pixel art that lacks customization options and fails to impress. Players seeking engaging aesthetics may find the former appealing, whereas the latter is seen as a cash grab with visuals reminiscent of early 2000s flash games.
“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 was 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.”
“Graphics and physics are reminiscent of early 2000s flash games.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization of Ball Lab has been criticized as a cash grab, with users feeling that it lacks the quality expected from a PC game and instead resembles a mediocre mobile app. The minimalist design is seen as an excuse for poor graphics, further fueling the perception of greed from the developers.
“Ball Lab is a mobile app that's been dumped on Steam as if it were a real PC game. 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.”
“The monetization in this game feels exploitative, with constant prompts to spend money on features that should be included in the base game.”
“I was disappointed to find that the game is riddled with microtransactions, making it hard to enjoy without spending extra money.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find that while the game runs smoothly, the length and tedium of missions increase 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 endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
“I find myself doing the same tasks over and over again, which really takes away from the overall enjoyment.”
- story1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The story is criticized for becoming increasingly tedious and lengthy as players progress, which detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.
“The story feels disjointed and lacks a coherent flow, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“Character development is shallow, leaving me with little emotional investment in their journeys.”
“The plot twists are predictable and fail to deliver any real surprises or excitement.”
- music1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received positive feedback, with many users noting that the soundtrack is surprisingly great and enhances the overall experience.
“Very good actually, surprisingly great soundtrack.”
