Ballance

80%
Game Brain Score Based on 177 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • music
Ballance Game Cover
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"Ballance" is a 2004 puzzle platformer where players navigate 12 treacherous sky-high courses with different obstacles that threaten to knock marbles off course or into oblivion. Players can change their marble between three materials with unique properties to overcome challenges and avoid dangers within a time limit. The goal is to secure a high score by mastering each level's increasing difficulty.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

80%
Audience ScoreBased on 177 reviews
gameplay8 positive mentions
stability6 negative mentions
  • The game offers a strong sense of nostalgia and is enjoyable for those who played it in their childhood.
  • Despite its age, the gameplay remains fun and challenging, with unique puzzles and mechanics that are still engaging.
  • The price point is very affordable, making it accessible for players looking to relive the experience without a significant investment.
  • The re-release lacks significant updates or improvements, feeling more like a direct port of the original game with minimal enhancements.
  • Many players experienced technical issues, including resolution problems, defaulting to German language, and graphical glitches.
  • The absence of the 13th level and modern features like achievements or widescreen support has disappointed many fans.
  • graphics24 mentions

    The graphics of the game have not been updated to modern standards, lacking features like antialiasing and support for high resolutions, which results in pixelated edges and graphical glitches. Players often face challenges with outdated settings and compatibility issues, requiring extensive tweaking to achieve even basic functionality. Overall, the visuals remain simplistic and minimalist, reminiscent of its 2004 release, without any significant enhancements or modern graphical features.

    • “The graphics are simple and minimalist, focusing only on the platforms.”
    • “A true blast from my childhood, Ballance is a combination of great visuals, mesmerizing soundtrack, and innovative environmental addictive traversal puzzle gameplay.”
    • “It's the same game as when it was released in 2004, including a graphical wrapper (dgvoodoo 2) to make it compatible with modern computers and DRM-free.”
    • “However, the graphics in this new edition were not brought to 2023 standards. There is no anti-aliasing, as I can see pixelated edges, and it only supports old CRT monitor resolutions, for example, 1600 x 1200. There is no support for 4K monitors; it supports old square resolutions that are stretched to fit the screen.”
    • “And there are also graphical glitches all over the game (textures lost and all the models appear to be white).”
    • “Although I was optimistic about potential enhancements like improved graphics, or maybe ray-tracing and other modern features, these were notably absent.”
  • gameplay16 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by its simple yet addictive mechanics, where players roll a ball and solve puzzles by applying directional forces and transforming into different forms. While it offers interesting and sometimes challenging levels, the overall experience is described as relaxing and nostalgic, enhanced by beautiful visuals and a captivating soundtrack. Although some find it a bit dated compared to modern standards, it remains highly recommended for its enjoyable traversal puzzle elements.

    • “The gameplay is simple and addictive.”
    • “A true blast from my childhood, Ballance is a combination of great visuals, mesmerizing soundtrack, and innovative environmental addictive traversal puzzle gameplay.”
    • “Gameplay is simple on paper, roll around by applying directional forces to the ball, move obstacles, do things in correct sequences, transform into correct ball forms (paper, wood, stone) for the job.”
    • “The game is a bit dated compared to modern game mechanics, but it's very relaxing and highly recommended.”
  • music14 mentions

    The music in the game is described as soft, ethereal, and relaxing, enhancing the overall experience with its captivating and mystical qualities. While it may be minimal and not easily enjoyable outside of gameplay, it evokes nostalgia and adds significant value to the game's atmosphere. Players appreciate the unique soundscapes, even if some associations, like the one with chickens, seem quirky and personal.

    • “The soundtrack is soft and ethereal, even relaxing.”
    • “Some music seems mysterious and mystical.”
    • “A true blast from my childhood, Ballance is a combination of great visuals, mesmerizing soundtrack, and innovative environmental addictive traversal puzzle gameplay.”
    • “Music adds a lot to it, but it is very minimal and borderline impossible to listen to outside of the game; it's just a set of jingles.”
    • “I remember feeling awkward as a kid while playing level 4 - that music I kept associating with chickens (don't ask why, I know it does not sound like it at all).”
    • “Despite being alien-ish, the music is also appreciated differently with years.”
  • atmosphere6 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is consistently praised for its cozy and quiet ambiance, encouraging players to take their time and enjoy the experience. Many reviewers express nostalgia, noting that the atmosphere remains as enjoyable and immersive as they remembered from years past.

    • “The atmosphere is cozy, quiet, and invites the player to take their time.”
    • “Love the atmosphere of the game and it was great replaying it after so many years.”
    • “Still as fun and atmospheric as I remember it from 15 years ago.”
  • stability6 mentions

    The game's stability is criticized for being buggy during setup and plagued by persistent graphical glitches, such as missing textures and models appearing white. Users express disappointment that community improvements were not incorporated into the release, indicating a lack of progress in addressing these issues.

    • “It's a little sad that all the community improvements weren't added to it on release, and setting it up is a little buggy.”
    • “There are graphical glitches all over the game (textures lost and all the models appear to be white).”
    • “Nothing's changed; even the glitches are the same old.”
  • story4 mentions

    The game lacks a meaningful story, offering only a visual experience of ascending into space, which some players found disappointing, especially the ending. Overall, the narrative is minimal to nonexistent, focusing more on technical aspects than storytelling.

    • “Don't expect any story; the visual of going higher and higher into space is all you get, and the last level ending screen is predictably disappointing. Thank god I didn't see it as a kid; it would've ruined some of the mystique I felt from this game.”
    • “Story is nonexistent, but we've got technical stuff to mention.”
    • “Story is nonexistent, but we've got technical stuff to mention.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is primarily derived from its technical glitches, such as the audio settings ignoring volume adjustments until after the intro logos, which some players find amusing despite the overall lack of engaging comedic content.

  • emotional2 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is described as overwhelmingly negative, with players expressing feelings of discomfort and distress.

  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be frustrating due to janky physics, poor level design, and tedious puzzles, which collectively contribute to a lackluster experience.

    • “Janky physics, awful level design, and tedious puzzles aplenty.”
    • “Janky physics, awful level design, and tedious puzzles aplenty.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    Players consistently highlight the game's high replayability, noting its smooth gameplay and ability to remain both challenging and relaxing across different eras. This enduring appeal makes it a standout choice for those seeking a game that offers fresh experiences with each playthrough.

    • “If you're looking for something that plays smoothly, has high replayability value, and is both challenging and relaxing, no matter the decade, look no further!”
    • “The game's replayability is impressive, offering new experiences and challenges with each playthrough.”
    • “Every time I play, I discover something new, making it hard to put down!”
  • optimization2 mentions

    Users express disappointment regarding the optimization of resolution, particularly for modern monitors, indicating a lack of expected enhancements in this area.

    • “I was at least expecting the resolution to be optimized for modern monitors.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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