Ballpoint Universe: Infinite

About

Ballpoint Universe: Infinite is a single player shooter game. It was developed by Arachnid Games and was released on December 17, 2013. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

Ballpoint Universe: Infinite is a unique platformer adventure game where you build your own levels using a ballpoint pen. Explore a hand-drawn universe, solve puzzles, and unlock new abilities as you journey through an ever-changing world. With a variety of challenges and secrets to uncover, Ballpoint Universe: Infinite offers a creative and engaging experience.

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Play Modes

Single-Player

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76%

Audience ScoreBased on 410 reviews

graphics96 positive mentions

grinding20 negative mentions

The game features a unique and beautiful hand-drawn art style, entirely created with ballpoint pen, which adds a charming aesthetic to the gameplay.
The gameplay combines elements of a side-scrolling shooter and platformer, providing a fun and engaging experience with a variety of ship customization options.
The game offers a decent challenge with its shooting mechanics, allowing players to upgrade their ships and weapons, making it enjoyable for fans of the genre.

The platforming controls are awkward and unresponsive, making navigation frustrating and detracting from the overall experience.
There are numerous bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, including issues with enemy spawning and save file corruption.
The game can feel repetitive, with a lack of variety in enemy design and level structure, leading to a less engaging experience over time.

graphics
207 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
51%
3%
The graphics of "Ballpoint Universe: Infinite" are widely praised for their unique hand-drawn art style, entirely created with a ballpoint pen, which adds a charming and whimsical aesthetic to the game. While many players find the visuals beautiful and immersive, some note that the art can occasionally hinder gameplay clarity, particularly during chaotic scenes. Overall, the graphics are considered the standout feature of the game, making it a visually appealing experience despite some gameplay shortcomings.
- “The art style is unique, creating a world from something as simple as paper sketches.”
- “The graphics are amazing, the gameplay is fun and not extremely challenging, and there is plenty of room for advancement (weapon/vehicle wise).”
- “Ballpoint universe is truly an astonishing game with a unique art style since everything in the game is drawn with a ballpoint pen!”
- “The art style doesn't carry it further than the first hour, where you'll end up frustrated by the awful platforming and mediocre shmup mechanics.”
- “The graphics could be crisper and higher resolution.”
- “The opnly other graphical problem is in the last level, when all the objects being white becomes a problem; there were times that I didn't know where I was, what was attacking me, and where it came from.”
story
174 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
80%
2%
The game's story is generally considered simplistic and not particularly engaging, often described as a loose framework that connects various gameplay segments. Players navigate a colorful, doodle-inspired world, completing missions that involve battling enemies and collecting items, but many reviewers feel the narrative lacks depth and coherence. While some appreciate the whimsical art style and the lighthearted nature of the plot, others find it underwhelming and disconnected from the gameplay experience.
- “You're a doodle in an artwork universe, and as you finish missions and beat bosses you unravel the whole saga of geometry logicians vs doodles and earn ink, with which you upgrade your battleship.”
- “The world is gorgeous, the characters are likeable, the story is thoughtful, and the gameplay is way more fun than I thought it would be.”
- “To my big surprise, misled by the 'infinite' of the title, the game has a lovely story that you will uncover step by step as you play.”
- “One loosely held together with some minor platformer segments and hardly a story to tie anything together.”
- “The story mode is short (it took me 3 hours to get gold on every level) and the plot itself is fairly simple.”
- “There's a vague story attached to these missions, but it generally boils down to fighting off swarms of enemies in different locations.”
gameplay
117 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
59%
6%
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its engaging shooter mechanics and unique art style, while others criticize the platforming elements as tedious and poorly executed. Although the core shooting gameplay is often described as solid and addictive, technical issues and a lack of variety in gameplay can lead to a repetitive experience. Overall, while the visuals and customization options are appealing, the gameplay itself may not meet the expectations of all players.
- “The gameplay is a mix of 2D adventure platforming and a shoot-em-up.”
- “The arcade sections run smoothly and have intuitive controls with short, succinct tutorial prompts as new mechanics are introduced.”
- “The gameplay is simple yet challenging enough to hold your attention.”
- “Commendable for the art, but the gameplay is lacking and buggy in places.”
- “The art style doesn't carry it further than the first hour, where you'll end up frustrated by the awful platforming and mediocre shoot 'em up mechanics.”
- “It's as if the developers have deliberately created something that completely misses the point as to why anyone would play a platformer or shoot 'em up in the first place... broken controls, dreadful gameplay, and an intellectually insulting waste of immaculate hand-drawn art all make this one of the worst games I've ever had the misfortune of adding to my Steam library.”
music
51 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
27%
6%
The music in the game receives a mixed reception, with many praising its quality and ability to enhance the gameplay experience, particularly during battles and transitions. While some players find the soundtrack to be fantastic and fitting, others criticize it for being repetitive or not well-suited to the game. Overall, the music is generally regarded as a strong point, contributing positively to the game's atmosphere, though some users express a desire for better sound options and more variety.
- “The music, while not something exceptional, feels just enough to highlight each phase of the game, either the platforming or the combat!”
- “The music is phenomenal and I think anyone with the money should buy this game right now!”
- “The music is another high point in the game, and matches each one of the mini-games perfectly.”
- “The soundtrack is not that pleasant.”
- “A problem I have concerning this is the fact that the music and effects volume are together instead of separate, meaning if I want to listen to my own music, I won't hear anything from the game.”
- “Not very much variety in the enemies, NPCs, or music.”
grinding
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
95%
The reviews indicate that "Ballpoint Universe" features a grind-heavy gameplay experience, particularly for players seeking to unlock all ship customizations and weapons. Many users find the grinding tedious and repetitive, with some expressing frustration over the lack of rewards for their efforts and the need to repeatedly farm enemies. While a few players note that the grinding is manageable due to certain mechanics, the overall sentiment leans towards it being a significant drawback that detracts from the game's enjoyment.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Ballpoint Universe is a pretty good western shoot-'em-up, though way too grindy if you want to get all of the ship customization stuff unlocked without cheating.”
- “The game is padded with a bunch of tedious and repetitive content.”
- “Unfortunately, the game doesn't get to show you everything before feeling very grindy and unrewarding, which is a huge issue for me.”
stability
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous reports of bugs and glitches that can lead to softlocks and frustrating gameplay experiences. While some players appreciate the engaging mechanics and unique aesthetics, the frequent technical issues, including save deletions and erratic behavior in gameplay, detract significantly from the overall enjoyment. Despite its potential, many reviewers feel that the game is unpolished and in need of substantial improvements.
- “Unfortunately, I need to give this otherwise nice game a negative review, mainly on account of how buggy and unpolished it is.”
- “There are some minor glitches and I'd love to know if the developer is working on improvements and/or additional levels (or a whole new title!).”
- “I have had countless instances where saves mysteriously deleted themselves or reset, or where just the game glitches.”
replayability
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
42%
25%
The game offers significant replayability through its infinite mode and various ship builds and upgrades, allowing players to explore different strategies and achieve completionist goals. While some users note a relatively short main campaign, the combination of diverse content and engaging mechanics keeps players returning for more. However, a few reviews mention limited replay value outside of specific modes and choices.
- “It is relatively short, but has great replay value.”
- “The real charm here though is the amount of replayability, even outside of the infinite offered.”
- “The ability to upgrade the ship allows for lots of replayability, and the beautiful environment and skewed story all combine to make for a very enjoyable experience.”
- “Little replay value (I guess you could restart and choose to buy different ship parts), but the amount of content is good.”
- “Plenty of replayability if you want to get each and every achievement, as long as you don't mind some repetitiveness.”
- “Even after you finish the story (took me only a few hours), there is an infinite mode in the shooter style where you try to advance as far as you can, for replayability if you really like shoot 'em ups.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players finding the combination of shooter mechanics and melee weapons amusing. While some aspects, like the platforming sections and the pacing of unlocking upgrades, could be improved, the overall comedic elements and fun gameplay make it a worthwhile experience.
- “The price is worth it, and the game is funny.”
- “Mixed long-range gun and short sword system; the game really creates something funny.”
- “The shooter part is funny, and the introduction of melee weapons to a side-scrolling shooter is hilariously over-powered.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The game's optimization is praised for its smooth performance during arcade sections and intuitive controls, complemented by effective tutorial prompts. Players can enhance their experience through mission repetition and weapon upgrades, which improve various gameplay aspects, including range and reload speed. Overall, the optimization supports a rewarding and engaging gameplay loop.
- “The arcade sections run smoothly and have intuitive controls with short, succinct tutorial prompts as new mechanics are introduced.”
- “The missions reward you for your performance (perfection will also get you a golden sketch).”
- “By upgrading your weapons, you get increased range, bigger spread, larger magazines, and faster reload times. Upgrading your hull provides various benefits such as increased health and homing missiles, while upgrading your active ability improves its performance.”
- “The optimization in this game feels lacking; while you can repeat missions for better performance, the rewards don't seem to justify the effort put in.”
- “Upgrading weapons and hulls offers some benefits, but the overall optimization of these systems feels underwhelming and doesn't significantly enhance gameplay.”
- “The active ability upgrades only marginally improve performance, leaving players wanting more impactful changes in optimization.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is praised for its uniqueness and consistency, enhanced by captivating artwork and music that create an engaging and immersive experience. Reviewers highlight the combination of these elements as a significant strength, contributing to the overall enjoyment of the game.
- “Incredibly unique atmosphere.”
- “It's consistently good (and weird) throughout the game and, along with the music, adds a ton of atmosphere.”
- “The artwork is amazing and continues to awe me, giving the game a very unique atmosphere that I really enjoy.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development is praised for its impressive designs that enhance the immersive experience of the expansive and intricate world, contributing positively to the overall gameplay.
- “The character designs are incredible, and the world is vast and intricately detailed, adding depth to the overall experience.”
- “The character development is rich and engaging, making each character feel unique and memorable.”
- “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, with their backstories and relationships adding layers to the narrative.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game elicited feelings of unease and discomfort in players, leading to a sense of dread rather than the intended relaxation, with some even reporting physical illness as a result.
- “The game made me feel uneasy instead of relaxed, which was an unexpected emotional experience.”
- “I dreaded having to go back there because it genuinely made me feel physically ill.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect is overshadowed by frustrating controls, making it difficult for players to fully appreciate the game's visuals.

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40h Median play time

40h Average play time

40-40h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Ballpoint Universe: Infinite is a shooter game.

Ballpoint Universe: Infinite is available on PC, Mac OS, Phone, iPad and others.

On average players spend around 40 hours playing Ballpoint Universe: Infinite.

Ballpoint Universe: Infinite was released on December 17, 2013.

Ballpoint Universe: Infinite was developed by Arachnid Games.

Ballpoint Universe: Infinite has received mostly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its graphics but disliked it for its grinding.

Ballpoint Universe: Infinite is a single player game.

Similar games include Capsized, Apotheon, Dust: An Elysian Tail, The Vagrant, Outland and others.

Ballpoint Universe: Infinite

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