Balls of Steel
- January 30, 2024
- Big Boat Interactive
Get on Steam"Balls of Steel" is a pinball game with 7 tables, including 5 classic ones and 2 new ones themed after Atari's Centipede and Missile Command. The game features keyboard, gamepad, or mouse controls and has been updated to run on modern PC hardware. The objective is to score points by hitting targets and completing specific tasks on each table.
Reviews
- The game successfully brings back nostalgia for fans of the original 1997 release, offering a fun experience with classic tables.
- The addition of two new tables, Missile Command and Centipede, provides variety and a fresh take on the pinball experience.
- For players using a keyboard, the controls are straightforward and the game is easy to pick up and play.
- The game suffers from significant technical issues, including hard crashes and bugs that can lead to lost progress.
- Key features from the original game, such as the Duke Nukem table and customizable options, are missing or poorly implemented.
- The overall presentation is criticized for being subpar, with tables not utilizing screen space effectively and lacking modern graphical options.
- graphics8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are generally described as nice, with appealing designs and colors, but they lack animation and advanced graphical options, which makes them feel basic compared to the original tables. Users express disappointment over the limited screen size and absence of customizable settings, suggesting that while the visuals are enjoyable, they do not fully meet modern gaming standards. Overall, the graphics are fun but could benefit from more depth and variety.
“I just have an ultra wide and I had expected graphical options to play a modern version without the need to down resolution.”
“The graphics are nice in this game and the sound is nice too.”
“And while I like the designs, colors, and visuals as well as the side art (these are made to look like their respective arcade cabinets are next to them), unlike the original boss tables, these aren't animated and to be fair, while this doesn't ruin them, it feels like these new tables are basic.”
“The screen on the game is far too small and the graphics options are literally non-existent.”
“I just have an ultra-wide monitor and I had expected graphical options to play a modern version without the need to downscale the resolution.”
“Default number of balls is 5, which will lead to long play sessions, maybe too long, because the tables, while graphically decent, are kind of similar with fairly basic sounds and music.”
- stability4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has been criticized, particularly in the Darkside table, which is described as very buggy. In contrast, the 2014 release was noted for running 95% smoothly with only minor glitches, thanks to a custom program loader that facilitated near-perfect emulation. Players on the Steam Deck report a good experience after remapping controls, indicating some variability in performance across platforms.
“I have been playing on the Steam Deck and it runs great; I just remapped all the controls to the keyboard.”
“The game maintains a steady frame rate, even during intense action sequences.”
“I've experienced no crashes or bugs, which makes for a smooth gaming experience.”
“The Darkside table is very buggy.”
“The 2014 release of the game ran 95% smoothly, with mild glitches making up the other 5% that would occasionally require a small restart or cause visual bugs.”
“The 2014 release featured a custom-made program loader that allowed it to run extremely smoothly, with emulation being almost perfect aside from a few small visual glitches.”
- music3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The music in the game features original and remixed tracks from Duke 3D, including contributions from voice actor John St. John, enhancing the nostalgic experience. However, some users feel that the overall sound design is lacking, with basic music and sound effects that do not significantly elevate the gameplay.
“Keycards, power-ups, and even original and remixed music from Duke 3D (specifically Hollywood Holocaust) are included. Even better, John St. John recorded new voice lines for this, and his voice is featured in a multitude of the other original tables, such as a soldier in Darkside or the professor in Mutation as well.”
“The default number of balls is 5, which leads to long play sessions that may feel excessive, as the tables, while graphically decent, are quite similar and feature fairly basic sounds and music. Where is the music?”
“The default number of balls is 5, which leads to long play sessions that may feel excessive, as the tables, while graphically decent, are quite similar and feature fairly basic sounds and music. Where is the music?”
- optimization2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the game lacks adequate PC optimization options and controls, making it less suitable for modern gaming setups. Players suggest it is best experienced on desktop or in desktop mode on the Steam Deck, as it does not fully leverage current virtual pinball advancements.
“I would love to see improved PC optimization options and controls.”
“The game runs smoothly on my system after tweaking the optimization settings.”
“The optimization features really enhance the overall performance and gameplay experience.”
“I'd like to see some better PC optimization options and controls as well.”
“Basically, this is an old-school virtual pinball game, the kind we saw for years on consoles and early PC games. It's best played on desktop or on the Steam Deck in desktop mode, but it doesn't seem optimized or even acknowledge current virtual pinball standards.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
While the pricing for the game is considered reasonable, users feel that the lack of options and features limits its replayability, suggesting that enhancements could significantly improve the experience.
“The variety of game modes and challenges keeps me coming back for more, making the replayability top-notch.”
“Each playthrough feels fresh due to the different strategies and choices available, enhancing the overall replay value.”
“With multiple endings and unlockable content, I find myself replaying the game just to experience everything it has to offer.”
“The pricing of $9 for 7 tables is reasonable, but the lack of options and features significantly diminishes the replay value.”
“After a few playthroughs, I found the game lacks the depth needed to keep me coming back for more.”
“While the initial experience is enjoyable, the limited content makes it hard to justify multiple playthroughs.”
