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.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game offers a nostalgic experience for fans of the original 90s pinball game, with some enjoyable classic tables.
- The two new Atari tables, Centipede and Missile Command, provide a fun addition to the collection, appealing to fans of those franchises.
- The game runs well on PC and is easy to control with a keyboard, making it accessible for casual play.
- The absence of the Duke Nukem table and lack of customization options, such as adjustable controls and screen settings, disappoints many players.
- The visual presentation is poor, with tables appearing small on the screen and excessive black space, leading to a subpar gaming experience.
- Numerous bugs and crashes, particularly during gameplay, hinder enjoyment and make the game feel rushed and poorly optimized.
- graphics8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 38 % 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 small screen size and the absence of customizable graphics settings, suggesting that while the visuals are enjoyable, they do not fully meet modern gaming standards. Overall, the aesthetic quality is appreciated, but it 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.”
“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 received mixed reviews; while the 2014 release was noted for running smoothly with only minor glitches, the current version is described as very buggy, requiring occasional restarts due to issues. However, some users report a positive experience on the Steam Deck, indicating that with proper control remapping, the game can run well.
“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, which enhances the overall experience.”
“I've experienced minimal bugs, making for a smooth and enjoyable gameplay.”
“The Darkside table is very buggy.”
“The 2014 release of the game ran 95% smoothly, with mild glitches making up the other 5%, which would only require a small restart or resulted in visual bugs. The developers essentially ported a mod in an official manner, and the modder received credit and some work.”
“The 2014 release had a custom-made program loader that allowed it to run extremely smoothly, with the emulation being almost perfect except for 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 players 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
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 appreciate the focus on optimization; it really enhances the overall performance of the game.”
“The optimization options available allow for a smoother gameplay experience, making it accessible for a wider range of PCs.”
“The developers have done a great job with optimization, ensuring that the game runs efficiently even on lower-end hardware.”
“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.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally unaffected by the lower bit rate of the sound effects, which, while not ideal, do not detract from the overall experience. However, the presentation has been criticized as lacking quality.
“The sound effects are still played at a lower bit rate than the original, which is understandable since they are probably the only sound effects available. Unlike the horrible presentation, this doesn't have a negative impact on gameplay.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
While the pricing of $9 for 7 tables is considered reasonable, users feel that the lack of options and features limits the game's replayability. Enhancements in these areas could significantly improve the overall experience.
“The game has limited content, making it hard to justify multiple playthroughs.”
“Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to return.”
“The lack of diverse gameplay options really diminishes the replayability factor.”
