BALLYGON
- May 18, 2022
- Anthony Seeha
Get on Steam"BALLYGON is a single-player platformer game with a fantastic soundtrack, where you control a robot named Orbit and navigate through over 150 stages using a dual stick camera control system. The game features unique physics mechanics, multiple camera angles, and modes that increase the difficulty. With personal best times recorded for each stage and a BALLYGON RANK based on your performance, the game encourages players to improve their skills."
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Ballygon features creative level design with a variety of unique stages and interesting gameplay mechanics.
- The music, composed by Anthony Seeha, is highly praised and adds to the overall enjoyment of the game.
- The game has a forgiving life system based on score, allowing players to enjoy the experience without the frustration of traditional lives.
- The physics and controls can feel floaty and inconsistent, making it difficult for players accustomed to traditional marble roller mechanics.
- The camera controls are problematic, often leading to disorientation during gameplay, especially on certain stages.
- The token system for unlocking features and UI options is seen as absurd and unintuitive, detracting from the overall experience.
- music38 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The music in the game, composed by Anthony Seeha, is widely praised for its synthetic, futuristic style and high-quality electronic musicianship, with many reviewers noting it as a standout feature. Tracks are described as catchy and engaging, enhancing the overall gameplay experience, and some players express a desire to purchase the soundtrack. Overall, the music is considered both functional and stylistic, successfully meeting the high expectations set by previous titles in the genre.
“This game inspired me to check out Anthony Seeha’s other work, and he is a very talented musician.”
“The music is also phenomenal; I found myself getting lost in it as my hands did all the heavy lifting of getting the ball through the level.”
“But the electronic musicianship on these tracks is excellent and merits a purchase from me when it's released just to further support the developer.”
“It's all a synthetic, futuristic look, and the music reflects that, too.”
“Music and sound for monkey ball games is a high bar to hit, and I'll admit, this game does it. The OST from Anthony Seeha completely slaps, while its lows are lower than Monkey Ball, the highs certainly could top it even. Sound-wise, the clock ticking is responsive, and the announce voice is still good (doesn't beat classic: 'Ready? Go!' but still good). All in all, functional and stylistic, what it needs to be.”
“I often used to listen to Anthony Seeha's Korg DS-10 music a decade ago; now he's channeled his creativity into an entire game project modeled, scored, voiced, and programmed by the man himself.”
- gameplay28 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The gameplay is reminiscent of classic marble-rolling games like Monkey Ball, featuring unique level designs and mechanics such as pushable blocks and teleporters that set it apart. While the physics can feel a bit bouncy and floaty, the controls are responsive, and the difficulty curve is well-paced. Overall, the game successfully combines familiar elements with innovative features, providing an enjoyable and engaging experience.
“Gameplay-wise, this game plays like classic Monkey Ball, but it doesn't shamelessly rip it off. None of the stages are copies at all; in fact, while there are small nods to it here and there, the level design is why this game ultimately succeeds. They hand-crafted a large variety of unique stages, and while I do think the game's physics are a little bouncy and floaty for my liking, it's very controllable and responsive. The difficulty progresses very nicely too, and the way you 'complete' stages is completely different from traditional Monkey Ball and its lives system. All in all, gameplay-wise, the game puts its own spin on things and does so very well.”
“There's some new mechanics and great level design, but the best part is it just feels really good to roll—good weight, gravity, sounds, etc.”
“Ballygon does enough to set itself apart from its cohorts in the genre with an array of unique mechanics and stage obstacles, all the while feeling incredibly familiar to those who know their way around a solid marble roller.”
“Tokens are accrued through natural gameplay at a snail's pace, usually on a treacherous piece of terrain or just out of the way of the level entirely.”
“While the mechanical interaction of the ball in the world is great, the level design is meh at best, and the token system is frankly absurd, locking multiple UI options behind points.”
“Gameplay aside, I've really found myself praising everything this game has to offer.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The graphics are functional but lack variety, with world appearances feeling too similar and needing more distinct textures to enhance depth perception. While the menus are simple yet effective, and the player character is charming, the overall aesthetic could benefit from greater diversity and flavor across different environments.
“It’s not just an aesthetic, it’s there to show depth perception.”
“The textures of everything work, the menus, while simple looking, are functional, and the player character looks cute too!”
“- built-in joystick visuals above the map”
“Graphics-wise, I wasn't a fan of the world appearances; they vary too little. I wish the textures of the floor were different and that each world had more of its own flavor to it. The textures of everything work, but the menus, while simple looking, are functional, and the player character looks cute too!”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be slow and tedious, particularly in stages that require maintaining a specific angle for extended periods. This repetitive gameplay element detracts from the overall enjoyment and pacing of the experience.
“Having a stage where you have to look at a certain angle at all times is slow at best and tedious at worst.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is not considered broken or buggy, but players have noted issues with control responsiveness and flawed stage design, which impact the overall stability of the gameplay experience.
“It's not that it's broken or buggy; it just doesn't control well, and some of the stage design is very flawed.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
While the game may not have a long playtime, it offers significant replayability, encouraging players to return for additional experiences.
“It doesn't last long, however, the replayability is definitely there.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is generally well-received, with players expressing a strong connection to the experience, despite some criticisms regarding the physics. Many users report feeling fully immersed and emotionally engaged, indicating that the game's narrative and atmosphere effectively resonate with them.
- humor2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features a strong sense of humor, highlighted by cleverly named elements like "toaster" and "house," which elicit laughter from players. Additionally, the music complements the comedic tone, enhancing the overall experience.
“Some very humorous and aptly named items (i.e. 'toaster' & 'house' lol) and the music... good god those tracks!”
“The humor in this game is top-notch, with clever references and witty dialogue that kept me laughing throughout.”
“I love how the game blends absurdity with humor, making even the most mundane tasks feel entertaining and fun.”
