Bang-On Balls: Chronicles
- March 2, 2021
- Exit Plan Games
- 5h median play time
Bang-On Balls: Chronicles is a wonderful 3d platformer, with dense and creative worlds to explore and loads of cosmetics to try on.
"Bang-On Balls: Chronicles" is a 3D platformer game with an intriguing story, offering both single-player and local multi-player modes for up to 4 players in co-op or split screen. The game features outstanding visuals, good music, and plenty of humor as you customize your character and journey through historically-themed levels, from the Viking era to Feudal Japan, Wild West, and beyond. Regular updates will add new features, skins, and maps.
Reviews
- The game features charming graphics and a whimsical art style that enhances the overall experience.
- Gameplay is fun and engaging, with a variety of collectibles and customization options that keep players entertained.
- The game offers a unique blend of humor and historical references, making it enjoyable for both countryball fans and casual gamers.
- The game can be somewhat buggy, with issues like crashing and connectivity problems in multiplayer mode.
- Currently, there is limited content available, with only a few levels to explore, which may lead to a lack of replayability.
- Some players find the controls to be awkward or unresponsive at times, which can detract from the overall enjoyment.
- graphics86 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive largely positive feedback, with many users praising their beauty, detail, and optimization for various hardware. While some find the visuals charming and vibrant, others note that the graphics can become overly busy or chaotic, leading to minor performance issues on lower-end systems. Overall, the game's art style and graphics are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the enjoyment of the gameplay.
“The graphics are astonishing, every little detail is incredible and the game gets free updates almost every month.”
“Beautiful graphics, many unlockables, and a large map jam-packed with bosses and secrets make this game awesome.”
“The art style is amazing and the graphics are great!”
“Controls are bad, gameplay is bland, graphics are just way too busy.”
“I'm not gonna lie, this game is objectively very well-made but I just find it aesthetically revolting. A staggering amount of content, but it's so audiovisually messy and chaotic, and none of the comedy lands for me whatsoever.”
“In my opinion, releasing the game in version 1.0 should be fixed, lack of legibility in some situations, what to do and where to go, and not very sharp graphics. I felt like I was playing games from the PS3 era.”
- gameplay79 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players enjoying the fun, simple mechanics and engaging open-world exploration, while others criticize it for being bland, crashing frequently, and having poor controls. Many appreciate the variety of environments and collectibles, but some feel the gameplay lacks depth and can feel aimless. Overall, while the game offers enjoyable moments and a unique theme, it also suffers from technical issues and simplistic mechanics that may not appeal to everyone.
“The gameplay is simple, yet fun.”
“I love the gameplay; it always feels fun and exciting unlocking the new areas, and the areas feel filled with things to do.”
“The gameplay and mechanics of this game are simple but extremely effective at making the perfect experience, and the feeling of playing as a country is awesome!”
“The first reason is the game crashes a lot (Unity engine error) during my gameplay, and the crashing certainty is unknown.”
“Controls are bad, gameplay is bland, and the graphics are just way too busy.”
“The mechanics are very bare-bones, with the only real actions that you need to take note of being jumping, dashing, and stomping.”
- humor55 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- -4 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its wacky and light-hearted nature, with players enjoying the funny visuals, quirky costumes, and amusing achievements scattered throughout the sandbox levels. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to deliver laughs without dialogue, making it a fun experience, especially in co-op mode. Overall, the humor is described as accessible and appealing, particularly to those with a playful sense of fun.
“Every sandbox level is crammed to the brim with wacky and funny things happening that you might miss if you're not paying attention.”
“A very fun collect-a-thon with huge levels and lots of little humor all over the place.”
“What I got was an amazing 3D platformer game with genuinely funny jokes that anyone can enjoy.”
“The humor feels forced and falls flat, making the game more cringeworthy than entertaining.”
“I expected clever jokes, but instead, I got tired clichés that just don't land.”
“The attempts at humor are so over-the-top that they detract from the overall experience.”
- story53 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally perceived as minimal or lacking depth, with many players noting that it feels aimless and is often overshadowed by gameplay mechanics and side missions. While some appreciate the whimsical and humorous elements, others express disappointment over the absence of a compelling narrative, suggesting that the game is more focused on exploration and fun rather than a cohesive story. Overall, players seem to enjoy the gameplay experience but agree that the story is not a strong point.
“Just completed the main story and wow, that was such an awesome game, plenty to do afterwards unless you do 100 percent completion of the game all at once.”
“The levels are amazing and each one has its own unique story to tell.”
“As a countryball fan, this is the best game alive, amazing storyline, good graphics, and the game is just overall good, can't wait for any future updates.”
“The story is practically non-existent, with no real dialogue in the game at all and the entire premise being found on this game's store page.”
“The game feels a little too aimless and there isn't really much story; it just throws you in a big open world and gives you some tasks - the game is good but not really for me.”
“I played for an hour, it is fun, the game is funny, there was care put into making the game, but there is no story; I don't know why I am doing things.”
- music18 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many praising its energetic and immersive qualities that enhance the gameplay experience. While some players find the soundtrack fun and dynamic, with specific areas featuring standout tracks, a few feel that it lacks memorability and could benefit from more variety, particularly during boss battles. Overall, the music contributes positively to the game's atmosphere, complementing its visuals and gameplay.
“Fun soundtrack and pleasing visuals.”
“Furthermore, for an indie game, it bangs, along with its vibey soundtrack, and of course, kudos to the developers.”
“The music oh my gosh it has no right being this good for certain areas of the game.”
“The only thing I feel is missing is maybe some music for the boss battles.”
“The music is alright but it doesn't stand out and is not very memorable to me.”
“Oh wait, I forgot the music!”
- grinding11 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 45 % negative mentions
Reviews on grinding in the game are mixed; while some players find it excessively dull and time-consuming, others appreciate the lack of microtransactions and enjoy the grind for experience points. The varied environments help mitigate the grind for some, making it feel less tedious, though many still feel it requires a significant time investment. Overall, the grinding aspect is seen as a double-edged sword, with both positive and negative experiences reported.
“A bit grindy sometimes.”
“Not for me, way too dull, grindy, and slow-paced.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“E.g. where are games that are full of action, require your concentration on story or sound, then there is a grinding mission.”
- replayability7 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while it offers large open worlds, extensive customization, and engaging gameplay that can keep players entertained, the limited number of levels and some users' feelings of diminished replay value after completion may deter long-term interest. However, many still find it worth the price for a fun, albeit brief, experience.
“Only four levels now (albeit very large), with one apparently coming as a free DLC later, but overall this is an incredible amount of value and replayability for only $25.”
“It has large open worlds with a lot of stuff to do, tons of weapons and customizability for your character that give the game a lot of replay value and genuinely amazing graphics on par with a lot of AAA games!”
“Really funny, and very replayable, even after finishing the game so far.”
“It lacks replay value after that, but it was well worth the money I paid for it.”
“It lacks replayability a lot, but if you are looking for a quick experience of around 30 hours, this is a game for you.”
“Replayability-wise, it's okay, but there are several reasons that might push your interest away from getting this game.”
- optimization5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it offers a visually stunning experience and engaging gameplay, users report performance issues, particularly on average or lower-end machines. Some players noted lingering particles that could impact performance, suggesting that further optimization is needed, especially since the game is still in its early phases.
“A true to form action platformer that is gorgeous as hell, well optimized and a blast to play around in; breaking everything, exploring every nook and cranny of evidently lovingly crafted levels, fighting with all kinds of balls.”
“A great game that fits well with the countryball art styles, but not the most optimized; it can be let slide since the game is still in an early phase!”
“However, if your machine is average or worse, this game is incredibly fun and well put together, yet marred by sub-par performance.”
“It needs a bit of work in terms of optimization; for example, lots of particles will stay floating if you don't catch them even after an hour on the level. I think that affects performance in one way or another.”
“A great game that fits well with the countryball art styles, but not the most optimized. It can be let slide since the game is still in an early phase!”
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, user experiences with stability vary significantly; while some report lag and bugs on lower-end PCs, others enjoy a smooth experience with minimal glitches. Minor graphical issues are noted by a few, but many feel these do not detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.
“Another thing is that it lags a lot on lesser PCs like mine, and that it's pretty buggy at times.”
“There are some minor bugs and graphical glitches, but honestly I couldn't care less; they are so insignificant and overshadowed by the amazing gameplay you barely notice.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game emotionally resonant, evoking nostalgia for classic childhood titles while also delivering a wholesome and fun experience suitable for both kids and older gamers. The lighthearted premise adds to its charm, making it a delightful emotional journey.
“It also made me feel nostalgic for some reason by reminding me of some good old gems that I played as a kid, stuff like Taz: Wanted and Jazz Jackrabbit 2.”
“A surprisingly fun, wholesome game for kids and older gamers.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game features a monetization model that avoids microtransactions, allowing players to earn in-game currency through gameplay to purchase cosmetics and tools. While acquiring these items can be somewhat grindy, players appreciate the absence of real-money spending and the freedom to choose their rewards without pressure.
“The cosmetics are also pretty grindy; however, it's not unbearable and it doesn't have microtransactions, so it's a pretty good deal.”
“It allows you to find whichever tools and cosmetics in its open world that you are daring enough to reach, and rewards you with those items by letting you spend the in-game currency that you've earned through having fun in this game on them, and never punishes you by making you spend any real money (yes, absolutely no microtransactions, as promised by the developers) or making you doubt your choice in selecting one cosmetic over another at a given time.”
“The monetization system feels exploitative, with prices set so high that it encourages players to spend real money just to enjoy the game fully.”
“I was disappointed to find that many features are locked behind a paywall, making it hard to progress without spending extra cash.”
“The game heavily pushes microtransactions, which detracts from the overall experience and makes it feel like a cash grab.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its vibrant and engaging qualities, contributing to an exciting action experience. Reviewers note the successful efforts to diversify the atmosphere, making it a standout in the 3D platformer genre.
“One of the scarce 3D platformers that serves up action and an absolutely fantastic atmosphere.”
“Great attempts at diversifying the atmosphere though.”