Buddies in a Ball

About

Buddies in a Ball is a single player and multiplayer action game. It was developed by Stoic Software and was released on January 20, 2026. It received positive reviews from players.

Buddies in a Ball is a co-op platformer where 1-4 friends are stuck inside of a metal ball together. Coordinate your movements, roll, jump, and scream your way through diverse levels. You're working against the clock, jeering announcers, and a ravenous audience. Key Gameplay Elements: Teamwork: 1-4 players control the ball together, communication and coordination are key. Physics: Realistic …

Genres & Tags

Indie

Play Modes

Skip User Reviews

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 20 reviews

gameplay6 positive mentions

monetization5 negative mentions

The game is incredibly fun to play with friends, providing a hilarious and chaotic experience.
The level design encourages skill expression and offers opportunities for creative routing and speed running.
The developer is actively engaged with the community, providing support and showing passion for future updates.

There are some collision bugs that can lead to frustrating moments, such as falling through the floor.
Certain gameplay mechanics, like the instant re-entry into the ball, can trivialize some interactions and reduce challenge.
The game may feel repetitive over time, and some levels do not account well for single-player experiences.

gameplay
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
18%
27%
The gameplay is described as entertaining and humorous, with a momentum-based mechanic that supports speed running, but it also suffers from some frustrating elements and a lack of depth in certain sections. Players suggest that the game would benefit from more intentional design, particularly in differentiating multiplayer and single-player experiences, and incorporating functional roles for certain gameplay elements. Overall, while the core mechanics are solid and enjoyable, there is room for improvement to enhance the overall experience.
- “This style of gameplay is quite fun and lends well to speed running the levels to get a fast completion time.”
- “I enjoy the momentum-based gameplay of this game very much.”
- “Mechanics were solid to learn, and the laughs with friends made the experience better.”
- “Would probably benefit from some slight gameplay changes to account for whether you are playing multiplayer or single player.”
- “In the current state of gameplay, you can also just mash 'shift' to instantly get back into the ball with no cooldown, which allows you to virtually skip these sections entirely and play as if they don't happen.”
- “There aren't many of these levels which make this the center of gameplay, but there are enough of them that I wish they could be 'multiplayer exclusive' levels rather than part of the main game.”
monetization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the game's monetization strategy, particularly the humorous advertisements and entertaining voice lines that enhance the overall experience. The creative integration of fictional ads adds a unique flavor to the gameplay, making it a standout feature that many users enjoy. Overall, the lighthearted approach to monetization is well-received and contributes positively to the game's charm.
- “The monetization in this game feels excessive and intrusive, making it hard to enjoy the gameplay without being bombarded by ads.”
- “I appreciate the humor in the ads, but the constant interruptions for monetization really detract from the overall experience.”
- “While the game is fun, the aggressive monetization tactics make it feel more like a cash grab than a genuine gaming experience.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is praised for its hilarity, particularly through the clever announcer and amusing advertisements, which enhance the overall experience. However, some players feel that the humor could be more effectively integrated into the gameplay mechanics, suggesting that intentional design could elevate the comedic elements further. Overall, the combination of creative level design and witty narration contributes to a fun and engaging atmosphere.
- “The announcer and advertisements are pretty funny.”
- “This game's creative and sadistic level design, paired with its hilarious ads and narration, make it the juicy little burger my friends and I have been looking for.”
- “It was hilarious but also kind of frustrating, and I feel like it could actually be a really fun mechanic if it was done more intentionally.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, users acknowledge some glitches in the game, but they generally feel that the experience is worth it despite these stability issues.
- “There are frequent glitches that disrupt gameplay.”
- “The game crashes unexpectedly, making it frustrating to play.”
- “I've encountered numerous bugs that affect my overall experience.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The music in the game evokes a fun, Jackbox-style atmosphere, complemented by an engaging announcer. However, the repetitive nature of the single track may become monotonous after extended play sessions.
- “The music, along with the announcer, gives me major Jackbox murder trivia vibes.”
- “The soundtrack is engaging and enhances the overall experience of the game.”
- “The music, combined with the announcer, gives me major Jackbox murder trivia vibes.”
- “The music seems to be the same track the entire time, which isn't bad, but it could become repetitive after playing for a few hours.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the emotional aspect of the game to be deeply engaging, characterized by rich storytelling and memorable characters that create a strong desire to return to the experience.
- “An emotionally evocative experience, oozing with character, that makes me want to keep coming back for more.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users highlight that optimization in the game involves critical elements such as communication, coordination, performance, and foresight, suggesting that effective management of these factors is essential for success.
- “Suddenly, communication, coordination, performance, and foresight all become factors.”