Obulis

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Obulis is a challenging single-player puzzle game known for its stellar graphics, sensational soundtrack, and state-of-the-art physics effects. The goal is to place different colored balls into their corresponding pots across 150+ levels, testing players' problem-solving skills while they enjoy a calming musical experience. Obulis combines captivating gameplay with impressive visual and audio elements to create an immersive and engaging puzzle-solving journey.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

81%

Audience ScoreBased on 286 reviews

music21 positive mentions

replayability2 negative mentions

Obulis offers a variety of puzzles that range in difficulty, providing a satisfying challenge for players.
The game features beautiful graphics and a calming soundtrack, creating a relaxing atmosphere while solving puzzles.
The physics-based mechanics are engaging, allowing for multiple solutions to puzzles and rewarding experimentation.

Many puzzles rely heavily on precise timing rather than problem-solving, which can lead to frustration.
The controls can be clunky, requiring multiple clicks to perform simple actions, which detracts from the overall experience.
Some levels may feel repetitive or overly reliant on luck, making it less enjoyable for players seeking a purely strategic challenge.

music
41 mentions
51 % positive mentions
41 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its calming and serene qualities that enhance the overall experience. However, some users find it repetitive and occasionally annoying, particularly the ending fanfare, and note that the sound options are limited. Overall, the soundtrack contributes positively to the game's atmosphere, making it a relaxing puzzle experience despite some criticisms.
- “Each of the game's 151 maps have unique puzzles, no two being exactly alike, and the scenery of each stage combined with the tranquil music will surely create an experience you won't soon forget.”
- “For its low price, you definitely get hours of entertainment that you likely won't find elsewhere; besides the puzzles themselves, the scenery in each stage will be a feast for the eyes, and the soundtrack will absolutely entrance you.”
- “The music is relaxing and beautiful.”
- “The game has made some decent effort in providing a varied musical soundscape to vary the flavor of the levels, but the recording is sibilant and pierces the ear.”
- “The cons: music is annoying for your ears and repetitive; personally, I muted it.”
- “Also, you can't adjust the sound effect volume or the music volume.”
gameplay
34 mentions
18 % positive mentions
74 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The gameplay is centered around solving puzzles by using physics to guide colored balls into matching cauldrons, offering around 10-13 hours of playtime. While the game features engaging mechanics and a variety of levels, many players find the dual-click requirement cumbersome and the timing-based challenges frustrating. Overall, the gameplay is described as simple yet addictive, with a mix of enjoyable and repetitive elements.
- “The gameplay involves using physics to get balls of a certain color into a cauldron of the same color.”
- “The best part is that you can use what mechanics were introduced in older levels and re-implement them in harder stages, which is almost mandatory at some points... and the ending I received when I got to dungeon XII and finally collected the onyx medallion was simple yet so heart-warming in the end.”
- “Good graphics, good music, simple challenging gameplay, and plenty of 'aha!' moments.”
- “The one mechanic all of these puzzles use has, for no reason at all, an execution that is not just awkward but nonsensical: two clicks with two mouse buttons instead of one.”
- “Puzzles are either easy or they require perfect timing - that with the addition of the poor mechanic of cutting rope (you have to select it first - so you need 2 clicks to actually cut it off) makes some of them really hard (in a bad way).”
- “It's obvious why the gameplay mechanics would work for a touchscreen device, but they don't translate over well to a PC.”
graphics
29 mentions
59 % positive mentions
31 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally described as simple yet appealing, with a mix of 2D aesthetics that evoke a nostalgic feel reminiscent of older arcade games. While some reviews note that the visuals can appear basic, they contribute positively to the overall experience, enhancing the game's relaxing and zen-like atmosphere. Overall, the graphics are considered well-executed for an indie title, with a calming design that complements the gameplay, despite occasional glitches.
- “The game is very relaxing and graphically appealing, while simultaneously testing your mind and reflexes.”
- “The music is calm, graphics are very beautiful and it's interesting to play.”
- “Great graphics, fun gameplay, peaceful scenes and music, and a great simplistic style overall.”
- “It has the aesthetics of a cheap old arcade game.”
- “The visuals are extremely 2D flat mobile technology from yesteryear.”
- “Honestly, I was easily addicted to the gameplay, but the music and the graphical presentation really sucked me in.”
story
11 mentions
27 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
27 % negative mentions
The game's story is minimal, lacking a clear background or setup, which leaves players feeling as if there might be an unspoken narrative behind the gameplay. In contrast, another review highlights a more complex plot involving mature themes and a significant twist, earning it high praise for its engaging character development and impactful decision-making. Overall, the story aspect varies greatly between experiences, with some players craving more depth while others appreciate the twists and interactions.
- “Even as the developers probably just mean them to be a setup of still imagery for its own sake, I for one can't help but feel as I play that there really is some unspoken story going on here, as if these orbs are coming to life and moving themselves about for some reason or another in a quiet world - quiet in an inviting way instead of an unsettling one.”
- “Maybe it gets easier when you get the hang of it, but I need a good story or complex character development to keep me coming back.”
- “This plot has a twist (spoiler): during her journey, she is turned into a man. This is not the case; she was a man the whole time (dun dun dun). So overall, I give the story 10/10.”
- “There is no story, background, or setup to the game.”
- “The plot contains mature themes.”
- “This plot has a twist (spoiler) during her journey she is turned into a man.”
humor
5 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players finding it amusing and engaging, particularly in the context of juggling and puzzles. However, some noted that the music can be overly loud, which detracts from the comedic experience. Overall, the game's playful elements, such as the clever level count joke, contribute positively to its humorous appeal.
- “The Dota 2 champions and the Obulis Ordeal: a hilarious escapade of juggling and puzzles.”
- “It was sort of funny because I wasn't feeling bored anymore; I was eager to try one challenge after another.”
- “I had a laugh when it said in the description that Obulis has over 150 levels, and they're right, it's 151!”
replayability
4 mentions
0 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The game offers little to no replayability, as players are left with the option of re-solving the same puzzles without any new content or challenges after completing it. While the concept is appreciated, the lack of additional activities diminishes its long-term appeal.
- “The game has no replayability unless you feel like solving the same puzzles all over again.”
- “I like this concept, but it essentially means there is no replay value to Obulis as there is nothing to do after you complete the game.”
stability
3 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is marked by occasional bugs and timing issues that can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences, particularly with precision-based mechanics. While minor glitches and graphical inconsistencies are present, they do not significantly detract from the overall enjoyment, and some players even find them add a certain charm to the experience.
- “It's buggy at some stages, and that 'it's all about the timing' thing is so frustrating because you can totally miss the target due to milliseconds of delay.”
- “Occasional graphical glitches and the apparent haphazardness of the solutions add to the charm, but lead one to believe the game was applied over the top of a pre-written physics engine.”
- “The tedious timing issues and the minor glitches in the physics engine didn’t take away from Obulis; Obulis is actually a good playthrough.”
grinding
3 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players note that while "Obulis" offers enjoyable gameplay, it involves significant achievement grinding due to tedious timing challenges and minor physics glitches. Most puzzles have clear solutions, but executing them often requires repetitive effort.
- “Most of the puzzles have obvious solutions but require tedious work to correctly time the collisions.”
- “The tedious timing issues and the minor glitches in the physics engine didn’t take away from Obulis; Obulis is actually a good playthrough.”
- “Fan of achievement grinding?”
atmosphere
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
-150 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its peaceful and immersive quality, enhanced by the music, which encourages players to return and experience it multiple times.
- “I even left the music on, which is something I rarely do, as it added to such a peaceful atmosphere.”
- “It doesn't sound like much, but the atmosphere that the game fostered has drawn me back to finish it three times.”
- “The atmosphere feels lifeless and uninspired, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “Despite the beautiful graphics, the atmosphere lacks any real depth or immersion.”
- “The game tries to create a tense atmosphere, but it often falls flat and feels forced.”
emotional
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players find the emotional aspect of the game particularly impactful, highlighting the rewarding feeling of reusing mechanics from earlier levels in challenging later stages. The culmination of their journey, especially the heartfelt ending upon obtaining the onyx medallion, resonates deeply, leaving a lasting impression.
- “The best part is that you can use what mechanics were introduced in older levels and re-implement them in harder stages, which is almost mandatory at some points. The ending I received when I got to Dungeon XII and finally collected the Onyx Medallion was simple yet so heartwarming.”
character development
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players emphasize the importance of a compelling story and complex character development as key factors in maintaining their interest in the game, suggesting that these elements are crucial for long-term engagement.
- “Maybe it gets easier when you get the hang of it, but I need a good story or complex character development to keep me coming back.”