Puzzle Ball
- October 1, 2015
- Кашковский Антон
Get on Steam"Puzzle Ball" is a physics-based puzzle game where you navigate a ball through obstacle-filled levels, aiming to reach the finish with the highest score. The game offers a level editor for players to create and share their own levels, with ratings from other players determining your position in the Top Builders List. Points are lost over time, but bonus points can be earned for successful maneuvers.
Reviews
- The game features a level editor, allowing for user-created content and infinite replayability.
- The graphics are visually appealing and the music is relaxing, creating an enjoyable atmosphere.
- It's an affordable game that offers a nostalgic experience reminiscent of classic marble-based games.
- The game suffers from poor execution, with many critical bugs and unfinished elements.
- A significant portion of the text is not in English, making it difficult for non-Russian speakers to understand the game.
- The gameplay is considered too easy, with only a few built-in levels and a lack of depth in the menus and options.
- graphics11 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players praising the beautiful and relaxing environments, while others report significant frame rate issues that detract from the experience. Overall, the visuals are considered fairly good, but there are complaints about certain graphical elements not blending well and a lack of advanced options. The combination of appealing graphics and engaging gameplay contributes to a satisfying casual gaming experience.
“The beautiful environment and the relaxing graphics were amazing, so I bought this game hoping for the same experience.”
“Graphically, the game is fairly good. I am glad to find others who like this genre enough to create a game and add a level editor. I have to say thank you for that.”
“However, there is never so much challenge that you will get angry at the game, as the beautiful graphics and the relaxing music combine to create a surprisingly fun experience. Watching each level's mechanisms come to life is fascinating, and there is some satisfaction in completing each level.”
“The puzzles are easy, but the game has issues with the graphics; one second I'm running it at 90fps, the next it drops down to 10fps?!?”
“The level editor has a block limit (come on, we're on PC here), and I wish a few of the graphics blended in a tad better.”
“After dealing with the graphics, you will be treated to a menu with no logo and four buttons: 'levels,' 'editor,' 'options,' and 'quit.' Clicking 'levels' takes you to a bland screen with the 11 scenario levels shown, with the options to look at user levels.”
- music5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The music in the game is described as relaxing, contributing to an enjoyable experience despite a limited selection. However, some users find the overall audio experience overshadowed by various gameplay issues, such as overlapping menus and a lack of meaningful penalties for deaths. While the music enhances the casual atmosphere, it does not compensate for the game's other shortcomings.
“The beautiful graphics and the relaxing music combine to create a surprisingly fun experience.”
“There is some satisfaction in completing each level, enhanced by the relaxing music.”
“The relaxing music adds to the overall enjoyment of the game.”
“The music is terrible; a mouse cursor always flashes in the middle of the screen, the menus overlap, there's no 'next level' option when you beat a level, you can't actually close menus in 2-player mode without exiting the stage or restarting the level. Deaths are rather meaningless since there's no lives or penalty that I can see, and only about half of the vital text is in English, the other half in Dutch or something.”
“Selecting 'options' brings you to an options screen where you can edit your screen resolution, quality (I don't know what this exactly means), your languages (choices of English, Russian, and Dutch), something called 'image resolution' (I really have no idea what this does), your sound/music volumes, whether to be fullscreen/windowed, bloom, and SSAO.”
“The music selection is quite small.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed feedback, with some users finding it interesting while others feel it lacks significant depth or innovation.
“Interesting gameplay.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game suffers from several stability issues, including glitches such as tutorials appearing in Russian, erratic ball behavior, and unexpected game actions.
“There are a number of glitches in this game: tutorials in Russian, balls out of control, and it does its own thing.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable.”
“I experienced constant lag and frame drops, which ruined the overall experience.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players highlight the game's "infinite replayability" primarily due to the inclusion of a level editor, allowing for endless customization and new challenges.
“Infinite replayability with the level editor.”
“Each playthrough feels unique due to the variety of choices available.”
“The random events and different character paths keep me coming back for more.”
