The Balcony
- November 2, 2017
- Holotna
The Balcony is a challenging, yet a satisfying physics based game. The game consists of two game types; the campaign and the arcade mode.
Reviews
- The game features satisfying physics that make throwing objects enjoyable and chaotic.
- It offers a unique and humorous concept where players can engage in wacky scenarios, such as throwing items off a balcony to defeat targets.
- The game provides a fun diversion with replay value, especially in its zombie survival mode and various campaign levels.
- The controls can be frustratingly difficult, making the game feel unplayable for some players.
- The lack of a coherent story and character development leaves the game feeling shallow.
- Many players find the mechanics to be poorly executed, leading to a lack of engagement after initial amusement.
- music4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Players express a desire for more music throughout the game, suggesting the addition of radios in levels to enhance the experience. Additionally, there are concerns about the menu music being excessively loud compared to in-game audio, with a request for adjustable volume settings.
“I would've liked to hear more music.”
“Maybe put a radio in every level that you can turn on (or throw) and it plays a couple of songs like in the trailers?”
“The menu music seems quite loud compared to the rest of the game, and it would be nice if the music volume could be adjusted.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The gameplay has been criticized for its poor mechanics, particularly the throwing mechanic, which is intended to engage players but suffers from flawed physics, making it frustrating and difficult to execute effectively.
“The mechanics are a disgrace.”
“The one and only mechanic in the game that's supposed to keep you 'hooked' is the throwing, but the physics are so bad that it makes throwing really difficult.”
- story2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The story is largely criticized for its lack of substance, with many users noting that it feels non-existent or minimal.
“The story is non-existent.”
“There's not much in terms of a story.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics are characterized as simple, but the inclusion of various graphical options like volumetric lighting and motion blur enhances the visual experience. Overall, the game has shown significant improvement in performance since its last build.
“There are quite a few graphical options to fiddle with in the menu, such as volumetric lighting and motion blur, which do look quite nice, and the game is running much better since its last build.”
“The graphics are pretty simple.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Players find the game offers significant replayability due to its numerous levels and the potential for setting personal goals, such as achieving three-star ratings. However, some users express a desire for more streamlined restart options and additional achievements or specific challenges to enhance the replay experience further.
“There's plenty of levels with a lot of replay value in them if you set little goals for yourself.”
“I'm a bit of a perfectionist for three stars as well, so it would be a bit easier/quicker if there was one button I could press to restart instead of having to go into the menu every time. But most of all, I'd love to see more achievements, or even little level-specific goals (like taking out two cars with one object or having your target get taken out by a car) just to add an extra sense of satisfaction and replay value to the huge amount of levels already present.”
“I'm a bit of a perfectionist for three stars as well, so it would be a bit easier/quicker if there was one button I could press to restart instead of having to go into the menu every time. Most of all, I'd love to see more achievements or even little level-specific goals (like taking out two cars with one object or having your target get taken out by a car) just to add an extra sense of satisfaction and replay value to the huge amount of levels already present.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The reviews suggest that the game features a diverse blend of genres, but the aspect of grinding is not explicitly addressed, leaving its impact on gameplay unclear. Overall, the focus seems to be more on the game's expansive and varied nature rather than on the grinding mechanics themselves.
“The grinding in this game feels endless and tedious, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I spent hours grinding for resources, only to realize it was all for nothing.”
“The repetitive nature of grinding takes away from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere evokes a nostalgic feeling reminiscent of 90s Finnish computer games, which many players find appealing and adds a unique charm to the overall experience.
“In a weird way that I can't exactly describe, the atmosphere of this game made me think of the Finnish computer games of the 90s, which is a really big plus for me.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users have reported stability issues, particularly noting that character movement can feel buggy, especially when navigating stairs, where running may cause the character to get stuck.
“In the survival level, walking up the stairs feels a bit buggy; if I try to run up, I sometimes get stuck.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly impossible to progress.”
“I experienced several instances of lag that disrupted my gameplay experience.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players finding it genuinely amusing and entertaining.
“What this game is, is pretty gosh dang funny.”