The Ball

75%
Game Brain Score Based on 719 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
The Ball Game Cover
A joyous and addictive action puzzler. Its packed full of brilliant puzzles, animations and an infectious sense of fun.
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"The Ball" is a physics-based action/puzzle game where players uncover the secrets of an ancient Mexican civilization using a mysterious artifact. They solve puzzles and battle enemies by manipulating the ball's properties, such as size and weight. With a blend of exploration, combat, and problem-solving, players delve into the game's rich storyline and environment.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

75%
Audience ScoreBased on 719 reviews
story50 positive mentions
grinding28 negative mentions
  • The game features strong level design and creative puzzles that keep players engaged.
  • The unique mechanic of using a giant ball to solve puzzles and defeat enemies adds a fun twist to the gameplay.
  • The atmosphere and visuals are well-executed, creating an immersive experience.
  • The narrative is weak and often nonsensical, making it hard to stay invested in the story.
  • Combat feels tacked on and can be tedious, detracting from the puzzle-solving experience.
  • Some puzzles can be overly simplistic, leading to a lack of challenge and engagement.
  • story196 mentions

    The story in the game is generally perceived as weak and disjointed, often feeling like an afterthought rather than a central element. While some players appreciate the atmospheric setting and the potential for deeper lore through hidden collectibles, many find the narrative vague and unengaging, with little impact on gameplay. Overall, the game is more focused on puzzles and mechanics than on delivering a compelling story, leading to mixed feelings about its narrative depth.

    • “The story takes place in 1940, somewhere in Mexico: you are an archaeologist and work on the slopes of an extinct volcano until you suddenly get trapped in a cave and can't get out.”
    • “Levels feature engraved slabs with hieroglyphics that tell a somewhat vague and ominous story while statues hidden around the levels grant the player some optional insight into the lives of the people that have long gone.”
    • “An entire experience centered around a simple to use ball leads you through a series of huge ancient ruins in an experience that can only be described as 'one hell of a ride.' The story is purposefully trimmed down, leaving you to perform as a true archaeologist and piece together the events that occurred so deep inside the mountain through the discovery of artifacts which unfold pieces of the story as they are discovered.”
    • “It's a constant back-and-forth between nice set pieces, held back by invisible walls not letting you explore, or even get a good look at, those set pieces, interesting puzzle mechanics, held back by finicky and unrewarding combat, and a story that completely went in one ear and out the other for me.”
    • “The ball is a mediocre puzzle game that doesn't take long to complete, has a story that makes very little sense, and gameplay that is surprisingly entertaining.”
    • “Unfortunately, there is little to no narrative in this game, telling nothing much but merely bits about the story behind the lost civilization, as the game mainly focused on the puzzles instead of the story.”
  • gameplay186 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is characterized by a unique mechanic involving a large ball used for puzzle-solving and combat, which some players found engaging while others deemed it repetitive and simplistic. While the puzzles introduce new mechanics throughout the game, many reviewers noted that the overall challenge and variety could be lacking, leading to a sense of tedium as the game progressed. Despite its flaws, the game is appreciated for its atmosphere and creative design, making it a decent choice for fans of indie puzzle games, especially if purchased at a discount.

    • “The gameplay is fresh and original, because running around with a ball about twice your size, in an attempt to solve puzzles and kill enemies, isn't exactly a common feature in games.”
    • “The game does a good job of steadily introducing new mechanics as you make your way through the ancient underground labyrinth.”
    • “A fun, entertaining game which can provide immense amusement, simple mechanic expertly executed.”
    • “The puzzles and boss mechanics are pretty janky and basic; it kind of shows its roots as a mod that superficially tried to ape Portal 'with a twist'.”
    • “Towards the end of the game, they put you on a giant cart-type contraption to travel these vast distances, but the game doesn't tie anything to the cart mechanics-wise, so it's just wasted time.”
    • “The gameplay mechanic does start to drag on a little bit towards the end, and sometimes the puzzles aren't as noticeable.”
  • graphics111 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that they appear dated, reflecting its 2010 release. While some appreciate the unique art style and vibrant colors, others find the visuals lackluster and monotonous, often comparing them to the gritty aesthetic typical of Unreal Engine 3 games. Overall, the graphics are considered acceptable for their time, but may not appeal to those seeking modern visual fidelity.

    • “Though this game is from 2010, on maximum settings the graphics have aged fairly well.”
    • “The graphics are great and the environments feel unique and fitting.”
    • “The aesthetic is well done and the art style is phenomenal.”
    • “Granted it's an older game, but the graphics and color palette were bad.”
    • “Graphically, the game looks dated.”
    • “The graphics are quite bad.”
  • atmosphere46 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive qualities, with many reviewers highlighting its unique art design, sound effects, and overall mood that evokes feelings of adventure and mystery. While some players found the gameplay occasionally repetitive or the story lacking, the atmospheric elements, including lighting and music, significantly enhance the experience, making it a standout feature of the game. Overall, the atmosphere is described as captivating and well-executed, contributing to a memorable gaming experience.

    • “The atmosphere and the gameplay are well executed, although the start of the game is rather bland. The best part of the game is at the ending levels, which is not that great, but still, I think it deserves an 8.5/10.”
    • “The atmosphere draws you in from the beginning and makes you wonder where the game will take you at its conclusion.”
    • “Great atmosphere, almost too perfect; it needs more dust and the ability to get dirtier somehow.”
    • “I know it's not a new game, but the atmosphere and the overall style were just not for me.”
    • “Interesting idea for a puzzle game, and might be good if it wasn't for the monsters and weird atmospheres that just actually get in the way.”
    • “The atmosphere reminds me of the Quake games, the grey/brown palette.”
  • grinding29 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and monotonous, with many expressing that the puzzles, while initially engaging, quickly become repetitive and frustrating. The addition of combat and achievement hunting further contributes to the sense of grind, as players report that certain achievements require excessive effort without meaningful reward. Many reviewers suggest that the game's short length exacerbates the feeling of tedium, making it feel more like a chore than an enjoyable experience.

    • “The game can feel a bit grindy at times, but the rewards make it worth it.”
    • “Grinding is a necessary part of the experience, and it adds depth to character progression.”
    • “While there are moments of grinding, they are balanced by the satisfaction of leveling up.”
    • “The game got tedious pretty fast.”
    • “Adding combat was a cool idea, but it gets tedious after a while.”
    • “Overall the game is just boring and the puzzles are kind of challenging (to those who aren't complete experts) but also tedious.”
  • music24 mentions

    The music in the game is generally described as ambient and atmospheric, often blending into the background and being forgettable or repetitive. While some players appreciate the beautiful and lush soundscapes that enhance the game's environments, others find the soundtrack lacking in variety and depth, with sound effects that can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the music contributes to the game's atmosphere but may not leave a lasting impression on players.

    • “The music is lovely and ambient, largely leaving you to ponder the wondrous scale of the levels, and evoking the unusual aspects of the game.”
    • “Great level design, superb music and sounds.”
    • “Beautiful art, great music, and expansive levels make this a worthwhile purchase when on sale.”
    • “The music was fitting but mostly seemed ambient, boring, and muddy.”
    • “The sense of muddy sounding music was made worse by the almost constant low rumbling sound effects in this game.”
    • “Sometimes it is repetitive; the music/song is the same every single mission.”
  • stability9 mentions

    The game's stability is a mixed bag, with some players reporting minor glitches and annoying visual issues, while others experienced more significant bugs that detracted from the overall experience. Although there are instances of game-breaking glitches, many users found that these did not severely hinder gameplay. Overall, while the physics and graphics are generally well-received, the presence of various bugs and glitches remains a notable concern.

    • “The game also suffers from some horrible bugs and glitches which the developers seemed to have overlooked, but they don't hinder the game at all.”
    • “Not only do you have to solve puzzles, but you also must navigate through glitches, bugs, and a plethora of issues that shouldn't be in a final release of a game.”
    • “Good concept, but game-breaking glitches definitely dissuaded me from deciding to delve into this game for any length of time.”
  • humor8 mentions

    The humor in this game is notably less pronounced compared to titles like "Portal," which features witty dialogue and comedic elements from characters like a murderous AI. While some players appreciate the straightforward action-puzzler approach without deep philosophical musings or dry humor, others miss the engaging and funny interactions that enhance the gameplay experience. Overall, the game lacks the comedic charm that makes similar titles memorable, focusing more on combat than humor.

    • “However, with Portal, you got a puzzle, some hilarious dialogue from a murderous AI.”
    • “When you solve the puzzles in the test chamber, you move ahead and get that reward of more funny dialogue, and sometimes see something interesting such as signs of previous test subjects.”
    • “Quantum Conundrum has John DeLancie (the actor who played Q in Star Trek) talking to you between puzzles.”
  • replayability8 mentions

    Overall, the game has been criticized for its low replayability, primarily due to its single ending, lack of difficulty levels, and short playtime of about 5-6 hours. While some players mention a survival mode and the option to pursue achievements, these features do not significantly enhance replay value for most.

    • “This game has only one ending and with the total absence of difficulty levels, this means the game has absolutely no replay value.”
    • “The only downside is that it is kind of short and has limited replay value, but you still get a decent value-for-money ratio.”
    • “The game is fairly short though (only takes about 5-6 hours) and there is a survival mode, but there isn't really any replay value to the game unless you are a person who likes going for all the achievements.”
  • emotional5 mentions

    The game successfully evokes a strong emotional response, creating a sense of warmth and attachment, even to seemingly mundane objects like a ball. Players appreciate the immersive atmosphere, likening the experience to an adventurous journey, which enhances their emotional engagement with the game.

    • “Still, it made me feel warm and gooey inside the entire time.”
    • “And the atmosphere is top notch; playing this game made me feel like I was going on an Indiana Jones adventure.”
    • “The game somehow managed to get me emotionally attached to a ball, and I'm not ashamed to admit it.”
  • monetization3 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is tied to its promotional content, with users noting that while the gameplay was enjoyable and aligned with advertised hours, the experience felt short and abruptly ended, serving primarily as a marketing tool for Portal 2.

    • “The monetization strategy feels exploitative, as it pushes players to spend more money to enjoy the full experience.”
    • “The game is riddled with microtransactions that disrupt the flow and enjoyment of gameplay.”
    • “I was disappointed to find that many features are locked behind a paywall, making it hard to progress without spending extra money.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

73% average critic score

Buy The Ball

Play time

8hMedian play time
7hAverage play time
7-8hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 7 analyzed playthroughs

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