Wizorb

75%
Game Brain Score Based on 395 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • music
Wizorb Game Cover
A great modernization of a classic concept, Wizorb is whole heartedly recommended.
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"Wizorb is a single-player fantasy arcade game with a good plot, game mechanics, graphics, and soundtrack. As wizard Cyrus, use your wand to bounce the orb and cast spells across 60 levels in five different worlds, with multiple endings. Earn gold to help rebuild homes and fight epic bosses."

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • PSP
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

75%
Audience ScoreBased on 395 reviews
gameplay32 positive mentions
grinding27 negative mentions
  • Wizorb features charming retro pixel art and a nostalgic soundtrack that evokes classic 16-bit games.
  • The game combines classic brick-breaking mechanics with RPG elements, such as spells and town rebuilding, adding depth to the gameplay.
  • It's easy to learn but offers a challenging experience, making it enjoyable for both casual players and those seeking to master the game.
  • The game can become tedious, especially with levels that feature unbreakable blocks and the need to replay entire worlds if you lose all your lives.
  • The magic system feels underutilized, as players often find themselves with limited mana and unable to effectively use spells during gameplay.
  • Some players have reported frustrating design choices, such as the inability to save progress mid-world, leading to a lack of enjoyment in longer play sessions.
  • gameplay103 mentions

    The gameplay of "Wizorb" is a blend of classic breakout mechanics and RPG elements, offering a nostalgic yet challenging experience. While the retro aesthetic and magic mechanics add charm, many players find the gameplay repetitive and frustrating due to poorly tuned mechanics and a lack of engaging power-ups. Overall, the game is visually appealing and has solid core mechanics, but it struggles to elevate itself beyond its inspirations, leading to mixed reviews on its enjoyment factor.

    • “Mastering the game’s mechanics to achieve all the achievements was both challenging and immensely rewarding.”
    • “The block breaking gameplay was fun and challenging thanks to the difficulty settings, and the spells to control the ball or shoot fireballs were nice for fishing out those last hard-to-reach blocks in later levels.”
    • “Wizorb is a beautiful indie game with some really unique mechanics.”
    • “The magic mechanics are almost useless with how hard they are to use effectively.”
    • “So almost all of the damn bricks are unbreakable from below, which - coupled with the lack of random power-ups in the stages - makes for some pretty slow, conservative, and predictable gameplay.”
    • “While the graphics are gorgeous and the idea kind of cute, this breakout/arkanoid clone doesn't do enough to deviate from its roots, leading to gameplay almost always slowing to a sudden, grinding halt.”
  • graphics86 mentions

    The graphics of "Wizorb" are widely praised for their vibrant and meticulously crafted retro pixel art style, reminiscent of classic 16-bit games, which evokes a strong sense of nostalgia. Reviewers highlight the charming visuals and well-animated sprites, noting that the game's aesthetic successfully captures the essence of old-school gaming while enhancing the overall experience. However, some critiques mention that despite the appealing graphics, the gameplay can feel repetitive and lacks depth, which may detract from the enjoyment.

    • “The retro pixel art style is vibrant and meticulously crafted, evoking the charm of classic 16-bit games.”
    • “Visually, 'Wizorb' embraces its retro roots with charming pixel art graphics and nostalgic sound effects that evoke the golden age of arcade gaming.”
    • “The graphics have a charming old school 8-bit look, and are well-animated.”
    • “The game is not pretty and the graphics options don’t help it at all, but that’s forgivable.”
    • “I found the art style detracted from the gameplay, lending it a sense of imprecision that isn't justified by the fairly solid mechanics underpinning it.”
    • “Unfortunately, the slow pace, unbreakable blocks dominating half the stages, and painfully sluggish movement of your bar all drown out what little joy the colorful graphics and nostalgia brought.”
  • music59 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its nostalgic 8-bit style and catchy tunes that complement the visuals, while others find it repetitive and lacking in quality. Some players appreciate the charming soundtrack that enhances immersion, but several critiques highlight that it can become grating or forgettable over time. Overall, while the music contributes to the retro aesthetic, it often fails to leave a lasting impression.

    • “The soundtrack complements the visuals perfectly, with catchy tunes that enhance the nostalgic feel while adding to the overall immersion.”
    • “Beautiful pixel-art style graphics, some light RPG elements, and a soundtrack that elicits real feelings of nostalgia as if they were already classics.”
    • “The graphics, presentation, and music of the game fit perfectly with the story and type of game it is.”
    • “The soundtrack is boring and extremely repetitive.”
    • “It's not worth the frustration and suffering through its horrifically bad soundtrack that makes the adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle on the NES sound like Link to the Past.”
    • “The only really disappointing aspect of the game was the music.”
  • story54 mentions

    The story in Wizorb is minimal and straightforward, revolving around a mage's quest to save the kingdom from an evil curse. While it provides a charming backdrop to the gameplay, many reviewers find it to be simplistic and not particularly compelling, serving more as a vehicle for the game's mechanics rather than a focal point. Overall, the narrative adds a slight layer of engagement to the classic brick breaker format, but it is not a significant draw for players seeking a deep storyline.

    • “While Wizorb’s story is minimal, it’s enjoyable and serves as a perfect backdrop to the gameplay.”
    • “The quest to save the kingdom of Gorudo from an evil curse is straightforward but engaging.”
    • “Brick breaker games are always a ton of fun, but this one takes it a step further with a neat little story, great music, fun pixel art, and extra gameplay mechanics I haven't seen elsewhere.”
    • “The story is close to nonexistent - the starting city does not need to be rebuilt.”
    • “It's touted as having an RPG-style story, but there really isn't one to be found.”
    • “The 'story' is quite mundane.”
  • grinding27 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and frustrating, often leading to a joyless experience. Many reviews highlight that while the game starts off engaging, it quickly devolves into a repetitive slog, particularly in later levels where luck often overshadows skill. Despite some appealing graphics and mechanics, the grinding nature detracts significantly from the overall enjoyment, making it difficult to recommend for extended play sessions.

    • “The game is hard, levels feel grindy, and the RPG mechanics are bare-boned, making little to no difference in the game.”
    • “The later levels really highlight what an intolerable grindy slog the game becomes where power-ups prevent you from using your better spells, the invisible walls on soft edges drive you mad, and it's more advantageous to commit suicide and reset your ball than watch it bounce around for 10+ minutes before it actually touches a brick.”
    • “While the graphics are gorgeous and the idea kind of cute, this breakout/arkanoid clone doesn't do enough to deviate from its roots, leading to gameplay almost always slowing to a sudden, grinding halt.”
  • replayability6 mentions

    Players find the game offers a surprising level of replayability despite its short length, with many noting that the affordable price enhances its value. While some feel the replay value is limited, others appreciate the game's charm and style, making it enjoyable to revisit. Overall, it strikes a balance between being a brief experience and providing enough content to warrant multiple playthroughs.

    • “A surprising amount of content and replayability for a game so affordably priced.”
    • “Wizorb is short, but replayable and absolutely bursting with style and charm.”
    • “It's a short game, but it has replay value.”
    • “Well, considering I finished in about 3 hours with little replay value, it's hard to say.”
    • “My playthrough on normal took about 4 hours.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game suffers from poor optimization for mouse controls, making interactions like shopping cumbersome, while the amulet usage is also awkward. However, it runs smoothly on older hardware, with a consistent frame rate during gameplay.

    • “The game isn't optimized for mouse controls; buying in shops is annoying, and the way to use the amulet is just weird.”
    • “The frame rate is pretty smooth on my 2009 ThinkPad; never stuttering in my 45-minute first play.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is not directly addressed in the provided text, which focuses more on gameplay mechanics such as unlocking shops and using spells. Therefore, it lacks specific insights into the emotional impact or narrative elements that might resonate with players.

  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere in Wizorb is praised for its beautiful visuals and nostalgic old-school charm, though some players find the music contributes to a sense of boredom. Overall, while the game successfully evokes a classic vibe, it may challenge players' patience.

    • “The music in this game sets the atmosphere to boring.”
    • “Wizorb looks beautiful and delivers on its promise of old school atmosphere, but it will likely pose a difficult test of your fortitude and patience.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised as very funny and addictive, contributing to a satisfying experience that keeps players engaged.

    • “Very funny, very addictive, very satisfying.”
    • “All I want to do is include in this text field an animated gif of the wizard laughing, but I can't.”
  • character development1 mentions

    The game's vibrant environments and charming character designs contribute to a whimsical and immersive world, enhancing the overall character development experience for players.

    • “The game's colorful environments and character designs are filled with personality and charm, creating a whimsical and immersive world for players to explore.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

75% average critic score

Buy Wizorb

Play time

2hMedian play time
2hAverage play time
2-2hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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