Overall – 70%
70%
BALLYGON’s tribute to SEGA’s Super Monkey Ball might border on plagiarism, but it has got the physics and overall action down to a science. Those that don’t mind a package lacking an aesthetic charm will enjoy its roly-poly action.
Players will be on a roll with Anthony Seeha’s new marble-roller BALLYGON. More than 150 low-poly labyrinths await – should players get moving, or should players stick to Super Monkey Ball?
BALLYGON Review
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then BALLYGON is the highest form of praise. If one were to look at the images on its Steam page, one would think this was another Super Monkey Ball release – albeit one with a robot instead of a primate.
While it’s true that BALLYGON is part and parcel the same as SEGA’s banana-collecting title, there are a few wrinkles that make this one stand out. Players will still be navigating each level and collecting everything they come across (it’s Energy Orbs this title) as they make their way to the finish line. However, one’s overall Energy Orb count comes into play as well when it comes to getting ahead and unlocking additional bits of content.
If one is looking to move forward to the next set of levels, they’ll need to keep that Energy Orb count up to a certain amount. Falling to one’s doom costs players a hefty 1,000 orbs, while finishing at a swift pace can earn players a sizable sum. It makes for an interesting dynamic that puts the onus on score chasing as opposed to simply completing a level. Of course, one can continue playing for additional orbs, but it’s up to players if they want to go the extra mile – perfect for the score chasers among us. It can be cheap at times, sure, but this addition gives it its own unique flavor.
BALLYGON also makes a number of accommodations to make sure the labyrinthine experience is a smooth one. For one, an assist mode can make navigation a breeze for those who are simply not used to this style of play. In addition, there are multiple perspectives to choose from at the press of a button – the top-down view was an absolute godsend on some of the more tricky levels. Finally, one can cash in tokens for a number of different perks – these include Mini Mode, Mega Mode, Quick and Instant Retry, and other tweaks. However, there’s modes that bring the heat as well – only the most diehard of rollers should even consider the Invisiball mode that makes players invisible.
It’s just a shame that this game is far too one note for its own good. Some of the trickier levels have players navigating giant boulders, mini marbles, platforms strewn all willy-nilly, and a skate park that needs just the right momentum to navigate. However, its solid physics have gone to waste with the same general aesthetic currently in place here. BALLYGON trims the fat, but does so at the expense of muscle.
BALLYGON’s tribute to SEGA’s Super Monkey Ball might border on plagiarism, but it has got the physics and overall action down to a science. Those that don’t mind a package lacking an aesthetic charm will enjoy its roly-poly action.
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This review of BALLYGON was done on the PC. The game was purchased digitally.
Players will be on a roll with Anthony Seeha’s new marble-roller BALLYGON. More than 150 low-poly labyrinths await – should players get moving, or should players stick to Super Monkey Ball?
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