BALL x Pit from developer Kenny Sun and Friends and publisher Devolver Digital is an indie survival roguelite that fuses elements from some all-time classic games from yesteryear into an action-packed, extremely addictive funfest.
Does the game deliver, and is it worth checking out?
What is BALL x Pit?
Ballbyon fell when a giant meteor hit it, leaving behind a dark, ominous pit. It’s in this pit where travellers from far and wide come to seek their fortune. Players in BALL x Pit are thrust into the shoes of a champion who descends into these depths to fight against hordes of enemies. The story is fairly straightforward, and the game wastes no time in getting you up to speed with its gameplay mechanics.
Gameplay
Once you’ve started your first foray into BALL x Pit, you’ll immediately be hooked. Playing as a knight character, you’ll fireball projectiles at enemy forces that slowly move down towards you. These enemies are quite varied, and if you let them get too close to you, they’ll attack you and deal damage to you. Firing your ball projectiles at them deals damage, and as you defeat them, you’ll gain experience in the form of shiny gems that drop onto the floor. Collect enough, and you’ll level up and unlock a perk or a weapon or a weapon upgrade.
This isn’t anything new and is something we’ve seen in a variety of game genres. BALL x Pit very clearly takes inspiration from Breakout and Arkanoid and combines it with roguelike elements to craft a masterful end product that will have you coming back for more and more.
Base Building & Upgrades
This is further enhanced by the fact that should you die in battle, you’ll be sent back up to the top of the pit where a base of operations has been set up. Here, you can build structures as well as plant crops such as wheat and grow forests. You can then send out your minions to harvest resources or build for you, and it’s great.
The game’s core gameplay loop, therefore, revolves around diving into the pit, facing off against waves and waves of foes, fighting boss enemies, obtaining upgrades and then coming back to the top of the pit and upgrading your base. You’ll also unlock new characters to play as, and each one has their own unique ability or perk that will assist you along your journey.
Depth & Roguelike Mechanics
BALL x Pit gets surprisingly deep the more you play it. The whole base-building aspect goes from fairly simple to something that’s a lot more in-depth the more you expand. You’ll unlock new buildings and structures, which will augment your resource harvesting capabilities as well as your character’s capabilities in battle, and it’s all very well thought out.
The roguelike elements of the game also make this incredibly satisfying because no two runs will ever be the same. Players will be able to mix and match different ball weapons and passive abilities in each level, and some levels will require a completely different playstyle to achieve victory. For example, in the frozen caverns region, enemies have shields and take more damage if you attack them from the sides.
Additionally, there’s another layer of strategy which lies with the fact that as you level up, you can also pick up upgrades that can either fuse or evolve your ball weapons/perks. Certain balls, such as the fire and ice ball, can be evolved into a more powerful one, and as you play through the game, you’ll discover new combinations. Some of these are incredibly fun to use and can really come in clutch when things get hectic.
Graphics
Graphically, BALL x Pit looks great with an art style and aesthetic that looks fantastic, especially when all the flashy effects get going in levels. Enemy designs are quite varied, and the bosses look great, too.
Sound
The soundtrack of the game is filled with some truly fantastic music. So much so that I immediately went and added the OST to my playlist because damn, what an OST this game has! It’s so good and fits the game’s theme, aesthetic and action perfectly. The sound effects used in the game are also well done, and the enemy chanting really adds to the intensity as their numbers ramp up.
Final Verdict
Overall, BALL x Pit is an indie gem and a game that I can solidly recommend. The game is quite literally perfect for quick pick-up and play sessions. If you grab it on Nintendo Switch or play it on Steam Deck, it’s great for easy drop-in and drop gameplay since each run doesn’t take too long, coming in at around 10-15 minutes per run.
The progression system is great, and my only gripe with the game lies with the fact that there isn’t an option for increasing the speed even further than the 2x and 3x speed options available. BALL x Pit has a demo available, and if you’re still on the fence, I suggest playing that and seeing for yourself just how good this game is! Highly recommended.
Ball X Pit Trailer
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The game was provided to us for the express purpose of reviewing.