A Mellow Twist
Magic Ball Adventure is very similar to Breakout. The formula involves bouncing a ball back and forth between a paddle and wall, breaking that wall down piece by piece. It's a popular formula, and one that has been copied time and time again. Some games pull it off; some not so much. I'm happy to tell you that for the most part this game pulls it off, but with somewhat different results.
Going into this game, I wasn't sure what to expect. I've played so many Breakout clones that when I sleep at night, I see steel balls rolling around destroying all of my stuff. From the start, it all felt very similar. There were power-ups that I had seen before and lots of brightly colored blocks just waiting to be smashed to pieces. But then, as I played more, I started to realize how slow-paced the game was. This results in two things.
Despite the usual hectic nature of these type of games, this one is very soothing and stress-free, which is great. Games like this are a great way to just kick back and take a load off. All of the bright and vibrant explosions are pleasing to the eye and strangely calming. I've never really felt more at ease than I did playing this game.
The sounds also help immerse you in the experience and escape reality. The music has a very pleasing, retro feel to it. It sounds like something you would hear in an 80s action movie. That, combined with the classic look of the game all lend towards a somewhat nostalgic feeling.
It Isn't All Good
That's the good part of it being a slower paced game. Now, here's the bad.
Magic Ball Adventure isn't necessarily a difficult game. Now, this isn't really a bad thing if you enjoy an easier game. A lot of people plays game to unwind; they aren't always looking for a challenge. And I'm not saying the game is always incredibly easy. Every now and then, you'll happen across some power-ups that will really speed things up; and due to the usual slowness of everything, this can really catch you off guard.
Like I said, the difficulty (or lack thereof) isn't necessarily a problem, depending on what type of game you're looking for. While could definitely turn a lot of people off, it could always be exactly what some people are looking for.
Worth Your Time
Despite its shortcomings, Magic Ball Adventure is definitely a worthwhile game and one that is sure to satisfy you for some time. The levels have very unique designs that make the game very enjoyable and the abundance of power-ups really shake up the gameplay (in a good way).
I can't tell you if this is a game that you would enjoy. However, I can tell you that I like it and I'll definitely (and happily) spend my time plowing through the game. It's really, really fun and honestly, what more could you ask for. So give it a whirl and I'm sure you'll find something you like about it.
