Ball Fall Down! [1 comment]


Kristina

Posted in Gaming.

Recently I was asked by Flat Pack Interactive to try and review their new iPad game, “BallFallDown”. As a new iPad owner, I gladly took on the task, and since I’ve already beat “Cut the Rope” and “Plants vs. Zombies”, I needed something new to try out anyway.

A new version of BallFallDown was just released last week on the App Store, so I figured now was as good of time as any to tell you guys about my experience playing the game. To give you a visual, here’s a screen cap from the old version of the game that I tried on my iPad:

The new version has many more options when it comes to customization, but the basic gameplay is the same:

The idea behind this App was to make a throwback to old fashioned style construction type games.  Think Legos, Lincoln Logs, Marble runs, Tinker Toys, etc. FlatPack claims that while computers and video games are always changing, these games find their charm in always staying exactly the same as you remember them. No rules, no levels to beat, no expansions to buy – just imagination.

In that, they succeeded. It was the most stress-free, relaxing game I’ve ever played in my entire life. You can make little obstacle courses and paths for various types of balls to navigate in an ever-moving environment you create yourself. The only problem is, this game reminded me why I don’t still have Lincoln Logs and Legos as an adult. I got bored pretty quickly.

In a world where gratification is everything, I think we as humans need something to be working toward. Fighting a boss, beating a level, earning a high score – these are the things that draw us to games, that encourage us to work harder, that make us feel like we’ve accomplished something. I commend FlatPack on their desire to step away from the competitive side of gaming, but I feel like I’m someone who needs that edge.

But then again, after a long day at work, or slaving away studying for finals, maybe this relaxing game would be perfect. If you’re interested in giving BallFallDown a try, you can check it out on the App store here for just $2.99.

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One Reply

  1. Joe Apr 1st 2011

    I’d argue that you’re biased because I see no ponies anywhere in the game!

    It would’ve been neat if the developer had added the ability to not only create a level, but to create a goal. By simply having a piece that was a ‘goal’ piece, and adding sharing options, a user could’ve created a level for thier friends to play. I think that creative apps with a purpose can be super cool.

    Cool review though…one day when I get an iPad I’ll have to check it out!


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