Mystery Ball ($0.99, App Store Link), created by David Howe, is an iOS strategy game that exists in a strange dimension located somewhere between Kirby’s Dream Course and Dark Nebula.
Controlling a ball named Fred, the goal of each level is to get from the starting-point to the exit pipe. While locating the exit, you must accommodate for Fred’s fears: Aphephobia (touch), Acrophobia (heights), and Chronophobia (time). Because of these ailments, Fred must slowly collect Bravery Badges to overcome his challenges and successfully complete the levels. The trailer highlights Fred’s challenges, shows game play, and introduces you to the nutty professor who built Fred.
Gameplay
The game is comprised of levels with a puzzle-like feel, and each board may be completed several ways, depending on how the user chooses to control Fred. Utilizing different power-ups, which help Fred conquer his fears, he can bounce, soar, and float his way through challenges.
In addition to power-ups, Fred will pick up usable “Doodads” to complete certain levels and find hidden areas in others. These objects include: springs; magnets; bubbles; accellerators; and phase shifters. The doodads also help Fred keep away from “Frenemies,” which are bad-guys scattered frustratingly around the world. Interrupting your ability to complete each level, frenemies become quite difficult to evade at some points, but do make the level more challenging in a good way.
One nice extra includes the ability to sync progress across multiple devices using iCloud. This is excellent if you’ve entertained yourself with some Mystery Ball on your coffee break at work and want to continue on the couch at home with the iPad. In fact, this is a feature many other games should consider.
Controls
Perhaps the most frustrating and disappointing aspect of the game is the control system. The user must swipe the screen in the desired direction to move Fred about the board. This stands in stark contrast to most modern iOS games (Dark Nebula, Labrynth, Super Monkey Ball, Doodle Jump) which utilize the accelerometer.
Although the swipe-control is not ideal, it does work quite well and is very responsive. Fred is easily manipulated and the corresponding camera rotations moved smoothly, providing the best viewing angles. However, some of the levels are increasingly complicated and the number of swipes required will eventually cause hand cramps, even after only a short time playing. One early level took over 300 swipes to complete, as noted in the picture below.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the game attempts to interest a wide age-range with an invasive storyline, severely detracting from enjoyment what should be a simple puzzle game. Further, the age group interested in a childlike storyline will likely not be intelligent enough to complete the difficult challenges within some levels.
Unfortunately, “cute-natured” doodads, frenemies, and ball with a personality limit this game’s potential. Finally, the controls, while smooth, forget about one of the most impressive features of iOS devices — the accelerometor — and the user is left continually (and often frustratingly) swiping to finish the levels.
One area where Mystery Ball leads the charge is with iCloud integration. The ability to seamlessly switch between devices is a very attractive feature. Unfortunately, this does not make up for the disruptive storyline.
Mystery Ball would be worth picking up for free, but because of the frustrating gameplay and nutty professor antics, I cannot recommend this one to friends. The game is available now at a price of just 99 cents through the App Store ($0.99, App Store Link). For more information, visit the official Mystery Ball website.
Pros
Cons
Version 1.02 brings a few excellent upgrades to the platform. First, the update allows gamers with iOS 4.0+ to also join the fun. More importantly, Doodads can now be replaced and moved at ANY TIME, while in “doodad mode.” The ability to maneuver these key pieces around the level puzzles, greatly enhances the enjoyability of the gaming experience. Previously, if a doodad was placed prior to starting the level, they could not be moved. If a misplace occurred, you had to restart the level, correcting the mistake. In addition, a new way to change the camera has been added, which adds accelerometer capabilities. Originally, the camera movements were effective, but the developer has given the player even more control over the viewing angle. Finally, music selections for the levels is a desired upgrade that was resolved in this update. Look for more great updates, including new fears and doodads, from David Howe in the future.