Lava Ball 3D from Exit 4 Gaming is a take on the ever popular Labyrinth genre of games in which you roll a ball through a maze. These games are popular now because they make great use of the accelerometer found on today's mobile devices. Lava Ball 3D tries to take this formula and turn it up a notch. Does it succeed?
First there's the title screen. From here you can choose a level on which to play and from 4 modes of play: Arcade, Hardcore, Preview and Practice. I don't really like the layout of this screen as it's less than intuitive, but the game does provide access to a help screen that explains how to use it via the Menu button standard on most (all?) Android phones. In a nutshell, clicking on the mode toggles it, but swiping on a level selects among those... inconsistent. But that's a petty issue if the game is good.
In playing the game, the levels are certainly challenging, but not impossible. The game includes 30 levels, but the developers are active in adding to and improving the game. Hopefully the controls will be among those improvements. The levels also seem to include variety despite the somewhat bland color palette used across them. I also think it's nice that despite the fact that the Practice and Preview modes aren't for play they do serve a valid purpose... in order to do well you'll need to explore a level so you know where to go to pick up all of the crystals fast. You're not going to beat the clock cruising around willy nilly as the levels aren't simple.
All in all this is quite a good 'advanced labyrinth' style of game. A non-annoying musical score during play... perhaps something that intensifies with the timer would be nice as would a fix for my control issue, but behind this there's some solid fun to be had. 4/5 stars.
Thanks for the review of our game. Your fair comments on some of the shortcomings of our game are well received. We want to be responsive to our customers issues and we are already working on some of these improvements to our first offering.
ReplyDeleteIn the upcoming weeks, Lava Ball 3D will be updated with improved sound and a calibration option. Additionally, expect several new levels to be added. We have also integrated ScoreLoop functionality into the game and will be sponsoring a high score contest in the upcoming weeks.
Overall, the minor issues that were mentioned can be corrected. We think the major features of the game are well worth anyone's download. As mentioned, the game is Labyrinth style ball rolling turned up a notch. The game offers full 3D graphics AND PHYSICS. You can roll the ball or make it fall in any direction you want. Sometimes you will roll on the ground Labyrinth style, but at other times you will need to roll on the walls at angles and even on the backside of the screen.
Again, thanks for the review and keep watching us for updates and new titles in the future.
Best Regards,
Charlie Zimmerman
President - Exit 4 Gaming
We have just released a new version of Lava Ball to the Market.
ReplyDeleteIn this release we address the minor issues pointed out above. The release features:
- MUCH easier ball control!
- Calibration option.
- Improved ball feedback with ball sounds and subtle vibration.
- Scoreloop integration.
- A new ball look to better show off movement.
- A more intuitive GUI.
The game is even ON SALE right now! Grab it from the Market for a dollar off for a short time!
Thanks,
Charlie Zimmerman
Exit 4 Gaming