Ball X Pit: PS5 Review

Developed by Kenny Sun

Published by Devolver Digital

Platform: PS5

Sometimes simplicity is the key to a good game. 

Often overlooked in the gaming world, simplicity doesn't necessarily mean it's easier. Devolver Digital's latest, Ball X Pit, is a roguelike game that is as addictive as they come and is a spiritual successor to the indie faves (and still alive) Vampire Survivors and Brotato, both of which have had hours sunken into them by this reviewer.

You play an inhabitant of New Ballbylon which has been ravaged. And it's upto you to rebuild it, with gold and assets you gain from fighting hordes of enemies that descend on you from the top of the screen. Rows of skeletons, snakes or mushrooms (as well as other creatures) get ever closer to your character - and the only way to see them off is with a placed ball to batter them into submission.

But as well as normal balls that you'd find in the likes of Arkanoid and Pong, there are other mutated balls that can be upgraded and fired on the marauding invaders. From balls that fire other balls once they hit to ghost balls that pass through your enemies and attack them as well as things like poison and laser beams there are plenty of choices here - even if they're randomly generated.

And there's also a chance to fuse them together to take on the enemy, as well as the three bosses that appear per level.

However, that's not all Ball x Pit offers.

At the end of each level, there's a chance to rebuild and farm resources within a limited harvesting clock. Initially appearing to be a bit of a time-waste in between levels, this actually soon becomes a valuable place to garner elements you need for progression.

Much like Dave the Diver's diner, it soon becomes as addictive as the game itself, even if it's harder to build up the clock for longer harvesting times. With over 70 buildings that unlock power-ups, new characters and bonuses, there's a real incentive to do this rather than just progress through levels.

Yet where Ball X Pit succeeds is in its gameplay.

Sure, as more balls end up flying across the screen, you'd worry about lag. But this is as smooth as it comes, ensuring the game never freezes and never slows as the console processor catches up.

It's mightily impressive and utterly addictive. Ball X Pit is a reminder that the indie world is in incredibly rude health and that you don't need a 100 hour-plus story to sink your teeth into to get some soul-nourishing goodness.