Attn : Marble Madness / Puzzle Game Fans

Djay · 17 April 2004, 00:33

For fans of Marble Madness or Puzzle games in general there is...

Ballance...

http://www.ballance.org/Images/shotsbig_01.jpg
http://www.ballance.org/Images/shotsbig_04.jpg

check out...

http://www.ballance.org

esp. the downloads page for a few more pics and video clips, also they promise a demo soon...

i picked up the full game for £10 and its great fun, basic gameplay, clever level design, nice gfx, good animation and suitable audio...

even is you normally dont go for this kinda thing its worth getting for a tenner...

Djay · 17 April 2004, 00:36

and yes that's an in-game screen-shot!

Drake1009 · 17 April 2004, 22:00

Wow that looks nice. Another game which is quite enjoyable in the marble rolling style is Marble blast. (www.marbleblast.com or www.garagegames.com). I ended up purchasing the gold version after having tried the demo. Not quite as nice graphics though, but that's a question of level design I think.

Level editor is included with the game and you can import your own .dif files (can be made with tools like the Quake army knife). This game is more about controlling the marble through a level quickly as all level times become timed and highscore list lists the best 3 times.

After reviewing a couple of the Ballance vids I thought that Ballance resembles more of a puzzle pathfinding game such as Oxyd. There's a nice freeware remake of Oxyd on http://www.nongnu.org/enigma/

Djay · 02 May 2004, 22:29

demo now available...

direct download

Amiga1992 · 02 May 2004, 23:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drake1009

Wow that looks nice. [/url]

I don't find it nice looking. The textures are horrible! Marbles look like made out of rubber, or vomit.

NOt saying the game is not fun, it probably is. The "stunts" look interesting. But graphically I don't like it.

Drake1009 · 03 May 2004, 12:10

I downloaded the demo and was quite honestly disappointed. Probably because the level was the first and thus the easiest. But if it was to be representative for the rest of the game they should've chosen a harder level.

I liked the way marble blast sold their demo. A couple of beginner levels, one intermediate level and one advanced level in the demo. The beginner ones were learning how to play. The intermediate showed a fairly tricky challenge. And I still haven't completed the advanced level.

Djay · 03 May 2004, 23:38

as with all demos, this demo gives you an idea of what the gameplay, gfx etc.. is like...

but not how difficult the later levels are... and believe me they are difficult... i did actually play the full game, not the demo before i bought it, although it only took me to decide to buy it by level 2..

i am currently talking to the game designer about working on the sequel or add-on which should include level editor, extra features etc... i am working on a level maker guide aswell as producing some extra levels... as a reference for level making

Drake1009 · 04 May 2004, 18:58

I just have trouble seeing where the skill to complete the levels would be needed. Could you give me an example of a tough puzzle in the game? Marble blast is mostly skill at controlling the marble, no real puzzles unless you count trying to find a faster way around a level to beat your best time a puzzle.

Djay · 04 May 2004, 22:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drake1009

I just have trouble seeing where the skill to complete the levels would be needed. Could you give me an example of a tough puzzle in the game? Marble blast is mostly skill at controlling the marble, no real puzzles unless you count trying to find a faster way around a level to beat your best time a puzzle.

have a look at the video clips available at their site...

Drake1009 · 04 May 2004, 23:11

I looked at the movies and though they looked nice and everything I just thought it looked like some aspect of gameplay was lacking. I don't know what it was. Maybe next time I buy from Amazon I'll order it along with the rest of the order. I'm not about to go pay postage for one game so unless it shows up in shops around here it'll wait.

Drake1009 · 30 May 2004, 03:20

Well DJay you managed to convince me to get the game next time I ordered online, which I did this tuesday.

You say you're making extra levels. Is there a way to actually do that with the game as is, or do you need to be an insider to actually get to do that? 12 levels just ain't going to be enough for me I'm afraid.

s2325 · 28 July 2011, 22:34

For Amiga there is also Powerballs:

You can find this game on Astronut & Wise Man - Ball-Lightning & Master Mage & Powerballs & Pump Up the Volume (19xx)(Astronut - Wise Man) A lot of patience required.

s2325 · 25 August 2011, 12:25

and (hard) Dizzy Wizard for Atari ST:

Game is on Zuul CD #60

alexh · 25 August 2011, 12:51

The game Ballance sooooo needs to be re-released for Android and iOS. Atari get your finger out!

http://www.atari.com/games/ballance

s2325 · 11 May 2016, 21:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by s2325

and (hard) Dizzy Wizard for Atari ST

screenshots and download http://www.atarimania.com/game-atari...zard_9136.html

17 April 2004, 00:33	#1
Djay 95th User Join Date: May 2001 Location: Brighton/UK Age: 48 Posts: 3,120	Attn : Marble Madness / Puzzle Game Fans For fans of Marble Madness or Puzzle games in general there is... Ballance... http://www.ballance.org/Images/shotsbig_01.jpg http://www.ballance.org/Images/shotsbig_04.jpg check out... http://www.ballance.org esp. the downloads page for a few more pics and video clips, also they promise a demo soon... i picked up the full game for £10 and its great fun, basic gameplay, clever level design, nice gfx, good animation and suitable audio... even is you normally dont go for this kinda thing its worth getting for a tenner... Last edited by Djay; 01 July 2011 at 21:33.

17 April 2004, 22:00	#3
Drake1009 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Denmark Posts: 2,284	Wow that looks nice. Another game which is quite enjoyable in the marble rolling style is Marble blast. (www.marbleblast.com or www.garagegames.com). I ended up purchasing the gold version after having tried the demo. Not quite as nice graphics though, but that's a question of level design I think. Level editor is included with the game and you can import your own .dif files (can be made with tools like the Quake army knife). This game is more about controlling the marble through a level quickly as all level times become timed and highscore list lists the best 3 times. After reviewing a couple of the Ballance vids I thought that Ballance resembles more of a puzzle pathfinding game such as Oxyd. There's a nice freeware remake of Oxyd on http://www.nongnu.org/enigma/ Last edited by Drake1009; 17 April 2004 at 22:09.

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17 April 2004, 00:36	#2
Djay 95th User Join Date: May 2001 Location: Brighton/UK Age: 48 Posts: 3,120	and yes that's an in-game screen-shot!

02 May 2004, 22:29	#4
Djay 95th User Join Date: May 2001 Location: Brighton/UK Age: 48 Posts: 3,120	demo now available... direct download

03 May 2004, 12:10	#6
Drake1009 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Denmark Posts: 2,284	I downloaded the demo and was quite honestly disappointed. Probably because the level was the first and thus the easiest. But if it was to be representative for the rest of the game they should've chosen a harder level. I liked the way marble blast sold their demo. A couple of beginner levels, one intermediate level and one advanced level in the demo. The beginner ones were learning how to play. The intermediate showed a fairly tricky challenge. And I still haven't completed the advanced level.

03 May 2004, 23:38	#7
Djay 95th User Join Date: May 2001 Location: Brighton/UK Age: 48 Posts: 3,120	as with all demos, this demo gives you an idea of what the gameplay, gfx etc.. is like... but not how difficult the later levels are... and believe me they are difficult... i did actually play the full game, not the demo before i bought it, although it only took me to decide to buy it by level 2.. i am currently talking to the game designer about working on the sequel or add-on which should include level editor, extra features etc... i am working on a level maker guide aswell as producing some extra levels... as a reference for level making

04 May 2004, 18:58	#8
Drake1009 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Denmark Posts: 2,284	I just have trouble seeing where the skill to complete the levels would be needed. Could you give me an example of a tough puzzle in the game? Marble blast is mostly skill at controlling the marble, no real puzzles unless you count trying to find a faster way around a level to beat your best time a puzzle.

04 May 2004, 23:11	#10
Drake1009 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Denmark Posts: 2,284	I looked at the movies and though they looked nice and everything I just thought it looked like some aspect of gameplay was lacking. I don't know what it was. Maybe next time I buy from Amazon I'll order it along with the rest of the order. I'm not about to go pay postage for one game so unless it shows up in shops around here it'll wait.

30 May 2004, 03:20	#11
Drake1009 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Denmark Posts: 2,284	Well DJay you managed to convince me to get the game next time I ordered online, which I did this tuesday. You say you're making extra levels. Is there a way to actually do that with the game as is, or do you need to be an insider to actually get to do that? 12 levels just ain't going to be enough for me I'm afraid.

28 July 2011, 22:34	#12
s2325 Zone Friend Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Gargore Age: 43 Posts: 17,789	For Amiga there is also Powerballs: You can find this game on Astronut & Wise Man - Ball-Lightning & Master Mage & Powerballs & Pump Up the Volume (19xx)(Astronut - Wise Man) A lot of patience required.

25 August 2011, 12:25	#13
s2325 Zone Friend Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Gargore Age: 43 Posts: 17,789	and (hard) Dizzy Wizard for Atari ST: Game is on Zuul CD #60

25 August 2011, 12:51	#14
alexh Thalion Webshrine Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Oxford Posts: 14,337	The game Ballance sooooo needs to be re-released for Android and iOS. Atari get your finger out! http://www.atari.com/games/ballance

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