Ballionaire review

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As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming experience under my belt, I must say that Ballionaire has truly captured my attention and fascination. With its unique blend of Pachinko mechanics and Roguelike elements, it’s like playing a game of chance in a casino where the stakes are much higher – and that’s what makes it so intriguing!

If you’re a fan of indie games, you’ve likely encountered the Roguelike genre by now, as it continues to make its mark across gaming. This type of game is one I hold dear, featuring an array of odd and captivating titles that incorporate permadeath, randomness, and customizable character builds designed to conquer a run. In 2024, the Poker Roguelike genre gained traction with Balatro’s emergence, while Hades 2 kept Hades popular. Even established series like Prince of Persia and The Last of Us have joined the fun. To wrap up this year of Roguelikes, Ballionaire has added an extra dose of randomness by incorporating Pachinko into the mix.

In a game called Ballionaire, your objective is straightforward: launch a specific number of balls into a Pachinko device loaded with scoring pegs, aiming to accumulate a specified amount of money to win the round. Unlike traditional games, you don’t get to dictate where the ball goes; instead, you press a button to let it go, and its path is determined by physics. The only element you can manipulate are the extra pegs you can add to the device, each with varying effects.

The game efficiently teaches you how to create a scoring machine using different initial pegs as examples. The easiest one among them enhances the ball’s movement by adding bouncy pegs and teleporters that return it to the top, offering additional attempts to score more points. While this method is straightforward and effective for gaining extra money, it’s less captivating compared to utilizing the various game elements.

In certain scenarios, striking pegs may either produce new ball types or alter the existing one, each affecting other pegs differently. For instance, repeatedly hitting a cloud with a water ball can trigger a storm, raining down numerous water balls from above for high points. Alternatively, you can ignite a campfire to drop flaming balls onto beneficial pegs. This innovative mechanism allows for complex combinations, but keep in mind that the challenging money goals may still prove hard to reach, even with this understanding.

One enjoyable strategy to amass points in Ballionaire is through food collection. A ball can pick up and transport this food down the pegs. Collecting several basic food items such as bread, cheese, tomatoes, and depositing them into a pan results in a fresh pizza peg that yields dollars every time you strike it. If you successfully drop a food-filled ball into a mouth peg, it will consume the ball and provide significant cash rewards for each piece of food consumed. Arrange the pegs strategically to trigger these combos, and it’s an exhilarating experience; however, it requires some luck to gather the necessary pegs to execute this strategy successfully.

With each ball you insert into the Pachinko machine, you’re given a choice among three different pins (or pegs) to add. You have an opportunity to re-roll your selection a few times, but occasionally you’ll end up with a pin that doesn’t perfectly suit your playstyle. You can manage these less-than-ideal pins by placing them in areas where the ball seldom lands or simply accepting the money they generate despite not being perfect. However, as the board becomes more crowded, you might need to replace some of these pins. Additionally, you have the option to destroy a limited number of pins, but finding the right balance for when and how to do this is part of the overall pin strategy game.

Another key point about Ballionaire is that achieving one of its nine score goals during a game offers a permanent passive benefit, which can significantly alter the gameplay experience. For example, one of these perks causes the first food-carrying ball to drop off the table and restart from the beginning, while another rewards a large sum of money each time a new ball appears on the screen, opening up new opportunities for earning big amounts. There are numerous other passive abilities like these, and they can greatly enhance gameplay strategies by complementing your chosen build. These passive skills often determine whether you win or lose a game.

While Ballionaire is generally played on a static table, it’s important to note that this isn’t a hard-and-fast rule. In fact, one unique table includes flippers for pinball-like action, which can significantly alter the gameplay. I have to admit, I preferred the strategic aspects of the stationary tables over these more playful ones, but they offer their own brand of fun.

Similar to numerous popular Roguelikes, Ballionaire offers additional items to enhance your gameplay between sessions, accessible through a vending machine following moderately successful attempts. These extras can provide a significant advantage in future games, but it’s not always easy to determine if they will prove beneficial.

I had a great experience playing Ballionaire, yet I found it challenging to determine the most effective pegs for high scoring. It took me numerous tries before I finally emerged victorious, and this was on the easiest setting that unlocked additional game modes upon completion. The unpredictable bouncing balls in the game might annoy some players as well, since the added element of luck required to win doesn’t always guarantee success.

Ballionaire is an exceptionally engaging Roguelike game that blends Pachinko mechanics with permanent character death, offering a distinctive gaming experience. Some players might not be fond of the element of luck required for success, but crafting a strategically sound peg board that generates substantial income is immensely satisfying and justifies the occasional setbacks.

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2024-12-10 16:16