Ballionaire is an incredibly creative game unlike anything I’ve played before. The overall gameplay and vibes offer a lot of unique fun, though as you might guess, luck plays a rather big part in your progression. Still, making a great board and racking up money is a great feeling for those who can look past unlucky runs.
Credit: Raw Fury
Ballionaire
Developer: newobject
Price: $10
Platform: PC (reviewed)
MonsterVine was supplied with a PC code for review.
When I saw Ballionaire’s trailer, I was struck by a couple of things. The psychedelic colors and art certainly stood out, but one thing that got me truly interested was the combination of roguelike elements with a game of chance like Pachinko. I decided I needed to see for myself how these two things mixed, and I’m glad I did, as it turns out they’re quite the match.
The main gameplay of Ballionaire has you dropping balls down a pachinko board to rack up enough money to continue progressing after a certain number of drops. Each drop lets you add a new trigger to one of the spaces between the pegs, which have a wide variety of effects that can help or hinder your score. You can then unlock more after runs through a neat little vending machine, which expands your choices.
Credit: Raw Fury
Figuring out strategies that allow your triggers to complement one another is the real meat and potatoes of the game, as that’s where things get really exciting. Some runs will have you excitedly slotting handy triggers next to each other and racking up dollars upon dollars, while others might have you a bit irritated.
“I was impressed with all the different ways there are to play Ballionaire.“
Given trigger distribution seems to be largely luck-based, just as the dropping part itself is, you’re bound to get some short runs that don’t go anywhere. It’s worth pushing through these for those deeply satisfying better ones, but it is noticeable when you get a series of rough ones in a row.
Credit: Raw Fury
There are all sorts of different board types you can mess around with, each with its own gimmicks. From a slot machine that drops balls depending on your results to a fishing-themed board that casts and reels in the ball, I was impressed with all the different ways there are to play Ballionaire. Some of the boards are more fun than others, but the variety is appreciated nonetheless.
There’s even a custom mode where you can decide exactly what sort of conditions you want to play with, and mod support from the get-go. This is a neat feature that will surely provide the game with a strong shelf life, as you can share your own Starter Packs online with others. I look forward to seeing what sort of things people make, as there’s plenty of room for customization.
Credit: Raw Fury
The visuals of Ballionaire go for a surreal, almost Adult Swim-esque vibe. I was quite charmed by the frequently present dancing 3D stick figure and their wide variety of faces and dance moves, and I found the colorful style of the different triggers and abilities to be pleasant to look at. The goofy sounds contribute to this overall vibe, further cementing the distinct aesthetic of the game.
The Final Word
Ballionaire is a peculiar little gem that deftly mixes pachinko with roguelike elements to keep you playing run after run. It can be a bit frustrating when you’re hit with bad luck given the nature of Pachinko, but the good playthroughs make up for this with their unique and addictive fun.
MonsterVine Rating: 4 out of 5 – Good
