Wear your thinking head, Worzel
Laser Ball was initially released in 1991 by Thomas Ilg and updated in 2014 with bug fixes and larger screens. After months of tinkering and other improvements, we have the completed product: Laserball 2015. The game can be downloaded for free with the option of buying a boxed version - which is what I had to get!
This is a puzzle game that is not only simple in nature but also furiously difficult. If you've ever played Deflektor and the like, then you will immediately have a grasp on the basic concept. The game has many screens of increasing difficulty and all feature a laser gun shooting out a beam of light in a straight line.
In order to complete a level, the beam must be redirected onto a red ball using mirrors and other objects. That means using the various mirrors by tilting them to redirect the light in distinct directions. These can be physically moved in all four directions - continuously until blocked by an object or wall. It's paramount to stop and think.
This is the first level where I learned a lot about when and how to move those mirrors.
My brain hurts!
It's your calculative thinking that chooses where to place these mirrors in order to align the beam of light just right so it can blast that red blob! However, doing so proves a LOT harder than you first imagine. As you progress, you'll see lots of different types of objects that can either aid or restrict the options open to you. For example:
Closed doorways need to be activated using the beam before they can be used.
Some objects cannot be moved - except by the beam of light.
Some eliminate walls and others present hidden functions.
Watch out for the timer. Yes, there's a timer but I didn't like that at all as I felt rushed which spoilt the fun. So, I would like to personally thank Thomas for implementing a feature to disable it. Finally, try not zap a bomb otherwise it's game over - but you can always come back to a particular level without replaying the previous screens. There is an insane number of levels to wade through - which should keep you busy for weeks!
A timer or not, this is level is a ticking timebomb. Look closely and you'll see what I mean!!
Aesthetics?
Visually, this is a nice looker using a clear-cut display style that suits the theme. However, let's face it, puzzlers are rarely jaw-dropping and how can they be? With that in mind, I think Laser Ball actually has great graphics. They do not clutter the display whilst also featuring an appealing type of style that I really admire.
Sadly, there aren't many sound effects (ahem) beyond the few key clicks and funny jingles... But that doesn't matter in the slightest because Laserball features lots of sounds and glorious chip music by xFalcon which are stunning. They have that certain charm that proves chiptunes will last forever and they suit the game perfectly.
And now things change once again with new mechanics I couldn't grasp at first. Killer game!!
The CryptO'pinion?
I've learnt many things about myself playing Laserball both, as a gamer and as a person. Like my patience - or lack of it. The fact that I can spend so much time on a level - constantly replaying it over and over - and then be utterly flabbergasted at what is often a simple solution. A solution that I simply couldn't see at first. Argh, so infuriating!!
I've been quoted saying, "Probably one of the best thinking games ever released for the Atari ST" and you know what? I think that humble sentence pretty much nails it and definitely sums up this beautiful puzzler nicely. And that's saying something when you consider just how many awesome puzzlers are already out for the Atari ST!!
- Download Laserball for floppy & hard drive -
Check this out!!! Thank you, Thomas, for making this level :-) It's incredibly tough!!
