Introduction
BALL X PIT stole my heart and crushed it before giving it back to me. I adore this game, and not just because I love brick breaker, but because the game is rewarding. Don’t get me wrong, though, the game is challenging for sure, and I’m not actually very good at playing it at all. But one of the things that I like to make clear is that I don’t have to be good at a game to recognize that it is a good game. To go along with that, I don’t have to be good at any game to have fun with that game.
If you like roguelites, this might be one for you. I am normally extremely picky with them and only tried this game because it’s on GamePass. Not only am I glad that I tried this game, but it made me realize that I need to try these kinds of games more.
Game Information
Publisher
Devolver Digital
Developer
Kenny Sun and Friends
Release Date
Oct 15, 2025
Genre
Action, Indie, Roguelite
Platforms
Steam, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
Review Platform
Xbox Series S
Story
In BALL X PIT Ballbylon has fallen. A meteor completely annihilated it. The meteor left nothing but a huge pit that treasure hunters are flocking to in search of fame and fortune. As you play the game, you’re going to be building New Ballbylon using one of my favorite takes on city-building in the genre.
There is a huge cast of characters that I only know by name. I won’t lie, I don’t pay any attention to the story in this game. It didn’t captivate me in any way, and normally I would hold that against a game, but the gameplay here is what I’m really playing for.
Gameplay at a Glance
BALL X PIT sees you being sent into a narrow pit, facing waves of monsters, and eventually a boss. Your character shoots balls at incoming enemies, and you have to get pretty creative sometimes because some enemies have ice shields, others will slide around on the map, and some shoot various projectiles at you.
As you go through the level, you’ll be asked to fuse balls, evolve balls, or level up the balls. I know, I know. But this mechanic adds a spice of life to a gameplay pattern that would otherwise become a little monotonous over time.
The sheer variety of the balls that you get to collect and the amount of different combinations had me awe-struck for my first few hours. This review is only showcasing the first two levels, but you play in plenty of different environments. To go along with the different environments, there are a few dozen different characters to unlock and level up.
One of the biggest gameplay surprises for me was how good it felt to city build at the end of each run. You have to be strategic with where you put things because your units need to reach the buildings to build them properly. The fun part about this is using the shapes of the buildings to apply buffs that are unlocked as you level up the characters.
Extremely Rewarding
BALL X PIT is an extremely rewarding game in all of the right ways. First, each character is rewarded handsomely for finishing a level for the first time. They get blueprints, gold, and a lot of XP, which in turn helps you build your city quicker.
I also really appreciate that the built-in encyclopedia fills out as you play. It allows you to easily recall the ball combinations that you’ve already seen. BALL X PIT won’t waste your time either. Every combination is listed under that ball once you’ve found it. It keeps the gameplay going at a steady pace.
One of the things that was easy to overlook at the start of the game was the math behind all of the upgrades. At first, you won’t feel the math doing its thing, but as you continue to invest in the city building. The investment pays off the further you get in the game, which I appreciate because it can be tedious to burn through resources.
I need to talk about the characters
Each one of the characters does something different, which I appreciate. Their houses also get upgrades, which can help keep your game moving. The reason that I wanted to take a second to talk about the characters is because they make the game what it is.
BALL X PIT has really interesting gameplay mechanics, and they all shine in their own way. But what makes me excited to play this game is trying new characters and getting to see how they perform. Trying a new character is a highlight for me, and is one of the biggest reasons I continue coming back to this game.
What’s funny to me as well is that the designs of the characters are not lost in the art style. Plenty of character radiates from the ball patterns and their overhead designs.
Final Thoughts
BALL X PIT has been nothing short of a delight to play. I am not someone who loves this genre, but this game has made me a believer. Which is not to say that I don’t have some complaints. The first and biggest being the way that resources work. I constantly find myself struggling with stone and wood while wheat and gold are extremely plentiful.
While I enjoy the art style, I find that a lot of the cooler details are completely washed out by the browns and greys of the background, which are used frequently. It’s a bummer because the balls get cool designs as you fuse and evolve them.
That being said, I do love the style of BALL X PIT, and I think that the art style makes the game what it is. Not only is the style of the game good, but the soundtrack is great too! Though I have to kill the music for my videos. The sound effects of the balls are pure ASMR to me, but honestly, they’ll probably be hit or miss for most of you.
This review does not contain anything from the updates.