Bang-On Balls: Chronicles

Bang-On Balls: Chronicles is a game by the Polish studio Exit Plan Games, based on the popular Countryballs meme, with its world and characters built around that concept. It’s a sandbox game with platforming elements. The game world is divided into a main hub, which resembles a film set, and individual levels that act as sandbox-style maps representing different historical periods and the cultural events associated with them. You can encounter pirates, samurai, and many other distinctive character types. Each level is packed with easter eggs and minigames such as football (soccer), pachinko, bowling, and more. The gameplay is fairly simple, as it revolves mainly around jumping, rolling across the map, and attacking other ball-shaped enemies, including both regular mobs and bosses. The player character has access to a forward dash as the primary attack, a ground-pound-style jump attack, and additional interactions tied to specific weapons—for example, Thor’s hammer, which can electrocute enemies. Enemies are divided into melee and ranged types; some can fly, while others swim. Bosses have unique movesets and a wide variety of attacks. You can die in the game, but the penalty is only a temporary loss of currency, which can be recovered by returning to the place of death and destroying your tombstone. The game features a currency in the form of blue orbs, which can be used to purchase outfits, weapons, or puzzle-related items found throughout the levels—for example, special balls used to press buttons and open doors or gates. Visually, the game makes a strong impression, featuring smooth and appealing animations. The lighting is of particularly high quality, with the first main boss being a standout example. The audio design complements the environments well, enhancing the overall atmosphere. Optimization, however, is not the game’s strong suit. In more complex and crowded areas, it can suffer from significant performance issues. I experienced FPS fluctuations ranging from 44 to 120 on high settings. The game is worth checking out for fans of the Countryballs meme, platformers, open worlds, and exploration. However, I wouldn’t recommend buying it at full price—it's better to wait for a sale. The game can be completed quite quickly, in just a few hours, so it’s best suited for players who prefer a slower, more relaxed pace rather than fast-paced gameplay.