The main problem with many of these titles was a failure to add to the single technical innovation. Scratch beneath the fancy exterior and what remained was a chassis in serious need of attention. The PSN store continues to throw out the weird and not so wonderful in .detuned and Flower, with no doubt more to come and the same basic flaw continues. While Magic Orbz utilises the physics capabilities of the system thankfully it displays far more sustainable and recognisable playability to deliver some satisfaction.
Like Super-Rub-A-Dub before it, you have a small tank of water as your playing field in the Pirates setting. This is one of two themes that you can wreck your way through, racking up high scores and enjoying the ensuing carnage and trying to stay alive. Unlike Pain the fun doesn’t run dry after five minutes. Quite simply you have a ball and by bouncing this across the level you can destroy items, activate chain reactions and obtain power ups that deliver unique abilities; some good and some not so good. These can trigger extreme conditions across the map, turn your ball into a lethal device or arm your catapult with cannons, machine guns or even lasers. Speed and size effects are also up for grabs as are the more dangerous upgrades that defy the laws of physics and see you scampering around at the bottom of the screen, desperately trying to stay alive. This is particularly true on the later levels that are crammed full of objects with some moving, which creates an air of uncertainty.
Gamestyle could criticise the two themes (Pirates, Knights) as being limited because Magic Orbz opens up a huge realm of possibilities that Russian developer Creat Studios has overlooked. This gap may have been plugged somewhat with further downloadable packs, which always seems to be the way of things nowadays (even on full priced retail titles), yet ideally more variety is needed in this original download. Currently Magic Orbz is retailing online for a much more attractive price point of £3.99, a saving of 4 quid. This makes the limitations somewhat more digestible, as you’re only receiving 48 normal levels, the majority of which can be defeated first time around.
The actual game play is practically bullet proof, as one would expect. It’s the lack of themes or even additional modes that holds back Magic Orbz from being a must have purchase. Outside of the main mode the available options consist of online multiplayer and online co-operative settings. Magic Orbz needs a challenge, time attack, different skill settings or even a build your own level option; it’s a crying shame that more wasn’t included. Even so Gamestyle actually enjoyed the overall experience and unlike Super-Rub-A-Dub, its one that main remain on our PS3 hard drive alongside the magnificent Lumines for a while longer.
