Developer: Tonkin House

Timeball (1990)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 5 minutes read

Summary

Timeball (1990): A Mind-Bending Maze Classic

Released in 1990, Timeball is a mind-bending maze game that will test your mental agility and hand-eye coordination. The goal of the game is simple: keep a ball rolling through a winding maze by shifting around pieces of tubing. But the action is anything but simple! You’ll need to race against time and the track to keep the ball from crashing.

Timeball features 100 challenging levels, each with its own unique layout. The mazes are filled with obstacles, such as walls, holes, and moving platforms. You’ll need to use your wits and quick reflexes to navigate the mazes and keep the ball rolling.

In addition to the 100 pre-made levels, Timeball also features a unique edit feature that allows you to create your own puzzles. This is a great way to challenge yourself and your friends. You can also share your custom levels with other players online.

Timeball was a critical and commercial success upon its release. It was praised for its challenging gameplay, innovative level design, and addictive nature. Timeball has been ported to a variety of platforms over the years, including the SNES, Game Boy, and PC.

Gameplay

Timeball is a fast-paced maze game that requires quick reflexes and strategic thinking. The game is played from a top-down perspective. You control a ball that is constantly rolling forward. Your goal is to guide the ball through a winding maze filled with obstacles.

To move the ball, you simply press the left and right arrow keys to rotate the pieces of tubing that make up the maze. The ball will roll in the direction that the tubing is facing. You can also use the up and down arrow keys to speed up or slow down the ball.

The mazes in Timeball are filled with a variety of obstacles, such as walls, holes, and moving platforms. You’ll need to use your wits and quick reflexes to navigate the mazes and keep the ball rolling.

Levels

Timeball features 100 challenging levels, each with its own unique layout. The levels are divided into four difficulty levels: easy, medium, hard, and expert. The easy levels are a good place to start for beginners. The medium and hard levels will provide a challenge for more experienced players. The expert levels are extremely difficult and will test the limits of your skills.

In addition to the 100 pre-made levels, Timeball also features a unique edit feature that allows you to create your own puzzles. This is a great way to challenge yourself and your friends. You can also share your custom levels with other players online.

Graphics and Sound

Timeball features simple but effective graphics. The mazes are rendered in a top-down perspective, and the ball is represented by a simple circle. The game’s graphics are not particularly impressive, but they are clear and easy to read.

The sound effects in Timeball are minimal but effective. The game features a simple beeping sound that plays when the ball rolls over a piece of tubing. The sound effects are not particularly memorable, but they do add to the game’s atmosphere.

Conclusion

Timeball is a classic maze game that will challenge your mental agility and hand-eye coordination. The game features 100 challenging levels, each with its own unique layout. The game also features a unique edit feature that allows you to create your own puzzles. Timeball is a great game for anyone who enjoys a good challenge.

Review Score

8.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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Ys IV: Mask of the Sun (1993)

by Ji-yeong
written by Ji-yeong 6 minutes read

Summary

Ys IV: Mask of the Sun – A Timeless Classic of Action RPGs

Released in 1993, Ys IV: Mask of the Sun is an action RPG that continues the epic tale of Adol Christin, a legendary adventurer who has once again been called upon to save the world from a great evil. This time, Adol’s journey takes him to the distant land of Celceta, where he must confront the evil sorcerer Galbalan and his army of monsters.

Ys IV: Mask of the Sun is a classic example of an action RPG, with a fast-paced combat system that requires players to time their attacks carefully and strategically position themselves in battle. The game also features a wide variety of magic spells and abilities that Adol can use to defeat his enemies.

One of the things that sets Ys IV: Mask of the Sun apart from other action RPGs of its time is its beautiful and detailed graphics. The game’s world is full of lush forests, towering mountains, and sparkling rivers, all of which are rendered in stunning detail. The character sprites are also very well-animated, and the game’s cutscenes are some of the most impressive of the 16-bit era.

The story of Ys IV: Mask of the Sun is also very well-written, with a cast of memorable characters and a plot that is full of twists and turns. The game’s ending is also very satisfying, and it provides a fitting conclusion to Adol’s adventure.

Overall, Ys IV: Mask of the Sun is a timeless classic of action RPGs. The game’s fast-paced combat, beautiful graphics, and well-written story make it a must-play for fans of the genre.

Gameplay

Ys IV: Mask of the Sun is an action RPG that plays from a top-down perspective. The player controls Adol Christin, who must explore the world of Celceta and defeat the evil sorcerer Galbalan.

The game’s combat system is fast-paced and requires players to time their attacks carefully. Adol can attack enemies with his sword, or he can use a variety of magic spells and abilities. Players must also strategically position themselves in battle, as enemies can only be damaged if they are attacked from the side or behind.

In addition to combat, the game also features a variety of puzzles and exploration elements. Adol must use his wits to solve puzzles and find hidden items, and he must also explore the world of Celceta to find new areas and enemies.

Story

The story of Ys IV: Mask of the Sun begins with Adol Christin standing on the shore of a distant land. He has just defeated the ultimate evil in his previous adventure, and he is now looking for a new challenge. Suddenly, Adol notices a bottle washed up on the shore. Inside the bottle is a letter, written in a foreign language. The letter asks Adol to come to the land of Celceta and save it from a mysterious evil.

Adol decides to accept the offer, and he sets sail for Celceta. When he arrives, he finds that the land is in chaos. The people are being terrorized by monsters, and the once-peaceful land is now a barren wasteland.

Adol soon learns that the evil sorcerer Galbalan is behind the chaos. Galbalan has stolen the Mask of the Sun, a powerful artifact that can control the forces of nature. Adol must now travel across Celceta and defeat Galbalan in order to save the land.

Characters

  • Adol Christin: The protagonist of the game, Adol is a legendary adventurer who has saved the world from evil many times before. He is a skilled swordsman and magician, and he is always willing to help those in need.
  • Elena: A young woman from the land of Celceta, Elena is a skilled archer and healer. She joins Adol on his quest to defeat Galbalan and save her homeland.
  • Dogi: A dwarf and a skilled blacksmith, Dogi is a loyal friend to Adol. He provides Adol with weapons and armor, and he also helps him to repair his ship.
  • Galbalan: The main antagonist of the game, Galbalan is an evil sorcerer who has stolen the Mask of the Sun. He plans to use the mask to control the forces of nature and conquer the world.

Legacy

Ys IV: Mask of the Sun is a critically acclaimed action RPG that is still enjoyed by fans today. The game’s fast-paced combat, beautiful graphics, and well-written story make it a must-play for fans of the genre.

The game has been ported to a number of different platforms over the years, including the Super Nintendo, PlayStation 2, and PC. It has also been released on the Virtual Console and PlayStation Network.

Ys IV: Mask of the Sun is a timeless classic of action RPGs that continues to entertain and challenge players today. The game’s fast-paced combat, beautiful graphics, and well-written story make it a must-play for fans of the genre.

Review Score

8.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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