A new dimension in puzzling entertainment. Isoball 2 tries to incorporate the Isometric plane to is rolling mayhem... it sorta works. However the dilemma is that this release really gets confusing sometimes, but if you are looking for a small stripped down puzzler, look no further.

Essentially users are tasked with the objective of creating a path for a ball to travel from somewhere into a hole. This is done in a fashion that is reminiscent of lemmings (a great game that can be found here), but it has a slight twist. This addicting flash game works in an isometric environment. To those new to video gaming, isometrics was first popularized with a game called Runescape. This is the classic version, but essentially the idea is that the game isn't actually in 3D however it pulls off the look by using certain geometric shapes.

If that just confused you it doesn't really matter, the game is fairly easy to pickup, and each individual level goes by rather quickly. Gamers use customized pieces to build a path for the little ball to travel down; the farther the player progressive the more pieces usually available. What this means is tutorials were crafted to explain how to use each piece.

This is a small but fantastic feature in this title. The tutorials are actual gameplay that is simply scripted, this really helps with figuring out how everything works. Sometimes you need to be pretty damn creative, like sending the ball down and than up to kill time. Each level is giving a point total for the amount of time you use to build the track, but just getting through some is the challenge. I got roughly 35 levels in inside the allotted 30 minutes. But then again I am a professional =D.

But even with my skill level, we see the problem with Isometric games. You see this one takes it a bit farther, and because the game has a gravity type feel with the ball not being able to "fall" or it breaks, we feel like it is gravity. However this creates the sensation of each level having a theoretical bottom which would control the balls travel.

But this is wrong.

Since this feeling happens, levels such as this one can look perfectly finished, but then you realize that the ball and ramp don't line up. Even tho you feel the ball can fall down and it's on the ramp, it actually isn't and so the flaw is exposed.

Overall tho I don't mind the game. It does have some good and difficult puzzles, and the author went through with a good amount of creativity. Also the ability to mute the game from anywhere in it at anytime is REALLY nice. Selecting blocks and rotating them is fairly simple to do, however I found that sometimes I thought I was on a block but I wasn't. Also there is an erase tool and a clear tool, both of which will get ample use.

Overall I have to say ,while a few things bothered me, Isoball 2 definitely delivers the lightweight puzzler sensation that we all enjoy; also with 50 levels and a sandbox mode there is some room to keep playing.

Rating:

Longevity: 4.0/5
Interface: 3.0/5
Addictiveness: 3.5/5
Sound: 3.5/5
Simplicity: 3.0/5

Overall: 3.4/5

Share