Within A Deep Forest Review

This is a review of a game about a ball.

Genre: Puzzle/Platformer

Platform: PC

The first screen of the main game

Plot Synopsis: A mad scientist has created a bomb that will create a new ice age. His first attempt (somehow) produced a sapient ball, but his second attempt worked and the bomb is armed and dangerous. It’s up to the ball to get to the bomb, turn it off, and avert an apocalypse.

Gameplay Score: 19/20

The main game mechanic is to bounce around, finding people and creatures that give you new materials, and then bounce around with those for awhile, rinse and repeat. However, this quickly becomes complex and difficult: there are 10 ball types, and precisely three of those are straight-up upgrades of the original ball. The others run the gamut from “increased mobility and increased control” to “flight” to “totally useless, but required twice.” The use of these different materials, and their pros and cons, are very clever and entertaining, creating difficult puzzles; for example, getting your heavy iron ball through a maze of lava, or having to use a fragile glass ball due to a massive amount of lasers.

Tolerability Score: 7/10

While the difficulty, for the most part, is fair, there are a few areas which were clearly designed by a sadist; notably, any area involving the Glass or Pathetic ball, and the level with invisible platforms. However, most levels can be beaten in a few tries; the invisible platform one is the only real spot of fake difficulty.

Also, platforms that suddenly crush you when you take the wrong path. Have fun!

Plot Score: 8/10

It’s hardly a great plot, but it’s a gameplay-focused freeware game, so it gets a pass. Also, while the plot itself is shallow, the characters are interesting; though often one-dimensional, you find yourself somewhat fond of them. The cutscenes– very rare in a freeware game– are fairly intriguing, and draw you into the game more than one would expect.

Music Score: 4/5

The music isn’t that great, but it isn’t bad, either. It is good and varied, both by location and by the sound of it– some sounds heavily synthesized, some of it sounding like actual instruments– and all of it thematic.

Graphics Score: 5/5

The graphics, while somewhat simple, are very distinctive; you can’t call anything poorly-drawn, it all uses good contrasting colors, and it’s fairly clear what everything is.  The attention to detail is good: wherever you go, little creatures will appear in the background, sometimes complemented by tiny passages or houses.

Overall Score: 43/50

It’s a strong, interesting game that’s well worth your time. I highly recommend it.

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