Virballs, the latest creation from indie developer Bolder Games, leaves Steam Early Access on March 18, 2025. Inspired by beloved titles like Ratchet & Clank and Kirby, Virballs invites players on an exhilarating 3D platformer adventure through vibrant, elementally-charged worlds. The game promises a wild journey across diverse planets, each with its own unique ecosystem, where collecting and combining viral balls becomes the key to success. Get ready to dive into a chaotic yet charming universe filled with endless possibilities.
In Virballs, players take control of an Object Removal Bot (ORB), tasked with a critical mission: to stop the chaos unleashed by the mad scientist Dr. Corvid. A master of mayhem, Dr. Corvid has scattered his latest invention—Virballs—across multiple planets, spreading destruction throughout the system.
Acting like a true virus, these spherical creations invade worlds, evolving and consuming each other to produce even more dangerous hybrids. The innocent inhabitants of these planets are in grave danger, as they have no way to resist the relentless, omnivorous balls. Time is running out, and they desperately need help. Can the ORB stop Dr. Corvid’s madness before it’s too late?
The main action kicks off immediately after a brief plot introduction cutscene. Upon receiving the first mission, ORB heads to a rocky planet—the initial ground zero for the Virball infection. Though ORB’s starting equipment may seem modest, each tool is incredibly versatile and essential for survival. The grappler, equipped with a rocket engine, allows ORB to capture Virballs and harness their elemental powers through a special containment sphere, turning the enemy’s abilities into a strategic advantage. Despite ORB’s bulky appearance, its powerful thrusters ensure remarkable agility, transforming it into a nimble and efficient unit capable of tackling any foes.
The gameplay in Virballs is fast-paced and dynamic, with the gradual progression with each mission. The initial levels focus on introducing the core mechanics, offering straightforward and manageable challenges to ease players into the experience. First, every ORB operator should grasp the principles of Virball mutation, which lies at the heart of the game’s unique battle system. On the first planet, ORB acquires the stone core, allowing it to combine its earth element with other Virballs found on the planet.
While the platformer component is purely classic, the idea of gaining new weapons and evolving strategies by consuming enemies is both fun and engaging, as you never know what unpredictable results will emerge when one Virball mixes with another. Running out of ammo is hardly a concern, since the source of power is always nearby—Virballs are everywhere, just waiting to be caught by your grappler and absorbed. However, not every enemy can be consumed. The planets are teeming with local predators and dangerous insects, but with the power of Virballs at your disposal, these threats are no match for ORB.
The game offers a variety of challenges and objectives beyond simply gathering Virballs. Each elemental planet is filled with secrets to uncover and ancient relics to collect, while the local inhabitants—adorable creatures called Flowers—are in desperate need of rescue by the hero from the stars. But of course, nothing comes easy. At the end of each mission and planet, dangerous bosses await to test ORB’s capabilities. To emerge victorious, players must carefully strategize and discover the right tactics to defeat these powerful foes.
With its vibrant, cartoonish art style and quirky character designs, Virballs creates a cozy and inviting atmosphere that’s sure to appeal to younger players while also evoking a sense of nostalgia for older generations. The game’s aesthetic feels like a delightful trip down memory lane, blending the charm of classic platformers from the PS2 era with modern graphics. Interestingly, ORB’s design bears a striking resemblance to the Bohrok from the old Lego Bionicle series—a surprising and maybe not intentional detail that adds a layer of retro appeal.
While Virballs is currently in Early Access with only a few planets available, it already shows immense potential to become an engaging platformer adventure. With its unique and engaging core concept, Virballs has the potential to roll into the gaming world at full speed upon its full release, winning the hearts and appreciation of players.
