Bounsy review: a good game that falls just short of being great

Something is lacking in Bounsy. This physics-based puzzle game from Singapore-based developer Unplug is centred around directing little bouncing black balls into circular zones, and this is done with minimalist aplomb. But something is missing in this little game that looks like it belongs in a hipster’s iPhone.

Bounsy features five different game packs, each stuffed with a varying number of puzzles. These puzzles are geometrical in nature, and based on physics. Using gravity and your finger, you must block, bump, nudge, or even push balls towards each level’s ending zone. Filling up a zone with the number of balls it requires ends the level.

You can collect up to three stars in each level. These stars must be picked up by your bouncing horde of balls. Every star adds an additional ten points to your final score, and you need a specific number of stars to unlock subsequent puzzle packs. Only the final puzzle pack can’t be unlocked with stars; this one needs you to get a friend invite code.

Aurally and visually, Bounsy is a hipster’s puzzle game. It uses a very minimalistic, modern design with simple shapes and lines, and keeps color to a minimum. There is a soft, unimposing tune that plays throughout the app, whether you’re in the menu or in game. It’s an intelligent game: you definitely have to use your head when deciding where you should plonk your finger. But as mentioned above, Bounsy is lacking something that can elevate it from a good game to a great game.

(See: A truly great puzzle game.)

I’m no game designer, but I think Bounsy lacks two important things. One, Bounsy is lacking in mood music. It has a very Zen-like vibe reminiscent of what you feel when playing Qixen-P Design’s Shapist, but it lacks music to soothe the angry player’s soul. Sound effects in Bounsy are great; the sound of the bouncing balls thudding against my finger fills me with delight. But there’s not enough to compel me to keep playing.

Two, Bounsy is bad at rewarding people. As a player, I love that sense of achievement when I complete something and the game tells me “you’re awesome”! I love getting complimented through bright colors and sound effects, and I love the sense of reward.

Bounsy has that, but like the rest of it, that “you’re awesome!” reward comes in the form of soft music, stars that pop gently into existence, and a minimalist menu guiding you to the next screen. Based on that, I’m guessing hipsters don’t need self-assurance the way us normal people do.

It’s still a good puzzle game for puzzle-game fans who need a breath of fresh air, though.

Bounsy is available for iOS and Android. Only the iOS version of the game is ad-free.