Madballs in... Babo: Invasion Review for PC

System: X360, PC	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Playbrains	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: Playbrains	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: Sep. 17, 2009	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1-16	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Everyone 10+	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

Sounds in Babo: Invasion are still somewhat lackluster. While catchphrases are often comical, they become tiresome after a short while. Also, the background music, while professional in composition, doesn't elevate the gameplay experience. All in all, Babo: Invasion won't have you turning up the volume - you may even decide to replace the sounds with your own soundtrack or a simple press of the mute button.

Madballs in... Babo: Invasion screenshot

Fortunately, controls in the game are inch-perfect, outshining both visuals and the aural presentation. PC veterans will be happy to know that the mouse and keyboard controls integrated into the game are perfectly precise and recognizable.

Rolling around the stages and sniping away at enemies is extremely accurate. Also, the Xbox 360 controller is still supported, so if you like the way the game controlled on XBLA, or if you simply prefer console-style controls, Playbrains has you covered. The developers did a great job of translating the often trying action onscreen into gamer-friendly keyboard and mouse as well as controller inputs.

While Madballs in... Babo: Invasion may seem an unlikely candidate for download, the hokey content and seemingly lackluster name belies a quality title that many will enjoy. What's more, the low price, attention to detail in terms of gameplay mechanics, and breadth of play options make this an excellent candidate for purchase through Steam. If you like third-person arcade shooters, and you don't mind the dated, licensed content, take a look at Madballs in... Babo: Invasion for PC - you'll be glad you did.

By Jonathan Marx
CCC Editor / News Director

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

3.6

Graphics
The visuals do a fine job of supporting gameplay, though they're nothing to get too excited about. Some of the technical missteps seem to have been corrected this time around.

5.0

Control
Rolling around the world while blasting things is perfectly executed - PC gamers will enjoy being able to choose between keyboard and mouse or gaming controllers.

2.8

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
The sounds from voice over work to background music are still forgettable.

4.0

Play Value
There's a lot of fun and depth to be found here for the right gamer. Furthermore, the bargain price is a real treat! Still, not everyone will enjoy this game - it's definitely for fans of arcade shooters.

4.0

Overall Rating - Great
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

Single Player — Hours of repeatable gameplay through 10 epic levels.

2-4 Player Online Co-op — Challenge individual campaign levels with your friends or play the whole campaign in ‘Enduro’ mode.

16 Player Multiplayer — 21 maps to match all game sizes.

"Invasion" Mode — The signature mode of the game: players take turns placing map tiles to create a unique multiplayer map prior to each match.

Voice Chat — Talk to the other players in-game.

Classes — 10 character classes (each with 2 special abilities) over two warring factions, with each faction having 5 unique weapons each with two distinct firing modes.

Madballs Characters — Oculus Orbus and Horn Head from the infamous 80’s toy craze as in-game characters.

5 Archetypes — Assault, Heavy, Runner, Flyer, and Support.

Deployables — Active (rocket turrets) or passive (healing towers) can be placed in Invasion mode.

Unlocks and Secrets — 50 unlocks and 50 Secrets to find during campaign gameplay.

Action — Emphasis on fast-paced, visceral action that is easy to pick and play, yet offers a real strategic challenge for hardcore gamers.