Niki - Rock 'n' Ball (WiiWare) Review

Sat, 20 Dec 2008 by Sean McDermott

Is Bplus on the ball with Niki or will it leave you rolling your eyes?

Bplus’ second offering hopes to breathe some life into the action-platform genre. Niki Rock'n' Ball's premise is very simple: taking the role of the titular Niki, the player is thrown into 2D platform stages in which the goal is to defeat every enemy and collect each of the 6 ZeLeLi pearls. Being a ball, Niki carries out these tasks through a combination of rolling & jumping, and aims to free his village from the wrath of the evil Shadow Plättchen and other monster invaders. The story isn’t too important but the continuation from Plättchen: Twist ‘n’ Paint is a nice touch.

There are two control options, both of which use the Wii Remote on its own. The first is the "Wii Style" option, which involves holding the Wii remote vertically with tilts to the left and right moving Niki in each direction, while pressing the "A" button causes the little fellow to make a small jump. The second option, aptly named "Retro Style," asks the player to hold the remote horizontally so that the D-Pad is utilised for direction with the "2" button handling jumping. It is commendable that Bplus has attempted to integrate Wii specific controls into the game, however this default control scheme is far from ideal when it comes to making jumps that require pinpoint accuracy. The "Retro-Style" method is undoubtedly superior and causes fewer issues.

The first enemies that Niki chances upon are easily defeated by simply rolling into them but, unfortunately for our hero, a variety of other foes soon surface which require slightly different methods to overcome. Early in the game Niki is able to make use of the ‘ZeLeLi amulet’ which gives him the ability to change from his default rolling-ball shape into a rock by pressing the ‘B’ button. This transformation allows him to defeat those enemies which he can’t in his standard mould, but also slows down his movement and impairs jumping as a result of the increased weight. Another power-up transforms Niki into a fireball, granting him invincibility and allowing him to jump higher than he normally could. Most enemies can be defeated while Niki is in rock form but the monsters are many and varied meaning new tactics are needed when dealing with some of them.

The gameplay formula for the stages is generally the same, but most of the levels are still very addictive and fun. Each has a set number of monsters that need to be defeated, and a counter at the top decreasing with each enemy’s demise so you know exactly how many are left. Also present is a timer in the top-right of the screen, which saves the player’s time after levels are cleared. When this timer reaches a certain height, usually around 3 minutes, water begins to slowly ascend from beneath the stage, making defeating enemies, and especially collecting the ZeLeLi pearls, a much more challenging feat. This situation is a chance to make use of Niki’s rock-ball ability as it allows him to sink to the bottom of the stage and then perform a high jump. The principle as a whole works very well and each stage is different enough so that it doesn’t become stale.

There are a few extra features that serve to increase the longevity of the game too. Rock ‘n’ Ball includes handy drop-in drop-out co-op play where a friend can help you destroy Niki’s foes. This method works really well. Although it makes completing each stage slightly easier, you share lives and power-ups, so it’s fair. In addition to this, the time in which you finish each level is recorded so that high-score enthusiasts can revisit former levels to try to beat their current record and earn medals. Finally, a basic but cute hub world is included that you can use as a practice ground to learn more of the game’s unique physics.

There are a few small issues, however, that are difficult to overlook. For a start, seeing as each world contains a total of ten stages it is a pain to have to repeat every single one of them if you lose all of your five lives, and even more crucial is the fact that you have to complete all ten stages in the world without leaving the game! The difficulty takes a sharp curve around the halfway point of the third world with some pinpoint jumping needed, made more challenging due to the great precision that you need to move and jump with since you’re playing as, well, a ball. Furthermore, this issue is exacerbated by the game’s physics, which function well for the most part but take a lot of getting used to at the start of the game.

In terms of presentation the game is pretty standard but there are some nice touches here and there. Graphically, Rock ‘n’ Ball looks very nice with a wide range of bright, appeasing colours used throughout the many stages. Both Niki and the enemy sprites look good too. The music played during each stage does the job well and you might even find yourself humming a few tracks, however, it can get a little irritating if you have to replay the same stage over and over again.

Conclusion

Bplus has succeeded in creating a very fun little action-platformer with Niki – Rock ‘n’ Ball. The simplicity of the game and its fun gameplay structure make it perfect for a quick play now and again, despite the unforgiving learning curve after the first few worlds. Features like the co-op mode and high score mechanic add replayability so there’s something to come back to after finishing each of the many stages. Given that the asking price is only a paltry 500 Wii points we highly recommend taking a spin in Niki’s world.

8/10

Scoring Policy

User Comments

1. Wiiloveit 20 Dec 2008, 19:11 GMT

I totally agree - well worth the 500 points.

2. Digiki 20 Dec 2008, 19:13 GMT

Sweet I might have to check it out

3. EJD 20 Dec 2008, 19:16 GMT

I'm glad WiiWare World received this game better than Twist 'n Paint; I'll check this one out when I get more Wii Points next week. Looks good for only 500 Points.

4. Sycoraxic98 20 Dec 2008, 19:17 GMT

Yeah! I knew it! Just about as good as Plättchen: Twist ‘n’ Paint! I REALLY like BPlus, and, come on, WHEN IS IT COMING OUT TO AMERICA?!?!?

5. Versus22 20 Dec 2008, 19:20 GMT

I'm very glad Bplus went back and brought another game to WiiWare. I think they have the most interesting ideas, but it was just that the first game, Plättchen: Twist 'n' Paint didn't end up too well.

This game is better though. 8/10 is a very good score and a bounce back to the first project. Great job Bplus!

6. RGVEDA 20 Dec 2008, 19:42 GMT

Ahem....sorry, maybe my english isn´t good enough but i didn´t understand one thing:

"...and even more crucial is the fact that you have to complete all ten stages in the world without leaving the game! "

"...makes it perfect for a quick play now and again"

A quick play now and again? So, a few minutes now, put it off, go to work, then in the evening another 5 Minutes before i go to the Cinema and then another 5 Minutes before i go to bed?

But i thought that wouldn´t work, because it says in the first Quote, that you have to play through all 10 stages without leaving the game! So like in Super Mario Bros 2 for the NES, where you have normaly no Options to save the game. Is it now the same with this game? No saving? But then again, i don´t understand the "Play now and again" Sentence...

Sorry, maybe i understand here something wrong...could someone explain it to me?

PS: Great Game and great Review!

7. Shortay 20 Dec 2008, 19:56 GMT

@RGVEDA: Good point, I'll explain what I mean.

A world consists of 10 levels, each lasting a maximum of around 4 minutes, although you'll mostly finish one long before that. Seeing as the levels take such a short time to finish you can complete a world, more the first few than that later ones, within about 20-25 minutes. That's what I meant about a quick play, sorry if it's a bit confusing.

The game saves automatically after completing a world so you can go back and try each stage individually in any order you want.

8. SilentJ 20 Dec 2008, 19:58 GMT

Wow, this scored an 8 and is only 500 wii points?! I hope we get this in America very soon.

9. gameking23 20 Dec 2008, 20:05 GMT

I'm glad that Bplus was able to come out with a good game this time. I might give this one a try when it comes to America.

10. Corbie 20 Dec 2008, 20:13 GMT

Congratulations Bplus! Now I can't wait to try this one out. And great review Sean!

11. slambert215 20 Dec 2008, 20:27 GMT

Bplus has redeemed themselves.

12. Shadx 20 Dec 2008, 20:28 GMT

Hope it comes to NA soon.

13. Dazza 20 Dec 2008, 20:31 GMT

I am really pleased to see that Bplus pulled it off on this occasion. The low price point makes this quite an attractive proposition indeed.

Great review as always Sean, top stuff!

14. zoipi 20 Dec 2008, 20:53 GMT

I spected a fewer score coming from the ones who made Plättchen. But it seems that they learned from mistakes.

Excellent, another good and cheap game.

15. AlexSays 20 Dec 2008, 20:57 GMT

Awesome.
I knew Bplus was capable.
I actually can't wait for this to come to the US.
This and Fun! Fun! Mini Golf will hopefully be my next two purchases (assuming Niki comes to NA soon).

16. shadows262 20 Dec 2008, 21:14 GMT

I`ll probably check this one out as soon as it hits the US
an 8/10? havent seen one of those in a couple weeks
im sorta used to 4/10s, 6/10s, and the newcomer the “1/10”

17. RGVEDA 20 Dec 2008, 21:20 GMT

@ Shortay

Thanks for the explanation Now i understand it

18. Kawaiipikachu 20 Dec 2008, 21:46 GMT

At least this scored better than Plätchen twist'n'Paint .
btw Great Review .

19. KnucklesSonic8 20 Dec 2008, 22:03 GMT

Just because it scored better doesn't mean it MUST be better. <_<

Well done, BPlus, well done. Can't wait to get this once it hits NA knowing how much of an enjoyment Plattchen is.

20. Starwolf_UK 20 Dec 2008, 22:04 GMT

What are the chances of the US getting a 500 point discount on this one as well. I kid, I kid. Ironic really that a game that took a few months to develop (as far as we know...) is better than the "big one" that was in development for over a year...not that i'm complaining...

21. PeGe 20 Dec 2008, 22:18 GMT

I can't deny that I am mildly surprised that this one was rated 8/10. I expected something similar to Plattchen again. But Bplus seems to have improved some of their methods... unfortunately not all of them, though. Can't stand the art design, really.

22. calculon 20 Dec 2008, 22:45 GMT

All I can say is stick with this game - especially because the first world is awful. Yes, I understand that it's meant to be a tutorial but the physics in the game take some serious getting used to which isn't helped by the odd weird level design. Just prepare yourself for the pachinko level (with lots of round pegs for platforms) that allows for some truly unexpected jumping techniques and the first level with a bumper that just knocks you and three barrel enemies around a very confied area until you get lucky and jump past it.

I can't say honestly that I agree that this game is an 8/10 game. It's good but it also feels rushed, with untested (not saying they're buggy) level designs. The game also feels rushed in the audio/visual aspects - even the pause / control method select screen are clunky and cheap. .If Bplus had spent a few more months fine tuning this game I'd have gladly payed more for it.

At the end of the day I guess the price justifies the score for the game and Bplus's games are getting better so I'm holding good hopes for their next release.

23. Koto 20 Dec 2008, 23:34 GMT

well im surprised,this makes up for their first game

24. Objection_Blaster 20 Dec 2008, 23:56 GMT

I wonder if Wiiboy or whatever his name was will come back now? Anyway, if this comes to NA tomorrow, I'm gonna get it, since I have 500 points left.

25. Terranigma 21 Dec 2008, 00:20 GMT

After seeing the good reviews from Wiiloveit and WiIWare-World, ive decided to buy this when i get more wii points. My faith in Bplus is now relatively restored. I will wait for a 3rd game from them before it's completely restored. Still, i have good hopes for their next game, whatever it may be and hope for a continuation to this universe they've created.

@Objection_Blaster
That's funny as i was about to say the same thing about Wiiboy until i saw your comment

26. Tony 21 Dec 2008, 01:19 GMT

BPlus making a comeback Maybe Wii boy will return

27. hamispink 21 Dec 2008, 01:25 GMT

I will definitely give this one a look

Great review Sean

28. Ricardo91 21 Dec 2008, 02:29 GMT

This actually looks pretty fun. Looking forward to the US release.

seems that Bplus has redeemed themselves. Perhaps we'll see the return of Wiiboy?

29. Mickeymac 21 Dec 2008, 03:04 GMT

Low price, and good game. Definitely interested in this one.

30. longtimegamer 21 Dec 2008, 03:22 GMT

Congrates Bplus.

I just hope this stays the same price when WE get it.

31. megaman-sam 21 Dec 2008, 09:57 GMT

Wow
I was expecting a 5, I might get this with the 500 points leftover from World of Goo

32. Wiiloveit 21 Dec 2008, 11:15 GMT

This is great, but is hugely underselling, probably because it's up against the newly established Art Style series and World of Goo. Seriously, though, I'd get this over ORBIENT any day, and reckon that you guys should get it too - if this one doesn't sell, who knows what Bplus will do? Hopefully though, this will sell a lot better in North America (out next year, methinks).

33. Djungelurban 21 Dec 2008, 11:53 GMT

Huh... Never expected this to be any good. Guess that StarTropics might have to wait then. I always planned to buy that game and LostWinds (long time coming eh?) along with World of Goo when it was released but I guess Niki is a viable candidate aswell. Just have to get a SD card first...

34. MarkyVigoroth 21 Dec 2008, 18:25 GMT

If B+ took the post-Plätchen advice and left WiiWare for good, B+ would not have made this!
I stand by "bad" companies trying again!

35. Wiiloveit 21 Dec 2008, 18:29 GMT

Who told Bplus to leave WiiWare for good?
EDIT: Oh yeah, it was WWW after the big "propaganda" argument. Yes, I named it.

36. WiiMan192 21 Dec 2008, 19:34 GMT

Funnily enough, Australia (and probably New Zealand) didn't get this on Friday! Sure, we weren't too upset about SPOGS not being released here, but I need Niki!!!

37. Wiiloveit 21 Dec 2008, 19:57 GMT

You didn't get it? Why ever not? Did you get PLATTCHEN?
Maybe the OFLC didn't get round to rating it yet and you could expect it next update.
That's pretty strange.

38. Killraven 21 Dec 2008, 20:57 GMT

yeah i dunno either, but it was annoying to not have it in our update.

39. Terranigma 21 Dec 2008, 23:10 GMT

@Killraven & WiiMan192
Can't you just change your region on the Wii to Europe? That should enable Australians to get Niki (And in the bizarre case they'd want to, SPOGS)

40. WarioFan63 21 Dec 2008, 23:16 GMT

I think theres been an update to prevent people from doing that now. Or an incentive to get them to not do it at least.

41. WiiMan192 22 Dec 2008, 05:53 GMT

I dunno, but no matter what I do, when I try to change regions it warns me that all my Wii Points will be erased.
We haven't got C64 games, either.
But that's okay, because I'm more than content with World of Goo and Art Style: Orbient

@Wiiloveit
That's the strange part, we got Plattchen Generally developers / publishers either shy away from one region, or release all their games, but this is an exception...

42. Starwolf_UK 22 Dec 2008, 13:05 GMT

I dunno, but no matter what I do, when I try to change regions it warns me that all my Wii Points will be erased.
It has been like that for years. Oddly enough Australaia <-> Europe is the only place it happens. If you have 0 Wii points nothing will get erased but if you don't you'll have 0 when you arrive. Also you'll need a European points card of a credit card to buy points at your destination...

Personally, i'm not too sure if the deletion of points is even legal but I think Nintendo has some clause with Wii points saying they can withdraw them at any time for any reason.

43. Rocky 22 Dec 2008, 18:20 GMT

Just from the description, this sounds a lot like a Stafi style game. The Stafi games are some of my all-time favorites, so I'll have to give this a try when it comes to the US.

44. Terranigma 22 Dec 2008, 22:24 GMT

@Wiiloveit
Mechagodzilla from his last two films. I'm a fan. Next week i'll change it to something on the lines of Death Note

45. Corbie 22 Dec 2008, 23:24 GMT

I own the three GBA Stafi games as well as the 2 DS releases and I love them too. I'll definitely be checking this one out when it comes to the US.

46. Twilight Crow 23 Dec 2008, 09:02 GMT

Great, I can't wait for this to hit NA, Bplus games seem to attract me somehow.

47. indenmark 26 Dec 2008, 14:13 GMT

I don't mean to be insulting on Boxing Day, but doesn't this game look like hiney-doodoo?

A very happy belated Christmas to all the Yorkshire puddings out there! Santa bless, and to all a good night!

Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of presents, ye happy wanderers!!!

48. fuzzy76 26 Jan 2009, 12:27 GMT

The review states "2 players", but does not elaborate. It would be nice to know how the 2-player mode is implemented.

49. Ian Daemon 26 Jan 2009, 15:00 GMT

Looks like I'll have to grab this tonight after work...

50. KnucklesSonic8 26 Jan 2009, 15:53 GMT

I'm glad it finally came to NA.
edit I just got it. It's not bad. So far, it's a 7/10 in my books.

@fuzzy76: Uhh... yes it does. It's expressed in the review about the Co-op features the game has that another friend can join in the fray.

51. Shortay 26 Jan 2009, 16:33 GMT

@fuzzy76: As KnucklesSonic says, I did mention in the review that the 2-player multiplayer mode was drop-in drop-out co-operative.

52. chunky_droid 27 Jan 2009, 10:49 GMT

@Starwolf: Happens in US aswell, it told me I'd lose my points when I changed from Canada to US

53. Ian Daemon 27 Jan 2009, 14:14 GMT

I downloaded this last night and it isn't bad. (1) The whole initial 'menu' thing (picking a level and starting a game) is confusing because you just seem to start playing without warning and (2) the 'jump' physics take a lot of getting used to because they're nothing like Mario's (which platformers emulate). However, considering all of my gripes, this title isn't bad overall. Interesting and worth the 500 points.

54. chunky_droid 28 Jan 2009, 08:51 GMT

Wow, IGN totally panned this game, I'm listening to you guys though. Craig Harris hasn't got a clue anymore.

55. Nintendork 29 Jan 2009, 22:58 GMT

^ Were you expecting anything else? Ign always rates great games crappy ( see, My Aquarium, and Pop) as well as awful games decent (Plattchen, Boingz) I've completely stopped going to their site now.

56. Wiiloveit 30 Jan 2009, 20:12 GMT

@Nintendork: I gave up listening to IGN ages ago, since they just ended up going mad with power - although they can occasionally get it right. Also, since when is My Aquarium great and PLATTCHEN crappy? You got those the wrong way round, there.

57. KDR_11k 02 Feb 2009, 07:58 GMT

I agree with IGN and NWR on this game though, it's a terrible failure in all respects. The very basic goals are tedious and boring, the complete lack of air control makes precision platforming a nightmare (especially in that cross-shaped level where failing one jump means falling to the bottom again). I have no idea how anyone could give this game an 8/10, it is completely devoid of redeeming features. This review made me waste my points on this terrible pile of garbage.

58. Shortay 16 Feb 2009, 16:29 GMT

@KDR_11k: I'm sorry you hated the game so much. The review was a reflection of my opinion, and I thought it had enough redeeming features to warrant its score. Not everyone think it's as bad as you, so please don't talk like your opinion is the only one that matters.

Also, I'm not sure why you didn't compare other sources for reviews before purchasing it...

59. KnucklesSonic8 18 Feb 2009, 05:55 GMT

It's funny how I feel this review is a tad overrated when normally, I think a review is underrated (see: SNOWBOARD RIOT). Anyway, I bought the game when it came out and I haven't gone back to it that much (albeit my WiiWare time is being hogged by SR, lol). I'm only on World 2 so I can't judge it yet but if I had to judge from where I'm at, it's a 7. Just not a high 7.