Madballs in Babo: Invasion is a game based on the same-named rubber ball toy line, which debuted in the mid-1980s and was relaunched at the end of 2007. It’s a top-down shooter in which the player controls one of these armed balls across several maze-like levels with slightly varying paths, all leading to the same level goal.
It takes place in Babolon, where balls of rock and goo evolved into intelligent people after a streak of green light hit them. The race was rapidly divided into two groups, B*D*I and Scorched, each looking for the item that had crashed on the planet, while a third faction was already attempting to unravel the enigma.
The single-player mode consists of three modes: Campaign, Level Attack, and Boot Camp (training). In the main game, players select one of two factions to play an identical series of stages. Each group also has five distinct classes based on health, speed, superior resistance and weaknesses, and unique abilities. Assault, Heavy, Support, Flyer, and Runner are the possible classes. They must be unlocked gradually, and replaying stages are encouraged because certain functions and weaponry are only available occasionally.
The ball must navigate the stages, take out enemies with ranged weaponry like lasers or grenades, collect goods, health, and complete tiny puzzles. Using a transmogrified, it is often possible to alter the weapon, access terminals for extra information, or shift the main character to a new class. All guns have two shooting options, and various special powers (such as a spinning strike or bursts of speed) are associated with specific types and factions. At higher levels, the balls encounter opponents with distinct weaknesses that must be exploited with the appropriate weapon.
Even though most places are maze-like and confined, there are numerous ways to approach them, including bridges, hidden passageways, and jump pads. The gameplay is mainly action-oriented, although there are some minor puzzle elements; for example, several luminous levels must be hit to activate forcefields.
The game’s multiplayer mode includes online co-op with up to four players for individual levels, an Endure mode for the whole campaign, and regular match-ups with 21 maps and up to sixteen players.
