The act of booting a football into a yawning goal is satisfying in itself, which is surely one of the reasons that EA’s FIFA franchise is a perennial favourite with gamers the world over.
Blast Ball combines this thrill with platforming action and the destruction of enemies, making for a often volatile concoction that thankfully entertains more than it frustrates.
Set in three different wire-frame arenas, Blast Ball places you in command of a cap-wearing stick man. You'll find goals located on each level, as well as respawning monsters that want nothing more than to munch on your spindly avatar.
Ball bag
Fortunately, you can use the various balls that drop into the stage to slay these beasties. The slightest contact betwixt ball and monster results in the latter coming off significantly worse.
But don't get carried away in the slaughter - although there's definite fun to be had booting the balls around the level and taking out as many enemies as possible, the ultimate objective of Blast Ball is to score as many goals as you can before dying.
Success not only calls for accuracy when kicking the ball but also platforming skills and tactical play. Sometimes it makes sense to hold off scoring a goal so you can take out the onrushing horde, and you'll also want to master the art of bouncing your balls off other structures as this often serves as the only way to escape the clutches of hostiles.
Kick off
It's important to remember that each ball has different qualities: while the perfectly round soccer ball will fly straight and true, the oval American football's bounce is unpredictable.
You'll also be given larger versions of each ball (which make it easier to take out enemies) and the titular blast ball, which detonates after a few seconds and can prove fatal to your on-screen character as well as his assailants.
While Blast Ball's concept is intriguing and and enjoyable, there are times when it can become slightly annoying. The controls don't always feel as responsive as you might wish, making some deaths feel particularly unfair.
Although the game features a progression system that only unlocks the other two levels when you've completed certain objectives, there isn't really enough variety here to sustain long-term interest - unless you're keen on bettering your high score, of course.
While it doesn't quite achieve the status of iPhone classic, Blast Ball is worth a punt if you enjoyed Super Crate Box and Muffin Knight, but crave something a little different.
Blast Ball
Blast Ball's joyously kinetic gameplay and simple premise make it instantly gratifying, but the occasionally annoying controls and lack of depth count against it
Damien McFerran
Damien's mum hoped he would grow out of playing silly video games and gain respectable employment. Perhaps become a teacher or a scientist, that kind of thing. Needless to say she now weeps openly whenever anyone asks how her son's getting on these days.