If you’re anything like me — a Gen Z caffeine addict with a brief attention span — you probably find classic games like Pong quite dull. I often wonder, “How can I play this without some roguelite elements and tons of stacking upgrades?” But after trying out Ball X Pit, I’ve realized that sometimes more truly is more, and it’s a blast.

During the Summer Game Fest, Devolver dedicated an entire showcase to Ball X Pit, a modern take on brick-breaking games, complete with its own unique twists. I was fortunate enough to test the demo prior to its official unveiling.

In this game, blocks shaped like skeleton soldiers slide down a column while firing at you. Meanwhile, you fire bouncing balls that inflict damage. Catch the balls mid-flight to release shots in the direction you’re aiming. A strategic choice lies in whether to spread shots to damage multiple enemies or focus on one by batting back the balls immediately.

As the game progresses, leveling up introduces you to special balls, including one that spawns additional balls, another that sets enemies ablaze, and many more quirky options. The gameplay quickly escalates from simple fun to chaotic explosions as you juggle leveling up and dealing with increasingly challenging foes.

After each playthrough, you return to New Ballbylon (yes, that’s the name) to spend your hard-earned cash on upgrades like new characters and game mechanics. While the structure isn’t groundbreaking, I found myself captivated by the gameplay, fueled by that exhilarating blend of chaos and strategy that Ball X Pit delivers.

Surprisingly, I thought I was done with the roguelike genre, but the speed and thrilling action had me eagerly coming back for more as I explored the demo.