Simba Volleyball for BlackBerry

Hands on review by EricaJ074

Very addictive and fun Volleyball game for BlackBerry!

Price as reviewed: $9.95

File size: 471 KB

Version: 1.0

Release date: 05/09/06

Last update date: 05/09/06

Platform: BlackBerry

Compatible Devices: BlackBerry 71xx, 72xx, 75xx, 77xx, 8700

Licence: Try before you buy

http://www.simbsoft.com/products/volleyballblackberry/

I just received a copy of this game to try on my 7105t and I agree with the addictiveness of this game as noted above from the website.

Object: Win volleyball matches with Jelly boy.

Gameplay: Control of the game is via buttons (they can be defined) or the trackwheel.



When you start up the game, the first screen you will see is the Volleyball Menu screen which features the Start, Stats, Options, About, Help and Exit options. Clicking on Start takes you directly to the game itself. This is where you start playing the game against Blobby (Artificial Intelligence Level 1).



The next screen, Stats, is self-explanatory. It will list stats, such as your Name, Games you have played, Games you have won and how many Points have been scored.



The next screen, Options, is where I'm stuck and had to contact Support via their website (I will let you know if and when my issue has been solved). My problem is entering a player's name. It appears that you use the keypad to do this, but I don't know how. You can also change the Control and Color of your player in the game. When you change these options for the Artificial Intelligence player, you the option of changing the Control to Easy, Medium and Hard difficulties. Blobby for the Easy control, Jelly for Medium Control, and Dodger for Hard control are your choices. Green, Cyan, Red, Violet, and Yellow are your choices for player color for both Human and AI players.



The About screen tells you basic information about the game, such as the version, where to download the full version of the game, and who to contact for help.



The Help screen gives you information about the Object of the game and How To Play.

How To Play: You use the scroll wheel to make your player serve the ball with his hand, or bump the ball with his head, just as in regular volleyball. Jelly boy will contact the ball and follow it to the target. You have 3 chances to hit the ball (and prevent your opponent from doing the same) before it goes to the opponent. Then gameplay switches to the opponent. This goes back and forth until someone reaches 15 or 25 points.









Game Modes:

Classic, which is like a regular game of Volleyball where you win when you get 15 points.

Oficial: Same as classic, except the player who reaches 25 points first wins.



So far, I am enjoying learning this game if I can ever figure out how to enter my name in the Player 1 slot. I will report back with an update.

Pros: Easy interface for gameplay.

Cons: Entering your name can be a problem for first time players of this game. Instructions are not given for this. Also, defining user button options if using buttons is not explained clearly. I use the trackwheel for gameplay.

I give it 4 out of 5 BlackBerries due to the above problem.



Have fun.

Thanks. I did contact support for the game and they told me to use the trackwheel, keypad and enter key to enter your name but I still have yet to figure this out.

I loaded up the trial version. After a few games, the nag screens start. Not only are they at the beginning of each game, they stop the game every few points and hold up the game for an increasing number of seconds each time. I have used trial versions that allow only a few days but this is absolutely ridiculous.

I bought the game anyway. I have no problem entering player name but, the stats are not resettable! So while you are in training, each loss counts in your permanent stats.

I found that even after playing awhile, I was unable to win games in the easiest of modes. I sent an email to tech support. I was told nobody had problems learning the game except me, everyone tells them the game is too easy and they should make it harder, everyone appreciates their hard work except me, and there is no reason to reset stats so I should just keep changing the player name when I want fresh stats.

Not the friendliest bunch! This is the only game they do for Blackberry so far but I would think twice before buying anything elso from them.