Propel from Abscure Games is a patience-testing, ball rolling puzzle/platformer for the PC. The game is a complete remake of Abscure’s earlier title: The Fall Game. The orange ball must reach the multi-colored goal in each of the 25 stages. There are 8 different colored arrows littered throughout the world. Some colors change the gravity of the ball. Some arrows speed the ball up, some will do both. The ball cannot roll off the screen or touch the (purple, in picture above) hexagons of death.

There are little curvy balls (colored orange and yellow, above) that act as the stage “collectible” if gamers want to complete the stage 100%. However, the main stage select screen doesn’t seem to note which levels are completed or completed with the collectible. Abscure’s website indicates there is unlockable content, but the press demo game already had everything unlocked. Some of the extra modes such as the level editor and arcade mode probably unlock with a certain number of collectibles.

As mentioned, the developers offer a level editor which is pretty thorough.

In addition to a level editor, there is a survival style arcade mode. The entire screen is made of a border of arrows that one must bounce back and forth from. As the ball comes into contact with each arrow, the arrow will disappear and leave a hole through which the ball can fall and cause a game over. I won’t spoil all the game’s hidden content other than to say there exists an “ERT+Y76P” mode.

While there are 25 levels, the first 13 teach players all about the game. The final 12 levels will push anyone’s keyboard twitching, gravity switching skills to the test. Propel has a great pulsing, looping track from Martyn Corbet. For 25 levels that require several passes, another song or two would have kept the ambiance fresher.

The game is free and well worth a try. Check out the game’s trailer for the great music and gameplay:

Propel