The name sounds like a role-playing game, doesn't it? It's not. It's a roll-playing game! This is a Super Monkey Ball clone, and while it's not the next Da Vinci, it's not bad for the $20 price.

If you've ever played Super Monkey Ball or the old wooden "Labyrinth" marble game, you understand the basic concept. You have an orb (a cool-sounding synonym for "ball") that you need to roll from the starting position to the ending gate (literally a gate). It sounds easy, but note that you're not rolling the ball--you're tilting the terrain.

To tilt the terrain, just tilt your Wiimote the direction you want to roll. Control this way is very responsive, the tightest control I've seen in a tilt-sensing game on the Wii. This game also uses the B button as a brake, which is a lifesaver in a game like this. The only other controls manipulate the camera, which you'll find helpful and easy.

All of the characters and scenery are based on holidays with characters like Trixie the bunny girl, Romeo the Cupid, and Nick in a Santa suit, plus a few other familiar characters like a tooth fairy, 8 in all to start with (although half are Halloween characters). The character you use, though, while a greater variety than the Monkey Ball franchise, has no bearing on the play of the game, except the scream when falling to his/her doom.

 

Graphically, this game can't compete with Monkey Ball's beautiful landscapes. There's nothing wrong with these per se, and they did a nice job of developing worlds based on the seasonal themes, but Monkey Ball is famous for its breathtaking graphics. That said, this game has no timer--take your time getting to the end of each level--so you actually can stop to enjoy the scenery! For kids especially, the lack of a timer is a major plus, and between that and the brake button, I'd recommend this over Monkey Ball for anyone under about 11 or 12.

Levels, besides varying in scenery, increase in challenge, each world offering a slightly different strategy, from navigating ramps to sliding down the teeth of rotating cogs. (Note: brakes won't help you when you're on a moving platform--you stay stationary as the platform moves under you.)

 

The game features 4 different game modes. Normal Game is the standard single player unlock-the-levels fare. Time Attack adds in the time limit, so if you need some challenge and a little extra stress, try this mode. For even more challenge, the Star Challenge adds to the Time Attack by requiring collecting 10 red stars, with gold stars available for bonus points. Finally, up to four players can go head-to-head in multiplayer mode, racing to the finish line and "bumping off" (literally) opponents.

Sadly, Orbs of Doom lacks my favorite feature in Monkey Ball--the mini-games--but the significantly smaller price tag balances this lack.

For the price, this is a solid game and worth picking up if you don't want to spend the extra on Monkey Ball. Teens and adults will experience frustration alternating with a sense of accomplishment and have a decent time playing.