CasualFit check
Is IT TAKES THE BALL worth it for you?
We tell you who should skip it, too.
Play it if you…
Good fit- Casual players who want a racket-and-ball challenge with keyboard movement
- Players who enjoy managing hazards while advancing through a run
- Players comfortable with a game where failure can result in the dog's death
Skip it if you…
Saves you a refund- Players who want a forgiving run may hit a wall when the ball falls, since that ends the game.
- Players who prefer to pause or hold a ball safely may struggle when keeping it on the racket too long prevents movement.
- Players seeking a gentle animal-themed game may find the dog's death on failure upsetting.
Our take on IT TAKES THE BALL
The likely sticking point is the ball-control loop: a drop ends the run, but keeping the ball on the racket too long also stops movement. Players who cannot maintain that balance will encounter the failure system quickly, with the dog's death as part of the consequence.
What is IT TAKES THE BALL?
Control movement with A and D, jump with the space bar, and use the mouse to aim the racket.
Swing it to keep the ball moving as the player advances and collects coins. The ball must not hit the ground: if it does, the dog swallows it and the game ends. Keeping the ball on the racket too long also causes the dog to bite, preventing movement, so the racket must keep swinging. To finish successfully, reach the end with enough coins. During the run, the player may need to leave the dog behind to complete the game.
How IT TAKES THE BALL plays
- 01Racket-controlled ball
- Mouse movement sets the racket's angle, while swings keep the ball moving forward.
- 02Coin collection
- Coins gathered along the route count toward the amount required to finish.
- 03Dog hazards
- A dropped ball ends the run, while keeping it on the racket too long prevents movement.
Games like IT TAKES THE BALL
Casual
CasualSnik
CleverweekFor:Players who enjoy demanding precision challenges and short, obstacle-focused levelsSkip if:Players seeking forgiving play, since contact with a barrier ends the game
CasualYou Died but a Necromancer revived you
BolHutFor:Platforming fans who enjoy narrow routes and trap hazardsSkip if:Players who want forgiving floor attempts may hit a wall when any hit sends them back to the last checkpoint.
CasualAdventure of a Digger
D1ONEFor:Puzzle players who enjoy planning routes through platform levelsSkip if:Players who want forgiving mistakes may hit a wall when a regenerating floor traps the character and ends a life.Picked by overlapping fit notes and genres, not an editorial comparison.
IT TAKES THE BALL: platforms & release
Is IT TAKES THE BALL worth it?
It is worth it if: casual players who want a racket-and-ball challenge with keyboard movement. Skip it if: players who want a forgiving run may hit a wall when the ball falls, since that ends the game.
Where can I download IT TAKES THE BALL?
Use the Download Now button on this page: it opens IT TAKES THE BALL's store page, where you can choose how to get it.
What platforms is IT TAKES THE BALL on?
Windows only.
