The Canon of Balls is a newly released open-world platformer in which players control a grotesque stone face inside a rolling metal cage, using its tongue to bounce and navigate perilous environments. The article argues that its unusual premise and deliberately abrasive design distinguish it from other “Dark Souls in a ball” comparisons, drawing on a neglected strain of strange, challenging game design rather than simple nostalgia.

Its cathedral-like opening level involves rolling and wall-jumping to retrieve a key from a hanging brazier, while later areas include large-scale architecture, traps and a stone bird holding a key. Developer Helios Monk cites Dark Souls, Super Monkey Ball, Fumito Ueda’s work and Minecraft parkour maps as influences; the game supports solo play but encourages friends to play alongside each other informally. It is available on Steam from today, priced at £2.88 during its launch discount.