{{Short description|2011 video game}} {{Infobox video game | title = Wizorb | image = Wizorb Coverart.png | developer = [[Tribute Games]] | publisher = Tribute Games | engine = [[Microsoft XNA|XNA]] | designer = Jonathan Lavigne | programmer = Jean‑François Major | artist = Jonathan Lavigne<br />[[Paul Robertson (animator)|Paul Robertson]]<br />Justin Cyr | composer = Jean Chan | released = '''XBLIG'''<br />September 29, 2011<br />'''Windows'''<br />November 7, 2011<br />'''Linux''', '''Mac OS X'''<br />December 19, 2011<br />'''PS Minis'''<br />July 25, 2012<br />'''iOS'''<br />August 3, 2012<br />'''OUYA'''<br />March 28, 2013<br />'''Nintendo Switch'''<br />October 6, 2022 | genre = [[Breakout clone]] | modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]] | platforms = [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[Xbox 360]], [[PlayStation Portable]], [[PlayStation Vita]], [[Linux]], [[macOS|Mac OS X]], [[iOS]], [[Ouya]], [[Nintendo Switch]] }}
'''''Wizorb''''' is a video game created and published by [[Tribute Games]]. It was released on the [[Xbox 360]] [[Xbox Live Marketplace]] on September 29, 2011. The gameplay is a cross between a [[Breakout clone|''Breakout'' clone]] and a [[role-playing video game]]. ''Wizorb'' was ported to [[Microsoft Windows]], [[macOS|Mac OS X]], and [[Linux]]. It was released for Windows through [[Steam (service)|Steam]] on March 14, 2012, with support for [[Steam (service)#Features and functionality|Steam Achievements]] and [[Steam Cloud]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Wizorb on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/207420/Wizorb/ |website=[[Steam (service)|Steam]] |publisher=[[Valve Corporation]] |access-date=May 31, 2026}}</ref> Upon release, ''Wizorb'' saw favorable reviews from critics, with ''[[VentureBeat]]''{{'}}s Jacob Siegal listing it as one of the top 10 independent video games of 2011.<ref name="vbtop10"/>
==Gameplay== ''Wizorb'' is a cross between ''Breakout'' and a role-playing game.<ref name="gsw-windows"/> The core of the game takes place in a ''Breakout'' clone where the player can use magic to control the ball and help destroy the bricks and enemies.<ref name="pspp">{{cite web|url=http://www.pcpowerplay.com.au/2012/01/wizorb-review/|title=Wizorb Review|last=Lamotte|first=Sarah|date=January 18, 2012|website=[[PC PowerPlay]]|publisher=[[nextmedia|Next Media Pty Ltd]]|access-date=November 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219225303/http://www.pcpowerplay.com.au/2012/01/wizorb-review/|archive-date=February 19, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The RPG elements concern rebuilding a town, restoring its citizens and leadership, while the primary block-breaking gameplay concerns fighting mini-bosses and bosses.<ref name="gemsbok">{{cite web|url=http://thegemsbok.com/art-reviews-and-articles/video-game-reviews-mid-week-mission-wizorb-tribute-games/|title=Through the Looking Orb: ''Wizorb'' and the Tradition of Short, High-quality, Arcade-style Games|last=Podgorski|first=Daniel|date=September 9, 2015|website=The Gemsbok|access-date=February 28, 2017}}</ref>
==Development== ''Wizorb'' was developed by [[Tribute Games]] and first released for the [[Xbox 360]] through the [[Xbox Live Marketplace]]'s [[Xbox Live Indie Games]] section on September 29, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2011-09-23-tribute-games-wizorb-paddling-to-xblig-sept-29.html|title=Tribute Games' Wizorb paddling to XBLIG Sept. 29|last=Mitchell|first=Richard|date=September 23, 2011|website=[[Engadget]] ([[Joystiq]])|publisher=[[Yahoo (2017–present)|Yahoo]]|access-date=November 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111028194623/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/23/tribute-games-wizorb-paddling-to-xblig-sept-29/|archive-date=October 28, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> The game is the first title by the independent developer [[Tribute Games]].<ref name="joy-pc">{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2011-10-30-wizorb-smashing-into-pc-on-nov-7-more-ports-to-follow.html|title=Wizorb smashing into PC on Nov.7, more ports to follow|last=Conditt|first=Jessica|date=October 30, 2011|website=Engadget (Joystiq)|publisher=Yahoo|access-date=November 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017011848/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/30/wizorb-smashing-into-pc-on-nov-7-more-ports-to-follow/|archive-date=October 17, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Destructoid]]''{{'}}s Jordan Devore noted that high quality Xbox 360 indie games are often ported to the PC, saying that "''Wizorb'' is one such game".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/wizorb-prepped-for-a-november-release-on-pc/|title=Wizorb prepped for a November release on PC|last=Devore|first=Jordan|date=October 29, 2011|website=[[Destructoid]]|publisher=[[Gamurs]]|access-date=November 23, 2022}}</ref> A [[port (software)|port]] for Microsoft Windows was released on November 7 of the same year, through the [[digital distribution]] website [[GamersGate]].<ref name="joy-pc"/> The computer version can be controlled by a gamepad, keyboard, or mouse.<ref name="gemsbok" /><ref name="joy-pc"/> The entire game can be played using only a mouse, and the developer recommends this method as it "makes ''Wizorb'' rely even more on reflexes which feels great and makes the game a tad easier".<ref name="joy-pc"/>
Even before the Windows release, the developers were working on porting the game to [[macOS|Mac OS X]] and [[Linux]].<ref name="joy-pc"/> The developers considered porting the game to a [[smartphone]] platform.<ref name="gsw-windows">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2011/10/wizorb_releasing_to_windows_on.php|title=Wizorb Releasing To Windows On Nov. 7 Through GamersGate|last=Caoili|first=Eric|date=October 28, 2011|website=[[Game Developer (website)|GameSetWatch]]|publisher=[[UBM plc]]|access-date=November 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111109080959/http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2011/10/wizorb_releasing_to_windows_on.php|archive-date=November 9, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> Using the [[MonoGame]] programming library, ports were released for OS X and Linux.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://monogame.codeplex.com/discussions/283620|title=Wizorb|author=Makeout|date=December 20, 2011|website=[[CodePlex]]|access-date=November 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130401074413/http://monogame.codeplex.com/discussions/283620|archive-date=April 1, 2013|url-status=dead}} Note: Forum user Makeout is the creator of ''Wizorb''.</ref> The Windows version was made available through the [[Steam (service)|Steam]] digital distribution platform on March 14, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2012-03-14-wizorb-works-its-magic-on-steam.html|title=Wizorb works its magic on Steam|last=Hinkle|first=David|date=March 14, 2012|website=Engadget (Joystiq)|publisher=Yahoo|access-date=November 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128183138/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/wizorb-works-its-magic-on-steam/|archive-date=January 28, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The game was released for the [[Nintendo Switch]] on October 6, 2022.
==Reception== {{Video game reviews | align= left | GR = (X360) 93%<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/644924-wizorb/index.html|title=Wizorb for Xbox 360|website=[[GameRankings]]|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=November 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501185808/https://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/644924-wizorb/index.html|archive-date=May 1, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref><br />(PC) 83%<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/649252-wizorb/index.html|title=Wizorb for PC|website=GameRankings|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=November 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529185659/https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/649252-wizorb/index.html|archive-date=May 29, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref><br />(PSP) 81%<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamerankings.com/psp/672266-wizorb/index.html|title=Wizorb for PSP|website=GameRankings|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=November 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190315103410/https://www.gamerankings.com/psp/672266-wizorb/index.html|archive-date=March 15, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref><br />(iOS) 80%<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamerankings.com/iphone/679298-wizorb/index.html|title=Wizorb for iOS (iPhone/iPad)|website=GameRankings|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=November 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608035018/https://www.gamerankings.com/iphone/679298-wizorb/index.html|archive-date=June 8, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> | MC = (PC) 81/100<ref name="mcpc">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/wizorb/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title=Wizorb for PC Reviews|website=[[Metacritic]]|publisher=[[Fandom (website)|Fandom]]|access-date=December 16, 2012}}</ref><br />(iOS) 80/100<ref name="mcios">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/wizorb/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad|title=Wizorb for iPhone/iPad Reviews|website=Metacritic|publisher=Fandom|access-date=November 23, 2022}}</ref><br />(PSP) 79/100<ref name="mcpsp">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/wizorb/critic-reviews/?platform=psp|title=Wizorb for PSP Reviews|website=Metacritic|publisher=Fandom|access-date=November 23, 2022}}</ref><br />(NS) 76/100<ref name="mcns">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/wizorb/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch|title=Wizorb for Switch Reviews|website=Metacritic|publisher=Fandom|access-date=November 23, 2022}}</ref> | Destruct = (X360) 8.5/10<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-wizorb/|title=Review: Wizorb (X360)|last=Devore|first=Jordan|date=October 19, 2011|website=Destructoid|publisher=Gamurs|access-date=November 23, 2022}}</ref> | GMaster = (PSP) 80%<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Review: Wizorb (PSP)|magazine=[[GamesMaster (magazine)|GamesMaster]]|publisher=[[Future plc]]|date=November 2012|page=83}}</ref> | Gamezebo = (PC) {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamezebo.com/reviews/wizorb-review/|title=Wizorb Review|last=Zuccarelli|first=Dan|date=March 23, 2012|website=[[Gamezebo]]|access-date=November 23, 2022}}</ref> | JXV = (PC) 12/20<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00018794-wizorb-test.htm|title=Test: Wizorb (PC)|language=fr|author=Aurio|date=July 18, 2013|website=[[Jeuxvideo.com]]|publisher=Webedia|access-date=November 24, 2022}}</ref> | OPMUK = (PSP) 8/10<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Wizorb|magazine=[[PlayStation Official Magazine – UK]]|publisher=Future plc|date=November 2012|page=117}}</ref> | PCGUK = (PC) 88%<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Wizorb|magazine=[[PC Gamer|PC Gamer UK]]|publisher=Future plc|date=June 2012|page=101}}</ref> | PCPP = (PC) 8/10<ref name="pspp"/> | PG = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/wizorb/wizorb-review/|title=Wizorb (iOS)|last=Slater|first=Harry|date=August 9, 2012|website=[[Pocket Gamer]]|publisher=Steel Media Ltd|access-date=November 23, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/wizorb/wizorb-ps-vita-review/|title=Wizorb (PS Vita)|last=Willington|first=Peter|date=August 15, 2012|website=Pocket Gamer|publisher=Steel Media Ltd|access-date=November 23, 2022}}</ref> | PSQ = (PSP) {{Rating|8|10}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/psminis/wizorb|title=Wizorb Review [US Import]|last=Ingram|first=Christopher|date=August 3, 2012|website=Push Square|publisher=[[Gamer Network]]|access-date=November 23, 2022}}</ref> | TA = (iOS) {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://toucharcade.com/2012/08/09/wizorb-review/|title='Wizorb' Review – Breaking Out of the Puzzle Mold|last=Ford|first=Eric|date=August 10, 2012|website=[[TouchArcade]]|publisher=TouchArcade.com, LLC|access-date=November 23, 2022}}</ref> | rev1 = ''[[Digital Spy]]'' | rev1Score = (iOS) {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/videogames/a398989/mobile-review-round-up-pitfall-organ-trail-farming-simulator-more/|title=Mobile review round-up: Pitfall, Organ Trail, Farming Simulator, more|last=Nichols|first=Scott|date=August 13, 2012|website=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hearst Communications]]|access-date=November 23, 2022}}</ref> }}
The game received "favorable" reviews on all platforms according to the [[Review aggregator|review aggregation]] website [[Metacritic]].<ref name="mcpc"/><ref name="mcios"/><ref name="mcpsp"/><ref name="mcns"/>
The Xbox 360 and PC versions were rated as one of the top 10 independent video games of 2011 by ''[[VentureBeat]]''{{'}}s Jacob Siegal.<ref name="vbtop10">{{cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2011/12/24/the-best-indie-games-of-2011/view-all/|title=The best indie games of 2011|last=Siegal|first=Jacob|date=December 24, 2011|website=[[VentureBeat]]|access-date=December 17, 2012|archive-date=June 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601140527/https://venturebeat.com/2011/12/24/the-best-indie-games-of-2011/view-all/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
{{clear}}
==Legacy== Cyrus was supposed to appear as a playable cameo character in the then-upcoming [[Wii U]] and PC game ''[[Hex Heroes]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/prismaticgames/hex-heroes/posts/809020|title=Classes, Cameos, and Carousels|author=Prismatic Games LLC|date=April 4, 2014|website=[[Kickstarter]]|access-date=April 26, 2014}}</ref> before the Wii U version was canceled, and there is no indication that the game will ever be completed.
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.wizorb.com Official website] * {{moby game|id=/wizorb}}
[[Category:2011 video games]] [[Category:Breakout clones]] [[Category:Indie games]] [[Category:IOS games]] [[Category:Linux games]] [[Category:MacOS games]] [[Category:Microsoft XNA games]] [[Category:Nintendo Switch games]] [[Category:Ouya games]] [[Category:PlayStation Network games]] [[Category:PlayStation Portable games]] [[Category:PlayStation Vita games]] [[Category:Retro-style video games]] [[Category:Single-player video games]] [[Category:Tribute Games games]] [[Category:Video games developed in Canada]] [[Category:Windows games]] [[Category:Xbox 360 games]] [[Category:Xbox 360 Live Indie games]]