Developer Helios Monk has released The Canon of Balls, a physics-driven, open-world platformer now available for PC via Steam. The title blends platforming mechanics with a dark, architectural aesthetic, drawing inspiration from Dark Souls, Super Monkey Ball, and Shadow of the Colossus.
Gameplay and World Design
Players navigate a non-modular, open world while trapped inside a rolling metal orb. The character is depicted as a statue's face equipped with a fleshy tongue that serves as a springboard for movement. The design emphasizes an abrasive, challenging experience characterized by precise platforming and the physics of rolling through a sprawling, cyclopean environment.
Helios Monk states that the world was built without a modular, copy-and-paste level kit, aiming to create a distinct, non-repetitive environment. The architecture features environmental traps, such as rotating blades, and organic platforming routes inspired by the work of Fumito Ueda.
Social Play Mechanics
Although the game is designed as a singleplayer experience, the developers have explicitly cited Minecraft parkour maps as a creative influence. While there are no mechanics requiring multiple players, the developers encourage users to play in company to share the experience of navigating the game’s difficult ledges and collectibles.
Quick Facts
- Platform: PC (Steam)
- Release Date: Available now (August 14, 2026)
- Pricing: $3.39 / €2.97 / £2.88 (launch discount)
- Developer: Helios Monk