Myth Makers Orbs of Doom

🧙 Overview

• Title: Myth Makers: Orbs of Doom

• Platform: PlayStation 2

• Developer: Data Design Interactive

• Publisher: Phoenix Games / Bold Games

• Release Year: mid-2000s (multiple sources list 2004/2006/2007 depending on region)

• Genre: 3D Platformer / Puzzle / Action

• Players: 1‐2 local players (split-screen for some modes)

📖 Setting & Story

• The game takes place in a magical realm where young students train at the Myth Makers Academy, studying the art of “Myth Making.”

• The antagonist is Synster Rebus, the assistant principal (or similar authority figure) at the academy. He’s well known for his mischief and plots.

• Rebus has captured several of the academy’s promising cadets — characters named Nick, Zeek, Zolestine, Jack, Trixie, Romeo, Belle, Felicia — by imprisoning them inside magical orbs called the “Orbs of Doom.” He scatters these orbs across various worlds.

• The player's mission is to choose one of the Myth Makers, journey through challenging levels, recover the orbs, rescue the cadets, and thwart Rebus’s plan.

🎮 Gameplay Mechanics

Level & World Design

• There are five distinct worlds, each with its own theme/environment. Each world contains multiple levels.

• Players navigate from a start point through trails, platforms, hazards, puzzles, leading to exit gates of each level.

• The levels are 3D, with paths that twist, move, and often require careful movement.

Hazards & Obstacles

• Common obstacles include perilous drops, so falling off the path often forces you to restart a part of the level.

• There are moving platforms, see-saws, pendulums, explosive boxes, and traps you must avoid or time correctly.

Game Modes

Besides the main adventure mode, the game offers several variations to increase replay:

1. Normal Mode

   • The standard playthrough. Explore freely, find the exit, rescue the cadet.

2. Star Challenge Mode

   • Timed levels. You must collect a certain number of “red stars” (typically 10) before the exit gate opens. Adds urgency and exploration.

3. Time Attack Mode

   • Complete the level as fast as possible. Time is recorded. Encourages replay to improve speed.

4. Pickups Mode

   • Similar to Star Challenge, but includes collecting extra items (like “gold stars”) for bonus point scoring, again under time constraints.

Characters

• There are up to eight playable Myth Makers (the students listed above). While each has its own look and perhaps minor animation differences, the gameplay differences between them are minimal.

• Players can select which Myth Maker to use before entering a level.

🎨 Visuals & Style

• Visual style is bright, whimsical, cartoonish. Environments are colorful with simple textures.

• Enemies, hazards and level design lean toward child-friendly fantasy (no graphic violence, but more puzzle and platform challenge).

• The camera follows behind the player; sometimes the view can get obstructed or awkward in complex areas (e.g. when tight corners or vertical drops are involved).

🔊 Audio & Sound

• Music is light, playful, matching the magical academy / fantasy aesthetic.

• Sound effects are modest — footsteps, jumps, trap activation, items collected. Nothing overly dynamic, but functional.

⚙ Controls & Feel

• Movement is rolling / walking, jumping, sometimes balancing over narrow paths.

• Some level geometry requires precision; platforming can be unforgiving if the player’s timing or positioning is slightly off.

• Collectibles like stars add incentive to explore rather than rushing straight to the exit.

✅ Strengths

• Decent concept with novelty — the “orbs” capturing students provides a clear objective.

• Multiple modes (timed, challenge, pick-ups) give replay value beyond just going through the main story.

• Charming (if simple) visuals and whimsical fantasy tone, decent for younger players.

• Affordable and accessible; not overly complex so players won’t need steep learning.

❌ Weaknesses

• Controls and camera can be clumsy; difficult in tight platforming segments.

• Level design sometimes feels repetitive, with similar mechanics reused.

• The game’s graphical fidelity, collision detection, and responsiveness are basic — not smooth compared to more polished titles.

• AI / variation in difficulty is minimal — challenge comes mostly from timing and precision rather than depth.

🔍 Overall Feel

For fans of games like Super Monkey Ball or other platform/rolling-ball puzzle platformers, Myth Makers: Orbs of Doom provides a lighter version — more oriented toward younger audiences and casual play. It mixes platforming, timing, collectible chasing, and light puzzle elements in a fairly charming fantasy package.

It isn’t a standout in the genre due to its technical limitations and repetition, but it has nostalgia value and can be fun, particularly if you’re collecting or exploring PS2’s less prominent offerings.