While this app came out some time ago, I have been meaning to write a review for this app, but I always end up getting distracted playing the game, then running out of time. So finally I have distanced myself from my iPhone to bring you this review.

This is easily one of the most addicting games I have come across. ngmoco:), the developer of this game has undoubtedly created a unique gem of a game.

Pros:
-Unique game play
-Characters faces interact with each other
-Addicting game play
-A combo of Touch Physics & Lemmings = addictiveCons:
-I can’t really think of any.

The point of Rolando is to roll the Rolandos (characters) around the screen and move them from one point to another while avoiding deadly monsters, fire pits, etc. In order to get them through you might find that you have to push things around, climb across boulder, drop bombs, build bridges, etc. The easiest way to describe the app is to say that it is a cross between Touch Physics for the iPhone and the old Lemmings game.

Controls:
The game utilizes the accelerometers to maneuver the Rolandos on the screen – you tilt in the direction you want to move,. You can also make your Rolando jump by swiping your finger from the bottom to the top of the screen. When selecting your Rolando, you can tap on one of them to select it or draw a box around several Rolandos to select multiple ones. While tilting the iPhone in a certain direction controls the Rolandos, you might also find yourself using your fingers to pull back catapult, flip switches, dropping bombs, drawing bridges and other awesome little things.

Layout:
The game begins with a segmented screen- 9boxes that are black and then “unlocked” when you beat certain levels, within this main screen you can basically just play around with the different Rolando characters. I thought this was a neat little touch as its not really part of the game, but great way to get the user involved in the game – before the game. After tapping on the menu item to begin the game, you will be taken to a “story-book” map that basically lists the levels along you way to the Rolando City. You select the level you wish by tapping on a white circle and then again when the white balloon appears. The map is separated into 4 quadrant, or to say, 4 worlds. Each one having its own theme. Within the levels themselves you have to get the Rolando(s) from point A to point B winding your way around beast trap doors and catapults. While all levels require that you exit through the magic door at the end, you might also find that you must save the sleeping-prince-Rolando, in which, he is bigger than the other Rolandos and also uncontrollable, making the level quite difficult to an extent, but very addicting.

In the game screen, in the top left-hand corner, your are given a time limit and given extra points if you complete the level in the allotted amount of time, if not, then you don’t get any extra points. Underneath the times is a counter #/# meaning, the first number is how many Rolandos you have gotten through the door and the second number is how many you must get though the level to complete it. If you tap on either of these icons a menu will appear to allow you to restart the level, continue, or quit.

If you decide to quit, don’t worry, your game will be saved (iSave). Some levels have “checkpoint-balloons” so that you begin from the point of the balloon in case you are to die. If you push the home key in the middle of a game (without dying) you will resume from that position.

Sound:
There is music playing in the background and in games I tend to reduce the music over the sound effects to reduce noise confusion, in doing that, I enjoyed the music within the game and did not feel that it ever annoyed me. There are multiple sound effects that each animation gives off in the game and makes the game all the more interactive. The Rolandos themselves will “talk” to you via text bubbles and making a unique sound (reminiscing of the old Nintendo 64).

Overall:
I found this game extremely addicting. It is one of those games, if you just happen to have a couple of minutes to kill, then you can play this game then save your progress and continue later or if you have a bunch of time to kill, then by all means, play longer. I have played about halfway through the game and have found it very enjoyable and one of the best games I have purchased. I go though so many apps that I barely have time to complete each game before I move onto the next, but this one just has me coming back no matter what my time limit is.

Replay-ability I am not quite sure of. Once I complete the game, I am not sure I’ll go back to play the levels again. However in having that timer, you can go back and attempt to complete the level with that time slot. If you are one of those people that like to get every little point, then the replay ability is high, otherwise, it going to be low.

This is probably the only game I haven’t found anything negative to say about it and that in itself is outstanding.

One of the other games that ngmoco:) has made, Topple, I found in that game, that the blocks facial expressions reacted to each other and I found that so cool, and Rolando is no exception. Rolando is sure to please any puzzle-lover or adventure-game lover of any type! At $9.99, this game is a must and easily one of the best.

If you happen to find yourself near the “credits” button, under the options menu, you might want to take a look at it. It’s probably the most creative and well-done credit sequence I have seen i an iPhone app.

Pros:
-Good use of controls.
-Possibly a good app for kids (may need rubberized grip )

Cons:
-Lack of 3D graphics.
-Lack of creativity in game play (mission-wise.)
-Replay ability – Low.
-High Price for Low replay ability.

This was one of the first “good” games that came out for the iPhone and I grabbed it as soon as I could. The basic idea of this game is that the city is black & white and you have to “free” the city by coloring it. You color the buildings by running-into them. You collect different colors of paint in order to turn the Blob that color. You have to complete certain tasks in order to complete each level. The colors you pick up, let’s say the Blob is red and if you have a mission to turn a building orange, then you have to find a yellow paint in order to turn the Blob orange. You may also have to be a certain size. The more colored paint you pick up the larger you get. If you accidentally run into an I.N.K.T. agent (the ones that make the city monochrome) then you must find a water fountain to wash off, also downsizing the Blob.

Controls:

The game utilizes the accelerometers to control the de Blob movement, before beginning the game; you can neutralize the accelerometers so that you can play from any angle. You can also use touch controls
– touching in a certain direction on the screen, makes the Blob
go in that direction. Control is fairly easy. I prefer the tilt method
of control, as using your fingers on the screen blocks your field of
view.

Graphics:

Around the time this game came out, it also came out for the Playstation 3 & Nintendo Wii. The game sported 3D graphics. While the game for the iPhone, is somewhat 3D, it is mostly 2D graphics, which is a bit of a let down, actually quite a bit of a letdown. For the most part this game is in black & white, until you color it that is. Graphics here aren’t that great at all.

Opinion:

I thought the whole concept was interesting, but for me the game got quickly boring after the tutorial. This game might be good for kids or even teenagers, but pass that; I don’t see it working for that person. The mission’s aren’t that complex, you just run into buildings, that’s it…

Pros:
-Awesome Graphics
-Intuitive Controls
-“Neutral” Control Button (tells the iPhone what is the neutral position, allows you to play in any position)

Cons:
-May take some time to get used to the controls
-Unless you have a significant amount of time to to sit down and play this game at any point in time, this game may not be for you. You cannot save during the game only after you have completed a level.

4/5

$3.99

Nanosaur2 comes from the makers of Bugdom 2, Enigmo, & Billy Frontier. I personally think this game is the best so far put out by Pangea Software, or any game for that matter. The object of the game is to fly through the levels picking up dino eggs and depositing them in a wormhole while defending yourself from other trying to eat you or other shooting enemies.

The graphics are OUTSTANDING!

I found it quite cool that I could shoot into the tree and make them burn down…even the old Nintendo 64 couldn’t do that!

However, those trees aren’t exactly friendly, hit one & you’re a goner.