Roll in the Hole review (iPod/iPhone)

♫ “Oh panda bear – you can’t seem to win
No matter how hard you try”

10 word description: Rolling panda physics/platform puzzles. Environmental hazards. 72 levels.

There are three worlds, with the obligatory "coming soon" 4th world

10 word review: Polished, challenging variation of physics platforming. Inventive and colourful levels.

A rolling panda has no brakes, obviously, but he does have ... backspin

You will like this if you enjoy: Physics based platform puzzlers. Games involving using gravity and inertia to overcome obstacles.

The levels that look simple usually aren't

The good news: Fairly original combination of rolling (using touch control) around short platform puzzle environments. Clear, attractive graphics. Controls work well, don’t feature unnecessary on-screen buttons and can’t honestly be blamed for the falls, slips, collisions and unplanned bounces that frequently occur. Level design is consistently clever, mostly uncluttered and employing the kind of design that impresses due to the difficulty being based on challenging the ability of the player to precisely control the Panda rather than just using an overwhelming number of obstacles or hazards.

The second world - Ice - introduces a whole new set of problems, I mean features!

The bad news: The levels start to get tricky towards the end of the first world, often requiring many attempts in order to get 3 stars. Depending on your ability and your patience, this may be good news or possibly one of the most intimidating platform puzzle experiences you’ve ever encountered.

Eventually, you end up in space. Alien abduction is just another occupational hazard

Arcadelife verdict: It’s a polished, well designed, fun and addictive game that works perfectly on a touch screen device. Some of the levels can feel frustrating as you constantly misjudge spins and bounces, but there’s a great deal of satisfaction to be had from beating a particularly tough level. Personally, I was going to “have a quick go” today and ended up completing the first world – all 3 stars – and doing a few levels on each of the next two worlds. It’s definitely a “one more go” game!

If I can do this, it really isn't that difficult...!

Arcadelife rating: 88/100

Version reviewed by Arcadelife is 1.0

Chillingo / Roll in the Hole website link

Arcadelife played and reviewed this game on:
4th gen iPod Touch (OS 4.3.5)