Pandas! Transform into a Ball and Roll Out!
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Roll in the Hole has the unique distinction of being one of the first games I wanted to review before getting a chance to play it. Maybe it is the undeniable draw of pandas or the art style. Either way, I knew I wanted to play it.
I was not disappointed when I finally got some hands-on time. The game follows a chubby panda whose ice cream was pilfered by a bunch of monkeys. Rather than eat all the ice cream, they apparently constructed a series of 72 levels meant to test the lazy panda’s resolve. If he wants the ice cream back, he’s going to have to work for it. You’re the one who’s going to help him do it.
Roll in the Hole is a puzzle platformer. You goal is to make it to the end of the level before time runs out while collecting ice cream. The controls are simple to understand and incredibly responsive to the touch. Touching either the left or right side of the screen sends the panda rolling in that direction. The longer you hold your finger in any one direction, the faster he rolls. The object is to make it down a series of ramps without letting the panda roll off the edge of the map. The concept is easy to grasp, though it took time and a bit of coaching from the Chillingo rep before I was able to get a feel for the mechanics.
Each section presents new obstacles, altering how the panda rolls. For instance, he’ll speed up when rolling on ice, but roll slower in outer space.
I was able to play through around five stages, and were it not for the usual hustle and bustle that accompanies E3, I could have spent hours working my way through each level in pursuit of coveted 3-star rankings.
Roll in the Hole will be available for both the iPad and iPhone. If you’re looking for your next obsession, this might be it.
