Previews

Hands on with Rolando 2: Quest for the Golden Orchid on iPhone

Quest for the golden sequel

Hands on with Rolando 2: Quest for the Golden Orchid on iPhone

When the royal sages fall ill from a mysterious poison, your hands are called back to action in Rolando 2: Quest for the Golden Orchid.

Iterating on the colourful platforming gameplay of the original, this much-anticipated sequel intends to deliver more than just another slate of levels. Fresh 3D graphics and clever new gameplay mechanics join an expanded cast of characters to keep this vibrant series on a roll.

While Rolando 2 introduces several new elements to its hybrid puzzle-platforming gameplay, it largely retains the fundamentals of the original release. You guide cute little rolandos with tilts of your handset, escorting them through obstacle-riddled levels. That core premise remains, although additional challenges are thrown into the mix with new characters, enemies, and environments.

The tropical trek means dealing with new levels filled with water, for instance. Big rolandos sink when taking a dip, but are able to roll along the bottom to bypass bodies of water; however diminutive rolandos float on the surface. Naturally, completing certain levels requires figuring out the best method for crossing these ponds.

Vehicles - an unlikely addition for the series - open up an array of new challenges. In one level, a Royal Spikey Commando hopped inside of a large wooden wheel lined with spikes. Tilting the handset instructed the commando to roll, which in turn caused the wheel to move. Any enemies in its path were effortlessly popped, enabling the commando to get through a particularly well-guarded level.

New characters also take active rolls in the game like the hot-headed rolando. Native to the islands, this fiery figure can imbibe spicy red peppers. Unfortunately the little fellow is allergic to the peppers, causing him to blow up twice in size. While it's unfortunate for him, this this temporary increase in size affords a new way for tackling puzzles. It only lasts a few moments though; a few seconds after chomping down on a pepper the rolando returns to normal.

Along with new elements come twists to favourite concepts from the first game. One level entitled "The King and His Finger" involved tilting the device to guide the King through a maze of breakable blocks. Destroying the blocks was done using a new weapon triggered with your finger. Pressing on the weapon charges your finger up and lets you demolish blocks with a tap. Since you can only break a couple blocks at a time, you have to continuously charge up your finger.

Other additions have less of an impact on play, but streamline the experience and promise greater accessibility. Idols, for example, allow you to skip a level if you find it too difficult. You're only awarded these figures at rare moments, so sparing use is necessary. New collectible crystals that litter each level can be used to purchase tracks from Mr. Scruff's Music Shack, as well as unlock achievements.

These creative embellishments are enough to shade this sequel as an evolution, the colourful platforming of the original twisted into new form with inventive challenges, characters, and charming story.

If that isn't enough, the promise of free updates packed with additional levels assures Rolando 2 will rock when it rolls out onto the App Store later this summer.

Tracy Erickson
Tracy Erickson
Manning our editorial outpost in America, Tracy comes with years of expertise at mashing a keyboard. When he's not out painting the town red, he jets across the home of the brave, covering press events under the Pocket Gamer banner.