You can't keep a good bot down. Especially when he's got a grappling cable and the ability to stick to the ceiling.
Yes, the titular Toy Bot is back and he still thumbs his nose at the restrictions of gravity thanks to his gadgets'n'magnetic boots. The first game is one of our favourite iPhone titles so far, so we've been eagerly anticipating Toy Bot Diaries Entry 2.
Continuing the platforming play of the original, you move your bot left and right by tilting the iPhone, while tapping on metal objects or scenery to fire his grappling cable and haul himself towards it.
Haul yourself right up to the metal and your boots will kick in, sticking you to it. These simple controls work throughout the game – it's your job to use them to negotiate obstacles and puzzles.
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As with the first game, plenty of thought and craft has gone into the levels that you explore. It's less about the graphics – although they're good – as it is about the level design.
For instance, you regularly encounter big rotating cogs, which you have to attach your grapple line to and hang on as you're spun around, letting go just as another cog or platform comes into view, so you can grapple onto that. The fact that they're out of view until you're spinning enhances the sense of discovery.
The game is incredibly tactile. This most definitely feels like it's been built specifically for iPhone rather than shoehorned onto the handset. We also like the way the game is all about exploration and puzzle-solving, rather than killing things. It makes for a nice change.
Some set-piece moments are great, such as the rotating maze about halfway through, and the final boss battle. Meanwhile, there are bombs to dodge, trundling robo-enemies to avoid, and just enough hazards to keep you on your toes.
Meanwhile, completionists will appreciate the ability to hunt down memory chips to discover who Toy Bot is, and exactly what powers him to embark on the adventure.
Unfortunately, not all gears have been greased and Toy Bot Diaries Entry 2 does possess shortcomings. Some sections of the game are exceedingly difficult. Frustratingly so much that it's conceivable to put the game down and never want to return to it again.
That said, the rush of achievement we got when getting past those bits was undeniable. It's also hard to see a way for developer IUGO to make the game easier without disappointing existing fans.
Otherwise, Toy Bot Diaries Entry 2 is an inventive, imaginative, and downght impressive iPhone game that will delight anyone who enjoyed the first game, and will hopefully attract some new fans to IUGO's bot too.
