Roll Away

Overview

You're a beach ball cruising through the mazes trying to pick up fruit for the bonus level, bouncing over deadly spikes and running across very hot blocks. This is the concept that Psygnosis came up with for the hit game Roll Away and its addictive nature will keep you up at night longer than you'd plan. Although the graphics aren't the greatest, you won't really notice it because the intriguing play will keep you too occupied.

Gameplay

The game concept is simple. You're a beach ball that tries to get through successive levels by collecting the keys and getting to the exits. If you get a certain sequence of fruit in various levels then you get to play a bonus level that can greatly increase your score. Psygnosis' developers made the first 40 levels fairly easy (there are a total of 200 of them) and so you literally fly through them. Along the way you're introduced to stationary spikes, moving spikes, very hot blocks and a smorgasbord of other dangerous objects.

What makes this game so fun to play is that you have to be clever in order to figure out how to get to the keys and then to the exit. Although this can make the game a bit frustrating at times, most levels don't take more than a couple of minutes to figure out. Having a dual shock controller is definitely a bonus as you're able to feel the vibrations when you jump or get drugged, popped or melted from hot blocks.

The developers also made playing with a partner a real treat, as you're able to do copycat or time trial. In copycat, each person takes a turn repeating the previous moves and then adding an extra two. This quickly becomes a duel of who has the better memory and generates some competitive fun. In time trial you each take turns going through a set of puzzles and whoever finishes with the best time wins. It was this part that I have a little gripe with, because if your time is running out or you're hopelessly stuck then you can just roll off an edge and plunge to your death with only a four second penalty. This allows people to have a cheap way out from getting a bad score and pretty well screws up the results.

Graphics/Audio

The graphics aren't all that breathtaking, but I don't think this game was aiming for that. That's not to say the graphics aren't pleasant, they just don't have the detail that a game like Apocalypse does. The music isn't all that great either, but it doesn't grate on the nerves and can actually be lively at times. A couple of sections they did a great job with the graphics are the bonus levels and the "invisible blocks" levels.

Bottom Line

If you like puzzle games then this is a must buy. If you just occasionally enjoy playing a puzzle game then I suggest renting it first and seeing how you like it. The game doesn't have much for graphics but the simple and addictive gameplay sets it apart from other re-hashed Tetris games and delivers a breath of fresh air. Be sure to check it out!