Quick Look: Robo for iPhone
Like most of HeroCraft’s iPhone games I first experienced Robo on my Pocket PC, and on that platform it was one of my favorites from this developer. I would argue that holds true of the iPhone as well. Be warned that unlike most of their other offerings, however, Robo is not a causal “pick up and play” game. It won’t take long before you start getting into levels that require thinking, planning and probably a few restarts before you solve them. Simple it’s not, but worthwhile it most definitely is.
A Winter Wonderland... With Lasers!
Robo is a fresh take on the old “mirrors and lasers” game. The plot is that your girlfriend has been kidnapped – ah, robo-love – and you must rescue her. Unfortunately, her captor has littered the way to his lair with a series of traps comprised of lasers reflecting off of mirrors which are blocking your way to the exit to each level. You must clear a path to the exit by moving either the lasers, the mirrors or both. Along the way you might also get boulders and / or bombs to help or hinder your progress. You must use all your wits to figure out where everything needs to go in order to clear your path. Keep in mind that laser beams and explosions from bombs are bad for robots, so you’ll always want to stay clear of those things or you’ll be starting the level over.
One nice feature in the iPhone version that didn’t exist in the Pocket PC version (or at least in the version I played) is the ability to undo moves. Of course, this doesn’t apply to a move that causes you to blow up or disintegrate, but it will reverse a mirror pushed too far or a rock pushed in the wrong direction. On the other hand, the feature I’m least happy about is the movement. I’m not quite sure how I would have implemented it any better, but it’s hard getting used to controls that pop up only when you press the screen, especially given that the arrows don’t react unless you’re on top of them. I know that’s the way it should be, but that means if you want to go up and you didn’t click the screen in quite the right spot for the up arrow you need to slide your finger over. It just seems a little awkward to me.
The highlight of this game is the visuals. Individual objects are a tad on the small side, but everything is incredibly detailed and wonderfully animated. Just one example of “above and beyond” are two little birds playing on a twig on top of the bushes on the grassy levels. They even went so far as to show your character’s reflection in the mirrors when you’re pushing them. The main character is also quite entertaining to watch. His head is a computer monitor, and when he sits idle for a while the face will be replaced with all sorts of amusing images, such as a test pattern or an aquarium complete with fish swimming around. There’s even a little skull displayed should your character happen to get fried. The sound effects are decent, but the music rocks. This is one of those games where you can easily listen to the music while you’re going about doing other things.
If you’re a casual gamer, Robo definitely isn’t for you. However, if you love a good challenge this is a great choice, especially for a small price. There are 76 levels in the game, and some of them are bound to keep you busy for a while. Won’t you help Robo get his girlfriend back?
Final Verdict: Recommended
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Tags: Eric Pankoke, Herocraft, iPhone, Puzzle Game, Quick Look, review, Robo, technobrains
