Rolando is a combination of puzzles and platforming gaming. Your goal in this game is to solve the puzzle even as you work to herd the Rolandos, their prince and their king to safe shelter.

Rolando has been marketed as a physics game. This has scared off many who hated physics and all that it implied. However, the gameís physics quotient is no different than other games on the iPhone. This game is similar to a platforming game where you use to multi talented players to navigate your way through the map. This involves using teleporters, activating switches or even blowing things up to move forward.

To master Rolando, you have to master not just the environment but also the numerous spooky enemies present in all levels. The game is played over different small levels. The gamers have to stop and think to exercise the best possible success move. The Rolando soldiers are slow and methodical and do not move on their own. However, the prince often will find himself in trouble and danger due to his impulsive moves. To protect him from taking unnecessary risks, ensure that he is obstructed by Rolando soldiers around him.

Rolando is a complex game, each level requiring numerous tasks to be completed and puzzles to solve before all the Rolandos can reach the end. Each level must be completed with a certain number of Rolandos reaching the end to claim victory, and while this target is generally rather generous, there’s definite incentive to play through the game a second time and try to minimize Rolando casualties. There are also gems scattered throughout the levels, as well as a time limit to beat which rewards achievements, but these should be saved for a second playthrough.

Rolando is controlled through use of both the touch screen and the tilt function. Rolandos must first be selected to be activated, and this can be done individually or by dragging your finger across multiple Rolandos to select more than one. Once activated you flick your finger upwards to send them jumping up to ledges or tilt the iPhone around to send them rolling about. Of course things are further complicated by the fact that careful attention must always be paid to the hazardous prince, and that the giant king needs the help of more than one Rolando to make it over inclines.

Rolando’s art style is the one area of the game I find fault with. It’s not terrible by any means, and some levels look much better than others, but I find the minimalist, artsy approach to graphics that Rolando and many other games use, is just not appealing to me. It almost feels like a cop-out, like the developer doesn’t feel like trying to create detailed graphics, so they’ll go for the surreal approach instead. The levels are often fairly barren, with drab backgrounds and too much use of single colour schemes to fill in large portions of the level. The Rolandos on the other hand are slightly better, with more varied colours and good animation.

Rolando rises quite gradually as far as difficulty levels are concerned. It adds puzzles step by step and each succeeding level becomes more adventurous. If the gamer decides to win the game by doing it the proper and comprehensive way, it might take months for the task to end. Even a single session takes around 6 - 10 hours depending on how fast you play. Rolando is a treat for gamers who like puzzles and platformer games. If you are one such gamer, do opt for this game.

Game Score: 9/10