Rolando 2: Quest for the Golden Orchid
Encyclopedia
Rolando 2: Quest for the Golden Orchid is an adventure
/puzzle video game developed by HandCircus, published by ngmoco
, and distributed by Apple Inc. for the iPhone
and iPod Touch
devices. Rolando 2 was released on July 3, 2009. It is the sequel to Rolando
, which was released in 2008. The game consists of creatures called "Rolandos" who can move around the playing areas by players via the iPhone's accelerometer
and the multi-touch
features. The game features artwork by Mikko Walamies and music by Mr. Scruff
. The game features nonlinear gameplay where players decide how the story plays out.
Upon reaching Fontanis, the Rolandos split up but head in the same general direction across the island. They all eventually meet at Stormtop Mountain, the location of the Golden Orchid. However, the Orchid is guarded by Uqishthatuximon, a gigantic, tree-shaped monster. The Rolandos manage to destroy Uqishthatuximon and claim the Orchid. They then head back down the mountain and reach their ship.
The Rolandos sail back to the Kingdom, and Sir Richard enters while being congratulated by the numerous residents. The Sages begin to thank Richard, but another Rolando named Edward drops in and announces himself as the new dictator of the Kingdom. The game ends as the Sages plead their god 'Finger' to save them.
environment, although the Rolandos remain in 2D
. The object in each level is to use the accelerometer and multitouch features on the iPhone or iPod Touch device to guide the Rolandos to the exit of each level while avoiding various traps and pitfalls. Players move Rolandos by tilting the device in the direction they want them to go. They must get a set minimum number of Rolandos to the exit within a specified timeframe. There are multiple paths players can take to lead the Rolandos to the exit. If a Rolando makes contact with certain object (e.g. an enemy), it becomes dazed; if a similar object contacts a dazed Rolando, then it dies. As a new feature different from the original Rolando
, players must, in addition, collect crystals that are scattered throughout the levels. The game rates players at the end of each level according to the number of Rolandos who reach the exit, the time it takes to get the minimum number of Rolandos to the exit, and the number of crystals collected. Throughout the levels there are other devices designed to help the Rolandos out, such as vehicles that move them around the levels, bombs that destroy obstacles, plants that serve as platforms for them, and turrets that can be used to dispatch enemies.
Rolando 2 contains several new elements that differ from its predecessor. One of them is levels requiring Rolandos to deal with water. Whereas heavier Rolandos sink to the bottom of a water-filled level, smaller Rolandos are able to float on the water's surface. In addition, in some levels, players need to guide the king to the exit by tilting the entire level—a feature similar to that found in the bonus stages of the original Sonic the Hedgehog. In these levels players also receive the ability to break blocks using a cannon that is activated by their finger. Some levels allow Rolandos to inflate balloons to navigate chasms. Other new features include items called "Idols" which allow players to skip levels, medals which can be used to increase users' scores on Plus+
accounts (a system that is similar to that used for Xbox Live
), and the ability to post high scores and times on online leaderboards.
lauds the game for its artwork, new features, level design, and replayability. He also praises the music, saying that it "sounds like Mr. Scruff was listening to everything from Boards of Canada to Bobby Womack and just synthesized it all for this game". Tracy Erickson from Pocket Gamer
praises the game for its new gameplay mechanics, increased accessibility, and the ability to purchase tracks of Mr. Scruff's music from the iTunes Store
. Trevor Sheridan from AppDevice.com said that Rolando 2 is "by far the best platformer in the [Apple] App store". Like Buchanan and Erickson, he praises the game's sound, which, according to him, "sets the standard for what other titles should strive for". He praises the replayability, saying that the incorporation of the Plus+ network adds to it. Criticisms of game were few. Buchanan notes the game's higher-than-normal price, but says that the price is "entirely appropriate for this premium-quality game".
Adventure game
An adventure game is a video game in which the player assumes the role of protagonist in an interactive story driven by exploration and puzzle-solving instead of physical challenge. The genre's focus on story allows it to draw heavily from other narrative-based media such as literature and film,...
/puzzle video game developed by HandCircus, published by ngmoco
Ngmoco
ngmoco, Inc. is an American-based publisher of video games for the iOS and Android platforms, and a subsidiary of DeNA. The company was founded by former Electronic Arts executive Neil Young in July 2008. Since its founding, ngmoco has had more than seven million combined game installs...
, and distributed by Apple Inc. for the iPhone
IPhone
The iPhone is a line of Internet and multimedia-enabled smartphones marketed by Apple Inc. The first iPhone was unveiled by Steve Jobs, then CEO of Apple, on January 9, 2007, and released on June 29, 2007...
and iPod Touch
IPod Touch
The iPod Touch is a portable media player, personal digital assistant, handheld game console, and Wi-Fi mobile device designed and marketed by Apple Inc. The iPod Touch adds the multi-touch graphical user interface to the iPod line...
devices. Rolando 2 was released on July 3, 2009. It is the sequel to Rolando
Rolando (video game)
Rolando is a puzzle-adventure video game developed by HandCircus and published by ngmoco. It was released for the iOS on December 18, 2008, and uses the Box2D game engine....
, which was released in 2008. The game consists of creatures called "Rolandos" who can move around the playing areas by players via the iPhone's accelerometer
Accelerometer
An accelerometer is a device that measures proper acceleration, also called the four-acceleration. This is not necessarily the same as the coordinate acceleration , but is rather the type of acceleration associated with the phenomenon of weight experienced by a test mass that resides in the frame...
and the multi-touch
Multi-touch
In computing, multi-touch refers to a touch sensing surface's ability to recognize the presence of two or more points of contact with the surface...
features. The game features artwork by Mikko Walamies and music by Mr. Scruff
Mr. Scruff
Mr. Scruff is the recording name of Andy Carthy , a British DJ and artist. He lives in Stockport, Greater Manchester, and studied fine art at the Psalter Lane campus of Sheffield Hallam University...
. The game features nonlinear gameplay where players decide how the story plays out.
Story
The story, according to Ngmoco, involves a more detailed plot and a new cast of Rolandos in a new location on the island of Fontanis. The story begins with the Sages of the Kingdom of Rolando being afflicted by a curse, infecting them with the "Kilgorean Flu." The king orders explorer General Sir Richard Smythe to lead a team of Rolandos to Stormtop Mountain to retrieve the Golden Orchid—the only thing that can save the Sages from the curse and cure them from the flu. Smythe has different types of Rolandos to help him succeed in retrieving the Golden Orchid, such as those who can move large objects, dive underwater, and perform other unique navigational skills.Upon reaching Fontanis, the Rolandos split up but head in the same general direction across the island. They all eventually meet at Stormtop Mountain, the location of the Golden Orchid. However, the Orchid is guarded by Uqishthatuximon, a gigantic, tree-shaped monster. The Rolandos manage to destroy Uqishthatuximon and claim the Orchid. They then head back down the mountain and reach their ship.
The Rolandos sail back to the Kingdom, and Sir Richard enters while being congratulated by the numerous residents. The Sages begin to thank Richard, but another Rolando named Edward drops in and announces himself as the new dictator of the Kingdom. The game ends as the Sages plead their god 'Finger' to save them.
Gameplay
Rolando 2 consists of 46 different levels that span across six chapters. The levels are in a 2.5D2.5D
2.5D , 3/4 perspective and pseudo-3D are terms used to describe either:* 2D graphical projections and techniques which cause a series of images or scenes to fake or appear to be three-dimensional when in fact they are not, or* gameplay in an otherwise three-dimensional video game that is...
environment, although the Rolandos remain in 2D
2D computer graphics
2D computer graphics is the computer-based generation of digital images—mostly from two-dimensional models and by techniques specific to them...
. The object in each level is to use the accelerometer and multitouch features on the iPhone or iPod Touch device to guide the Rolandos to the exit of each level while avoiding various traps and pitfalls. Players move Rolandos by tilting the device in the direction they want them to go. They must get a set minimum number of Rolandos to the exit within a specified timeframe. There are multiple paths players can take to lead the Rolandos to the exit. If a Rolando makes contact with certain object (e.g. an enemy), it becomes dazed; if a similar object contacts a dazed Rolando, then it dies. As a new feature different from the original Rolando
Rolando (video game)
Rolando is a puzzle-adventure video game developed by HandCircus and published by ngmoco. It was released for the iOS on December 18, 2008, and uses the Box2D game engine....
, players must, in addition, collect crystals that are scattered throughout the levels. The game rates players at the end of each level according to the number of Rolandos who reach the exit, the time it takes to get the minimum number of Rolandos to the exit, and the number of crystals collected. Throughout the levels there are other devices designed to help the Rolandos out, such as vehicles that move them around the levels, bombs that destroy obstacles, plants that serve as platforms for them, and turrets that can be used to dispatch enemies.
Rolando 2 contains several new elements that differ from its predecessor. One of them is levels requiring Rolandos to deal with water. Whereas heavier Rolandos sink to the bottom of a water-filled level, smaller Rolandos are able to float on the water's surface. In addition, in some levels, players need to guide the king to the exit by tilting the entire level—a feature similar to that found in the bonus stages of the original Sonic the Hedgehog. In these levels players also receive the ability to break blocks using a cannon that is activated by their finger. Some levels allow Rolandos to inflate balloons to navigate chasms. Other new features include items called "Idols" which allow players to skip levels, medals which can be used to increase users' scores on Plus+
Plus+
Plus+ is a network created by ngmoco in June 2009. The network is much like that of Xbox Live where users have friends, what games they are playing, and news. This network relates a lot to one already existing known as OpenFeint as seen in the later topic. Jordan, Jon. "Ngmoco unveils its social...
accounts (a system that is similar to that used for Xbox Live
Xbox Live
Xbox Live is an online multiplayer gaming and digital media delivery service created and operated by Microsoft Corporation. It is currently the only online gaming service on consoles that charges users a fee to play multiplayer gaming. It was first made available to the Xbox system in 2002...
), and the ability to post high scores and times on online leaderboards.
Reception
Rolando 2 has received much praise from reviewers for its unique gameplay elements, artwork, sound, and replayability. Levi Buchanan from IGNIGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
lauds the game for its artwork, new features, level design, and replayability. He also praises the music, saying that it "sounds like Mr. Scruff was listening to everything from Boards of Canada to Bobby Womack and just synthesized it all for this game". Tracy Erickson from Pocket Gamer
Pocket Gamer
Pocket Gamer is a website and video game magazine that focuses on handheld video games. It was launched in 2005 and is published by Steel Media. The publication covers all major portable and mobile gaming formats, including iPhone, Android, PSP and the various versions of the Nintendo DS and was...
praises the game for its new gameplay mechanics, increased accessibility, and the ability to purchase tracks of Mr. Scruff's music from the iTunes Store
ITunes Store
The iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
. Trevor Sheridan from AppDevice.com said that Rolando 2 is "by far the best platformer in the [Apple] App store". Like Buchanan and Erickson, he praises the game's sound, which, according to him, "sets the standard for what other titles should strive for". He praises the replayability, saying that the incorporation of the Plus+ network adds to it. Criticisms of game were few. Buchanan notes the game's higher-than-normal price, but says that the price is "entirely appropriate for this premium-quality game".