RO® -- Review

Category: puzzle games
Price: 1.99
App Store Link: [Full] / [Free Lite Version]

Review: Like it
Replay Value: Medium
Recommendation: RO® is a unique rotating puzzle game ideal for quick play. The game starts simple, but quickly becomes frustratingly fun. Definitely try the lite version first; if it wets your appetite for some more difficult puzzle, upgrade to the full.


RO® is a new style of puzzler for iPhone that relays on a series of rotating rings layered inside one another to re-align an image on screen. Players solve each puzzle by re-aligning the puzzle to its original position. As the puzzles progress, there are a few elements that make for increasingly difficult puzzles: First and most importantly, is the relationship between rings. Moving one ring may have an affect on several other ring-layers of the puzzle. These relationships become more complicated as the difficulty levels increase. Second is the number of rings; the more rings a puzzle has, the harder it is to solve. Finally, the background image can also affect difficulty level. Certain images are harder than other to visually align.

RO® is intended to be a quick play puzzler with simple touch controls (it can be easily controlled with one hand, using the thumb to rotate). The app definitely succeeds at this goal, making it ideal for on-the-fly play, such as while waiting in line at the supermarket. The inclusion of its auto save feature makes it simple to stop and start playing instantaneously.

Replay value is somewhat determined by the number of puzzles and will be the most fun on its first play through (though even I haven't made it through all the levels yet). That said, the developer added a bit of replay value by tracking time and number of moves used to complete a level, so you can always try to beat your own personal best.

Overall, RO® delivers what it promises. While the game itself isn't overly complex, it's great for a simple pick up and play puzzler. In addition, the game is visually appealing and fun--if not frustrating--to play. Give the lite version a go to get a taste for the app, and if you enjoy this unique, new style of puzzle, download the full version (which adds significant play time to the game).

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~M@