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Rating:

• Price: $3.99 (Get It – Free Demo)
• Version: 1.0
• Developer: IUGO Mobile Entertainment

Version 1.1 Update: After being updated to version 1.1, the bug fixes, enhanced performance and controls, and improved tutorial make an already fantastic game even better.

In Toy Bot Diaries: Entry 1, you play a tiny toy robot with the ability to use a grappling hook and magnetic boots, to guide it through levels filled with puzzles and danger. A very interesting twist is the use of physics to help you, and challenge you, to complete each puzzle you’re faced. For the first time, Toy Bot Diaries gives you a game that feels like it was explicitly made for the iPhone and iPod Touch. It employs the use of the accelerometer and multi-touch capabilities, and the gameplay mechanics fit in well, not gimmicky at all.

In the main menu, you can start a new game, replay a level you’ve unlocked, restore memory from datapads you collect, and resume a game you are in the midst of. During the course of the game, you’ll come across checkpoints, which allow you to restore from that point. Once you start a new game, the tutorial is depicted by little billboards in the background of the game. As you move along, it provides you clues. It’s a short tutorial, but for the most part it gets the job done getting you acclimated to the game.

IUGO plans a series of episodes for Toy Bot Diaries, and this first episode is Entry 1. This means the games are shorter, but cheaper, as well. I actually like the idea; episodic gaming should translate very well to the iPhone/iPod Touch.

IUGO set out to take advantage of the iPhone/iPod Touch by creating a natural control mechanic to let you enjoy the game, rather than fight it. The grappling hook is used simply by touching on any metal object the toy bot can latch onto, and hold it down to reel it in. Tap anywhere elsewhere to let go of the hook. The magnetic boots are activated by simply tapping on the toy bot itself. You’ll get an audio clue to let you know when it is on and off. You walk by simply by tilting, and it is not sensitive at all, but just right. When hooked onto something, you tilt back and forth to swing back and forth, then tap elsewhere to fling in that direction. All told, the control is top-notch and absolutely a blast to use.

Graphically, the game isn’t terribly flashy, but for a 2D side-scroller it’s well done. It’s a colorful world, and there’s no confusion when you see electricity coursing on the bottom of a pit that it is electricity and best avoided. I quite enjoyed the style. My only issue is that the coins don’t really look like coins, but they become recognizable after a while.

The sound effects and music is absolutely superb. The toy bot squeals, whees, and exhibits a great personality that you’d expect an animated toy bot to have. The music is equally great and fits in to the game very well. If you’re playing music when you start the game, it’ll fade out as it loads.

Toy Bot Diaries is a fun platformer that utilizes physics and the iPhone/iPod Touch to great effect.

Tags: Action, entry 1, IUGO, reviews, toy bot diaries