Roll Away

by Psygnosis

Product Details

• ASIN: B00002SVMJ
• Item Weight: 5 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #28,917 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

GameSpot Review

Originally called Kula World, Psygnosis' Rollaway is the first PlayStation puzzle game to really tackle the third dimension. While other puzzlers have been happy to stick to the tried and true Tetris clone formula, this one has an original world, perspective, and premise. You guide a beach ball through a number of Escher-esque worlds that float vertically several miles above the ground.

The goal of the game is to collect a key or number of keys needed to open each level's exit and cut out before the ever-present hourglass timer runs out of sand. Each structure is made up of platforms your ball can cling to on all sides if approached from an end corner. In the beginning, navigating these areas requires you to jump from platform to platform (down and up are defined by you by the way, not by any ground-based constant), avoid spikes, and other simple tasks, while later on, heated squares, icy patches, and rolling columns are introduced to further vex you.

As it might sound, the game begins rather slowly, but that's only because it takes the initiation of about one level to properly introduce each new gameplay element. About 20 levels in, things start getting nice and tricky. The main payoff of Rollaway hits right around then. It provides some excellent puzzles - real brain-stumpers that will make you feel like a complete fool once you finally grasp their shape, solution, and well-thought-out design.

What Rollaway lacks over other puzzle games is a strong two-player mode. Sure, it has a Simon Says type challenge and a time trial, but neither is much fun. On the bright side, they'll both make you want to go back and hog the single-player mode. On the other hand, if two players can't compete well, the mode should've just been left out.

That aside, Rollaway is a great game that offers just about all the addiction, frustration, and satisfaction a puzzle fan could ask for. It's originality and strong level design makes it a welcome departure from the norm. --Joe Fielder
--Copyright ©1999 GameSpot Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of GameSpot is prohibited. GameSpot and the GameSpot logo are trademarks of GameSpot Inc.

Product Description

The name says it all in this challenging puzzle game that has you navigating through vast environments as a beach ball. Make your way through the dozens of dizzying 3D mazes as you try to find the keys that will let you escape from each level. Traveling high above the ground you'll face obstacles such as fire patches, dangerous captivators, ice patches, spikes (not a great thing when you're a beach ball), and lethargy pills that distort the screen. Time, however, is your real enemy; an hourglass sits in the corner of each screen and if it runs out you do, too. There are bonus items to help you get through each round such as fruit, coins, and gems. An unusually versatile beach ball, you actually have the ability to jump (which comes in handy if you're trying to avoid the aforementioned spikes). You can play in either Arcade mode, or Time Trial, an option that has you racing against a one-minute time limit.

* 200 challenging levels
* Variety of mazes and obstacles
* Detailed 3D rendered graphics
* 2 playing modes
* 2 player gameplay

Also known as: Kula World, Kula Quest, Kula World

Release Region: United States
Release Date: December 1, 1998

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A unique and addictive puzzle game, December 2, 1999

By A Customer

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Roll Away (Video Game)

Containing over 150 levels of play, Roll Away requires you to traverse various gravity-defying mazes using a beach ball, of all things. Sound a little strange? Well, it is, but the gameplay is also wildly addictive. The game is very well-designed and features a smooth-as-silk learning curve and an enjoyable euro soundtrack. My only gripe is with the save system, which can only be activated every few levels. This often causes you to back up and complete the same mazes over and over again until you can get to the save point. That little annoyance aside, Roll Away is one of those little gems in your software library that you will return to again and again just to get a little further. Not your run-of-the-mill game, Roll Away is sure to entertain puzzle fans for many hours.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A 3-D maze with hundreds of different levels, November 19, 1999

By A Customer

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Roll Away (Video Game)

Different Play modes allow for time trials, point totals and two player follow-the-leader. The time trials section has 301 puzzles to solve by moving on a series of connected and not connected blocks as you, a beach ball with specific rules of gravity, move throughout gathering keys in order to exit with the needed times. Hours of mind engrossing enivornments to venture through.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars kula world: enhancing 3D-insight, October 21, 2002

By 

dirk (belgium) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Roll Away (Video Game)

Such a pity we don't get more puzzle games these days. I'm sure there is a market for it! Anyway, Kula World leaves us dreaming for more. For me it's even more than a game, it's a way of improving my 3D-insight. Whish there were even more levels. I allways kept wondering what the coloured door in the last bonus level (with all the L-shaped 'things to walk on') is for. I never got to open it, but I like to dream about even more bonus levels behind it. Anyone? for now, I have 150 levels, 30 bonus levels, 15 hidden levels and 20 extra levels. more please?