Sugar Roll Review

Giant hoops of fire, rabbits in hats, monkeys in berets, and deadly iron spikes. If it sounds like the most ambitious circus project of all time, it certainly comes close. For anybody yearning for something extra sweet to satisfy that candy craving, Sugar Roll is the perfect and most delectable whirlwind of surprises one will ever get the chance to experience.

There’s nothing quite like rolling down candy lane on a glorious Thursday afternoon. Mesmerizing to the degree it’s impossible to put down, Sugar Roll is clever, charming, and like nothing I’ve ever played before.

The game works on a tilt controlled basis where players utilize the iPhone's gyroscope in order to move the protagonist, and tap on the screen to jump. Sounds simple, yes? That’s not all there is it to it, for there are many obstacles and hazards to be avoided along the way and players must gather coins and stars, and collect or purchase a variety of lollipops, in order to advance throughout the levels.

Each lollipop has a special property that will benefit the player depending on the obstacle they must overcome. Whether it’s the need to cross a considerable number of iron spikes, to jump over a large candy cane, or to be able to propel bullets of fire in the direction of those pesky primates, there’s plenty here to entertain and amuse for countless hours of fun.

Though the game is indeed free, I must have managed to accumulate a good few hours of playtime due to a further abundance of levels to unlock and the ability to replay previous levels as many times as I desired. Due to the nature of the game, it’s expected that the player collects as many coins as possible to ensure the ability to purchase the appropriate lollipop to progress, but it’s also not too laborious to just repeat any of the levels prior to the current one and accumulate an additional number of coins. That said, be warned; each lollipop purchased from the shop with the in-game currency will disappear if the level is restarted or the character dies, which can at times be a little discouraging.

In general though the game design is solid, and the soundtrack a pleasant affair that evokes themes of a fun-filled day at the circus. Sugar Roll is wacky and whimsical in a way that no other platform game manages to achieve. Its oddball character and comical fashion is purely what makes the game so entertaining and enjoyable. With the potential for further levels, this is the perfect time-waster and a glorious rendition of a magical circus-like extravaganza.