I’ve just played one of the best puzzle platformers I’ve ever had the pleasure of reviewing on the iPhone. Called GravBot, you basically control a robot moving around levels collecting batteries. It wouldn’t be called a puzzle platformer if it weren’t for the number of obstacles in each level, and to overcome these obstacles, you are given control over the gravity. Using the arrow keys on the lower right hand side, players can adjust the screen orientation, causing the Gravbot to fall 90 degrees (clock wise or anti clockwise), or fall in the opposite direction. No worries as the little guy will always fall on his…wheel.

Obstacles range from spiked walls, steps, barriers that need to be opened using switches, and even enemies carrying an electrical charge. Players can zoom in and out a level in order to help plan their moves or to see what lies ahead. “Looking before you leap” will definitely help in playing GravBot as the game is really anal about dying (which is perhaps the ONLY grouse I have with the game).

Hitting spiked walls, enemies and even falling off a level (happens if you can’t get your orientation right) will result in a game over that brings you back to the start of the level, and there’s no mid-level save to return to. This is frustrating especially when you are nearing the end of a level and a wrong push of one of the gravity buttons sends you falling off the level (or into a spiked wall…).

Ok, now that I’ve gotten that out of the way, the game is absolutely gorgeous, and it’s really well animated. Some slight 3D effects along with the 2D platformer graphics make it one of the better looking games on the iPhone and I must say that the developer has gone out of his/her way to make the game look good. Not everyday you get a game that has both gameplay and graphics right. GravBot itself is a cute little fella, and there’s a nice touch whereby he’ll emit cute noises when poked at the menu screen.

The review copy that I’m playing now comes with a single level pack called Junk Inc., consisting of a dozen levels. The eventual release version will have purchasable level packs from within the game to add even more levels and variety to the game. GravBot is scheduled to be out on the 30th of September 2010, so do check it out on the App Store.