ROTA is now available on Playdate Catalog: https://play.date/games/rota/ and includes satisfying crank-based gameplay and online leaderboards! Learn to master the controls to fluidly swing from anchor to anchor to get the high score.

New Player Guide

ROTA is simple enough to learn as you go but if you want to get up to speed quicker feel free to follow some of the tips below.

The Basics

The main goal of the game is to move right as far as possible to get a high score. Colliding with anchors or the top/bottom of the field will end your run. Crank to attach to anchors and stop cranking to detach. 

While orbiting an anchor, you are invincible (walls and anchors will not kill you).

Also, keep in mind, crank direction matters:

• Crank clockwise to search for anchors to the right of the player's traveling direction
• Crank counter-clockwise will search for anchors to the left of the player's traveling direction

TIP 1: Use Steady Cranking Speed

Best advice for new players is to use steady cranking speed while attached to an anchor because once you stop cranking (even momentarily), you will detach and fling in whatever direction you were heading (usually into a wall). I have noticed that new players tend to get overwhelmed a bit and stop cranking involuntarily, leading to confusing results. So connect to the nearest anchor and just practice cranking around a bit before choosing when to detach!

TIP 2: Travel Safely with Anchor-to-Anchor Transfers

You are safe from harm when attached to an anchor. So another great tip to travel safely through the field, is to transfer immediately from anchor to anchor. You can accomplish this by switching crank directions when attached to an anchor. For example: When you are cranking clockwise around an anchor, wait until a new anchor is on your left side and then crank counter-clockwise to immediately detach and attach to the new anchor. You still need good timing and the anchor positions need to work out, but this can be a very effective way to safely move forward.

You can see this technique used for many of the anchor to anchor transfers in this gif. Here I crank clockwise, then counterclockwise, then clockwise, etc to transfer from anchor to anchor safely.

TIP 3: Connect to Anchors at a Good Distance

Another little tip is to be mindful of the distance at which you connect to an anchor. If you connect too close, it can be difficult to time a detach correctly since you are spinning around the anchor so quickly. Sometimes it is best to continue past an anchor if the attach would put you in a bad situation. You will get a feel for this over time.

TIP 4: Don't Detach When Off-Screen

If your orbit around an anchor includes you going off-screen, make sure you keep cranking! If you detach when off screen, you will end your run.

TIP 5: Cruise When You Can

Even though anchor-to-anchor transfers are a safe way to travel, sometimes it pays to take some risks. If you have a nice open area ahead of you, try to time your detach to take advantage of the straight away. Cruise forward as long as you can and only attach to an anchor when you are in danger of colliding with something. You can gain a lot of distance in a short amount of time this way. 

TIP 6: Exploding is Part of the Fun

It feels great to get into a flow but sometimes the anchors have other plans. Being terrible is all part of the fun! Dust yourself off and try again.

PRO TIPS: Once You Master the Crank...

After you master the controls, you can try to get comfortable with "swimming" through the anchors using small rotations clockwise, then counter clockwise, then clockwise, etc. Using this method, you sort of move through the field back and forth like the movements of a snake through sand. You can really get into a good flow this way!

Once you are comfortable with detaching using the crank, you can start experimenting with using the B button to detach precisely. It's easiest to long-press B to detach at the precise moment you need. If you short-press B, sometimes your other hand is still cranking so you end up re-attaching to the same anchor and it gets confusing quick. As long as B is held down, the player cannot attach to an anchor point. So a good long-press of B will break you free from the anchor exactly when you need it.

Alright! That is a big write up for such a simple game!

Hopefully, this didn't scare you away from the game - it is actually very simple and can be incredibly addicting. I just wanted to provide a good breakdown of helpful tips to get everyone up to speed quicker!

Good luck and good cranking!

Or buy here on itch: