Developer: Com2uS
Price: $0.99
Version Reviewed: 1.0.0
Graphics / Sound Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars
Game Controls Rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars
Gameplay Rating: 3.8 out of 5 stars
Re-use / Replay Value Rating: 3.6 out of 5 stars
Overall Rating: 3.93 out of 5 stars
What happens when you mix 2 parts zombie, 1 part ballerina, 3 parts Usain Bolt, and a dash of Asain flair? Zombie Runaway of course.
Zombie Runaway is a straight on runner with incredibly simple controls (left, right, jump) that has you avoiding gravestones as you run away from who-knows-what. Like any endless runner, you run for as long as you can until either your time runs out in Blitz mode (a mode that has you running constantly at full speed) or you run out of hearts in the standard mode. To avoid the gravestones, you must weave through them as best you can, while jumping over the rest when you can’t dodge fast enough. It takes a bit of practice to nail the timing, but you’ll become a pro zombie ballerina soon enough (your zombie inexplicably does a pirouette when it jumps).
Along the way (to wherever you are going), there are numerous coins to collect on the ground, as well as hearts, and the ever fun “witch” coin. I only call it a witch coin because when you get it you hop on something that looks like a broomstick (it could be a rocket) and can then break through walls without punishment. If you collect enough coins, or get far enough while playing, you’ll earn “rewards” which give you all sorts of coin bonuses for your levels ahead. The reward system really doesn’t do a whole lot for me (it’s awfully confusing as to what the rewards do), but it does add a bit of a reason to keep playing after hour one.
In the end, if you enjoy endless runners and wouldn’t mind playing from a different perspective, Zombie Runaway may be a good game for you. It’s not the best endless runner around, but it is fairly entertaining and will definitely keep you occupied.
Graphics / Sound Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars
Game Controls Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Gameplay Rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars
Re-use / Replay Value Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars
Overall Rating: 4.45 out of 5 stars
CrazyControl 2 is crazy all right, but not really because of the controls. The concept of the game is unlike any other, blending the waaaaay overdone endless running genre with and RPG. Basically, you run, jump over objects, slide under others, and then upgrade your skills with the money you collect along the way.
The kicker is that you don’t just control one character, you get two. Using a split screen, you have to manage all the movements and upgrades of each character at the very same time. On one screen you may be double jumping over a high obstacle while on the next you may have to slide just moments later. It’s a bit frantic, but the experience is undoubtedly unlike any other.
To make the game manageable, CrazyControl 2 is split up into multiple levels that allow you to not only catch out breath, but also to buy more powerups, such as the amazing triple jump, more health (so you can run into more obstacles), extra hang time, and boosts for items that you can pick up on the screen that blow up oncoming roadblocks.
Combine the frantic game play with some fantastic layered 2D animation and you have yourself a real winner. Fans of endless runners will undoubtedly be thrilled with the additional challenge and the ability to complete levels, while RPG fans will love the between level upgrade system. There really is a lot to like in CrazyControl 2, and if you are at all inclined to playing such a game, I would recommend that you do so.
Graphics / Sound Rating: 3.4 out of 5 stars
Game Controls Rating: 2.75 out of 5 stars
Gameplay Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Re-use / Replay Value Rating: 3.25 out of 5 stars
Overall Rating: 3.1 out of 5 stars
Casual mobile gaming and endless runners are a match made in heaven, but the bar has been set pretty high by Canabalt, the app that all endless runners aspire to. Canabalt blends nice graphics, smooth jumping animation, and heart pounding speed in a way that hasn’t been matched yet in the genre (Mirror’s Edge might be prettier, but it’s not an endless runner).
Rogue Runner takes a less serious approach to the endless runner genre by going slightly retro. In the game, you are Agent #022201-22C, and you are armed with either a tank or a jeep, both of which are retrofitted with a rocket powered jump boost, a ground gun, and a surface to air missile launcher. The goal of the game, like most endless runners, is to get as far as you can without falling in a hole or getting killed by the enemy.
While the retro graphics and overall feel seem to work, the game mechanics leave a lot to be desired. For one, the slow shooting weapon system is rather weak and the fact that your vehicle (even the tank) can only take one hit is pretty disappointing. Also, once helicopters start shooting at you there are some situations that the bullets are coming in such a way that you can’t prevent death. Another problem was the crazy amount of times that I would jump and land on enemy bullets. If it were only a couple of times I would just lend it to bad luck, but it was often enough to be quite annoying.
Endless running games live and die on your perceived ability to control the game. When I die, I should be able to say, “I wish I had jumped sooner,” not, “oh well, there’s nothing I could’ve done.” Rogue Runner isn’t a bad game because of its flaws, it just needs some kinks worked out and a layer of polish added to make it work well. The developer seems intent on making consistent updates, so keep an eye on Rogue Runner. Once it’s polished up a bit it could be a contender.
Zombie Runaway is a straight on runner with incredibly simple controls (left, right, jump) that has you avoiding gravestones as you run away from who-knows-what. Like any endless runner, you run for as long as you can until either your time runs out in Blitz mode (a mode that has you running constantly at full speed) or you run out of hearts in the standard mode. To avoid the gravestones, you must weave through them as best you can, while jumping over the rest when you can’t dodge fast enough. It takes a bit of practice to nail the timing, but you’ll become a pro zombie ballerina soon enough (your zombie inexplicably does a pirouette when it jumps).
The kicker is that you don’t just control one character, you get two. Using a split screen, you have to manage all the movements and upgrades of each character at the very same time. On one screen you may be double jumping over a high obstacle while on the next you may have to slide just moments later. It’s a bit frantic, but the experience is undoubtedly unlike any other.
Rogue Runner takes a less serious approach to the endless runner genre by going slightly retro. In the game, you are Agent #022201-22C, and you are armed with either a tank or a jeep, both of which are retrofitted with a rocket powered jump boost, a ground gun, and a surface to air missile launcher. The goal of the game, like most endless runners, is to get as far as you can without falling in a hole or getting killed by the enemy.
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