Caboose Review – Ostrich-running in the Wild West

Our rating:

By: Kory Fluckiger

Version #: 1

Date Released: 2011-09-22

Developer: Kory Fluckiger

Price: 0.99

User Rating:

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In a market that seemingly equates cutely stylised, extremely random subject matter with quality, a game like Caboose has the potential to do quite well. Here, you control an ostrich that is running along trains somewhere in the Wild West, and simple tap the screen to jump over the various obstacles that obstruct your path.

Caboose has an aesthetically pleasingly visual style. If you can suspend your disbelief and pretend that ostriches did indeed populate the Wild West, you’ll be charmed by the silent film presentation of the game. The screen is faded at the edges, and the levels are accompanied by Honky Tonk piano music that is all in keeping with the Western setting.

In contrast to the unique presentation, the gameplay is repetitive and quickly gets boring. The concept of using just a ‘jump’ button to control a running character is one that can be well implemented (see Jetpack Joyride), but here it is frustrating and flawed. There is no upgrade system here, and all for you to achieve apart from completing levels is collect annoyingly evasive flying ostrich eggs. It’s all very ‘quirky’, but just doesn’t play that well.

Another problem with the gameplay is that the screen just doesn’t give enough perspective on what’s around you. Having good reflexes is one thing, but when you’re mid-jump there’s nothing you can do if a TNT crate suddenly appears right where you’re about to land. The game feels too zoomed-in.

Caboose has plenty of levels which do not vary too much aesthetically apart from changing weather conditions. However, despite an original visual style, this game probably won’t keep you interested long enough to complete it due to its unimaginative gameplay and lack of extra incentives (achievements, upgrades) to play it.