Run! – Review
By App Type: Uncategorized
Our rating: 
By: Run!
Version #: 1.0 (iPhone OS 3.0 Tested)
Date Released: 2009-08-31
Developer: Arthur Ham
Price: 0.99
User Rating:
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Run! is currently a very popular app—and it’s one of those apps where I don’t understand why it’s so popular.
The game boils down to being a “reaction based” game where the main character runs. While he’s running, he must avoid some obstacles, blow up other obstacles, or attack “creatures”. To avoid things you can either jump over them or duck under them. Clicking on an obstacle makes the character take out a bazooka and blow up the obstacle (if it can be blown up). To physically attack a creature you need to push the ‘punch’ button.
While the game premise isn’t that bad, the problem lies in the fact that it isn’t executed well. To start, it doesn’t look (to me at least) that the character is “running”, it seems more like he’s on a conveyor belt and things are moving towards him.
The controls are horrendous—swiping up or down didn’t seem to be timed consistently; sometimes there was a delay reacting to my jump, othertimes it happened right away. Likewise each move seems to have its own length of time for the maneuver. So holding swiping down while ducking, for example, doesn’t keep the character in that position. This can become a problem if, for example, you need to “duck” 3 times in a row since each move may be impossible to time with the items heading towards you.
The interface is clunky as well—why do I have to select obstacles to hit them, and press a button to “hit” a creature? Why not just click on both? Or just use one button ?? You can only attack one item at a time, so it isn’t as if the app will be confused which item you meant to attack.
All this leads to a combination of boredom and frustration. As such, I can’t recommend this game.
Quick Take
Value:LOW
Would I Buy Again:No way Jose
Learning Curve:Low--it's an awkward interface, but it's only 3 "actions"--jump, duck, punch
Who Is It For:People that like "reaction" games
What I Like:The zombies are cute
What I Don't Like:Tons! The UI is bad, the useability is bad, the graphics aren't good, and the game play/replayability is low.
Final Statement:If you like games where you just need to try and push a button at the right time, this one is for you. Outside of that, don't walk, but RUN! away from this app.
Simple to understand, yet challenging to master, Run! is an addictive game where you must attack, avoid, or blow up obstacles coming in your direction. The longer you run, the faster the obstacles approach and the greater variety of obstacles you'll encounter.
Features include:
- Jump, slide, defend or destroy your way through an increasing number of different obstacles while speeding up
- Punch/kick obstacles out of your way, and launch missiles at others to destroy them before they destroy you
- Collect golden medallions to unlock even more obstacles
- Over 10 achievements to unlock
- Detailed statistics showing you which obstacles cause you the most trouble
- Compare your running skills with others on the global leaderboard and support for tweeting your score through Twitter
- Variety of backgrounds for added challenges
O U R T A K E . . .
