Crash Bandicoot: On the Run! Review

Spin Me Right Round

Crash Bandicoot: On the Run! is certainly making waves right now. With 23 million downloads within its first week, the love for the bandicoot maniac is still going strong. Originally released on the PlayStation by Naughty Dog in 1996, Crash has had many iterations since then. This recent stint on mobile devices is not the first for the bandicoot, but it is the first for King, the game’s developer. So, does this endless runner live up to the hype or is it not worth a single wumpa? Let’s find out.

Wacky and Classic

The game doesn’t have too much in the way of story. Dr. Neo Cortex is back at it again with plans to take over the multiverse. But this time, he’s not alone. He’s gathered a roster of Crash’s greatest enemies to stop him. Characters like Nina Cortex, Scorporilla, Fake Crash and many more are here to stake their claim on the multiverse. It’s up to Crash, his sister Coco and the always helpful Aku Aku to stop Neo and his gang the only way they know how: by breaking stuff.

Crash Bandicoot: On the Run! is similar to other endless runners like Subway Surfers. The key difference is that while those games go on and on until you get caught or killed, Crash’s levels actually have endings. You’ll start your run by choosing who you want to play as. Right now, you can only choose either Coco or Crash. After choosing your character, you can then select a costume. Once you’re all set with your cosmetics, you’re good to go!

The game moves at the same speed throughout the level, but the obstacles get more varied and difficult as you progress. There are three lanes you can move to, and you also have the ability to jump, spin and slide. You’ll have to use all of these movement options to get over and under the obstacles to reach the stage’s boss. Once you’ve reached it, that’s where things get tricky. All of the bosses have their own abilities to make reaching them all the more difficult. Finding some Aku Aku masks will help you push through some of these attacks. Make it to the end, and you can finally use a homemade science brew from Coco to send the villains back to their dimensions.

Fruity Fun

Overall, the game is well put together. The animations are great and rival the recent release of Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time. The controls are silky smooth and do a great job at mimicking past titles in the main series. Veterans of the franchise will feel right at home with this game.

As of right now, there are five islands for players to complete, hopefully with more on the way. There are also other game modes for players to sink their teeth into. Time trials, survival runs, and collection runs break up the gameplay for those wanting a different kind of challenge. The collection run in particular warrants more diving into, as players will find themselves collecting more than just Wumpa Fruit. Certain items are required to create the Nitro Serums that defeat the bosses of each level, and this is where microtransactions come into play.

As with the majority of mobile games, Crash Bandicoot: On the Run! has its share of microtransactions and advertisements. New costumes can be unlocked for a small fee, and you will be required to watch short ads unless you have the in-game currency to skip them. Still, if you can put up with it, there’s an entertaining experience to be had here.

One Step Ahead

Newcomers and veterans alike will find plenty of reasons to download this addicting runner. Whether it’s to play as Crash in a brand new adventure or to simply take the bandicoot experience with you on your daily commutes, Crash Bandicoot: On the Run! is enjoyable for everyone. The wealth of villains, vibrant graphics and other game modes make for wacky fun. While certain microtransactions bog down the experience, the overall quality of the game and the number of app downloads speak for themselves. This is one of Crash’s most addicting adventures to date.