Suvudu Universe

WRITTEN BY: Warren C. Bennett

I have to admit: when I first played the endless runner genre, I wasn’t a fan. Games like Canabalt and Robot Unicorn Attack didn’t do anything for me. I don’t mind games with randomly generated levels that don’t end, but the whole “running forever” mechanic just didn’t thrill me.

Of course, I’ve recently come to change my mind a bit. I’m still not a fan of all Endless Runners as a whole, but there are a few that I find myself playing. The Runners that I like mix up the genre a bit, adding goals and different gameplay mechanics to the running. These four games are ones I enjoy but have a different take on the endless runner formula.

Jetpack Joyride by Halfbrick Studios

This game made me rethink my dislike of endless runner genre. A friend of mine asked me to download Jetpack Joyride on the Playstation 3. Although I had my reservations, I decided to follow her advice and download the free product. Doesn’t hurt to try, right? Two Hours later, I knew the game had hooked me.

The player takes control of an unnamed thief, one who has decided to steal an experimental jetpack. This jet pack seems to use a machine gun to power itself, hurtling bullets towards the ground to loft the thief in to the air. The goal is to maneuver the player as far as possible while collecting gold and avoiding traps. The gold can be used to upgrade the thief in various ways, including switching out costumes and pimping out the various vehicles that are obtainable through the game. Different jetpacks can be bought, turning the machine gun pack in to various styles from different eras. There are also varieties of missions that help the more goal-oriented players keep a long-term interest. At least, it helped me keep a long-term interest.

The bright graphics combined with the mission structure and unlockables keeps me coming back to this game. I love how the graphics change depending on certain conditions in the game. For instance: At one point, the player can unlock a robotic dog that helps grab coins and defeat enemies. If the player doesn’t use the dog on the next level he plays, there are missing dog signs put up throughout the level. Small touches like these really help sell the game. I play Jetpack Joyride mostly on the Playstation 3, but the game is out for multiple systems.

Time Surfer by Kumobius Games

The end of time is upon the universe and the only one that can survive is the Time Surfer. Using his fantastical surfing abilities, Time Surfer’s only goal is to outrun the end of everything and survive the reality wide apocalypse. Can this 8-bit and 80’s influenced surfer do it? It is up to the player to guide him through peaks and valleys while collecting gems while careening off asteroids and stomping aliens.

There are two game mechanics at work in this game. One uses valleys and peaks to keep the Time Surfer going ever forward. The player can nose dive the Time Surfer at any point. Timing this nosedive in to the dips of a valley can launch the Time Surfer forward at epic speed. The other mechanic is a time rewind feature, much like in the classic Prince of Persia: Sands of Time. At any point, the Time Surfer can rewind the level so a missed opportunity doesn’t have to be missed. Like the other games on this list, many unlockables can be unlocked and used. With the gems that are collected, the Time Surfer avatar can be swapped out for various other avatars. These include an Old Time Surfer, a couple of different time machines (think a Police Box and a DeLorean as well as other looks. There are also pets are unlockable, giving the Time Surfer buffs like a beginning level speed boost or a recovery from death.

The dip and launch mechanic combined with the time rewind ability make this game fun. Although it is an endless runner, these two points help set this game apart from the bunch. I also have to mention the fun graphics and the outstanding electronic sound track. Out of the four games mentioned in this article, the soundtrack for Time Surfer is my favorite. (Luckily, the soundtrack can be found online for purchase. I must have it. Oh yes, I must.) I played this game mostly on my Android Smartphone, but it is out for other devices as well. I also know it works on the Ouya game system. I side loaded it through the Humble Bundle app that is accessible on the console. It works well with the Ouya controller, without the need to customize the control functions. I have to admit, I love playing it on my big television.

10,000,000 by Eighty Eight Games

Just as Puzzle Quest combined the matching game with an RPG, 10,000,000 combines a matching game with an endless runner. The player takes control of an avatar that is trapped in a crumbling tower, with release only available after scoring ten million points. In the tower are various rooms that can be fixed up. These rooms provide upgrades and buffs to the avatar, to help with the trip through the stages.

The mechanics in this game involve sliding various pieces around a game board and matching icons. These pieces include supplies for fixing up the tower such as wood and gold, items for attacking, defending, and key icons to open both doors and treasure chests. For any of the various icons to work, three or more of the same time need to be lined up. The endless runner segment is shown at the top of the screen, using Atari-esque graphics for doors, locks, and enemies.

I like that this game takes ideas from various genres and combines them in to one solid game. Although I do find myself becoming frustrated with this game from time to time, I always end up going back. I own it on Valve’s Steam service and on my Android-based Smartphone. I tend to play it more on my Smartphone than on the PC, though it works fine on my netbook.

Punch Quest by RocketCat Games

“You’ve got a beat ‘em up in my endless runner!”

“No you’ve got an endless runner in my beat ‘em up!”

“What, you can enjoy both in one product!”

Punch Quest is named well, providing the best of an old school Double Dragon-esque beat ‘em up within a fantastical and cartoony violent endless running world. The player can choose between either the male Punchzerker or the female Smashkyrie. There is really no difference between the two outside of cosmetic.

The punching mechanics make this game a hoot to play. There are two virtual buttons: one does an uppercut/jump and the other punches forward and speeds the character up. With every movement, the player ends up smashing various items on the screen. These items include the endless parade of undead enemies, idols sitting randomly on pedestals, and piles of skulls to crush. There is also money and loot to get as well, providing funds to unlock power-ups, buffs, new abilities, and customizable pieces for the characters. There are also monsters to ride and gnomes to become throughout the level, taking the player on a trip through dinosaur land and the honeybee infested gnome homelands.

Punch Quest takes the now formulaic endless runner mechanic and punches it up (heh) a bit. I’ve only played this game on my phone but I’m sure it’ll stay there for the foreseeable future. The graphics remind me of the best of the sixteen-bit era and the action is fast, fun, and funky. This game can be played n small doses but be careful, a lot of time can be hit away. Don’t worry, you won’t feel punchy after an extended session. The unlockables add a bit of customization to the mix, making sure that both characters are used. I mean I can’t just let my man have a cool fedora when there is so much cool gear for the woman too, can I? I try not to think about how I’m just playing a virtual version of Barbie Dolls with myself…