3D Santa Run & Christmas Racing - 2 Stars

What is it?

Ever played Temple Run? Well imagine that with a funny looking village, Ginches and a sort of 3D Santa and that is the game. I play Minion Rush, well I did until the latest updates with Jelly Labs that have ruined it for me, so I am used to pretty good graphics. This game wasn't exactly what I was expecting in the graphics, especially from the icon. The graphics are a little clunky, but they don't really disturb game play, but equally they don't encourage you to want to keep playing. 

The game is basically to make Santa run for as long as you can, sliding and jumping over obstacles and turning sharp corners. You dodge obstacles by tilting the phone from left to right so pretty easy to use.  Like Minion Rush the more points, coins and Grinches you collect the more points you earn to increase your multiplayer. When you increase the multiplayer you get more points each time you play.

If you have the sound on the game plays you festive music which is a nice touch.

As I am sat here writing this, I am struggling to say that I liked the game. It is a bit of festive fun and delivers on its promise of a Christmas theme, but I think the clunky graphics let it down. 

Now for some ratings.....

Ease of use - 3 

If you have played these games before then this will be easy to pick up and play. I did like in the game that there are instructions as you play the first few times. If quick paced games aren't for you then I wouldn't recommend this one but if you like Temple Run then you may like this. 


Price - 5

This game is free.

Adverts - 2

There are adverts of various types but they are not as frequent as I have seen in other games.

Overall Score- 2

I just didn't take to this game. I only kept playing because I had decided that I was going to review it. If you like Temple Run and don't mind less jazzy graphics then this is worth a try, it is Christmas after all.

Keep, jury is out or delete - Delete

I hate saying delete when I can see that effort has gone into a game but I just don't want to play. This game is already off my phone, but mainly as I just upgraded to the iPhone , but I am not going to download it again as it just isn't for me. 

Where to find it:

Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/3d-santa-run-christmas-racing/id938177866?mt=8

Race the Stig - 4 Stars

What is it?

This is a driving game where you race the legendary Stig from the popular TV show Top Gear. If you like Temple Run and Minion Rush then you will take to this like a duck to water.

The aim of the game is not to crash into the many obstacles on your route or the Stig who intermittently challenges you during play. If you are a watcher of the popular TV show Top Gear then you will appreciate the various cars that are not only obstacles but that you can upgrade to. Additionally there are few of the shows host, Jeremy Clarkson, infamous caravans!

The operation of this game is all swiping the screen with no movement of the device to operate the character. The instructions are easy, swipe left to more left and swipe right to move right. An upward swipe makes the car jump and the a downward swipe makes the drive duck to go under obstacles. 

To advance in the game there are challenges for example land on three cars in a row, play for two minutes and use power ups. When you compete a series of three challenges you increase your multiplayer, which increases your score in the game. I am currently on a multiplier of 12. What I do like is that multipliers can be collected during play and at one point I ended up with one for 26!

During the game play there are cogs (tokens) that you collect which can be traded for power ups and changes to cars and helmets. The more you play the more you collect the more you can swap! Very like Minion Rush with bananas but this is a fairer game as you are not forced to purchase specific tokens to obtain the power ups, it just encourages more game play. 

In summary, I like this game but there are some frustrations, now for some ratings.....

Ease of use - 5

If you can play Temple Run and Minion Rush then this is a easy game to play. There are in game instructions to show you how to manoeuvre the car, jump and slide under obstacles. The power ups are also pretty self explanatory but i did have an issue when trading some tokens for one, but after forcing the app to close this then worked, so watch out for that one. Overall this is an easy game to play. 
Price - 3

This is a free app, but with in app purchases. You can pay to remove adverts and purchase more tokens to buy power ups and revives. I have given this app a 3 stars for price as although this is free, playing to remove the adverts is almost forced upon you as they are SO annoying!

Adverts - 1

There are adverts in this app. I am not a lover of adverts and these are VERY annoying. Full screen picture ads appear if you go back to the main menu. After a few plays of the game your screen will be invaded by not only full screen ads but videos. These video ads must be endured for four seconds before you can cancel them and in some cases for the full length of it. Annoying! There is an option to remove the ads for £0.69 of $0.99 but I feel for a BBC app (for which I pay a TV licence) this is just too much!

Keep, jury is out or delete - Keep

I like this game a lot but then I do love Minion Rush, it is very addictive, especially if you are playing against friends on Facebook or in my case the other end of the sofa! I have dropped a star for the adverts as they are too much, especially with so many in app purchases!

Where to find it:

Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/top-gear-race-the-stig/id675077614?mt=8