Run Sheldon Review
Another week, another running game. Their onslaught is never ending. Some are good, some are bad, and most are functional but forgettable. Have no fear, stalwart iOS gamer, Arcade Sushi is here! Lets have a look at Run Sheldon and find out whether or not the tortoise really does beat the hare or if that rascally rabbit trounces poor Sheldon into the ground.
If you were going to adapt one of Aesop’s most famous fables about a tortoise and a hare, then of course it would be a side scrolling running game. That much is logical. But when you take that old fable and ask what happens two years later, then the story becomes a bit more interesting. Sheldon the tortoise won the race with the hare, but after a couple of years, that old and bitter hare is out for revenge. Since rabbits reproduce a bit quicker than shelled reptiles, there are a lot of rabbits out to get Sheldon.
That sets up the perfect premise for an endless running game. Sheldon has to make it as far as he can while avoiding as many of that pesky hare’s irate offspring.
The design of the game is gorgeous and really pops off of the retina display. It looks more like a beautifully drawn cartoon. Each section of this endless runner has its own distinct style that pops out and lets you know that you’re making progress. There are a few different types of hares that would love to impede your progress, but you can easily tell the difference between them. Some take a running leap at you while others will pop up out of a hole in the ground threatening you with their sharp teeth.
The gameplay is as simple as an endless runner can get. There’s no swiping for direction or multi finger gestures. All you’re asked to do is tap the screen to jump. The longer you hold your finger in place, the higher little Sheldon will jump. It works well, although I wish you had a bit more control over Sheldon’s rate of descent. It can occasionally be difficult to judge jumps properly so you can clock a rabbit on the head.
Scattered throughout the game are fantastic power ups that will give Sheldon wings, blast him forward, or give him an extra hit against those hairy jerks in his way. Along the way you can also collect coins that can buy you a continue or some special upgrades. As is usual with most games, you can also fork over some real cash for an abundance of coins in the form of an in-app purchase.
It isn’t all good though. Sadly, Run Sheldon can suffer from some herky jerky framerate issues on older devices. Most of the time it won’t be evident, but occasionally you’ll see some serious slowdown in the gameplay and it looks like you’re playing in bullet time. The animations will also lurch sharply like they are missing frames as well. If you have a more powerful device, then this shouldn’t be a problem for you whatsoever.
Overall, Run Sheldon is a fun endless running game. It has wit, charm, and will leave you with a smile. So the story goes that the tortoise beat the hare because the hare was so overconfident that he took a nap. Whoever wins this next race is up to you, but I know I’m rooting for Sheldon.
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