Crash Bandicoot: On the Run!

 iOS
Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
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  1. Metro GameCentral
    Apr 19, 2021
    30
    There are countdown timers, bosses are oft-repeated re-skins with identical action, and Crash’s runs soon become repetitious, with progress gated behind either a tedious grind or microtransactions. Despite its colourful palette On the Run! is almost aggressively bland.

Awards & Rankings

23
#23 Best iOS Game of 2021
3
#3 Most Discussed iOS Game of 2021

User Reviews

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User Score
5.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 35 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 35
  3. Negative: 13 out of 35
  1. NathanDTS
    Mar 27, 2021
    3
    Artists did well with the character models and environments, but this has less substance than any runner game I've ever played. No upgradeArtists did well with the character models and environments, but this has less substance than any runner game I've ever played. No upgrade paths, no sense of speed, a pointless crafting system, zero excitement. If you like Crash then just go play 4. If you like runners, go play Temple Run or the Rayman mobile games.… Full Review »
  2. Rixam
    Mar 30, 2021
    5
    Review is based on about 5 days of gaming around launch.

    The game nails pretty well the audiovisual experience of a Crash Bandicoot game.    Review is based on about 5 days of gaming around launch.

    The game nails pretty well the audiovisual experience of a Crash Bandicoot game. To delight the fans of the original there are also some retro skins available for the characters. The gameplay is very responsive and easy to grasp. Boss battles are nice though could use some more variation and phases instead of just high HP and rotation of attacks.

    The crippling problems come in the meta game and gameplay loop. In order to get to the more interesting battles you need to create different weapon items. In order to make those items you have to run in a very repetitive and easy tracks over and over again to get the materials. Sometimes you also need to use those materials to craft other materials (eggs) so you can make the weapon. Then you have to wait an increasing amount of time for those items to craft. These kinds of meta elements are common in mobile games and that is acceptable to certain extent but here the mixing ratio is not working.

    There are some exiting challenges where you have to run pretty much the developer intended way to win (Gem challenge and Time Trials). The difficulty in them can be very high which works for the original Bandicoot fans who are used to failing constantly in levels like Road to Nowhere or Castle Machinery. It can also get very difficult to survive longest in Survival Run in Team competition.

    So the game has kind of two sides. A very casual and easy farming (and to be honest the bosses as well) and very intense and hardcore Challenges and PvP. They are trying to make a casual endless runner with a fairly hardcore game series Crash Bandicoot and while they try to please both audiences they end up not really reaching either of them.

    Monetization is done through "Skins" that have different boosts for farming items. Shop refreshes daily to bring in a new set of skins to buy and Special Offers pop up from time to time. When opening the game the player is every time annoyed with about a $5 Skin offer they need to close or buy. Every now and then there can also be a pop up advertising for other King games which conveniently reminds the player that they could be doing something completely different.

    f the meta and gameloop issues get fixed the game could potentially be a decent one. Maybe have the survival and randomness element in the item farming and maybe even consider dropping the timers altogether from the material crafting and people might enjoy the game more.

    So overall I'd say the game is a very rough diamond. Recommended for the most hardcore Crash Bandicoot fans who are willing to overlook the issues.    … Full Review »
  3. Draethorian
    Mar 28, 2021
    0
    Another garbage shovelware with a recognizable skin. I can remember when crash was somewhat dorky, now he looks and acts like an absoluteAnother garbage shovelware with a recognizable skin. I can remember when crash was somewhat dorky, now he looks and acts like an absolute degenerate. Another franchise ripped for a cheap, fast buck.… Full Review »
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