Release the Hounds is based on a TV show on one of the ITV channels (yeah, me neither) where contestants must complete Crystal Maze type activities based on a horror theme, and then at points they must sprint down a pre set route whilst being pursued by the eponymous hounds.
The tie-in game is based on the chase section and is yet another in a long line of running based games. But whereRelease the Hounds is based on a TV show on one of the ITV channels (yeah, me neither) where contestants must complete Crystal Maze type activities based on a horror theme, and then at points they must sprint down a pre set route whilst being pursued by the eponymous hounds.
The tie-in game is based on the chase section and is yet another in a long line of running based games. But where as Temple Run and Minion Rush are both free and brilliant time wasting games, Release the Hounds costs over £1.
Whilst I have nothing at all against paying for apps, I do have a problem when you’ve paid for something inferior to games which are already on the market.
The stills on the App Store appear to pitch the game somewhere between Temple Run and a Slender Man survival horror title, so it was with and open mind and high hopes that I installed the game. You never know, this might be Resident Evil in Nike running shoes!
The basis of any reaction based game is smooth animation and a rapidly responding control system. This allows you to both see obstacles coming and allows you to avoid them with time to spare. Sadly, in these two critical requirements, Release the Hounds is woefully short of the mark.
Whilst the lighting used in the game is effective at creating a creepy torch lit atmosphere, it also highlights the poor frame rate which makes the back ground appear to move like a Grand Prix racing game on a ZX81.
The character design is similarly flawed, moving in a flip book fashion and not changing its action until it’s finished its animated cycle. This has the effect of reducing your reaction time and basically taking the control of the character out of your hands.
The control system of swipes and taps works well when it wants too, but if you’re attempting to jump over an obstacle, it’s more a matter of chance if the character reacts in time to clear it. Also the character often moved back to the centre of the screen without me telling him to, frustrating to say the least.
Progression is based upon collecting coins whilst running through the horror based levels. At points along the levels you’re offered the option to run against the Hounds of the title. This involves you tapping the screen to increase speed, whilst also compacting the control system, all whist the dogs close in on you. It’s safe to say I lasted about 6 seconds.
So what we have here is an excellent concept totally hamstrung buy a poor control system. Hopefully, with an update or two, these can be ironed out and the title will become an enduring horror based runner. But for now it remains in the shadow of its better, and cheaper, brethren
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