The concept of endless runner style games have been around longer than the mobile platform itself. With the majority having simple controls, the endless runner has been occupying our time for years. There’s something addictive and rewarding about the style of game play. When looking for the best options it comes down to the art style and your incentive to remain playing. Defiant Developers, you might remember them from our Heroes Call review, has delivered again with Ski Safari, an endless skiing game that has just received a fairly large update.
Visually, Ski Safari is a very appealing game. The animations are all incredibly smooth and the art style that is used gives the game a clean and consistent feel. What sets Ski Safari apart from other endless runners, is the vertical element incorporated while you play. Typically these games take place on a horizontal axis and you would use some sort of input to dodge, slide, or jump. The only control in Ski Safari is to tap the screen to jump and hold to do a back flip. Instead of running across a flat surface, you’re speeding down mountain slopes. Adding the vertical factor really gives you a feeling of speed while you play and engages you for longer periods of time. Keep an eye out for animals while you’re sliding down the slope. You can ride on penguins, eagles, yetis and now wolves. Each one will increase your speed and absorb damage if you were to accidentally hit a rock or some other obstruction. All of this will rack up your multiplier at the top for the maximum number of points.
The big update that released today adds a slew of new features. Most notably the shop and new map. Alongside Penguin Peaks, which was included with the release of the game, there is now Howling Hills. After you unlock the Howling Hills you will notice new obstacles in features in this dusk setting. The mountain is steeper, the avalanche and there are new dangers. There is ice that you can fall through that will freeze you and there are new missile launch ramps that, after you buy the upgrade in the shop, will send you soaring through the air. The Howling Hills also introduces the newest animal, the wolf. Being faster than all of the previous animals, the wolf will allow you to rack up points quickly.
In the shop you can purchase additional upgrades and costumes for Sven. There’s even a costume based off of their RPG Heroes Call. These are all bought with the gold you find throughout each level and thankfully there is absolutely no micro-transactions, currently.I say currently because being creators of other freemium titles, there is a pretty good chance that they will be introduced eventually. I really hope that the creators keep things simple and contained within the game. There is a sickening trend of games switching to a micro-transaction model and as a consumer it is a large deterrent for trying a game. Overall this game is well worth the small price of $.99 and as long as they stick to this model Ski Safari is going to remain a brilliant and addictive title.
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