Crossy Road caused a massive splash when it landed in 2014, leading to a whole raft of (generally inferior) imitators. Ruins Ahead presents just enough of a spin on proceedings to make for an interesting alternative.
And we mean that last bit quite literally. You're still tapping to make your chunky little hero scoot forward in a blocky, isometric world. By here you're doing so on a precariously suspended path. Swipe left or right and you won't hop to your doom, but will rotate the path itself, opening up a new route.
This gives the game the slightest hint of puzzliness. It's a more considered, less frantic game than Crossy Road, which may well appeal more to certain easily-harried types. It's a game of careful precision more than split-second decisions.
Crossy valley
This level-rotating element, as well as the game's dreamy palette, also reminded us a little of Monument Valley - another runaway smash hit of recent years. Of course, Ruins Ahead is a lot simpler than ustwo's opus, but it certainly looks a treat.
Besides avoiding obstructions, spikes, and other hazards, you must collect coins and other trinkets. Collect five artefacts, for example, and you'll unlock a bonus round. Meanwhile, the minecart will give you a quick invincible burst forward. You can attain temporary cards that enhance your abilities for a time, too, via a random loot box drop. Every modern game needs a random loot box drop, after all.
Along the way, you'll also unlock new playable characters. None of these characters actually alter the gameplay in any way, but they're well drawn all the same, from ninjas and wizards to robots and vikings.
Walk on
Oh, and while we're at it, the music that plays in the between-level score screen almost makes you welcome the end of your latest failed high score run. It's great.
Ruins Ahead might not quite match either of its key inspirations in terms of quality or ingenuity, but it's a fun, polished endless runner with the pleasant twist.
You can download Ruins Ahead for free on the iOS App Store right now.
