Bull Running Review

By , on October 12, 2010


Bull Running
Download on the AppStore
3 out of 5

PROS

  • Fun 'running of the bulls' inspired gameplay.
  • Loveably cute designs.

CONS

  • Sticky jumping controls.
  • Hard to avoid objects.

VERDICT

Hopefully patches quickly resolve this game's basic gameplay issues, but adding more variety to Bull Running wouldn't hurt either.


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To be honest, I'm surprised this hasn't been done before - although to be fair it probably has (feel free to point it out!) - but the Spanish festivity of the Running of the Bulls has practically screamed for an endless runner game based on the tradition. Bull Running by Twin Games fills this tiny hole and you'll run for your life as you're pursued by a raging bull while avoiding the many hazards left out in the street.

Like a lot of runners all you have to do is tap to jump, but in this vertical variant you'll also need to tilt left and right to avoid most of the hazards in your way. Bonuses like trampolines and rockets help to propel you forward, but it won't take long for the bull to catch up again as you snag yourself against potted plants, toys left in the street or even open pits of mud. While the idea of the game is solid and simple, the execution isn't quite so polished and players will have to contend with a delayed jump that's hard to judge and a variety of obstacles that are hard to identify correctly as jumpable or needing to be avoided.

Visually the game is pastel heavy, but the cartoon designs are amazingly cute, making the bull look far more cuddly than his vicious intent would imply and your character seems to be plastered with an almost permanent gleeful grin.

Sadly without more to do things quickly become tiresome, especially when many of your runs are ended due to poor control implementation instead of poor judgement. Fixing the controls would help to make Bull Running more playable, but without more variety it's still destined to be a short play in anyone's collection.

Screenshots

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