CornRider Review

Our Review by Angela LaFollette on April 12th, 2013
Rating: starstarstarstarblankstar :: WHIMSICAL
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An endless runner that’ll have gamers driving like maniacs to save all the corn from total destruction.

Developer: Ruankosoft Technologies (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd.
Price: $0.99
Version: 2.1.0
App Reviewed on: iPhone 4S

Graphics / Sound Rating: starstarstarstarhalfstar
Game Controls Rating: starstarstarstarblankstar
Gameplay Rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar
Re-use / Replay Value Rating: starstarstarstarblankstar

Overall Rating: starstarstarstarblankstar

The latest endless runner to hit the App Store is CornRider. While the name suggests that gamers may be riding on corn kernels, the objective is actually the complete opposite. In this game, players must guide an old man and his trusty red truck through various landscapes in order to save all the left-over corn from natural disasters and quirky enemies.

It may sound odd at first, but things come together as gamers start playing. To collect all the corn, it’s essential to navigate the red truck by tapping on the screen to jump to different platforms, jump on enemies and avoid obstacles. Tapping repeatedly makes the truck jump higher. As things progress, gamers need to have quick and sharp reflexes or they’ll find themselves starting all over again.

Driving around and picking up corn doesn’t seem so bad until dangerous enemies start trying to wreck havoc. There are four different scenes with different destroyers and enemies on each one. There’s a large sun that pops the corn, a thundercloud that zaps the corn, a winter storm cloud that freezes it and a crazy warthog that shoots bullet carrots at the helpless corn. While trying to stay out of the way of the dangerous enemies, there are barriers and objectives to avoid like rocks in the road, rats that get stuck in the grill of the car and running sunflowers that can total the trusty red truck. Fortunately, players can charge up their rocket and fly past obstacles and enemies when things get tough.

Players must work hard to not only travel as far as possible but to also to get the highest score and collect lots of corn. The corn can be used in the shop to upgrade the truck, purchase props, buy new vehicles and wheels and even get new drivers. There are in-app purchases for more corn coins, but they are more for the impatient. It’s possible to play and collect coins without having to spend any real money.

Along with trying to beat their own score and distance, players can compete against others through Game Center leaderboards and achievements. CornRider also features in-game objectives to complete as well.

CornRider is an adorable endless runner that may have a hard time standing out in an otherwise crowded App Store. In addition to not being universal, the game could use more scene changes and additional customization features in the shop. Despite the fact that it’s another endless runner, it makes up for what it lacks with whimsical graphics and an imaginative story—which makes it worth exploring. There’s a free lite version for those who wish to give it a try, and a separate iPad version for gamers who prefer the larger screen.

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