costless - to - manoeuvre games often count appealing , but it ’s difficult to sleep with at a glimpse whether the business model is insidious and fun ruin , or reasonable and deserving pump a few long horse into . With Freemium Field Test , we ’ll take a late free - to - play iOS game , put it through its paces , and countenance you know if it ’s really worth your time ( and money ) .
By foundation , bike , or ATV , you ’ll swipe to transfer lanes as you avoid obstacles and snag collectable .
Theearliest Tomb Raider gameshavehit the App Storein recent months , offer a cheap blast of nostalgia — and a reality check that 20 - twelvemonth - old 3D action plot do n’t often hold up well , specially with cutaneous senses controls . ButLara Croft : Relic Runis luckily something quite unlike : A plot specifically build for touch that puts the enfranchisement heroine in a fresh adventure well suit for phones and tablets .
That ’s not to say that Relic Run is particularly innovative . For the most part , it ’s a passably standard behind - the - back , three - lane endless moon curser , challenge you to swipe to dodge peril and continue barrel ahead . But it has the trademark cinematic flair of the Tomb Raider franchise , and just as importantly , it offer up a fun experience without aggressive freemium tactics .
The pitch
Despite its flashy look and death - refuse scenarios , Lara Croft : Relic Run is n’t all that make bold : This is tried - and - true genre transportation , at its core . While thematic comparisons to Temple Run are apt , Relic Run plays more akin to Subway surfboarder and games of its ilk . You ’ll have three lanes to switch between as you run across various jungle and desert obstacles , and swiping lets you transfer lanes , leap , and skid through low openings . It ’s pretty intimate , accessible stuff .
Wall rappelling is a neat twirl : it ’s still a three - lane runner , only you ’re going up and down and the jump from the wall to fudge hazards .
fortuitously , Square Enix did n’t stop with the basics , and it ’s the raw element that make Relic Run feel distinctive . For lesson , you may fly the coop along wall in certain spots — still by swiping , but it change the dynamic a bit . You ’ll also ride a quick ATV or bike for extended stretch of time , as well as rappel along rampart as the three - lane approach is rotated 90 degrees upon the side of a mountain .
And there ’s fighting , as well . Every so often during a run , you ’ll take out pistol — which can be trade for a crossbow , shotgun , or other weapon — and hound down phantasy monsters in shooting gallery - style segments . You ’ll even battle the monolithic T - Rex seen in the early Tomb Raider secret plan , not only shooting it at key moments , but also filch to sidestep its attacks as it tramples around . Relic Run has a deal of those cinematic import , which take some of the ascendency out of your hands , but it makes for a very dressed iOS game .
Still , the frequent cut - scenes and busy , winding surround make it guileful to see the fortune ahead of you at time — I sure enough die a few times due to not having a clear look at danger on the horizon . pass on that , it can be tough to build up a rhythm in Relic Run , but the biz is jolly generous with its spare continues — up to a point . Trying to draw together an peculiarly long run may tempt you to expend a niggling money , and Relic Run is happy to oblige .
The catch
You ’ll want a new outfit for higher piles and special perks , but they ’ll be more gems than you ’re potential to find fault up via gameplay .
Relic Run does n’t have any freemium barrier that block continual play : There ’s no vigour meter , and you wo n’t even see advertizement kill up without your consent . you’re able to wreak as often as you ’d wish without paying , and that ’s expectant . But as with many other innocent - to - play genre entries , Relic Run offer opportunity to spend liberal to heighten Croft ’s ability and arsenal .
coin and gems are the two currentness type found in Relic Run , with coin found always throughout the stages and gems rarely appearing at all . It ’s no surprisal , then , that the best of the upgrades can only be purchased with the latter , which can be bought in large bundles drift from $ 1 ( 100 jewel ) to $ 50 ( 12,000 gems ) . coin are also sold in similarly priced bundles—1,000 coin for $ 1 to 120,000 for $ 50 — but you ’ll snag a fair amount of them simply by playing the game .
That ’s a lot of money to spend on ameliorate power - ups ! Relic Run is n’t pushy with in - app purchase , but they are available .
Lara ’s advanced rig — which offer a higher sexual conquest multiplier and have other small perquisite during gameplay ( like making enemies weaker)—are the most tempting gems - only purchases in the store . And if you want to set the high scores , you ’ll require to catch at least one of those turnout . However , if you wish not to irritate with currency conversions , the store also sell subject matter bundles for straight hard currency . you may get all four in full upgrade outfits for $ 12 , all weapons unlocked and upgraded for $ 15 , and all elevate business leader - ups for $ 20 .
That ’s a flock of money to spend on perk in an iPhone game , peculiarly when the superb late Tomb Raider reboot for Mac is just $ 16 on the Mac App Store — an absolute bargain for a biz of that scale and quality . By comparison , Lara Croft : Relic Run delivers quick burst of urbane fun , but I would n’t induct to a great extent in it .
The supply strike down serve you snag continues , but if you run out , you’re able to look out a video ad instead of spend money on gems .
I drop $ 5 on a camp of gems to purchase and upgrade one of the costumes , as well as buy some extra continues . That seems like a reasonable amount to spend if you ’re playing regularly and require a small hike . ( But than I spent another $ 5 on more gems to unlock the desert stage decent aside . That ’s probably pushing it . )
However , Relic Run ’s detached supply drop — which is available every six hours — delivers a free injection of continues , gems , or coins , plus you ’ll sometimes have the option to watch a video ad in exchange for a continue after a run ends . That ’s all somewhat generous , and the game is otherwise very hands - off with its monetization attempts . you’re able to spend money , of course , but you do n’t have to . In other words , it ’s a pretty idealistic freemium secret plan .
The verdict
It ’s the classic Tomb Raider T - Rex ! Relic Run ’s cinematic bit are attractive , albeit occasionally distracting .
Lara Croft : Relic Run adds a nice cinematic touch to the eternal runner genre , delivering strong product value while shoot some welcome variety into the mix . The elements do n’t always mousse perfectly — the quick camera cuts can kill your flow , or make it hard to spot the next jeopardy onward — but at least it feel like a well - considered blend of endless running with the classic Tomb Raider spirit . A few smart tweaks could go a long elbow room toward making it a truly great runner .
And it ’s a really enjoyable biz that does n’t blackjack you to spend money , although you might be tempted to score up the memory if you ’re sample to top friends ’ in high spirits sexual conquest . Granted , the power to spend money on advantages does benumb the competitive edge , but that ’s straight with all loose - to - gambling games . If you may savor Relic Run for what it is — a slick freebee and very strong mobile spinoff — there ’s slew of sport to be had .
