Bumpy Road Review

It's not often possible to call a game wonderfully charming but that's certainly the case with Bumpy Road. Its visuals are somewhat reminisicent of PC indie classic Braid, being detailed in a way that looks hand drawn rather than designed on a computer. The musical score is similarly charming with a particularly nice turn by an accordian. Of course none of this would matter if the game wasn't enjoyable to play. Fortunately, it's great fun successfully combining endless running with platforming.

As the game explains, Bumpy Road is all about a happy but aging couple going for a ride in their car with their past memories drifting past them as they progress. It sounds a little trippy but it's more cute than bizarre. The Evergreen Ride mode forms the crux of the endless running kind of platforming. Players control how fast the car moves by tapping on the ground to modify how it lifts up thus pushing the car along. Jumping is possible via simply tapping the screen quickly. As the car moves along, players can steer it towards various gizmos for extra points. There's also the obstacle of holes that must be avoided by jumping carefully, usually by speeding up a little beforehand.

The Sunday Trip mode removes the problem of holes, instead focusing on completing a course as quickly as possible. Turbo Gizmo collectibles help this by speeding up the car's progress. Ultimately, it's the same kind of gameplay but useful for those just looking for a quick play of the game.

Finally, there's Memory Lane mode which provides the storyline of Bumpy Road. As players progress, they can collect pictures which can then be viewed via this mode. Much like the rest of the game, it's cute and adds a purpose to simply running (or driving in this case) as far as possible.

Bumpy Road is a lovely little, soothing game to play. Adding a storyline to an endless running game is a great touch and instantly makes the game that bit more endearing to players. For platforming fans, it's certainly worth the asking price.