Sonic Dash comes rolling into the Google Play Store, takes in-app ads to another level
If you spent any length of time looking for games to download onto your Android device, you’d know the Google Play Store has no shortage of endless runners. Today, your favorite spikey-haired hedgehog is joining their ranks. Sonic Dash, is all new for Android and features the world famous blue protagonist, as he spins, jumps and, of course, dashes his way throughout linear levels in search of shiny gold coins.
An endless runner more akin to Subway Surfers, players assume the role as Sonic the Hedgehog, flicking either left or right to dodge obstacles, swiping up to jump over them, or down to spin attack. For a Sonic the Hedgehog game, we have to admit, it translates pretty darn well into an endless runner. Gameplay is challenging, obstacles and enemies are mixed, and it will take quick reflexes to clear areas and bank coins.
In-game currency
Because Sonic Dash is a freemium game we’re talking about here, the usual sets of in-game currency apply. You’ll accumulate gold coins the easiest, simply by playing a level and banking them at various checkpoints. These can be spent on simple power ups to advance further in a level, giving you bragging rights should you connect the game to your social networks. Harder to come by are the “Red Star Rings”, used for unlocking new characters, playing mini games, or gaining extra lives. It’s the typical freemium-fare, something we’ve grown accustomed to.
Ads
It’s Sonic Dash’s other business model that will, no doubt, be the make-or-break for most. Intrusive popup video ads greet you at every turn. They’re so jarring and seemingly appear whenever they damn while feel like it (usually when you’re in the menu screen). Frustrating doesn’t even begin to describe them. Not only will you be forced to watch a video for about 5 seconds before being able to skip, but another popup ad always follows, requiring you to press a small “X” in the corner to exit. Of course, these aren’t always the easiest to hit and more than often you’ll accidentally click the ad forwarding you to the Play Store. It’s annoying, and we can’t shake the feeling that they’re supposed to be.
The real price of admission
For a minimum of $4, ads can be removed from the game altogether, something I’ve strongly considered paying for simply to keep my sanity. Sega tries to sweeten the deal by including a gang of in-game currency. It’s a shame because the game is actually pretty solid, but if playing a Sonic game in between video ads sounds like a good time to you, you can download Sonic Dash for free in the Google Play Store.
Download on Google Play: Sonic Dash