While Grim Joggers doesn't bear the most novel concept, it does put enough spin to feel like a whole different experience from the mass of Canabalt-inspired running games in the App Store. And it's pretty fun, too.
Instead of controlling a single character as he runs through the game world, you control a whole bunch of them. Starting out with 15 people, the goal is to extend the run as far as you can until every single one of your joggers succumb to the environment's multiple hazards.
Controls appear simple: you jump and double-jump by tapping anywhere on the screen. When you do that, the lead jogger will immediately leap, with the others following in a rather sporadic manner. The challenge is to make sure that the rest of the crew manage to make it through the obstacles, which changes the typical approach required from players. For the most part, this means you'll need to play smart, making strategic decisions in real-time. The more joggers you have remaining every time you pass each checkpoint, by the way, the higher you score.
Graphically, it's just average. To its credit, some of the hazardous traps are entertaining (e.g. polar bears who will maul the joggers to death) and some of the things tracked throughout the game are downright funny. The levels are randomly generated, as well, so there's plenty of replay value.
If you've been hankering for a "different" running game, Grim Joggers should offer a nice break from the old, familiar gameplay. It's available from the App Store, priced at 99 cents.
[Grim Joggers]
