So, you think you know the alphabet. You think you know which letters come where. You think that if presented with a series of letters you’d be able to select them in chronological order. You think that you can do that easily while being attacked by a tiny 8-bit Wizard. Well, I’ve got some news for you, you’re wrong. This free mobile game (available on Android & iOS) will prove it.
Developers The Frozen Machine describes Reading Rush as “Tetris but with letters” and they’re not wrong. Tetris is a good benchmark. Lines of letters fall down the screen and you have to select them in alphabetical order to clear the lines. So far, so Tetris. What Tetris doesn’t do, in the versions I’ve played at least, is distract you from your task by having an enemy attack you. In the adventure mode, clearing lines charges up your attacks and you have to try to defeat your opponent before they defeat you. There’s a Wizard, a Computer, a pair of Tuna, and a character called Celadon who looks like a Power Ranger.
If that doesn’t take your fancy, there’s a standard arcade mode which just gets progressively tougher as you go along. This is where the Tetris comparison really comes through. The reason games like Tetris or Pac-Man have stood the test of time, and continue to be relevant now, is because they are entirely mechanic based. The rules are set, they are easy to follow but the game is difficult to master. As you get better and better through practice the game gets tougher and tougher to match. There is endless replayability built into it, the challenge becomes compelling and Reading Rush is no different.
The presentation of the game is nice, I like it. It’s 8-bit themed. The art style, sound effects and music all fit together really well. If you get it wrong everything looks a bit rubbish but The Frozen Machine haven’t got it wrong here. The visuals don’t lack detail, the soundscape doesn’t lack depth, it all comes together into a nice little package.
Verdict
Should you play it? Yes.
Why? It’s good fun. Plus it’s free so you have nothing to lose.
But… You’ll realise just how quickly your confidence about the alphabet can crumble.
Reviewed on Android.
Store Links:
iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/reading-rush/id1413470905?ls=1
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.TheFrozenMachine.ReadingRush&hl=en_US
