| Price | Free |
| Version | 4.1.5305 |
| Category | Arcade |
| Developer | Halfbrick Studios |
| Source | iOS, Android |
| Rating | (4.5) |
Monster Dash is an endless runner that follows the style of classics of the genre like Temple Run. Its main asset is its theme: you will play as a monster hunter who will face all kinds of creatures while running non-stop.
In theory, this premise is so well-worn that it should bore us. But behind Monster Dash is Halfbrick, the creator of Fruit Ninja. This studio knows how to create the right tempo to get you hooked on even the simplest premise.
In Monster Dash you play Barry Steakfries. By profession: monster hunter. Your mission is to survive in six locations (the rooftops of Egypt, a city…) while running non-stop from left to right. Shoot the monsters (zombies, demons, mummies) or jump to avoid traps or gaps to your doom. The main mode, Classic Race, doesn’t stray too far from the endless runner essence. But if what you want is complexity, you have other options: improve your character (leveling up or unlocking more weapons), complete achievements or meet daily goals. The weapons you can unlock are not aesthetic elements but add a touch of strategy. For example, there is a weapon that launches electric rays, very effective to vaporize many enemies that are in single file. But the big problem with this weapon is that the battery runs out quickly. So you have a powerful “lightning launcher”, true, but you must use it with caution. The objectives and achievements also force you to think carefully about your tactics. If the challenge is to get pieces of diamonds, you will have to measure your jumps well to collect them before they disappear. It is not enough just to survive! On top of that, the enemies become more complex the longer you survive. In the first few minutes you can eliminate all the monsters by jumping on them. But after a while, for example, yetis with horns appear. If you try to crush them the horns will damage you. The only thing that is missing is more modes as such. It’s the big flaw of Monster Dash that leaves it a little behind the top endless runners. The latest update celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Ghostbusters movie saga, although unfortunately much of its content is paid. In this sense we are facing a game with micropayments but you can have a good time without taking out your virtual wallet.
The controls in Monster Dash are remarkably simple: you have one “button” to shoot and another “button” to jump. In addition, the game occasionally reminds you of its functions in case you’ve lost your memory. Nothing to complain about in this regard.
The music in Monster Dash is very catchy. It is a main theme that adapts to the context of the location. It does its job of getting you in the mood right away and getting you into this cartoonish take on classic horror movies. The graphics are very nice and casual. The important thing is that the elements have been designed so that you can identify in time if it’s an enemy, a fall, some deadly spikes…
The constant deluge of challenges and the tempo of a normal game (the strategies for each weapon, the enemies that become more difficult…) will force you to stay hooked for a couple more minutes. But that extra couple of minutes could have turned into a “what, it’s been three hours already?” if Monster Dash had more game modes. And now, if you allow us, we have to get a few more coins to level up…
