Rayman Jungle Run – Best Mobile Game 2012
Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Ubisoft Montpellier
I've played a lot of iPhone games this year. Thankfully, to keep myself from getting too addicted to one bite-sized experience or another, I've come up with a system that has new games pushing old games off of my phone's game page. Unfortunately, Rayman Jungle Run has completely messed that up, leaving my neatly organized Games page a total pigsty! I can't bring myself to delete it, but I don't know why! Maybe it's because I want to be able to show friends at the drop of a hat or because I know it's still killing Anthony that I've mastered every course in the game.
Regardless, Rayman's managed to take the formula we loved so dearly in Rayman Origins last year and put it in your pocket anytime you might want it. Jungle Run relies heavily on auto-run mechanics like many other iPhone games, but collecting Lums and scoring an amazing time on a level means there's quite a bit of replay value within. What's more, Rayman Jungle Run was updated recently, for free, with 10 brand new levels. That's the kind of post-release support we like to see.
Even if you've never played Rayman Origins, Jungle Run presents a non-threatening, cheap alternative to get your platforming fix on the go. It's a hardcore game with tons of challenge and depth, but at $2.99, it's impossible to pass up. Rayman and company prove that gaming doesn't need to be dumbed down just because you're playing on your phone.
Runners Up:
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