Subway Surfers

Subway Surfers didn't invent the endless runner genre, but it's become one of the seminal examples of how to execute the formula the right way. As with other games in the genre, the fundamentals are simple - get as far as you can in an endless and increasingly difficult gauntlet of obstacles. Moving between lanes is as simple as swiping left or right, and that's the only real input apart from simple slides.

The fundamentals are smooth, simple, and seamless, and it's tailor-made for quick spurts of play. But adding to that addictive investment loop is a series of different upgrades and cosmetics to buy. Each run nets you coins, and that means that even a clumsy round will get you a little closer to your next purchase. The selection of unlockable characters to play as and new hover boards to ride give you a lot of flexibility to create an avatar that reflects you, but the real progression benefit comes in the form of the power-ups. They can provide everything from coin or score boosts to the ability to fly using a jet pack.

All of this is to say that the formula is the same as what's been in the wild for years, but it's polished to perfection. From the bright and buoyant art style to the pick-up-and-play design, it's a game that's opening to newcomers but addictive enough to keep you coming back every day. And while there are some microtransactions present, they don't get in the way of the core gaming experience. You won't find a better endless runner on the market.

Pros:

• Vibrant art with tons of customization
• Great variety of upgradeable powers

Cons:

• Nothing you haven't seen before
• Relatively shallow play loops