Running Shadow, first seen on iOS and Android (of course) is an odd but super-glossy mashup of two game genres: the first person endless runner (think Temple Run) and the RPG (Role Playing Game), with the latter’s numerous outfits, weapons, goals and spells all handled by the freemium side of the game, of course. To be fair, this is a better port from other platforms that we’ve seen in recent years but there are still oddities and glitches, including one that actually protects you from over-zealous in-app purchases (unintentionally, from the developers!) Still, worth a look if you’re a D&D fan and have quick reflexes!

From the Store description:

Running Shadow is a unique mix of a parkour game and a fantasy RPG. Simple game mechanics are enriched with a mythical plot full of secrets and intrigue.

You take on the role of a fortunate thief and assassin in possession of a unique artifact: the Gauntlet of the Celestial Guardian stolen from the adepts of a dark and ancient cult. Like in classic RPG games, you will be empowered with wondrous and unique abilities. Get ready for a never-ending adventure full of danger: age-old castles, gloomy dungeons and treacherous enemy ambushes, dozens of exciting levels and unique quests. You will need all your experience from running games and all your extreme parkour skills to win. Embark on the path full of danger and win the title of Master Shadow!

You get the idea, anyway, I wonder why no one has thought of mashing up these two game genres before? Here’s a walkthrough:

Glossy from the start, but the two big black bands either side do show that at least one corner has been cut in the porting from iOS…

Thankfully, everything’s full-screen from then on, with a beautifully cinematic rendered introduction, setting up the ‘story’…

Then it’s running and left/right swiping to pick up coins and turn left and right; up and down jump and slide under things, plus when you encounter bad guys (like this one), you’re instructed as to whether an up or down swipe will despatch them….

When there’s nothing too pressing, the viewpoint even swings round to a more isometric 3D, giving an even better sense of the atmospheric world created….

You’ll progress from level to level, of course, with a big-bosomed female guide (but of course) to help you know what to do next in terms of strategy….

The RPG/freemium elements are to do with equipping yourself to deal with the bad guys, i.e. on top of the usual infinite runner reaction tests. It’s a mash-up that really does work…

Each level has objectives, plus special objects which can be found and picked up (by running over)…

And, as you’d expect, you buy extra powers and protection in the game using coins, which you either collect or – eventually – start buying in the in-game Store…

…which is where it comes a little unstuck. Someone in QA has messed up here, since the freemium purchase page wouldn’t scroll/swipe on my test Lumia 930, meaning that I was limited to just a maximum of $16 at a time. Probably just as well. I wonder how high the IAPs go up to? Shudder.

Not a bad game, but little things here and there show that this is still very clearly a port from another platform. If you want to try it for yourself, you can grab this for free in the Store – it’s a 300MB download, but you’ll need twice that, i.e. 600MB in your internal storage, so watch out for that.