Dash Quest is a continuous runner with a 16-bit RPG theme to it. It’s available free-to-play to download on iOS and Android devices, but reviewed on iPad here.  In the game, you view your hero from a top-down perspective as he runs straight forward, battling enemies and using magic spells along the way.

As you run, enemies will get in your way. Tap on the right side of the screen to swing your sword and damage and dispatch them.  If they reach you, they can take off your hit points.  When you run out of hit points, the game is over and you’ll have to start over again at the beginning.  But at least you’ll keep all your items, experience points, and other goodies for your next run.  To keep from getting hit, you can also tap on the left side of the screen to block.

As you defeat enemies, you’ll gain experience points. Gather enough experience and you can level up, and use points to improve your stats.  Enemies will also drop items and gold.  Use the gold between games to buy yourself better swords, armor, and other items that’ll help keep you in the game longer.  Usable items you can buy include potions that’ll heal your hit points and mana, which helps you use magic.  To use an item, just tap on the box on the left side of the screen.  Just make sure you equip that item before venturing off on your next adventure.  You can also buy and upgrade magic spells using coins, too.  Magic includes projectile attacks like fireballs and ice, as well as defense magic like a protective barrier or healing magic.  Use magic by tapping on the boxes on the right side of the screen.  Just watch your mana meter!

In each area, you’ll fight wave after wave of enemies and then fight a big boss that’ll take more hits and strategy to defeat. The only free-to-play quibble I had was that you might have to view a game ad after each world, but that’s it.  The only other problem I had with the game is that you start at the very beginning each time.  I know it’s supposed to be like that so you can buy better weapons and armor to clear levels more effectively.  But it did end up getting a little repetitive for me after a while and I lost interest.  Plus sometimes it was hard to block attacks when enemies would gang up on you.  But if you like games that look like 16-bit RPGs, it wouldn’t hurt to check this one out since it’s free.

Kid Factor:

You can hit enemies with swords and magic spells, and when they are defeated sometimes a splat mark can be seen on the ground. None of it looks like blood, but that’s about as violent as it gets.  Reading skill is needed for the text and menus, and parental supervision is recommended for the in-game purchases (you can buy more gold with real money).

Tags: Game Reviews