12 SMURFS EPIC RUN - GARGAMEL'S HOUSE

Dear Readers,

I've progressed into someone's house, which I suppose is Gargamel's. It isn't the final world for some reason. I'm pressing ahead with the levels now because it's taking ages to complete them 100%. I can always go back to them to get more stars anyway.

11 SMURFS EPIC RUN - STADIUM UPDATE AND UNLIMITED ENERGY FOR GEMS DEAL GONE

Dear Readers,

The update for the stadium is certainly interesting but first of all I must say I'm sad that I no longer have the option to buy unlimited energy for gems! That's a shame as I was saving up. It would've taken a very long time but I was saving up. It certainly makes you wonder about your approach for long-term plans in saving and conserving resources.

One blessing about the stadium update is I finally have a use for those tournament cards. Up until now they've been useless to me because I don't use Facebook. They cap at 99 and don't go over that amount unlike energy points, so it's best to use them when I get them.

10 SMURFS EPIC RUN - UNLOCKED SMURFETTE!

Dear Readers,

Today I unlocked Smurfette! Brainy wasn't kidding about her having the most impressive glide ability. She can stay in the air for ages!

Up until now I have mostly been using Poet Smurf because of his handy glide ability. Smurfette has an improved glide plus an extra heart. Other Smurfs like Papa Smurf have the extra heart as well. It reminds me of Rayman Origins as that game has the exact same feature.

9 SMURFS EPIC RUN - UNLOCKED PAPA SMURF!

Dear Readers,

I finally unlocked Papa Smurf! In order to do it I had to play the game every day for 30 days. A prize for consistent participation. I didn't have to pay coins or gems for him once he was unlocked at least. He has a permanent magnet and extra heart abilities.

I also progressed on to the snowy area. It's quite nice here and the Gargamel snowman is pretty funny! Some dash zippers are here too so that's a little bit of a twist to the gameplay anyway.

8 SMURFS EPIC RUN - REPORTER SMURF

Dear Readers,

I got a timed challenge recently that involved collecting hundreds of coins with the magnet. I decided to pay coins for Reporter Smurf, as he has a permanent magnet ability. Completing this challenge was a breeze then!

7 SMURFS EPIC RUN - DON'T BE GREEDY

Dear Readers,

I've built up a nice stockpile of energy points! That's thanks to opening up the game every day really. I have progressed beyond the deep forest into the mine and I've opened up a portal into a cloud world of levels too. Every stage in this area is a Flying Smurf stage. Much easier than the silhouette stages!

Also, I unlocked Cook Smurf. I thought his name was Greedy! Of course that's because I'm most familiar with the Hanna-Barbera cartoon!

6 SMURFS EPIC RUN - STACKING ENERGY POINTS

Dear Readers,

While reaching stage 39 in the deep woods, I've learned something nice about this game. When you earn more energy points than the maximum cap allows, not only does it stack anyway, it also stays when you close the game and come back later! This is a nice thing that I was anxious about earlier.

I also learned about the Epic Adventure. Or rather, I'm learning about it as I've just unlocked it. It seems you can only use available Smurfs until they fail to complete a level in this mode, so it's like an endurance thing. It also has bubbles instead of coins for some reason. I don't know, I'm still learning about it. I wonder what happens when you lose all of the Smurfs? I'll see in due course...

I've also beaten the difficult blue portal silhouette stages in the snowy area. That took quite a while! I won a fairy companion that retrieves golden keys, so that's nice!

5 SMURFS EPIC RUN - CHECK PAPA SMURFS REWARDS FIRST!

Dear Readers,

Today I started a session by doing the daily wheel spin, followed by another 3 regular wheel spins. Then I checked Papa Smurf's rewards and there was a timed one to spin the wheel once for a gem! Gah! I had all my daily spins used up so I couldn't claim it! To make things worse, it's a timed challenge! I should've checked his rewards first!

So now I have to wait 8 hours to get free wheel spins and I have to claim the reward over the next 15 hours. This means I have to keep the game in my mind when I plan out my next day. Being a free-to-player is stressful!

4 SMURFS EPIC RUN - UNLOCKING THE DEEP FOREST

Dear Readers,

I still couldn't get to the next area starting with stage 30 when I played today. It said I needed to connect to the internet. What happened to the countdown when I connected last time? The difficult stages were the only new ones I could do so I did them for a while.

The next chance I got to connect online, the barrier opened up right away. Countdown was up I suppose but I still had to connect online to proceed.

The next area is the deep forest I think and it looks absolutely lovely! Especially after doing the difficult silhouette stages. The twinkling blue lights in the dark shaded forest made it look really pretty.

After a few attempts I managed to unlock Reporter Smurf. I didn't buy him yet though. He has a handy looking permanent magnet ability. I'm still using Poet Smurf. Love his glide ability!

3 SMURFS EPIC RUN - OFFLINE DEAD END

Dear Readers,

I've reached the end of the snowy levels in this game, which is beyond Stage 29. There's a barrier here though that I may only pass if I fulfill one of the following conditions:

1. Pay 20 gems
2. Ask Facebook friends.

I don't use Facebook so that's out. I only have 16 gems and I'm not sure how to win more without paying real money or connecting to the internet and watching ads so that's out too.

There's also a message that says "Connect to the internet to start the countdown!". I'm not sure what that means and I was a bit afraid to try. I eventually did and it gave me almost 6 hours on the countdown clock. What does that do when it goes to zero? Does it open up anyway?

I wasn't even allowed to access the Companion's House for some reason without connecting online.

2 SMURFS EPIC RUN - ENERGY POINTS ECONOMY (STAGES 16-28)

Dear Readers,

Today I'll relay more about my session with this game, focusing on the energy point economy, as that really affects gameplay and how long your session can last, as far as playing stages is concerned.

First though, I was met with a Daily Bonus wheel spin. If I play every day I get these bonuses. There seems to be one if you play every day for 30 days. Day 30 has Papa Smurf in a cage, so I suppose that's how he is rescued.

At the start of this new session, I had my full 31 energy points. I picked a flying key level at Stage 20. Flying key levels cost coins, but not energy points.

I went on to stage 26, which cost 5 energy points. After the level I levelled up to 13, which replenished 10 energy points and increased max energy points by 1.

Remaining energy points: 32.

I decided to go back to stage 16 and try to rescue the 1 Smurf I missed. It cost 5 energy points to play. I assume I got one point back for waiting a few minutes

Remaining energy points: 28

He fell behind so I retried at a cost of another 5 energy points. I saved him this time.
Got 2 energy points for time passing..

Remaining energy points: 25

I earned 5 energy points by finding a shining spot on the map.

Remaining energy points: 30

Stage 17 to rescue 1 Smurf I left behind. Cost: 5 energy points.

Remaining energy points: 26

Stage 18 to rescue another Smurf I left behind. Cost: 5 energy points.
Got 3 energy points for time passing
Got 5 energy points for finding shining spot on map

Remaining energy points: 29

Cost 5 energy points to play stage 22 to rescue 1 last Smurf and collect 200 coins. Failed both.
Cost 5 energy points for retry. Hit by an enemy.
Cost 5 energy points for retry. Succeeded both!
Got 3 energy points for time passing.

Remaining energy points: 17

Cost 5 energy points to play stage 25 to rescue 1 last Smurf. Succeeded.
Got 2 energy points for time passing.

Remaining energy points: 14

Cost 5 energy points to play stage 26 and rescue 1 last Smurf.
Got 10 energy points and 1 maximum energy point increase for levelling up to 14.
Got 2 energy points for time passing.

Remaining energy points: 21

Cost 5 energy points to play stage 27. Hit by an enemy.
Cost 5 energy points for retry. Hit by spikes.
Cost 5 energy points for retry. Missed 2 Smurfs
Cost 5 energy points for retry. Succeeded.
Got 5 energy points for finding shining spot on map.
Got 4 energy points for time passing.

Remaining energy points: 10

Cost 5 energy points to play stage 28. Missed 3 Smurfs.
Cost 5 energy points to retry. Hit by spikes.
Got 4 energy points for time passing.

Remaining energy points: 4

Not enough to play another 5 point stage. I could've let time pass but I was out of other scrounging options and there were no other shining spots on the map, so I decided to call it a session. Just a taste of the energy points economy in action!

1 SMURFS EPIC RUN - FREE-TO-PLAY THROUGH, ECONOMICS AND ENDLESS RUNNING

Dear Readers,

For one of my first Free-To-Play experiences on the Android, I thought I'd have a go at Ubisoft's Smurfs Epic Run, a 2D endless runner style game.

It's got the very attractive and iconic Smurf designs of the comics, rather than the realistic Gollum-like designs of the CG movies. It's even got more obscure characters like the other female Smurf Sassette and the black Smurf. As a fan I might as well enjoy myself! I'll try and relay the experience of the game's levels, world and economy here.

Before I start though, I'd like to review the other option I have, and that is to turn the ads off. It costs 99 cents to do this.

On the loading screens, Brainy Smurf gives tips and there's a hashtag #SmurfsRun in the corner. Having a look on Twitter, I can see the experience of other people who have already played the dozens of randomised levels there on offer in the game.

The app takes about half a minute to load. The introductory cut scene shows how Gargamel conjures up this fog that seems to put the Smurfs in cages. This is why they're running endlessly.

At the stage complete screen, you have a ranking option that involves Facebook. It invites you to compete with your friends and earn free energy.

Energy is something you use whenever you start a stage. Here early on, you can retry the stage at a cost of 2 units of energy. On completing a stage, you're scored out of three stars. One is for completing the stage, one is for rescuing all the Smurfs in the stage and the last one is for collecting a minimum specified number of coins in the stage. For each star you get, you get experience points. Filling up this gauge allows you to level up. When you level up, you unlock options to buy stuff.

On stage 2, I rescued a "Legendary Smurf". These are Smurfs you can then pay coins to play as your endless running Smurf in the levels. Up until now I had been playing as a plain Smurf. I unlocked "Poet Smurf". I paid 50 coins to be able to play as him. At a glance I can see Smurfette in the list of Smurfs to play as. I'll have to complete stage 59 to unlock her, or pay 450 gems instead. Anyway, Poet Smurf has a slight glide ability and Smurfette is supposed to be the best at this.

On stage 3, I levelled up to level 2, which is rewarded by giving me 5 energy points and increasing my maximum energy points by 1.

Papa Smurf then told me about side challenges. When I fulfill them, I can claim the rewards offered for them. Three of these challenges are shown in rotation at once, one of which has a time limit.

I spent 3 energy points to play stage 4, which introduces danger signs and points to a detour. If I take the risk, I have a chance to earn more coins as a reward. I levelled up again to 2.

I spent 3 energy points to play stage 5. I rescued the "Doctor Smurf".

Another new feature showed up, "Special Offers!". Here I can pay for features with real world money. Some have a time limit of 3 days. The prices have a "Was so much, now this much!" style tag on them. For example, one was EUR10 and now it's EUR2.99.

I spent 4 energy points to play stage 6, so the energy price inflates the further you go. I levelled up to 4. At this level I unlocked a ring for purchase. This first ring extends the magnet potion by a couple of seconds.

Papa Smurf told me about companions, which are fairies that help me out if I open a magical chest. This first magical chest was free to open, but if I want more I have to pay coins or gems. This first fairy occasionally throws me a few coins during the run. Other fairies are determined by chance when I pay to open a chest. The Wheel of Chance was unlocked now too, which lets me try my luck 3 times per day. It costs 350 coins per spin.

I was prompted to turn on notifications, about new events, challenges or when my energy is full. I decided not to.

On stage 8, I got a special spring that bounced me up into the clouds like in a Mario game's coin heaven. There's a big sign here that says "Fiesta Time!". It also had some words spelled out in coins, nice words like "LOVE" and "KISS" and "COOL" and the names of some characters. I levelled up again to 5. At this level I unlocked equipment, this time a magnifying glass. I unlocked Farmer Smurf this time too.

Farmer Smurf has a sarsaparilla farm where the rescued Smurfs harvest leaves for me. I can trade sarsaparilla leaves for exclusive rewards. The farm here displays the hourly income of leaves gathered. This increases with more Smurfs rescued. There's also an option to increase storage.

Now there's a Weekly Tournament option for more prizes, but this also involves Facebook.

On stage 9, I got hurt and the option to revive and use an invincible golden king Smurf came up. It was the first time so I had to use it for the tutorial. It eats up gems, so I think I'll save on them in future.
After this, I was prompted to rate the game. I decided not to. For the record, I think the action gameplay is fun! The game's economy can be draining though.

I went back to stage 6 because there was a flying key there. It cost 350 coins to play. The stage was dark as a hazard.

Stage 10 I played as Flying Smurf, a Smurf with wings. Tapping makes him flap so it's Flappy Smurf now! I levelled up to 6 here.

On Stage 11 I died. When you die and don't continue, you get a picture of a bawling Smurf! Aw! I unlocked Graduate Smurf here.

During stage 12 and other stages I came across sections that needed the dash ability, but I don't have any Smurfs that have that ability yet.

Afterwards, I unlocked the Companions House. Here I'm able to send a companion fairy away for a few minutes to bring stuff back like energy points.

On stage 13 I levelled up to 8. When I got back I got my energy points from the companion fairy. I wanted to send him out again but I had to wait 15 minutes for him to rest.

On stage 15, I met enemies you have to avoid. They can't be jumped on with their spiky green helmets. Levelled up to 9 here. Unlocked Snappy Smurf, a smurf with a yellow shirt that has a lightning cloud on it. He looks like he's shouting not so nice things. He has a double jump ability. I can't afford him yet at 15000 coins.

After stage 16 I finally ran out of energy! The game gave me some options. One was to wait 3 minutes for 1 energy point. Another was to watch an ad for 4 energy points, various other energy refills for gems and lastly, a Facebook prompt for asking friends for energy.

Over the next couple of snowy village levels, I didn't get all the Smurfs and kept running out of energy, so I couldn't play any more stages. I spun the wheel for the amount of times I was allowed to this day.

On stage 19 it was another Flying Smurf stage. I levelled up to 10 here.

Went back to stage 18 and unlocked Hefty Smurf. Finally, someone with a dash ability! He's too expensive for me right now though at 18000 coins.

On stage 21 I was too absorbed in trying to pass the "Glide for 30 seconds" challenge to win 10 energy points that I glided into a spike, making me lose energy points too! Argh! Risked and unrewarded! After this I levelled up to 11.

I'm bored of winning the joker cards. They're only involved in Facebook so they're not of any use to me.

I tapped on the purple portal and this Epic Adventure thing came up, but I needed at least 6 Smurfs for it. I'm not sure what it is, but it seems to involve Gargamel.

On stage 22 I came across obstacles that come together just when you have to jump. It's kind of like when you try to shoot a Space Invader and hope it moves into the spot where you aimed.

After this I saw my first blue chest. It's blue because it needs Facebook to open it. There's also a red portal to Bonus Zone 1, but I needed four more stars to unlock it or spend 30 gems.

On stage 24, another Flying Smurf stage, it was a bit tougher than the other ones. I had to use two fingers tapping to stand a chance in it! I levelled up to 12 here.

I got into Bonus Zone 1 finally, but entry to a level costs 7 energy points. The first one was an awesome looking silhouette stage! Kind of like the loading screens in Rayman Origins. It does look awesome, but it's still very hard!

Energy scarcity is a problem now. I can buy unlimited energy for 1600 gems. Hmm... I can buy 1700 gems for EUR49.99. There's a solution I suppose! Otherwise it's all struggling with in-game budgeting and scrounging for gems, coins, energy points etc. That's the life of a free-to-player!

I think I'll stop with this game for now. Still got a good run out of it. Nice lengthy session.