Subway Surfers Review: Gameplay, Release and Characters

Subway Surfers is a game that needs no introduction in the world of mobile gaming. Its popularity is unparalleled, with over three billion downloads to date, making it one of the most widely played mobile games of all time. Even if you’re not an avid mobile gamer, chances are you’ve heard of Subway Surfers.

At its core, Subway Surfers is an endless runner game that follows the escapades of young graffiti artists who are caught in the act by a grumpy inspector and his dog. The game’s objective is simple: run along the subway tracks, dodging obstacles like trains and barriers, and collecting coins and power-ups along the way.

What sets Subway Surfers apart is its accessibility. The game is easy to pick up and play, making it suitable for players of all ages and skill levels. Its vibrant graphics and catchy soundtrack add to its charm, creating an engaging and immersive gaming experience.

Original Subway Surfers Release

Subway Surfers made its debut in 2012, marking this year as its eighth anniversary. Developed by Kiloo, the game was initially inspired by the success of Temple Run, a popular title at the time.

Upon its release, Subway Surfers faced immediate criticism, with many labeling it as a Temple Run copycat. However, despite the similarities, Subway Surfers quickly gained its own following and even surpassed Temple Run in popularity for some players. Over time, Temple Run began to lose its appeal as newer games entered the market, while Subway Surfers continued to attract players with its fresh and engaging gameplay.

Subway Surfers Gameplay

Subway Surfers is an endless runner video game that kicks off with a tap on the touchscreen, as Jake, the game’s initial character, or any other character, sprays graffiti on a subway train and is caught in the act by the inspector and his dog. This prompts a chase where the player must swipe up, down, left, or right to dodge obstacles like moving subways, poles, tunnel walls, and barriers.

As the speed increases, swiping rapidly earns more points. Crashing into an obstacle ends the game, but players can continue by using keys or watching an ad. Throughout the game, players can collect various items including coins, keys, score multipliers, super sneakers, jetpacks, magnets, mystery boxes, and power jumpers.

The power jumper propels the character upward, the jetpack allows for flight, the coin magnet attracts coins, super sneakers enable higher jumps, and the score multiplier boosts the score rate. Hoverboards, which are activated by double-tapping the screen, provide temporary collision avoidance for about 30 seconds.

Characters in Subway Surfers

Subway Surfers boasts a diverse cast of characters, each with unique benefits and stats. Players can unlock new characters by completing challenges, collecting keys, spending in-game currency, or trading in tokens.

Since its release, Subway Surfers has introduced numerous characters, some of whom have become mainstays while others remain limited. Some characters also make periodic returns to the in-game store.

As of 2020, the game features over a hundred characters, with Kiloo likely to add more in the future, further expanding the game’s already extensive roster.