The Smurfs: Epic Run

The Smurfs: Epic Run is a 2D side-scrolling auto-run platformer based on the Belgian comic book franchise The Smurfs. The introduction shows how the wizard Gargamel creates a brew that spreads a purple gas cloud putting all the Smurfs to sleep. When they wake up, most of them are locked in a cage. It is up to the remaining Smurfs to free all the other villagers. The game consists of several small runs as levels unlocked along a winding path. By progressing, new types of Smurfs are unlocked and new abilities, companions and items can be acquired.

Levels generally have three objectives that can be completed to earn up to three stars: complete the level, free the required amount of Smurfs and collect a certain amount of coins. There are separate sets of levels away from the main level path and accessed through a purple portal. These can only be started when a certain amount of stars has been collected. The player always controls a single Smurf that runs to the right by itself. The player taps to make him jump to pass gaps, avoid obstacles, use platforms, land on launch pads or on top of enemies to defeat them. Sometimes there are branching paths with more difficult sections for a chance to grab large coins. Next to coins, Smurfs are freed by running into cages and there are potions that provide temporary abilities, such as a rainbow that covers gaps, a coin magnet, twice the amount of coins or invincibility. Smurfs that are freed follow the main one automatically, but can still be lost for instance through jumps that are too far for the ones following. Generally a single hit with a spike or an enemy ends the run. If the Smurf is held up at an obstacle, the purple cloud appears from the left and swallows the Smurf if it takes too long to get away. There are separate Fiesta bonus section in the clouds, flying levels using a steady tapping mechanic, and hidden scratch tickets that can be optionally collected. Certain levels offer the Smurf a chance to catch a key in a dark environment.

With a certain amount of stars new legendary Smurfs are unlocked as playable characters. These still need to be bought then using coins. Each Smurf has different abilities. Poet Smurf and Smurfette are able to glide, Doctor Smurf has an additional life and so on. Higher level Smurfs have the ability to dash through enemies or dive down vertically. Additional abilities are acquired by unlocking or buying companions, equipping rings and storing artifacts. The currencies can also be used to improve the effect of potions, buy Smurfs right away or continue after dying. The game has an energy/stamina system where a meter decreases for each run started, coins as a basic currency and gems as a premium currency. The latter two can be bought with real money as well. The player earns experience and with each new level new rewards are provided, next to completing missions for Papa Smurf. Farmer Smurf has a separate screen where sarsaparilla can be harvested and traded over time, for instance to earn keys that open golden chests with large rewards. There are rewards for logging in daily and a prize wheel that can be spun for free a few times per day. Additionally items can be collected in each environment to complete collections. Energy for runs is earned by waiting a while, by watching ads, buying it small portions, interacting with Facebook friends or by removing it completely through a large amount of gems. With a Facebook connection tickets can be earned to compete against friends.