Dinsun Review
I grew up hammering buttons on Konami's Track & Field in the arcade. That was a game of physical endurance and pure speed. Athletic Runners tries to bring that to a touch screen, but tapping a piece of glass just isn't the same. It feels more like a rhythm game than a sports game. If you miss the 'Perfect' window by a millisecond, your athlete slows down like they’ve hit a brick wall.
The progression is tied to a standard mobile 'stat upgrade' system. Instead of getting better at the game, you just wait until your 'Speed' stat is high enough to win. It takes the sport out of the sports game. It's okay for a few rounds, but it lacks the competitive spirit and 'just one more try' feel of the games I played in my youth.
Overall Stats
Pros & Cons
- Clean, vibrant art style
- Easy to understand timing mechanics
- Lacks the tactile satisfaction of physical buttons
- Stat-based winning feels cheap
- Very repetitive events
Technical Report
Performance: Input latency can occasionally ruin a 'Perfect' jump; otherwise stable.
- Visual timing indicators
Audience Fit
Buy if: You want a very casual way to experience Olympic-style events.
Skip if: You want a true test of skill and speed.
- Track & Field (Retro)
- Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games
Reviewer Context
- Reviewer: Dinsun, 40-year-old conservative hardcore gamer
- Hardware: iPhone 13 Pro
- Playtime: 4 hours
- Status: Won Regional Gold
