Item: Bumpy Road
Rating: 94
Author: Dinsun

Our Site Score

94/100

Bumpy Road is a rare gem that manages to be both a challenging arcade game and a touching work of art. Developed by the visionary team at Simogo, the game tells a sweet 'love story on four wheels' about an elderly couple reminiscing about their past. Instead of controlling the car directly, you manipulate the ground, tapping to create bumps that push the vehicle forward or help it jump over obstacles. It's a unique and intuitive control scheme that feels perfectly suited for touchscreens.

The game is divided into several modes, each offering a different flavor of the experience. 'Evergreen Ride' is an endless journey focused on collecting memory fragments, while 'Sunday Trip' is a race against time. The most poignant mode is 'Memory Lane,' where you can sit back and watch the couple's life story unfold through the memories you've collected. With its beautiful hand-drawn aesthetic, a whimsical soundtrack, and a genuinely moving narrative, Bumpy Road is an unforgettable experience that proves mobile games can have a heart.

Reviewed on: Sun May 19 2024

Dinsun Review

Now this is more like it. Simogo actually tried to do something interesting with the touchscreen. Bumping the ground to move the car feels tactile and unique—it's not just another virtual D-pad. The story of the old couple is handled with a subtlety that most games lack. It’s sweet without being saccharine. My only complaint is that the 'Evergreen Ride' can feel a bit repetitive after a while, but the presentation is so charming it’s hard to stay mad at it. It’s a brief, artistic experience that actually respects the player’s time.

Overall Stats

Pros & Cons

Truly innovative controls
Beautiful, cohesive art style
Touching, non-intrusive story

Endless mode gets repetitive
Short overall experience
Physics can occasionally be finicky

Technical Report

Performance: Very smooth; art style scales perfectly to Retina displays.

Accessibility:

Simple touch-based controls
Visual storytelling

Audience Fit

Buy if: You appreciate indie games with artistic flair and unique mechanics.

Skip if: You want high-octane action or traditional racing controls.

Similar Games:

Sayonara Wild Hearts
Monument Valley

Reviewer Context

Reviewer: Dinsun, 40-year-old conservative gamer
Hardware: iPad Mini
Playtime: 5 hours
Status: Collected all memories

The Game

Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod

423855879

$2.99 4+★4.6 31 reviews

Author : Simogo AB

Pubish Date : Thu May 12 2011

Last Update Date : Sun Nov 25 2018

Support Languages : English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Swedish

Genres :

Version 2.5Sun Nov 25 2018

- Added support for new devices
A love story on four wheels!
Spring is here and a couple in their autumn years have decided to go for a ride in their car just like in the old days. Bump the road with a simple touch to safely guide them on their trip and help them collect the memories of their past.
- A new and unique control method - Use the touchscreen to modify the ground and push the characters around.
- A feel good arcade game with a moving story – Discover the life of a family as you find memories while you play.
- Travel as far as you can in ”Evergreen Ride” or beat your best time in ”Sunday Trip”. Then sit back and relax as you enjoy the story in ”Memory Lane”.
Chosen by Apple as Game of the Week!
”Bumpy Road is one of the best purchases I’ve made on the app store. Not just because the gameplay has a hook unlike anything I’ve played on an iOS device, but also because it’s got a fantastic aesthetic.” - IGN.com (9/10 Editor's Choice)
”While Bumpy Road is indeed a solid high scoring game, it’s the peripheral elements that transcend it from being merely a well-made video game to an unforgettable experience ... if you like high scoring games or touching works of art, then you won’t want to miss Bumpy Road ” - Toucharcade.com
"Must Have" - Slidetoplay.com (4/4)
” ... playing it means feeling love, not love for the designers or the medium or the state of being meaningfully distracted or the sense of communion with everyone who does this or even the game itself, but love. The feeling of love.” - Killscreendaily.com
Requires iOS 8.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
A love story on four wheels!
Spring is here and a couple in their autumn years have decided to go for a ride in their car just like in the old days. Bump the road with a simple touch to safely guide them on their trip and help them collect the memories of their past.
- A new and unique control method - Use the touchscreen to modify the ground and push the characters around.
- A feel good arcade game with a moving story – Discover the life of a family as you find memories while you play.
- Travel as far as you can in ”Evergreen Ride” or beat your best time in ”Sunday Trip”. Then sit back and relax as you enjoy the story in ”Memory Lane”.
Chosen by Apple as Game of the Week!
”Bumpy Road is one of the best purchases I’ve made on the app store. Not just because the gameplay has a hook unlike anything I’ve played on an iOS device, but also because it’s got a fantastic aesthetic.” - IGN.com (9/10 Editor's Choice)
”While Bumpy Road is indeed a solid high scoring game, it’s the peripheral elements that transcend it from being merely a well-made video game to an unforgettable experience ... if you like high scoring games or touching works of art, then you won’t want to miss Bumpy Road ” - Toucharcade.com
"Must Have" - Slidetoplay.com (4/4)
” ... playing it means feeling love, not love for the designers or the medium or the state of being meaningfully distracted or the sense of communion with everyone who does this or even the game itself, but love. The feeling of love.” - Killscreendaily.com

Ratings & Reviews

4.6 out of 5 with 31 Counts

★★★★★

Age Rating 4+

Bumpy Road is an award-winning adventure where players control the environment rather than the characters. By tapping the screen to modify the terrain, you push a small car forward, helping an elderly couple collect memories of their life. Featuring three game modes—Evergreen Ride, Sunday Trip, and Memory Lane—it combines unique physics with a moving narrative.

Features

Unique Ground-Pushing Controls

Touching Narrative Storyline

Endless 'Evergreen Ride' Mode

Beautiful Hand-Drawn Art

Whimsical Original Soundtrack

Tips

Collecting Memories

Prioritize collecting the photograph fragments found throughout the levels. These fragments unlock the story in 'Memory Lane,' giving you a deeper look into the characters' lives.

Promotion Videos

Bumpy Road Announcement Trailer - YouTube

Gameplays

Terrain Manipulation

Tap the ground directly behind the car to push it forward, or tap directly under it to make it jump. Mastering the timing of these bumps is key to avoiding hazards.