Aerial_Knight's Never Yield

This running-based game is fast-paced and engaging, but the controls hold it back from being fully immersive. The graphics in Aerial_Knight's Never Yield are high-quality, and kids don't have to do anything to move the main character forward -- he continually runs in that direction. But they'll need to tap on the screen for other motions. Touching the upper half, for instance, will cause him to jump, and placing your finger on the left quadrant of the screen will prompt him to vault over things at a lower height. That's not explicitly explained -- the tutorial doesn't offer much direct instruction. It basically just gives kids a chance to test out the controls. The plot points in the Story mode are similarly brief. Kids will probably be able to figure the game controls out, but may be confused about who they're running from -- or why.

The difficulty level options available in the Story mode offer some elements kids may find helpful. In the normal mode, for instance, the game switches to slow-motion as you approach objects, which gives additional time to react. Kids will get some more detailed hints on what to do in the insane mode. They can try to beat levels repeatedly without any consequence. If they can't do it on the first attempt, they won't be pressured to buy things or watch a ton of ads -- the main reward for advancing in the game is unlocking new outfits. The controls are really the largest drawback -- they can be laggy at times, and the app can freeze on the screen you're taken to after finishing a level, forcing you to close and reopen the game to continue, which can cause some frustration when playing. If kids keep having to repeat levels over and over because of that, they may not want to keep playing -- which would be a shame, because aside from those glitches, the game's stylish look, slick hip-hop-and-jazz-infused soundtrack, and diverse array of challenges offer an otherwise enjoyable experience.