Spoiler Alert Review

Auto-runners are plentiful on the App Store, but Spoiler Alert is an auto-runner with a significant difference: it works in reverse. Instead of completing it in the conventional manner, you're 'uncompleting' it, going backwards through the timeline and returning to the start of the game. It's a neat idea and, while it doesn't always succeed, it deserves some attention.

Working in reverse means you have to complete the timeline of events just right, meaning that Spoiler Alert turns into a form of puzzle game. You can't just go backwards through a level however you want. Instead, you have to conform to what must have happened earlier. Flattened head of an enemy to the left of you? That means you jumped on it earlier, which means you need to jump on it again. Mess up and a 'time paradox' occurs, and you return to the start end of the level again.

As the game progresses more expectations are placed on you, such as catching fireballs that you've originally flung at an enemy or timing your jumps just right in order to 'uncollect' coins. It's often quite tricky, and at times you're going to be a bit infuriated by what's unfolding. Repetition is the key here, with usually your first attempt being used to figure out what to do later on. Fortunately each level is quick to complete. Controls are mostly tight but occasional timing issues do arise, especially when trying to do things quickly.

Being so tightly restricted to following a specific path doesn't always succeed, but while it takes some time to be truly comfortable with the backwards concept, Spoiler Alert is certainly memorable. As a way of making the auto-runner a bit more interesting than usual, it's worth taking a look at.