Subway Surfers

Overview

If you are talking about popular mobile games, then Subway Surfers must be on your Top 5. The game was developed by Kiloo and SYBO Games and was released in 2012. This fast, endless runner has gained the attention of hundreds of millions of players worldwide with its smooth visuals and addictive gameplay. It is available on iOS and Android for download and even for online play.

Gameplay

The game starts when a teenager (called Jake) is caught drawing graffiti on a train by a grumpy inspector and his dog. The chase leads into a never-ending subway system filled with obstacles, trains, and coins. The controls of the game are swipes. Swiping left and right results in changing lanes, swiping up makes the player jump and swiping down causes the player to roll. Double-taping the screen activates the Hoverboard, which grants temporary protection from obstacles. Multiple power-ups are presented to the player in-game:


  • Jetpack: Allows you to fly above the tracks and collect coins without any obstacles.
  • Super Sneakers: These enable you to jump higher.
  • Coin Magnet: Attracts all nearby coins without needing to move.
  • 2x Multiplier: Doubles your game score for a limited time.

Overview Image

There are two main currencies in Subway Surfers. The Coins, which are earned during runs and are used to buy upgrades, hoverboards and characters. The Keys are rarer than coins. They are used to revive after a crash and unlock exclusive content. The game also allows you to choose different characters that can be unlocked through coins, missions or special items. Each has unique outfits and animations. The characters include Trichy, Fresh, Yutani, Mei, Koral, Brody, etc. Many of these characters come with alternative outfits.

Subway Surfers shows brilliant, colourful graphics with smooth and simple animations. Each World Tour stop features localised artwork and background music. To keep players engaged, the game contains daily challenges (collect letters and spell out a word during the run), weekly hunts and missions (hard objectives to increase your score multiplier).

Monetization

Subway Surfers is free-to-play with optional in-game purchases and ads. Players can buy more coins or keys from the shop. They can watch ads to double rewards, revive after crashing, and open mystery boxes. A collection of items can also be bought from limited-time deals. Despite these monetisation methods, the game remains playable without spending money, although players with more keys obviously can create higher scores by continuing their run repeatedly.

Overview Image

Tips and Tricks

  • Use both thumbs for better control, especially if you are playing on larger screens.
  • Running on top of trains is often safer than staying on the ground, as it provides better visibility of the field and avoids most barriers.
  • Learn to use power-ups effectively. You can increase their duration and their chances of appearing in the shop.
  • Try not to use keys early in a run.
  • Always use hoverboards in long runs.
  • Complete daily and weekly challenges to win coins, keys, and mystery boxes.
  • Focus on missions to increase your multiplier. This will raise your multiplier to x30.
  • Subway Surfers uses preset obstacle patterns that repeat at higher speeds.
  • Jumping and switching lanes in mid-air is often required in runs.
  • Watch other YouTubers and gamers to check their gameplay decisions.

Experts' Corner

Gameplay Screenshot

Best character and hoverboard combos:


  1. Jake + Bouncer: Great for perfecting timing with Super Jump.
  2. Tricky + Great White: Helpful in high-speed visuals, and the hoverboard helps in narrow escapes.
  3. Tagbot + Hot Rod: Good for long runs and grindings.
  4. Yutani (Gadget Outfit) + Lowrider: Quick and agile character, supported by the Lowrider’s drift.
  5. Zombie Jake + Bouncer: Used by pro players for style points. This combo works great during Halloween and darker city maps.