Gamezebo Rating:

In the gravity-defying world of Ring Run Circus, motion and precision are key. Performers Nina, Ned, and Nelson have perfected the art of wheeling along their circus's myriad of interconnected rings, performing acrobatic stunts to wow the crowds present only in the mind of big top dreamer Ringo. Ringo's ideal circus takes place high above the ground on dozens of metallic circles, and it's the player's job to maneuver his star performers along these rings to the exit gate that marks the end of each standalone show and stage.

Our three acrobats share the ability to roll around the stage and switch between rings by simply tapping at their intersections. However, each character also boasts a personal skill that allows them to perform a talent unique to them alone: Nina can jump over obstacles, Ned can slap other characters that get in his way, and Nelson can activate switches by tugging them with his cane. While every level demands the same goal--collect the key located somewhere in the stage and use it to exit the gate--the challenges and design of the stage will differ depending on the character being featured. Nina is pitted against bouncy blockages, Ned's levels are filled with circus lions and strong men that will knock him down if not smacked first, and Nelson's stages are more puzzle-like, requiring levers to be pulled in order and rings moved to open paths to the key and gate.

The stages are separated into four worlds, with each performer soloing a series of 13 levels and sharing the stage in the final set, which features changing stations that allow players to swap between characters when needed. In order to move on to the next world and performer, you'll need to collect at least 16 flowers total for a given character; flower pieces are scattered about each stage in tricky-to-reach places, with three complete flowers available per level. A fourth flower is attained by perfecting the level within a specific time, but strangely, this flower does not count toward the required total and acts merely as a personal challenge gauge.