Indie Pick: 'Canabalt'

It's the simple concepts that tend to be the most striking, and Canabalt takes an idea and literally runs with it. Jumping with a single keystroke, you leap from rooftop to rooftop running for your life. Buildings crumble underneath you and strange projectiles fall from the sky, threatening both your chances of survival and that elusive highscore.

Although the idea is incredibly straightforward, the escape feels far more terrifying that you could possibly expect. It takes a few attempts to finally lift your eyes from the platforms to the destroyed cityscape behind, realising what actually might be on your tail. The monotone visuals and bass-heavy music ramps up the tension considerably, as do the subtle details of flying doves and smashed glass that contribute to the War Of The Worlds-inspired carnage around you.

While the atmosphere captures your attention, like any good flash game, you'll return over and over again to better your score. Making your way further is a combination of quick reactions and carefully considered landings, as each randomly-generated building (both in height, length and content) could have a box positioned at the point of landing or an alien projectile that lands right in front of you. You can tactically use the boxes to slow you down so jumps are easier to make, but if they're followed up by a collapsing building you're done for. Whether you fall to your death or turn into a fine, pink mist, you'll dust yourself off and have another go.

Canabalt truly is a case of a simple, honed concept superbly executed. You can play a flash version for free, or grab an iPhone version for a couple of quid, which has been far and away our platform of choice. Don't let this pass you by.

What are your thoughts on Canabalt? What's the furthest distance you've run? Add a comment in the space below!