One Tap Quest

It’s the simple things in life, really. At first glance, this Web-based game from an unknown designer resembles Frogger: a lone hero needs to move toward the top of the screen through a variety of shifting dangers. However, unlike Frogger, once you set the 8-bit–inspired hero in motion, his unwavering linear movement is beyond your control. One tap—click of the mouse—to set your starting place and then you’re off on your quest. Along the way, the warrior will kill baddies, collect power-ups, earn experience points and levels, or die at the hands of a more powerful enemy, causing the game to reset with randomized locations for the enemies and power-ups. If you do make it to the top of the screen, you battle the boss—no, you don’t get to click the mouse again—and, if successful, complete the game and receive your high score. A praiseworthy score is one over 20,000—an accomplishment that’s a combination of random power-up placement, a little skill, and a lot of luck. One Tap Quest is an addictive time suck that asks how far—and for how long—will we chase the high score?