The Walk (1.2)

Synopsis of the App

Part activity tracker, part story, part game, The Walk app is not just a pedometer it's an interactive adventure.

Platform and Price

$2.99. Apple, Android

RD Score

4 out of 5

Pros

  • At least 13 hours of audio in 65 chapters to walk the length of the United Kingdom.
  • Walk in the real world to move in the game.
  • Every step counts during the day to uncover clues in each new chapter of the walking adventure.
  • Motivating gameplay that's rewarded with clues and unlocking rewards and achievements as you progress.
  • Audio puts you directly in the action.
  • Automatically adapts to individual fitness level.
  • Encourages walkers to take the longer, more scenic route to earn special collectibles and find hidden recordings.
  • Promotes activity with updates on the minutes required to walk to reach the next story clip.
  • Offers achievements in every episode and rewards for finishing an episode in 24 hours.
  • Delivers notifications along the route to allow you to hear scenes the next story clip along your walking route.
  • Extensive FAQs and support provided within the app.

Cons

  • Must carry the phone in your pocket or purse for continuous tracking and game play.
  • Significant battery drain due to app running in the background.
  • Must tap to play audio clips. It would make for a more engaging story if you could hear the clips automatically.
  • Walking without listening to the story creates a backlog of clips that takes some of the fun out of the game.

Bottom Line

A pedometer at heart, The Walk will appeal adventure seekers and avid readers. Using an engaging storyline to promote movement is a clever way to encourage activity. You have to walk to get the next clip. No way around it.

Food & Nutrition Magazine
Food & Nutrition Magazine publishes articles on food and diet trends, highlights of nutrition research and resources, updates on public health issues and policy initiatives related to nutrition, and explorations of the cultural and social factors that shape Americans’ diets and health.