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Found 3 results

  1. The first Runner game was released as part of the Bit.Trip series, an extra-challenging collection of different gameplay styles, all presented in sharp, minimalist graphics. Runner2 leapt into a whole other dimension with HD graphics but retained the first game's penchant for difficult, rhythm-based action gameplay. Now Runner3 once again expands on the formula with a new collection of surreal and delightful levels that will test the limits of your dodging abilities. Some aspects make the game a bit more repetitive than it needs to be but new gameplay features add invaluable tools to CommanderVideo's running repertoire. Even though there are cutscenes (of a sort) in Runner3, this isn't a game you play for the story. That's not to say the writing is bad—far from it, actually. The game is rife with hilarious, absurd, and surreal world building, and the developers clearly delight in making Charles Martinet recite tongue-twisting narrations. There are also optional cutscenes that you can only see if you collect all stickers within a world, and the charming paper-craft puppet theater presentation makes the effort well worth it. The overarching plot still boils down to "beat the bad guys," but the path to get there is so delightfully bizarre that Runner3 always manages to surprise you, in very strange ways. When you look back on the game though it won't be the story that sticks in your mind, it'll be the challenging rhythm gameplay. Runner3 builds off of the rhythmic-running gameplay of the previous two games: CommanderVideo (or whichever character you choose to use) always moves forward, and your job is to dodge obstacles by jumping, sliding, and kicking. One of the best things about the Runner games is that the basic concept is almost endlessly playable. Even if this game just used the above three inputs there could conceivably be hundreds of levels created around different songs and combinations of obstacles. And Runner3 does a fantastic job of creating varied levels so there's always a new challenge to tackle. Of course, Runner3 doesn't just retread old concepts. There are some important new features here, including two invaluable input methods: double jump and fast drop. Anyone that played previous Runner games will understand that these are game changers, not just because they provide for new obstacles but because they give you the chance to change up CommanderVideo's movements. Essentially, you have some options when it comes to certain obstacles—in previous games every obstacle has one action to overcome it (jump over low hazards, duck under high ones, etc.). In Runner3 however, there's some wiggle room now, and you don't have to be quite so precise with the rhythm. Obviously the game is still based around the rhythmic action, but if you're off a little bit or make a mistake you won't necessarily fail. Double jumping in particular provides a useful safety net, while fast dropping lets you be incredibly precise with your jumps. In a way these features make Runner3 possibly the most accessible of the Runner games. Now I'll temper that last statement by saying Runner3 is still a very difficult game. Even with the benefit of double jumping you cannot afford to make mistakes—one hit sends you back to the start of the level or the mid-way checkpoint. All of the Runner games are known for their difficulty though and this one is mostly on par with them, except for the optional extra-difficult levels (appropriately named "impossible levels") which may leave you cross-eyed and cursing just to finish the level, much less collect all of the gold and gems. Runner pros will enjoy the challenge but don't take the impossible levels lightly. Not all of the new features in Runner3 are totally positive, though. For one thing, each level now has two paths, the second of which only unlocks after completing the level once. It's a neat concept but in practice it gets a little tiring having to replay a level repeatedly, especially because the alternate paths only make up a small portion of the level. It's also a little obnoxious that, in order to grab stickers or other collectibles for hero quests, you often have to go off the beaten path, meaning you'll miss out on gold or gems. It's understandable that they'd be a little hidden since they're optional collectibles but the completionist in me is annoyed that you miss out on gold or gems to get them. Thankfully collectibles stay with you if you fail and restart, so you can actually just grab one then immediately die to get back on track. This is kind of an unnecessary workaround though, and the game really shouldn't expect the player to sacrifice one attempt just for collectibles. The controls are easy enough to learn as you play more and more—you'll want the inputs to be completely second nature. One minor tip though: turn off rumble if you're playing in handheld mode. When you're dying over and over the rumble starts to get a little annoying. Runner3 continues Runner2's tradition of completely bonkers art design, and it's fantastic. Half of the visuals look like something out of a fever dream—I'd actually recommend letting someone else play for a bit so you can take in the graphics and scenery without focusing on obstacles. The character design is also completely insane and oftentimes it seems like the developers enjoy skirting the line between hilarious and gross. Still, the surreal art style is just part of Runner3's charm, and anyone would have to admit that it's a unique, memorable style. And of course the game wouldn't be what it is without a phenomenal soundtrack, one that is just as weird as the visuals at times but is always infectiously catchy. (Give it a listen) Each track is perfect for a rhythm game: you get into the groove of the music and let it inform your movements on screen. Charles Martinet also returns as narrator (and as an unlockable playable character!) and gives the entire game a wonderfully charming, 80s Saturday morning cartoon vibe. Compared to Runner2, Runner3 cuts down on the number of levels and brings the selection down to three worlds of ten levels each, plus three impossible levels in each world and three retro worlds. To be fair though, the levels feel significantly longer than previous games, and generally display more complex level design as well. The $30 price tag feels a little high, but there's a lot of quality content here, especially for completionists. Runner3 introduces some fantastic new features to the franchise's gameplay while still providing an incredibly challenging adventure full of surreal visuals and wonderfully catchy tunes. Runner fans will love having a new selection of challenges that perfectly blend fast-paced action and rhythmic gameplay, and new players might be drawn in by the game's incomparable sense of style and new mechanics that make the gameplay slightly more forgiving. Either way, it's great to see another adventure for CommanderVideo and friends. Rating: 8 out of 10 Runners
  2. I'm sure some other people here have been looking forward to the next Bit.Trip Runner game as much as I have, and now the release date is just a couple months away! Choice Provisions has announced that it'll be $30 for a digital copy and $40 for the physical release, but you'll also get a variety of bonus goodies (see above). Check out the game's site for more details.
  3. Choice Provisions has been sharing bits of their work on Runner3 for a whole now (see more on their site's Devlog) and they've just debuted the first piece of music from the upcoming rhythm game, complete with concept art for Foodland. The music is being composed by Matt Harwood who also did music for the rest of the Bit.Trip series, so the general vibe should feel familiar. I've gotta say it seems even goofier than Runner2 but I can already picture running along to the beat. (Also I'm not sure if this is more appropriate in General Nintendo or General Gaming–technically I don't think Runner3 has been officially announced for any console yet, so I'm just gonna put it here.)
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