The infamous difficult second album. It affects most bands and it can also happen to game developers or any creative type/field. Having to follow up Bit.Trip runner on Wii and 3DS is a big challenge to take on. It was essentially just a level-curated infinite runner game that was executed excellently but going in for a second round on a title in this genre is a risky move at the best of times as adding depth has the possibility both complicate the game too much or show how limited the original idea really was.
First, if you have never played Bit.Trip Runner on Wii or 3DS I suggest you stop reading this review and pick up a copy of it on the eShop (preferably Bit.Trip Saga if you want the entire game collection). Don’t worry about this review for the moment it will still be here when you get back.
I will assume that you are back having spent at least 5 hours playing through one of the most addictive games produced in recent years and definitely one of the best platform running games ever. With that you have an excellent idea of where I’m heading with this review.
Runner 2 is the continuation of the adventures of Commander Video in his quest to save all his fellow video game heroes after being sucked into a void. The story line to drive to need for more runner gameplay is simple but executed with some real class. All the visuals of the cut scenes being done in a style reminiscent of Saul bass 1960s works and are backed by the voice over work of Charles “It’s a-me” Martinet, it something simple but it instantly gives this title some real class from the instant it is loaded up. This is not a heavy plot driven adventure but unlike some other recent platform games it does contribute to the overall good vibes this game sends out.
Gameplay wise it is a continuation of what has come before with the original Runner title. You are moving from the left of the level to the right and a set uncontrollable pace and it is up to you to control Commander Video’s actions to collection gold and avoid harm.
The controls are incredibly simple as you use the directional pad and two face buttons to Jump, slide, flying kick and twirl your way to the finish line. Simple it might be but being very snappy and responsive makes this title feel incredibly solid. One factor that I personally appreciated with the tightened responsiveness is that the entire experience feels very manageable no matter how difficult it gets. The game tries to keep you playing by being linnet on how sensitive dealing out deaths are, there are very few instances when it feels like you where cheated out of a victory. If you fail you know it’s just your skills where not up to the task.
Level designs start of simple to get you in the groove of the controls on hand and the overall style of the game being presented – As the complexity goes up so does the difficulty. Very quickly it becomes a challenge of taking advantage of the level’s layouts and simultaneously dodge or destroy all the obstacles thrown at you. It’s a fast moving title in this respect with no level taking more than 2 minutes if done perfectly but potentially much longer if you get really stuck. This is a game about honing your reaction and memory skills, it is punishing in its complexity of the levels but you are given unlimited restarts to make it a lot more bearable. Finishing a particularly brutal level can be one of your greatest achievements in life, yes better than that time you got two cheese burgers for the price of one.
The levels can split off into multiple tracks to allow for different end goals, this is helpful in progressing through the world map with split paths and goals through out. Find all the keys and take all the paths and you will treated to 95 levels in total, this boils down to a game that is much longer and has much more depth to it that initially presented. Collect all the gold in a level and you will be given the chance to up your overall score by firing Commander Video into a target with a cannon in a similar style to darts. If you want to be a leader with the online leader board then you have to get very good at this, that or just cry in a fetal position like I do. One of these techniques works better than the other.
It’s a fine balance that Gaijin games could have messed up severely, if any one part isn’t in check then the whole game would fall apart but thankfully this is a non issue here and they should be commended for the excellent job on display here.
The sound track too is synchronized with the level designs but, personally speaking, they are nothing special. What is on hand does do a good job of driving the experience as you collect point upgrades through out each level the music will evolve along with when the character does. It’s a neat effect but doesn’t always lead to a particularly memorable overall end-result, it’s not terrible by any degree it’s just not a classic soundscape by any means which is a shame because the original gained loads of character thanks to this area.
The visuals have the same issue as well. Out with the pixel art and in with a polygonal textured bizarro world that removes all the minimal visual style of the original in favor of a more modernized look. Overall everything is very well crafted, with the variety of slightly pastel yet brightly coloured levels realized very well and provide some interesting backgrounds but as a whole it feels out of place with the rest of the Bit.Trip series. I understand they wanted to set this title apart form the previous iterations but at the same time it feel like advancement for advancements sake more than something that was really required.
At the very least even with the new lick of shiny visuals on show the frame rate is a constant 60fps the whole way so to not interrupt the gameplay with technology. It’s really down to overall styling, it will appeal to some people more than others in this situation. There is nothing hideously ugly or obviously bad on show about this title, it’s just a little vague on character.
My only complaint as a whole simply comes down tot eh genre itself. Being more a rhythm game than platformer does have it’s limitations but I will not judge it poorly because of this. This game is never going to be a Super Mario game but it never tries to be, it is for the most part unique in it’s genre (excluding Vib-Ribbon on Ps1 if anybody remembers that) and it should be respected for it’s achievements.
This is a very tight game as a whole, while the ascetics are a little off relevant to the rest of the Bit.Trip series, the overall gameplay on hand is excellently pitched and is very worthy of the sequel treatment. It’s fair and balanced for the most players but it can easily push the most hardened gamers as the potential challenge on hand is extreme but only if the player chooses to go that way. As one of the most addictive indie games in recent years and the fact that they have managed to keep the overall idea fresh for another round is an admirable effort.
Another new addiction?