Bit Trip Runner 2 Review

Gaijan Games is back with the latest game in the Bit Trip series with Runner 2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien, a complicated name for a wacky game. While entries in the Bit Trip series have been entirely different from one another, Gaijan Games has always focused on creating a challenging and fairly unforgiving arcade experience across all of its titles. Runner 2 is no different.

Runner 2, like Bit Trip Runner before it, is essentially an endless runner. While somewhat similar games like Temple Run have dominated the mobile space for a few years now, the Runner games are more akin to a classic arcade game than anything remotely casual in nature.

Like all good arcade games, the gameplay is simple at its core. Run to the end of the level without hitting any obstacles while grabbing as much of the gold and hidden pick-ups throughout the level as possible. The player does not directly control the character’s running, which happens automatically, only the character’s actions like jumping and sliding. Every action, jump and pick up in the level is timed to line up with the game’s wonderfully atmospheric electronic music that allows Runner 2 to almost be played like a rhythm game, rather than a standard platformer.

While the game starts with the player simply running and jumping, more and more mechanics began to be introduced, raising the difficulty of later levels considerably. After a few hours of play, I found myself running, jumping, sliding, blocking, kicking, slide-jumping, using jump platforms and more. It is in these more complicated and more difficult stages that the game really gets fun. Every level feels like a sizeable accomplishment, especially when you are able to collect every collectable on a single run. Even more difficult and rewarding (if you are the right type of person) is going for a truly high score. Some of the mechanics introduced after the first world make getting that perfect run (from a score standpoint) even more difficult. Not only do you need to dodge every obstacle and nab every pick up, you need to be spot on with all of the game’s timing and execute especially precise button presses in order to really get a massive score.

The most obvious change in Runner 2 when compared to the original is the absolutely massive graphics overhaul Gaijan has given the game. In what I believe is a first for the developer, they have let their 8 and 16-bit style go to the wayside and have chosen to replace it with a much more visually striking full 3D style that makes use of a number of unique objects and characters throughout the game’s background and foregrounds while fitting the general atmosphere of the game and music perfectly. It is exciting to think of what other games Gaijin will making in the future with this kind of style and more advanced graphics. It really helps the game stand out from the crowd of other indie platformers out there, something of which there are many.

While Runner 2 is definitely a difficult game, the original Runner could be frustratingly ruthless. Much of this is alleviated in Runner 2 through the addition of mid-level checkpoints that allow you to start off from the middle of a level if you hit an obstacle rather than restarting the entire level like in the original. This new checkpoint mechanic even factors into the game for those truly hardcore players looking for a high score. Just jump over the checkpoint and keep going to get a sizeable point boost, but be sure not to hit a single obstacle or you’ll be sent all the way back to the beginning of the level.

There is a lot to do in Runner 2, and it’s this addition of more levels, more worlds, more costumes, more alternate exits and more unlockable characters that really make it such a big improvement over the original game. The game includes five themed worlds with 19 stages each. A number of funny and truly bizarre characters (see the reverse merman) are unlocked by completed certain bonus levels.

Treasure chests and retro levels (styled like an 8-bit titles complete with lives and an old school title screen) are hidden all throughout the game. Leaderboards allow you to compete against friends and the rest of the world if high scores and achievement hunting are your thing. Only the most hardened and committed players will be able to gain access to everything Runner 2 has to offer, and that’s great for a game that rewards player concentration and actual player skill.

Runner 2 is a very solid game. Like most of Gaijan’s games, it picks one thing to do and it does it very well. The addition of really spectacular visuals and a strong sense of style that mostly escapes the indie game standard of Atari and NES-style visuals takes the game even further. Runner 2 is a game that includes more than the original, does a better job of introducing the player to new mechanics and is a bit more lenient, allowing the player to get through levels without hours of frustrating replays. While it may simply be more of the same, it’s better, stronger and more fun than the original.