BIT.TRIP RUNNER
Rhythm/Music/Platform
Steam Link

This is a game that I have in fact played before and oh I love it. I just love it. It's one of my favorite "chill out" games.

In it, you play Commander Video, who I think is an alien or astronaut or something? I'm not sure. Either way, it doesn't matter, because the point is that in this game he is merrily dashing along in time to some immensely cheery music and it is your job to help him avoid obstacles and collect gold and power-ups.

bit trip runner 1.png

So you jump...

bit trip runner 2.png

And slide...

bit trip runner 3.png

And kick, and bounce, and other fun things. This is all done in time to the music and the sounds all blend together wonderfully. The song also increases in intensity as you go along.

If you collect all the coins in a level, you get to go to a fun bonus level inspired by Pitfall and other old Activision games.

bit trip runner 4.png

The bonus level, by the way, is even more difficult than the normal levels.

If you mess up in the middle of one of the levels, you are sent back to the beginning. In most levels this isn't a huge deal, but in some of longer marathon levels you will definitely regret every little mistake. Especially since these levels love to throw bouncy balls at you and you have to remember which ones to duck under and which ones to jump over. So if you start playing this game and want it to be more difficult, don't worry - it'll get there eventually.

I'm not sure what it is about this game, exactly, that makes me love it so much. It might be that the music is so happy and pleasant, or it might be the solid gameplay, or it might be the fact that even when you get thoroughly frustrated at it, you just can't hate it. It's too cheerful to hate it. It's too relaxing to hate it.

Anyways, get it. It's one of my favorite Steam games.

THE VERDICT:

  • So fun, so relaxing, so happy
  • I honestly think pretty much everyone would like this game
  • Definitely pick this up if you see it unless you really hate music games or something
  • Great music
  • Great art
  • Great everything
  • Have I mentioned that I love this game?