BIT.TRIP RERUNNER revisits the classic BIT.TRIP RUNNER series and comes complete with extra levels, additional material that gives a peak behind the scenes, and a level maker to make, share, and play user created levels. If you are a fan of the BIT.TRIP series, RERUNNER definitely looks to be the ultimate version out as of now.
I played the original BIT.TRIP RUNNER back in 2011 and I do remember enjoying the game so I went back and reinstalled it to take a trip down memory lane. I do have to say the original game is much more difficult than I remember!
RERUNNER makes use of generous checkpoints in the levels. If you hit an obstacle or miss a gold bar, you can go back to the most recent checkpoint to start that section over without having to redo the entire level. The original RUNNER game has no checkpoints and even at normal difficulty has a much higher density of obstacles and gold bars to get.
The remake definitely feels much easier to play and way more accessible to gamers of all levels. You can still increase the difficulty and turn off checkpoints to simulate a higher level of difficulty if so desired. As a side note, there are a few achievements linked to playing on the hardest setting.
As for other differences, RERUNNER has much better graphics and some new abilities. An absorb ability as well as a blast ability were added into the game. Absorb is used to absorb solid black cubes that block your way while blast is mostly used to destroy white aerial cubes.
As for how the game feels, it manages to capture the same feel of the series while providing a fresh coat of paint and making it much more accessible. There’s just something catchy about the rhythm based mechanics of BIT.TRIP blending in with the retro-esque chiptune soundtrack that make it a blast to play.
The level designer seems pretty simple and intuitive to use for the most part. I didn’t get to mess around with it a lot but what little I did play with seemed to be easy to use. There’s already a substantial amount of levels, especially considering the bonus levels, but when you add in the user created levels, there’s a fair amount of running to be done.
Overall, BIT.TRIP RERUNNER doesn’t break any new ground with the runner genre and they certainly could have done the bare minimum with the remake and cashed out, but boy can I tell the developers actually put in a lot of love and care into this game. You can feel it oozing out of every pore. That’s what sums up BIT.TRIP for me, it’s a solid game made by people who care.
Additional Info
Steam Store Page : https://store.steampowered.com/app/2222540/BITTRIP_RERUNNER/
Review Score: 98% positive with a total of 115 reviews as of this writing (09/27/23)
Developer: Choice Provisions, Gamecraft Studios
Publisher: Choice Provisions
Release Date: Sep 19, 2023
MSRP: $19.99
I received a key from keymailer. Thanks to the runnerific person for approving my request!
Time spent: 6.3 hours
Achievement Score: 10/36 achievements (I have to double perfect the bonus levels)
Ducky Obrien 