Runner3 is a rhythm-based auto-running platformer developed by the folks at Choice Provisions. After a 5 year hiatus since the great BIT.TRIP. Presents… Runner2, Choice Provisions has dropped the BIT.TRIP. moniker and made several changes to the Runner formula that can be a hit or a miss for fans of the series. Regardless of how you feel about these changes, Runner3 is still a good rhythm platformer at its core and should be considered a worthy entry into the series.
The Return of Timbletot
As soon as you begin the game, you’re greeted by the delightful voice of Charles Martinet (best known as the voice of Super Mario) narrating CommanderVideo’s new adventure. CommanderVideo and friends are enjoying their vacation in Foodland when their festivities are interrupted by a cheeseburger in a trenchcoat known as Cheesethroat. Cheesethroat informs them that the Timbletot, the recurring main villain of the BIT.TRIP.RUNNER series, has returned to destroy the multiverse. CommanderVideo and friends set out to put a stop to the Timbletot so they can go back to enjoying their vacation. The absurd nature of the story and the wacky themes of each world perfectly demonstrate Runner3’s ethos of not taking itself too seriously.
Runner3 takes the series from its classic retro 2D presentation to bright and colorful 3D environments. Even though the majority of the game is still played as a 2D sidescroller, CommanderVideo and friends find themselves running through levels with wacky backgrounds, strange themes, and interactive set pieces. The three main worlds in Runner3 are Foodland, Spookyland, and Machineland. These weird themes are paired with a soundtrack that perfectly captures the absurdity of the presentation. One of the best things about the BIT.TRIP.RUNNER series is the fact that the way you play affects the music. Failing to collect a gold bar or gem leaves the music feeling incomplete as a note or tone is played each time an item is collected. When you’re in the rhythm and hitting every note, Runner3 rewards you with a feeling of accomplishment and a catchy song for you to get stuck in your head long after you’re done playing.
Platforming to the Beat
In order to stop Timbletot, CommanderVideo and friends must jump, double-jump, kick, slide, and dance their way through rhythm-based platforming levels littered with various obstacles, enemies, and collectibles. The BIT.TRIP.RUNNER series has always been challenging, but Runner3 does a good job at pacing each new mechanic so you’re not immediately overwhelmed. Runner3 also features retro levels hidden throughout the game. These levels do not play like the core Runner game as they are actually 2D sidescrolling action platformers. You still go through these levels by avoiding obstacles, defeating enemies, and collecting items, but you have total control of the character and are not bound by the rhythm based platforming of the main game.
Runner3 introduces a few new concepts to change up the core rhythm-based platforming the series is known for. Hero Quests, vehicles, and branching paths are all new additions to the series and each one can be considered a hit or miss. As you play through levels, you might come across a random character who needs your help. Usually, these characters will ask you to collect 3 of a certain item that is littered throughout various levels for a special reward. Vehicles break up the core side-scrolling gameplay of the game by having you take full horizontal or vertical control of your character. Some of the vehicles you’ll be able to control includes airplanes, cars, and even a bowling ball. Branching paths do not play a huge role in the game until after you’ve completed the original level. The branching paths of each level have you collecting gems and gold bars in a more difficult obstacle course where your abilities will surely be tested.
Each level features 100 gold bars, 25 gems, and stickers to collect. Gold bars, gems, and gildans can be used to unlock extra levels and purchase cosmetic items for your characters in the shop. There are VHS tapes hidden in each world that need to be collected in order to unlock the retro levels. Runner3 features 40 regular levels, 9 impossible levels, and 30 retro levels. There’s plenty for you to enjoy in Runner3, especially if you’re a completionist.
Concerns
Runner3 is far from a perfect game, however, and in some ways feels like a step back for the series. Firstly, the 3D presentation of Runner3 sometimes conflicts with your ability to platform effectively. Sometimes the camera changes to an over the shoulder view or takes an angle that prevents you from clearly viewing what obstacles you’re about to run into. The camera angles can be exciting and provide for some interesting gameplay elements at some points, but it becomes frustrating whenever it manages to hinder your view in any way. Secondly, the levels in Runner3 are longer and more difficult meaning trial and error can grow increasingly frustrating. Reaching a checkpoint or reaching the end of a level can take upwards of a minute meaning repeat deaths can be annoyingly long.
Each time you die has you going back to the beginning of the level or at the beginning of the checkpoint, and the length of time it takes to reach each of these points can affect a player’s enjoyment of the game as levels become more difficult and more complex. Thirdly, the Hero Quest system is incredibly obtuse and fails to respect the player’s time. The items these characters ask you for do not exist until you first speak to them and accept the quest.
Having to play a level again in order to collect an item that could have already been there in the first place feels exasperating. If you’re ever in need of a clue about where to find an item, you must replay the level the character that gave you the quest belongs to and speak to them again in order to receive a hint. Once you collect all three items, you must also return to the level and play until you reach the character again in order to turn them in. If there was a quest log or other sort of system to talk to the quest givers without having to replay a level over and over again, this would not be a problem. The game suffers from minor technical issues as well as frame stuttering in busy sections and 15+ second loading times when entering a level.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a fan of the BIT.TRIP.RUNNER series, you might find yourself slightly disappointed by Runner3. While I appreciate and commend Choice Provisions for making an effort to change up the formula with its various new gameplay elements, a lack of polish and some small oversights make Runner3 feel underwhelming. I will admit that it took me some time to fully appreciate Runner3. When I first played, I found myself frustrated and overwhelmed but as I continued playing I started to become better at the game thanks to trial and error. Runner3 can be incredibly rewarding and I definitely enjoyed the experiences I had with this title. Runner3 is a good rhythm based auto-running platformer and should definitely be played by anyone interested in the series. Runner3 is available on the Nintendo eShop for $29.99.
Review Copy Provided By Choice Provisions
