Runbow Pocket Review
Runbow Pocket
Publisher: Nighthawk Interactive
Developer: 13AM Games
Genre:
PEGI: E
Comments:
The ways of Runbow Pocket for 3DS are heartless and unforgiving. You will die a lot in this game. And the game will make fun of you. Every. Single. Time. So why should you play such a heartless game? Why should you care about a game that is so cruel? Well…maybe because its fun too? Let’s find out!
Each mode in Runbow has its own story. There are brief cutscenes that set up the story of whatever mode you are going into. None of them are especially impressive. Nicely drawn, yes, but look: this game is a platformer. Platformers rarely ever have mind blowing stories. Just look at Mario.
Thats ok though. Runbow doesn’t need an amazing story. It has gameplay that’ll make you yell at your screen and want to throw you’re system against a wall.
Why am so cranky today? Because I died a lot in this game. Not only that, but the game kept making fun of me.
Try harder. I’ll put the coffee on. Do you even lift? This game makes me angry. It gets me frustrated.
And I really like the game too.
I have to take a second to re-read what I just wrote…
Ok, yes, Runbow is a fun game.
One of the reasons that this game is fun is that there are a lot of celebrity guest star unlockable characters. Most notably: Shovel Knight, Max from Mutant Mudds, Rusty from Steamworld Dig, and Shantae. There are others too but I forget who they are.
The point is that you can unlock this characters, even by dying or just playing around in the options menus, and they add to the fun. Shovel Knight goes for a run, kills some enemies, dies a lot, and eventually saves the day. What else is new? (Rusty is still cooler)
Runbow is the type of game you play if A) you are prepared to die a lot and B) you are ok with that and can laugh about it. Runbow doesn’t hold your hand.
Oh and if none of that is good enough for you, the game also has two single player modes available from the start and a third DLC downloadable mode. I highly recommend downloading this third mode. It introduces new types of gameplay, plus its really fun!
Not everything about Runbow is perfect though. The game says it has an online mode but I’ve never seen proof of that. I’ve tried going online and waited and waited and waited for people to show up. And maybe I’m just playing at the wrong times. It could be that. But I also had some issues with the game just kicking me off-line after awhile. So I’m not sure if the game really has online. There is no local multiplayer on this game though. Not even download play! What a missed opportunity!
Thankfully, Runbow Pocket has some very good single player modes. And the controls on this game are excellent. It works well with the circle pad and D-pad, though I prefered the D-pad. The jumping and attacking work well too. This version of Runbow does not take advantage of very many 3DS features. There is no streetpass or special spot pass features. The second screen can be used for some touch screen menu use but its not necessary. There’s an annoying timer on the second screen during gameplay. Sheesh.
Look, Runbow Pocket is a fun game. Its not a great game, there are better versions of this game out there (coughWiiUcough), however if you must have Runbow in your pocket, you should check this out. The game’s graphics and soundtrack are another reason why!
As we use to say in the 60’s, the graphics in this game are very groovy. Wait. I wasn’t born then. Never mind. The graphics are still groovy, even though the developers decided for some reason not to include 3D. I mean, seriously, the game is a New 3DS exclusive. They could’ve figured out how to make the 3D work.
But yes, the game looks nice. Though, I have to admit that the characters are much too small on the screen. Couldn’t make them bigger? Hambug. Try harder next time 13 AM Games.
As for the soundtrack, its not the worst ever. In fact, it may be one of the best ever. Don’t tell the developers I said so ok? Also don’t tell them I said that the sound effects in this game are a blast. I love how each of the characters has different jump and attack sounds. Plus, some voice clips from the special character’s games! Talk about your cool cross promotions right?
Still, don’t tell the developers how much I liked this game ok? The conclusion/recap of all this next!
Runbow Pocket is a brutal game and you should download it if you have a New 3DS. Look, I’m not saying this is the best version of Runbow (Wii U!), but if you must have Runbow in your pocket, this is the way to go.
This game will frustrate you. You’l die a lot and this annoying text will come up and make fun of you. And did I mention that skull and crossbones on the second screen? Yeah. 13 AM Games is trolling us hard.
But in between the dying and the being made fun of, if you have a sense of humor you’ll be laughing and trying to die to unlock some of those unique Indie characters. This game has Rusty from Steamworld Dig. What else do you need? Shovel Knight? Ok, I guess he’s cool too. He is in this game!
Runbow Pocket isn’t perfect. I’m not sure what’s going on with the online and there’s no eye popping 3D. Just between you and me though, its a good game and a nice addition to the 3DS’s ever expanding library. I guess 13 AM Games is A-OK afterall…
Ok, I’m going to go die in Runbow Pocket again!
Thanks to 13AM Games for providing a review copy of this game. Runbow is currently available on the 3DS eshop and via retail stores. Buy it if you dare!
Positives
- Groovy Graphics
- Addictive Gameplay
- Terribly funny
Negatives
- No eye poping 3D
- Not for the faint of heart
- Online?
Trailer
Article By Daniel Fugate
Daniel Fugate has wanted to be a writer since he was seven years old. He has a bachelor's degree in English and he's a huge Animal Crossing fan. The Wii U and 3DS are currently his favorite video game systems!
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Twitter: @df2506