Runner 2 is AWESOME!, 7.5 out of 10 based on 19 ratings

Bit.Trip is a strange, strange series. It would take a whole separate article to convey the myriad inspirations, styles, and genres in which Gaijin Games operates, let alone any attempt to unravel the overarching plot. Luckily, all you really need to know is that Runner 2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien is fantastic.

Although this game takes place in chronological subsequence to Bit.Trip Flux, the name alone should let you know that this is a gameplay successor to Bit.Trip Runner. Like the first Runner, Future Legend is an “auto-runner.” The sub-genre has flourished in the past few years, especially on mobile devices, but it’s entirely possible that you may not be aware of the relatively low profile trend. If you want to get a quick (and free) handle on the platforming, feel free to try Canabalt in your browser right here.

Of course, you can always count on Bit.Trip to throw plenty of wrinkles into a simple formula. Every level sees our hero, Commander Video, running from left to right, whether you want him to or not. Your job is to jump, slide, kick, and otherwise help him reach the goal while collecting as many gold bars as possible. This is much, much easier said than done.

The first Bit.Trip Runner was tougher than frozen nails. Thankfully, Runner 2 eases up a little bit, without removing the high levels of challenge available for experienced players (and masochists). In addition to the new mid-level checkpoints, there are three difficulty settings from which to choose. This makes Future Legend of Rhythm Alien the most accessible entry in the franchise yet, despite the seemingly impossible heights to which you can adjust the difficulty curve.

A single misstep will send you sailing back to the beginning of the stage, so you need to master each world and plan every jump seriously if you want to get the best score. It’s an old-school mentality, and one that Bit.Trip has always embraced. However, you may have noticed that this is the first installment of the brand not to feature the signature 8-bit aesthetic. Runner 2 features 3D models in a world full of depth, instead of the simple flat pixel graphics that made Bit.Trip Beat stand out in 2009.

Make no mistake: Future Legend is gorgeous. Innumerable series have failed to make the leap from one art style to another, even while retaining the same basic gameplay. Franchises that do so successfully are rarely the better for it–Professor Layton sticks out in my mind as a recent example. But Runner 2 is undoubtedly a more appealing title for its bold, colorful visuals. There will certainly be those who prefer the retro look of the original, but I applaud the developers over at Gaijin for taking a risk and putting in the effort to move out of their comfort zone.

So, we know that Future Legend of Rhythm Alien is welcoming, rewarding, and dazzling. However, we’ve barely begun to acknowledge its chief brilliance: the marriage of gameplay and sound. Like the first Runner title, the game is just as much an experiment in rhythm as it is a platformer. The minimalist electronic soundtrack is compelling on its own, but it becomes hypnotic in the course of an extended gameplay session. Each jump and item acquisition becomes a beat in the song; each new section brings about an increased tempo and new sonic complexities. By the time you cross the finish line–with a rainbow streaking behind you–the happy brain chemicals are sloshing around so thickly that you can almost taste them.

It’s a shame that there’s no one standout track among the bunch. Anamanaguchi’s “Blackout City” absolutely defined the first Runner game, so an equivalent accomplishment would have been glorious. As it is, the lack of a breakout single is one of the only faults a player could level at the experience. There are some minor technical issues inherent to each of the many platforms for which the game is available–for example, the Xbox 360 version has longer load times, while the PC version is much less comfortable with a mouse and keyboard–but these are all forgivable.

The real question is whether or not you have any interest in the (admittedly niche) genre. $15 is a relatively steep price to ask for an indie game, especially when there are plenty of free alternatives with similar gameplay. However, it should be emphasized that Bit.Trip Presents Runner 2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien is probably the best auto-runner available. Also, it’s narrated by the voice of Mario.

Yes, that Mario.

A copy of the game was provided by the publisher for review purposes and played for about 5 hours. The title was played on PC, but is also available for PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, and Vita.

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