Like a lot ofBit.Tripfans, I was unsure what to think when I first laid eyes on the direct sequel to the 4th (and most popular) game in the series. On the surface,Runner 2looks a lot different thanBit.Trip Runner, which might have some worried that the game will ditch the gameplay as well.
Thankfully, nothing could be farther from the truth.Bit.Trip Runneris toSuper Mario Bros.asRunner 2is toSuper Mario World. Gaijin games took the original feel and gameplay hooks of the originalRunnerand extrapolated on them in every direction, while drenching whole package in a sloppy, delicious vat of raw personality. There are multiple paths to unlock, horizontal and vertical scrolling, strange new playable characters (like Uncle Dill), and cartoon surrealism injected into just about everything.
The originalBit.Tripseries had tons of style and meaning, but it was also subtle and understated. If you’ve ever hung out with the guys at Gaijin Games, you’ll know that “subtle and understated” are probably not the best words to describe the experience. PlayingRunner 2definitely feels more like what it’s like to spend some quality time with the developers at Gaijin.
It doesn’t matter if you’re aBit.Tripfan orBit.Tripvirgin. If you like fun, you’ve got to playRunner 2.
