Runner3
CommanderVideo is back!
The rhythm-music gameplay of BIT.TRIP RUNNER and Runner2 is back and better than ever!
The Timbletot is determined to rid the multiverse of all its love and happiness. CommanderVideo, a lover if ever there were one, refuses to let this happen. He’s ready to jump, double-jump, wall-jump, slide-jump, slide, kick, float, drive, fly, and dance his way to victory, all across a medley of thrilling, challenging, and joyous levels!
Features:
• Hero Quests! - Runner3 is filled with oddball characters in need of your help. Lend them a hand and they'll reward you generously!
• Vehicles! - Players will encounter wild vehicles that stand no chance of ever being deemed street legal. Eggplant planes! Celery cars! Cans propelled by carbonation! And so much more!
• Branching Paths! - Every level in Runner3 offers branching paths of varying difficulties. Take the hard path and earn yourself some gems; opt for the normal path and line your pockets with precious gold bars. The choice is yours!
• Retro Challenges! - A series tradition, every level in Runner3 has an accompanying 'retro' level--it’s like two games for the price of one! These levels will also offer a series' first: free movement! Control CommanderVideo in ways you never have before, and earn precious “Gildan” coins in the process!
• Item Shop! - Players will be able to spend their hard-earned Gildans and gems on costumes, capes, accessories, and more. There are no in-game purchases in Runner3--keep your dang money!
• New Playable Characters! - The Commanders are joined by friends new and old, including Dave of Woah Dave! fame, Unkle Dill, Frank 'N Stein, Awnty Rewty, and more!
• Charles Martinet! - Charles Martinet, known best as the voice of Mario, returns for his role of 'The Narrator'
Runner3, the latest entry in the BIT.TRIP series, follows the continuing adventures of CommanderVideo and all his creepy friends. The Timbletot is determined as ever to. May 18, 2018 Runner3 is a great gateway game for anyone looking to discover rhythm-based games and an excellent addition for any seasoned gamers looking.
TV mode
Tabletop mode
Handheld mode
Play online, access classic Super NES™ games, and more with a Nintendo Switch Online membership.
© 2018 Choice Provisions
| Runner3 | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Choice Provisions |
| Publisher(s) | Choice Provisions Nicalis(physical) |
| Composer(s) | Matthew Harwood Stemage |
| Series | Bit.Trip |
| Engine | Unity |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo Switch, Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4 |
| Release | Microsoft Windows, macOS, Nintendo SwitchPlayStation 4
|
| Genre(s) | Platform, rhythm |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Runner3 is a rhythmplatformervideo game developed by Choice Provisions. A sequel to Bit.Trip Presents.. Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien, Runner3 is part of the Bit.Trip series, starring the character CommanderVideo. The game was released on May 22, 2018 on Windows, macOS, and Nintendo Switch, and was released on the PlayStation 4 on November 13, 2018.[1]
Gameplay[edit]
Runner3 is a rhythmplatformervideo game in which players take control of CommanderVideo, protagonist of the Bit.Trip series.[2]
Core Levels[edit]
CommanderVideo runs forward automatically and the player controls actions such as jumping, sliding, and kicking to overcome obstacles and collect things.[3] Everything that comes his way will hit in rhythm to the background music, so keeping the beat is crucial to getting through the game.
There are goods scattered across every level. The most common are gold bars. There is a set amount of gold in each level, and collecting them increases the score. Second, the Mode-Ups. A mechanic across all Bit.Trip games is the Mode system; the higher the mode, the higher the scoring and the better the music. Although Moding-Up varies in Bit.Trip games, in the Runner series, the player needs to jump into a Mode-Up to immediately go up a Mode. There are five modes in the Runner games, in ascending order: Hyper, Mega, Super, Ultra, and Extra. The player starts at Hyper and works their way up. One notable difference is that in previous Runner games, the Mode-Up appeared as a red 3D plus; in Runner3, it is a blue boombox. Third, the Gems. Gems are on a path of their own, an alternate and harder path. Gems can be collected only once, and they are used to unlock cosmetic items.
New mechanics such as riding vehicles and the ability to double jump have been introduced in this installment. While previous Runner games featured different routes through a level by jumping on vertical platforms, Runner3 has stages with alternate paths that branch off into the background. The game also features side-quests, called Hero Quests, in which CommanderVideo stops to interact with non-playable characters[3] that, for example, might task him with collecting specific items in certain levels. Completing Hero Quests unlocks new playable characters. In addition to past characters from the Bit.Trip series, the game includes the Shovel Knight character from the game of the same name, Eddie Riggs from Brütal Legend, and the Narrator, a caricature of voice actor Charles Martinet.[4]
There are only 27 main levels, and three main worlds (Foodland, Spookyland, and Machineland), but each level has branching paths, secrets, and more variety in music and scenery.
Retro Challenges[edit]
Throughout the Runner series, retro challenges have been implemented for more hardcore players. In BIT.TRIP RUNNER and Runner2, the retro challenges are smaller levels based on older video games, and run on the same mechanics as the main game, but with only gold bars to collect.
Space chimps 2 full movie. Runner3 has a different sort of retro challenge. The player has full control over CommanderVideo's movement, making it play as a more traditional platformer. There is a retro challenge for every core level. Each retro level has five 'Gildan Coins', which can be traded in for other cosmetics.
Development[edit]
Runner3 was developed by video game development studio Choice Provisions. One focal point of Runner3's design was creating a rewarding and enjoyable experience for playing on any difficulty. Choice Provisions' co-founder Alex Neuse emphasized that many games rewarded only hardcore players and offered a lesser experience for playing on lower difficulties.[2] Voice actor Charles Martinet reprised his narration role in Runner3 and had a playable appearance.[5]
Release[edit]
Runner3 was announced in September 2016.[2] In February 2017, Nintendo revealed that Runner3 would launch on the Nintendo Switch console in the latter half of 2017.[6] However in August 2017, Choice Provisions announced that the game would not release until 2018.[7] A physical version of Runner3 was announced by Nicalis on December 13, 2017.[8] It was released on Steam and Nintendo Switch on May 22, 2018.[9]
Following the release, Choice Provisions had announced upgrades to the game, which will include such features as enemy density, more checkpoints, stair assist, bonk counter and gold bars and gems.[10]
Reception[edit]
| Reception | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||
The video game aggregator site Metacritic gave the Nintendo Switch version a 73/100[13] while the PC version got 78/100.[14]
Kevin Tucker of Shacknews, who reviewed the Steam version of the game, gave it 9 out of 10.[15]
Seth Macy of IGN had criticized the game outdated graphics and repetitiveness of levels.[16]
References[edit]
- ^'The fast-reflex action of Runner3 is headed to PS4 next week'. Destructoid. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
- ^ abcMatulef, Jeffrey (September 29, 2016). 'Runner3 sees the return of Commander Video'. Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
- ^ abWhitehead, Thomas (April 5, 2017). 'Feature: From BIT.TRIP to Runner3 - The Nintendo Journey of Choice Provisions'. Nintendo Life. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
- ^Madekowski, Brett (May 3, 2018). 'Shovel Knight and Brutal Legend are in the latest Runner3 trailer'. Destructoid. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
- ^Sleeper, Morgan (June 16, 2017). 'First Impressions: Running Wild in Runner3'. Nintendo Life. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
- ^Calvert, Darren (February 28, 2017). 'Runner3 to 'Launch Exclusively' on Nintendo Switch'. Nintendo Life. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
- ^Helm, Jordan (August 31, 2017). 'Runner3 Delayed Into Next Year'. Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
- ^Rodriguez, Tyrone (December 13, 2017). 'Runner3 Gets On Track For a Retail Run'. Cision. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
- ^Knezevic, Kevin (March 15, 2018). 'Stylish Switch / PC Game Runner 3 Release Date Announced'. GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
- ^Singletary, Charles (November 7, 2018). 'Runner3 on PS4, PC & Switch getting new features, more difficulty options'. Shacknews. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
- ^'Runner3'. GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
- ^Clark, Justin (May 22, 2018). 'Runner 3 Review: A Bit Of A Trip'. GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
- ^'Runner3 (Switch)'. Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
- ^'Runner3 (PC)'. Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
- ^Tucker, Kevin (May 18, 2018). 'Runner3 Review: Pulse-Pumping Platforming Perfection'. Shacknews. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
- ^Macy, Seth (6 November 2018). 'Runner 3 Review'. IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved July 13, 2019.