Quick & Dirty Reviews

BIT.TRIP Presents ... Runner 2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien (4 out of 5) 

Besides having one the most amazing titles in all of videogames, Runner 2 is legitimately one of the best games in the endless cavalcade of rhythm based indie games available. Catchy music keeps the players rhythm (I'm sorry) while the obstacles and difficulty ramp up. What makes Runner 2 stand out among the myriad of similar games is the great art design and refreshing variety of player urgency including alternate paths, consecutive button presses to get past a single obstacle, unlockable costumes and retro levels hidden in courses that incentives replays and much more. Cementing this games quirky stylings is a voice over intro by Charles Martinet (voice of Mario) who introduces random hilarious sponsors for the ensuing games in some fantastically written and voiced segments. Runner 2 requires a great deal of precision timing, something many will find frustrating as the game escalates in difficulty quite quickly, but past that demanding course focus is a fun and beautifully weird rhythm platformer that manages to distinguish itself enough to demand attention.

Bleed (3 out of 5)

Bleed combines chaotic action with fine tuned controls to make an exhilarating addictive but all too brief romp through absurd action game cliches. A side-scrolling bullet hell dual-joystick shooter ... thing. Bleed has smooth controls that enhance an otherwise typical action game. The jump button, oddly mapped to the R trigger here can be tapped in succession to dodge while in the air. While a slow-motion mechanic allows you to dodge the hellish onslaught of enemies and their projectiles even easier. Combine the two mechanics with the fine-tuned controls and you have a great hook that is novel for about three levels. It's a shame there isn't some sort of character progression or unlockable powers, though weapons are available for purchase and upgrade, because that initial fun factor wears out quick. There is a two-player co-op mode but the camera only follows player one to player two's constant aggravating detriment, making it a very ill-advised way to play the game. Bleed starts off strong and peters out faster than most games, a fact made abundantly clear by the games short length, just when you think you have a firm grasp on the mechanics the game is nearly over.

Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams (1 out of 5)

While undoubtedly well intentioned, Giana Sisters offers no new ideas and suffers from frustrating controls and a one-note grating soundtrack. Giana Sisters has an odd history, originally a cheap Mario Bros. ripoff that has since surprisingly acquired quite a large cult following. This pseudo-reimagining is a not so successful bid for legitimacy, an unfortunate mess that infuriates more than entertains. The game provides the player with two characters to switch between on the fly, a swap that changes the individual levels aesthetic, enemies, music and player abilities. It's a neat effect that quickly looses its sheen when you realize every enemy is just reskinned, acting exactly the same as before. The music is only swapping between two obnoxious tracks. And the game irregardless still plays like crap. A floaty jump that is difficult to judge even after hours of playtime, a slight frame rate drop whenever to many enemies or effect are on screen and an overall unpleasant feel that is immediately apparent to anyone who has every played a video game severely shunt the games vague attempts at mimicking other more successful indie platformers.

Gunpoint (5 out of 5)

Gunpoint is an action puzzle game that takes cues from comedic spy/cop films like Pink Panther and The Naked Gun. The games missions involve preemptive planning as you hack the security of a building, swapping the effects of switches, opening/closing areas, and generally causing a ruckus and that's even before your super powered trousers have entered the equations. These magnificent mail-ordered trousers have you jumping insane heights and scaling the sides of buildings. It's a playful puzzle game that while challenging at times can be incredibly rewarding when a meticulously planned series of traps goes off exactly according to plan. The puzzle mechanics would have been engaging enough but the sharp writing and hilarious dialogue choices make an unfortunately short game well worth experiencing.

No Time to Explain (2 out of 5)

If you stare at this GIF long enough all will reveal itself, actually nothing will become any clearer, No Time to Explain is a simple action platformer in which you are tasked with running, or more accurately propelling yourself through time and space as you desperately try to save your future self. The game is unpleasantly difficult, causing anger more than inspiring a stream of dedicated retries. No Time to Explain is very unclear about what it takes to accomplish any given level, as it appears some levels abscond with previously understood parameters in service of whatever craziness the developer has decided is next on the docket. Certain levels have your powerful laser gun lifting you over large swaths of land, and then randomly taking that level of lift out of the equation in a subsequent level. It's odd and I can't determine if it's intentional or not, forcing me to count it among my criticisms. No Time to Explain is also incredibly short, roughly 2 hours by my count and a questionable value proposition for the $10 price tag. It's incredibly random and while that can bring about some hilarious sight gags it's also the games undoing, with inconsistent changes to the games core mechanics never allowing the player to truly excel at the game.

Proteus (4 out of 5)

Proteus is the most non-game I've ever played, more of an experience than a test of any skills. A blissfully serene stroll through a mysterious Atari 2600 style island with more than a few curious landmarks. Proteus is about two hours long, it doesn't require any reflexes, intellect or even any particular attention. It simply unfolds with the players as its sole witness the island provokes exploration with a variety of animals and significant unique hot spots. The music is even more tranquil than the stress free exploration washing over you with relaxing and calming chimes, bells and strings with certain elements in the world even giving out a simple note or two to further encourage exploration and experimentation. Once Proteus ends you might be wondering what was that about, but you certainty wont be thinking, "Well that was a waste of time." Proteus is a the ideal island to be stranded on, and one every player should visit.

Super Puzzle Platformer Deluxe (4 out of 5)

Ever thought it would be cool to play as a character running around the bottom of the chasm in which Tetris takes place? All the while dodging the blocks as they descend in an ever more aggressive fashion, well then ... you have very particular interests, but this is the game for you. Super Puzzle Platformer Deluxe is exactly as described above, with a higher score being gained by clearing the same colored blocks. Shooting a cube attached to a series of similarly colored cousins will begin to destroy them. The bigger the grouping the harder to destroy but the bigger the points cash out. Spikes, canons and other antagonistic cubes will attempt to stop you but the climb to a higher score is accompanied by upgraded abilities. There are a handful of characters to play as each with varying abilities like a double jump, jet-pack or unique weapon. Multiplayer has two players competing side by side to see who can last the longest in the harshest game of Tetris ever conceived. Super Puzzle Platformer is a great concept with near flawless execution, the gameplay is as precise as you would want for the demanding onslaught the Tetris gods are unleashing upon you. A highly addictive game that's tons of fun in small chunks or in larger multiplayer sessions.