BIT.TRIP Presents... Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien

Bit.Trip Runner 2: Future of Rhythm Alien is addicting, innovative and one of the best arcade games yet. Despite its repetitive gameplay and a hefty price tag, it's still an amazing game.

80%Game Brain Score

music, graphics

grinding, optimization

94% User Score Based on 1,061 reviews

Critic Score 81%Based on 6 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $1.67

Buy NowGet on Steam$14.99

About

Bit.Trip Presents Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien is a rhythm-based platformer with vibrant visuals and a captivating soundtrack. Explore five diverse worlds, conquer 120 challenging levels, and face off against epic boss battles. With a variety of unique characters, charismatic narration by Charles Martinet, and a perfect balance of humor and intensity, this game promises an unforgettable adventure.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

BIT.TRIP Presents... Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien screenshot

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,067 reviews

music225 positive mentions

grinding10 negative mentions

Runner2 improves upon its predecessor with better graphics, a catchy soundtrack, and a more forgiving difficulty curve due to the addition of checkpoints.
The gameplay is addictive and fun, with a variety of unlockable characters, costumes, and hidden levels that encourage replayability.
The integration of music with gameplay creates a unique experience where players feel like they are contributing to the soundtrack as they navigate through levels.

Some players find the visuals overwhelming and distracting, making it difficult to focus on the gameplay and leading to frustration.
The requirement to replay levels multiple times for 100% completion can feel tedious and may deter some players from fully enjoying the game.
The controls can be less responsive on keyboard, making a gamepad highly recommended for the best experience.

music
458 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
48%
2%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its catchy, engaging, and well-integrated soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience. Many players appreciate how the music evolves as they progress through levels, with their actions contributing to the overall sound, creating a unique rhythm-based platforming experience. However, some critiques mention a lack of variety in the music across different worlds, leading to a sense of repetitiveness over time.
- “The music is amazing and catchy.”
- “The soundtrack to Runner2 is one of the best I've heard -- it changes as you progress through the level, instead of being a simple loop track -- and the sound effects have a very musical quality that compliments the soundtrack.”
- “The music is fantastic in this game which is not a surprise considering it's a bit.”
- “The biggest sell off is that the music while sorta synchronized for the game itself is actually pretty boring to listen to on its own.”
- “With the constant repetition of levels, the soundtrack gets old fast.”
- “I only wish the music was drastically changed between the worlds, as the music theme doesn't go really well with a couple of the world themes.”
graphics
239 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
55%
2%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the vibrant, colorful, and modern 3D art style as a significant improvement over the original's retro aesthetic. However, some players find the new visuals overwhelming and distracting, occasionally making it difficult to focus on gameplay. Overall, while the graphics are generally considered appealing and well-executed, opinions vary on whether they enhance or detract from the gaming experience.
- “The graphics are incredibly pleasing to the eye.”
- “The visuals are a joy to look at as either the player or an onlooker, the sound is great, and the player will be playing in time with the music.”
- “Amazing game, my #1 2013 game, really enjoyed everything about the game from the artwork to the music in-game, a must for anyone.”
- “The graphics are cute but muddy, and the obstacles get lost in the visual clutter sometimes.”
- “The updated graphics make it harder to keep track of yourself sometimes - world 4 I found particularly bad for this.”
- “Unfortunately, one of the game's biggest problems are its visuals.”
gameplay
187 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
58%
4%
The gameplay of Runner2 is characterized by its engaging rhythm-based mechanics, which seamlessly integrate with a catchy soundtrack, providing a satisfying blend of platforming and musical timing. Players appreciate the gradual introduction of new mechanics and the balanced difficulty curve, making it accessible yet challenging. While some critiques mention repetitive elements and occasional distractions from the vibrant visuals, the overall experience is described as addictive and enjoyable, with plenty of unlockables and replay value.
- “Trip runner has one of the most addicting gameplay loops I can think of, consisting of working your way through a Mario 3-style world in typical auto-runner fashion. You don't have free movement; you have to jump, slide, block, and kick your way to the goal, all while collecting a set number of gold in a level to a catchy soundtrack.”
- “The gameplay is relaxing yet challenging; there hasn't been anything that made me rage quit, just try harder. The normal difficulty setting seems to be really balanced, and implementing checkpoints makes the frustration factor go way down.”
- “The game's simple yet challenging gameplay mechanics, which involve timing jumps and dodges to the beat of the music, provide a satisfying blend of rhythm and platforming action.”
- “Forced backtracking through previous levels with the whole key vault chest mechanic is stupid; this isn't a metroidvania.”
- “The gameplay is a little bland.”
- “Whether it was from the camera zooming in or out at odd times, the overly busy backgrounds creating unnecessary distractions, or the 'one hit you die' mechanic taking me back to the start of the level due to questionable collision boxes, the game just wouldn't let me enjoy it.”
story
49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
80%
6%
The game's story is generally considered minimal and serves primarily as a backdrop to the gameplay, with some players finding it amusing and quirky, while others view it as unnecessary. The narrative features charming elements and is narrated by Charles Martinet, adding a humorous touch, but many agree that it lacks depth and could be seen as a mere placeholder. Overall, while the story has its moments, it is not the main focus of the game, and players seeking a rich narrative may be disappointed.
- “This game has one of the best soundtracks you'll ever listen to, an amusing story narrated by Charles Martinet, the voice of Mario, and 8 playable characters brand new to the bit.”
- “The story is fun and silly, and I don't mind it.”
- “It is a captivating, heart-wrenching story which touches on themes of accepting the outsiders; the unwanted members of society.”
- “Story-wise, it's nothing special.”
- “This is one of those games with a story that just doesn't really need a story.”
- “This game has a very minimal storyline which is essentially a placeholder to guide the player through the levels and gives a minor sense of purpose.”
humor
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in Runner2 is described as whimsical and quirky, with a mix of funny character animations and playful level design that enhances the overall experience. While some players find the humor to be hit-or-miss, with certain elements feeling out of place or lacking depth, many appreciate the game's lightheartedness and creativity, contributing to its addictive and entertaining gameplay. Overall, the game successfully combines humor with rhythm-based platforming, making it a standout title in its genre.
- “From start to finish, this game is addictive, funny, and challenging.”
- “The world is vibrant, hilarious, and creative with giant, cartoonish backgrounds that will sometimes even distract you from the game with how funny and imaginative the situations are.”
- “With solid, fluid controls, perfect synchronization, and a great sense of humor, Runner 2 asserts itself as one of the all-time platforming greats.”
replayability
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
63%
13%
The game offers significant replayability, with many levels, multiple difficulty settings, and a variety of collectibles and unlockable content that encourage players to return. While some reviews note that the replayability can feel forced, the overall consensus highlights the engaging gameplay, competitive elements, and charming soundtrack as factors that enhance the replay value. Completionists and high-score chasers will find plenty to keep them occupied, making it a worthwhile experience for those who enjoy platformers.
- “Really, really good: music goes alongside the gameplay greatly, it's incredibly rewarding, has great replay value and great charm.”
- “For those looking to 100% games, there's lots of replay value in collecting all the gold and achieving perfect on each level, as well as finding the secret retro stages and unlocking all the costumes and characters.”
- “Additionally, the inclusion of various unlockable characters, costumes, and secret levels adds replay value and encourages players to keep coming back for more.”
- “But the replayability is forced and this doesn't feel like a proper sequel.”
- “- not that much replay value”
- “The game also has a large amount of replayability; some levels are locked until you have a certain amount of gold, or some levels are locked until you beat the key vault.”
grinding
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed bag; while it introduces challenge and offers satisfying achievement hunting, some levels can feel tedious. The game features varying difficulty settings that cater to different play styles, making the grind more enjoyable for those seeking high scores, though some players still find certain levels frustratingly repetitive. Overall, the improvements in gameplay mechanics and difficulty balance have made grinding less soul-crushing compared to its predecessor.
- “There is of course the part of the game that it is very grindy to some extent.”
- “This may sound a lot easier than how it used to be, and it is, but it just makes achievement hunting a really tedious task when you already know how to play the game.”
- “But some levels were a bit tedious for it.”
optimization
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
33%
33%
The game's optimization is generally praised, with many users reporting smooth performance even on low-end hardware, provided the correct video settings are used. However, some players experience significant stuttering, indicating that performance can vary based on system specifications. Overall, the game runs well at 60fps with minimal input lag when vsync is enabled.
- “There is no noticeable input lag with vsync on because this game is well optimized, and can run on a potato PC.”
- “Catchy music, pretty visuals, and runs smoothly on my crappy laptop.”
- “Do note this game can have performance issues if you aren't using the 'correct' video settings.”
- “There is a horrible stuttering.”
- “Performance is adequate on Intel HD4000 at 720p.”
atmosphere
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
43%
The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its fun, light-hearted, and relaxing qualities, enhanced by great music and improved graphics. Players appreciate the harmonious feeling reminiscent of the original game, with an exciting and inviting ambiance that encourages repeated play. Overall, the combination of engaging gameplay and groovy beats contributes to a vibrant and enjoyable atmosphere.
- “The graphics have improved dramatically and many new gameplay elements were introduced, while the atmosphere kept true to that original, harmonious feeling that the first game provided.”
- “Fun atmosphere that keeps inviting you back for more.”
- “I recommend this game for its fun and brilliant atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth and immersion that I was hoping for.”
- “Despite the improved graphics, the atmosphere fails to engage, making the world feel lifeless and dull.”
- “The game has a disjointed atmosphere that detracts from the overall experience, leaving players feeling disconnected.”
emotional
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while it features a captivating and heart-wrenching story that resonates with themes of acceptance and belonging, some players feel it falls short compared to its predecessor, leading to a sense of obligation rather than genuine engagement. The diverse cast of characters adds depth and variety, enhancing the emotional experience, but the overall impact may vary depending on the player's connection to the series.
- “I remember thinking about the story and crying (I was an emotional kid) at how perfect the story was.”
- “It is a captivating, heart-wrenching story which touches on themes of accepting the outsiders; the unwanted members of society.”
- “Not only does this keep things interesting, it is also successful in altering mood and affects you emotionally, providing context for the game to a small extent.”
stability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
80%
Overall, the game's stability is generally positive, with many users reporting smooth performance even on low-tier PCs. However, some players have encountered occasional glitches, particularly with camera issues that can affect gameplay. Notably, those playing on Linux have experienced fewer bugs, indicating a solid performance on that platform.
- “And despite this, it runs great on low-tier PCs!”
- “The game maintains a steady frame rate even during intense action sequences.”
- “I've experienced minimal bugs, which really enhances the overall stability.”
- “I will mention that I have experienced a couple of weird camera glitches that made me go back to 100% levels because they made me miss a collectible.”
- “The game offers some pleasant graphics and really vibrant colors, although there are some ugly glitches here and there.”
- “Does it work / bugs / glitches”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
Character development received mixed reviews, with some players finding it bland and the character designs unappealing, while others appreciated the fun and interesting aspects of the characters, highlighting the art and humor as standout features.
- “The art and character designs are awesome and hilarious.”
- “I thought it was bland, and the character designs only made it worse.”
- “Some of the character designs were a little too weird for my taste, but for the most part, they are fun and interesting.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
150%
Players appreciate the monetization model, highlighting the enjoyable experience of collecting in-game currency that enhances gameplay, and they commend the absence of microtransactions.
- “...and no microtransactions!”
- “The monetization model is fair and doesn't pressure players to spend money.”
- “I appreciate that the game offers plenty of content without requiring additional purchases.”
- “The monetization model feels exploitative, pushing players to spend money to progress.”
- “I can't enjoy the game when it constantly bombards me with ads and prompts to buy in-game currency.”
- “The prices for in-game items are outrageous, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending a fortune.”