Bit.Trip Runner

About

"BIT.TRIP RUNNER is a single-player Science Fiction Platformer game with perfect mechanics, fantastic graphics, and a phenomenal soundtrack. As CommanderVideo, players race, jump, slide, and kick through over 50 levels of exhilarating music/rhythm-based action, with the chiptune group Anamanaguchi making a guest appearance. Leaderboards and achievements add to the excitement on Steam, along with Easy and Hard Modes for an extra challenge."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

84%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,607 reviews

music428 positive mentions

grinding23 negative mentions

Challenging and addictive gameplay that rewards skill and perseverance.
Catchy soundtrack that evolves as you progress through levels, enhancing the experience.
Colorful and unique visual style that combines retro aesthetics with modern design.

Lack of checkpoints leads to frustrating gameplay, as one mistake sends you back to the start of the level.
Difficulty spikes can feel unfair, particularly in later levels, making it tedious to replay long stages.
Some obstacles blend into the background, making it hard to anticipate and react in time.

music
951 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
51%
4%
The music in the game is a polarizing aspect, with many praising its catchy, upbeat chiptune soundtrack that evolves as players progress through levels, adding layers and complexity to the audio experience. However, some players find the music repetitive and frustrating, especially when forced to replay levels, leading to a sense of monotony. Overall, while the soundtrack is often highlighted as a strong point, its integration with gameplay can be inconsistent, detracting from the rhythm game experience that many expected.
- “The music is a joy to experience: dynamic, captivating, and unforgettable.”
- “The way the music stems from your actions, hit or miss, is where this game really shines.”
- “The soundtrack is what truly makes this game stand out though.”
- “The music is 'fine', some bleeps and bloops are okay but getting the 'extra' rank makes every track sound like the same distant droning sounds in the background and removes any interesting beat to them.”
- “The music doesn't quite line up with the actions you're supposed to take either -- like, the beats will line up with when you pass over obstacles rather than when you're supposed to initiate the jump.”
- “If you replay a level 20 times hearing the same bit of music and then move on to the next level only to hear the same song, it gets more than a little monotonous.”
graphics
285 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
50%
7%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the retro aesthetic and vibrant colors, while others criticize the visuals for being cluttered and difficult to read, especially on larger screens. Some users noted that the pixelated style can lead to eye strain and frustration due to obstacles blending into the background, detracting from the gameplay experience. Overall, while the graphics are charming and nostalgic for some, they may not appeal to everyone, particularly those seeking clarity and modern design.
- “The charming graphics, the catchy music, and the fluid gameplay all come together to make a wonderful game everyone should try.”
- “The graphics are surprisingly enjoyable (I'm not usually a fan of pixel art), and I really enjoyed the music, though it could use more variety.”
- “The graphics are top-notch considering it's an indie game, the levels are exciting and fun to experiment on, and the achievements are intelligent and very difficult.”
- “The bad thing is that graphics look awful on bigger screens, so if you've more than a 24" full HD display, I'd highly recommend playing it windowed; otherwise, it's an undiscernible mess of colors on the screen and nothing more.”
- “Not only that, but the graphical style and motion blur of the first world somehow managed to nauseate or give headaches and eye strain to nearly everyone who observed me playing this game - it's a literal eyesore.”
- “Cluttered graphics that make it hard to tell what buttons you're meant to be pressing, fast-paced scrolling which means sometimes you can only win by remembering level layouts, little-to-no margin for error with the only punishment of sending you back to the start of what can be a very long level.”
gameplay
263 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
55%
6%
The gameplay of "Trip Runner" is characterized by its rhythmic mechanics that integrate seamlessly with the catchy soundtrack, creating an engaging experience for players who enjoy challenging platformers. However, many reviews highlight the game's frustrating difficulty spikes, lack of checkpoints, and repetitive nature, which can lead to a trial-and-error experience that some find tedious. Overall, while the game offers a unique blend of music and mechanics, its punishing design may not appeal to all players.
- “The charming graphics, the catchy music, and the fluid gameplay all come together to make a wonderful game everyone should try.”
- “Trip Runner is a rhythmic gem that blends retro aesthetics, challenging gameplay, and an infectious soundtrack into pure pixelated bliss.”
- “The seamless synchronization between the gameplay and music adds an extra layer of immersion and enjoyment.”
- “Zero checkpoints, atrocious difficulty spikes, brand new mechanics at the ass end of an hour+ slog to get through one 2min level.”
- “With relatively few levels, an insufferable final world, and gameplay that ultimately comes across as mind-numbing, this title could perhaps satisfy players fine with a partial experience but would likely leave most disappointed.”
- “The unforgiving gameplay, leading to a restart of the whole level for the smallest kind of mistake, can be really frustrating.”
story
39 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
69%
15%
The game's story is minimal and often abstract, relying heavily on visual details and player interpretation rather than dialogue or traditional narrative structure. While some players appreciate the charming and colorful presentation, many note that the gameplay focuses more on mechanics and rhythm than on storytelling, making it less significant for those unfamiliar with the series. Overall, the story serves as a backdrop to the gameplay experience rather than a central element.
- “It has a story, very abstract but colorful and charming, with easter eggs and secrets.”
- “A rainbow of color delivered in well-crafted blocks, whilst side-loaded it still creates enough depth that the story can interact with the landscapes in ways that help to make this game feel very modern even when it reflects a retro feel.”
- “There's not much plot other than collecting gold in each level.”
- “Considering there is no dialogue in this game, much of its story and impressions rely on noticing subtle details in the background.”
- “The story isn't of note unless you've played the whole series.”
grinding
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
96%
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, with many players expressing frustration over the lack of checkpoints and the need to repeatedly replay long levels. While some find enjoyment in the gameplay and art style, the overall experience is marred by a sense of monotony and frustration, leading to a consensus that the game can quickly lose its charm.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “I expected more based on how acclaimed the game was, but I mostly just found it tedious.”
- “The lack of checkpoints goes directly against the concept of allowing the player to learn levels and as a result makes the game very tedious.”
- “I really wanted to like this game, but after playing three sessions across 2 hours, the game really started to drive my patience; and it's not because it's difficult, on the contrary I like difficulty in my games, but because it's tedious and repetitive.”
humor
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its quirky, meme-inspired visuals and engaging elements, creating a lighthearted and entertaining experience. Players appreciate the combination of funny music, silly graphics, and humorous gameplay, which contribute to its charm and make it enjoyable for casual play. Overall, the game is recognized as a standout title in its genre, delivering a blend of challenge and comedy that resonates with users.
- “As a 'meme game,' it embraces its quirky and humorous nature, while also delivering an engaging and entertaining platforming adventure.”
- “This game is hilariously stupid and I love it.”
- “The music is excellent and the game is also very funny ~~”
replayability
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
54%
23%
Overall, the game exhibits a mixed reception regarding replayability. While some players appreciate the challenging achievements and level design that encourage multiple playthroughs, others find the lack of variety and repetitive elements diminish its replay value. Ultimately, those seeking a challenge may find enough incentive to replay, but others may feel limited by the game's structure.
- “This is an example of level design that favors replayability rather than variety.”
- “For those who want more challenge, there is a fair amount of replayability thanks to interesting, challenging achievements - not the typical 'collect 1000 boxes' or 'kill 500 zombies', but the 'play better' kind of achievements.”
- “The majority of the game is 'just challenging enough', and there is a lot of replay value if one has the skill to complete all of the achievements.”
- “From the start, it seems like a cool game but with almost no replayability, no checkpoints, and difficulty based on memorization it definitely isn't a title I can suggest.”
- “Unfortunately, it's nothing like that and has almost no replayability.”
- “Replayability: based on levels I've finished, it's close to zero.”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a lighthearted and enjoyable vibe, enhanced by its meme-inspired elements and retro 80s aesthetic, while still appealing to modern gaming sensibilities. The combination of engaging sound design, motivating background music, and vibrant visuals creates an immersive experience that encourages players to keep progressing through the levels. Overall, the atmosphere is fun and captivating, setting it apart from other platformers.
- “It embraces its status as a meme game and turns it into an asset, creating a lighthearted and enjoyable atmosphere that sets it apart from other platformers.”
- “Trip Runner pushes the boundaries on sound design, gameplay, and atmosphere.”
- “This game throws me back to the 80s with its simplicity, but it retains a modern gaming appeal and atmosphere that will keep you coming back for more and more... and more.”
- “This game is great fun to play, combining background music with sound generated by your actions to create a motivating atmosphere to just go on and on and on with the levels.”
- “The visuals are also pretty rad, and the atmosphere of the game is teeming with an air of fun.”
optimization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its smooth performance and effective integration of music, which enhances the gameplay experience. Players appreciate the ability to adjust elements like vocal performances for better feedback, and the visuals and soundtrack dynamically respond to their performance, adding depth to the gameplay. However, some users express a desire for more varied paths and a greater focus on performance scoring, akin to games like Guitar Hero.
- “Imagine playing the latest Hatsune Miku game where you could just turn off the Vocaloid performance during the game and get better feedback from the game.”
- “Bit Trip Runner is a fantastic game about sorting obstacles, combined with a perfect soundtrack which is affected by your performance.”
- “Imagine playing the latest Hatsune Miku game where you could just turn off the Vocaloid performance during the game and get better feedback from the gameplay.”
- “Bit Trip Runner is a fantastic game about sorting obstacles, combined with a perfect soundtrack that is affected by your performance.”
- “The music and visuals scale upwards with your game performance.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The game's monetization is largely unobtrusive, featuring no microtransactions and only optional checkpoints and collectible skins in the sequel. While it markets itself as a hardcore experience, the difficulty remains manageable, and the ads fail to reflect the depth of gameplay.
- “The sequel adds optional checkpoints, several new mechanics, and collectible skins (no microtransactions!).”
- “The ads do not even begin to capture the immense gameplay that could make a grown man cry.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features appealing graphics and vibrant colors, but players frequently encounter glitches and unresponsive controls, which detracts from the overall experience and raises concerns about its stability.
- “And you'll notice a ton of moments when the game is slightly buggy or the controls suddenly don't respond in an optimal way.”
- “Sometimes this game is so hard and so buggy that it's not easy to say it's a good game.”
- “The game offers some pleasant graphics and really vibrant colors, although there are some ugly glitches here and there.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report a strong emotional impact from the game, experiencing a range of feelings from happiness to deep sadness, particularly highlighted by an unforgettable ending. The combination of challenging gameplay and intense emotional moments contributes to a powerful overall experience.
- “I cried at the incredible ending you can't miss.”
- “Not only is this game challenging, but it is also emotional, as in throw your controller at the monitor emotional.”
- “This game made me feel happy.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
The character development in the game is appreciated for its simple yet charming design, particularly the main character, commandervideo, which has fostered a strong personal connection for players. This connection is further enhanced by the nostalgic retro aesthetic and the variety of controls, contributing to a lasting enjoyment of the game.
- “The retro look and feel of the game, along with the simple character design, really resonate with me. The wide variety of controls adds to the enjoyment, and I've cherished my time with the game for a long time.”
- “I once received a custom set of novelty items revolving around CommanderVideo, the main character of the game. Most of this memorabilia I still have, and it holds a special place in my heart.”
- “The character development in this game is truly engaging, allowing players to form a personal connection with the characters and their journeys.”
- “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters on any meaningful level.”
- “I was disappointed by the lack of growth in the characters throughout the game; they seem to remain static and unchanging.”
- “The story doesn't provide enough context for the characters' motivations, leaving their development feeling forced and unconvincing.”