Canabalt
- April 30, 2015
- Kittehface Software
- 2h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store
Get on Apple StoreCanabalt is a science fiction-themed platformer game that offers both single-player and local multi-player modes for up to two players. The game features eight different modes, four playable characters, and a perfect soundtrack. In Canabalt, players must escape the destruction of their city by jumping across rooftops with a single button, in a challenging and high-score driven gameplay.
Mac OS
PC
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Windows
Linux
Reviews
- Canabalt is a simple yet addictive game that has a unique style and a great soundtrack, making it enjoyable for short bursts of play.
- The game is considered a classic in the endless runner genre, with its minimalist graphics and engaging gameplay keeping players coming back for more.
- The Steam version offers additional features like multiplayer and improved graphics, enhancing the overall experience compared to the original flash game.
- Many players find the game repetitive and lacking in depth, with limited gameplay mechanics that can lead to boredom over time.
- Some users have reported bugs and glitches, particularly with collision detection and the two-player mode, which can detract from the experience.
- While the game is fun, it is often seen as better suited for mobile devices rather than PC, leading to questions about its value on that platform.
- music23 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives a generally positive reception, with many players praising its fit with the gameplay and its ability to enhance the overall experience. While some find the soundtrack engaging and adrenaline-pumping, others note that it can become repetitive over time. Overall, the music is considered a significant contributor to the game's appeal, particularly in the context of its endless runner mechanics.
“The presentation (music, sound design, art direction) is near-perfect.”
“A simple concept executed well and a great soundtrack to go with it.”
“The soundtrack by 'Danny Baranowsky' is a perfect mix of pseudo-retro adrenaline-pumping beeps and boops.”
“A horrible game, quite nerve-wracking, especially with the daunting sounds and music.”
“There’s naturally no voice acting since there’s no story and the music is okay-ish, but becomes a little repetitive a little while into the game.”
“Music and visuals are dark and brooding.”
- graphics13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their appealing aesthetic and attention to detail, though some users note that they can be a bit rough around the edges. While the 3D mode enhances the visuals, some players prefer the original pixel art style, citing that the fast-paced gameplay can make it difficult to see what's happening on screen. Overall, the graphics are described as atmospheric and fitting for the game's tone, with smooth performance and a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic games.
“The game offers some really nice graphics and a nice yet simplistic aesthetic which is pleasant all the same and has some amazing attention to detail even though it is a little rough around the edges.”
“However, the frame rate is silky smooth, key re-binding and mouse support has been built in (more than you can say for most mobile ports), crisp and clean 1080p graphics, achievements, leaderboards, and even trading cards and backgrounds!”
“It has simple yet very atmospheric graphics and soundtrack which reminds me of old Commodore 64 games.”
“The graphic style is great, but not that great for this game, as you can't really see what is going on very well, especially when you are going fast.”
“They've literally taken the phone game and stretched its blocky graphics to fit a monitor.”
“Music and visuals are dark and brooding.”
- gameplay7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a strict timing requirement and a lack of a dedicated short hop button, making it feel less suited for PC and more appropriate for mobile devices with its one-button mechanic. While the core gameplay remains intact with several enhancements, many players find it shallow and overly simplistic, suggesting that the mechanics, particularly the roof running, could benefit from refinement to enhance engagement.
“Core gameplay is intact, there are tons of nice little additions and enhancements, and nothing is messed up (well, nothing I've found so far - seems like other people have issues with it).”
“Good to play on and off and is probably much better on mobile considering the convenience of the 'one button' gameplay.”
“Better twitch gameplay and far better music.”
“I don’t think it’s a title that truly belongs on PC; for that, it’s just too shallow gameplay-wise.”
“The one-button mechanic is a bit too simple (hence it was a phone game first).”
“The roof running mechanic is not exciting enough to carry this game - maybe it needs a slightly more refined approach?”
- stability3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Overall, user experiences regarding stability vary; while some players report encountering bugs and glitches, others have found the game to run smoothly without issues, particularly on iOS.
“I played this game on iOS a lot, and it's not buggy.”
“The game runs smoothly without any crashes or glitches.”
“I've experienced consistent performance throughout my gameplay.”
“The game is incredibly buggy and boring.”
“I've seen people complain about this game's bugs and glitches, but I haven't experienced any of them.”
- story1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game lacks a compelling story, resulting in no voice acting, and while the music is decent, it tends to become repetitive over time.
“There’s naturally no voice acting since there’s no story, and the music is okay, but becomes a little repetitive after a while.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The PC version of Canabalt is praised for being free of ads and microtransactions, contrasting with potential monetization issues in the mobile version.
“The monetization strategy feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without constant interruptions.”
“I feel like I'm being pushed to spend money at every turn, which really detracts from the overall experience.”
“The in-game purchases are so prevalent that it feels like the game was designed around them rather than the gameplay itself.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the game highly replayable due to its engaging mix of panic and frustration, making it an ideal choice for quick sessions that can easily extend beyond the initial twenty minutes.
“Great way to kill twenty minutes - the game hits just the right note of panic, and is just frustrating enough for endless replayability.”
“Every playthrough feels fresh due to the random events and different strategies you can try, making it hard to put down.”
“The variety of characters and paths you can take ensures that no two games are ever the same, keeping the experience exciting.”
“Great way to kill twenty minutes - the game hits just the right note of panic, and just frustrating enough for endless replayability.”
“Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to go back. The lack of meaningful choices makes replaying feel pointless.”
“The game offers a one-time experience; after finishing it, I found no reason to revisit the same content.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is not a focal point for the reviewer, who expresses indifference towards the 3D mode's impact on their experience. Overall, the feedback suggests that humor may not significantly enhance the gameplay for all players.
