Canabalt

Canabalt is a single or multiplayer Science Fiction Platformer game, where you navigate through a city in the midst of destruction. With simple one-button controls and 8 game modes, the goal is to escape and achieve the highest score possible. Reviewers praise its beautiful simplicity, intense gameplay, and poignant subtext, making it a prime example of a successful infinite runner game.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

Reviews

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 95 reviews

music12 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

Canabalt is a simple yet addictive game that has been praised for its engaging gameplay and minimalist design.
The game features a great soundtrack that enhances the overall experience, making it enjoyable to play.
The Steam version includes additional features like multiplayer modes and improved graphics, making it a worthwhile purchase for fans of the genre.

Some players find the gameplay repetitive and lacking depth, leading to a quick loss of interest.
There are reports of bugs and glitches, particularly with collision detection and the two-player mode.
The game is considered better suited for mobile devices, as the one-button mechanic may feel too simplistic for PC gamers.

music
23 mentions
52 % positive mentions
35 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its quality and ability to enhance the overall experience, with many reviewers noting that a strong soundtrack significantly contributes to the game's appeal. While some find the music enjoyable, others mention it can become repetitive over time. Overall, the soundtrack is described as atmospheric and fitting, with specific praise for the work of composers like Danny Baranowsky, making it a key element of the game's charm.
- “This game is just further proof that a game's success is largely tied to its soundtrack quality.”
- “The presentation (music, sound design, art direction) is near-perfect.”
- “A great endless runner owes about 50% of its greatness to the music score.”
- “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.”
graphics
13 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 transition to 3D has been appreciated, some players feel it detracts from gameplay clarity, especially at high speeds. Overall, the visuals are described as atmospheric and fitting for the game's style, 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 a 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.”
gameplay
7 mentions
43 % positive mentions
14 % neutral mentions
43 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a simplistic one-button mechanic that may feel too shallow for PC, suggesting it is better suited for mobile platforms. While the core gameplay remains intact with several enhancements, the lack of a dedicated short hop button and strict timing can make it challenging, and some players find the roof running mechanic underwhelming. Overall, it offers a casual experience that is enjoyable in short bursts but may not satisfy those seeking depth.
- “Core gameplay is intact, there's 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 mechanic?”
stability
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
-67 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
Overall, user experiences regarding stability vary, with some players reporting bugs and glitches, while others have found the game to run smoothly, 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, making it a reliable choice for gaming.”
- “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.”
story
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % 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.”
- “The plot is incredibly shallow and fails to engage the player, making the overall experience feel empty.”
- “Character development is lacking, leaving the players with little to connect to or care about throughout the game.”
monetization
1 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 ruins the overall experience.”
- “The in-game purchases are way too expensive and don't offer enough value for what you pay.”
replayability
1 mentions
200 % positive mentions
-400 % 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.
- “Every playthrough feels fresh due to the random events and different character choices, making me want to dive back in again and again.”
- “The variety of challenges and unlockable content keeps me coming back for more, ensuring that no two sessions are ever the same.”
- “Great way to kill twenty minutes - the game hits just the right note of panic, and is just frustrating enough for endless replayability.”
- “Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to go back. The lack of varied outcomes makes replaying feel tedious.”
- “While the game is enjoyable, it quickly loses its charm after the first playthrough due to repetitive mechanics.”
humor
1 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 humor aspect seems to be overshadowed by technical issues rather than being a highlight of the gameplay.