Cube Runner

About

Cube Runner is a single player action game. It was developed by EGAMER and was released on December 13, 2016. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

Cube Runner is a fast-paced racing game where players control a spaceship dodging quickly approaching cubes in a neon-lit, futuristic cityscape. Collect power-ups, avoid obstacles, and compete for high scores in this addictive and challenging title. Customizable ships and a variety of game modes add replayability to the simple yet engaging core gameplay.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

78%

Audience ScoreBased on 494 reviews

music90 positive mentions

replayability4 negative mentions

Cube Runner offers a fun and addictive gameplay experience with simple mechanics that are easy to learn but challenging to master.
The game features a great soundtrack that enhances the overall experience and keeps players engaged.
With 75 levels, the game provides a decent amount of content, and the checkpoint system helps mitigate frustration during challenging sections.

The controls can be unresponsive at times, leading to frustrating moments, especially during sequences that require precise timing.
The level design can feel repetitive, with some levels being significantly easier or harder than others, disrupting the overall difficulty curve.
The game is relatively short, with many players completing it in under two hours, which may not justify the full price for some.

music
159 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
37%
6%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its catchy and enjoyable soundtrack that enhances the overall experience, while others find it generic, repetitive, or not well-suited to the gameplay. Many appreciate the variety and quality of the tracks, particularly those who enjoy electronic and dubstep genres, but some suggest that the music can be distracting or not in sync with the game's mechanics. Overall, the soundtrack is often highlighted as a standout feature, contributing positively to the game's atmosphere despite some criticisms.
- “The soundtrack is an integral part of the experience, syncing with the pace of the game and heightening the immersion.”
- “The music fits the game very well, I love the soundtrack.”
- “I was pleasantly surprised to find it fun, engaging, eventually challenging, and with an exciting soundtrack to boot.”
- “The simple, repetitive stages are coupled with a soundtrack consisting of generic, royalty-free dubstep and unresponsive controls that feel downright unfair at times, providing the complete low-effort indie game experience.”
- “The soundtrack, if you can call it that, consists of a few forgettable tunes that do little to enhance the overall experience.”
- “I suggest turning off the awful techno music; it starts getting annoying after a while.”
gameplay
137 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
63%
4%
The gameplay is characterized by its simplicity and minimalism, focusing on fast-paced mechanics that can become repetitive and lack depth over time. While some players appreciate the straightforward controls and unique mechanics, many criticize the game for its short duration, limited variety, and lack of meaningful progression, leading to a one-note experience. Overall, it offers a fun but ultimately shallow platforming experience that may appeal to casual gamers or achievement hunters, especially when on sale.
- “The gameplay is very smooth and, like other users have said, it becomes decently challenging about halfway through.”
- “The levels are well-designed, each introducing unique twists that keep the gameplay fresh and exciting.”
- “It manages to provide a decent challenge, without any unfair tricks or mechanics, and it's nonstop full-throttle action and fun from the moment you start the game until you finish the last level.”
- “Because the mechanics do not evolve meaningfully over time, and because there is no overarching progression system, narrative, or major variety in enemy types, the experience can begin to feel one-note after several sessions.”
- “Without additional systems such as upgrades, new mechanics, or creative twists on the formula, many players may find the novelty wearing thin sooner than expected.”
- “The gameplay is simple - you just run, I suppose, nothing to stand out, but you can chill a bit, so I'd recommend grabbing this on a huge discount.”
graphics
53 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
49%
9%
The graphics of Cube Runner are characterized by a minimalist aesthetic that enhances gameplay readability and performance, particularly on low-spec hardware. While some players appreciate the clean and simple visuals, others criticize them as lackluster and reminiscent of retro or unfinished designs. Overall, the graphics are generally seen as adequate for the game's style, with a mix of positive and negative feedback regarding their appeal and execution.
- “Cube runner immediately captures attention with its sleek, clean aesthetics.”
- “The graphics are minimalistic, just orange and blue bricks in space, with red bad things on them, and occasionally blocks to shoot.”
- “Beautifully simple visuals, kinda 8-bit and tron.”
- “While graphics are not everything, it is worth mentioning that Cube Runner's visuals are shockingly lackluster.”
- “From its frustrating controls and lackluster visuals to its dearth of content and uninspired audio, this game fails to deliver on its potential.”
- “The UI and graphics look like a flash game or Unity flip.”
story
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
62%
19%
The game's story is minimal and often described as non-existent, with some players noting a simple premise involving a cube named Bluey on a quest to rescue his lover from the villainous red cubes. While some reviews highlight the game's mechanics and level design, they emphasize that the narrative lacks depth and complexity, making it feel more like a straightforward platforming experience than a story-driven game. Overall, the storytelling is considered weak, with many players focusing more on gameplay than on any narrative elements.
- “Basically a game where you control a cube called Bluey on his perilous quest to find his lover who has been taken by the devious red cubes; a menacing clan of cubeys who intend to use Bluey's lover to mass reproduce more red cubes to help take over the peaceful land of Cubia.”
- “Groundbreaking graphics and storytelling.”
- “On this quest, you must jump, click, and switch your way through a series of levels with the goal of reaching the end, no matter the cost. Luckily, you have unlimited lives because throughout the duration of the game, I 'died' a total of 824 times; how fun.”
- “This doesn't have any plot or story.”
- “Well, there's 0 story, and the level design is 100% linear, so I'm not sure where the depth comes in.”
- “This is a rather simple automated platforming game that is all about mechanics with a simple jump, automatic respawns, and some kind of shooter tool (no story).”
replayability
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
23%
44%
The game offers minimal replayability, with players noting that once the 75 levels are completed, there is little incentive to return, resulting in a gameplay experience that lasts only about an hour or two. While some users appreciate the fast-paced nature of the game, the consensus is that it lacks significant replay value, making it suitable for those seeking a brief, straightforward experience.
- “Developed by egamer and published by SA Industry, it follows the same design philosophy that defines much of the studio’s catalogue: fast gameplay loops, minimalist presentation, and an emphasis on brief, replayable sessions rather than long-form progression.”
- “This game has plenty of replay value, even if it only takes you a few hours to beat.”
- “And then there's replayability.”
- “It offers 75 levels and about an hour or two of gameplay, with zero replayability once completed.”
- “There's no replay value, so once you beat all 75 levels, that's it.”
- “This does mean however that the replayability is lower/non-existent.”
optimization
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it performs smoothly on low-spec hardware and maintains a clean aesthetic, players have reported issues such as occasional stuttering, FPS drops on high-end PCs, and input detection problems, particularly in levels with heavy particle effects. Additionally, the lack of meaningful rewards and the game's short length detract from the overall experience.
- “This aesthetic suits Cube Runner’s pace: nothing distracts from the hazards rushing toward you, and the simplicity improves readability while keeping performance smooth even on low-spec hardware.”
- “People who value smooth performance and a clean, polished experience will appreciate the optimization efforts in the game.”
- “The optimization allows for a seamless experience, ensuring that even players on lower-end systems can enjoy the game without significant performance issues.”
- “Low performance -- FPS problems on a strong PC.”
- “The only negatives I feel are present are the occasional stuttering and slowdowns, especially in levels with a vast amount of superfluous particles present for atmosphere.”
- “Also, the 'heat' blocks cause issues with performance and key hit detection, so some of your inputs will be dropped, causing you to die.”
humor
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players finding it funny and enjoyable, particularly due to its quirky 3D options and amusing achievements. While the gameplay itself may not be inherently comedic, the challenges and the lighthearted nature of the achievements add a humorous touch to the overall experience.
- “Funny game! I really liked playing that game. XD”
- “The 3D options make it a little more funny and special.”
- “The achievements are hilarious when you aren't trying to die on purpose.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game can be quite extensive, with some players feeling it requires an excessive time investment, likening it to needing a "second life." While some describe the grinding as moderate, the overall sentiment suggests it may detract from the enjoyment of the game, especially given its price point.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Short $1 game that for some reason costs $11; playtime past 10 minutes is just for card farming.”
- “Medium level of grinding.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The game's atmosphere is generally praised for its appealing colors and themes, contributing to an immersive experience, though some players note occasional stuttering due to excessive particle effects. While the overall ambiance is calming, certain levels can be frustrating, yet the music helps maintain a soothing atmosphere. Additionally, players express a desire for more creative tools to enhance the game's longevity.
- “The global atmosphere of the game is nice, with vibrant colors and engaging themes.”
- “The occasional stuttering and slow time can detract from the experience, especially in levels filled with atmospheric particles.”
- “Some levels can be frustrating, but the music and atmosphere kept my nerves down.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization of the game is widely criticized as a cash grab, with users expressing skepticism about its value and the authenticity of its advertising claims.
- “This game is pretty much another cash grab.”
- “The game is for sure a cash grab.”
- “Finally, the advertising seems a bit bogus: 'deep enough to challenge the greatest gamers'?”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability has been criticized for being buggy, with users reporting small glitches that detract from the overall experience. Some players have described it as "nauseating" and "eye gouge-inducing," indicating significant frustration with its performance.
- “Buggy, nauseating, and eye-gouge-inducing garbage.”
- “A bit buggy.”
- “Small glitches.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users express that the emotional experience is somewhat diminished by the frustration of timed shooting mechanics, which detracts from the intended puzzle-platformer feel of the game. This shift in gameplay focus leads to a sense of disconnection from the emotional engagement typically expected in such genres.