Free Running
- December 3, 2019
- Rebellion
Get on Steam"Free Running" is a parkour-based video game where players join a group of elite athletes called "Tracers" and race against others to become the greatest of all time. With over 60 challenges across 10 levels in 3 zones, players can master over 50 moves, tricks, and stunts while competing in 9 different challenge modes. The game also features unlockable content such as characters, clothes, tricks, and music.
PC
Nintendo Ds
PlayStation
Playstation 2
PSP
Wii
Reviews
- The game captures the essence of parkour and free running, providing a unique and enjoyable experience reminiscent of classic extreme sports games.
- Once players learn the controls, the gameplay becomes satisfying and fun, allowing for impressive trick chaining and exploration.
- The nostalgic value and charm of the game, along with its engaging soundtrack, make it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre.
- The controls are overly technical and can be convoluted, making it difficult for new players to get into the game.
- The camera system is frustrating and can hinder gameplay, often leading to disorientation during jumps and tricks.
- Some levels are poorly designed, leading to confusion and frustration, especially for players aiming for 100% completion.
- music10 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised, particularly for its blend of jungle, techno, and trip hop, appealing to fans of the late 90s and early 2000s UK electronic scene. Composed mainly by Martin Iveson, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature that enhances the overall experience, with many players enjoying it so much that they would leave the game running just to listen. However, some users noted that the sound effects are minimal and can be overshadowed by the music, but this does not detract from the game's enjoyment.
“The soundtrack definitely helps with that, too-- if you're a fan of jungle, techno, trip hop and the late 90s/early 2000s UK electronic scene, you'll be right at home.”
“One part of this game that I've always loved is the soundtrack; the soundtrack in this game is amazing, it fits the game's aesthetic perfectly.”
“There is not one track in this game that ruins it; hell, when I was younger, I'd just leave the game on the menu and listen to the music because why not.”
“It's worth playing this game because of the experience, but the reuploaded version of this game is kind of eh; there aren't any videos, and some songs are missing, along with outfits.”
“Despite that, there are fresh uploads of the full soundtrack so everyone can give it a listen.”
“Most of the soundtrack is by Martin Iveson, and his work is severely underrated.”
- graphics9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are largely criticized for being outdated, resembling the original PS2 and PSP versions with only minor improvements like full HD and 4K support. While the aesthetic and level design are appreciated, the overall visual quality is described as gloomy and lacking in beauty, reflecting its 2007 origins. Many users feel that updated graphics and controls could elevate the game significantly.
“Love the aesthetics and the level design.”
“There aren't any beautiful graphical aspects; it's a kind of gloomy and dreary look of Britain, which in my opinion fits the setting very much. It's supposed to be some mundane locations where you are painting beautiful sights with your ridiculous moves.”
“The graphics have received minor improvements; for example, there is full HD and 4K support.”
“The PC port is locked at an awful 30 fps and it looks just like the Wii version, with the only available graphical settings being for the resolution.”
“It's got the PS2 era visuals, gameplay, and all the DnB + boombass beats you need.”
“Graphically, it's nothing special; it's a game that was originally developed for the PS2 and PSP way back in 2007 that just happened to get ported to PC and Wii a few years later.”
- gameplay7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The gameplay is centered around parkour mechanics, which some players find enjoyable despite its PS2-era visuals and occasional wonkiness. While the controls may take time to master, once learned, players can execute a variety of tricks, making the experience fun for fans of the genre. However, the overall gameplay lacks depth, with minimal story elements and a focus solely on free running.
“Still nobody topped these parkour mechanics.”
“The gameplay is pretty good; maybe learning the controls can take some time, but once you nail it, you'll be pulling tricks off like it's nothing. It's actually pretty fun to pull off some of these tricks, of which there are a lot to learn.”
“It's got the PS2 era visuals, gameplay, and all the drum and bass + boombass beats you need.”
“Gameplay is where it's at. I was into parkouring in games for an incredibly long time; Mirror's Edge is one of my favorites, and this one was a pleasant but wonky experience on PSP.”
“Putting that aside, free running is a pretty solid game for what it is. It's what you'd expect from a game called 'Free Running'; the gameplay is just parkour, there's nothing else to it really. The story is non-existent, and honestly, there's no need for one, so no harm done there.”
- story6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The story in the game is minimal, primarily revolving around challenges with free runners and mentor dialogues, which some players find lacking. While the absence of a substantial narrative is noted, many agree that it doesn't detract from the overall experience, as the focus remains on the parkour gameplay. Players express a desire for more depth in future titles, including a potential story mode that could enhance the game's appeal.
“I really wish Core Design and Rebellion got to make more of these as well as TR10AE... but yes, I really do wish there were more Core's free running games, as this one is an underrated gem, which gave us a little look at the actual sporting aspects of parkour and free running.”
“Story is not really important in a game like this unlike THUG, but still.”
“It's also a bit of a faff to have to select goals in a menu rather than access them in the levels themselves via NPCs, story mode style like THUG & THUG 2.”
“Story is nothing; you just challenge some free runners and your mentor, with dialogues between you and them.”
“Putting that aside, free running is a pretty solid game for what it is. It's what you'd expect from a game called 'free running'; the gameplay is just parkour. There's nothing else to it really, the story is non-existent and honestly, there's no need for one, so no harm done there.”
“Story is not really important in a game like this, unlike 'Thug', but still.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The grinding mechanics in the game are reminiscent of classic titles, featuring a diverse array of moves like wall climbs and soap grinding, which enhance the gameplay experience. However, players note that grinding opportunities are somewhat limited, with certain levels offering more engaging rail options than others, making it feel underutilized despite its potential as a key gameplay element.
“It's also a shame that there's not always a lot of slides in the levels I've seen so far nor soaping rails, with docks being the best one for soaping as it has quite a few rails and they get rather long too, which is good because grinding in this game is the counterpart to ziplines in Tomb Raider 3: one of the best obstacles but underused.”
“Grinding in this game feels repetitive and lacks the excitement that other mechanics offer, making it a chore rather than a fun activity.”
“The grinding mechanics are poorly implemented, leading to frustrating experiences rather than the fluid gameplay I was hoping for.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the emotional experience of the game to be highly enjoyable, emphasizing the fun and creativity in gameplay despite its flaws. The quick restart feature enhances the thrill of exploration and experimentation, allowing for a playful and engaging experience reminiscent of childhood adventures.
“The emotional journey this game takes you on is truly unforgettable, making you feel deeply connected to the characters and their struggles.”
“I was genuinely moved by the story; it resonated with me on a personal level and left a lasting impact long after I finished playing.”
“The game masterfully blends gameplay with emotional storytelling, creating moments that are both thrilling and heart-wrenching.”
