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
Windows
Nintendo Ds
PlayStation
Playstation 2
PSP
Wii
Reviews
- The game captures the essence of parkour and free running, providing a fun and nostalgic experience reminiscent of classic extreme sports games like Tony Hawk's Pro Skater.
- Once players learn the controls, the gameplay becomes satisfying and enjoyable, allowing for impressive trick chaining and exploration.
- The soundtrack is excellent, featuring tracks that enhance the overall experience and fit the game's aesthetic perfectly.
- The controls are overly technical and convoluted, making it difficult for new players to get into the game without a steep learning curve.
- The camera system can be frustrating, often leading to disorientation and difficulty in lining up jumps, which is critical in a parkour game.
- Some levels are poorly designed, leading to confusion about where to go and making certain challenges feel tedious and frustrating.
- music20 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The game's soundtrack, primarily composed by Martin Iveson, is highly praised for its fitting blend of jungle, techno, and trip hop, resonating well with fans of late 90s and early 2000s UK electronic music. While some users note that the sound effects are minimal and occasionally lack quality, the music itself is described as energizing and integral to the overall experience, with many players enjoying it so much that they would leave the game running just to listen. Overall, the soundtrack significantly enhances the game's aesthetic and gameplay.
“The soundtrack in this game is amazing; it fits the game's aesthetic perfectly.”
“One part of this game that I've always loved is the soundtrack; 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.”
“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.”
“It's worth playing this game because of the experience, but the reuploaded version of this game is kind of disappointing; 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.”
- graphics18 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are largely criticized for being outdated, resembling the original PS2 and PSP versions from 2007, with only minor improvements like full HD and 4K support. The PC port is locked at 30 fps and lacks significant graphical enhancements, leading to a gloomy aesthetic that some players feel fits the game's setting. Overall, while the level design and aesthetics are appreciated, the visuals are considered underwhelming by modern standards.
“Love the aesthetics and the level design.”
“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.”
“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.”
“There aren't any beautiful graphical aspects; it's kind of gloomy and dreary looks 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.”
- gameplay14 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The gameplay is centered around parkour mechanics, which some players find enjoyable and fun once they master the controls, despite initial challenges. However, opinions are mixed, with some describing the overall gameplay experience as wonky and reminiscent of PS2-era visuals. While the game lacks a substantial story, it delivers a solid parkour experience that aligns with its title, appealing to fans of the genre.
“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, and it's actually pretty fun to pull off some of these tricks, of which there are a lot of them to learn.”
“It's got the PS2 era visuals, gameplay, and all the DnB + 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.”
- story12 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The story in the game is minimal, primarily consisting of challenges against free runners and dialogues with a mentor, 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 is on parkour gameplay. Players express a desire for more depth in future titles, including a potential story mode that could enhance the free running experience.
“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 and I'd love to see more of it, such as more professional traceur appearances in-game, more moves and locations to visit, and maybe even a 'free running underground' game with a story mode, probably about an aspiring traceur with the overall goal to make his or her way to and win Ninja Warrior or the Olympics or something.”
“The story is non-existent and honestly there's no need for one, so no harm done there.”
“Story is nothing, you just challenge some free runners and your mentor, with dialogues between you and them.”
“Story is not really important in a game like this unlike Thug, but still.”
- grinding6 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 such as wallruns and soap grinding, akin to Tony Hawk's and Sonic Adventure. However, players note that grinding opportunities are somewhat limited, with the docks being the standout location for this feature. Overall, while grinding is a fun and engaging aspect, it feels underutilized in many levels.
“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.”
“Locations include the slick training gym, your character's home on a London rooftop like Mercury in Mirror's Edge, a block of flats with some neat obstacles, a watermill and small suburb with the best ground zero in the game, the docks with soap grinding chances on a big crane, the terrible freighter, and a skyscraper and plaza I've yet to reach even in the PSP original.”
“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.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, highlighting the joy and excitement derived from creative gameplay and exploration, despite acknowledging some flaws. The quick restart feature enhances the fun, allowing for a playful and engaging experience reminiscent of childhood adventures.
