I Hate Running Backwards

71%
Game Brain Score Based on 120 reviews
  • gameplay
  • music
  • graphics
I Hate Running Backwards Game Cover
I Hate Running Backwards is a much needed and refreshing tribute to the classic arcade shoot ‘em up, that, in spite of a few odd difficulty spikes, is highly addictive and absolutely worth the time spent—and at times lost—to it.
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"I Hate Running Backwards" is a chaotic endless runner mixed with a shoot-em-up game. You must fight off hordes of enemies while moving backwards on procedurally generated levels. The game offers a wide variety of weapons and enemies to keep the action fresh, along with leaderboards to compete with other players. This latest update adds new weapons, reworks animations, and makes various adjustments for improved gameplay.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

71%
Audience ScoreBased on 120 reviews
gameplay7 positive mentions
optimization3 negative mentions
  • The game features a unique concept of running backwards while shooting, which adds a fresh twist to the gameplay.
  • There is a good variety of characters and weapons to unlock, enhancing replayability and keeping the gameplay interesting.
  • The game has a fun and chaotic atmosphere, especially when played in co-op mode, making it enjoyable for friends.
  • The difficulty level is punishing, with many players finding it frustrating and overly challenging, even on easier modes.
  • Gameplay can feel repetitive after a while, with limited variety in mechanics and enemy encounters.
  • The game suffers from unclear mechanics and visual chaos, making it hard to track health and progress during intense moments.
  • gameplay21 mentions

    The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its simplicity and challenge, while others find it lacking in variety and satisfaction over time. Many enjoy the arcade-style mechanics and the thrill of unlocking new content, but frustrations arise from the game's punishing difficulty and unclear mechanics. Overall, it offers a fun experience for those who enjoy roguelike elements, though it may not hold long-term appeal for everyone.

    • “The gameplay shines in its simplicity: kill and break stuff for XP.”
    • “This game has solid and challenging gameplay with a refreshing graphic style and epic soundtrack.”
    • “Fun to play although it takes some time to master gameplay and to proceed towards next levels.”
    • “Personally, I'll try to invest some more hours into the game, will try to unlock the last bits of content... but probably delete it soon, since in gameplay value, the game kinda drained out on me.”
    • “Good enough for the first several runs, but soon you'll notice that there is very little variety in gameplay.”
    • “Then there is a mind-numbingly frustrating 'restart' mechanic.”
  • music11 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising it as fitting and enjoyable, particularly for fans of the Serious Sam series, while others find it forgettable or lacking in quality. Overall, the soundtrack is described as cute and epic, contributing positively to the game's atmosphere, despite some criticisms regarding its memorability.

    • “A good Serious Sam indie game with high replayability, many characters to play as, lots of weapons, and good music.”
    • “Also, the music tracks are fantastic.”
    • “It's got great music; if you liked what was on offer in Serious Sam, it fits the nature of the game really well.”
    • “Besides the unpleasant gameplay, the music kinda sucks.”
    • “All of this will be accompanied by Minecraft-like graphics, music from Serious Sam 2 and Serious Sam 3 which are not really bad; in fact, it's kinda cute.”
    • “Actually, most of the game is based upon the Serious Sam series, taking weapons, enemies, sounds, music, themes, and locations from these games, mixing it with new and original content.”
  • graphics8 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally well-received, featuring vibrant colors and a charming art style reminiscent of Minecraft. While some users noted minor glitches, the visuals are considered pleasant and contribute positively to the overall gameplay experience. The combination of appealing graphics and a fitting soundtrack enhances the game's fun and addictive nature.

    • “The game offers some pleasant graphics and really vibrant colors; although there are some ugly glitches here and there, it is pleasant all the same.”
    • “This game has a solid and challenging gameplay with a refreshing graphic style and epic soundtrack.”
    • “I love the art style; it's really challenging, and the developers are listening to the community.”
    • “All of this will be accompanied by Minecraft-like graphics, music from SS2 and SS3 which are not really bad; in fact, it's kinda cute.”
    • “The visuals and gameplay are simple, but there are a lot of weapons and characters to unlock.”
    • “While not perfect, IRHB and its nice visuals and hectic action can be quite addicting.”
  • replayability6 mentions

    The game offers high replayability due to its diverse characters, each with unique pros and cons, as well as a variety of weapons and abilities that create varied gameplay experiences. Players appreciate the inclusion of unlockable content and couch co-op, although some suggest improvements to the special weapons and perk system to further enhance the uniqueness of each run. Overall, the combination of fast-paced action and multiple gameplay options contributes to its strong replay value.

    • “Good replay value as each run is slightly different with abilities options, weapons, and environments to make it less predictable and varied.”
    • “There's so many weapons and characters from other Devolver games to unlock, plus there is couch co-op, so there's a very great replayability here.”
    • “Although the game is fun, there could be several changes to the special weapons and perk system to make each round feel more unique and enhance the replayability.”
    • “Each character has their own pros and cons, so yeah, replayability at its finest.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    Overall, user feedback on optimization is mixed; while some players report a smooth gameplay experience without issues, others experience significant lag and low frame rates, indicating that the game may not be well optimized for all hardware configurations.

    • “I had no issues with gameplay or optimization; I played in co-op and it was very fun.”
    • “Probably not so well optimized, yet no problems whatsoever and a good experience.”
    • “The game is not optimized at all; I'm experiencing lag with only 45 FPS on my 940MX.”
    • “Poor optimization leads to constant frame drops and an overall frustrating experience.”
    • “The lack of optimization makes it nearly unplayable on mid-range hardware.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by the introduction of three beloved characters from popular titles, creating a nostalgic and amusing experience. Players appreciate the blend of skill-based gameplay with random, humorous elements that elicit laughter and excitement, despite some repetition in the game's structure.

    • “The funny thing is that it introduces three characters from excellent games: Hotline Miami, Enter the Dungeon, and Nuclear Throne.”
    • “The game repeats itself from the beginning, but the essence is skill, with random funny moments that make you laugh and yell.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Players express frustration with the emotional impact of encounters with enemies like the werebull and the final boss, as their ability to instakill the player creates a heightened sense of tension and anxiety during gameplay.

  • grinding1 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, indicating that it can become a monotonous and unenjoyable experience.

    • “The grinding feels tedious and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “I find the grinding aspect to be incredibly monotonous, draining the fun out of the game.”
    • “The amount of grinding required is overwhelming and takes away from the overall experience.”
  • stability1 mentions

    While the game features appealing graphics and vibrant colors, players have reported occasional glitches that affect overall stability.

    • “The game has some pleasant graphics and vibrant colors, but there are ugly glitches that detract from the experience.”
    • “I frequently encounter crashes that disrupt my gameplay, making it hard to enjoy the game.”
    • “The stability issues are frustrating; I often find myself getting kicked out of matches unexpectedly.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

69% average critic score

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