Skip to main content

Race The Sun

With Challenging gameplay, a minimalistic yet sophisticated art style and relaxing music and audio that aids the game's intense pacing; Race the Sun is a game that will be enjoyed by hardcore Indie gamers as well as more laid-back gamers.
88%Game Brain Score
gameplay, music
grinding, stability
94% User Score Based on 7,596 reviews
Critic Score 82%Based on 13 reviews

Platforms

iPhoneiPhoneMac OSMac OSPCPCPhonePhonePlaystation 4Playstation 4Playstation 5Playstation 5WindowsWindowsXbox OneXbox OneXbox Series X|SXbox Series X|SLinuxLinuxMobile PlatformMobile PlatformPlayStationPlayStationPlaystation 3Playstation 3Playstation VitaPlaystation VitaTabletTabletWiiWiiWii UWii UXboxXboxiPadiPad

About

"Race the Sun" is a fast-paced arcade-style game where you control a solar-powered craft, racing towards the sunset while avoiding obstacles and collecting energy boosts to prolong gameplay. The game features a procedurally generated world that changes daily, with upgrades and level-ups available to customize your ship. The objective is to maintain high speeds, avoid crashing, and stay in the light for as long as possible to achieve a high score. Reference

Race The Sun screenshot
Race The Sun screenshot
Race The Sun screenshot
Race The Sun screenshot
Race The Sun screenshot
Race The Sun screenshot
Race The Sun screenshot
Race The Sun screenshot
Race The Sun screenshot
Race The Sun screenshot
Race The Sun screenshot
+11

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 7,609 reviews
gameplay314 positive mentions
grinding30 negative mentions

  • Race The Sun offers a unique and engaging gameplay experience with its minimalist graphics and fast-paced action.
  • The game features daily changing levels, providing fresh challenges and keeping the gameplay interesting.
  • It has a simple control scheme that is easy to learn, making it accessible for players of all skill levels.
  • The game can become repetitive after a while, as the core mechanics do not change significantly.
  • Some challenges can feel frustratingly difficult, leading to a sense of unfairness in gameplay.
  • The price point may be considered high for the amount of content offered, especially when compared to similar free mobile games.
  • gameplay
    813 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Race the Sun" is characterized by its simple yet addictive mechanics, allowing players to easily pick up and play while offering a challenging experience that requires skill to master. The game features tight controls, a unique sun mechanic that adds urgency, and procedurally generated levels that keep the gameplay fresh and engaging. While some players find the gameplay repetitive over time, many appreciate its fast-paced nature and the balance between simplicity and challenge, making it a fun option for both casual and competitive play.

    • “Satisfying controls and simple, yet hard to master, mechanics.”
    • “Race the sun is an incredibly humble game, both in gameplay and presentation, but one that is tense, satisfying, and totally hypnotic.”
    • “An engaging game with a simple but tight gameplay loop, tons of variability, and challenge to spare without ever feeling cheap.”
    • “Bland, repetitive gameplay, graphics are uninspiring, and level design is basically 'meh'.”
    • “The game is fun for a very small amount of time; the gameplay feels very, very repetitive only after a few go’s.”
    • “Unfortunately, the game has an unlock progression system that works to its detriment, having to grind your way to level 5 to unlock the simplest game mechanics and up to level 25 to unlock everything by completing challenges that are in the best cases unintrusive (ie. score x points) and at worst hinder the experience (ie. only turn left the entire game).”
  • music
    776 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its ability to enhance the atmosphere and match the game's pace, creating a sense of urgency as gameplay intensifies. However, some users find the soundtrack repetitive and suggest that it could benefit from more variety, often opting to play their own music instead. Overall, while the in-game music is described as pleasant and fitting, it may not be engaging enough for extended play sessions.

    • “The soundtrack fits the game well and is very well done, the music, much like the game, will get gradually more intense as you progress through, which adds a lot to the experience. This is my favorite part of the game and is probably the reason why I’ve played it as much as I have.”
    • “The music is very great and helps sell the experience.”
    • “The game also has a dynamic soundtrack that adapts to your speed and the environment, creating a sense of urgency and immersion.”
    • “I suggest you turn off the music though, the track is always the same for each region.”
    • “The only negative thing I can say about the game is the music, which is very repetitive, since it's only one song.”
    • “The soundtrack of the game is non-existent, only one song which is pretty dull in the end.”
  • graphics
    747 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Race the Sun" are characterized by a minimalist and simplistic aesthetic, often described as low-poly and abstract, which some players find charming and fitting for the gameplay. While the visuals may lack detail and texture, they effectively complement the fast-paced action and enhance the sense of speed, creating a unique and engaging experience. Overall, the game's clean and straightforward graphics are well-received, though opinions vary on their appeal, with some players appreciating their beauty and others finding them bland.

    • “The graphics are minimalistic, yet amazing.”
    • “Beautiful yet simplistic graphics and environment.”
    • “The minimalist graphics, sounds, and mechanics contribute a sort of zen quality; relaxing, in a way, while requiring every reflex to be spot-on.”
    • “The complete lack of graphics makes the game look bland.”
    • “Race the sun is a simplistic VR-only racing game with poor VR support, poor gameplay, and lackluster low-poly graphics (they couldn't even afford to hire a texture artist or pay for stock textures).”
    • “If it was a graphically intensive game I could understand that, but this game doesn't even have any textures, and some of it is in fact wire-frame.”
  • story
    215 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game lacks a traditional narrative, with many reviews noting that it has no story or character development, focusing instead on a mission-based progression system. Players engage in daily challenges that are often random and can be frustratingly difficult, but the addictive nature of completing missions and leveling up keeps them engaged. While some appreciate the simplicity and the thrill of gameplay, others express disappointment over the absence of a compelling story, suggesting that the game is best suited for those who prioritize gameplay over narrative depth.

    • “There is a sense of desperation in chasing the sun, a quest you're doomed to fail.”
    • “This is the story of a single solar craft reaching for the horizon.”
    • “The story, well there is none, but it feels like there is.”
    • “Of course it almost goes without saying that there is no story.”
    • “Be aware the game is pretty naked, there is no story, no plot, no real objectives, it is just you, the desolate island filled with obstacles and numerous contraptions, and your meager attempt at survival in this barren world.”
  • replayability
    189 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers high replayability due to its daily changing maps and various challenge modes, keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging. Players appreciate the procedural generation of levels and the inclusion of user-created content, which significantly enhances replay value. However, some users note that replayability may diminish after reaching max levels or completing objectives, suggesting that while the game is fun and addictive, it can become repetitive over time.

    • “Race the Sun is a game that offers a lot of fun and replay value, as you test your reflexes and skills in a fast-paced and challenging race against time.”
    • “The levels are randomly generated daily, so there's a lot of replayability.”
    • “Infinitely replayable with daily map seeds, highly satisfying, and still one of my favorites after all this time.”
    • “However, I would personally just buy it on sale, as the replayability is low.”
    • “The levels do change daily, which can add for some replayability, but there is no end-game in sight, no common goal to achieve (other than leaderboards), and you will always die.”
    • “This game does so much right, but I feel like it tries to extend its replayability simply by getting me to do the same things over and over when I die.”
  • atmosphere
    78 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of "Race the Sun" is widely praised for its calming and immersive qualities, enhanced by a captivating soundtrack and visually diverse environments. Players appreciate the game's ability to create a sense of wonder and excitement, even amidst fast-paced gameplay, with VR support further enriching the experience. Overall, the combination of simple yet effective graphics and atmospheric sound design contributes to a unique and engaging atmosphere that resonates with both casual and competitive players.

    • “The music and atmosphere make for a fantastic experience, and the game tends to make fun of the constant deaths.”
    • “The excitement you feel as you narrowly dodge and weave back and forth between pillars, mountains, forests, and windmills while at the same time racing to collect those power-ups and time extensions creates an atmosphere that easily hooks any player, hardcore challenge freak or casual coffee breaker.”
    • “The atmospheric music is beautiful, yet it quickly becomes terrifying because it amps up as you go faster.”
    • “And the whole atmosphere gives a kind of 'after humanity' feeling.”
    • “Atmosphere 5.5/10”
    • “Simple, while the gameplay and atmosphere is smooth, the tight controls and near-misses you will crave are addicting, the music is calm, but the impending doom holds a sense of mortality, it's a game like no other.”
  • humor
    58 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is widely praised, with players finding it both entertaining and unexpectedly engaging. Many reviews highlight the clever and snarky in-game text, which adds a layer of comedic relief during gameplay, while the chaotic nature of the game leads to amusing moments, especially in multiplayer settings. Overall, the game is described as a fun and funny experience, suitable for both solo play and social gatherings.

    • “Considering it was apocalypse mode, I thought it was funny and oddly fitting.”
    • “Perfect to play alone or play by turn with your friends - because you will always die fast, no one will get to wait too long and everybody can watch each other with laughing and support, lol :p no irony intended!”
    • “On top of that, the text upon reaching an achievement is a nihilistic 'meh, achievements suck anyway and you're stupid for caring about points' type of 'humorous' text.”
  • optimization
    42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is praised for its smooth performance and low system requirements, running well even on older and low-end hardware without stability issues. However, some users noted that while the graphics are simplistic and contribute to the overall performance, further optimization is needed, particularly regarding antialiasing, which can hinder performance on certain systems. Overall, it is recommended to play on lower settings to avoid lag, especially in high-speed scenarios.

    • “The game performs well on any computer I’ve tried it on, even super low-end computers; I’ve not had any problems performance-wise.”
    • “Great music, optimization, and easy-to-learn controls.”
    • “The designs are nice and minimal, and the game runs smoothly on relatively low-end hardware.”
    • “Even then, it isn't really very well optimized, the antialiasing is a joke and forcing it up in NVIDIA control panel cripples performance on my low end, but definitely capable GT 740M @ 1366x768.”
    • “However, more optimization would be much appreciated, but the controls are easy to learn and not too shabby.”
    • “The menus aren't controller optimized.”
  • grinding
    32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessive and tedious, often requiring repeated attempts to unlock upgrades and achievements. While some appreciate the variety in challenges, many feel that the repetitive nature of grinding detracts from the overall experience, making it frustrating and less enjoyable over time. Overall, the game seems to cater to those with a "grinding mindset," but risks alienating players who prefer a more balanced progression.

    • “The game also feels like there's too much grinding going on just to get the achievements in-game so you can level up for a better ship.”
    • “While having an imaginative, beautiful and simplistic idea, it falters due to its repetitive and grindy mechanics.”
    • “I lost the learning curve at the 18 level mark, and then I found I could not get further without grinding level 1 challenges, which were becoming intensely more dull and longer (do something 6 times, do something x times).”
  • stability
    28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting significant bugs, particularly in the level editor and during gameplay, such as freezing at specific levels. While some players noted a lack of glitches during their sessions, others expressed frustration over the game's instability and the challenges posed by the buggy editor. Overall, the game shows potential but suffers from notable stability issues that detract from the experience.

    • “No glitches or bugs were encountered as I was playing, and there is a little upbeat electro music to keep the pace going.”
    • “Also runs great on my Linux laptop.”
    • “The game freezes and locks up instantly when launched.”
    • “Can't get past level 5 because the game freezes when I need to equip that magnet upgrade.”
    • “They shouldn't have made a contest on such a buggy editor, even though they warned us it is buggy; that just tells me that they are not professional with editors.”
  • monetization
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with players noting that the mobile version features microtransactions, making the older Steam version more appealing due to its lack of in-game purchases. While some find the $10 price tag steep for an endless runner, they appreciate that the PC version offers a complete experience without ads or currency systems, contrasting it with the free-to-play mobile model that feels like a cash grab. Overall, players recommend the Steam version, especially during sales, for its straightforward gameplay without the pitfalls of monetization.

    • “Well worth picking up in a sale, because $10 seems a bit too much for an endless runner, but at least there's no microtransactions.”
    • “Thankfully, there is no currency, and once you acquire all of the upgrades, that's all you're going to get, so there is no threat of microtransactions.”
    • “It's practically one of those runner games you'd find on mobile devices, except not as long and without microtransactions.”
    • “This whole game seems like a big cash grab.”
    • “I'd rather play a mobile runner for free with ads than pay money for this game.”
    • “Those sons of b***es left this version for over 2000 days and I felt fine... until I found out there's an Android version, still updated to this day... with microtransactions.”
  • emotional
    16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, often experiencing intense feelings of nostalgia and vulnerability, as evidenced by tears during gameplay and personal reflections on their experiences. The game evokes strong memories and emotions, making it stand out among others, with some players even considering it worth purchasing despite its free availability. Overall, it resonates on a profound level, eliciting both joy and sadness.

    • “I cried when it was all dark.”
    • “10/10 would cry again for losing in level 3.”
    • “This game made me feel 7 years old again when I first played a racing game.”

82%Critics’ scoreBased on 13 critic reviews

Buy Race The Sun

24h Median play time
58h Average play time
5h Main story
12h Completionist
9-78h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 22 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Games Like Race The Sun

Boson X Image
Bit Blaster XL Image
Distance Image
Super House of Dead Ninjas Image
Superflight Image
SEUM: Speedrunners from Hell Image
This game contains adult content
Orbt XL Image
LOVE Image
Neon Drive Image
ISLANDERS Image