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.

94%Game Brain Score

gameplay, music

grinding, stability

94% User Score Based on 3,798 reviews

Critic Score 75%Based on 13 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $9.99

Buy NowGet on Steam$9.99

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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

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

+11

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,798 reviews

gameplay156 positive mentions

grinding15 negative mentions

Race The Sun offers a unique and addictive gameplay experience with simple controls that are easy to learn but hard to master.
The game features daily changing maps, providing fresh challenges and keeping the gameplay engaging.
The minimalist graphics and soothing soundtrack create a relaxing atmosphere, making it a great game to unwind with.

The game can become repetitive after a while, especially once players reach max level and complete all challenges.
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, with many players suggesting it is better suited for a lower price.

gameplay
404 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
58%
3%
The gameplay of "Race the Sun" is characterized by its simple yet addictive mechanics, allowing players to easily pick up and enjoy the game while still presenting 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 depth, making it a compelling choice for both casual and competitive play.
- “Satisfying controls and simple, yet hard to master, mechanics.”
- “The gameplay is great, the game is challenging and the game is definitely worth picking up on sale.”
- “An engaging game with a simple but tight gameplay loop, tons of variability, and challenge to spare without ever feeling cheap.”
- “The gameplay is average.”
- “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.”
music
387 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
47%
4%
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its ability to enhance the atmosphere and gameplay experience. While some find the soundtrack soothing and fitting for the game's pace, others note that it can become repetitive over time, leading to suggestions to play personal music instead. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a significant aspect of the game, contributing to its immersive and relaxing qualities, despite calls for more variety.
- “The music fits perfectly and really adds to the stressing yet also soothing experience.”
- “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.”
- “The music is fantastic, which is good because it seems to only have 3 or 4 tracks that I've noticed.”
- “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 music is too repetitive and the sounds are not very engaging.”
graphics
371 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
50%
2%
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 create a clean and engaging environment that enhances the sense of speed and urgency during gameplay. Overall, the graphics are generally well-received for their ability to run smoothly on low-end systems, allowing for a broad accessibility while maintaining a unique visual style.
- “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 graphics are very simple and the more that I have played, the more I have come to enjoy the graphics.”
- “The graphics are blocky, there are zero textures, and for the entire level you stare into the sun (a bright white spot on your screen).”
- “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
107 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
74%
10%
The game lacks a traditional narrative, focusing instead on a mission-based progression system that keeps players engaged through daily challenges and skill-based gameplay. While some players appreciate the simplicity and addictive nature of the missions, many express disappointment over the absence of character development or a deeper storyline, viewing the experience as primarily about survival and completing objectives rather than storytelling. Overall, the game is best suited for those who prefer fast-paced, casual gameplay without the need for a complex plot.
- “There is a sense of desperation in chasing the sun, a quest you're doomed to fail.”
- “The plot is that you are a solar-powered craft flying and the sun, which powers your craft, is setting.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “There is no grand story to draw you in with its grand sweep or epic scope.”
replayability
94 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
59%
3%
The game is widely praised for its high replayability, primarily due to daily map changes and the inclusion of user-generated content, which keeps the gameplay fresh and engaging. Players appreciate the variety and challenge offered by the randomly generated levels, as well as the daily challenges that encourage repeated play. However, some reviews note that while the game is enjoyable, its replay value may diminish after extended play sessions, particularly for those seeking deeper content.
- “It's fun and extremely replayable.”
- “The track also changes regularly and there are daily challenges too, so there's a good amount of replayability.”
- “The replayability factor is off the charts because the world changes every 24 hours.”
- “However, I would personally just buy it on sale, as the replayability is low.”
- “I hope that it continues to get active development, because right now it is a fun but very sparse game with replayability that gets tedious after more than about 10 runs on the daily course.”
- “It’s repetitive and has no replay value much past ten minutes.”
atmosphere
39 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
36%
8%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its calming and immersive qualities, enhanced by a captivating soundtrack and visually appealing environments. Players appreciate the contrast between vibrant user-created content and the serene, "after humanity" feel of the main game, which creates a unique blend of relaxation and excitement. The addition of VR support further intensifies the atmospheric experience, making it a standout feature for many reviewers.
- “A significant part of the atmosphere comes from the soundtrack.”
- “The music and atmosphere make for a fantastic experience, and the game tends to make fun of the constant deaths.”
- “The whole atmosphere gives a kind of 'after humanity' feeling.”
- “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.”
- “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
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players finding it both entertaining and cleverly integrated into gameplay through witty text and absurd scenarios. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke laughter, even in frustrating moments, making it enjoyable for solo play or as a party game. Overall, the humor adds a delightful layer to the experience, enhancing its appeal and replayability.
- “Considering it was apocalypse mode, I thought it was funny and oddly fitting.”
- “The funny thing is you can jump off a ramp high over orbs and it will still collect them if you touch the beam of light over them.”
- “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
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
48%
14%
Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its smooth performance across a wide range of hardware, including low-end systems, with users reporting no significant stability or performance issues. However, some players noted that while the game runs well, certain graphical features like antialiasing could be better optimized, as they can negatively impact performance on lower-end machines. Despite these minor concerns, the game's simple graphics and design contribute to its overall efficiency and playability.
- “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.”
- “Race the Sun's spectacular performance comes at the cost that the majority of the graphics are overly simplistic.”
- “Even then, it isn't really very well optimized; the antialiasing is a joke and forcing it up in the NVIDIA control panel cripples performance on my low-end, but definitely capable GT 740M @ 1366x768.”
- “However, more optimization would be much appreciated.”
grinding
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
94%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessive and repetitive, often requiring them to repeatedly tackle earlier levels to unlock upgrades and achievements. While some appreciate the challenge and variety in tasks, many feel that the grind can become tedious and frustrating, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game. Overall, the grinding mechanics are seen as a significant hurdle that may deter players who prefer a more streamlined experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The game also feels like there's too much grinding 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.”
- “Grinding to level up can get a bit frustrating and difficult at times.”
stability
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
86%
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while some players report a smooth experience with minimal bugs, others encounter significant issues, particularly with the level editor and freezing at certain levels. The presence of bugs and glitches, especially in the latest version, has led to frustration among users, indicating a need for further improvements. Despite these challenges, some players appreciate the game's fluid gameplay and ongoing updates.
- “No glitches or bugs were encountered while I was playing, and there is a little upbeat electro music to keep the pace going.”
- “Also runs great on my Linux laptop.”
- “Level editor can be buggy.”
- “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.”
monetization
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
20%
50%
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with players expressing frustration over the mobile version's reliance on microtransactions and ads, which they feel detracts from the experience. In contrast, the Steam version is praised for its lack of microtransactions, making it a more appealing option despite its higher price point. Overall, many users view the mobile version as a cash grab compared to the ad-free, one-time purchase model of the PC game.
- “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.”
- “There is a mobile version of the game called 'Race the Sun Challenge Edition', and with my brief time with it, it seems to be the same game as this, just free-to-play and with microtransactions... which makes the older Steam version better by default for me.”
- “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.”
emotional
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, highlighting its ability to evoke strong feelings such as nostalgia and sadness. Many reviewers mention crying during gameplay, indicating that the game's challenges and atmosphere resonate on a personal level, making it a memorable experience worth investing in.
- “10/10 would cry again for losing in level 3.”
- “I cried when it was all dark.”
- “This game made me feel 7 years old again when I first played a racing game.”