Race The Sun
- December 9, 2013
- flippfly
- 24h median play time
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.
Get on Steam
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Get on Apple Store"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
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Reviews
- Addictive gameplay that keeps players coming back for more.
- Minimalistic yet beautiful graphics and a fitting soundtrack enhance the experience.
- Daily changing levels provide fresh challenges and increase replayability.
- Can become repetitive after extended play, especially once max level is reached.
- Some challenges can feel frustratingly difficult or unfair.
- Limited controls and mechanics may not appeal to all players.
- gameplay150 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its simplicity and addictiveness, offering easy-to-learn mechanics that are challenging to master. Players appreciate the smooth controls and the engaging, fast-paced nature of the game, enhanced by daily generated maps and a variety of power-ups. While the visuals may be minimalistic, the focus on tight gameplay mechanics and a compelling soundtrack keeps players returning for more, making it a satisfying experience for both casual and hardcore gamers.
“Satisfying controls and simple, yet hard to master, mechanics.”
“The gameplay is simple, the graphics are minimalist (and beautiful, I might add, in their simplicity), and the controls are remarkably smooth.”
“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.”
“Extremely dull gameplay.”
“The gameplay itself is relatively simple; if you watched videos on the game's page in the Steam store, then you've actually seen most of what it has to offer.”
“What I don’t like is the simplicity of the gameplay; there needs to be more pick-ups, ship abilities, and controller buttons to press.”
- graphics138 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are predominantly minimalist and simplistic, which many players find charming and well-suited to the gameplay. While some reviews note that the visuals can appear bland or basic, others appreciate the clean aesthetic and how it enhances the overall experience, allowing for smooth performance on a variety of systems. Overall, the art style is described as beautiful yet understated, effectively complementing the game's fast-paced mechanics and immersive sound design.
“Beautiful yet simplistic graphics and environment.”
“The graphics are simple but look beautiful, and the sense of speed is perfect.”
“The visuals are beautiful and you'll want to play for hours.”
“The complete lack of graphics makes the game look bland.”
“RTS' graphics are... about as minimalist as you can get.”
“Maybe it was supposed to have the elegance and simplicity of the graphics, but it is just basic, lacking the overall game's refinement.”
- music126 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its ability to enhance the atmosphere and gameplay experience, particularly during intense moments. However, some users note that the soundtrack can be repetitive and limited, suggesting that it may benefit from a wider variety of tracks. Overall, while the music complements the game's aesthetic and mechanics, players often prefer to listen to their own playlists for a more personalized experience.
“The game also has a dynamic soundtrack that adapts to your speed and the environment, creating a sense of urgency and immersion.”
“The soundtrack is amazing, it organically fits with the game.”
“The music fits perfectly and really adds to the stressing yet also soothing experience.”
“I suggest you turn off the music though, the track is always the same for each region.”
“The music is very limited and repetitive, and quite generic.”
“The games musical library consists of the vast amount of 3 tracks.”
- replayability47 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many players highlighting features like daily changing maps and a level editor that contribute to an engaging experience. While some users note that replay value may diminish after reaching certain milestones, the combination of randomization and skill-based challenges keeps the gameplay fresh and enjoyable for extended periods. Many consider it a worthwhile investment, especially for fans of fast-paced, casual gaming.
“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.”
“Replayability is nice, with the course updating with a new random seed every 24 hours, giving you enough time to learn a day's track to improve whilst also keeping you from falling into a routine without skill.”
“Infinitely replayable with daily map seeds, highly satisfying, and still one of my favorites after all this time.”
“It's fun, but the perspective doesn't work as well as the regular one and it's not as replayable with the slower pace and lower variety (from not having power-ups and not generating new versions of levels).”
“Edit: after many hours, it is true that the replay value is low, but I highly suggest getting it as a mobile app as it is a way better suited game for that media.”
“Still, the amount of content is fair, but I don't think the game is incredibly replayable.”
- story35 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The game is not story-driven and lacks a complex narrative, focusing instead on a mission-based progression system that keeps players engaged with varied challenges. While some missions can be frustratingly specific and difficult, the overall experience is designed for casual play, making it ideal for those who prefer quick, adrenaline-fueled gameplay without the commitment of a traditional story. Players appreciate the simplicity and fun of the missions, but should not expect a grand storyline or character development.
“It is especially nice when you don't have time or energy for those big story-driven games where you have to commit a bit to it once you start.”
“I love this subtle story that unfolds too.”
“This quaint indie game goes a long way to proving that a game doesn’t have to center itself around stunning graphics, intricate storylines, or likable characters in order to establish itself amongst some of the truly great indie titles out there today.”
“It doesn't have incredible graphics (I think there aren't even textures), it doesn't have any story at all, it doesn't have overblown system requirements or BS DLC, but what it does have is pure, adrenaline-fueled gameplay.”
“Just understand that there is no story or anything like that.”
“There is no grand story to draw you in with its grand sweep or epic scope.”
- atmosphere13 mentions
- 62 % positive mentions
- 15 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its calming and peaceful qualities, enhanced by beautiful visuals and atmospheric music that create a relaxing experience. Players appreciate the blend of casual gameplay with a slightly competitive edge, while the addition of DLCs like the sunrise pack further enriches the ambiance. Overall, the atmosphere is described as both enchanting and immersive, contributing significantly to the enjoyment of the game.
“The reason I chose this game was because it has such a calm and peaceful atmosphere, which makes you relax as you don't have to fight against anything in this game.”
“The visuals, sound, and atmosphere are all excellent, as other reviews put it.”
“The music sets the atmosphere nicely, maintaining a feeling of wonder and excitement throughout.”
“An old arcade style dodge stuff game with an amazing atmosphere.”
“I also find it to have a calming atmosphere, especially the sunrise DLC which is helped by the atmospheric background music and stunning graphics.”
“The reason I chose this game was because it has a calm and peaceful atmosphere, which makes you relax as you don't have to fight against anything in this game.”
- stability10 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting significant bugs, particularly in the level editor, which can cause freezing and crashes. While some players have noted improvements and a lack of glitches in recent patches, the overall consensus highlights ongoing stability issues that detract from the gaming experience.
“The game freezes and locks up instantly when launched.”
“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.”
“Can't get past level 5 because the game freezes when I need to equip that magnet upgrade.”
- optimization8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is generally praised, with smooth performance on low-end hardware and minimal storage requirements. However, players recommend adjusting settings to low to avoid lag, which can hinder gameplay. While some users report no performance issues, others note that even minor mistakes can significantly impact the experience.
“Super low performance and storage requirements.”
“I never had any performance problems or crashing.”
“The designs are nice and minimal, and the game runs smoothly on relatively low-end hardware.”
“The landscape has patterns, of course, and those patterns can be more or less efficiently learned after several runs (thus allowing you to improve your performance), but even the slightest mistake can turn out to be fatal.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its quirky and unexpected elements, such as playful commentary on power-ups and absurd challenges that evoke laughter. Players find the combination of intense gameplay and whimsical humor surprisingly engaging, making the experience both exciting and entertaining. Overall, the game's unique comedic style adds a delightful layer to its fun factor.
“A typical gain of an in-game power-up is commented by lines like 'now you can decorate your imaginary airship' and 'we think you like this kind of thing.' Harder flights are intense, and some later tricks of the surroundings are so wonderfully unfair they made me laugh.”
“I am amazed at how funny this type of game is; I never expected it to be so exciting.”
“It is an unusual and very funny game.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, as it often requires repeated attempts and significant effort to unlock upgrades necessary for survival, particularly in the main game and DLC.
“The main game and DLC are okay, but they pretty much revolve around you dying a lot and grinding goals to unlock enough upgrades to actually not die a few minutes in.”
“Grinding can be tedious for some of the challenges.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game is viewed as somewhat high at $10 for an endless runner, but players appreciate the absence of microtransactions, making it more appealing during sales.
“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.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users express that the game evokes strong emotional responses, highlighting its ability to resonate deeply with players and leave a lasting impact.
“At least that's how it made me feel.”
Critic Reviews
Race the Sun Review - Relaxed
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.
90%Race the Sun Review
Race the Sun offers the chance to drive a solar-powered craft at breakneck speeds, trying to reach a star that looks so tantalisingly close, although it's always out of reach. It's tough, it's fun, it has excellent controls, and, finally, it has that great "one more try" magic. However, many will be disappointed from the fact that there aren't many things to do besides trying to get the highest possible score, which is the main reason why it has lost the golden medal. Those who don't mind its simplicity, though, will certainly enjoy what is probably the best independently developed endless runner for the PC so far.
80%Race the Sun Review
You may find the sun falling in the real world, the hours ticking away as you play Race the Sun. The gameplay is simplicity itself, but failure is still only a tiny mistake away. That feeling of flying down the track and watching objects only just missing your wings will keep drawing you back. Again, the visuals may look a little plain, but that's just to make it easier for the player to assess what's rushing toward them. Race the Sun is a futile flight against a falling sun, but with all of its little extras, different tracks and a sense of speed you can almost feel, it's flight we willingly keep taking on.
80%
