November 18, 2016
13AM Games

Runbow

Almost three years after we first looked at it, Runbow is now on Nintendo Switch. Does the colorful racer work just as well on Switch as it did on Wii U? Our review.

83%Game Brain Score

gameplay, graphics

story, replayability

86% User Score Based on 128 reviews

Critic Score 82%Based on 16 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $14.15

Buy NowGet on Steam $14.99

About

Runbow is a single player and multiplayer casual racing game with a comedy theme. It was developed by 13AM Games and was released on November 18, 2016. It received positive reviews from both critics and players.

Runbow is a comedy fighting game that supports up to 9 players for local and online play. The game features multiple modes including Run, Arena, and King of the Hill, as well as a single-player adventure with over 140 levels. The world of Runbow changes with each swipe of the background, requiring players to stay on their toes as platforms and obstacles disappear. Players can also take on the Bowhemoth, a challenging level located in the belly of a colossal beast.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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86%

Audience ScoreBased on 128 reviews

gameplay6 positive mentions

Runbow is a fantastic party game that supports up to 9 players, making it perfect for couch multiplayer fun with friends.
The game features creative level designs and a unique color mechanic that adds a refreshing twist to platforming gameplay.
The Adventure mode offers a robust single-player experience with a variety of challenging levels and a catchy soundtrack.

The online multiplayer experience is often plagued by performance issues and connectivity problems, making it frustrating to play with friends.
Solo play lacks depth and feels empty without other players, as there are no bots available to fill the gaps.
Controls can be janky and finicky, leading to a steep learning curve that may deter new players.

gameplay
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
59%
14%
The gameplay in Runbow is centered around a unique mechanic involving vanishing colored platforms and obstacles, which encourages strategic thinking and creative level design. While this core mechanic is praised for its originality and effective implementation, some players find it can lead to frustration rather than enjoyment, especially in solo play where the environment feels sparse. Overall, the game offers solid mechanics and a variety of modes, enhanced by fun character skins and cameos, though the gameplay experience may vary depending on player preferences.
- “The main mechanic in the game is actually really cool and creative and leads to some neat level designs that make you think ahead a bit and remember the different layers to anticipate which platforms you should use!”
- “Runbow excels not only by virtue of a brilliant core gameplay conceit, but also by utilizing that mechanic effectively and creatively.”
- “Runbow has a very interesting mechanic that keeps it different from other games.”
- “Without anyone else on the screen, Runbow's world feels very empty since it's not designed with that sort of gameplay in mind.”
- “Overall, the mechanic of the vanishing colored obstacles/platforms was more frustrating than fun.”
- “It also features a host of cameos of characters from other games who are playable, although sadly they offer no real gameplay differences.”
graphics
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
57%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming art style and vibrant visuals, which complement the gameplay and soundtrack effectively. Reviewers highlight the "Pixar end credits" aesthetic and note that the visuals enhance the overall experience, contributing to the game's replayability and appeal.
- “From the thumping soundtrack to the taunts that your characters make, everything complements the environment created by the visuals.”
- “I'm also in love with the whole 'Pixar end credits' aesthetic.”
- “A fantastically charming game with lots of well-crafted levels, a simple concept which is played to its fullest without overstaying its welcome, great visuals, plenty of replayability, and solid controls.”
music
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The music in the game is highly praised for its thumping soundtrack and a vibrant selection of jazzy, poppy songs that enhance the overall experience and complement the visuals. Reviewers note that the catchy tunes contribute significantly to the game's fun atmosphere, making it engaging and lively, especially in single-player mode. Despite some concerns about low online player counts, the excellent soundtrack remains a standout feature.
- “From the thumping soundtrack to the taunts that your characters make, everything complements the environment created by the visuals.”
- “Special mention must go to the soundtrack, a magnificent selection of jazzy, poppy songs that always inject life into the action.”
- “The music is catchy and the platforming is tight, with enough to keep it constantly interesting.”
story
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The singleplayer story mode is highly enjoyable and engaging, with players appreciating its fun gameplay and forgiving nature that rarely imposes penalties.
- “The singleplayer story mode is incredibly engaging and enjoyable.”
- “The story mode rarely punishes players, allowing for a more relaxed experience.”
- “The singleplayer story mode offers a fun and immersive experience.”
- “The story mode rarely punishes you.”
- “The narrative feels disjointed and lacks coherence.”
- “Character development is shallow and unengaging.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game offers significant replayability due to its well-crafted levels and engaging gameplay that remains fresh without becoming repetitive. While it features various playable cameos from other games, these characters do not introduce meaningful gameplay differences. Overall, players can enjoy returning to the game for its charm and solid mechanics.
- “A fantastically charming game with lots of well-crafted levels, a simple concept that is played to its fullest without overstaying its welcome, great visuals, plenty of replayability, and solid controls.”
- “It also features a host of cameos of characters from other games who are playable, although sadly they offer no real gameplay differences.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the game's humor particularly enjoyable, noting that the witty quips provided upon dying are often hilarious and add a lighthearted touch to the experience.
- “The little quips the game gives whenever you die can be outright hilarious.”
- “The humor in this game is spot on, making even the toughest moments enjoyable.”
- “I love how the game incorporates witty dialogue that keeps me laughing throughout.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game initially appears enjoyable, but players report significant performance issues and frequent lag spikes, detracting from the overall experience.
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, highlighting its significant emotional charge, although some reviewers indicate that they have other aspects they wish to discuss further.
- “Oh boy... I waited for this game for so long on PC; there's a big emotional charge to it.”