Runner3

75%
Game Brain Score Based on 368 reviews
  • music
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Runner3 Game Cover
Does Choice Provision's latest rhythmic platformer Runner3 live up to the series' high standards? Find out in our review.
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Runner3 is a comedy platformer game with single-player and massively multi-player modes. It features fast-paced rhythm-music gameplay, spectacular visuals, and phenomenal music. Players can explore branching paths, collect gold and gems, and encounter quirky characters in this thrilling and joyous adventure to save the multiverse from the Timbletot.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

75%
Audience ScoreBased on 368 reviews
music67 positive mentions
optimization3 negative mentions
  • Runner3 features stunning visuals and a catchy soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience.
  • The game introduces new mechanics like double jumping and ground slamming, adding depth to the platforming.
  • There is a high level of replayability with collectibles, unlockable characters, and various difficulty settings.
  • The game is significantly shorter than its predecessors, with only three worlds, leading to a feeling of being underwhelmed.
  • Visual clutter and changing camera angles can obscure obstacles, making the gameplay feel unfair at times.
  • Some players find the rhythm aspect less impactful, as actions do not always sync well with the music.
  • music172 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its catchy and upbeat nature while others criticize it for being repetitive and less impactful compared to previous entries in the series. Many players noted a disconnect between the gameplay and the music, with actions often not syncing well with the soundtrack, which detracts from the overall rhythm experience. Overall, while some tracks are highlighted as enjoyable, the consensus suggests that the music does not reach the heights of earlier titles in the franchise.

    • “The music is amazing, the gameplay is still fun despite the challenges, and the level design is still entertaining.”
    • “I could just about play this game exclusively for the amazing soundtrack, let alone the way it seamlessly weaves into the gameplay.”
    • “It's just a blast to play, and the music is the highlight for me.”
    • “The music is also lackluster - I enjoy Spookyland's soundtracks and visuals, much like I enjoyed the Supernature from Runner 2, but the majority of the OST doesn't give that hype that the previous two games had.”
    • “It's genuinely bewildering how bad the music is, and each world only gets like three tracks to share across its many, many levels.”
    • “To start with, your actions in the level only seem to sync with the music about half of the time, and the music (bar a few tracks) is just not as good.”
  • graphics124 mentions

    The graphics in Runner3 have received mixed reviews, with some praising the vibrant and improved visuals, character animations, and background work, while others criticize them for being overly busy and distracting. Many players noted that the transition from the retro style of previous installments to a more flashy 3D aesthetic has led to performance issues, including lag, and a loss of clarity in gameplay. Overall, while the graphics are seen as a step forward in terms of detail and creativity, they may detract from the core gameplay experience for some players.

    • “The visuals can be downright gorgeous, between the excellent background work and the improved character animations.”
    • “Great graphics, great fun, great game!”
    • “The catchy tunes, challenging levels, and great graphics make this one of the best in the runner series.”
    • “The new engine is graphically inferior - there's low resolution textures right in your face throughout the game, and the style itself is just ugly.”
    • “The levels aren't distinct enough, the music isn't catchy to listen to (quite the opposite), the graphics are rather ugly and the controls are too floaty for my taste.”
    • “The repetitive nature and dated graphics of Runner 3 bring down what's otherwise a really fun and rewarding experience.”
  • gameplay116 mentions

    The gameplay of Runner3 has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the introduction of new mechanics like double jumping and improved level design, while others criticize the game's increased difficulty and frustrating camera angles that detract from the experience. Many feel that the game strays too far from the charm and rhythm-based gameplay of its predecessors, leading to a less cohesive connection between gameplay and music. Overall, while the game offers fun and engaging moments, it struggles with balance and consistency compared to Runner2.

    • “The simplicity of the movement, the perfect and upbeat soundtrack, and the incredible narration kept me going through I don't even know how many hours of extremely fun and simple gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is constant fun, the level design is excellent.”
    • “The addition of double jump (which feels great, by the way) and improved slam mechanics give you perfect control of the character.”
    • “The retro stages stink and nearly appear to be a last-minute addition (sprites are low quality, movement mechanics feel very janky).”
    • “New mechanics make the game harder in a detrimental way, where it has become more frustrating than rewarding.”
    • “The problem is its unfair difficulty, tied to absurd problems such as the camera (yes, in a runner!) and new mechanics being introduced in the middle of a level, far after a checkpoint.”
  • story26 mentions

    The game's story is enhanced by engaging hero quests that encourage players to revisit levels for hidden collectibles, though some players find the storytelling style overly simplistic. While the graphics and environments are praised, the quest mechanics can lead to repetitive gameplay, requiring multiple runs to fully complete levels. Overall, the narrative elements are enjoyable but may not resonate with everyone due to their presentation.

    • “There's shiny new graphics, some new camera tricks, and a hilarious new story with fun environments to boot.”
    • “- Hero's quest is an interesting addition to the game and gives you an incentive to revisit levels.”
    • “[Hero quests are lovely in theory, it's pretty and sounds great, that Charles Martinet, am I right?]”
    • “I could not sit through them, as I felt like I was being told the story as if I was a toddler (no offense Charles Martinet, I will forever love your voice and narration).”
    • “Why ruin your storytelling?”
    • “Levels contain 'normal' and 'gem' paths and it's never specified on which path the quest item will be spawned, so to get everything, you will have to play a level about 4-8 times, and that's if you decide to get everything on the first run.”
  • replayability17 mentions

    The game offers high replayability due to its well-designed levels, multiple playable characters, and a wealth of collectibles and unlockables. While many players appreciate the variety and challenge, some have noted that the added replay value can become tedious over time. Overall, it is considered a worthwhile experience for those seeking engaging gameplay and replay options.

    • “Good things I have to say about the game: the variety of worlds, the multiple playable characters, tons of levels, and replayability.”
    • “It's got refined controls and difficulty, tons of unlockables, and replayability, with plenty of options for hardcore players as well.”
    • “Replayability is spot on; there are so many things to collect and the levels are very replayable.”
    • “They try to add replay value by adding alternate paths and collectibles to the levels, but after a while I was disliking the game so much that I just ignored them.”
    • “It's worth the money, but Runner 2 is still a far superior game in the more 'important' aspects, like difficulty balance, gameplay, length, and replayability.”
    • “The replay value is high as this game will keep you on your toes, getting every collectible possible as these guys want you to keep your stinkin' money in the in-game shop!”
  • humor14 mentions

    The game is praised for its heartwarming and witty humor, featuring well-crafted cutscenes, silly animations, and a hilarious storyline that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the blend of challenging gameplay with absurd and creative comedic elements, including funny singing and puppet shows, making it both entertaining and engaging. The vibrant graphics and unique art style further contribute to the game's delightful and humorous atmosphere.

    • “There's shiny new graphics, some new camera tricks, and a hilarious new story with fun environments to boot.”
    • “There's cool silly animations all over the place, the comedy is great, funny singing, puppet shows, inside jokes, just crazy the amount of cool stuff I haven't even mentioned.”
    • “Runner3 is wonderfully creative and funny, relying on a style of play that belies the challenge at its heart.”
  • optimization6 mentions

    The game's optimization appears to vary significantly across different systems; while some users report smooth performance on high settings with capable hardware, others, particularly on Mac, struggle with framerate issues even at minimal settings. This suggests that the game may be demanding on both macOS and Windows platforms, leading to mixed experiences based on individual setups.

    • “And about the performance, I haven't had a single problem with the framerate on max settings (my setup: GeForce GTX 1060, i5-4690, 16 GB RAM).”
    • “Additionally, this raises a performance issue on my MacBook Pro; I had to turn all settings to the bare minimum, including the resolution, in order to reach a rather playable state.”
    • “I usually blame macOS for its poor optimization and integration of games, but a friend of mine found the game quite demanding on Windows as well.”
    • “This game has performance issues that make it difficult to enjoy, regardless of the platform.”
  • stability4 mentions

    The game features vibrant graphics but suffers from noticeable glitches, particularly with the jumping mechanics, which can feel unresponsive and buggy. Overall, while visually appealing, the stability issues detract from the gameplay experience.

    • “The double jump is pretty much buggy; you barely get off the ground, and the same goes for the regular jump.”
    • “The game offers some pleasant graphics and really vibrant colors, although there are some ugly glitches here and there.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by moments of frustration and confusion, as players experience instances where their actions do not align with the expected outcomes, leading to a sense of disconnection from the gameplay.

  • character development2 mentions

    Reviews indicate that the character development in the game suffers from unappealing designs, which some players feel have worsened since the previous installment, Runner2. This shift towards less attractive character aesthetics has drawn criticism and detracted from the overall experience.

    • “The new character designs lean a bit too far into the ugly factor that Runner2 started.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is characterized by a vibrant and colorful aesthetic that contrasts beautifully with darker elements, creating a visually stunning experience. Players find it engaging and enjoyable once they immerse themselves in the gameplay.

    • “The colorful atmosphere juxtaposed with its dark sheen is gorgeous to look at, and once you get in the groove, it's fun to play.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, often detracting from the overall experience, and while the dynamic camera adds visual appeal, it can occasionally result in frustrating deaths.

    • “It's a shame that the optional content is usually tedious to deal with.”
    • “As nice as the dynamic camera is, it can sometimes lead to a few cheap deaths.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

75% average critic score

Buy Runner3

Play time

3hMedian play time
3hAverage play time
3-3hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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