They Always Run

72%
Game Brain Score Based on 329 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
They Always Run Game Cover
Overall They always run is an intriguing example on modern 2-D platformers. Whilst it has minor problems with some of the platforming it does not take away from the atmosphere and aesthetic this game exudes. Whilst not having the most compelling story being very formulaic and told through long text breaks the combat and graphics more than make up for it.
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"They Always Run" is a fast-paced cyberpunk action platformer. As an elite bounty hunter with the ability to alter his DNA, you'll track down targets across the galaxy, using unique skills and weapons to take down adversaries. With challenging gameplay and a rich, immersive story, this game offers a thrilling experience for players.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

72%
Audience ScoreBased on 329 reviews
story102 positive mentions
stability11 negative mentions
  • The game features stunning visuals and a unique art style that enhances the overall experience.
  • Combat mechanics are engaging and allow for creative play, making players feel like a badass bounty hunter.
  • The story is intriguing with a compelling twist, keeping players invested throughout the game.
  • Controls can feel janky and unresponsive at times, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
  • The game ends abruptly on a cliffhanger, leaving many plot points unresolved and players wanting more.
  • There is a lack of enemy variety and some boss fights can feel tedious and repetitive.
  • story228 mentions

    The game's story is generally described as intriguing and engaging, with some players appreciating its twists and character development. However, many reviews highlight issues with pacing, coherence, and abrupt endings, often leaving players wanting more resolution or a sequel. While the narrative is considered a strong aspect of the game, its execution—particularly the delivery of dialogue and the linear progression—has drawn mixed reactions, with some finding it frustrating or lacking depth.

    • “The story is quite compelling, to be honest, even if the pacing gets a bit too fast towards the end.”
    • “The story was interesting, but it deserves much better writing, especially in dialogues.”
    • “The story was also a standout; I was just expecting it to be a 'hunt targets all game' thing, but it keeps you engaged all the time, just shining enough light on the mystery each mission to keep you wanting to see more.”
    • “Plus, the story is hard to follow, which makes it a bit confusing.”
    • “There's no way to replay missions, so if you missed something important, too bad; you have to restart the whole game.”
    • “The story and dialogue never seem to have accounted for much and simply felt like lackluster transitions between combat sections.”
  • gameplay132 mentions

    The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its creative mechanics and engaging combat, particularly the unique use of a third arm and parkour elements. However, several critiques highlight issues such as clunky controls, frustrating difficulty spikes, and a lack of polish in certain mechanics, which detract from the overall experience. While the visuals and atmosphere are praised, the gameplay often feels inconsistent, leading to a divide between enjoyment and frustration among players.

    • “A huge nostalgia trip and engaging gameplay, what's not to love?”
    • “The gameplay is a blast, it's so very fun and makes you feel like a total badass when you play well.”
    • “The mixture of platforming with intense combat allows for extremely swift and fun gameplay while drawing you in with beautiful locales and amazing art direction.”
    • “They always run is a narrative-driven cinematic platformer sadly held back from true greatness by some frustrating design choices and clunky gameplay elements.”
    • “The gameplay couldn't stand by itself and finishing the levels was starting to be a chore more than a fun activity.”
    • “Another major issue with the gameplay is the flow; if you do die, and most likely you will a lot, unfortunately, the game kills the pace of the gameplay by bringing up a menu, and asking you if you want to reload to the last checkpoint, restart the level, or quit the game.”
  • graphics100 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their unique and beautiful art style, which combines detailed 2D graphics with modern techniques, creating a visually stunning experience. Many reviewers highlighted the fluid animations and atmospheric design, noting that the visuals significantly enhance the overall gameplay and storytelling. While some players found the controls and gameplay mechanics to be less polished, the aesthetic appeal remains a standout feature that draws players in.

    • “The graphics are absolutely beautiful and the story is pretty fun.”
    • “Outstanding artwork and design with some really fun platforming in the late game areas.”
    • “This game nails its art style, animation, and music that really sets the tone of the game.”
    • “Just the game's title screen is a totally different art style and theme.”
    • “If you're not drawn to the visuals, I'd say probably don't bother.”
    • “This looks like a neat game, but it doesn't have any graphics options at all.”
  • music65 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its strong soundtrack that enhances the overall tonal identity and atmosphere. While some tracks are described as nostalgic and fitting, a few critics noted instances where the music felt out of place or lacked dynamics. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's emotional impact and enjoyment.

    • “The tonal identity of the game is really enhanced by an incredibly strong soundtrack composed by deallry.”
    • “This was all accompanied by an absolutely stellar soundtrack that fits what the game is going for very well.”
    • “The music was emotional and top tier.”
    • “Some of the music seems out of place at certain points and at times lacks dynamics.”
    • “Some of the music even seems phoned in, as if it was made before the game was even made.”
    • “Apart from that this game is sadly a mess: buggy as hell, bland story delivered in the worst way possible, derivative ideas in the world building, cues are almost invisible, the camera is ridiculous, especially during boss fights, and very bad sound design and soundtrack.”
  • atmosphere13 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its unique visuals, engaging soundtracks, and immersive storytelling, creating a captivating experience that resonates with players. While some critiques mention clunky controls and minor bugs, the overall ambiance and artistic style are highlighted as key strengths that enhance the gameplay. Many reviewers appreciate the game's ability to evoke a strong sense of place, likening it to a true space bounty hunter adventure.

    • “This game kinda lives and dies by its atmosphere, which is quite good for the most part.”
    • “I absolutely loved this game; the fighting is fun and cool looking, although it's a bit monotonous to be honest. However, the unique and beautiful visuals, the nice atmosphere, the interesting story, and the soundtrack made me play this game for a few nice nights.”
    • “Wonderful soul vibes; the atmosphere feels like it is actually a true space bounty hunter for me.”
    • “Overall, while the concept is interesting, games like Dead Cells and Have a Nice Death deliver more in terms of combat, story, and atmosphere.”
  • stability11 mentions

    The game's stability is notably problematic, with numerous bugs and glitches affecting gameplay, such as falling through floors, animation issues, and unresponsive mechanics during critical moments. Players report frustrating experiences during boss fights and platforming sections, often requiring retries due to these issues. While some users acknowledge moments of polish, the overall consensus is that the game suffers from significant stability concerns that detract from the experience.

    • “Sadly, the game does have a couple of issues when it comes to bugs and glitches, including falling through the floor or things just not happening that you need to progress.”
    • “Unfortunately, there are occasional animation glitches which can result in the break of flow, and this often leads to unfair deaths.”
    • “The platforming is super buggy and terrible; sometimes you grab ledges and sometimes you don't, and you don't unlock air dash and double jump until later.”
  • emotional11 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by a beautifully crafted story that culminates in an impactful, albeit anti-climactic, ending that resonates deeply with players. While some found the music and art design to enhance the emotional experience, others felt that abrupt transitions in music during key moments detracted from the intended emotional intensity. Overall, the narrative's emotional depth and the player's connection to it are significant, with many expressing that it left a lasting impression, even if some mechanics hindered their experience.

    • “It's an absolutely beautiful game with hard-to-learn but extremely satisfying controls and a very emotional story that you only completely learn at the end of the game.”
    • “However, what kept me playing and finally finished it was the art design, the music, and by the end, I even got emotional knowing the truth of the story.”
    • “Made me cry a bit... I loved it.”
  • grinding7 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, particularly in combat and boss battles. Many reviews highlight the clunky mechanics and lack of engaging content, leading to a frustrating experience as players navigate long levels and face uninspired enemies. While some enjoy the character progression, the overall sentiment leans towards grinding feeling more like a chore than an enjoyable challenge.

    • “The combat is solid but the boss battles left a bit to be desired, particularly the Mueller one which wasn't really challenging; it was just tedious.”
    • “Combat is choppy, repetitive, and fairly tedious in some parts.”
    • “Towards the end (or middle, I'm not sure exactly how far in I am), enemies have gotten very repetitive and platforming has oscillated between filling time and being tedious.”
  • humor6 mentions

    The humor in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the clever writing and find certain moments genuinely hilarious, others criticize the dialogue as cringeworthy or poorly executed. Overall, the humor is described as entertaining and enjoyable by many, complementing the game's strong visuals and engaging gameplay.

    • “The story and the text is very good and funny.”
    • “Fantastic visuals, great music, entertainingly funny, serviceable characters and plot, good gameplay mix of combat and freerunning although slightly clunky.”
    • “Environments are beautiful looking, combat is fun, dialogue is absolutely hilarious and enjoyable.”
  • optimization6 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is inconsistent, with some players experiencing excellent performance at 60fps, while others report significant issues such as hitching, stuttering, and janky movement, particularly in later areas. While the basic mechanics are solid, the need for further optimization and improvements in specific gameplay elements, like dialogue timing, detracts from the overall experience.

    • “Performance: never had any issues.”
    • “Performance: excellent (solid 60fps).”
    • “The game has really good potential, but it needs some upgrades and optimization in certain areas.”
    • “It got the basic combat mechanics down pretty well, but movement is janky, and there are some god-awful platforming sections, along with some poor optimization.”
    • “I have a hard time recommending it, however, purely on the basis that the performance of the game past the first couple of areas is atrocious.”
    • “I have a great computer and I've played with nothing in the background, and there's still near-constant hitching and stuttering.”
  • replayability4 mentions

    Overall, the game has been criticized for its lack of replayability, with players noting that once the single-player campaign is completed, there is little incentive to return. Many reviewers feel that the absence of player choices and branching storylines limits the potential for varied experiences in subsequent playthroughs.

    • “One of my only gripes, though, is that there is not a lot of replay value; once you finish the single player, that's it.”
    • “Priced just about right; it took around 10 hours to 100%, but there isn't much in terms of replayability from what I can see.”
    • “I think this game could have really benefited from more player agency in the story - some ability to make choices, even small ones like which bounty to go after first, would have really elevated it and added replay value, in my opinion.”
    • “One of my only gripes though is there is not a lot of replay value; once you finish the single player, that's it.”
    • “Priced just about right, took around 10 hours to 100% but not too much in terms of replayability from what I can see.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development is noted for its charming painted and drawn aesthetic in both backgrounds and character designs, contributing to a pleasant atmosphere. However, some players feel that the gameplay's hardcore nature detracts from the overall experience.

    • “The environments may not be high-definition, but they possess a charming painted and drawn quality, especially in the backgrounds and character designs.”
    • “The atmosphere is nice, and the character design is appealing, although the gameplay can be quite hardcore.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization strategy has been criticized as exploitative, with many users perceiving it as a cash grab rather than a fair value exchange.

    • “This feels like a cash grab.”
    • “The in-game purchases are way too expensive for what you get.”
    • “It seems like they prioritize profit over player experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

86% average critic score

Buy They Always Run

Play time

10hMedian play time
10hAverage play time
9-10hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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