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They Always Run

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.
They Always Run Game Cover
73%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
stability, grinding
71% User Score Based on 502 reviews
Critic Score 86%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchPCPlaystation 4Xbox OneXboxWindowsPlayStation
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They Always Run Game Cover

About

They Always Run is a single player arcade hack and slash game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Alawar and was released on October 20, 2021. It received positive reviews from critics and mostly positive reviews from players.

"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.

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They Always Run screenshot
They Always Run screenshot
They Always Run screenshot
They Always Run screenshot
They Always Run screenshot
They Always Run screenshot
They Always Run screenshot
They Always Run screenshot
They Always Run screenshot
They Always Run screenshot
They Always Run screenshot
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71%
Audience ScoreBased on 502 reviews
story161 positive mentions
stability12 negative mentions
  • Stunning art style and visuals that create an immersive atmosphere.
  • Engaging combat system that feels satisfying once mastered, with a variety of mechanics including the unique third arm.
  • Interesting story with a compelling twist at the end, leaving players wanting more.
  • Clunky controls and platforming mechanics that can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences.
  • Limited enemy variety and repetitive combat encounters that can become tedious over time.
  • Abrupt ending that feels incomplete, leaving many plot threads unresolved and hinting at a sequel.
  • story
    353 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is a mixed bag, featuring an intriguing sci-fi world with quirky characters and unexpected twists, but suffers from pacing issues and a cliffhanger ending that leaves players wanting more. While some found the narrative engaging and emotionally resonant, others criticized it for being jumbled and lacking depth, with a linear structure that limits player agency. Overall, the story is enjoyable but could benefit from refinement and a more satisfying conclusion, prompting hopes for a sequel or DLC to expand on its potential.

    • “I liked the story, and the ending twist was a surprise to me.”
    • “The story is quite compelling, to be honest, even if the pacing gets a bit too fast towards the end.”
    • “The story was only getting deeper and more intriguing while it left me wondering if there were multiple ways of doing things.”
    • “I hate to say it, but the game falters towards the end. I feel like the level design and the bosses get less inspired, the story beats feel more forced, and in general the game just feels like it is running out of steam.”
    • “The story bits I got didn't grab me enough to make me want to push past my initial annoyance, and the mechanics felt like they got in my way more than they made me feel like a badass.”
    • “The storytelling is completely weak. The 'cut scene' dialogue reads like it was put together by one of those AI that are programmed to read/learn a script, then write a new story based on it.”
  • gameplay
    208 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the unique mechanics, such as the third arm and parkour elements, which create a satisfying combat experience. However, criticisms include clunky controls, repetitive combat, and a lack of variety in enemy types, leading to a feeling of monotony over time. Overall, while the game offers enjoyable moments and a visually appealing design, it suffers from mechanical flaws and pacing issues that detract from the overall experience.

    • “The gameplay is a blast, it's so very fun and makes you feel like a total badass when you play well.”
    • “The art is gorgeous, the animations are great, the writing is fun and witty, the fact that you can scan enemies for bounties and then collect on them is a really great thematic gameplay mechanic, and combat really makes you feel like a badass.”
    • “Gameplay is smooth, art direction and music totally complement the simplistic but nice mechanics and story.”
    • “The gameplay is just weird and plain.”
    • “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.”
    • “The gameplay couldn't stand by itself and finishing the levels was starting to be a chore more than a fun activity.”
  • graphics
    148 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game have been widely praised for their unique and stunning art style, which combines retro influences with modern aesthetics, creating a visually captivating experience. Many reviewers highlighted the fluid animations and vibrant colors that enhance the overall atmosphere, making it a standout feature of the game. However, some players noted that while the visuals are impressive, the gameplay can feel clunky at times, which may detract from the overall enjoyment.

    • “Awesome game with some of the most gorgeous 2D graphics you will see even in 2023.”
    • “The game looks fantastic, the art style and design is likewise very aesthetically pleasing and good looking.”
    • “This game has no right being as good as it is, better written than most movies I have watched in the last 5 years, and as a platformer plays as good as Hollow Knight, with a more in-depth fighting system than you would expect from a platformer, and the visuals are just gorgeous.”
    • “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.”
    • “Despite the visuals, combat is actually very sluggish if you aren't countering everyone to death.”
  • music
    96 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received high praise for its emotional depth and ability to complement the story and visuals, with many reviewers noting standout tracks that enhance key moments. However, some criticism exists regarding certain pieces feeling out of place or lacking dynamism, suggesting a few tracks may not have been tailored specifically for the game. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant highlight, contributing to a captivating atmosphere and engaging gameplay experience.

    • “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.”
    • “The soundtrack is full of bangers, 'tis but a fact.”
    • “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.”
    • “(When you hit someone with your fists/swords, there are no sounds to give an illusion of impact. When a special music/song plays, if you pause it, it will continue playing until it is finished and there are no loops, so you end up with no sounds for a 'cinematic gameplay' (happened to me at the end of the game and other parts).”
  • atmosphere
    27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised, characterized by beautiful visuals, a captivating soundtrack, and a cohesive style that enhances the overall experience. Many players feel that the atmosphere is the game's strongest aspect, often overshadowing minor gameplay issues and clunky controls. The unique setting, particularly its "space cowboy" vibe, contributes significantly to its appeal, making it a memorable experience for fans of indie games.

    • “I think the main draw of the game is the style and atmosphere.”
    • “Wonderful soul vibes, atmosphere feels like it is actually a true space bounty hunter for me.”
    • “I enjoyed the experience; beautiful game, animation and atmosphere display a style very much unified, and wholly attractive amongst all the blockish, funk-o-pop that seems popular these days.”
    • “Overall, while the concept is interesting, games like Dead Cells and Have a Nice Death deliver more in terms of combat, story, and atmosphere.”
    • “Whilst it has minor problems with some of the platforming, it does not take away from the atmosphere and aesthetic this game exudes.”
  • emotional
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is praised for its beautiful art design and emotional storytelling, which culminates in a powerful ending that resonates deeply with players, often evoking tears. However, some players found the abruptness of the ending unsatisfying and felt that the music during key moments did not always match the emotional intensity of the scenes. Overall, while the emotional impact is significant for many, gameplay mechanics and certain design choices detracted from the experience for others.

    • “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.”
    • “Just the story itself makes this game for me; it builds up nicely and the ending was pretty emotional.”
    • “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.”
  • stability
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game exhibits notable stability issues, including bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, such as falling through the floor and enemies getting stuck in walls. While there is a commendable level of polish overall, players have reported awkward pacing and certain dialogue bugs that need addressing. Despite these flaws, many fans still appreciate the game's essence and look forward to future improvements.

    • “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.”
    • “More specifically, as a platformer, I can hardly give it a positive review - there are some good action parts like the smart jump/dash combo, but the battles feel dull and not fun. There are not enough enemy types, and the developers could really use more testing since enemies often get stuck in walls, forcing me to reload several times to skip glitches.”
    • “Somewhat buggy in certain places (collision/navigation) and awkward pacing at times.”
  • humor
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding the dialogue and writing to be genuinely funny and entertaining, while others describe it as cringeworthy and eye-rolling. Despite the divided opinions, many agree that there are standout moments of humor that enhance the overall experience, complemented by 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.”
  • grinding
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, with combat described as clunky and uninspired. The long levels and lack of engaging story elements contribute to a sense of monotony, making the experience feel more like a chore than enjoyable gameplay. Overall, the grinding mechanics detract significantly from the overall enjoyment of the game.

    • “The combat is clunky and really janky, the guns are stupidly overpowered to the point where nothing else even compares, the movement is sluggish, the platforming is frustrating, the bosses are boring and uninspired, the levels are tedious with only one that I actually enjoyed, and the finale is absolutely abysmal.”
    • “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.”
    • “Levels are rather long and the lack of a good story makes them a bit more tedious than they should be, especially the interludes between missions.”
  • optimization
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it maintains a solid 60fps in some areas, players report significant performance issues, including hitching and stuttering in later sections. Movement mechanics are described as janky, and platforming elements are poorly designed, indicating a need for further upgrades and optimization. Overall, despite its potential, the current state of optimization hampers the overall experience.

    • “Performance: excellent (solid 60fps).”
    • “The game has really good potential, but it needs some upgrades and optimization in certain areas.”
    • “While the game shows promise, there are still optimization issues that need to be addressed for a smoother experience.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
  • replayability
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game has been criticized for its limited replayability, with players expressing a desire for more player agency and choices that could enhance the experience. Once the single-player campaign is completed, many feel there is little incentive to revisit the game, despite a reasonable completion time of around 10 hours.

    • “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.”
    • “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 development
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development is noted for its charming and artistic design, contributing to a pleasant atmosphere. However, some players feel that the gameplay's difficulty detracts from fully engaging with the characters.

    • “The environments are not exactly high-def but still have their painted and drawn charm when it comes to the backgrounds and character designs.”
    • “Nice atmosphere, nice character design.”
  • monetization
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as exploitative, with multiple users expressing the sentiment that it resembles a cash grab.

    • “This feels like a cash grab.”
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86%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews
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10h Median play time
10h Average play time
9-10h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

They Always Run is a arcade hack and slash game with science fiction theme.

They Always Run is available on Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and others.

On average players spend around 10 hours playing They Always Run.

They Always Run was released on October 20, 2021.

They Always Run was developed by Alawar.

They Always Run has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its stability.

They Always Run is a single player game.

Similar games include Ghostrunner, Dex, ANNO: Mutationem, Gestalt: Steam & Cinder, Heart&Slash and others.