Runbow is a colorful, fast-paced and frantic platformer. My time playing it was marked by laughter with friends, a lot of character deaths, and a smidge of healthy frustration. As the number of players increase, so does enjoyment of the game; this is truly a party game in every sense of the word.

Developer: 13AM Games

Publisher: Headup Games (Physical copy by NightHawk Games)

Digital and Physical // 5 + hours played // 14.99 (Digital) or 29.99 (Physical Deluxe Edition) // Review Copy

The most striking element of Runbow are its visuals and its effect on gameplay. As the name suggests, and like many traditional platformers, players run through various levels. This game differs from tradition in that platforms disappear and reappear as the screen changes color. For example, a green platform would be rendered invisible and useless as the color green flashes across the screen. This mechanic keeps players constantly moving while also forcing them to look and plan ahead.

Platforms appear and disappear based on the color of the background!

This basic gameplay mechanic turns what would be another run-of-the-mill platformer into something fresh and novel. The color-changing mechanic also translates well into a variety of gameplay modes. There is an adventure mode, which can be played with one or more people. In this mode, you make your way through four themed worlds to defeat Satura: a femme fatale who has ruined the characters’ day at the beach.

In addition to adventure, there is also Bowhemoth, which can be played solo or with others. This mode starts with your character(s) being swallowed by a giant beast and progresses as you make your way through said beast. It is the most challenging of all the modes because you cannot save your progress. The game is well-aware of this and keeps track of your deaths as you progress through the beast. It is truly a version of the game meant for skilled players looking for a challenge.

There is a variety of modes, for all kinds of gamers!

That said, Runbow really shines in its multiplayer modes, of which there are three: Run, Arena, and King of the Hill. In Run, your party races to a trophy at the end of the level. In Arena, you compete in several rounds of battle. The player who wins the most rounds emerges victorious. In King of the Hill, you fight and claw to keep control of a small platform for a short time across several rounds. Each of these modes are easy to pick up and play, making it great for parties. Runbow is meant to be played with multiple people. The game can support up to 8 people locally, making for a lot of fun competition. When the game is released, it will also allow for up to 9 players online, which I am quite excited about!

Personally, I found the plethora of modes to be necessary because Runbow can be quite challenging for the layman gamer. There were several times when playing where I had to put the controller down and switch to a different mode because I was so tired of dying. Luckily, the game seems self-aware of its steep learning curve. Not only does the load screen mock you after each death, but the adventure mode allows you to choose one of several different paths to reach each boss level. If one level is too hard, you can try another.

Though challenging, adventure mode allows you to pick your own path

Moving past mechanics, the game also has a lot of aesthetic and stylistic choices that are fresh. The animation and character designs are cute and quirky. There is a wide-range of character choices, making it so that everyone can find an avatar they relate to. These choices include a gun-slinging robot, a bespectacled nerd, and an anime-style shounen hero.

If none of the archetypes provided appeal to you, players can pick a “hue”. This is a character they can choose the color and costume of. The characters and costumes, in addition to gallery art, are unlocked as you progress through the game and hit different milestones. Thus, rewarding progression through the game as well as continued play with both friends and alone.

Themed worlds are charming, though can be tired

In addition to the character designs, I also found the themed-level designs of adventure mode to be charming. For example, in the “haunted mansion” world, the enemies are clad in ghostly attire. However, given that there are only four different worlds, there were points that the themes felt stale or tired. This was especially true with music. After playing through five or more levels with the same music, it is easy to find the once-charming music to be a little grating.

Overall, Runbow is a fun but challenging game. It is the perfect addition to the game library of anyone looking for another party game for friends. Just be prepared for a steep learning curve!

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