OK, so full disclosure... I had NO IDEA this game had even been ANNOUNCED, let alone released a couple days ago at the time of this review. I had played Runner3 on Nintendo Switch back when it launched in 2018, and I remember enjoying that game a lot despite how hard it got near the end. For the last five years, I've grown a bit of a fandom for CommanderVideo as a character and can't help but occasionally hum the BIT.TRIP theme (it really is that good of a song).

So here we are with a remake of the original BIT.TRIP RUNNER game that I played just a couple of years ago (again, on Nintendo Switch). So how does it compare?

Well, I DO appreciate the extra moves added to the commander's kit. I like how the team managed to add in some nods to the series' non-Runner titles and it further elevate the game beyond just a visual overhaul (the worms in Impetus scared me real bad the first time I saw it here, lol). As I was completing levels, I noticed I was earning Boom Boxes and Keys. Curious, I poked around in the main menu and found that not only could you unlock the original levels from BIT.TRIP RUNNER's original release, but the team at Choice Provisions went in and made "EP" level packs based on the remaining BIT.TRIP titles including Runner2 and Runner3 (complete with those games' original soundtracks). The Keys were used to unlock some really neat Behind-The-Scenes stuff and even fan art from other BIT.TRIP fans.

If that wasn't enough, the game includes an all-new level editor that allows people to make their own Runner levels. And in true post-Mario Maker era fashion, some of these community creations are EVEN HARDER than the main game (which I played on Medium, please don't judge me). While I haven't opened the editor myself at the time of writing, the little I've seen so far from the community makes my inner LittleBigPlanet fan scream in delight!

I think the only negatives I can give this game is that there's a lack of costumes (however, CommanderVideo DOES don his wristbands and sneakers in at least the Runner3 EP levels... though I don't know yet if they stay on during the Runner2 EP where those kicks originated). I can't really say the lack of extra playable characters is a bad thing, but I would've at least expected CommandgirlVideo to be an option considering she shares CommanderVideo's base.

Overall, this isn't a soulless remake compared to something like PAC-MAN World RePac or even Katamari Damacy REROLL (We Love Katamari REROLL + Royal Reverie is thankfully exempt from this in my opinion). There's a lot of heart put into this remake of the original BIT.TRIP RUNNER, and one that also pays respect to the later games that came after it and even the handful that came before it.

If you like Rhythm-based games or Auto-Runners that are actually challenging, BUY this game as soon as you humanly can!

BIT.TRIP RERUNNER is worth your time!

OK, so full disclosure... I had NO IDEA this game had even been ANNOUNCED, let alone released a couple days ago at the time of this review. I had played Runner3 on Nintendo Switch back when it launched in 2018, and I remember enjoying that game a lot despite how hard it got near the end. For the last five years, I've grown a bit of a fandom for CommanderVideo as a character and can't help but occasionally hum the BIT.TRIP theme (it really is that good of a song). So here we are with a remake of the original BIT.TRIP RUNNER game that I played just a couple of years ago (again, on Nintendo Switch). So how does it compare? Well, I DO appreciate the extra moves added to the commander's kit. I like how the team managed to add in some nods to the series' non-Runner titles and it further elevate the game beyond just a visual overhaul (the worms in Impetus scared me real bad the first time I saw it here, lol). As I was completing levels, I noticed I was earning Boom Boxes and Keys. Curious, I poked around in the main menu and found that not only could you unlock the original levels from BIT.TRIP RUNNER's original release, but the team at Choice Provisions went in and made "EP" level packs based on the remaining BIT.TRIP titles including Runner2 and Runner3 (complete with those games' original soundtracks). The Keys were used to unlock some really neat Behind-The-Scenes stuff and even fan art from other BIT.TRIP fans. If that wasn't enough, the game includes an all-new level editor that allows people to make their own Runner levels. And in true post-Mario Maker era fashion, some of these community creations are EVEN HARDER than the main game (which I played on Medium, please don't judge me). While I haven't opened the editor myself at the time of writing, the little I've seen so far from the community makes my inner LittleBigPlanet fan scream in delight! I think the only negatives I can give this game is that there's a lack of costumes (however, CommanderVideo DOES don his wristbands and sneakers in at least the Runner3 EP levels... though I don't know yet if they stay on during the Runner2 EP where those kicks originated). I can't really say the lack of extra playable characters is a bad thing, but I would've at least expected CommandgirlVideo to be an option considering she shares CommanderVideo's base. Overall, this isn't a soulless remake compared to something like PAC-MAN World RePac or even Katamari Damacy REROLL (We Love Katamari REROLL + Royal Reverie is thankfully exempt from this in my opinion). There's a lot of heart put into this remake of the original BIT.TRIP RUNNER, and one that also pays respect to the later games that came after it and even the handful that came before it. If you like Rhythm-based games or Auto-Runners that are actually challenging, BUY this game as soon as you humanly can! BIT.TRIP RERUNNER is worth your time!