RUNNER, the new vintage arcade-style motorcycle shooter VR game from Truant Pixel, has just launched for Quest 2. Featuring visceral first-person gameplay, stylish visuals reminiscent of 80s and 90s anime, 360-degree gunplay, fast-paced narrative and an interactive soundtrack, it makes for a beautiful VR experience.
Players take on the role of Mina, starting in a Blade Runner-esque neon alleyway with futuristic cityscape views and a tarp-covered motorcycle in front of them. To the right, your ‘handler’ Vice informs you that you need to escape the threatening city – but the only way of doing so is by taking the main motorway network, The Thoroughfare, which is filled with hostile drones and other enemies. After a tutorial prelude and guns docked into the motorcycle, you travel along the four-lane road and set off on your perilous journey.
Upon first play, RUNNER can appear complex, with grasping all of the skills required for a thorough playthrough tricky. In early levels, dual wielding is not possible, so when one hand facilitates the shooting, the other must control the steering. Swapping guns is further required after ammo is expended, but you’ll always have a constant stream of fire – it takes a bit of practice to perfect this, but when you do, it’s a thrilling ride.
As well as the two docked guns, there is a mounted cannon at the front of the motorcycle, a laser-sabre for deflecting incoming enemy attacks, missiles with lock-on capabilities, magnetic grenades and time-bending special attacks – and that’s just the basics. With attacking drones flying high, enemies gliding behind or racing in front of you, and enormous (and tough) boss fights, these tools become vital yet exciting in this fast-paced, adrenaline-inducing experience. Upgrades for all the items, and to the motorcycle itself, are available between each of the game’s seven levels to further your attacks and progression.
Despite an apparent playtime of only 90 minutes, players can rest assured that picking up the skills required, and with all of the bonus content, comfortably amounts to hours and hours of addictive gaming, definitely worth the lower price of £10.99 that they charge.
RUNNER brings a nostalgic arcade-game aesthetic and anime art style to VR where other games have fallen short. Albeit simple, its execution is well thought through, with great voice acting aiding the immersive experience. The challenge of its gameplay may put some players off at first, but stick with it – the more you play, the better it gets.
RUNNER is available for purchase for £13.56 ($14.99) from the Meta Quest Store. Info: here
words JOHN EVANS
