Reviews - Voxel Runner

So I've just finished the game, and although I died an absolute **** load of times, it was great fun!

I've played both Bit.Trip Runner and The Impossible Game, and whilst this game may look like it's inspired by the former, it actually felt like I was playing a much more varied version of the latter. The frequent checkpoints also make this game more forgiving than The Impossible Game.

The 5 abilites that you learn throughout the game are varied (jump, slide, block, leap and sprint) and build up the difficulty well until you're eventually using them all together in certain levels which can be very difficult. The game doesn't feel unfair though, and I knew that everytime I died it was MY fault!

The smaller rotating cubes that you can grab are a very nice unique feature that changes the level. White cubes do something good and black cubes do something bad (but still survivable). I'll certainly be playing this game again to get more of the awards.

The background music is great to listen to, and the colour changes and music bars in the background are a nice little touch as well.

I also seem to be currently #1 on the leaderboard, so try and beat me, yeah? Good luck!

Even though the game might not be a 10/10 (I would give it a 8/10) I feel the need to rate it that high because certain people need to sit on their high horse defending another game from the same genre.

I agree that the game is inspired by Bit Runner, it does not change the fact, that is is a difficult and fun challenge - it got its own unique levels and though the art style is inspired it is different and got translated well into a 3D world.

Every book, every movie and every game got somehow inspired by another game or at least influenced. As far as I know this was the alternative on the XBox to supply console gamers with a similar but fun experience.

The game got new mechanics and a different look, it's own assets etc. It is hard work to create a game, even IF you orientate yourself on other games on the market or try to use them as a blueprint for your game - you still gotta create all the assets, code the game and balance it well - and it is well balanced.

I have played Bit Trip Runner myself and it felt in no moment like this game was "ripping off" something - it was a different experience and a different game. Both are very well balanced and are fun to play.

IF you want to go around and wish for a single developer to be sued (which will .not. happen for all of you who clearly have no idea how copyright works) because he "ripped-off" Bit Trip Runner - go to Bit Trip Runner and shot at him because he "ripped-off" The Impossible Game.

Of course everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and this is mine. Its a different game with a similar theme and known mechanics. You can go ahead and play this fun game and enjoy yourself or behave like a childish fanboy and be mad. Your choice.

The developers should have known the dangers of creating this game and it was really inevitable to get the "ITS A CRAPPY CLONE!"

It's well done gameplay wise, but the design is very much inspired by bit-trip runner a tad too much for my likes.

I mean I think it's fine to be inspired by a game's GAMEPLAY, but trying to reproduce the art design, levels, and the aesthetics are just plain.

It's overall a well-made game, but something just doesn't feel right here.

This game is nothing but a deception to the game industry. It's all a copy from another game.

It's a rip off of bittrip runner. It makes me so angry.

Honestly, copying another game but undercutting their price is just shameful, embarassing, infuriating.

I really hope this guy gets sued.

Oh hey, a cash grab clone. Point and laugh, everybody.

So I keep reading people complaining that this is a copy of Bit.Trip Runner. I cannot deny that claim myself, being a fan of the Bit.Trip Series and all, but it's clear that so few of you complainers have even bothered to play this game.

First off, the controls are clear and straight forward. Each time a new ability becomes available, you are notified with a bright and colourful block pattern effect with text to describe what the ability is and what button you use, shortly followed by at least two levels to get you comfortable. It is a really nice touch and makes the game really easy to get into.

One of my gripes about Bit.Trip Runner was what happens when you mess up. In the original version, one hit meant you go all the way back to the start of the level. It was inconsistant to how mistakes were dealth with in past games, and it ruined the levels by making them a chore to go through huge portions, just to get past small points. While RUNNER 2 had a checkpoint, the size of the levels didn't help reduce the issue.

While Voxel Runner has this issue, it has the advantage of each level being much shorter. Meaning when you make a mistake, you won't feel that you have to go through much, and once you get past the obstacles, you can move on.

There are also unique features of Voxel Runner's gameplay. The rope swing is a neat mechanic that adds timing to a speed based runner style of gameplay, the mini-cubes that alter the level also adds a great sense of challenge.

The graphics and music are to a very high standard, which for a game that was originally an XBLA Indie title, isn't suprising. The shading and the model designs are clear, the effects such as the particle trail are bright and colourful. The volume levels in the background is a nice touch.

The music is also great, really upbeat and catchy. If the music is available to download now, I'll get it as soon as this is posted.

Voxel Runner is worth the value, and I can't wait to see more work from this guy.

Good job at ripping every single idea from BitTrip Runner without adding anything original from your side.

Think of something original. Seriously. Don't feed of other peoples success.