Retro Runners is a casual unlimited running game that does just about what its name suggests — it’s designed retro and involves a lot of running. While there are a lot of running games today, Retro Runners carries it simple, retro + 8-bit style, no fuss. There aren’t too many complicated turns, rough patches or race time-outs.
Starting with its gameplay, it’s pretty simple. You have got ten players to select from (locked ones could be bought using in-app purchasing), and you have to keep on completing levels of race. Now, in these levels, your main hurdles are your fellow racers, some cameramen clicking photos and pointing flashes right into your race view, which makes your vision a bit blurry for a few seconds, and swimming pools and people chilling in them, right on your racing track, yup. You could either change your lane or jump in order to protect your player from these hurdles. Banging into one of them, and you are out, with your game over. No retires, and you have to start from the scratch. There are not just hurdles in your track, but some good bits, too. You can collect coins while racing, and you are also handed water bottles from the sides while racing, which help you keep up your energy level. Of course, the difficulty level goes up and the speed goes up as you proceed.
Talking about the game’s graphics, they are simple, 8-bit-ish, and retro. You wouldn’t find things getting drab, but pretty much what you expect from a running game that is small on size.
As far as controls go, you have to tap on your left to make your player change lane, and tap on your right to make him jump. Works smoothly without any hit and miss.
The game’s sound is fun but basic. The parts where your player trip on a hurdle, or where you get a camera flash right into your eyes, are specially noticeable and well thought of.
I would have really liked to developers to add a few more twists to the game, especially when we are into five or six rounds into the game. While, yes, it has unlimited running and has a lot simple fun things, a few surprises would have really made it sweet.
All in all, Retro Runners a nice, good-paced running game, that doesn’t complicate things and yet is fun to sit through for quite a while. It’s available for iOS, Android and BlackBerry 10.
