Any game starting with you being chased by a meat cleaver…then I’m in. Two options: stay put and become lunch or run like hell. Yes, this is an endless runner game and as uncomplicated as it is (we’re not taking the complexity of the excellent Bit Trip Runner here), Run Like Hell! definitely has its own thing going. You may well remember Mass Creation’s last Vita slice of finger swiping action Draw Slasher. Well now the Polish developers have returned, and this time? Well basically they want you to leg it as fast as you can.
The games sees you plonked in different scenarios with a tribe of toothless simpletons hunting you down. This gang of psychotic knife wheeling individuals are always just a hair’s breath away. One trip, stumble or fall and you’re sent packing, tied up on a stick à la deer with a piece of jungle fruit rammed in your cake hole. These guys don’t mess about.
The track ahead is littered with obstacles that need to be jumped over, slid under and/or smashed. Objects from above and inhabitants in tree houses also let loose their angst, meaning an unexpected fall for the less observant player is only a footstep away. The sprint is a constant one that keeps the super smooth scrolling screen always heading right.
The main story mode consists of 33 short levels that require timing and clever use of pickups to complete. These picks up may for example give you a speed boost – handy when a missed timed jump on a tree stump goes pear shaped, or others that can slow the fast footed advancing gang down. Breaking up the gameplay is a strange quick level that entails nothing more than bashing the life out of the left and right shoulder buttons. An action that turns heads if nothing else.
The game also offers an endless running arcade mode where the aim is simply to grab as much gold as possible. This gold can be spent on unlocking the naked girl runner if desired or other more appropriately dressed characters. If you can’t wait for her then real pennies can be used via the PSN store – the joys of microtransactions eh? The premise of you running for your life may seem a little unimaginative to some, but stop and…actually don’t stop – you’ll be toast. The clever game design keeps you glued to your Vita and with the healthy amount of content the game packs in, you have a great little title on your hands here.
CONCLUSION
Mass Creation have an endearing charm that is cemented into their games, and Run Like Hell! is no different. It’s a fun to play short sprint, and with a price tag of £3.99/$4.99, you can’t really trip, fall or stumble with this one.
Lizard rating: 7.5/10
