Running, jumping, sliding. When you start a new game of Speed Runner HD, these three abilities are all you have to reach and defuse the bomb planted in the level. You are Speed Runner, and it’s your job to protect this city. Although you only start off with these three simple movements, you’ll quickly gain new abilities and gadgets to assist you in getting through the level faster. This platformer has you racing against the clock, if you don’t reach the bomb in time it’s game over! As you progress through the singleplayer you’ll learn new ways to make the best time, and the journey becomes more difficult as you continue.
Speed Runner HD is an Indie Game remake of Speed Runner, a flash game available on numerous free to play websites. The only difference between the two versions is the multiplayer component found only in the Xbox version. However, multiplayer is restricted to local play. In multiplayer up to four players can jump in, your goal: eliminate the other players. However, if you don’t have anyone to play with you’ll have to settle for only playing singleplayer.
While the game’s campaign starts off rather simple, it picks up in difficult almost immediately. At times you may wind up frustrated because you didn’t make that jump at the “right moment,” or you didn’t grapple when you should’ve. Later on in the game you’ll probably forget about trying to get the best time, at that point you simply want to survive. Earlier levels become even easier as you progress, as you can replay those levels with the new gadgets you’ve acquired. Even with some minor frustration and a lot of retries, the entire singleplayer can be completed in half an hour. In the end it comes down to the question of, do you want to pay $ 3 for this Indie game when you can play it on your computer for free? Sure, there’s the multiplayer aspect, but even when you do have three other friends over, is that really what you plan on playing with them?
Pros:
- Simple control layout
- Great music
- Being able to replay older levels with new gadgets
Cons:
- A very short campaign
- Frustrating at times
- It’s a paid version of an already free game
Score: 2/5
