Review: Runbow (Wii U)
Runbow is a fast-paced action party game for up to 9 players! The world changes with each swipe of the background colour and if you can’t see something it doesn’t exist!
Pros:
- Sweet hand drawn graphics.
- 750MB download size.
- Fast paced platform racer where the background constantly changes which in turn makes obstacles appear and disappear.
- Supports every type of controller form the Wii U pro controller to Wii motes.
- Autosaves.
- Gallery where you can view unlocked characters,art and listen to music tracks. Records section is like a list of achievements you unlock.
- Four main game modes-Adventure which is story mode in essence,Local play with four game modes within them,Online and Bowhemoth.
- Hilarious cut scene images in adventure mode.
- Bowhemoth is hard mode where you have no checkpoints or saves and must do levels in one run.
- Adventure mode is a huge grid whereby finishing a level in a certain time unlocks 1-3 medals, Use medals to unlock art and further levels. When a level is finished you unlock to corresponding levels to which you choose your own path to the top of the grid.
- Customise base characters with hats and new uniforms all unlocked through play.
- Supports 9 players on one console.
- Adventure mode has 100s of levels to play through.
- Variety of levels, Not just running to a trophy you can also get kill x amount of enemies quickly or collect x amount of coins as fast as possible.
- Simple easy to use controls. Jump and punch is all you need but pressing them or holding them can yield new moves.
- All levels are timed and your best time is shown on each completed level.
- Four local modes are-
- Race: straight racing to the trophy.
- Arena: fight to the death in arena styled levels.
- King Of The Hill: stand in the spot to earn points.
- Colour master: Gamepad user can control powerups,colour background and more and must stop the racers getting to the trophy. All controlled with the touch screen.
- Online has 3 modes to play: Run, Arena and King Of The Hill.
- Private and public lobbies. Private lobbies give a passkey you give to friends so they can join.
- So easy to pick up and play.
- Cameo appearances from other indie titles like Rust,Shovel Knight and Juan.
- Fast loading times.
- New records and unlocks pop up on the screen like achievements.
Cons:
- No touch screen support outside of colour master mode.
- No real tutorial just a few simple screens.
- No online leaderboards for adventure levels etc.
- When a player dies they stay dead so in two player it just leaves one guy.
- Difficulty spikes through out the game.
Runbow, Every now and then a game comes along that sounds pretty standard in a genre that is quickly getting saturated. But yet when you play it you instantly fall in love with it! From its cutesy graphics to awesome level design that can keep even the most seasoned gamer on their toes, The game is fun, So much fun that you will lose track of the hours you plough in as you attempt to take on the 100s of adventure mode levels. You will get angry and frustrated, You will feel cheated but at the end of the day….Its your fault! The game is a breath of fresh air with its colour mechanic, Never have levels changed so much so quickly in a blink of an eye and its this reason alone that Runbow will be held in the highest regard. For this is a true indie hit and one that every Wii U owner should own and play. In short this is the best Wii U indie title this year so far!
