You know when you start a game and you instantly regret it? I’ve had this experience many times, and it’s usually because of the platform genre. These precise and deceptively difficult games have been sent to test us all. Therefore, when Glam’s Incredible Run landed on my desk, I knew there would be trouble.
Developed by Three Legged Egg and published by RED ART GAMES, this is a hardcore platforming experience. Ironically, it focuses on minimalist mechanics and should be easy to play. However, it is fiddly, annoying, and requires pinpoint accuracy. Like the great platformers of the past, it lulls you into a false sense of security. Consequently, you’ll believe you’ve mastered the fundamentals, only to fail miserably over and over again.
Glam’s Incredible Run is a tale of family and power.
Everyone loves a bit of drama! Kidnapping, power rifts, and evil witches, so what’s not to like? Glam’s Incredible Run tells the story of one girl who must rescue her mum from an evil witch. In the realm of Caterina, Glam’s mum is being held captive. Why would someone kidnap her (or mumnap her in this case), I hear you ask? The witch cannot allow them to combine their powers and will do anything to prevent them from meeting.
Duh duh duuuuhhhhh. Dramatic, I know! However, the story soon fades into insignificance as you die and scream repeatedly. You’ll study each stage, work out each plan, and fail anyway. Consequently, it’s agonisingly difficult even when it appears unbelievably simple.
Solo or cooperative action.
Glam’s Incredible Run stands out from its peers because of its two game modes. As a solo player, you are responsible for collecting tapes, avoiding obstacles, and getting to the portal. The action spans 11 worlds and each of these is more difficult than the last.
The cooperative mode, on the other hand, spans 60 levels of friendship testing brutality. You must work together to replicate the solo gameplay. However, the twist is that both of you must be perfect or you risk dying repeatedly.
Whichever option you tackle, you must avoid bullets, spikes, goblins, and more. On top of this, you’ll test your acrobatic abilities by swinging by your hair and climbing on walls. These agile moves are death-defying (hopefully) and test your dexterity and patience. Timing your leap of faith is tough, yet it makes the action so much more rewarding when you succeed.
Sounds straightforward, right?
I’m sure you are wondering why it is so difficult. After all, the mechanics all appear straightforward and easy to understand. Well, precision, timing, and moving platforms all enhance the difficulty. What’s more, there is a degree of speed and physics-based action to contend with as well. In short, it asks you to balance many elements.
Alongside this, each stage has an air of the unknown and the draw of collectables. Consequently, you’ll push yourself to obtain every item, kill each enemy, and get through every stage alive.
Glam’s Incredible Run is pretty basic.
Thanks to its pixelated style and fixed-screen perspective, Glam’s Incredible Run is pretty basic. This may sound like a negative, however, it isn’t. Its understated appearance allows you to focus on the job at hand. This is helped further because of the contrasting tones and distinct sprites. Accordingly, obstacles and dangers are easy to identify.
The old-school aesthetic is enhanced because of the shrill synth music. Moreover, the aggressive and silly sound effects add to the magic. Sadly, it’s not the most original audio, but it’s serviceable and enjoyable, nonetheless.
Excellent controls that are sadly too fiddly.
The developers focused on a three-button approach. Therefore, this should be easy to play, ha! It is nothing but a maddening and rage-inducing affair that serves to demoralise you. The speed at which you must react and think is astronomically fast. Subsequently, you’ll fall into oblivion or into spikes more than you’ll like.
If you can stomach the brutality and humiliation of failure, this oozes replay value and longevity. It’ll keep you playing for hours while demanding you return for more. What’s more, the cooperative mode will test you further still. This isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s wonderfully rewarding when you succeed.
Glam’s Incredible Run was too difficult.
I like to be tested, but I found Glam’s Incredible Run far too difficult. It was fiddly, unfairly precise, and uncomfortably challenging. However, it will be perfect for hardcore gamers and veterans of the genre. Though it wasn’t for me, I still recommend you buy it here! Can you overcome the obstacles and save your mum? Swing, climb and jump your way to victory.
