ArcRunner is a stylish and addictive title. This cyberpunk-infused experience gets under your skin thanks to its simple concept. Furthermore, the fast-paced action and array of weaponry and playstyles is fascinating. Consequently, once you open Pandora’s box, it is tough to put the lid back on.
This rogue-like shooter was developed by Trickjump Games Ltd and published by PQube Limited. Moreover, it can be enjoyed alone or with 2 other warriors. The casual action takes place across numerous compact arenas. Additionally, there are plenty of weapons to find and unlock, augmentations to install, and an army of robotic menaces to destroy. Consequently, there is plenty to do during every bite-sized playthrough.
ArcRunner doesn’t tell an original tale.
Though much of ArcRunner is fresh and interesting, the story is all too familiar. Now, this wasn’t a problem as such. However, it would have been pleasant to experience something slightly original. The result is a tale that fades into insignificance as the excellent action stands at the fore.
A meta-virus has infected KORE. Subsequently, this awakens the ArcRunner protocols. These soulless entities must explore each arena whilst defeating the robotic guardians. The further they progress, the closer they get to completing their mission. Can the ArcRunner overcome every obstacle and reset the KORE?
Simple mechanics.
The action focuses on short, sharp arena combat. During each stage, the protagonist must slay waves of robotic foes as they dodge and weave past projectiles. Furthermore, they must collect secondary weapons and any primary tool at their disposal. This flexibility and random nature ensures that no playthrough is ever the same.
As you progress past each level, you may use the Autodoc to install an augmentation. This temporary buff improves your character for that playthrough. What’s more, you may stack abilities to improve speed, accuracy, health, and much more. These additional skills give you a match-winning edge. Furthermore, they complement your permanent upgrades and help you to delve deeper into the madness.
The permanent upgrades are installed when you unlock Nanites. These rare items are unlocked at the end of each stage, and they can be found by completing challenges. The latter option isn’t that difficult. Yet, this mattered not as it added a layer of depth that improved exploration and each run.
Different builds.
ArcRunner’s surprises keep on coming. The wonderful devs have incorporated several playstyles into the core action. You may pick from 3 unique heroes to complement your playstyle. Whether you wish to go for an all-rounder, a stealthy assassin, or a hacking deviant, the choice is yours.
Each character has an array of special skills as well as a powerful ability unique to their class. These well-considered ideas mix up the action whilst preventing it from becoming tedious. Word of warning, however, if you attempt each of the characters’ builds, you will need to collect mountains of Nanites. Accordingly, this will be time-consuming and potentially repetitive.
ArcRunner looks fantastic.
ArcRunner uses a 3rd person perspective to great effect. The cyberpunk world is neon-infused, industrial, and cold. Furthermore, the robots are unique, faceless, and devoid of personality. This detached view of the future is uncomfortable and lacking in emotion. Yet, I didn’t like the aiming system. Though a crosshair is always present, the accuracy is pretty low. Moreover, you cannot look down the sight of your gun and this makes things problematic.
If you use a machine gun or any rapid-fire weapon, you can get away with firing from the hip. However, the slower and more precise weapons were painful to use. Your enemies move so quickly that it is tough to keep up. No matter which build I tried, the problem remained. Maybe it’s something I missed, but I could not select a 1st person viewpoint and that was frustrating.
The audio uses a synth soundtrack for a futuristic edge. The upbeat electronic sounds were great. But the repetitive loop and the poor cutting between tracks weren’t so good. Had the developers increased their music library, it would have been vastly improved. The sound effects were much better. The zip, twang, and crash of every Sci-fi weapon were impressive. Moreover, the noise of the explosions was loud and uncomfortable.
Excellent controls.
Though the aiming was challenging, the control system was good. The excellent UI combined with the responsive inputs makes this an accessible title. Alongside this, the layout was well-considered, and it took no time to master. Where you may struggle, though, is remembering the pros and cons of each weapon. Things can get pretty hectic, and trying to find time to pick up the best tool wasn’t easy. Consequently, this can be somewhat tiresome.
If you don’t mind losing your progress and a sense of repetition, then you’ll adore ArcRunner. The rogue-like elements create almost unlimited replay value and longevity. However, tackling the opening stages for the nth time can be hard to swallow. As such, causal gamers may become annoyed at the rate of progression.
ArcRunner is tough but enjoyable.
I died repeatedly, swore a lot, and tried plenty of different load-outs. I had a great time during each playthrough even though I knew failure was just around the corner. This sense of impending doom adds a layer of risk vs reward. Additionally, the opportunity to test new builds and permanently improve your hero was hard to turn down. Consequently, I like it and I recommend buying it here! Don’t let the virus win. Pick your hero, unlock new skills, and reset the KORE.
