Top Run

Genre: Auto-Runner / Action-Platformer

Players: 1

.

Review:

Top Run is an Auto-Runner with Action-Platformer elements released on multiple platforms including Nintendo Switch in 2020. This is a game that goes for a very 80s-style retro feel and has players running and shooting various wacky enemies in a randomly-generated endlessly-scrolling stage.

The presentation here nails exactly what this game is aiming for with its high-contrast neon pixel art look (with a few odd exceptions tossed in for variety. However, while this game looks great, what’s really phenomenal is the soundtrack, which is filled with some extremely catchy 80s-style themes like Runner, Rush, and Motorcade.

The gameplay here is pretty solid too, albeit not very deep. I’ve made no secret of the fact that I’m not the biggest fan of Auto-Runners, but this game gives players a bit more utility to tackle the obstacles they face by providing them with a gun to blast away enemies that get in their way, but need to balance the use of that weapon with maneuvering around enemies due to the need for that weapon to recharge after a few uses. It’s a strong formula that makes for some good arcade-style gameplay that challenges players to see how long they can last and how high a score they can earn.

The game also provides nice incentives for players in the game menus too, such as unlockable skins, power-up upgrades, and unlockables for your virtual “apartment” that even includes things like a halfway-decent playable Space Invaders clone. This stuff all contributes to give players more incentive to succeed in the main game.

However, as tends to happen with games in this genre, there is one of the genre’s frequent flaws at play here – it gets really repetitive. To its credit, the game shakes this up by introducing new enemy types and new gameplay elements fairly frequently as you proceed, but the game is so unforgiving that you’re likely to die frequently (much like a Roguelike), meaning that you’ll be facing the game’s earliest enemies and obstacles far more often than the more interesting threats you only encounter later on.

Still, repetition is a hallmark of classic 80s arcade games, so even this flaw is actually pretty well in keeping with exactly what Top Run is aiming for – a great, simple, 80s-style experience. If that sounds appealing to you, you should definitely give Top Run a try. It’s not especially deep, but it’s fun in a way that doesn’t really have to be.

tl;dr – Top Run is an Auto-Runner with Action-Platformer elements that has some really excellent arcade-style gameplay and a great 80s-inspired motif with a killer soundtrack. The game is a bit shallow and repetitive, but it succeeds at what it’s aiming to do, and is an overall fun arcadey experience.

Grade: B

^{You can support eShopperReviews on Patreon! Please click HERE to become a Sponsor!}