Runbow

Runbow is a platform racing video game made for the Wii U and later ported to Microsoft Windows, New Nintendo 3DS, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch. Runbow was developed by independent video game developer 13AM Games as their debut title, releasing it on 27 August 2015 in North America,[1] 3 September 2015 in Europe, and 23 October 2015 in Australasia. The game was released in Japan on 25 November 2015.

Runbow
Developer(s)13AM Games
Publisher(s)13AM Games
Director(s)Alex Rushdy
Producer(s)Dave Proctor
Designer(s)Thomas McCall
Justin Fernandes
Programmer(s)Marty Kugler
Unai Cabezón
Michael Nicoletti
Elsio Perazzini
Artist(s)Takashi
Aaron Kwapisinski
Shawn Fraser
Composer(s)
  • Dan Rodrigues
  • Dave Proctor
EngineUnity
Platform(s)
ReleaseWii U
  • NA: 27 August 2015
  • EU: 3 September 2015
  • AU: 23 October 2015
  • JP: 25 November 2015
Windows
  • WW: 18 November 2016
New Nintendo 3DS
  • NA: 20 June 2017
  • EU: 20 June 2017
Xbox One
  • NA: 16 July 2017
PlayStation 4
  • WW: 3 July 2018
  • JP: 13 December 2018
Switch
  • WW: 3 July 2018
Genre(s)Platform, racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Gameplay
Gameplay screenshot

Runbow is a multiplayer-focused platformer in which players aim to be the first to reach a trophy at the end of each level. Players can perform a double jump as well as perform attacks to defeat enemies or gain extra reach whilst jumping. The background of each level constantly shifts between a cycle of colors, causing platforms and obstacles of the same color as the background, such as blockades and spikes, to disappear. By using the Wii Remote's connectivity to utitlise the Wii Nunchuk or Wii Classic Controllers in addition to itself, the game is capable of supporting up to nine players.[2] The game supports features such as achievements, time trials, a special mode called "Master the Bowhemoth", and many more. There is character customization, as well as other modes that are not racing-focused, such as "King of the Hill" and "Arena".[3]

Development

The concept of the game was created in the 2014 Global Game Jam. The game was announced on 24 October 2014. 13AM Games confirmed that the game "is sorta like Mario Kart".[4] The game was shown at the 2015 Game Developer's Conference, revealing the names of the game's characters, Hue and Val.[5]

On 13 April 2015, 13AM Games revealed several independent game characters that would guest-star in the Runbow roster: Shovel Knight from the eponymous Shovel Knight, Rusty from SteamWorld Dig, Juan and Tostada from Guacamelee!, Swift Thornebrooke from Sportsball, Scram Kitty from Scram Kitty and His Buddy on Rails, along with CommanderVideo and CommandgirlVideo from the Bit.Trip series.[6] More characters were announced on 11 August 2015: Gunvolt from Azure Striker Gunvolt, Teslamancer from Teslagrad, a Clone from Stealth Inc., A.R.I.D. from The Fall, the Xeodrifter from the eponymous Xeodrifter, the Princess from Chariot, Max from Mutant Mudds, the Drifter from Hyper Light Drifter, and Unity Japan's mascot Unity-chan.[7] From 15 June 2015 to 23 June 2015, a beta preview of Runbow was released on the Nintendo eShop along with 8 other "Nindie" titles.

On 11 April 2016, 13AM Games revealed via Nintendo Life additional downloadable content released on 14 April, which includes themed packs that come with costumes and music, a complimentary addition of guest playable character Lilac from Freedom Planet, and a 48-level story expansion called Satura's Space Adventure. [8]

During E3 2016, 13AM Games revealed a trailer announcing a port of the game to the New Nintendo 3DS, titled Runbow Pocket, which compiles the main story, as well as all existing DLC, into a portable game. This marks the second full title exclusive to the New Nintendo 3DS, the first being Xenoblade Chronicles 3D. Runbow Pocket was planned to be released in Fall 2016. However, in October 2016, 13AM Games revealed that, in addition of a release date for the retail version of Runbow, Runbow Pocket was delayed to the first quarter of 2017 because the company ran into some issues along development.[9] As part of the final DLC pack for Runbow, 13AM Games revealed that another playable character was coming to Runbow. Shantae was released on 25 October 2016 along with the final update for the game. Along with the release of the update, the company was initially going to release the physical version of the game on the same day as the update, but the physical version was instead released on 1 November 2016.[10] However, along with more bugs provided in the game, the developers wanted more time to work on the game, and the game's release date was pushed back to June 20, 2017.[11]

Reception

Runbow received mostly positive reviews. It has a score of 82 on Metacritic, indicating "generally favorable reviews", based on 34 critics.[15]

References
  1. "Runbow Release Date Announced - News". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on 13 August 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  2. "Get Ready to Runbow!". 13AM Games. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
  3. Olney, Alex (1 November 2014). "Showcase: Exploring Runbow - The Depths of 13AM Games' 9-Player Platformer". Archived from the original on 6 January 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
  4. Latshaw, Tim (30 October 2014). "Runbow Developers Picked Wii U for its Massive Local Multiplayer Capability". NintendoLife. Archived from the original on 9 March 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
  5. "Runbow GDC 2015 Trailer - Introducing Val". IGN. 4 March 2015. Archived from the original on 13 April 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
  6. "Shovel Knight, Rusty, and more join Runbow". Nintendo Everything. 13 April 2015. Archived from the original on 15 April 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
  7. Olney, Alex (10 August 2015). "Exclusive: Check Out Runbow's Complete Cast of Colourful Crossover Characters". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on 31 July 2017. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  8. Olney, Alex (11 April 2016). "Video: Grab a Rundown of all of Runbow's New and Delicious DLC". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on 14 April 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  9. Theriault, Donald. "Runbow Pocket, Antipole DX Delayed". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on 11 October 2016. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  10. "Shantae Joins The Cast Of Runbow". Siliconera. Jenni. 24 October 2016. Archived from the original on 26 October 2016. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
  11. "Exclusive: Runbow Pocket Gets New 3DS Release Date as 13AM Games Teases Switch Project". Nintendo Life. 31 May 2017. Archived from the original on 31 May 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  12. "Runbow Pocket for 3DS Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 2 October 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  13. "Runbow for Switch Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 21 October 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  14. "Runbow for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 2 December 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  15. "Runbow for Wii U Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  16. Carter, Chris (26 August 2015). "Review: Runbow". Destructoid. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  17. Tamburro, Paul (15 September 2015). "Runbow Review". Game Revolution. Archived from the original on 16 October 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  18. Ella, Thomas (7 September 2015). "Review: Runbow". Hardcore Gamer. Archived from the original on 15 October 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  19. Bowling, Steve (25 June 2017). "Runbow Pocket Deluxe Edition Review (New 3DS)". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  20. Craddock, Ryan (2 July 2018). "Runbow Review (Switch eShop)". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on 17 October 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  21. Acosta, Jose (26 August 2015). "Runbow Review (Wii U eShop)". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on 14 October 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  22. Koopman, Daan (25 June 2017). "Runbow Pocket (New 3DS eShop) Review". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on 14 October 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  23. Miller, Zachary (5 July 2018). "Runbow (Switch eShop) Review Mini". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on 18 October 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  24. Ronaghan, Neal (26 August 2015). "Runbow (Wii U) Review". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on 15 November 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  25. "Runbow". PlayStation Official Magazine – UK. No. 152. Future plc. July 2018. p. 90.
  26. Mejia, Ozzie (10 July 2018). "Runbow (Nintendo Switch) Review: The Rainbow Connection". Shacknews. Archived from the original on 14 October 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  27. Mejia, Ozzie (26 August 2015). "Runbow review - Rainbow Bright". Shacknews. Archived from the original on 14 August 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
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