Runner games are fun. It was a genre that saw its beginning in mobile gaming, and became a hit so big that it made its transition to home and handheld consoles. However, ever since its inception in the console gaming world, I must admit that while fun, the genre has become a little stale. While most (if not all) games in the genre differ in graphics characters and execution, they have something in common: the platform. When I say “platform,” I mean that the character is always running in a relative safe platform. Sure there are hazards to avoid and you have tools at your disposal that differ from game to game. You can jump. In others, you can slide or even attack some of your obstacles. The principle stays the platform in which you run is safe. You just have to time your jump to keep going. Now Atomik RunGunJumpGun takes things to the next level. Nothing is safe in this video game version of “The Floor is Lava” children’s game.
“The Sun is dying, but you don’t care about that right? You are just a scavenger.” This is the story for Atomik RGJG, and it is pretty straightforward. You are a scavenger in the Entax system, and you are there to collect all the Atomiks you can get. It won’t be easy because in one of the 120 levels there are TONS of hazards that are here to make your job harder. Luckily, you are equipped with the most advanced weapon in the galaxy: a powerful minigun that can propel you in the air to maneuver your way and shoot your way through the obstacles. On paper sounds doable….and in a way it is, but the level of difficulty spikes to “I wanna cry” to “Yep, I’m dead again.” This is not a bad thing, but if you are someone who frustrates easily, you might want to superglue your hands to your Switch.
The control scheme is a simple one: with one button you hover and with the other you blast your way. However, you can’t do both at the same time, and this is the genius part of the game play because you have to be quick to hover and shoot. Some levels require the precision of a neurosurgeon to pick all Atomiks and to destroy obstacles all while keeping yourself on the air because the spikes on the floor are certain death. A welcome help in ARGJG is that you have a shield that can block 1 hit (it’s better than nothing), and when you are hit, you can get some invincibility frames that you can use to your advantage to get to the next checkpoint, or to the end of the level.
Graphically, ARGJG its a treat for my eyes, since I love pixel visuals. The presentation of the game is beautiful, and I love the cast of strange characters that you meet through your adventure. In each interaction, they tell a part of the story or something humorous like, “ I ate something funny.” The sun is about to kill them all and he thinks about what he ate?!! Also, the music is perfect for this game. It gets you pumped up. That is why no matter how many times I died, I continued to play; the music is that good.
Bottom Line: Atomik RunGunJumpGun is totally recommended. It is a terrific game that is well executed and with great visuals. The music is amazing and the controls are tight. Tthe difficulty is high, but there is nothing more rewarding and more satisfying than getting all Atomiks in a stage after 50 deaths.