Bite-sized Review:
RUN: The World In-Between

By Chris Picone, 27 May 2023

RUN: The World In-Between is a slick precision platformer that separates itself from the crowd through its use of dark, moody visuals, roguelike gameplay and procedurally generated levels.  

Aesthetics

I'm not 100% sure how to describe the pixel miniature look but the character and world looks visually very similar to those in Samurai Gunn.  The background is a lovely detailed parralax that fills itself in through game as you collect memory fragments.  The foreground is more traditional platformer, although with a visceral and generally threatening quality that really adds to the intense atmosphere of the game.

Gameplay

Run.  There's a dark shadow chasing you, following your every move, and if it catches you you're done for.  The pressure's on.  And it's not that easy, of course.  To get to the end you must jump across huge pit falls, dodge spikes, run across crumbling walkways, dash through tight spaces.  And although the levels are procedurally generated, they're all very carefully built . Gaps between obstacles are precise; being fast isn't enough, you need to be meticulous in your movement, and it's very easy to slip - just a millimetre or two, but it's enough to be lethal.  You're going to die.  And again, and again, until you can solve the puzzles; here, you must jump to the block, spring off it, then dash between the shadows. There, you must dash across the gap, bounce over the shadows, then dash again before hitting the- no, that didn't work! Have to try something else next time.  The die-and-retry system's well-built.  You'll be off and running again before your blood's even finished splattering.  Make it to the end and some blood pours into a vial; fill it, and you progress to the next area, adding new traps and challenges every time you meet some success.  It's a tough game, not for the faint-hearted, but  not unfair.  

Verdict

It's a precision platformer, and those aren't for everyone. If it's for you though, definitely check it out.  It's a quality game, challenging, fun to play, and the controls are super smooth.  While it does lack a story to carry you through, the procedural generation is what sets Run apart from the others, providing an unusual experience you might find refreshing and there's probably 2-4 hours of game here.

Links: 

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1548940/RUN_The_world_inbetween/