Review

Developed by:Flippfly Published by:Flippfly Genre(s):
  • Endless Runner
  • Platform:
  • Handhelds
  • Microsoft
  • PC
  • Sony
  • Cost:$9.99 ESRB Rating:RATING PENDING Players:1 Release date:August 19, 2013 Reviewed on:PC
    9.4

    Race The Sun

    The premise is simple; fly towards the sun collecting points while avoiding obstacles. An endless runner/racer where scores are tallied and rankings are shuffled on a leaderboard. However, Flippfly’s Race the Sun soars over this basic concept and lands somewhere between a great game and an arcade classic!

    In Race the Sun, players fly a solar- powered ship that can only stay in the air when it’s in direct sunlight. With a maze of objects to maneuver around, shady areas to steer clear of, and that fact that the sun is constantly setting makes this easier said than done. Though most flight paths are cut short because the ship abruptly collided with something in the environment, it’s still a fun race with the ever-growing addiction. This race is fun though as the allure of going just a little farther each time out is quite addictive. Like I alluded to before, the developers weren’t satisfied with the endless race formula alone and opted to spice things up a bit.

    As players continue playing and hitting certain millstones, thus completing a challenge, they’ll unlock upgrades to the game and their ship. For instance, a boost hologram is unlocked early on that allows the ship to keep up with the sun; collecting it during a race speeds up the ship, “rewinding” back time. This, of course, allows for longer flights as it keeps the sun high in the sky. Another upgrade is a magnet attachment for the ship. What this is does is increase the range at which holograms can be collected when flying by them. Meaning, the ship no longer needs to literally run over holograms as just driving in close enough proximity will automatically collect them. Basically, as time goes on the game slowly reveals itself, offering more surprises, unique obstacles, new gameplay mechanics, etc. There are even secret portals that appear randomly show up to, transporting players to crazy locations before spitting them back onto the main map.

    Speaking of the maps, they are part hand crafted and part procedurally generated.  The developers created different environments (think linear maps with multiple sections acting as stages) for gamers to fly through. The game then takes these environments and shapes them to be increasingly difficult to survive as the ship covers more ground the farther the ship is flown. Each day the basic pattern is changed and the game alters the later sections. What that is means is that every day there is a different map to race in. This also means that every day there is a new leaderboard to rank up on; the previous days are archived for later viewing. This is great motivation to keep playing. Not only are the maps changing each day, but it’s possible to be at the top of a leaderboard and actually stay there (even if only for that particular day).

    Another noteworthy feature is the ability to relay through a map. The game will note where your run ended and give you a link to send to friends so they can pick up where you left off. At the end of the relay, all of the points are added up into one cumulative score showing how well you all did. It’s a fun way to play as a team and reach large point tallies. Making sure to be fair to solo players, Flippfly added a separate leaderboard just for relays.

    When I played the preview build of Race the Sun, the custom map creator wasn’t fully realized. This time, however, I got a chance to check it out. Flippfly tried their best to make sure the creator was user friendly and while it isn’t super difficult to build a map, it can be intimidating when first accessed. Though you can’t make anything you want, it does feature a very flexible network of systems. Once a map is made it can be easily uploaded for people to share (the files are really small, taking no time to download). The game hasn’t been out that long and people have already created some interesting maps. Some are so good that the game will used them as the places you’re flown to when going through a secret portal.

    Race the Sun is way more entertaining than I thought it would be. Everything from the way the game “unlocks” more of itself and the changing maps to the leaderboard treatment and custom map system makes this game a must play for gamers. I dig the minimalist art design and soundtrack as well; they add to the game’s overall charm while keeping the focus on your flight. The overall philosophy seems to be the elevation of an old genre using an assortment of newer game mechanics. Or, it could be that Flippfly thought it would be fun to make an endless racing game that people would want to play long after purchase. Either way, they accomplished something great!

     

    Gameplay:

    10

    Race the Sun is an addictive, entertaining, ever changing indie title!

    Graphics:

    9

    The minimalist visuals offer an otherworldly vibe without undermining the onscreen action.

    Sound:

    9

    Same as the graphics.

    What's New:

    9

    The changing maps, leaderboards, and the slow unlock of mechanics on their own aren’t new to gaming. That said, they have been combined in such a way that makes them new to this genre.

    Replay Value:

    10

    As long as you enjoy the core gameplay, the constant changing maps and customizable options will keep you playing!

    Final Score:

    9.4

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