Zerun: The Tiny Planet

[url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/43083373/]Clever games curator review: 5/10[/url]. A very stylish but somewhat shallow 3D platformer; inconsistent design and difficulty with bits of collectathon, sokoban puzzling, moving platforms/time trials, and insta-death mixed together somewhat at random. Still, fun. The game has two modes. Hardcore, where you must beat a timer or lose, or Casual, where you can go at whatever speed you want. I played casual, however, some of the later levels were plenty hardcore enough, even so. The gameplay takes place across a series of self-contained bite-sized levels that are mostly open space with a bunch of collectibles that must be acquired, plus usually some sort of mild puzzle that has to be solved. Though small, navigating these levels is made tiresome because of the extreme amount of curvature that is used when displaying the world. I say displaying, because the true nature of the world is flat; it’s just how it’s shown to you. This means there is constant warping at the edges, and though video games never make me feel ill, this one did. Because of this it’s pretty much impossible to keep track of where you are in the world, which they…

Zerun is like a trippy speed-run on little planets, at first the Little Princes planet came to my mind before I realized its acutally bigger. Both a runner and a puzzle, with some really good visuals. The whole atmosphere feels magical, like you’re stuck inside some shaman ritual but in a fun way (am I tripping?). Runs are fast, though sometimes I swear my keyboard hates me, or its just my poor reflexes, not my usual type of game. Was bored out of my mind with my usuals, so decided to try something else. And actually quite liked it. Only downside is some levels felt kinda samey after a while, like déjà vu in space. Its still fun, though! Good bang for the buck.

There are things to appreciate in Zerun, but it's definitely a mixed bag, and since 3D platformers and time trial games are so plentiful, I don't really think this is worthwhile. It feels fun at first, I think the basic gameplay loop is solid, but as the levels progress the difficulty becomes pretty obstructive and makes it hard to stay interested without getting annoyed. I had a good time in the shorter levels, but as they got longer, things like fire traps that make you restart rather than just lose an essence felt unfair, and your camera angle makes it too hard to see within walls of tight corridors and mazes leading to more deaths you can't see coming. The character movement also feels somewhat counter-intuitive to the speed trial part of the game since it's rather floaty and imprecise. I often found myself frustrated having to restart levels or take slower routes because Zerun didn't mount a ledge properly, slid off a platform like ice, or broke momentum because I accidentally pressed back on the camera toggle. There shouldn't be character movement controls on the right toggle, only camera. I think more polish on the controls and character movement, adding maybe 3 non-replenis…

Solve short and slightly repetitive puzzle-platforming stages by finding ritual masks, gathering energy, and avoiding fire. The first decision you face when starting the game is whether you want a calm, pressure free experience or whether you would prefer to add some tension by enabling a timer. This choice does not dramatically change the gameplay, but it does alter the atmosphere and how you approach the challenges. Playing with a timer does not mean you must rush frantically or race against a strict countdown. If you are the type of player who thrives on competition, enjoys chasing faster runs, or wants to see your name on the leaderboards, then the timer mode adds that extra layer of excitement. If you prefer to take things slow and solve puzzles without pressure, then the relaxed mode is a better fit. The difference between the two modes is small but noticeable. Beyond the timer itself, the soundtrack changes. Timer mode features lively, energetic music, while relaxed mode offers calmer tunes. The good news is that your choice is never permanent. At any time you can switch between modes or even alter the background music to match your mood. What the game does not …

Nice game!

Fun game. Levels are simple enough to figure out. Drifting when jumping can be slightly problematical. So far, the Relics are 'findable', but sometimes it seems like you're going 'off course' to get them. The only issue I have is the lack of camera controls. I keep running into purple mushrooms because I simply can't see them as I'm running around collecting the blues. If the zoom is too far in, then it feels like my nose is on the glass. Too far, and the walls, especially in narrow corridors, keep blocking all sight. Yes, I know that you can see "You", but not the dangers. I even got flamed once by a hidden alcove.