ATOMIK RunGunJumpGun

Run, Gun, Jump, and Gun again in this intense platformer that is Atomik: RunGunJumpGun. In this 2D action platformer, you pilot a person that has to go from system to system collecting “Atomiks”. The gameplay is all about surviving, collecting and proceeding to the next level. Did we mention yet that you only need to use two buttons to play the game?

General Gameplay

Gameplay is very simple in this game; collect the Atomik in each level while avoiding, saws, lasers, enemies, and other objects that are in your way.  You have a minigun that lifts you when you shoot it at the floor (think of it as a jetpack) and shooting forward to take out enemies and other obstacles in your path.  Most levels are only about 30-90 seconds in length, and you are only allowed to be hit twice before you must reset that specific level – but “resetting” doesn’t mean reloading, it’s just a quick rewind to your last checkpoint. The Game Visuals are inspired by an 8-bit style in which everything looks very retro.  The game uses text to tell the story, and there is no type of offensive or foul language. If anything, the text language is much like you would see on Cartoon Network during the day.  The game graphics, from the main character, in game objects, backgrounds to general gaming are very easy to see on the 6” Nintendo Switch screen, and even easier to see on a larger monitor. In our playtesting, we did not encounter any visibility issues with the game graphics, and there was nothing offensive in the presentation of RunGunJumpGun.  The game does not support a colorblind mode, but it is not needed as the game colors are very easily distinguishable.  Audio for the game is an electronic ambient 80’s inspired soundtrack with lots of sci-fi sounds that fit the game well.  As the game has no spoken dialogue, it conveys the characters speaking in a garbled language.  There is nothing offensive whatsoever in RunGunJumpGun, and it should be ok for anyone in your gaming family to hear when the game is on.  A special note for those that will play the game on the Nintendo Switch – if you are planning to use headphones, please make sure that the volume is not too high, as the action in the game can get loud in the headset.  One of the interesting features that stand outs in Atomik: RunGunJumpGun is the Controls for the game.  There are only two buttons used to play the game – the left and right shoulder buttons on the controller.  The game is very user-friendly and anyone can pick up and play with a control setup like this! As you can guess, in our play testing we did not run into any issues with the controller setup, except that we would recommend to play the game hooked up to a SMART TV vs. the console itself for long sessions. This is just a precaution to prevent neck strain with any Nintendo switch title, not just RunGunJumpGun, as anyone who’s played on the Switch itself for a while knows that some soreness comes from looking downward for too long.  As the game needs only two buttons to play there is no need for a special controller, but for those playing on a SMART TV, we recommend using a Nintendo Pro Controller.  We would also recommend using the Nintendo Pro Controller for special needs and older gamers as well, as it is easier on the hands for longer play sessions.

“Take a frantic action/platformer, add a great control setup and punishing but fun levels and you have this masterpiece that will have you coming back for more”

Family-Friendly

One of the many reasons why this is a must-have game for your digital library is simply that fact that Atomik: RunGunJumpGun is just a simple but fun game to play. Don’t think the simplicity of the controls takes away from the enjoyable gameplay – quite the opposite! Another thing that makes the game a gem is the comedy in the game! Read the comments in the cut scenes between the levels; they are really funny!  From the moment that you get introduced to the controls, the game lets you loose and you have to go from level to level getting your timing right to complete each stage.  Another reason is that the game is not frustrating, as games of this type of platformer can often be maddening with punishing difficulty and reload times. In Atomik: RunGunJumpGun, the game simply does a quick rewind to your last checkpoint if you “fail” – in a way that doesn’t feel like a fail! No reloading, no punishing messages on the screen, just a hyperspeed rewind to try again. Because of this, there are many opportunities to learn from your mistake and try again, but without the high risk of game rage you’d find with other titles.  I know that it sounds punishing, having only two hits before starting over the level, but once you get the hang of the game you will be better prepared for any challenge.  Also, with each area of the game that you visit, you will experience a new way to approach the levels within.  Whether it is a new style of level design or another type of motion for the character, the game stays fresh in this way for the gamer to experience new things in the game.  I will also admit that when we were given a digital copy of the game, I had my reservations about whether this would be a game that was too hard for our youngest, oldest and even our special needs gamers, but I was wrong! Literally everyone in our game-testing family took to the game easily and loved every minute of the gameplay.  At one point there were even friendly squabbles over who was going to play next, as testers in our office were lining up to play the game!  It is good to see Nintendo have games like this on the Switch, and this is a great example of how a game can be challenging and fun without being punishing to the player.  I will admit that some levels will take quite a few tries before you master them, but they’re well worth it.  Atomik: RunGunJumpGun is a fun game for the whole family and should not be passed up.  In our special needs game testing, all of our special needs gamers had a great time, no one found the game too hard or too easy, and everyone loved the controller setup.  The graphics and sound are fine for all gamers, so parents/guardians of younger gamers, this is a great title!

Closing

Atomik: RunGunJumpGun is a fantastic game that has to be in your digital library. With its simple but fun gameplay it will give you and your gaming family hours of fun gameplay.  We highly recommend this game.

We are also awarding Atomik: RunGunJumpGun both our Special Needs Family Favorite and Family Friendly Favorite Game awards as well for excelling at being a very fun and friendly family game.