Running on Magic LadiesGamers

Running on Magic Review

Game: Running on Magic
Genre: Action, Adventure, Casual, Indie.
System: Steam (Windows) Also available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS5, & PS4
Developer | Publisher: Gusarapo Games | Meteorbyte Studios.
Controller Support: Full Controller Support.
Price: USD $4.99 | UK £4.49 | € 4,99
Release Date: July 15th, 2022

Review code used, with many thanks to Meteorbyte Studios.

You can run, but you can’t hide! Less from the unavoidable truth called death. We all run from and towards it, yet it is always around us. Running on Magic is a forced-scroll runner platformer that delves into death and the complexity of accepting it. Made by Gusarapo Games, this short but fascinating experience will leave you much more than just satisfaction after playing it.

Running on Magic LadiesGamers
Admiring the view, with death by our side.

“Woosh! Get ready to flee! Welcome to Running on Magic, a forced-scroll platformer where a quirky wizard is being chased by a tireless Grim Reaper. Hurry through procedurally-generated mindfully drawn environments as you defeat unalike enemies. Don’t let the Grim Reaper get to you!”

I Am Not Going Anywhere

Usually, I thought that death was only going to be near when I would be old and had lived a life filled with experiences; a life where I met many people and saw various places. Eventually, I would face my mortality and meet death by the end of the journey, or that is what I thought, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. The more you think about it, the more you realize that death is as much part of life as anything else; still, we fear its presence and constant reminder.

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It is time to start running.

In Running on Magic you are not only running from death, you might even say you are running with it. The Grim Reaper is present since the beginning, allowing you to traverse through every obstacle by giving you magic and meeting you every so often. It is patiently waiting for you to have your journey, just to reach that of what you are running away from.     

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Generous death gives us the abilities we need to live.

Run Away or Stop and Take a Rest (If You Can)

Now let’s talk more in-depth about the game and its mechanics. Running on Magic, as mentioned before is a forced-scroll platformer, which means that your character and the screen will be moving forward at all times. You must jump at each stage at the right moment and avoid quirky enemies. Every time you fall or receive enough damage, you start the level from the beginning, but beware; it might not be the same. The game has procedurally generated levels that randomize every run, making it impossible to memorize specific jumps or enemies on the way. 

Running on Magic Ladies Gamers
Collect magic to float and avoid falling.

Across the stages, you find magic, which fills your magic bar and gives you the ability to float briefly or attack downwards to stun your enemies. The rest is avoiding falls and enemies, using portals, boosts, or bubbles to move around the stage to continue your escape from death. While you do that, the Grim Reaper still meets you by the middle and end of each stage to tell you to stop and remind you he is not going away.

Running on Magic LadiesGamers
Perform a downward magic slam to stun your enemies.

Magically Beautiful and Catchy

The aesthetic of Running on Magic is fantastically mesmerizing. Having six stages, each with its environment and atmosphere, this game presents its world creatively and beautifully. The more you focus on its background the more you appreciate its details and tone.

Running on Magic LadiesGamers
It is like a nice run at the beach, isn’t it?

Combined with the fantasy rhythmic music on each level, you want to play again and again, feeling more immersed in your runs each time. I loved every song and sound effect in this game and even though many games these days can deliver beautiful aesthetics, it is not so common to see it as matching and catchy as you do in Running on Magic.

Running on Magic LadiesGamers
Watch your step, but most importantly, fall on the platforms!

 A Skeleton Can Dream, Can’t They?

This game has it all. It has quite a smooth tutorial, is intuitive, fast and fun to play. The surprise factor in Running on Magic is so gracefully made that my jaw dropped a few times. From the moment you try to reach a high jump you are not supposed to achieve, you realize this game will take you on an unexpected journey where you are not sure what is going to happen. Thanks to the procedurally generated levels, it indeed keeps you constantly shocked at every turn.

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Is that a meteor on my way? Oh well…Why not?

But seriously, even though the game has great mechanics, amazing visuals and fantastic music, it still excels in one more aspect. Its narrative is deeper than it seems yet delivered in a subtle and quirky way. The story is basically about an old wizard escaping death until finally he embraces the Grim Reaper and goes together with him. The dialogues in the game made me giggle and sometimes even pause to think through what I just had read. It gives you interesting thoughts about death and our relation with it, but with such a funny approach that it makes it more special.

Running on Magic LadiesGamers
Maniac or not, it is amazing and clever. You got to love the Grim Reaper’s quirkiness.

Conclusion

Running on Magic is definitely worth its price and more. You can beat the whole game quite fast and then you still will have harder modes plus an endless mode to hone your timely jumps and skills. As mentioned before, its visuals and sounds won’t disappoint you and believe me, for those who love the challenge as much as I do, here you will also get that.

Running on Magic LadiesGamers
Are you running from death, yourself, or something else?

The running wizard’s silent personality and the Grim Reaper’s peculiarities are hilariously amazing. This game fills in every aspect you need if you have a little time to spare and are looking to feel temporarily entertained. I highly recommend it and hope you enjoy it, I surely did.

Final Verdict: Two Thumbs Up Two thumbs up

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