Run Like Hell (PlayStation Vita)
Official GBAtemp Review
Product Information:
- Release Date (NA): September 17, 2014
- Release Date (EU): September 16, 2014
- Publisher: Mass Creation
- Developer: Mass Creation
- Also For: Android
Game Features:
Arcade Runner Mobile Port
Run Like Hell is your standard arcade runner game with a loose “story” attached. Offering 3 different game modes, Story mode, Arcade mode which offers unlimited running in various environments, and an online mode that offers versus matches and “Challenges”. The game plays like any other arcade runner; you have to run and jump or slide over various obstacles, while avoiding some sort of threat (in this case, super evil cannibalistic tribesman) until you reach the end of each level. There are powerups, like “Adrenaline” AKA Speed boost, some sort of lightning bolt that stops the tribesmans for a short period of time, and a cloud of smoke which I assumes also slows your chasers down, however whenever I got it, it didn't seem to help. Some of the levels are also rhythm based, where instead of jumping over obstacles you simply hit L and R at the right time to continue running and avoiding the tribesman. The controls in the game are simple as well, X to jump and Square to slide, left D-pad to use the speed boost and L+R for the rhythm based levels.
Run Like Hell offers some basic customization, letting you choose from a list of characters you have to “buy” with coins you earn in-game via achievements or multiplayer play, as well as buying coins in various packs for money. The characters available are slightly interesting, offering some cliché characters like Zombies and ninja's, to some unique one's like my favorite, “Eve”, which is a semi-nude blond covered with black bars, or “Hope”, an obvious reference to Mirror's Edge's main character Faith. I was unable to test the multiplayer games with other players, since the game has yet to release in the US, however I was able to play with some bots, but unfortunately that's not a real indication of multiplayer play.
Stale Game for a Stale Genre
Right away the game feels stale, like something I've played too many times in the past. Run Like Hell also doesn't fit the Vita's general “audience” as a mobile game on a dedicated handheld. With the game being free on mobile devices and no release price currently available, I feel like if someone wanted to play this game, they would be best to do so on their tablet or their phone. The only real benefit of the Vita version in my opinion is using physical buttons instead of a touchscreen, the game is easier to control this way and leaves no room for error.
Verdict
- Plenty of game modes.
- Various characters available for Arcade/online play.
- Mobile game-type doesn't fit the Vita.
- Arcade Runner genre is stale, nothing new was added to the mix.
- Cliche story mode is cringe-worthy at best
Saturday dude. 
JM 