10 Second Run RETURNS Is Intense - Switch Preview
There’s no such thing as bad publicity, but also, no publicity has its benefits too. Take for instance 10 Second Run RETURNS: it’s hardly going to be featured on the front page of Nintendo or sharing spaghetti with the likes of Luigi’s Mansion. It knows it isn’t a triple-A title, but so what?
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Here’s the usual scenario: I try a demo, write about it and delete it, adding to my list of ‘I’ll buy that at some stage’ or very rarely ‘I never want to see you again!’. I don’t think there’s been a game in that category yet. Anyhoo, 10 Second Run RETURNS, from Blue Print (it’s in Japanese so enjoy) is what it says in the title: you have 10 seconds to complete the prescribed level without dying and, of course, in the allotted 10 seconds. A very simple concept, simplistic graphics; simple. The character is a stick figure. Are you getting the message? But you know what? I love it.
It’s nice to find these little indie titles that not many people know about (i.e. I don’t know about it, so assume nobody else does). Even better, persuading someone to play a game gives me as much of a kick as recommending an album.
No sarcasm – I genuinely love turning people on to new music and equally, love to hear about new artists or bands. I would say give me some recommendations in the comments, but at this time (21:43), I’ve switched them off. Clutter. We all know about the Nintendo exclusives, but not enough people know about games like Maddening Euphoria or this, 10 Second Run RETURNS. In case you didn’t catch that title. CAPITALISED.
While writing my first impressions on the game, I ended up playing it again to see what it was I liked about it. It’s the simplicity and addictiveness at first, and then it’s the music; the same on each of the levels but as per the title, it’s only 10 seconds. You get to know the beat, and when the tempo picks up, you know you’re a goner. I couldn’t put this down from the very few levels in the demo so again so bought it. I’ll write up a review a little later on as I have a few other titles to play still and besides, I don’t know how I can pad out a review as I think I’ve covered most of it here.
In the meantime then, I’ll point you in the direction of the demo so you too can try it out. Maybe you’ll hate it, but you won’t know until you’ve tried it. Twice in as many First Impressions have I referred to Super Meat Boy, and in some respects, 10 Second Run RETURNS is a bit like that. You have to get to the endpoint without dying. With the latter, you can collect stars as well to maximise your play, but where Super Meat Boy doesn’t have a time limit (though you are ranked), 10 Second Run RETURNS is, well, 10 seconds each playthrough.
Which reminds me – take a look at my review of Mom Hid My Game! This is another example of a simple title that brings a lot of joy with it. That sounds corny, I know, but I couldn’t think of anything else and to be honest, that’s what I felt playing that game. And also that the mum is a bitch. Yeah, I said it. My only concern now that I have 10 Second Run RETURNS is that it’s going to be a short game like Mom Hid My Game! That was the only downside of that game really, though I’m optimistic there’ll be some lastability.
