RunMan: proof that shiny graphics are not required to make a good Time-Waster
What's 20 megabytes, has awful graphics, awful sound, and is vaguely reminiscent of Super Mario Brothers 3?
Why it's RunMan: Race Around The World of course! The website, you assume, is trying to be ironic. 'The game can't actually look like this, surely...' But... well... it does.
The game's visuals look like they were created in MS Paint. In fact, they probably were.
So it looks bad, and the sound effects are pretty awful. But the gameplay is actually quite good. You play as a little star-thing who runs around. Your job is just to make it to the other end of the level at the highest speed possible. The faster you go, the higher the score multiplier. You lose points for falling in holes and hitting enemies, just like in real life.
The music is also great, but somewhat low quality. There's old blues stuff, including Louis Armstrong, among others. Even the not-quite-the-same-in-case-we-get-into-legal-trouble SMB3 world-map music is fun.
This game feels and sounds like it was made in some guy's mother's basement. It's a lot of fun, and worth an hour of your time at least. If you happen to be the competitive, score-beating sort, you might find yourself playing for even longer.
It's available for Windows only and is donationware. Download it and send a few sheckles the developer's way if you enjoy... Or just admire the website, if you're not on Windows.
