2D Sidescroller Platform Review

Review: Bit Trip Runner Tutorial Level

Bit trip runner does an interesting take on tutorial levels- they basically break it down into 5 levels which are all about a minute long. Each level teaches you the basics, then provides you with a level in between the skill learned and the next one, to practice.

To clarify:

Level 1 : Jump
Level 2: Elaborate Jumping
Level 3: Sliding
Level 4: Jumping and Sliding
Level 5: Kicking
Level 6: Jumping, Sliding, Kicking

They continuously build up on previous skills learned with repetitive landscapes and obstacles to (lightly) challenge the player at the start. Obviously level 6 will be much more challenging than level 1.

They start to include different obstacles too, instead of just jumping over rocks, you start to jump over gaps, or slide under moving objects rather than sliding under stationary rocks. On top of all this, you're challenged to collect the gold bars and the special power ups, which don't add anything to the game other than points and a change in music/visuals. 

If the player manages to get all of the gold coins/bars in the level, they are awarded with a bonus level in order to get even more points.

There isn't much of a story to this game, which is perfectly fine. It has other nice aspects that keep the player interested.

Here is a breakdown of the fifth level which includes all of the abilities combined. I decided to do the level that includes ALL of the abilities rather than just jumping because it seemed more interesting and is still considered a tutorial level.