Thumper

 
Developer: Drool
Steam Release: Oct 2016
Hours Played: 3.8
Similar To: Aaero / Audiosurf / Distance / Fermi's Path / Laserlife
Rating: 5/5 Parsnips

GAMEPLAY
Thumper is a deeply atmospheric, hardcore runner/rhythm game that answers the prayers of all those runner enthusiasts who like a game with a bit more substance than the usual fodder shipped over from mobile gaming. Unforgiving titles that offer players a rather simple rush like Barrier X, The Collider, Linea the Game, Unpossible, Velocibox and Void 21 may offer challenging gameplay experiences but their limitations means it's best to turn to Thumper for that all-important... thump. You'll be sent down a monumentally lengthy suspended track in some other-wordly universe while controlling a kind of scarab with a hardened shell and traveling at break-neck speed. In this outer-space land, resembling the endless Dr Who tunnel from the 1970s, you'll swerve left, right and jump over obstacles while striking gems with perfect timing.   

BALANCE & PACE

In short, this is the Cuphead of endless runners. Starting at Level 1, you'll learn the ropes by being taught how to strike gems on the track and how to negotiate those sharp bends with the rising barriers. Later, to assist avoiding left-over debris, the jumping mechanic is explained. A level consists of many short stages, the end of which signals a checkpoint that you'll start from should you crash - and crash you will, many times. Finally after much trial and error but with new-found confidence as familiarization sets in, you'll be using your driving ace skills to face the level's final boss who basically throws everything you've learned back at you for your ultimate test. He'll treat you mean to keep you keen... but when you finally smash him/her, you'll feel that great sense of achievement we know and love so well.    

PRESENTATION & DESIGN

Thumper is a very well-chosen name for this game as sound plays a major role. To a rolling, ambient, industrial soundtrack that's heavy on the percussion, your actions trigger noises that add a certain melody to proceedings. While not exactly dance music this intensity adds such a fitting driving-force or energy to the game that it does a very successful job in putting the player into that required zone. Of course, this mechanic defines a good rhythm game but I only know of the Bit.Trip games that are its equal in this regard. Bosses also add to the moody nature of the game as when that skull looms on up over the horizon in Level 2, especially in tune with the scary music, it's almost like seeing the almighty evil demon himself rising up from the depths of hell.

PROGRESS SYSTEM

The game comes packaged with just nine levels but, right from the off, they are very difficult. Only 10% of players have managed to reach Level 6. Each one generally has around 20-30 stages that last around half a minute or so. Thankfully, unlike more punishing games that end your game abruptly on death, Thumper will kindly place you back to the checkpoint at the beginning of the stage where you crashed. Bosses, in particular, are a right royal pain to overcome where every inch of your skills will be called upon. There is a leaderboard that shows your final score for each level along with a rank order of where you're placed in the world. Stages also grade you S, A, B and C but these can only be viewed when on a level and are not permanently displayed once it's complete.
  

CONCLUSION

Another plus is that if you pick up a certain gem at a certain point, you'll get an extra life in the form of an extra armoured shell. This usually comes at a point when things are getting hairy and while it gives you that welcome safety-net, also gives that extra motivation to succeed. As mentioned, many budget-priced runners are now making the transition from mobile to PC gaming and for a quick-fix they'll likely offer the relief you seek. But these are generally throwaways and off your hard-drive in no time. However, Thumper (actually made and developed by former rock musicians), although no budget-priced title, not only gives you the full satisfaction but is a genuinely meaty power-house runner that your PC will appreciate and one that's worth paying the extra price for.