[h1]Running with Rifles[/h1]
[h3]Fun but very Unbalanced War Game [/h3]
[h3]Maybe worth trying[/h3]
Running with Riffles is a Top-view shooter with an interesting concept but with a huge wasted potential and a lot of technical issues that ruin the experience. I like this game, but honestly, I can’t really recommend it for several reasons that I’ll explain later.
[b]Gameplay: Asymmetrical warfare game with many unpolished mechanics and lots of bugs
Art: Great design of low poly models of guns, vehicles and troops with a nice map design
Music: Generic, repetitive and unmemorable soundtrack
Achievements: Annoying and hard achievements with non-persistent progress that force you to spend more time in the game than necessary [/b]
[h3]Gameplay[/h3]
Running with Rifles includes a wide range of interesting combat mechanics including: air support tactics, aiming and cover systems, a suppressing fire feature, radio support and more, however, many of these elements feel terribly underdeveloped because of the many issues they currently have. The enemy AI constantly abuses the radio support mechanic, as it can use it repeatedly without any requirements or limitations to order strategic bombings and reinforcements whenever it gets the chance.
Overall, the game’s AI is terribly unbalanced, both the friendly and enemy one. The allied AI constantly loses soldiers and valuable vehicles by recklessly throwing them into combat. This is especially noticeable with tanks and APCs, which, if not operated by the player, are sent out by the AI completely alone and without any support. This also happens very often with the enemy AI, but in the case of the ally side it is far less competent at defending bases and destroying vehicles, which often leads them to be quickly wiped out inside a captured point in a very unfair way.
Another major issue is that enemy units, both infantry and vehicles, disproportionately focus their fire on the player, ignoring closer or more vulnerable targets. Despite these issues, the game is somewhat fun, but these flaws definitely ruin a part from the overall experience.
Another very particular issue I experienced involves the aiming system. Sometimes the targets I’m trying to shoot are close and clearly visible, yet my character’s aim is terrible, often firing shots and even rockets into the ground when I need to destroy an enemy tank or vehicle. Also, the enemy respawn system is poorly balanced, and I often had to fight endless waves of soldiers across several maps in the campaigns, and by the way, all the campaigns are exactly the same, resulting in a forced and innovative sense of replayability.
[h3]Art and World Design[/h3]
The graphics are good with a very minimalistic style, since they’re not the main focus of the game. On the other hand, the campaign scenarios are immersive and highly detailed, with various elements such as buildings, roads and bridges that add value to the gameplay. However, in every map, you always start from an underdeveloped base while the enemy already controls all territories, including well-fortified strongholds and established camps.
[h3]Music and Sound effects[/h3]
The soundtrack is very limited, and I rarely get to hear it beyond the annoying intro theme that is played every single time I opened the menu. The DLC themes are a bit more nice, but they’re still only played at the beginning of each campaign and at ceartain moments of the match. The sound effects are more immersive and better implemented than the soundtrack in this game.
[h3]Multiplayer[/h3]
The multiplayer experience in the game is pretty dull and doesn’t really offer any real incentive to play it. This mode uses the same levels from the campaign, except this time you’re playing with people who constantly steal your vehicles and weapons, while everyone just goes off on their own with little to no team coordination. The single-player experience is honestly better than the game’s multiplayer, even with all its flaws and the inconsistent AI.
