With the release of Bit.Trip Complete and Bit.Trip Saga, one might assume Gaijin Games is ready to move on from the series that's defined them so far. That's partially true, as it turns out. Gaijin Games announced a sequel to Bit.Trip Runner at Indie Cade this weekend, this one titled Runner 2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien.

Dropping the Bit.Trip tag isn't just about changing up the name, either; the whole aesthetic's shifting, adopting a much more cartoonish stylization that's just as trippy and weird, simply in a new direction.

Runner 2's coming next year for Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network, and will feature Commander Video once again, this time with over 10 new abilities. That's quite an expansion against the original game, where Commander Video could only jump, kick, and duck. In a very Super Meat Boy fashion, Commander Video will also be just one of many you'll be able to play as.

The biggest relief, however, may come in the form of checkpoints. Yes, Runner's stages weren't nearly as long as some of the areas in other Bit.Trip games, but I'd argue the hardest parts of Runner were exponentially more difficult than anything in the other games. It's also why it was the most satisfying.

With the release of Bit.Trip Complete and Bit.Trip Saga, one might assume Gaijin Games is ready to move on from the series that's defined them so far. That's partially true, as it turns out. Gaijin Games announced a sequel to Bit.Trip Runner at Indie Cade this weekend, this one titled Runner 2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien.

Dropping the Bit.Trip tag isn't just about changing up the name, either; the whole aesthetic's shifting, adopting a much more cartoonish stylization that's just as trippy and weird, simply in a new direction.

Runner 2's coming next year for Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network, and will feature Commander Video once again, this time with over 10 new abilities. That's quite an expansion against the original game, where Commander Video could only jump, kick, and duck. In a very Super Meat Boy fashion, Commander Video will also be just one of many you'll be able to play as.

The biggest relief, however, may come in the form of checkpoints. Yes, Runner's stages weren't nearly as long as some of the areas in other Bit.Trip games, but I'd argue the hardest parts of Runner were exponentially more difficult than anything in the other games. It's also why it was the most satisfying.

Nice art!

interesting

The new art direction is creeping me the heck out. I'm for it.

Forth!

no PC?

Definitely looking forward to this.

Aw man! I would get that on Steam though! The water tower is cute in a creepy sort of way. You think Commander Video is going to be able to do a cartwheel? That would be sweet!

Art reminds me of Psychonauts for some reason.

Confirmed: Commander Video is now a water tower.

That is the smuggest water tower i've ever seen.

It's like Super Mario World: Depressed! The green hills were always smiling in the Mario universe but here, they are sad. :(

edit: Erm, I didn't see the one of the right hand side! he smiles! :)

Love it. Fucking love it.

Runner 2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien is the best name for a Bit.Trip Runner sequel.

Good to see Gaijin Games moving past the Bit.Trip name and style, excited to see what else they work on in the future!

So it's going to be just another mediocre flash game? The only thing Bit.Trip had going for it were the art style and music. If that's gone then I don't see a reason why anybody would pay for it.

@Animasta said:

no PC?

PC's dead, don't be silly.

Runner was awesome, hope this makes it on to Steam as well.

Yes sir, I like it.

What the fuck?

Yeah, I hated the lack of checkpointing in Bit.Trip RUNNER.

They're going for a Cargo! look.

I like the new art direction already.

Huh, they finally moved on from Nintendo.

Yeah, I hated the lack of checkpointing in Bit.Trip RUNNER.

YES SO EXCITED!!!!!

Hope they don't change Commander Video's design though, I love that sprite so much.

Don't sell Commander Video short! He could also block.

@Animasta said:

no PC?

Since Runner is on PC, I expect Runner 2 to be on PC as well.

Checkpoints?! Blasphemers!

cool

I still haven't played any of the bit trip stuff yet, but some of them look awesome.

Hopefully they go on a steam sale soon or something.

Ahhgghh the lack of checkpoints was what made Bit.Trip Runner great. Also "Commander Video could only jump, kick, and duck." is wrong. He could jump, slide, kick, block and high jump.

@Ganty said:

He could jump, slide, kick, block and high jump.

I love that it abbreviates to Runner 2: FLORA. Alex and Chris are so great.

@alibson said:

So it's going to be just another mediocre flash game? The only thing Bit.Trip had going for it were the art style and music. If that's gone then I don't see a reason why anybody would pay for it.

Now that the Unreal Engine can run in Flash, you might need to find a new way to deride games you feel are too simplistic. Just a friendly tip :)