So, when I set out to do a top 5 games of the year post, I had trouble coming up with a 5th game. I finally decided to add Limbo to the list. However, I didn't feel a particular attachment to that game. It was good to be sure, but it didn't hit me as hard as another downloadable title of last year did. That game is of course, bit.trip.runner. So, to make up for that oversight, I will give you the entry that I should have written in Limbo's place.








Bit.trip runner is the most cleverly disguised rhythm games you will ever play. It looks like you're playing a simple platformer from the Atari 2600 (with much flashier 3D visuals). You play as Commander Video who for the entire game is never not running. In order to get to the end of each level, you have to jump over obstacles, jump up stairs, kick through breakable objects, slide through gaps, and block projectiles. If you mess any of this up, you have to start THE ENTIRE level over. No checkpoints. No sir. It's punishing, but it feels so good to get it right. It is the definition of perfect balance. Bit.trip runner is one of the few games in recent memory that has caused me to stay up until 8 in the morning trying again and again (and again and again) to beat it. Also, it has an Anamanaguchi song for the menu music, so it really has it all huh?




So there is the entry that should have been, and just to make it a little better that I completely forgot to put this game on the list, here's some cool pictures from the game and some fan art too.





































That's all I've got, but if you've really looked through all of this, then here's a link to Anamanaguchi's site and another one to all of the free singles they released last year. 


Anamanaguchi's site


Anamanaguchi's singles