I Hate Running Backwards

The game has potential and is loaded with a bunch of memorable characters, but it has general design flaws that are tough to overlook.

There is a good time to be had here, just don't expect to be going back to it again after you're done

The design of I Hate Running Backwards is funny and it definitely has a lot of potential, but it didn't really hit home for me. Co-op mode makes it an easier sell, because it is definitely fun to face challenges with friends, but it is still pretty difficult. Die-hard fans of the genre might enjoy the challenge of making it through this game, but for the casual player there are probably more casual options.

Though I initially struggled with it, wanting it to be a twin-stick shooter, once I got into the unique rhythm of I Hate Running Backwards I became a big fan...

I Hate Running Backwards is a fun action-packed release on PlayStation 4 with several cameo characters that is a blast to play. Running backwards as you try to stay alive and in one piece feels great, and the challenging enemies and bosses will keep you coming back for more. And don't feel bad if you end up playing in Baby Mode since it's there for a reason.

I Hate Running Backwards is a fine example of a developer taking on board criticism and using that to make a better game. Day one, the game was really hard, very inconsistent, a bit too brutal, and very unforgiving. A few patches later and we have a great take on the shoot ’em up genre with roguelike elements thrown into the mix. Personally, I would say single player is a better experience than the co-op mode due to the way it works, but both modes are a lot of fun to play and very entertaining. The sheer amount of destruction, pickups, enemies and character unlocks are very welcome and really help make this game stand out in a market of ‘similar’ titles.

I Hate Running Backwards is a correct proposition that stays true to the sources of video games : everything is based on gameplay with simple but proven principles. The result is a game without pretension, but that will occupy you for hours with friends or solo. Too bad it has not been polished a little more with other game modes, including classics online modes (in coop for instance).

Ultimately, I Hate Running Backwards is a fun, worthwhile experience. At the same time, though, it is largely a fleeting sort of fun. For some reason, it feels eerily reminiscent of those mobile games that people play in brief spurts while waiting for something better to do. It is that same kind of hectic, fast-paced fun that sadly doesn't really last and is forgotten about almost as soon as it gets turned off. It is sort of the videogame equivalent of being chased by a bear. Heart pounding, thrilling, but once you get away, you are just sort of glad it is over. This is just a couple steps shy of greatness, and even with its failings it is probably worth checking out for fans of shmups.

I Hate Running Backwards is a fairly good game, but I can also understand people's mixed feelings about it.  The game is basically a thirty minute top-down shooter (if you can survive that long), but the further you progress, the more difficult you can make it if you wish.  Add in a dozen characters to choose from across Digital Devolver's games and there are plenty of ways to have fun taking down Mental's minions.

I Hate Running Backwards is an interesting take on endless runners. You need to fun away from hordes of enemies, but also survive. You run backwards while annihilating enemies trying to chase you. The gameplay is interrupted by various minigames, graphics are simplistic but nicely implemented, and you can even bring a friend to help you out.