ArcRunner Switch Review

ArcRunner is a cyberpunk-themed roguelite shooter published by PQube. Released in April 2023 for various platforms, the game throws players into a neon-drenched world overrun by a rogue AI. As a skilled runner tasked with rebooting the system, you’ll fight through procedurally generated levels, battling hordes of enemies and acquiring powerful upgrades to save the day.

The story in ArcRunner is fairly standard for the roguelite genre. The evil AI, known only as The Core, has taken control of the space station known as The Arc, and it’s up to you to shut it down. There are scattered lore entries throughout the game that flesh out the world a bit more, detailing the fall of humanity and the rise of The Core. However, narrative isn’t a major focus. Instead, ArcRunner excels in building a visually striking cyberpunk atmosphere.

The opening cinematic sets the tone, throwing you into a tense action through neon-lit streets and towering skyscrapers. The environments you fight through are richly detailed, filled with flickering holographic advertisements, overflowing data terminals, and the ever-present glow of artificial light. Enemy design leans heavily into classic cyberpunk tropes, with robotic guards, floating drones, and hulking cybernetic monstrosities forming the bulk of your opposition.

ArcRunner’s core gameplay loop revolves around progressing through randomly generated levels, defeating enemies, and collecting resources to upgrade your character. Each level is a series of interconnected corridors and chambers, with objectives that task you with eliminating all enemies or reaching a specific location. The enemy variety is good, with each type having its own strengths and weaknesses. Basic security drones zip around erratically, firing weak lasers. Heavier armored bots lumber forward laying down suppressing fire. Then there are the flying assassin drones that stalk you from the shadows and the hulking mini-bosses that require focused fire to bring down.

Combat is a frenetic mix of ranged and melee attacks. You’ll start with a basic pistol and a powerful, but slow, energy blade. As you progress, you’ll unlock additional weapons with different firing mechanics and damage profiles. Some weapons excel at close-quarters combat, while others are better suited for taking down enemies from afar. The key to success lies in mastering the dodge mechanic, allowing you to zip around projectiles and weave through enemy attacks. This adds a layer of skill to the combat that goes beyond simply pointing and shooting.

Dotted throughout each level are data cubes that contain additional Nanites, the game’s currency. These Nanites can be used between runs to purchase permanent upgrades that enhance your character’s abilities. Upgradable perks include increasing your health pool, magazine capacity, or weapon damage. There are also special augments that grant you new abilities, such as a temporary shield or a dash attack. This system encourages replayability, as you’ll constantly be striving to unlock new upgrades and experiment with different builds.

However, grabbing these data cubes often comes at a cost. Some cubes are guarded by tougher enemies, while others are hidden behind traps or locked doors. There are even cubes that trigger alarms, summoning reinforcements or setting off explosions. This creates a risk-reward system that forces you to make split-second decisions. As with most roguelikes, death is a frequent occurrence in ArcRunner. If you fall in combat, you’ll lose your progress. However, the Nanites you collected can still be used to purchase upgrades between runs. This means that even in defeat, you’re always making some progress. 

The difficulty in ArcRunner is well-balanced. The early levels are easy enough to get you acclimated to the game’s mechanics, but the later levels become progressively more challenging. Enemy types become more varied and deadlier, and the level layouts become more complex. This will keep you engaged as you test your skills and try to make it further each time.

ArcRunner’s visuals are impressive, with a striking cyberpunk aesthetic, as mentioned before. The level of detail in the environment is impressive, from the flickering glow of neon signs to the holographic advertisements playing in the background. The character models are well-designed, and the animation is acceptable. Even the menus and UI are infused with the game’s cyberpunk style and the game’s soundtrack perfectly complements the fast-paced action by engaging synthwave music tracks. But remember, you can not expect to see all those details on Nintendo Switch!

ArcRunner is a solid roguelite shooter that offers a good balance of challenging gameplay, stylish visuals, and a pumping soundtrack. While the story is fairly basic, the core gameplay loop is addictive and rewarding. The procedurally generated levels ensure that every run feels fresh, and the risk-reward system with data cubes keeps you on your toes. The variety of weapons and upgrades allows for a good amount of experimentation, and the well-balanced difficulty curve will keep you coming back for more. If you’re looking for a challenging and replayable shooter with a unique cyberpunk setting, then ArcRunner is worth checking out.

The review code was provided by the publisher