Atari and Graphite Lab bring us Mr. Run and Jump, an electric 2D platformer that offers players a challenging adventure through the Realms of Color. After entertaining us with their “Recharged” brand of classics in the past few years, it’s nice to play another completely original Atari production again – which we did on a PlayStation 5.
The game revolves around its protagonist, Mr. Run and Jump, who is always accompanied by his trusty pal, Leap the Dog. Together, they set out to defeat the terrifying Void and collect all the Power Gems. With its precise level design and free-flowing but challenging gameplay, Mr. Run and Jump has all the elements to appeal to the speedrunning crowd.
Let’s start with the biggest positives. One aspect that stands out is the smooth and tight controls, which allow players to execute complex maneuvers with relative ease. This enables them to chain together different traversal options and execute impressive combinations, but it’s always a case of being easy to learn yet difficult to master. Getting better and better provides a sense of empowerment, and every second shaved off feels like a win. Additionally, the visually striking aesthetic, filled with vibrant neon graphics in each Realm of Color, adds to the game’s charm while reminding players of Atari’s games in the Recharged series.
Mr. Run and Jump offers a varied and dangerous world filled with treacherous enemies, each with unique patterns and personalities. As players progress through the 20-level main campaign, they encounter increasingly challenging obstacles that demand quick reflexes, strong improvisational skills, and in some cases patience and expert timing. The game keeps players on their toes, making each room a test of skill and strategy. The absence of traditional boss fights and the inclusion of The Void, a series of culminating platforming challenges, provide adrenaline-pumping moments that keep players engaged – though we would have appreciated “special” stages somewhat akin to the boss fights in games like Super Meat Boy.
The presence of dynamic assistance options is a welcome addition, allowing players to tailor the game’s difficulty to their preferences and thus making sure this one caters to players of all skill levels. For those seeking a less punishing experience, temporary invincibility power-ups and mid-room checkpoints are available to help players overcome particularly tricky sections. However, for players seeking the ultimate challenge, opting out of assistance is the way to unlock the extra difficult Dark World – a bit of a Meat Boy nod if you ask us (and we approve).
But while we had a good time with this one, there’s room for improvement as well. Some enemy designs and patterns feel a tad too random, especially in later stages, which can cause some mild frustration as you figure stuff out – sometimes just by getting lucky. We also felt like that controls could have been just a tiny bit more tight and responsive, but Mr Run and Jump is slightly more forgiving than some of the hardcore platformers out there, making this easier to forgive.
Overall, Mr. Run and Jump successfully captures the essence of classic Atari platformers while offering a modern challenge at the same time. Its well-crafted levels, precise controls, and engaging gameplay make it an attractive choice for platforming enthusiasts and speedrunners alike – especially if you’re drawn to Atari’s retro-modern style. The dynamic assistance options ensure that players of various skill levels will find something enjoyable here, while those seeking a real challenge will find that Mr Run and Jump is happy to accommodate them as well.
Score: 7.5/10
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