Grid Runner

Grid Runner is the new action/puzzle game from Virgin Interactive. It combines action-packed gameplay and impressive 3-D graphics with traditional puzzle solving, resulting in a fast and furiously addictive title.

Features

• 48 levels of gameplay
• Network option for up to four players
• 3-D rendered graphics
• Techno Soundtrack

Run or Die

An exploration team compromising of two well-known freelance explorers, Axxel and Tara, have used the Gridoneon Asteroid field to connect with earth and other planets many times before, but when ships start to go missing the area is closed and Axxel and Tara must investigate. On finding a deserted vessel, Axxel decides to board the ship to find clues but soon finds out it's a trap set by the evil Empress Vorga who, in her seedy underworld of levels gives Axxel a decision of either being a Grid Runner or facing Death!

Grid Running

Grid Running requires both skill and intelligence as players travel around a maze-like grid collecting flags before their opponent. If you manage to grab a flag before your opponent does then they become 'It' which means they must touch you to gain control and so the roles are reversed. To collect flags simply run into them and they will turn into your respective colour, but if you become 'It' (an arrow will appear above your head telling you where the other player is) your opponent can change the flag to their colour thus gaining them another flag. The aim of the game is to collect all the needed flags before your opponent.

Just Another Puzzle Game?

What makes Grid Runner different from other puzzle games is the high content of gameplay and graphics which makes it like a **Pac-Man **of the nineties, spruced up with brilliant 3-D graphics and wonderful backdrops of the planets. There are 16 planets in all and these feature fog, bubbles and ice which make it harder to move around the grid. The enemies are also highly detailed and feature such creatures as Krayken the Lobster Man, Kolo the Mammoth Man and Lethotep the Lizard Man etc. All enemies become more and more challenging as the game progresses, getting faster and more tricky to tag. Flags are not the only thing you can collect, on the grid are power-ups which are shown in three colours; Blue for Agility, Green for Speed and Red for Magic. The Magic Meter on the side of the screen represents the level of spell you can perform such as improving your speed around the grid and building bridges to connect across the sky, as well as placing mines in the path of your enemy. The hourglass icon refers to how much time you spend in the bonus rounds, In these you are given a free run to collect as many coloured icons as possible in the time given. If you spend a fair amount of time in the bonus round the coloured icons will boost your power in the later levels.

The mazes become more and more confusing as you make your way through them with obstacles such as arrow platforms which shoot you through the maze like a pinball. In later levels the flags are equipped with exploders and even guards which make it harder to capture. The flags are also sometimes suspended in mid-air so you must use your magic to build bridges to connect to them and teleports are also quite tricky and can be an advantage when collecting flags but a disadvantage when pursuing your enemy.

##Multiplayer

Grid Runner can be played with up to four players through a network (PC version only) and in two-player mode two people can play against each other in a game of skill and determination. With a thumping techno soundtrack, Grid Runner is a game that is highly enjoyable and VERY hard to put down!

Review By GamesDomain