Beyond The Scanlines #055: Runn 'n' Gunn (Commodore 64)

New platforming games on the C64 have tended to focus on trying to match the experiences offered on other machines, over defining new experiences. But with its character-switching mechanics, Below The Tower's Runn 'n' Gunn shows there's plenty of ways in which platformers can leap to new heights!

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Beyond The Scanlines is a series of explorations of *interesting* games (old and new) for classic home computer and console systems. New episodes air on the 2nd & 4th Saturdays of each month!

Additional Notes
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#BeyondTheScanlines #Commodore64 #Homebrew

[Mark-]

The frame-rate and the number of sprites simultaneously on-screen, especially the multiple rotating structures, are quite amazing. I think the developer stated 60 FPS (on PAL) in a past video.

[carletonhandley]

Nice review, thank you. Chapter two is in development but it’s going more slowly than the first. There’ll be more Gunn in this one.

[ThisIsPete]

Looks cool! I like the idea of a single, large stage with an emphasis on exploration -- gives a somewhat "Metroid" feel to things, particularly if the landscape of said single stage is as varied as it seems to be in the footage you've shown.

Re: the controls, a good option for original hardware is one of the Monster arcade joysticks -- they have a second button that can be mapped to "up" on the joystick with a flick of a switch, allowing you a "two-button" control scheme for this without any sort of non-standard interface or drivers required.

[heidirichter]

One option for control I didn't hear you mention (but that's probably me not paying enough attention) was the option for using a SNES controller on PET/VIC20/C64/Plus4/C16/C128, plugging into the user port, as developed for PETSCII Robots by The 8-Bit guy and now available separately. It would be great to see this more widely supported in the future for games.

[heidirichter]

On the topic of the game itself, thank you for bringing it to my attention. It sure looks and sounds like one well worth giving a go, I love the visuals!

[lastburning]

6:22 Wow! Didn't realize this shortcut before! :D My earlier comment got removed because I mentioned my channel I guess. Maybe this one will too.