Running with Rifles

Running with Rifles is a top-down tactical shooter set in expansive battlefields where players control a single soldier within a larger squad, engaging in both offline and online conflicts with over 40 participants. The game emphasizes strategic warfare, including capturing sectors, completing objectives, and utilizing vehicles, explosives, and cover mechanics. Players progress through ranks to unlock radio support, equipment, and squad command abilities, with a dynamic campaign featuring a territorial tug-of-war system. Multiplayer offers co-op and competitive modes, while gameplay mechanics like varied stances, weapon management, and resource points (RP) for equipment deepen tactical options.

Running with Rifles: Review

Running with Rifles, released in 2015, stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of tactical shooters. Developed by the Finnish studio Osumia Games, formerly known as Modulaatio Games, this top-down shooter offers a unique blend of large-scale battles and strategic gameplay. In an era dominated by first-person shooters, Running with Rifles carves out its own niche with a focus on squad tactics and open-world exploration. This review will delve into the game’s development history, narrative, gameplay mechanics, world-building, reception, and legacy, providing a comprehensive analysis of its place in video game history.

Introduction

In the crowded landscape of military shooters, Running with Rifles stands out as a refreshing take on the genre. Developed by a small team led by Pasi Kainiemi and Jack Mayol, the game combines the adrenaline of large-scale battles with the strategic depth of squad-based tactics. Running with Rifles is not just a shooter; it is a tactical experience that demands patience, planning, and precision. The game’s legacy lies in its ability to offer a unique perspective on war simulation, making it a must-play for fans of the genre.

Development History & Context

Studio and Creators’ Vision

Osumia Games, originally known as Modulaatio Games, was founded by Pasi Kainiemi in Tampere, Finland. The studio’s vision was to create a game that combined the excitement of large-scale battles with the strategic depth of tactical shooters. Kainiemi began developing Running with Rifles in early 2011, with the game entering pre-alpha on July 18, 2011. The development process was marked by a series of updates and community involvement, with the game spending most of its life in beta.

In early 2012, Jack Mayol joined the team, and together they decided to push the game far beyond its original scope. The game was made available for pre-order in 2011 and was later put on Steam Greenlight, where it was accepted and put onto the Steam Store. The first Linux port was made publicly available, and the game was released onto Steam’s Early Access platform in 2014. The final version of the game was officially released on April 2, 2015.

Technological Constraints and Gaming Landscape

Running with Rifles was developed using the OGRE (Object-Oriented Graphics Rendering Engine) engine, which allowed for efficient rendering and performance on older hardware. The game’s voxel-based design and low-poly modeling ensured that it ran smoothly on a wide range of systems, making it accessible to a broader audience. The gaming landscape in 2015 was dominated by first-person shooters like Call of Duty and Battlefield, but Running with Rifles offered a unique top-down perspective that set it apart from the competition.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Plot and Characters

Running with Rifles is set in a fictional war-torn world where three factions—the Greenbelts, the Graycollars, and the Brownpants—are vying for control. The game’s narrative is minimalistic, focusing more on the tactical aspects of warfare rather than a deep storyline. The player takes on the role of a single soldier, part of a larger squad, in matches both offline and online. The game’s open-world setting allows for a variety of playstyles, from lone wolf tactics to coordinated squad maneuvers.

Dialogue and Themes

The game’s dialogue is minimal, with characters communicating through cartoon-like speech balloons. This adds a layer of humor to the otherwise serious subject matter. Themes of war, strategy, and survival are prevalent throughout the game. The game’s “Forever War” theme is evident in the endless battles and the lack of a clear objective, reflecting the futility and chaos of war.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Core Gameplay Loops

Running with Rifles features a variety of gameplay modes, including Quick Match, Classic, Invasion, Dominance, Minimodes, Teddy Hunt, Team Elimination, and Deathmatch. The core gameplay loop involves capturing sectors, completing missions, and gaining experience to unlock new abilities and equipment. The game’s “one shot, one kill” mechanic adds a layer of tension and strategy, as players must use cover and tactics to survive.

Combat and Character Progression

Combat in Running with Rifles is fast-paced and tactical. Players can use a variety of weapons, from assault rifles to sniper rifles, and can call in support such as artillery strikes and vehicle drops. Character progression is tied to experience points, which are earned through capturing bases, spotting enemy vehicles, and completing objectives. As players gain experience, they rise through the ranks, unlocking new abilities and equipment.

UI and Innovative Systems

The game’s UI is clean and intuitive, with a dynamic tug-of-war scenario at the bottom of the screen showing the progress of capturing sectors. The game’s detection range system and line-of-sight mechanics add depth to the tactical gameplay. The game also features a modding system, allowing players to create and share custom content.

World-Building, Art & Sound

Setting and Atmosphere

Running with Rifles is set in a fictional war-torn world, with maps featuring a variety of environments, from urban landscapes to rural battlefields. The game’s top-down perspective allows for a bird’s-eye view of the battlefield, adding to the strategic depth. The game’s desaturated color palette and cartoony style create a unique atmosphere that blends humor with the seriousness of war.

Visual Direction

The game’s visuals are minimalist but effective, with small, low-poly units moving across environments that are not overly detailed. The game’s dynamic day-and-night cycle influences the soldiers’ field of vision, adding a layer of realism to the gameplay. The game’s voxel-based design and splat map texturing ensure that it runs smoothly on older hardware.

Sound Design

The game’s sound design is effective, with realistic gun sounds and environmental audio. The game’s music is upbeat and cartoony, contrasting with the serious subject matter. The sound design enhances the gameplay experience, providing clear audio cues for actions and events.

Reception & Legacy

Critical and Commercial Reception

Running with Rifles received generally favorable reviews from critics, with a Metacritic score of 78/100 based on four reviews. Critics praised the game’s tactical depth, large-scale battles, and unique top-down perspective. The game was described as a modern-day Cannon Fodder, offering a challenging and rewarding experience. However, some critics noted that the game could become monotonous after a few hours, with similar objectives and missions.

Influence on Subsequent Games and the Industry

Running with Rifles has had a lasting impact on the gaming industry, inspiring a new generation of tactical shooters. The game’s unique top-down perspective and large-scale battles have influenced subsequent games, such as Foxhole and Hell Let Loose. The game’s modding system has also fostered a community of creators, who have developed a variety of custom content and total conversions.

Conclusion

Running with Rifles is a standout title in the tactical shooter genre, offering a unique blend of large-scale battles and strategic gameplay. Its development history, narrative, gameplay mechanics, world-building, and reception all contribute to its status as a classic. The game’s legacy lies in its ability to offer a fresh perspective on war simulation, making it a must-play for fans of the genre. Running with Rifles is not just a game; it is an experience that demands skill, strategy, and patience. It is a testament to the enduring appeal of tactical shooters and a shining example of what a small team can achieve with a clear vision and a passion for gaming.