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RunMan: Going Coconuts

RunMan: Going Coconuts

Arcade

Overview

RunMan: Going Coconuts delivers a delightfully bizarre tropical escapade that leans into the series' trademark absurdity while introducing fresh mechanics. Stranded on a sun-drenched island, our yellow star protagonist must run, jump, and improvise his way to freedom. This entry retains the franchise's infectious energy and humor but stumbles slightly with control adjustments that amplify difficulty in unexpected ways. It's a quirky, uneven experience—less polished than its predecessors yet packed with enough charm and unexpected detours to reward persistent players.

A Shift in Mechanics

The core gameplay loop remains familiar: RunMan builds momentum by clearing obstacles, accelerating with each successful jump. However, a fundamental tweak to his movement creates unintended friction. Gone is the original jump/roll combo; instead, players toggle between a high, slow arc and a low, rapid trajectory. This seemingly minor change dramatically impacts rhythm, as each jump type alters RunMan's running speed mid-flow. Timing becomes unintentionally punishing, forcing players to constantly recalibrate muscle memory. The high jump's sluggish ascent and the low jump's sudden burst often clash with obstacle spacing, transforming fluid sprints into staccato struggles. While the kinetic thrill persists, the learning curve feels steeper than intended—a design quirk that tests patience alongside skill.

The change in mechanic sees the game's difficulty unintentionally soar as the jumps alter the speed which he is running.

Gohst

Island Adventures and Mini-Games

Perseverance unlocks the game's true joy: chaotic diversions that embrace its surreal spirit. After 40 consecutive jumps, RunMan trades sprinting for crab-smashing in an Asteroid-inspired mini-game. Whacking crustaceans with a comically oversized mallet delivers pure, addictive slapstick—a hilarious pivot that rewards dedication. Later, a surfing sequence pits our hero against sharks, channeling arcade simplicity with its obstacle-dodging frenzy. These segments shine by leaning into the absurd, offering cathartic release from the main game's precision demands. They exemplify the series’ strength: unexpected tonal shifts that prioritize fun over formula. Though brief, these interludes inject memorable personality, proving RunMan’s world thrives on unpredictability.

Verdict

Charmingly uneven tropical sprint with frustrating controls

STRENGTHS

60%
Mini-Game Charm85%
Series Charm75%
Absurd Humor70%

WEAKNESSES

40%
Control Frustration90%
Replay Value60%
Uneven Pacing70%

Community Reviews

1 reviews
Gohst
Gohst
Trusted

In what is, quite possibly, the strangest of the strange RunMan games, we find our favourite yellow star marooned on the sandy shore of a distant island hide-away. Of course, the easiest way off the island is to do what you do best – run and jump. Good on him. In the first of three games, RunMan dons his tried-and-true star power and jumps randomly placed objects as he runs faster after each one. However, differing from the original control scheme, he has changed from jumping/rolling to jumping a short distance high and jumping a long, low distance. The change in mechanic sees the games difficulty unintentionally soar as the jumps alter the speed which he is running – the high jump is also a slow one and the low jump is taken quickly which can throw off your timing in a big way. Though the game play is still there and it is still incredibly fun, sticking with it is the key, as after forty successful jumps RunMan decides an easier way off the island is to smash crabs with a mallet. This ever-so-slightly Asteroid-style mini game is horribly addicting and completely hilarious and is wholly worth the investment in time to get there. Finally RunMan surfs to freedom all the while avoiding sharks. Re-connecting with what made the series unique and stand-out, Going Coconuts is a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Not quite as compelling or as revisitable as the original, this offers a not too different setting for some unique game play. Enjoy.

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