Zerun: The Tiny Planet

Very nicely looking speedrunning game with a lot of challenging levels to grind for the top spot in the leaderboards. Played on steamdeck and had good time!

Interesting little gem. I like the visual style and those small innovations that makes Zerun so fun!

Challenging puzzle platformer game with unique levels and interesting mechanics.

A challenging yet rewarding 3D platformer that strikes a great balance between fun and frustration. Each level has its own online leaderboard, which adds a competitive edge and keeps you coming back to improve your times. The controls feel responsive and physics-based, so while they can take a little while to fully master, the sense of precision and momentum makes progress feel earned.

SK/CZ (ENG DOWN) Hra je unikátny mix "runeroviek" a logických hier odohrávajúci sa v tajomnom "šamanskom" svete mikroplanétok, kde sa v úlohe Zerun iniciujete za šamanku, pomocou plnenia rituálov- aka behania po planétkach, adaptívnych labyritoch s pascami a pohyblivými plošinami. Hra ponúka 2 módy- "beh na čas" , kde máte na splnenie planétky čas obmedzený a explorer mode, kde si určujete tempo hry sami a objavujete pri ňom svet po svojom. K tomu všetkému vám hraje príjemná hudba, ktorá sa tiež prispôsobuje tempu a akciám hráča, grafika je milá, optimalizácia výborná, na bugy sme nenarazili žiadne. Jedine, čo tomu chýba je možno multiplayer. Viac sa dozviete v našej recenzii na našej stránke, už čoskoro! Kúpu hry Vám ale môžeme odporučiť už teraz... ENG: The game is a unique mix of "runner" and puzzle games set in the mysterious "shamanic" world of microplanets, where you play as Zerun, recently "initiating" shaman, performing rituals—i.e., running across planets, adaptive mazes with traps, and moving platforms. The game offers two modes: "time run," where you have a limited amount of time to complete the planet, and explorer mode, where you set the pace of the game yourself and discover the world at your own pace. All this is accompanied by pleasant music that also adapts to the player's pace and actions, the graphics are nice, the optimization is excellent, and we didn't encounter any bugs. The only thing missing is perhaps multiplayer. Find out more in our review on our website, coming soon! But we can already recommend buying the game...

Zerun can be surprisingly addictive – even in the simpler levels there’s always room to improve. I like how some puzzles look complex but turn out to be simple, while others catch you off guard with their difficulty. The atmosphere and the flow of the game kept me coming back again and again. I helped test the game as a volunteer and supported the team for free. The testing period is long over, the game is out now, and I still enjoy playing it. I was pleasantly surprised to find out the game actually has two soundtracks – a great idea, big thumbs up.

Solve short and slightly repetitive puzzle-platforming stages by finding ritual masks, gathering energy, and avoiding fire. The first decision you face when starting the game is whether you want a calm, pressure free experience or whether you would prefer to add some tension by enabling a timer. This choice does not dramatically change the gameplay, but it does alter the atmosphere and how you approach the challenges. Playing with a timer does not mean you must rush frantically or race against a strict countdown. If you are the type of player who thrives on competition, enjoys chasing faster runs, or wants to see your name on the leaderboards, then the timer mode adds that extra layer of excitement. If you prefer to take things slow and solve puzzles without pressure, then the relaxed mode is a better fit. The difference between the two modes is small but noticeable. Beyond the timer itself, the soundtrack changes. Timer mode features lively, energetic music, while relaxed mode offers calmer tunes. The good news is that your choice is never permanent. At any time you can switch between modes or even alter the background music to match your mood. What the game does not provide is much context about the world or your purpose. You simply step into the role of a mysterious shaman whose task is to complete rituals by entering portals scattered across a handful of hubs. Your character plays like a classic platforming hero. You can jump respectably high, automatically grab ledges, and crouch under obstacles, though crouching has little use beyond that. There are no tutorials, but the first portal introduces the basic mechanics. Every stage centers on two main objectives. First, you must find a ritual mask hidden somewhere in the level. Second, you need to gather energy by collecting magical mushrooms or potions. Once both are secured, you must approach a glowing orb that unlocks the exit portal, and step on it. Completionists also have optional artifacts to find. These are usually easy to spot and collect, though occasionally they require more effort. The two primary goals sometimes overlap. Certain puzzles require spending energy to activate objects or open blocked paths to the mask. Fortunately, mushrooms and potions respawn in the same spots, so you can always gather more energy if you run out. A risk is introduced through harmful mushrooms. These look similar to the safe ones but instead drain your energy. If you grab one when your energy is already at zero, your character dies and the stage restarts. The problem is that the colors of safe and harmful mushrooms are close enough that mistakes are easy, which can be irritating after making progress. Thankfully, your character is not entirely helpless. A small glowing circle floats nearby, serving as both a guide and compass. It first directs you toward the ritual mask, then toward the nearest energy source, and eventually even to the hidden artifact. When you approach the goal, it jumps onto the target, making things clear. It’s hard to even notice the circle at the start, but once you do, it becomes invaluable. The overall structure revolves around hub worlds containing multiple portals. Completing one stage often unlocks another, and while you sometimes have a choice, all stages must be completed eventually. What makes these hubs stand out is their design. Each one is set on a miniature planet. You can walk forward continuously and loop back to your starting point, though usually only across half the surface. The other half is blocked by an invisible barrier, which triggers a repetitive and annoying voice line whenever you bump into it. This spherical design looks interesting but also creates issues. Because you cannot view the stage as a whole, you often need to scout around and mentally map where everything is located. That includes puzzles, energy sources, and fire hazards. Hazards reset progress, and while ground flames only deal damage, fireballs can kill instantly, leading to sudden and unfair restarts. One of the most frustrating mechanics involves pushable blocks. These do not stop moving when released. Instead, they slide until hitting an obstacle or wall. Special floor tiles change their direction, which means one wrong push can send a block straight into hazards where it becomes unusable. Since there is no undo option, your only solution is restarting the stage. Fortunately, block puzzles are rare and don’t overstay their welcome. Stages do their best to introduce small variations, but the assets and layouts often feel similar. You will frequently encounter floating platforms, some of which crumble after being stepped on, as well as moving platforms that require precise timing. Switches are also common, some triggering traps, while timed switches force you to sprint before they reset. Sprinting is possible but limited by a small stamina bar that only allows short bursts. Crumbling platforms in particular create problems. Because they do not regenerate, you essentially have only one chance to succeed. Mistime a jump and your only option is to restart. The forgiving ledge grabbing mechanic sometimes helps recover mistakes, but gaps can still be too wide. Progression between hubs also has quirks. There is no in game map or visual marker to show newly unlocked portals, so you often wander around searching. To help, the developers added a grid in each hub. At first it is blank, but as puzzles unlock, icons appear. From this grid you can directly enter a stage without hunting for its portal. It is a welcome feature, but flawed by the fact that you always respawn in the hub, not at the grid. You must run back to it each time, which grows tiresome, especially since the grid’s location is not marked. Despite these problems, the game remains playable. None of the flaws linger long enough to drive you away completely. Puzzles are short and decent overall, even when they’re mostly similar with little additions. Sadly, your effort is not rewarded at the end, even if you grab all artifacts; all you get is a letter.

Platformer 3D, zręcznościowo-łamigłówkowy. Mamy multum małych plansz (niektóre dosłownie na minutę), gdzie zawsze przyświeca nam ten sam cel - znaleźć magiczną maskę, naładować moc magicznymi grzybkami, aktywować portal i koniec. Ewentualnie można przy okazji poszukać artefaktu, ale jest to opcjonalne wyzwanie. Na dłuższą metę nic ciekawego, nudzi relatywnie szybko, a niektóre zagadki albo mechaniki nie są wyjaśnione, przez co miałem wrażenie, że raz działały, a raz nie. Nawigacja (szczególnie w HUBie) jest dość irytująca i niejednokrotnie biegałem w kółko, szukając kolejnej planszy czy brakującej znajdźki. Twórcy też kilkukrotnie rzucają jakimiś wrednymi pułapkami, coby nasza postać zginęła 10 sekund przed końcem planszy i trzeba całość powtarzać. Definitywnie nie jest to warte pełnej ceny, ale jak ktoś lubi takie rzeczy, to za piątaka można ograć.

Beautiful, fast-paced, and deeply satisfying to play.

This game is quite nice for its price. Some of the puzzles are clever. I would change the music, but that's just my opinion. It was worth it.