Image: PRM Games
Just in case you needed any more evidence that exercise is dangerous, FMV thriller The Run is here to take you on the worst jog of your life. Fitness influencer Zanna finds herself in rural Italy during a bit of time away from work and, naturally, a run is in order. But she probably should have just stayed in bed, because it soon transpires that someone is out to get her.
More than just one someone, actually. If it’s not the masked man firing arrows at her, it’s the family who’s ready to shove her face in a vat of boiling water. Oh, and let’s not forget the random villager shooting at her from their window. To put it bluntly, Zanna’s having a bloody bad day of it, and the worst part is, she doesn’t know why.
Thankfully, she doesn’t have to go through most of it alone: local farmer Matteo, who she met the night before, is close by to help her for some of it. But having another person in tow doesn’t necessarily make you more likely to survive. It’s moral support, at least, and Zanna certainly needs that.
FMVs are an acquired taste, certainly. I’ve always enjoyed the format, but I’m the first to admit that they can be cheesy, schlocky, and feel cheap. Not The Run. The production values here are excellent, and it’s beautifully filmed. The fact it’s been filmed on location in Italy likely helps with that, as I’ve audibly ‘ahhhed’ at the beautiful vistas and stunning shots here more than once.
The acting is on-point, too. It’s low-key, with most of the action focusing on Zanna and Matteo, but they’re believable characters, with their acting never over-the-top. The same can be said of supporting characters when they make an appearance, too. The masked killers in particular are suitably ominous and threatening – although I feel like it’s likely the excellent masks doing most of the heavy lifting there.
It will only take you around an hour to complete The Run, and your time with it will truly feel like you’re watching through an interacting movie. You won’t make as many choices here as you will in, say, a classic Telltale game. But there is a branching narrative, and often a wrong decision will lead you directly to death. The Run doesn’t pull any punches and it’s not afraid to be a bit gruesome. I wasn’t kidding when I mentioned a family who wants to boil Zanna’s face. Make the wrong decision and you will have that image in your head for a while.
I’m obviously not going to spoil the ending here, but I have a feeling it will be a little divisive. Personally I think it’s clever, tying together the story nicely, explaining away some of the more random elements of the experience. Equally, it’s the type of ending that could quite easily make you roll your eyes – but it’s dealt with well. There are multiple endings here, so if you don’t get the one you’re happy with, there’s good reason to play through again, making different choices this time around.
I’m sure I’ve said it before, but PRM Games has well and truly cemented itself as one of the best in the FMV space. Headed by Paul Raschid, he’s previously worked on titles published by Wales Interactive before going independent. I very much enjoyed his last independent project, Hello Stranger, but The Run knocks it out of the water. Excellently produced, gorgeously filmed and a story that keeps you playing, this is a stellar example of the genre, and a sign that when FMV games are done right, they can be genuinely excellent.
The Run Review
One of the best FMV games to date, The Run is expertly filmed, set in the gorgeous Italian countryside. Not only does it look stunning, but it's a genuine joy to play, thanks to solid acting, faultless pacing and an intriguing storyline. FMV games may be an acquired taste, but when they're made as well as this, they deserve to be played.8out of 10
We like…
- Beautifully filmed
- Solid acting
- Intriguing story – and often brutal outcomes
We don’t like…
- Some players won't like the ending
- There's no way of knowing what choices will lead to death
This review of The Run has been facilitated by a code provided by the game’s published. It’s available on PC.
