Runback

Runback is a roguelite platform party fighter for 2–4 players, with online and local multiplayer. Choose one of three starting characters—the sword-wielding Paladin, the knuckle-cracking Brawler or the crafty Artificer—and fight across more than 30 maps. Between rounds, purchase upgrades to change your character’s moves and abilities, adapting your build to the battle and your opponents.

Characters and combat

The Paladin slashes with a sword, the Brawler smashes opponents with fists, and the Artificer offers a mystical-mechanical approach. These starting characters are only the beginning: upgrades can add new moves, effects and abilities. You can launch a fist like a rocket, make attacks grapple opponents and drag them along, add hitstun, bring out a fighter jet or release a cloud of nanoparticles from explosive moves.

Upgrades between rounds

Runback has over 200 distinct upgrades to purchase and combine between rounds. They range from stat boosts such as increased damage or jump height to on-hit effects such as slow and burn, as well as powers including holographic duplicates and blast-zone looping. Choices can combine in unexpected ways: fast-fall and looping can send you through the bottom blast-zone for a surprise attack from above, while a holographic duplicate with boosted knockback can leap into the void to edgeguard without risking your character. Each series of battles can unfold differently as upgrades carry your choices into later fights.

When you lose a round, you receive double the money to spend on upgrades and can build a new strategy for a comeback. You can use upgrades to close the distance against opponents who outrange you, extend your own range or counter an opponent’s edge-guarding. Blast-zone looping can let you leave one side of the screen, travel around to the other and return to the stage before an opponent catches you.

Multiplayer and maps

Two to four players can play online or locally. The game includes more than 30 maps, and crossover content features Slay the Spire and Ultrakill.