Run Ninja:

In Brief:
Run Ninja is a side scrolling platform game with neon like graphics and an easy to control protagonist.

The game always defaults to 1024 x 768 when you start the game up . When I set it to my native resolution (1920x1080), it ended up in the middle of two monitors while in windowed mode, however when playing in full screen, there's no issue. (My screen capture programs don't always take any captures in full screen {depends on the game} so I have to play in windowed mode)

There are three levels of difficulty, the harder the difficulty the less power you start off with. Reach zero power before you reach the end of the level and you have to start again. Run through the small circles to add extra power. You get three lives. If you die three times, you start from level one again, though if you select from the level screen you can start from whichever level you've unlocked. Progress is saved

You can see a video of game play HERE

Controls:

Left Arrow = Move Left
Right Arrow = Move Right
Down Arrow = Slide
Space = Jump
Shift = Run
Esc = Pause

Conclusion:
Run Ninja is a decent although short game with only ten levels, however, with three difficulty modes, you could say there's effectively 30 levels as the Medium & Hardest difficulty are more challenging to complete than the Standard mode .
The difference between the difficulty modes is a reduction in your starting power; so, you have less room to make mistakes, especially in the hardest difficulty. When having to slide under platforms, make sure you don't stop before you slide otherwise you'll creep forwards at an excruciatingly slow pace. Try to make the slide when you are running at the gap (i.e. Shift+ Right Arrow+Down Arrow).

I liked the graphic, with it's neon like platforms and the controls were relatively easy to remember. Wall climbing did require the use of the jump and alternate use of left and right movement keys to work; which, for myself, who is not as dextrous as I used to be, found it initially quite challenging, but after some practice and judicious placement of my fingers on the three keys required, found it became easier after several practice attempts.

I'm generally not into platform games (my favourites being Gish {2004} { I often wondered when I first played Gish whether it was named after The Smashing Pumpkins first album titled Gish?}, Wik & the Fable of Souls {2004}, as well as the original Trine {2009} with a few later platformers such as Ori and the Will of the Wisps (2020} and the remake of Another World {2013}; I used to have the original for Amiga from the early 90's; at the time it's graphic style was revolutionary .).

I will definitely be keeping this one because of it's simple controls and relatively easy game play plus as mentioned above, I like the graphic. It sort of reminds me of that Windows Vista Pro (or Ultimate) interface called Aero Glass.

It's a shame there aren't more levels included or better still a level editor so that you could create your own levels to share with other community members.

I would love to know what game engine the developer used? :)

Notes on Security

I scanned a zipped copy of the installed game using Virus Total and it found zero hits from 64 antimalware engines. You can see the scan results HERE.

The seventh Epic freebie is LEGO® Builder's Journey. So far we've been given Bloons TD 6, Horizon Chase Turbo, Costume Quest 2, Sable, Them's Fightin' Herds and Wolfenstein: The New Order.

The Steam sale starts tomorrow late afternoon Thursday 22nd of December. For other non Steam and Steam freebies always check Delenn's threads over in the game discussion forums HERE and HERE. Also, Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars Directors Cut is free over on GOG HERE. It ends Thursday. Also available for free on GOG is The Feast HERE; (there are two DLC's for this game, but they are not free).