Retronauts Episode 240: The Running Man
Added 2019-08-12 07:00:02 +0000 UTCJust as video game boss fights were becoming more sophisticated, Hollywood gave us 1987's The Running Man, a movie that—whether its writer knew it or not—exists as a 100-minute-long boss rush. Though other big, beefy action movies of the '80s inspired video games more directly, this lower-profile entry in the Schwarzenegger canon might have had an even bigger effect on the way we look at boss fights in general. On this episode of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, and Henry Gilbert as the crew examines this cheesy chunk of social commentary, and the many games it would influence in its wake. It's showtime!
Comments
edit: I should listen to the whole podcast before posting! Xenogears has a Running Man moment where you're thrown in a prison colony with an explosive collar. The colony is basically an entire city and you fight weirdos in an arena for fame and fortune.
Justen Brown
2019-08-16 16:30:12 +0000 UTCMan I have literally never heard of this movie before this podcast. The name evokes some cornball 70s sci-fi!
Kevin Bunch
2019-08-15 20:24:49 +0000 UTCGents, essencial sci-fi movie with exploding things round necks is Wedlock (1991), starring R. Hauer (RIP).
2019-08-14 20:14:25 +0000 UTCI really like it, but was hard to find on home media for a long time.
2019-08-13 20:09:28 +0000 UTCIf you want to talk about the 80's Arnold film nobody talks about, look up Raw Deal. It's literally the 80's Arnold action film I have never heard anyone talk about except in the context of "Wait, that's a movie?!"
SilverHairedMiddleAgedTuxedoMask
2019-08-13 06:08:12 +0000 UTCI place The Running Man in the mini “future death sport” genre along the likes of Rollerball and Death Race 2000. In general I love these style of stories as they combine colorful sports attire with brutal sci fi dystopia (and social satire if you’re extra lucky). It’s a small collection of films, even though The Hunger Games sorta made the concept relevant again. Running Man is definitely b-tier Arnold, but it’s arguably one of his most influential films. Nearly every sci fi sports game is a descendant. Speedball 2, Mutant League Football, SuperBaseball 2020, Powerball, Wind Jammers, Rollerball, etc. Smash TV certainly. Though few attempt a Verhoeven style social commentary sadly. I’m a little surprised that there hasn’t been more recent games in this vein. The Running Man concept seems like such a perfectly platonic video game idea.
2019-08-13 01:25:26 +0000 UTCI’ve never watched the movie from beginning to end but luckily it’s streaming free on VUDU this month.
Eric Plunk
2019-08-13 00:10:29 +0000 UTCI know there was inevitably going to be more games that were inspired by Running Man than you would have been able to mention on the podcast, but one that struck me is the penultimate(?) area of Flashback. You are dropped into a game show and forced to battle your way through to the top floor, escaping with your life as the grand prize. It’s a small section of the game, but playing through it for the first time last year on Switch, and then coincidentally being drawn to Running Man as I’d discovered it’s availability on Amazon Prime, it felt to me like there just had to be some influence there at Delphine Studios during development of their now-renowned cyberpunk title. Experiencing both pieces of media so close together has created a strong and hopefully lasting memory for me.
Ben DeFever
2019-08-12 16:39:46 +0000 UTCYou guys make my Monday morning. Can't wait to listen.
littleterr0r
2019-08-12 14:47:40 +0000 UTCI like the idea of this podcast. It made me think of things like Contra and Rush'n Attack. Looking forward to listening!
VanDiagram
2019-08-12 07:21:44 +0000 UTC
