Vector a parkour-based running game that’s all about style!

The first thing that strikes people when they catch a glimpse of Vector is usually its unique silhouette-based art style. It’s certainly got a visual appeal that is unlike most other games, which is an excellent way to invite players into trying out its gameplay. After all, there are only so many ways you can make the “infinite runner” genre sound interesting enough to lure in new customers. However, in case you’ve never heard of Vector before, it’s also got another ace up its sleeve that’s sure to at least earn it your attention: it’s all about standing up to an Orwellian future and breaking free from an oppressive dystopia.

The game’s intro sequence tells it best. Inside a monochromatic skyscraper, a line of men walks past a large, two-tone screen. Their silhouettes shuffle slowly across the image on display, which is that of a strong-jawed man addressing his audience in his speech: “Welcome to our brave new world…”

A surveillance camera watches over an undisclosed location that appears to be a security checkpoint of some kind, with helmeted guards in body armor process rows and rows of seemingly endless queues of workers. They each are scanned one by one at a gate, its lasers tracing the length of each individual’s body before allowing them access beyond the inspection area. Once cleared, each person’s circlet–a yellow band that wraps around their head and embraces their temples, the only ornamentation these shadows are adorned with–turns green. “A world free of strife…”

Breaking Free

We come up to a man, one of these headband-wearing workers, sitting at his desk. He breathes heavily, as if distraught. In front of him is a monitor that briefly displays the face of a young woman with Asian features. For a moment, a flash of red lettering is overlaid on her portrait, blinking the word “GUILTY” before her picture is cast aside. “There’s no need for you to rush; you’re already where you were meant to be…”

The Asian lady’s face is replaced on the monitor by another woman’s. Blonde, this time, with wide eyes. The interface blinks red once more. The sitting man’s breathing quickens as a second monitor swings in from the side to face him, continuing the speaker’s monologue. “There’s no need for you to think, the pressure is removed…” The sitting man turns away from the screen. “All decisions are made…”

The man grips his head tightly, as if in pain. “We offer you comfort, harmony, and order, requiring only that you obey.” At this, his scream echoes within the vast, dim office of hundreds just like him, and he flings his neural inhibitor away. Its green light blinks, seeking its connection with a host. It blinks again, this time turning red as alarm klaxons blare throughout the building.

Big Brother sees all. Our escapee runs but is immediately pursued. He never looks back as he barrels down a corridor, stripping himself of his tie, shirt, and suit–the last remaining shackles anchoring him to this institution. The expediency of his retreat is not dampened one bit by the quickly-approaching glass window before him. He knows what he must do, for even the threat of death couldn’t be worse than a lifetime in servitude.

Our protagonist takes his leap of faith. Shards of glass explode outwards as our freerunning fugitive flies, and then falls, falls, falls…

And the game begins. With such an exciting and artistic opening sequence, it’s hard to ignore the game completely. Vector is nothing if not style incarnate, and is definitely worth the five minutes of your time it would take to finish at least the first level. Oh, and it’s got cool parkour flips and stuff too, which is pretty neat.