I Hate Running Backwards (v1.1.1)

A frantic reverse-scrolling shooter turns the simple act of retreating into a full-blown survival test. Set across a deliberately absurd collision of time periods and locations, I Hate Running Backwards follows Serious Sam and a roster of guest characters as they flee Mental’s army through deserts, cities, prehistoric landscapes, and stranger arenas. The mood is loud, cartoonishly violent, and knowingly ridiculous, with constant explosions and enemy swarms replacing careful tactical pacing. Its top-down view recalls arcade shooters, but the focus stays on outrunning the chaos behind you rather than advancing into the unknown.

Each run pushes your character backward through a level while enemies pour in from every direction, demanding quick aim, movement, and ruthless target prioritization. Guns range from familiar shotguns and rocket launchers to lasers, flamethrowers, and more exotic science-fiction hardware, while destructible scenery often hides useful pickups or simply gives you something satisfying to demolish. Defeated enemies and collected rewards feed into perk choices that alter damage, survivability, ammo efficiency, and other build-defining traits, helping you prepare for screen-filling bosses. Runs can end abruptly when the crowd overwhelms you, so learning weapon behavior and making smart upgrades matters as much as raw reflexes.

Its most distinctive idea is the forced backward momentum: stopping feels dangerous, but blindly running leaves enemies alive to surround you. That tension gives the action a different rhythm from twin-stick shooters such as Enter the Gungeon or Nuclear Throne, even when the screen becomes equally crowded. The mixed universe approach brings recognizable Serious Sam-style enemy designs together with entertaining crossover characters, keeping the presentation playful rather than grim. I Hate Running Backwards suits arcade-score chasers and roguelite fans who enjoy short, punishing sessions, though newcomers should expect a steep learning curve and plenty of messy deaths before a strong run comes together.