X Trench Run
New
- Genre Action games
- Players 1
- Session 5 min
- Price Free
- Updated
A starfighter in a narrow corridor, travelling faster than is reasonable. Solid barriers have to be avoided, laser gates have to be destroyed by shooting the pillar that anchors them, and defensive emplacements shoot back while you are deciding which of those two things the next obstacle needs. The corridor shifts as you travel, so memorisation only takes you so far, and boss encounters break the run into segments with their own patterns to read. It is an endless runner and a shooter at the same time, and the interesting part is that the two halves compete for the same attention. The escalation is what keeps runs interesting rather than merely faster. New obstacle types are introduced steadily, and each one changes the balance between shooting and dodging rather than simply adding another thing to avoid. By the later stretches you are making that choice several times a second, which is a considerable amount of decision-making for a game with two inputs.
| WASD or arrows | Steer the fighter |
|---|---|
| Space or click | Fire |
| Touch | Drag to steer, tap to fire |
How to play X Trench Run
- Decide early whether an obstacle needs dodging or shooting. Hesitating between the two is what ends runs.
- Fire continuously on approach so the pillar is destroyed before you arrive rather than as you reach it.
- Stay near the centre of the corridor by default, which keeps both directions available.
- Deal with the emplacements that are shooting at you before the ones that are not.
- Learn the boss patterns. They repeat and are the most predictable part of the game.
Tips
- Shooting is often faster than dodging, because a destroyed gate leaves the whole width open.
- The corridor shifts, so a route that worked once may not exist next time. Read rather than remember.
- Bosses reward patience, and most deaths at them come from trying to finish the fight early.
Questions about X Trench Run
Is it a runner or a shooter?
Both. Dodging and shooting are equally necessary and compete for your attention.
How do the laser gates work?
They are anchored by a central pillar. Destroy it and the gate opens.
Are there bosses?
Yes, punctuating the run with their own patterns.
Does it get faster?
Yes, continuously.
Does it work on a phone?
Yes, with drag and tap controls.
Does it need installing?
No, it runs in the browser.
