Traditionally, on these weekly posts, we bring you classic downloadable indie titles as most people don’t really associate the word browser with “good games”. However, this week I bring you one of the rare exceptions to that rule: Dino Run, a classically styled arcade retro browser game (too many adjectives?).

Browser games, in recent years have really started making a name for themselves. Back in the early part of last decade (or this decade if you swing that way) browser games were often crude, formulaic games that didn’t contain much gameplay. Certainly nothing on par with even games that were released back on the old NES system. However, as the years came and went, there was a lot of progress made in the genre that brought with it many features that we now see in games like Dino Run.

First, let’s get it out of the way, Dino Run is a fairly simplistic arcade game. While it was released in 2008, the game actually replicates the style of the older generation consoles like the NES and Commodore 64. However, despite the graphics and simplistic gameplay, the game brings with it some modern  conventions that you wouldn’t expect out of a browser game. Chief among those being: multiplayer, character progression, and saved games.

But enough about what the game has, let’s just talk about the game itself. Dino Run is a fairly simple game. I know we have a habit here at DIYgamer usually representing Metroid-like games. So if your not a fan of those types of games then, rest assured that Dino Run is nothing like them. With Dino Run your jumping into a game that’s, literally, about a running dinosaur. The idea is simple: it’s the end of the dino world and you have to outrun the oncoming dino apocalypse (dinocalyspe?).

Of course, outrunning the apocalypse isn’t as easy as I make it out to be. The game is broken up into levels and each level gets progressively harder — there’s plenty of moving and non-moving obstacles in your way — as you complete them.  Likewise, the game has made it in your best interest to go out of your way to pick up eggs that will contribute to your DNA. At certain points in the game you’ll reach a “milestone” which will allow you to spend any DNA you’ve acquired on upgrading your dinosaur’s speed, acceleration, jumping, and strength.

One of the hardest parts about the game, unfortunately, is that you really only have a certain amount of lives before it’s game over and you have to start over from the beginning. The good news is that, even if you do have to start from the beginning, your character progression comes with you so you won’t have to start the game over entirely.

Finally, one of the best parts about Dino Run is its seamless and incredibly fun multiplayer experience. Add onto everything I just said, but throw in 3 other players while your running and you have the multiplayer version of the game only instead of simply racing against the apocalypse your now racing 3 other dinosaurs as well. It’s a surprisingly fun adaptation and is something so simple that you’d be surprised by just how fun it is. I’d say on my first play through of the multiplayer I must have played for at least an hour which certainly isn’t bad considering it’s both a simplistic arcade game, and a browser game.

So that’s basically it. If your looking to kill sometime today or tomorrow, take a look at Dino Run. There’s nothing to be lost from giving it a try and if you do enjoy it, well, there’s a lot of fun to be had there. Now, excuse me, while I go attempt to outrun my own extinction.

[play via PixelJam]