Stick Runner

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About Stick Runner

Stick Runner sets a stick figure on a single unbroken track and asks you to read what is coming toward it. Obstacles arrive at random heights and lengths: some need a jump, others sit high enough that ducking underneath is the only way through. Two buttons at the bottom of the screen handle both moves, which keeps the input simple and puts the difficulty entirely in timing and judgement. The catch is the crouch. A red progress bar tracks how long the stickman can stay low, and once it empties he straightens up whether or not the gap above him has passed. That single rule turns a reaction test into something closer to a puzzle, since long low obstacles have to be entered late rather than early. Runs are short, restarts are quick, and each attempt throws a different sequence at you.

How to Play Stick Runner

Use the two buttons along the bottom of the screen: one jumps, the other drops the stickman into a crouch. Click them with the mouse, or tap them on a touchscreen. Stay low only while the red bar lasts, since the stickman rises again the moment it runs out. Jump over low obstacles and crouch under anything hanging overhead.

Tips and Tricks

Delay the crouch rather than triggering it early. The red bar starts draining the instant you go low, so an early duck often runs out while the obstacle is still overhead.
Check the length of a low obstacle before committing. If it is clearly longer than one crouch can cover, expect to stand up mid-obstacle and be ready to press the crouch button again straight away.
Avoid jumping as insurance. Once the stickman is in the air the arc plays out, and you cannot duck until he lands, which is how most runs end.
Because the obstacle order is random, do not try to memorise sequences. Keep your eyes on the edge of the screen where new shapes appear and react to their height first, length second.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to download anything to play Stick Runner?

No. It runs in the browser on Dubdoo, with no install, no plugin and no account needed.

Why does the stickman stand back up while I am still crouching?

The crouch is on a timer shown by the red progress bar. When that bar empties, he straightens up automatically, whether or not the obstacle above him has cleared.

Does it work on a phone or tablet?

Yes. The two on-screen buttons are made for tapping, so a touchscreen works as well as a mouse.

Is there more than one track or level layout?

There is a single track. The variety comes from obstacles of different sizes and lengths appearing in random order, so no two runs play out the same way.

Why is Stick Runner listed under puzzles rather than action?

The challenge is working out which move fits each obstacle and how long you can afford to stay low, which is closer to a timing puzzle than pure reflex play.