RUNNER, in contrast to VOID, is the most literal game In the series. Commander Video has now made the transition into his physical form: he's mastered his mind and has a grasp of what it's like to live among other beings. He is now ready to take on some real-world challenges.

Hasten introduces players to Mardroid's insatiable urge to challenge himself and grow. The lunar landscape represents the wonder that he feels as he embarks on this new journey.

By the end of Impetus, Mardroid has realized that there are hazards in the world and that not everyone has his best interests in mind. In Persistence, where it seems everything is against him, he has to push harder to succeed, but as represented by the music, he has not lost his hopeful outlook on the world.

Soon after Persistence. Mardroid experiences the waste and ugliness of the world first-hand. The somber tone of the music in level 3 highlights the sad realization that there is ugliness in the world. In the end, Mardroid discovers the source of the problem and vergres, if even only temporarily.