X Trench Run is a fast-paced arcade space shooter developed by MarketJS and released in August 2019. You play as the nation’s star cadet, piloting an X Fighter Wing on a critical mission deep into enemy territory. The gameplay is reminiscent of the iconic Death Star trench run — you fly through narrow corridors at high speed, dodging obstacles, disabling laser gates, and taking out enemy turrets along the way.
The game features a simple but addictive gameplay loop. Each run sends you hurtling through a procedurally arranged trench filled with barriers, enemy turrets, and laser gates. You need quick reflexes to weave between obstacles while simultaneously shooting down threats. The controls are tight and responsive — arrow keys or WASD to manoeuvre, spacebar or left click to fire your weapons.
Boss fights punctuate the action at regular intervals, providing a satisfying challenge. These larger enemies require sustained fire while you dodge their attack patterns. Defeating a boss lets you advance to the next section of the trench, where the difficulty ramps up with faster obstacles and more complex arrangements.
Every run feels different thanks to the varied obstacle layouts, keeping the game fresh even after many attempts. The 3D graphics create a convincing sense of speed and depth as the trench walls blur past. Sound effects and a pumping soundtrack complete the arcade atmosphere.
X Trench Run works on both desktop and mobile browsers, making it easy to pick up and play anywhere. The one-hand control scheme on mobile (tap and drag to move, auto-fire) is particularly well implemented.
How To Play X Trench Run
- Use WASD or arrow keys to control your space fighter’s movement up, down, left, and right.
- Press Spacebar or left-click to fire your weapons at enemy turrets and obstacles ahead.
- Dodge barriers, laser gates, and incoming fire by weaving through the trench.
- Destroy enemy turrets to clear your path and earn points.
- Face off against bosses at the end of each section — keep firing while dodging their attacks.
- On mobile, tap and drag to move your fighter. Shooting is automatic.
