Army of Ruin

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"Army of Ruin" is an auto-shooter game where players lead legendary heroes on a mission to defeat the Armies of Evil. The game features a wide range of enemies and epic bosses, as well as a variety of unique skills and equipment for each hero. Players can level up their skills, enhance their weapons and trinkets, and discover powerful combinations to face the many challenges ahead. The game offers a quick and thrilling experience, designed to be simple and fun for hours.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,169 reviews

graphics114 positive mentions

grinding54 negative mentions

Great graphics and polished presentation, making it visually appealing.
Tons of unlockable characters, weapons, and trinkets, providing a satisfying progression system.
Engaging gameplay with a good mix of strategy and action, allowing for various build combinations.

Gameplay can feel slow and grindy, especially in the early stages, leading to potential boredom.
Some characters and weapons feel underwhelming or similar, lacking distinctiveness.
The game may lack depth and innovation compared to other titles in the genre, making it feel repetitive over time.

graphics
231 mentions
49 % positive mentions
49 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the improved visuals and cohesive art style compared to similar titles like "Vampire Survivors." While some players appreciate the colorful and polished graphics, others find them generic or reminiscent of mobile games. Overall, the game is noted for its smooth performance and appealing aesthetics, making it a standout in its genre despite some criticisms regarding gameplay depth and originality.
- “The graphics are amazing.”
- “The visuals and UI are top-notch; it's obvious there was high attention to detail.”
- “Beautiful graphics with gameplay inspired by vampire survivors-like games.”
- “Terrible aesthetics, and this is coming from someone who loved their previous game, Ziggurat 2.”
- “The graphics are better than Vampire Survivors, but the game mechanics are a lot more underwhelming; it doesn't have that cocaine-like game loop that Vampire Survivors does.”
- “It feels a bit too much like a clone of Vampire Survivors, but with fancier graphics, significantly slower gameplay, less options, and a max round of 10 minutes.”
gameplay
179 mentions
28 % positive mentions
66 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this title is generally well-received, characterized by a satisfying core loop and appealing graphics, though it often draws comparisons to "Vampire Survivors" due to its similar mechanics. While many players appreciate the variety of weapons, characters, and upgrades, some criticize the gameplay for being repetitive or lacking depth, particularly in the early stages. Overall, it offers a solid experience with a mix of enjoyable mechanics and challenges, but some feel it could benefit from more innovation and faster pacing.
- “The core gameplay loop is enjoyable, the graphics are appealing, the challenge ramps up nicely; it's just well worth the time and money.”
- “Fluid gameplay, beautiful effects, and a very neat quest system that guides you towards objectives and unlocks.”
- “The gameplay is solid, refreshingly slower-paced with an emphasis on working around a limited build.”
- “Gameplay is just boring as hell.”
- “The early game works fine, but the early weapons/characters are fairly drab, and unlocking better weapons requires quite a few hours of gameplay.”
- “The gameplay adds nothing to the genre so far (other than perhaps a special power).”
music
56 mentions
59 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players praising its quality and ability to enhance the gameplay experience without becoming irritating. While some find the soundtrack to be somewhat generic or repetitive, others highlight its engaging orchestral tracks and memorable tunes that evoke nostalgia. Overall, the music contributes positively to the game's atmosphere, making it a standout feature for many players.
- “The music doesn't get irritating to listen to even as you play through, which speaks a lot to the ability of the composer.”
- “Each map has its own soundtrack that loops in the background, with the orchestral tracks sounding like epic music.”
- “Music is awesome, graphics are the best yet for this type of game.”
- “The instrumentation of the music loop is mostly all right, but a bit too short, and the weird vocal-like screeching always pulls me out of enjoying the gameplay to go 'yikes, what is that?'”
- “Other than that, the sound effects and the music are horrendous in my opinion and could really use some work.”
- “Sound: 7/10 pretty decent sound effects but could use better music and the ambient weather is often drowned out... maybe a bit of mixing needed there.”
grinding
54 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that the game features a significant amount of grinding, which can be both rewarding and tedious depending on the player's perspective. While some players appreciate the diverse challenges that keep the grind engaging, others find it excessively repetitive and frustrating, particularly in the late game. Overall, the grinding aspect is a double-edged sword, appealing to those who enjoy long-term progression but potentially alienating casual players or those with limited time.
- “Be warned that like the other game of Milkstone Studios, Army of Ruin requires tens of hours of grinding the same few levels for pretty useless upgrades.”
- “I dunno where to start, I never thought I would say it of any of the Vampire Survivors-esque games, but this game is just plain tedious and boring.”
- “Patching has led to balance swings, taking the game from 'this is really fun but probably a bit too easy' to 'oh joy, another grindy nut-kicking simulator. F this game, I'm done'... when (or maybe if) things settle down and the game finds a happy medium, it'll be a must-buy, but for now... I'd rate it a hard pass, unfortunately.”
story
19 mentions
16 % positive mentions
68 % neutral mentions
16 % negative mentions
The game's story is minimal, lacking dialogue and emotional engagement, which may leave players feeling disconnected. While the quest system provides some structure and the mysteries of the eldritch forces can be intriguing, the reliance on grinding and repetitive missions to unlock content detracts from the overall narrative experience. The artwork is noted as a strong point, but many players feel that the story itself is underdeveloped and could benefit from additional depth and side quests.
- “Unraveling the mysteries of the eldritch forces driving the story keeps players engaged, as each discovery adds a layer to the unfolding cosmic nightmare.”
- “One thing I love about this game that others don't have is a very clear quest system.”
- “Fluid gameplay, beautiful effects, and a very neat quest system that guides you towards objectives and unlocks.”
- “There's no dialogue, no story, little to engage the player emotionally.”
- “So in order to open up the storyline, you will have to do a lot of grinding and level repeating.”
- “- it uses cheap tricks to inflate replay value, by giving you missions that tell you to 'play map x with item y'.”
optimization
16 mentions
88 % positive mentions
13 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game is highly praised for its exceptional optimization, allowing smooth gameplay even at high resolutions and with numerous on-screen elements. Players report consistent performance across various systems, including high-end PCs and Macs, with minimal bugs and impressive graphics. Overall, the game's polish and attention to performance contribute to a highly enjoyable and addictive experience.
- “Optimization is top tier, and I can play at 4K on a 3080 and not lag, even with a ton of enemies and projectiles.”
- “Fantastic and very well-optimized game, especially for an early access release.”
- “More importantly, the game runs very smoothly and is apparently designed with great care to performance.”
replayability
13 mentions
46 % positive mentions
31 % neutral mentions
23 % negative mentions
The game boasts exceptional replayability, featuring over 500 challenges, numerous characters, and a wealth of weapon upgrades that keep gameplay fresh and engaging. Players appreciate the variety of unlocks and the ability to customize their experience, although some suggest adding an endless mode or more end-game content to enhance replay value further. Overall, the vibrant aesthetic and satisfying progression contribute to a highly addictive and replayable experience.
- “It has tons of challenges (over 500) that give rewards, and dozens of characters and weapons, with seemingly infinite replayability due to unlimited weapon upgrades that don't max out just when things are getting good, and stacks and stacks of ruins to add to levels that make them harder and more rewarding.”
- “There's a lot of replayability with unlocks, challenges, characters, and weapons, and it's easy to track what you need to do next.”
- “It also has great replay value because you can buy permanent upgrades, there are various challenges that unlock more features, and it's just so much fun and satisfying to see your character become so powerful that the monsters don't stand a chance.”
- “The only improvement I could think of is to include an endless mode with leaderboards to increase replayability after you unlock everything.”
- “- it uses cheap tricks to inflate replay value, by giving you missions that tell you to 'play map x with item y'.”
- “Maybe some more end-game content for replayability.”
stability
9 mentions
56 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
44 % negative mentions
Overall, the game demonstrates strong stability, with players reporting zero crashes, slowdowns, or graphic errors during extensive playtime. However, some users have experienced random freezing issues on the Steam Deck, which may affect its recommendation for that platform. Despite this, the game is generally praised for its polished performance and optimization across other devices.
- “The game looks great too and there are a lot of games similar in gameplay with lesser graphics and less content, so it's a huge plus considering this game runs great while looking as good as it does.”
- “Good graphics, music, and runs great on the Steam Deck as well!”
- “It's polished, nearly bug-free, optimized, with a good UI and controller support.”
- “Tried all the troubleshooting the dev indicated in the discussions to no avail.”
- “It felt like a nice game, but I can't recommend it for the Steam Deck because it randomly freezes every couple of minutes.”
- “For the entire 35 hours I've played so far, I had zero crashes, no slowdowns, no graphic errors or other glitches.”
humor
8 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its humor, particularly through its quirky character designs, amusing death animations, and sound effects that enhance the comedic experience. Players enjoy the absurdity of battling whimsical enemies like umbrella monsters and funny zombies, while the variety of interactions available after unlocking features adds to the hilarity. However, some design choices intended to be humorous may come off as frustrating or confusing to players, blurring the line between intentional comedy and perceived bugs.
- “Big points for the little details... the ragdoll/death animations and sound design are hilarious!”
- “You fight things like umbrellas with a big eye, ninjas, robots, funny-looking zombies, animals, and mythical creatures.”
- “After unlocking all game features, you will be equipped with a ton of choices that interact in the craziest and funniest way you can imagine.”
atmosphere
5 mentions
60 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
40 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Army of Ruin" is heavily influenced by Lovecraftian horror, featuring eerie visuals and otherworldly landscapes that create a sense of foreboding and immersion in a dark narrative. The game's unique use of vibrant, corrupted colors enhances its atmospheric depth, distinguishing it from more traditional presentations. Overall, the 3D stylized design significantly elevates the experience compared to its predecessor, "Vampire Survivors."
- “The eldritch visuals, otherworldly landscapes, and cosmic horrors create an atmosphere that oozes with a palpable sense of foreboding, immersing players in a dark and mysterious narrative.”
- “Lovecraftian atmosphere: Army of Ruin masterfully captures the eerie essence of Lovecraftian horror.”
- “It is particularly nice visually, being a corrupted rainbow of colors rather than a bland mush of 'white for snow' and 'green for forest', making it oddly atmospheric.”
- “The Lovecraftian atmosphere in 'Army of Ruin' masterfully captures the eerie essence of Lovecraftian horror.”
- “The atmosphere is the most obvious improvement from 'Vampire Survivors' with its 3D stylized presentation.”
emotional
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional engagement in the game is minimal due to the lack of dialogue and story, leaving players with little to connect to on a deeper level. However, the fact that it is developed by an indie team adds a heartwarming element to the experience, despite its reliance on gameplay mechanics over narrative.
- “I wouldn't bat an eye if I was told this had been made by a AAA company; the fact an indie team is behind it is honestly heartwarming.”
monetization
3 mentions
33 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its lack of microtransactions and ads, providing a mobile game experience without additional costs. Players find it enjoyable and well-priced, appreciating the absence of monetization tactics.
- “Overall fun game for the price, like a good mobile game without monetization.”
- “Feels a lot like a mobile game but without the microtransactions and ads.”
- “No outside cost or additional monetization to the game.”
character development
2 mentions
150 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is polarizing; while some players appreciate the diverse and well-designed roster of over ten characters, others criticize the weak weapon mechanics and poor hit detection that hinder meaningful progression and evolution of characters.
- “Amazing character design, with a roster boasting 10+ characters to choose from, each offering a unique experience.”
- “The depth of character development is impressive, allowing players to form meaningful connections with each character.”
- “Each character has a rich backstory and distinct personality traits that evolve throughout the game.”
- “The hitboxes are terrible, the character design is lackluster, and every weapon feels weak, making it nearly impossible to properly evolve or develop without wasting an item or weapon slot.”
- “Character development feels stagnant, with no meaningful progression or depth to the characters.”
- “The lack of variety in character abilities and the inability to customize them leads to a frustrating experience.”