Army of Ruin

89%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,338 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • music
Army of Ruin Game Cover
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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.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

89%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,338 reviews
graphics228 positive mentions
grinding108 negative mentions
  • Great graphics and polished gameplay, making it visually appealing and enjoyable to play.
  • Tons of unlockable characters, weapons, and trinkets, providing a satisfying progression system.
  • Unique weapon evolution system based on elemental affinities, allowing for diverse builds.
  • 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.
  • Difficulty spikes can be frustrating, with certain levels becoming overly challenging without proper scaling.
  • graphics462 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the improved visuals over similar titles like "Vampire Survivors," highlighting their colorful and polished design. While some players appreciate the charming art style and smooth performance, others find the aesthetics generic or overly familiar, suggesting that the game lacks originality despite its graphical enhancements. Overall, the graphics are generally considered a strong point, contributing positively to the gameplay experience.

    • “The graphics are amazing.”
    • “The visuals and UI are top notch; it's obvious there was high attention to detail.”
    • “Great graphics, polish, and optimization.”
    • “Terrible aesthetics, and this is coming from someone who loved their previous game, Ziggurat 2.”
    • “- graphics is kinda blurry and overall design lacking any memorable details.”
    • “The graphics are better than VS, but the game mechanics are a lot more underwhelming; it doesn't have that cocaine-like game loop that VS does.”
  • gameplay358 mentions

    The gameplay is generally well-received, characterized by a satisfying core loop and appealing graphics, though it often draws comparisons to "Vampire Survivors" with many similar mechanics. While some players appreciate the variety of unlocks and the evolving weapon system, others find the gameplay repetitive and lacking in depth, with a slow progression that can hinder engagement. Overall, it offers a solid experience for fans of the genre, but may not innovate enough to stand out among its peers.

    • “The core gameplay loop is enjoyable, the graphics are appealing, the challenge ramps up nicely, it's just well worth the time and money.”
    • “Addicting gameplay and challenges actually make you want to 100% the game!”
    • “The gameplay is very smooth and the visuals are very pleasing.”
    • “Most important: gameplay is just boring as hell.”
    • “Very quick finite limited power progression, after reaching the abilities ceiling the gameplay cuts short leaving you with zero empowerment feeling.”
    • “The gameplay adds nothing to the genre so far (other than perhaps a special power).”
  • music112 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 appreciate its orchestral elements and catchy tunes that evoke nostalgia for classic RPGs. Overall, the music contributes positively to the game's atmosphere, with a few minor critiques regarding specific sound effects and mixing.

    • “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.”
    • “Also the music is all bangers, and that's coming from someone who usually mutes game music and puts on a podcast.”
    • “Other than that, the sound effects and the music are horrendous in my opinion and could really use some work.”
    • “Other minor cons: 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?'”
    • “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.”
  • grinding108 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting it can be excessively grindy and repetitive, particularly in the late game where significant time investment is required for unlocks and upgrades. However, some players appreciate the rewarding nature of the grind, citing diverse challenges that keep gameplay interesting. Overall, while the grind can feel tedious and overwhelming for casual players, those who enjoy a more dedicated approach may find it fulfilling.

    • “Be warned that like the other game of the Milkstone Studios (Ziggurat 2), 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.”
  • story38 mentions

    The game's story is largely criticized for its lack of dialogue and emotional engagement, leaving players uncertain about its narrative depth. While some players appreciate the quest system and the mysteries surrounding the eldritch forces, the overall experience feels grindy and repetitive, requiring extensive mission completion to unlock story elements. The artwork is noted as a strong point, but many feel that the story component is underdeveloped and could benefit from additional side quests and objectives.

    • “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.”
    • “At this point, I'm not sure if there is a story yet... but I consider artwork parallel to a story component.”
  • optimization32 mentions

    The game is highly praised for its exceptional optimization, allowing smooth gameplay even at high resolutions like 4K on powerful hardware, such as the RTX 3080 and 3070. Players report buttery smooth performance with minimal lag, even during intense action sequences, and commend the game's polished graphics and user interface. Overall, it is considered one of the best-optimized titles, particularly impressive for an early access release.

    • “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.”
    • “The game is extremely well optimized.”
  • replayability26 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 playstyle, although some suggest the addition of an endless mode and more end-game content could enhance replay value further. Overall, the vibrant aesthetic and satisfying progression contribute to a highly addictive 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.”
    • “It's unique among the games that I've played; it allows for insane build flexibility, replayability, and the ability for personal playstyle to make a significant impact on how you choose to succeed in the game.”
    • “It also has a great replay value because you can buy permanent upgrades, there's various challenges that unlock more features, and because it's just so much fun and satisfying to see your character become so powerful 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.”
  • stability18 mentions

    Overall, the game demonstrates strong stability with no crashes, slowdowns, or graphic errors reported during extensive playtime. However, some users have experienced random freezing issues on the Steam Deck, which may affect its recommendation for that platform. Despite these concerns, the game is generally polished and optimized, providing a smooth experience on other systems.

    • “It's polished, nearly bug free, optimized, good UI with controller support.”
    • “Good graphics, music, and runs great on the Steam Deck as well!”
    • “This game looks great and runs great and is really fun.”
    • “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.”
    • “Tried all the troubleshooting the dev indicated in the discussions to no avail.”
  • humor16 mentions

    The game is praised for its humor, particularly through its quirky character designs, such as fighting whimsical enemies like umbrella-eyed creatures and funny zombies. Players enjoy the hilarious ragdoll death animations and sound effects, which add to the comedic experience. However, some design choices that limit play styles are seen as odd, with players finding unintended bugs amusingly entertaining.

    • “Big points for the little details... the rag doll/death animations and sound design are hilarious!”
    • “You fight things like umbrellas with a big eye, ninjas, robots, funny looking zombies, animals, mythical creatures.”
    • “After unlocking all game features you will be equipped with a ton of choices that interact in the craziest and funniest but mostly most hilarious way you can even imagine.”
  • atmosphere10 mentions

    The atmosphere of "Army of Ruin" is highly praised for its masterful embodiment of Lovecraftian horror, featuring eldritch visuals and otherworldly landscapes that create a deeply immersive and foreboding experience. The game's unique use of vibrant, corrupted colors enhances its eerie ambiance, setting it apart from more conventional presentations. Overall, the 3D stylized graphics significantly elevate the atmospheric quality 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.”
    • “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.”
    • “Lovecraftian atmosphere: Army of Ruin masterfully captures the eerie essence of Lovecraftian horror.”
    • “[u]Atmosphere:[/u] The most obvious improvement from Vampire Survivors is the 3D stylized presentation.”
  • emotional6 mentions

    The emotional engagement in the game is minimal, as it lacks dialogue and a narrative, leaving players with little to connect to on an emotional level. However, the fact that it is developed by an indie team adds a heartwarming touch, suggesting a sense of passion behind the project despite its mechanical focus.

    • “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 heart-warming.”
  • monetization6 mentions

    The game is praised for its lack of microtransactions and ads, providing a mobile game experience without additional costs or monetization. Players find it enjoyable and well-priced, likening it to a quality mobile game that avoids common monetization pitfalls.

    • “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 development4 mentions

    Character development in the game is polarizing; while some players praise the diverse and well-designed roster of over ten characters, others criticize the weak weapon mechanics and ineffective evolution system that hinder meaningful progression.

    • “Amazing character design, with a roster boasting 10+ characters to choose from, each offering a unique experience.”
    • “The hitboxes are poorly designed, the character design is lackluster, and every weapon feels weak, making it impossible to properly evolve or develop without wasting an item or weapon slot.”
    • “The character development is severely lacking, with no meaningful progression or depth to the characters, leaving players feeling disconnected from the game.”
    • “I found the character development to be shallow and uninspired, with little to no impact on gameplay or story.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

45hMedian play time
41hAverage play time
15-65hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 38 analyzed playthroughs

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