Library of Ruina

Starting at $4.40Buy now

Get on Steam

Get on Xbox Games Store

In "Library of Ruina," manage a library filled with unique guests and powerfully skilled librarians. Combat unfolds like a stage performance, with defeated guests transformed into valuable books. Your ever-growing collection unlocks new guests and mysteries tied to the enigmatic city. Strive to gather the ultimate tome and unearth the singular, perfect book.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 7,890 reviews

story1,130 positive mentions

grinding250 negative mentions

story
2,641 mentions
43 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The story of "Library of Ruina" is widely praised for its depth, emotional resonance, and intricate world-building, serving as a direct sequel to "Lobotomy Corporation." Players appreciate the character development and the intertwining narratives that explore themes of despair, hope, and the human condition within a dystopian setting. While some reviews note that familiarity with the previous game enhances the experience, many agree that the story stands strong on its own, making it a compelling draw for both newcomers and returning fans.
- “A beautiful multi-threaded story containing important themes with deep and challenging gameplay and satisfying progression.”
- “The story is absolutely impeccable; I had some of my best times in this genre of games going through the story, especially Roland's and Angela's.”
- “The story is engaging and the development team are a bunch of sweethearts.”
- “The reason I gave it a negative review is the story; don't get me wrong, it still has a good story, but it's definitely the weakest story in terms of the developers' games. Lobotomy Corporation had one of the best storytelling I've seen in a game, and this game is a disappointment in comparison.”
- “The pacing is irregular, with long stretches of seemingly pointless dialogue interspersed with sudden, unexplained plot developments.”
- “The lack of clear guidance, combined with balance issues, inconsistent difficulty, and a poorly explained story, make it difficult to recommend.”
gameplay
1,594 mentions
36 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Library of Ruina" is characterized by its complex and challenging mechanics, blending deck-building and turn-based combat with a unique dice-rolling system. Players must navigate a steep learning curve, as the game introduces numerous mechanics and strategies that require careful planning and adaptation to succeed in increasingly difficult encounters. While some players appreciate the depth and strategic elements, others find the gameplay grindy and overwhelming, particularly due to its reliance on RNG and the need for constant deck adjustments. Overall, the game offers a rich and engaging experience for those willing to invest the time to master its intricacies.
- “The gameplay is deeply complex and fueled by a mountain's worth of content that can be freely customized and slotted into many, many parts by the player themselves.”
- “The gameplay and combat is insanely in-depth with many subsystems and mechanics that are slowly introduced to you and add incredible depth to how you approach every encounter.”
- “The gameplay is fun, the story is good, and the mechanics are clean and fun, allowing for a rich and interesting game.”
- “The biggest deal breaker is how grindy this game is... I can overlook the UI or the gameplay mechanics, but I just don't have the time for this level of grind... or maybe I can if the game has fanservice, but it's zero here, all pain no gain.”
- “Players are expected to grasp intricate mechanics and synergies with minimal guidance, leading to a steep and often discouraging learning curve.”
- “The gameplay is extremely confusing at first (turn off quick combat while you are learning the game!) but will make sense as you play more.”
music
1,249 mentions
57 % positive mentions
41 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The music in "Library of Ruina" has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its exceptional quality and emotional depth. Composed by the indie band Mili and Studio Eim, the soundtrack features a diverse range of genres and dynamic themes that enhance the gameplay experience, particularly during boss battles. While some players noted that the music can become repetitive over time, the overall consensus is that it significantly contributes to the game's atmosphere and storytelling, making it a standout feature.
- “The game has a beautiful art style and interesting battle mechanics along with a melodic soundtrack.”
- “All of that is accompanied by a beautiful soundtrack and songs from Mili for especially important story moments.”
- “The music conveys so much emotion; the OST never disappointed me.”
- “1/10 nauseating visual style and nauseating music.”
- “I could have gotten past the visuals if the depth was worth it, but the music quite literally makes me physically ill.”
- “The singer(s) very clearly do not have a firm grasp of the English language, which isn't a problem per se, but I honestly would have preferred if the songs were in Korean, even though I know even less Korean than I do Japanese.”
graphics
279 mentions
50 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Library of Ruina" are widely praised for their unique and captivating art style, which blends beautifully with the game's atmosphere and storytelling. Many reviewers highlight the stunning character designs, detailed backgrounds, and impressive animations during combat, contributing to an immersive experience. While some note that the user interface can be cluttered and the visuals may not appeal to everyone, the overall aesthetic is considered a significant strength of the game, complemented by a fantastic soundtrack.
- “The art style and character/monster designs are all really nice!”
- “The atmosphere and art style are striking, immersing you in a world where strategy and storytelling intertwine seamlessly.”
- “The art style is both stunning and distinct, bringing the characters and the library itself to life.”
- “Visually, Library of Ruina presents a unique aesthetic, but the UI is cluttered and unintuitive.”
- “The character designs, while distinctive, can be so bizarre as to be off-putting, potentially alienating players who aren't fans of the specific art style.”
- “The art style of the visual novel, the menus, and the battlefield with chibis is so ridiculously different that it looks like three people wanted three different games, and barely managed to find a single programmer to stitch it all together in a large mess.”
grinding
258 mentions
1 % positive mentions
2 % neutral mentions
97 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and time-consuming, particularly in the late game where repeated battles are often necessary to progress. While some appreciate the challenge and depth it adds to deck-building and strategy, others feel that the grind detracts from the overall enjoyment, leading to frustration and disengagement. Mods are frequently recommended to alleviate the grind, suggesting that the game may not cater well to casual players or those averse to repetitive gameplay.
- “Not too grindy and gives enough challenge to prevent boredom.”
- “The game is not too grindy; if you know what to do, you can breeze through some parts of the story, but some cards do help you a lot, and you want some cards that are plentiful.”
- “Not too grindy; you should never need to do a stage more than twice, though you can replay it more to get more copies of the cards.”
- “The biggest deal breaker is how grindy this game is... I can overlook the UI or the gameplay mechanics, but I just don't have the time for this level of grind. Or maybe I can if the game has fan service, but it's zero here, all pain, no gain.”
- “This game makes you want to die; it is unfair, grindy at times, and the difficulty spike in most games bows down to Library of Ruina's difficulty loop.”
- “The grinding in this game is one of the worst I have ever encountered.”
emotional
132 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is overwhelmingly praised, with many players reporting intense feelings ranging from deep sadness to joy, often leading to tears during pivotal moments. The storytelling, character development, and soundtrack contribute significantly to this emotional experience, creating a profound connection that resonates with players long after they finish the game. Overall, it is described as a powerful emotional journey that combines heart-wrenching narratives with engaging gameplay, leaving a lasting impact on those who play it.
- “The characters are great, the setting is unique, the writing is top-notch, the soundtrack is beautiful, and the songs by Mili are heart-breaking.”
- “This game has rewired my brain chemistry and is a wonderful story about emotional recovery set amidst a hypercapitalist hell backdrop that eerily resembles our world.”
- “The story was phenomenal and made me cry multiple times.”
humor
77 mentions
99 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players highlighting its blend of dry wit, absurdity, and comedic character interactions. Many reviews mention funny elements such as quirky names, humorous gameplay mechanics, and laugh-out-loud moments that enhance the overall experience, even amidst darker themes. Overall, the game's ability to balance humor with emotional depth has resonated strongly with players, making it a standout feature.
- “Playing Ruina, I feel like I've had the most fun I've had in years, not only gameplay-wise, but in a compelling story that moved my heart, made me ache, made me sob, made me laugh, and so much more.”
- “Library of Ruina is probably the best game I have ever played; its story captures so many things about dealing with dramatic and traumatizing events and how people can move on from them while not being too dark, as there are some funny moments mixed in there too with some amazing and interesting characters that you can't mix up no matter what.”
- “Aight so you take dry humor in a dystopian environment and mix it with severe body horror, the single greatest soundtrack I have ever heard in a game, and social psychology and mental illness and slap it into the most cohesive package imaginable, and you get something about half as good as this game is.”
- “That's not funny!!!”
atmosphere
50 mentions
56 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its striking art style, haunting soundtrack, and immersive world-building, creating a dark and gritty experience that enhances both the storytelling and gameplay. Reviewers highlight the seamless integration of visuals and music, which contribute to a captivating and often intense atmosphere, making each encounter feel significant. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as a masterclass in storytelling, with a unique blend of beauty and horror that resonates deeply with players.
- “The atmosphere and art style are striking, immersing you in a world where strategy and storytelling intertwine seamlessly.”
- “The hauntingly beautiful soundtrack, especially the songs by mili, enhances the overall experience, creating an atmosphere that is both haunting and mesmerizing.”
- “The atmosphere for this game is absolutely stunning and yet horrifying as well.”
- “This game's brutal atmosphere and lore connecting all the way back to the Lobotomy Corporation is genius; if I could, I would choose this as one of my games to replay forever if I was stuck with only a few to play.”
- “The grim atmosphere that permeates the entire story makes every event seem important; there are no real lulls in the pace, I was excited for each and every reception.”
- “As a Korean game, do not expect everything to be pretty or have happy endings/atmosphere; if you want that, this is not the game for you.”
character development
49 mentions
61 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is widely praised for its depth and complexity, with players noting that each character is well-crafted, featuring unique designs and compelling backstories that enhance the overall narrative. The writing is described as engaging and thought-provoking, exploring themes of humanity, morality, and choice, while the art style, though polarizing, contributes significantly to the game's immersive world-building. Overall, the character development is considered one of the game's strongest aspects, providing an emotional and rewarding experience for players.
- “The game, through character development, also touches a lot on the topic of humanity, fate, morality, free will, and choice, and does so in a seamless, easy to read manner.”
- “Some of the greatest characterization and character development I've ever seen.”
- “This story is told very well, though similar to a visual novel, the personalities and emotions of each and every character are very well shown in the story, and all characters are extremely unique from each other, from their character designs to their personalities.”
- “The character designs, while distinctive, can be so bizarre as to be off-putting, potentially alienating players who aren't fans of the specific art style.”
- “Overall, I would wait to get this game on sale; it looks like a lot of development went into the gameplay but is kind of lackluster in character development and story.”
- “(The main character suddenly turns into an insane revenge maniac, but if you have been doing psychotherapy suppressions on him, he will have the choice to not ruin his whole character development throughout the game and keep being a decent character.”
optimization
45 mentions
13 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is widely criticized, with users reporting long loading times, frequent frame rate drops, and overall poor performance even on capable hardware. Many players express frustration over the game's inability to run smoothly, particularly during intense gameplay moments, and while some hope for improvements in future updates, the current state is deemed unsatisfactory. Overall, the lack of optimization significantly detracts from the gaming experience.
- “Enjoy deckbuilders with a significant degree of difficulty and optimization required.”
- “There’s a lot of optimization and synergy doable with decks and floors resulting in strong builds, but it can be as simple as you like.”
- “Much like most RNG card battler games, Library of Ruina requires attention and a considerable amount of enjoyable RPG micro-management: you’ll have to regularly edit decks of entire teams, think about synergies and optimization, stuff like that.”
- “The game's performance is also questionable, with long loading times and occasional frame rate drops, even on capable hardware.”
- “It's not perfect, it's badly optimized and sometimes made my PC feel like an overpriced toaster; there are some fights that make me want to alt-F4 from life, and yet... I utterly love it.”
- “The optimization is so poor that a Ryzen 3400 with 16 GB of RAM can barely handle the game, and it is still lagging as hell.”
replayability
29 mentions
21 % positive mentions
66 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is generally praised, with many players highlighting the variety of teams, custom receptions, and mod support that enhance the experience. While some reviews note a lack of traditional replay value, the depth of content, engaging mechanics, and the ability to revisit encounters contribute to a strong replayability score, often rated around 8-10/10. Overall, players appreciate the game's ability to offer new experiences through different builds and custom battles, despite some expressing a desire for more structured replay options.
- “The game has good replayability; you have 10 different floors (aka teams) that you can control, and they all have different passives that can change how you play or build.”
- “10/10 replayability with mods.”
- “The games are difficult, yet deeply rewarding if you enjoy the story and lore, along with having immense replay value just from the sheer variability of what you'll see, how you can play, and more.”
- “Not much replayability, but the story is unforgettable and the mechanics are great.”
- “Now I would complain about lack of replayability or something, but this is the best game I never want to play again, ever.”
- “I don't think the game has a lot of replay value, but it's long (my playthrough took about 150 hours), so if you ask me, you are definitely getting your money's worth in terms of hours of entertainment per dollar.”
stability
23 mentions
13 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
87 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with many players noting occasional glitches and bugs, particularly since it is still in early access. While some users report minor issues that do not significantly impact gameplay, others have experienced more frustrating game-breaking glitches. Overall, the game is considered relatively stable for an early access title, with ongoing updates improving its performance.
- “I'm more confident in giving this a yes now that the game isn't as buggy as it used to be at launch.”
- “As of 7/3, the game is almost completely bug free, and developers have been consistently updating the game with more content and balance patches.”
- “The game itself is really well made, it's really good looking and not buggy or anything.”
- “However, the rampant bugs and game-breaking glitches have ruined the experience for me.”
- “The game falls short of sometimes being a frustrating mess, having to go back and forth constantly between floors and fights due to loss of books and glitches (happened to me twice).”
- “As of right now, the game is a bit buggy and in early access, with somewhat inconsistent balancing and a tutorial that isn't exactly the greatest, among other faults.”
monetization
9 mentions
33 % positive mentions
11 % neutral mentions
56 % negative mentions
The monetization model of the game is praised for its absence of microtransactions, paywalls, and DLCs, which many players view as a refreshing change from the typical corporate cash grabs in the industry. Reviewers appreciate the developers' commitment to creating a game driven by passion rather than profit, emphasizing that it stands independently without relying on advertisements or exploitative practices.
- “No, there are no microtransactions.”
- “This isn't some mobile game that depends on microtransactions to stay afloat, so there's no reason for it not to be improved on in the future.”
- “- no microtransactions (I have to include this because some people mention gacha and might confuse them with microtransactions)”
- “Greedy corporate cash grab.”
- “Personally, I would rather have a rough game made with passion than a cash grab with high production value.”
- “Or it is a 100+ hour advertisement for the hamhampangpang sandwich shop; in that case, I must admire the sheer dedication of the developers.”