Library of Ruina

96%
Game Brain Score Based on 15,780 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Library of Ruina Game Cover
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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.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

96%
Audience ScoreBased on 15,780 reviews
story2,260 positive mentions
grinding500 negative mentions
  • story5,282 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, often highlighting the game's ability to evoke strong emotional responses. 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 fans of narrative-driven games and those who enjoy strategic card gameplay.

    • “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. It was a wonderful read through and watch; I won't write more in this section because I don't want to spoil it.”
    • “The story is engaging and the development team are a bunch of sweethearts.”
    • “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.”
    • “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 one of the best stories, this game is a disappointment in comparison.”
  • gameplay3,188 mentions

    The gameplay of "Library of Ruina" is characterized by its intricate deck-building mechanics and turn-based combat, which require strategic thinking and adaptability. Players face a steep learning curve due to the complex mechanics and RNG elements, but many find the gameplay rewarding and engaging once mastered. While some criticize the grindiness and lack of clear tutorials, the overall experience is enhanced by a compelling story, rich world-building, and a captivating soundtrack, making it a unique entry in the genre.

    • “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 as hell, and the strategy is super difficult but really rewarding.”
    • “The biggest deal breaker is how grindy this game is ... I can overlook the UI or the gameplay mechanic 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.”
  • music2,498 mentions

    The music in "Library of Ruina" has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its exceptional quality and emotional depth. The soundtrack, featuring contributions from the band Mili, enhances the game's atmosphere and storytelling, with dynamic tracks that evolve during battles to reflect the emotional stakes. Overall, the music is described as a standout element of the game, often considered one of its best features, and is frequently highlighted as a reason to play.

    • “The game has a beautiful art style and interesting battle mechanics along with a melodic soundtrack.”
    • “The soundtrack is all perfect, including several songs by mili!”
    • “The music is fantastic, both the dynamic floor themes and the exclusive climactic songs made by mili.”
    • “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.”
    • “I think the ost sucks!!!!”
  • graphics558 mentions

    The graphics of "Library of Ruina" are widely praised for their unique and captivating art style, which blends beautifully with the game's narrative and gameplay elements. Many reviewers highlight the stunning character designs and atmospheric visuals, although some note that the user interface can be cluttered and unintuitive. Overall, the game's aesthetic is considered a significant strength, enhancing the immersive experience alongside its impressive 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.”
  • grinding516 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 it detracts from the overall enjoyment, leading to frustration and disengagement. Several players recommend using mods to alleviate the grind, indicating that the experience can be significantly improved by reducing the need for repetitive farming.

    • “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 a lot.”
    • “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.”
    • “Seriously though, the grinding in this game is one of the worst I have ever encountered.”
    • “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.”
  • emotional264 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is overwhelmingly impactful, with many players reporting intense feelings ranging from deep sadness to joy, often resulting in tears. The narrative is praised for its heartfelt storytelling, complex characters, and a unique blend of dark themes and emotional recovery, making it a profound experience that resonates deeply with players. The combination of a beautiful soundtrack, engaging gameplay, and well-crafted lore contributes to an emotional rollercoaster that leaves a lasting impression.

    • “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.”
  • humor154 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players highlighting its blend of dry wit, absurdity, and comedic character interactions that enhance the overall experience. Many reviews mention specific funny elements, such as quirky character designs, humorous gameplay mechanics, and laugh-out-loud moments that balance the game's darker themes. Overall, the humor contributes significantly to the enjoyment and emotional depth of the game, making it a memorable experience for players.

    • “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!!!”
    • “That's not funny!!!”
  • atmosphere100 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 music and visuals, 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.”
    • “It is a masterclass in atmosphere and storytelling in ways that so rarely work in this medium.”
    • “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.”
    • “If you don't like graphic depictions of violence with a generally depressing atmosphere, then this city is not for you.”
    • “Almost every enemy has an enjoyable personality and recognizable design with their own gimmicks and tricks; the plot is intriguing, and the setting's dark and dreary atmosphere only adds to the experience.”
  • character development98 mentions

    Character development in the game is widely praised for its depth and complexity, with many reviewers highlighting the rich lore, compelling narratives, and unique character designs that contribute to a memorable experience. The storytelling seamlessly explores themes of humanity, morality, and choice, making the characters feel both relatable and multifaceted. While some players find the art style bizarre, the overall consensus is that the character development is one of the game's strongest aspects, offering an emotional and engaging journey through its dark, intricate world.

    • “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.”
    • “Library of Ruina has deep, strategy-intensive turn-based combat and deck building, and some of the best world building and character development I've ever seen.”
    • “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 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.”
    • “This game requires dedication and thought to its systems, as well as reading through pages of dialogue and character development to get the most out of it.”
  • optimization90 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 late-game scenarios, and suggest that significant improvements are needed, especially given its early access status. Despite these issues, some players remain hopeful for future optimizations and still find enjoyment in the gameplay.

    • “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.”
  • replayability58 mentions

    The game offers a mixed experience in terms of replayability, with some players praising its extensive content, diverse teams, and custom battles that enhance replay value, while others note a lack of significant replayability beyond initial playthroughs. Many appreciate the ability to experiment with different builds and revisit encounters, especially with the addition of workshop support for custom content. Overall, while some find replayability strong, others feel the game is best enjoyed as a singular experience, emphasizing its rich story and mechanics over repeated play.

    • “Replayability 10/10 (there's even a workshop to get even more content for subsequent runs)”
    • “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.”
    • “This game has everything I love in a video game; replayability, an amazing story/setting/plot, really unique characters in a vastly morbid world... not to mention the soundtrack is probably the best of any video game I have ever played.”
    • “Not much replayability, but the story is unforgettable and the mechanics are great.”
    • “Now I would complain about the lack of replayability or something, but this is the best game I never want to play again, ever.”
    • “Replayability-wise, not good.”
  • stability46 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with many players noting that while it is still in early access and has some bugs, the overall experience is not severely impacted. Some users reported occasional glitches and minor issues, but many found the game to be relatively stable compared to its predecessor, Lobotomy Corporation. Continuous updates and bug fixes have improved stability over time, leading to a more enjoyable experience for most players.

    • “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; I personally encountered only 1 bug while playing.”
    • “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).”
    • “This game is really fun but it has a weird glitch in the scenes where the game just freezes (no, it's not my computer freezing because I can still see the camera swaying around during battle) and you have to go back to the title screen or just quit the game entirely.”
  • monetization18 mentions

    The monetization model of the game is praised for its lack of microtransactions, DLCs, and paywalls, which many players view as a refreshing departure from the typical corporate cash grabs in the industry. Reviewers appreciate the game's focus on passion and integrity rather than profit-driven tactics, emphasizing that it stands as a complete experience without the pitfalls of mobile game monetization.

    • “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, there are no microtransactions.”
    • “- 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.”
    • “No sneaking in DLCs, no paywalls for better cards, no microtransactions, and no corporate nonsense that's been ruining this genre in video games.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

83hMedian play time
76hAverage play time
23-121hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 66 analyzed playthroughs

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