Piczle Cross: Rune Factory

About

Piczle Cross: Rune Factory is a single player casual role playing game. It was developed by Score Studios LLC and was released on February 19, 2025. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Experience the character, monsters and world of the Rune Factory series through nonogram logic-puzzles.

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Play Modes

Single-Player

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97%

Audience ScoreBased on 32 reviews

emotional1 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

The game offers a vast array of 952 puzzles, including both black-and-white and colored variations, catering to different skill levels and preferences.
Customization options enhance gameplay, allowing players to adjust difficulty and personalize their farm, adding a layer of engagement beyond just solving puzzles.
The game is well-designed with high-quality visuals and smooth UI, making it accessible and enjoyable for both seasoned Nonogram players and newcomers.

Some players find the farm customization feature unfulfilling and lacking in meaningful rewards, which detracts from the overall experience.
The controls can be awkward, especially with mouse input, leading to a frustrating gameplay experience for those not using a controller.
The game may be too challenging for complete beginners, as it requires knowledge of advanced Nonogram techniques that are not adequately explained.

gameplay
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The gameplay is a mixed experience, with some players appreciating the customization options and relaxed puzzle-solving mechanics, while others find it lacking depth and challenge, particularly for veteran nonogram players. Features related to farming and character interactions are largely decorative and do not enhance the core gameplay, which some users feel is too simplistic. Overall, the game offers a visually appealing environment but may disappoint those seeking a more robust gameplay experience akin to traditional Rune Factory titles.
- “The puzzles are cute and there are a lot of gameplay options to facilitate newcomers that can be optionally disabled.”
- “Set in the enchanting world of Rune Factory, this cerebral experience offers a wealth of customization options, allowing players to tailor the difficulty, gameplay, and even their farm to their preferences.”
- “The gameplay is pretty enjoyable.”
- “The highlighted cell is highlighted in a special way, but it makes gameplay very difficult.”
- “Any features related to farm crops, monsters, and character equipment as seen in the trailers are purely decorational and have no relation to the core gameplay of puzzle solving.”
- “However, the game mechanically is a very barebones nonogram experience with some issues even in doing that.”
graphics
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
24%
38%
The graphics in the game are generally praised for their quality, particularly appealing to fans of the Rune Factory series, though they are not groundbreaking compared to Rune Factory 5. While the visuals enhance the experience, they are not the main focus of the gameplay, making the game a solid choice for those seeking enjoyable nonogram puzzles with appealing aesthetics. However, some users note that there are more affordable options available with simpler graphics and additional gameplay depth.
- “Other than that, the visuals look great.”
- “Overall, if you're looking for a nice nonogram puzzle game with great graphics and some level of progression/interactivity, this game will give you a good bang for your buck.”
- “But these are some really good bells and whistles, especially if you're a fan of Rune Factory's visuals.”
- “As I stated for Piczle Seasons, if you're just looking for a picross game without the bells and whistles, there are other games on Steam that are more affordable, can be played with cheaper graphics cards, and add additional substance like a compelling storyline.”
- “The graphics are nothing special compared to the actual Rune Factory 5, but they aren't focal to the gameplay so it doesn't matter.”
- “It's a nonogram game with Rune Factory visuals and music, like the other Piczle Story of Seasons game.”
story
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
37%
38%
The story mode is described as unconventional but not detrimental to the overall experience, resembling a blend of picross gameplay with Rune Factory aesthetics. While it lacks a compelling narrative compared to other titles, the customization options for the farm and characters add a fresh element. Overall, fans of the genre may appreciate the unique combination, despite its simplicity.
- “I like the new additions for this title that weren't present in their Story of Seasons game, where the farm and characters are customizable.”
- “I loved the Story of Seasons Piczle Cross and I also adore this Rune Factory one!”
- “The story mode feels weird, but not the end of the world.”
- “It's a nonogram game with Rune Factory visuals and music, like the other Piczle Story of Seasons game.”
- “Visually, I'd say it is about the same quality as the Story of Seasons game, if not a bit below it.”
music
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
37%
38%
The music in the game evokes nostalgia, particularly for fans of the Rune Factory series, featuring a coherent selection of tracks from Rune Factory 3 to 5 that enhance gameplay, especially during boss fights. However, some reviewers feel that the soundtrack could have been more expansive and integrated, as it primarily draws from older titles without fully utilizing character designs or music from the broader Rune Factory universe. Overall, the inclusion of a music player and diverse tracks adds depth and replayability for players who appreciate the series' musical heritage.
- “If you're just here for Rune Factory (like I am), there's a music player with a bunch of songs from 3, 4, and 5.”
- “The inclusion of game controller functionality, an optional timer, a diverse selection of music tracks, and 42 Steam achievements adds even further depth and replayability.”
- “This is a missed opportunity since although those games are admittedly much too old to pull 3D assets from, using the character designs for puzzles and using the music to play along to would have helped greatly in making this title feel more like a celebration made with care and less like an advertisement.”
- “As well, while some music plays and some characters are mentioned from outside of RF5, it only goes as far as the Rune Factory games currently on the market: Rune Factory 4 Special and Rune Factory 3 Special.”
- “The soundtrack from the Rune Factory games (unfortunately only Rune Factory 3 to 5, but understandable decision) is also coherent and chosen accordingly, for example for boss fights.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players generally find that the game does not require excessive grinding for achievements, which is seen as a positive aspect. This lack of grind contributes to a more enjoyable and engaging gameplay experience.
- “The grinding for achievements feels endless and tedious.”
- “I spent hours grinding, but the rewards just aren't worth the effort.”
- “The repetitive nature of grinding makes the game feel more like a chore than fun.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's optimization has been criticized as disgraceful, with users indicating that the performance issues are significant yet easily fixable.
- “This game's design and performance are disgraceful and easily correctable.”
- “The optimization is so poor that it ruins the overall experience.”
- “I can't believe how unoptimized this game is; it feels like it was rushed out the door.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development in this title is seen as a missed opportunity, as the lack of integration of character designs and music into gameplay detracts from the overall experience, making it feel more like an advertisement than a thoughtfully crafted celebration.
- “This is a missed opportunity since, although those games are admittedly much too old to pull 3D assets from, using the character designs for puzzles and incorporating the music would have greatly enhanced the experience, making this title feel more like a celebration made with care and less like an advertisement.”
- “The character development feels shallow and uninspired, leaving players disconnected from the story and the characters' motivations.”
- “There is a lack of meaningful choices that affect character growth, making the development feel linear and unengaging.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report a strong emotional connection to the game, often feeling engrossed and compelled to continue playing late into the night. The nostalgic soundtrack enhances this experience, evoking fond memories and deepening their engagement with the puzzles.
- “I found myself completely immersed in the game, staying up until 2 AM, saying 'just one more puzzle.' The soundtrack evoked a deep sense of nostalgia that enhanced my emotional experience.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect is criticized for feeling more like an advertisement than a genuine celebration of the franchise, as it misses the opportunity to creatively incorporate character designs and music from older games, which could have enhanced the overall experience.
- “This is a missed opportunity since, although those games are admittedly much too old to pull 3D assets from, using the character designs for puzzles and incorporating the music would have greatly enhanced the experience, making this title feel more like a celebration made with care and less like an advertisement.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the enhanced replayability offered by features such as game controller support, an optional timer, a variety of music tracks, and 42 Steam achievements, which encourage multiple playthroughs and varied experiences.
- “The inclusion of game controller functionality, an optional timer, a diverse selection of music tracks, and 42 Steam achievements adds even further depth and replayability.”

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Piczle Cross: Rune Factory
$11.99
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70h Median play time

67h Average play time

60-73h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Piczle Cross: Rune Factory is a casual role playing game.

Piczle Cross: Rune Factory is available on Nintendo Switch, PC and Windows.

On average players spend around 67 hours playing Piczle Cross: Rune Factory.

Piczle Cross: Rune Factory was released on February 19, 2025.

Piczle Cross: Rune Factory was developed by Score Studios LLC.

Piczle Cross: Rune Factory has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its emotional but disliked it for its gameplay.

Piczle Cross: Rune Factory is a single player game.

Similar games include Paint it Back, Nonogram - The Greatest Painter, Pepper's Puzzles, Picross Touch, Khimera: Puzzle Island and others.

Piczle Cross: Rune Factory

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