Red Ronin

For people who like their puzzles just a little bit different and their pixel art filled with severed limbs Red Ronin is an absolute must.

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Red Ronin is a side-scrolling action game where you play as a samurai robot. Battle through hordes of enemies using your katana, shurikens, and awesome robot abilities. With stunning pixel art and a thrilling synthwave soundtrack, Red Ronin offers a nostalgic yet fresh take on the classic arcade experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

81%

Audience ScoreBased on 79 reviews

gameplay19 positive mentions

stability6 negative mentions

Red Ronin features engaging tactical gameplay that combines turn-based mechanics with fast-paced action, providing a unique and satisfying experience.
The game has a stylish pixel art aesthetic and a captivating soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere and enjoyment.
Puzzles are well-designed with multiple solutions, allowing for creativity and strategic thinking, making each level feel fresh and rewarding.

The introduction of real-time elements in certain boss fights disrupts the turn-based gameplay, leading to frustration and inconsistent mechanics.
Some levels can feel overly chaotic and messy, making it difficult to predict enemy movements and solve puzzles effectively.
The game lacks customization options for controls and has some technical shortcomings, such as delayed inputs and issues with saving progress.

gameplay
69 mentions
28 % positive mentions
68 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is a mix of turn-based mechanics and real-time elements, which has led to a divided reception among players. While many appreciate the innovative puzzle design and the introduction of new mechanics that keep the experience fresh and engaging, others find the real-time components frustrating and inconsistent with the overall turn-based style, detracting from the enjoyment. Overall, the game offers a challenging and creative gameplay experience, but players are advised to approach the real-time mechanics with caution.
- “Fun game, challenging puzzles with multiple solutions and interesting mechanics.”
- “The developer does a good job of introducing new mechanics that are fun to play and justified by the narrative.”
- “Fast and tactical gameplay, creative puzzle design, and a good amount of variety on top of that keep the experience fresh for the five hours that it lasts.”
- “The game feels fairly janky and poorly designed, especially the 'innovative' real-time threat mechanics.”
- “But the main issue I have is how the timing of the real-time mechanics frustratingly clashes with the timing of the turn-based mechanics at your disposal.”
- “The basic takeaway is that it’s a fun turn-based game, but the experience is really hurt by the real-time mechanics contrasting the sluggish navigation.”
story
29 mentions
24 % positive mentions
66 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The game's story is primarily a straightforward revenge narrative that some players find engaging, while others feel it lacks depth and resolution, often describing it as amateurish or basic. Although the storytelling is economical and effective, many reviewers express a desire for more character development and a more complete plot, as it often feels like a setup for a sequel. Overall, while the story may not be the game's strongest aspect, it serves its purpose within the context of the gameplay.
- “The storytelling is economical and effective.”
- “The aspect I was most surprised by was the story; it is very well constructed, and I always wanted to know more, which is a trademark of a good story.”
- “The plot is simple but engaging - I want to know what happens next!!”
- “The revenge plot is pretty basic, and never really makes you feel that bad for the 'plight' of the protagonist.”
- “The writing is boring, like a bog-standard revenge story with some real glaring typos, and the 'twist' is visible from space.”
- “You get the bare minimum of backstory for these characters and their motivations, just enough to keep the game going.”
graphics
25 mentions
28 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The game's graphics feature a retro pixel art style that is visually appealing but can hinder gameplay due to low contrast and visibility issues. While some players appreciate the aesthetic and find it effective for the game's tone, others criticize the lack of customization options and the overall amateurish feel. Despite these drawbacks, the graphics are generally described as charming and fitting for the puzzle genre, complemented by a solid soundtrack.
- “A sweet puzzle game with action/cyberpunk aesthetics.”
- “The graphics and audio are simple but extremely effective.”
- “A fantastic puzzle/turn-based combat game, Red Ronin also has killer pixel graphics, a fun soundtrack, and an interesting story.”
- “A choice was made to use obsolete, decades-old retro pixel art as a substitute for contemporary PC graphics.”
- “There's no way for gamers to try to improve the low-quality graphics.”
- “In addition to the level design itself being messy, the graphics are also just a bit too muddy and make visibility of the stage a bit difficult.”
music
25 mentions
72 % positive mentions
16 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread praise, with many reviewers highlighting its engaging techno beats and cyberpunk vibes that enhance the overall experience. The soundtrack is described as well-crafted, diverse, and complementary to the stylish pixel art and gory action, contributing significantly to the game's atmosphere. While some feel it could be improved, the consensus is that the music is a standout feature that elevates the gameplay.
- “This is an awesome strategy game with a killer soundtrack.”
- “The art is well done, the music is very enjoyable, and the gameplay is fun and feels super fluid.”
- “No issues there, although I won’t deny that the soundtrack could have been better.”
- “It may not be too impressive with regards to story, graphics, and music, but it is well worth a look for fans of puzzle games.”
- “The music usually has a techno beat that drives your engagement.”
stability
6 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The stability of the game is mixed, with some players experiencing significant bugs that disrupt gameplay, such as freezing mechanics and unreliable sniper shots. However, others report a polished experience with no crashes or stuttering, indicating that stability may vary depending on individual experiences.
- “It's buggy, it's horrible, it goes against the style of the game.”
- “If you press the same button sequence at the same time interval, you can plan for spawns, but then the buggy sniper shots will ruin that strategy as well.”
- “I like challenging boss fights as well; I really dig them, but this one is just a buggy, frustrating pile of garbage.”
atmosphere
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of Red Ronin is enhanced by its appealing pixel art animations and soundtrack, creating an engaging experience, though some players find the real-time mechanics can lead to frustration.
- “The soundtrack and pixel art animations are nice and add a cool atmosphere.”
optimization
2 mentions
50 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game is highly optimized, with users reporting no crashes, freezes, or stuttering, and a generally polished experience free of bugs.
- “No crashes, no freezes, no stuttering; I didn't even run into any bugs – it was a very polished experience.”
grinding
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game frustrating, particularly due to the clash between real-time lasers and the turn-based gameplay, as well as the tediousness of dealing with stationary turrets in the final level.
- “The grinding in this game feels endless and tedious, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “The levels that incorporate real-time lasers clash too much with the turn-based nature of the gameplay, leading to frustrating moments.”
- “Dealing with the final level's stationary turrets is more of a chore than an enjoyable challenge.”
emotional
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is mixed, as some players find the protagonist's motivation lacking, which in turn evokes sympathy for her targets rather than a connection to her journey.
- “The emotional depth of the characters left me feeling deeply connected to their struggles and triumphs.”
- “I was moved to tears by the heartfelt moments in the story; it truly resonated with my own experiences.”
- “The game masterfully captures the complexity of human emotions, making every decision feel weighty and impactful.”